Lynbrook | New Hyde Park | NY

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Recipe of the Week: No Bake Energy Bites

These No Bake Energy Bites are a team favorite! They are so easy to whip up and made with wholesome, nutritious ingredients. Have 1 or 2 as a quick snack or a healthy dessert. Did we mention they are so delicious?!
Servings: 20 servings
Prep: 10 minutes
Ready in: 20 minutes

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Balls

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (opt for natural)
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup old-fashioned oats (raw)
  • 2/3 cup toasted , sweetened shredded coconut
  • 1/2 cup ground golden flaxseed meal (try Bob’s Red Mill)
  • 6 Tbsp mini chocolate chips

Instructions:

  1. In a mixing bowl, stir together peanut butter, honey and vanilla extract.
  2. Add remaining ingredients and stir until evenly coated.
  3. Transfer mixture to refrigerator or freezer and chill until mixture has firmed up a bit, about 30 minutes.
  4. Remove from refrigerator and shape into 1-inch balls.
  5. Store in refrigerator in an airtight container.

 

Original recipe can be found here! Check out the original recipe for ideas on substitutions or nutritional swaps.

Recipe of the Week: Instant Pot Rotini

Use your Instant Pot to put dinner on the table in just 35 minutes from start to finish!

Active time: 10 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • 2 tablespoons no-salt added tomato paste
  • 4 cups (12 ounces) dry whole-grain rotini pasta
  • 1/4 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 small red bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 3 small (6 ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 teaspoon salt-free garlic seasoning blend
  • 2 cups baby spinach
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded (optional)

Directions:

  1. In the pot of an electric pressure cooker, whisk together the broth and tomato paste until the tomato paste is dissolved. Add the pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, olive oil, rosemary, 1/4 teaspoon salt and several grinds of pepper. Stir to combine. Place the bell peppers on top of the pasta. Season the chicken with the garlic seasoning and place on top of the pasta mixture, do not stir.
  2. Lock on the lid, select the Manual/Pressure Cook function. Adjust to high pressure and set timer for 4 minutes. Make sure the steam valve is in the “sealing” position.
  3. When the cooking time is up, carefully quick-release the pressure.
  4. Unlock the lid and transfer the chicken to a clean cutting board. Slice the meat into bite-size pieces and return them to the pot. Add the spinach and cheese and stir to wilt the spinach. Serve immediately.

Nutrition:

Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups pasta mixture
Calories: 407
Fat: 11.2g; Carbohydrate: 66.6g; Protein: 48.5g

 

Original recipe from My Fitness Pal can be found here!

Recipe of the Week: Butternut Squash Shakshuka

Breakfast? Brunch? Breakfast for dinner?!

Try out this quick and easy vegetarian & gluten-free meal!

Prep Time: 10
Cook Time: 20
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4

  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper
  • 3 cups butternut squash, pureed (about 1 large butternut squash)
  • 6 eggs
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
  • 1 tablespoon chopped rosemary

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
  2. Heat oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat.
  3. Add onion, and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds more.
  4. Stir in spices and squash puree. Remove from heat.
  5. Make 6 wells in squash mixture, and crack an egg into each. Top with crumbled feta.
  6. Move dish to the preheated oven, and bake until eggs are just set, about 7-10 minutes.
  7. Let cool 5 minutes, and top with fresh herbs.

NUTRITION

  • Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
  • Calories: 287
  • Fat: 12g
  • Carbohydrates: 24g
  • Protein: 19g

 

Original recipe from Sinful Nutrition can be found here!

Recipe of the Week: SWEET POTATO SHEPHERD’S PIE

PREP TIME: 25 MINS
COOK TIME: 20 MINS
TOTAL TIME: 45 MINS
YIELD: 4 SERVINGS

INGREDIENTS:

PIE FILLING:

  • 1 pound ground beef or lamb
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
  • 1 small green pepper, diced
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 1 cup mushrooms, cleaned and stemmed, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary or dried herb of choice
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine salt or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 ounces tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup water

SWEET POTATO TOPPING:

  • 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed (~6 cups cubed)
  • 1 tablespoons butter (may substitute ghee or coconut oil for Whole30)
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine salt

