Lynbrook | New Hyde Park | NY

health

RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Creamy Avocado Pesto Pasta

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 cup fresh basil
  • 1 handful of spinach
  • 8 grape tomatoes
  • 3 TBSP pine nuts
  • 2-3 cloves garlic
  • ½ ripe avocado
  • 2 TBSP nutritional yeast
  • Juice of ½ a lime
  • Pinch of salt and pepper
  • 4 TBSP of olive oil

DIRECTIONS

  1. Blend all the ingredients together until combined.
  2. Add the pesto over your cooked pasta and toss until evenly spread!
  3. Enjoy your meal!

Original recipe is by Mitali Eats on Instagram!

RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad

Prep Time: 15 mins

Total Time: 15 mins

Serves 4 as a side

An easy and delicious shaved Brussels sprout salad made with just 7 ingredients! The perfect salad to make ahead for any gatherings or pack for lunch.

Ingredients

  • 4 cups shaved Brussels sprouts
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/3 cup grated pecorino cheese, optional
  • 1/3 cup chopped chives
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Thinly slice the Brussels sprouts using a mandoline if you have one. Place them into a medium bowl and toss with the olive oil, lemon juice, pine nuts, cranberries, pecorino cheese, chives, and pinches of salt and pepper.
  • Let the salad sit at room temperature for 15 minutes, then taste and adjust the seasonings. Finish with an additional drizzle of olive oil if you like.

You can find the original recipe from Love and Lemons here!

RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Ingredients
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder
¾ teaspoon salt
1 large red bell pepper, sliced
1 large yellow bell pepper, sliced
2 cups sliced red or yellow onion (about 1 large)
1 tablespoon lime juice
8 corn tortillas, warmed
Lime wedges, cilantro, sour cream, avocado and/or pico de gallo for serving

Directions
Step 1
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a large rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.

Step 2
Cut chicken breasts in half horizontally, then slice crosswise into strips. Combine oil, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder and salt in a large bowl. Add the chicken and stir to coat with the spice mixture. Add bell peppers and onion and stir to combine. Transfer the chicken and vegetables to the prepared baking sheet and spread in an even layer.

Step 3
Roast on the middle rack for 15 minutes. Leave the pan there and turn the broiler to high. Broil until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are browning in spots, about 5 minutes more. Remove from oven. Stir in lime juice.

Step 4
Serve the chicken and vegetables in warmed tortillas accompanied by lime wedges and topped with cilantro, sour cream, avocado and/or pico de gallo, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 2 fajitas per person

Per Serving: 357 calories; protein 30.1g; carbohydrates 32.5g; fat 12.1g

You can find the original recipe by Eating Well here!

RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Healthy Vegetable Soup


Ready In: 2hrs 30mins
Ingredients: 20
Yields: 24 1 cup servings
Serves: 12


INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon crushed garlic
1 1/2 cups diced onions
3 cups celery, diced
1 large bell pepper, diced
5 cups carrots, diced
28 ounces diced tomatoes
3 cups green beans, cut into 1 inch
pieces

2 cups shredded cabbage
2 cups celery leaves, chopped
5 teaspoons knorr chicken bouillon
2 teaspoons knorr tomato bouillon
1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon herbes de provence
1/8 cup sodium-free seasoning, blend
1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
6 green onions

Find the original recipe by farrangel on Food.com here!

DIRECTIONS
Saute onion and garlic in large stock pot
at medium heat until translucent.
Add celery, carrots and bell pepper and
saute 2 minutes more.
Add all remaining ingredients and bring
to a low boil.
Once boiling, reduce to simmer and
continue cooking for 90 minutes to
develop flavors.
Enjoy as is for a non-meat meal. Or add
cooked chicken to make a heartier meal.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Spinach & Zucchini Lasagna

Prep time: 15 mins

Cook time: 40 mins

Serves: 9

Ingredients:

  • 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • half onion, finely chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 28oz. can crushed tomatoes with the juice or 1 ¾ pound of fresh tomatoes, peeled, seeded and diced
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh basil
  • 3 cups spinach
  • 15 oz part-skim ricotta
  • 1 large egg
  • ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 4 medium zucchini, sliced ?” thick
  • 16 oz part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • ½ tsp parsley, chopped

Directions:

  1. In a saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and cook 4-5 minutes until they are soft and golden. Add garlic and sauté, being careful not to burn. Add tomato paste and stir well. Add crushed tomatoes, including the juice in case you are using tomato cans. Add salt and pepper.
  2. Cover and bring to a low simmer for 25-30 minutes.
  3. Finally remove from the heat and add fresh basil, spinach and stir well.
  4. Adjust the seasoning if you think it is necessary.
  5. Preheat oven to 375°.
  6. In a medium bowl mix ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese and an egg. Stir well.
  7. In a 9×12 casserole spread some tomato sauce on the bottom. Layer 5 or 6 zucchini slices to cover. Place some of the ricotta cheese mixture and top with the mozzarella cheese.
  8. Repeat the layers until all your ingredients are all used up. Top with sauce and mozzarella.
  9. Bake 30 minutes covered and 10 minutes uncovered. Let stand about 10 minutes before serving.
  10. Garnish with parley and enjoy!

Serving: 1/9  Calories: 223 kcal (11%) 

Carbohydrates: 10.6g (4%)  Protein: 18.5g (37%)  Fat: 12.4g (19%)

Find the original recipe from Primavera Kitchen here!

RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Quinoa Peanut Brittle

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 15 mins

Total Time: 25 mins

Make this easy Quinoa Peanut Brittle in less than 30 minutes for a crunchy sweet treat that contains no refined sugar or butter!

Servings: 12

Calories: 123 kcal

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup quinoa, uncooked
  • 3/4 cup raw peanuts, chopped
  • 1/3 cup rolled oats, uncooked
  • 2 tbsp. chia seeds
  • 2 tbsp. coconut sugar
  • 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
  • 1/8 tsp. sea salt
  • 2 tbsp. coconut oil, melted
  • 2/3 cup pure maple syrup

Instructions:

  1. Start by preheating your oven to 325 degrees F and lining a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine the uncooked quinoa, chopped raw peanuts, rolled oats, coconut sugar, chia seeds, and sea salt and then stir to combine.
  3. Add melted coconut oil, pure vanilla extract, and pure maple syrup, and then stir again until everything is fully mixed.
  4. Transfer the mixture onto your prepared baking sheet and spread into an even layer.
  5. Place in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, watching it carefully near the end to avoid burning.
  6. You’ll know the brittle is ready when the color becomes evenly golden brown and the edges begin to darken, get bubbly, and spread out across the pan.
  7. Let cool completely before breaking into bite-size pieces with your hands.

Find the original recipe by Lacey Baier on A Sweet Pea Chef here!

RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Greek Lemon Chicken and Orzo

Prep: 15 MINUTES

Cook: 10 MINUTES

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 pound orzo, cooked according to package directions and drained
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil for pan + more for finished dish, as desired
  • 1 medium sweet Vidalia onion, diced small
  • 1.25 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast, diced into bite-sized pieces, seasoned with salt and pepper
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 to 4 cloves garlic, pressed or finely minced
  • 5 ounces fresh spinach (about 4 giant handfuls)
  • 1/2 English cucumber, diced small
  • 1 1/2 cups sliced cherry or grape tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest, or to taste
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons lemon juice, or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
  • 6 ounces crumbled feta cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

  • To a large pot, add the orzo and cook according to package directions. Drain and return to pot.
  • While orzo is cooking, to a large skillet add 3 tablespoons olive oil, onions, and cook for about 3 minutes; stir intermittently.
  • Add the chicken, season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, oregano, and cook for about 5 minutes, or until cooked through; flip and stir frequently to ensure even cooking.
  • Add the garlic, stir to combine, and cook for about 1 minute, or until fragrant.
  • Transfer the chicken, onions, and any cooking juices to the large pot with the drained orzo.
  • Add the spinach (looks like a lot but it will wilt) and stir to incorporate. Stir for about 2 minutes, or until it begins to wilt.
  • Add the cucumbers, tomatoes, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and stir well to incorporate.
  • Add the feta and stir to combine. Tip – If you want the feta to remain more intact, don’t add it until the chicken and orzo have cooled down a bit, or it will melt, which is totally fine, you just won’t see the white crumbles.
  • Taste, and as desired, add additional salt. I added an additional approximately 2 teaspoons because it’s a very large quantity of orzo, chicken, and vegetables.
  • If desired, drizzle in additional olive oil. I recommend another approximately 2 tablespoons for both flavor and so that the orzo doesn’t stick as it cools. Serve immediately.

NUTRITION INFORMATION:

YIELD:

 8 

SERVING SIZE:

 1
Amount Per Serving:

CALORIES: 388

TOTAL FAT: 13g CARBOHYDRATES: 37g  PROTEIN: 31g

You can find the original recipe from Averie Cooks here!

RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Spinach Chickpea Baked Feta Pasta

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 30 mins

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 303kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 pound cherry or grape tomatoes
  • 2 15 ounce cans cooked chickpeas drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup chopped red onion
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 8 ounce block of feta cheese can use crumbles if needed
  • 3-4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 8 ounces pasta of choice
  • 2 handfuls baby spinach

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
  • In a large baking dish ( I used a 9-by-13 inch), combine tomatoes, chickpeas, red onion, and garlic. Drizzle with the olive oil and toss to coat.
  • Season with cumin and red pepper flakes. Toss again.
  • Place block of feta in the middle of veggies and chickpeas and put in the preheated oven. Cook for 30 minutes.
  • While the tomatoes and chickpeas roast, cook your pasta according to the directions on the package. Once pasta is cooked, reserve 1 cup of pasta water and drain the rest. Set pasta aside until your tomatoes and chickpeas are done cooking.
  • Once done cooking, remove the baking dish from the oven.  Use a spoon to break up the warm feta, squish any whole tomatoes, and gently mix it with the vegetables and chickpeas to create a sauce.
  • When the tomatoes and chickpeas are coated in cheese, add in the cooked pasta and spinach. Toss until the pasta is evenly coated in cheese and the spinach has begun to wilt in the hot sauce.  If the sauce seems too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water (I start with 2 tablespoons) and stir until your desired consistency is reached. Add more pasta water if needed, but be careful to do it a little at a time so you don’t thin our your sauce too much.
  • Taste. Season with more cumin, red pepper, or even salt and pepper if desired.
  • Enjoy warm! Allow leftovers to cool completely before storing in your fridge for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 303kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 440mg | Potassium: 390mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1755IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 230mg | Iron: 2mg

Original recipe from The Natural Nurturer can be found here!