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 375*
  2. In a medium skillet (we recommend using a 10-inch cast iron skillet so that you can cook everything in the skillet), over medium-high heat, add the ground beef, chopped carrots, onions, peppers, mushrooms and minced garlic.
  3. Cook on medium heat until carrots are soft, about 12-15 minutes. Begin making the topping while the meat filling cooks.
  4. Once the carrots are soft, stir in tomato paste, water, seasonings, salt and pepper.
  5. For the topping: Steam or bake (at 375*) the sweet potatoes until fork tender. Then add all of the topping ingredients to a food processor (or blender) and process until smooth. NOTE: If using white potatoes, we recommend mashing them by hand rather than blending to prevent them from getting pasty.
  6. Final step: Top the meat filling with the sweet potato mash. If you’re not using a oven-safe 10-inch cast iron skillet, transfer the meat filling to a casserole dish or 9×9 inch baking dish and top the meat filling with the sweet potato mash. Dash with sea salt and chili powder.
  7. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and serve.

 

 

SERVING SIZE: 1/4 OF RECIPE

CALORIES: 395

FAT: 16g, CARBOHYDRATES: 40g, FIBER: 8g, PROTEIN: 26g

 

 

Original recipe from The Real Food RDs can be found here!

Recipe of the Week: Chocolate Spinach Muffins

Prep Time: 15 minutesgreen muffin
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories: 224 kcal

Ingredients

  • 3 very ripe medium bananas
  • 3 eggs
  • 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup (or sub honey)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 cups packed fine blanched almond flour
  • ½ cup unsweetened cacao powder (or sub unsweetened cocoa powder)
  • ½ cup rolled oats, gluten free if desired (or sub 1/4 cup oat flour)
  • 3 tablespoons hemp hearts (or sub chia seeds)
  • 3 cups organic spinach
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips, plus more for sprinkling on top

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a muffin tin with muffin liners and spray the inside of the liners with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Add the bananas, eggs, maple syrup and vanilla to a high powered blender and blend until completely smooth. Next add in the almond flour, cacao powder, oats, hemp hearts, spinach, baking soda and salt; blend until smooth. The batter may be thick, so you might have to use a spatula to push the ingredients down, and blend again. Once the batter is smooth, stir in ? cup chocolate chips (do not blend).
  3. Scoop or pour batter into prepared muffin liners. Top with a few chocolate chips on each muffin. Bake for 22-27 mins or until the tester comes out clean. When they come out of the oven, sprinkle with a little sea salt. Allow muffins to cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling. Enjoy! Makes 12 muffins. I love serving these warm with a dollop of nut butter on top.

Nutrition:

Calories: 224 for 1 muffin
Fat: 14.2g
Carbohydrates: 19.7g
Protein: 8.3g

 

Original recipe from Ambitious Kitchen can be found here!

Recipe of the Week: Kale & Sweet Potato Stuffed Turkey Breast

This Kale and Sweet Potato Stuffed Turkey Breast is perfect for small holiday feast. A boneless turkey breast is loaded with caramelized onions, kale, & sweet potato, then baked in the oven in just about an hour.

Yield: 6
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

  • 3-4 lb. boneless turkey breast roast
  • 2-½ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 2 medium onions, halved and sliced thin
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 medium (12 oz.) sweet potato, peeled and diced fine
  • 3 sprigs thyme, leaves removed
  • 6 sage leaves
  • 1 tablespoon dijon
  • 2-¼ cup chicken or turkey broth, divided
  • 1/2 bunch (2 cups) kale, cleaned, removed from stem and sliced thin

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Place turkey breast side down on a cutting board. Carefully, slice parallel through the thickest part of the breast, but not all the way through. Unfold the turkey so it lays flat. Cover with a piece of plastic wrap and pound with a meat mallet until the turkey is of uniform ¾” thickness. Season with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and pepper. Let sit at room temperature for 1 hour, or up to 24 in the refrigerator. If its brined and refrigerated make sure to bring it back to room temperature before baking.
  2. Meanwhile, make filling: Heat oil over medium-low heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally for 25 minutes. Add in butter, garlic and sweet potato, and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until sweet potato is tender. Add in thyme, sage, dijon, ¼ cup broth and kale and cool until wilted down and all of the liquid has evaporated. Set aside to cool slightly, about 15 minutes. Can be made up to 2 days ahead of time.
  3. Preheat oven to 375 and set aside a 9”x13” roasting pan.
  4. Pat the turkey breast dry. Spread the slightly cooled kale mixture into the middle of the breast, leaving a 1” border all around the edge of the breast. Starting with one short end that does not have the skin underneath, roll into a tight log and completely enclose the filling. Turn the now stuffed turkey breast seam side down and smooth over the skin in the middle of the breast as best as possible. Next tie up the stuffed breast with butcher’s twine evenly in 5 places. Place inside a roasting pan.
  5. Dry off the skin and rub all over with olive oil, salt and pepper and pour chicken/turkey broth in the bottom of the roasting pan.
  6. Bake, basting every 20 minutes, until it reaches 155º degrees with an instant read thermometer, about 60-70 minutes. Let rest, slightly covered for 10-15 minutes, to let the temperature continue to climb up to 165ºF.
  7. Slice and serve with your favorite side dishes.

NUTRITION:

Servings: About 6

Calories 378

Fat 10g

Carbohydrate 17g

Protein 55g

 

 

Original recipe from Lexi’s Clean Kitchen can be found here!

Recipe of the Week: Winter Grain Salad

Makes 4 large meal salads or 6 side salads

Ingredients:

Wild Rice

  • 1 cup wild rice, rinsed
  • 1?4 teaspoon fine sea salt

Carrots

  • 1 pound carrots,* peeled and cut on the diagonal into 1?2-inch-thick slices
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1?4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1?4 teaspoon fine sea salt

Lemon Dressing

  • 1?4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 clove garlic, pressed or minced
  • 1?4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Salad

  • 1?3 cup raw pistachios, roughly chopped, or pepitas (hulled pumpkin seeds)
  • 5 to 6 ounces baby arugula
  • 1?3 cup crumbled goat or feta cheese (about 2 ounces)
  • 3 tablespoons raisins, preferably golden

 

Directions:

  1. To cook the wild rice: Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add the rinsed rice and continue boiling, reducing the heat as necessary to prevent overflow, until the rice is tender but still offers a light resistance to the bite, 40 to 55 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat, drain the rice, and return it to the pot. Cover and let the rice rest for 10 minutes, then uncover and stir in the salt.
  2. To roast the carrots: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the carrots on the baking sheet and drizzle them with the olive oil. Sprinkle the chili powder, cinnamon, and salt on top. Toss until the carrots are lightly coated in oil and spices. Arrange in a single layer and roast until they are caramelized on the edges and easily pierced through by a fork, 25 to 40 minutes, toss halfway through
  3. To make the lemon dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, honey, garlic, salt, and pepper to
  4. To prepare the salad: In a medium skillet, toast the chopped pistachios over medium heat, stirring frequently, until fragrant and turning golden on the edges, 4 to 6 Set aside to cool.
  5. In a large serving bowl, combine the cooked wild rice and When you’re ready to serve, drizzle the mixture with just enough dressing to lightly coat the salad (you might have a little extra) and toss to combine. Arrange the roasted carrots down the center and sprinkle the toasted pistachios, crumbled goat cheese, and raisins on top. Serve immediately. This salad is best the day it’s prepared, but it keeps well, chilled, for 2 to 3 days.

 

Original recipe from Run Fast, Eat Slow can be found here!

Recipe of the Week: Chickpea Curry Sweet Potatoes

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 45 mins
Serves: 4

When eating a plant-based diet, it’s important to make sure you get enough protein. Try this tasty chickpea curry jacket – it’s an easy meal to make for dinner or prep ahead for a filling, flavorful lunch!

Ingredients:

  • 4 sweet potatoes
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1 ½ tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • thumb-sized piece ginger, finely grated
  • 1 green chili, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • ½ tsp turmeric
  • 2 tbsp tikka masala paste
  • 2 x 400g can chopped tomatoes
  • 2 x 400g can chickpeas, drained
  • lemon wedges and coriander leaves, to serve

Directions:

  1. Heat oven to 400 *F. Prick the sweet potatoes all over with a fork, then put on a baking tray and roast in the oven for 45 mins or until tender when pierced with a knife.
  2. Meanwhile, melt the coconut oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and fry for 1 min until fragrant, then add the onion and fry for 7-10 mins until softened.
  3. Put the garlic, ginger and green chili into the pan, and cook for 2-3 mins. Add the spices and tikka masala paste and cook for a further 2 mins until fragrant, then tip in the tomatoes. Bring to a simmer, then tip in the chickpeas and cook for a further 20 mins until thickened. Season.
  4. Put the roasted sweet potatoes on four plates and cut open lengthways. Spoon over the chickpea curry and squeeze over the lemon wedges. Season, then scatter with coriander before serving.

 

Nutrition:
Calories: 276
Fat: 9g, Carbs: 32g, Protein: 12g

Original recipe comes from BBC Goof Food & can be found here!