Lynbrook | New Hyde Park | NY

spinach

Recipe of the Week: CHICKPEA SWEET POTATO STEW

TOTAL TIME: 4 hours 15 minutes
PREP TIME: 15 minutes
COOK TIME: 4 hours

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 15 oz cans garbanzo beans, drained
  • 1 pound sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
  • 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 4 cups vegetable broth, fat free
  • 4 cups fresh baby spinach

DIRECTIONS:

Slow Cooker:

  1. Place the onions in a microwave safe dish and microwave 2 to 3 minutes.
  2. Add all the ingredients to your slow cooker except the spinach.
  3. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
  4. Add in the spinach leaves and stir.
  5. Cook an additional 15 minutes on high.

Stove Directions:

  1. Add the ingredients together except the spinach and cook on medium-low heat for 35-40 minutes.
  2. Stir every 10 minutes or so, adding additional broth if you find the liquids reducing by too much.
  3. (You can also sweat the garlic and onions first, but if doing so add a teaspoon of olive oil.)
  4. Add the spinach the last 2 minutes, until wilted.

 

NUTRITION INFORMATION

Yield: 6 servings, Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups

Amount Per Serving:

Calories: 165 calories, Total Fat: 2.2g, Sodium: 751mg, Carbohydrates: 32.3g, Fiber: 6.2g, Sugar: 5.4g, Protein: 6.3g

 

Our favorite recipes come from Skinny Taste! Find the original recipe here!

Recipe of the Week: LEMON SPINACH HUMMUS

Yields: 1-3/4 cup
Prep Time: 8 min
Total Time: 8 min

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup tahini
  • 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 3 ounces baby spinach
  • 1 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed and drained
  • olive oil and fresh parsley, for garnish

 Directions:

  1. In a food processor, whip together the tahini and lemon juice until smooth and creamy. Add the spinach, parsley, garlic, olive oil and salt. Process for one minute, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Add half of the chickpeas and process for one minute. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, add the remaining chickpeas and process until smooth, about one to two additional minutes.
  2. Transfer the hummus to a bowl for serving. Drizzle extra olive oil on top and sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley, as desired. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

 

Original recipe from Spoonful of Flavor can be found here!

 

Recipe of the Week: Spicy Vegetable Couscous

Time: 30 minutes

Serves: 4-8

INGREDIENTS 

  • 1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • 1 sweet red pepper
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 2 tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 zucchini, diced
  • 1 cup chickpeas, cooked
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1 cup couscous
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne

DIRECTIONS

  1. In a medium-size skillet heat the oil.
  2. Add green onions, sweet pepper, garlic, tomatoes and zucchini; saute 5 min, stirring.
  3. Remove from heat and keep warm.
  4. In a medium-size saucepan, combine the remaining ingredients, mix, cover and let stand 5 minutes, until liquid is absorbed. Add the first mixture and fluff with a fork.

 

Original recipe from the Genius Kitchen can be found here!

Recipe of the Week: Kale & White Bean Soup

Servings: 6-8

Time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 lb spicy chicken sausage, casing removed and thickly sliced
  • 2 medium sized golden beets, peeled and diced
  • 2 large carrots, diced
  • 1 stalk celery, diced
  • 1 leek, thinly sliced
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 2 quarts low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 15-oz cans white beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 large bunch green kale, chopped
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 tsp pepper

Directions:

  1. Heat the olive oil over medium high heat and add the thinly sliced leeks. Saute for five minutes then add sausage.
  2. Brown sausage, then add carrots, beets and celery. Toss to combine and continue cooking for another six minutes. Add kale and beans and cook until kale just starts to wilt.
  3. Add chicken broth, salt, red pepper flakes, and pepper and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes.
  4. Serve with warm, crusty sourdough bread on the side

 

Original recipe from EatLiveRun.com can be found here!

 

Recipe of the Week: Simple Green Smoothie

Prep Time 2 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Serves: 1
Calories: 202
Ingredients:
  • 1 cup spinach fresh
  • 1 cup water
  • .5 cup pineapple*
  • .5 cup mango*
  • 1 banana, peeled*

Directions:

  1. Tightly pack spinach in a measuring cup.
  2. Add spinach to blender with water. Blend together until all chunks are gone. (Should resemble green water when blended well).
  3. Add pineapple, mango and banana to blender. *Use at least one frozen fruit to make the smoothie cold or serve over ice.
  4. Blend all together until smooth and creamy. Depending on your blender, this could take as little as 30 seconds or as long as 2 minutes.
  5. Pour into a glass and serve immediately. The smoothie can also be stored in the fridge with a lid until ready to drink.

 

The original recipe can be found here!

 

Recipe of the Week: Egg & Veggie Bake

PREP TIME: 10 mins
COOK TIME: 40 mins
TOTAL TIME: 50 mins

INGREDIENTS

  • 12 large eggs
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1 bell pepper, diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 cups roughly chopped kale
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1 cup milk
  • salt + pepper, to taste
  • olive oil or butter

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Grease a large casserole pan with oil or butter.
  2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  3. Add oil to a pan and stir in onion. Cook until translucent (about 3 mins)
  4. Add in bell pepper and cook for one more minute.
  5. Crack eggs into a large mixing bowl. Whisk well.
  6. Add in milk and stir.
  7. Add in cooked onion and bell peppers, tomatoes, kale, cheese and salt and pepper and stir to combine.
  8. Add mixture to casserole pan and bake for 30 mins or until cooked all the way through.
  9. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting in.

 

Original recipe from the Healthy Maven can be found here!

Recipe of the Week: Coconut Lime Tilapia

This delicious recipe was quick and easy to make! Try serving it with a whole grain side to make it a well rounded meal for your family.

Ingredients

  • 3 limes, zested
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • ¼ tsp pepper
  • 7 tsp of coconut oil, melted
  • 4 (4oz) tilapia fillets
  • 8 cups fresh spinach
  • ¼ c + 1 tbs of lime juice

Directions

1) Heat a large frying pan over medium heat. In a small bowl, combine lime zest, garlic, pepper, and 4 teaspoons of coconut oil.

2) Coat tilapia fillets with the oil mixture on both sides. Place fillets, two at a time, in the pan and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until golden and crisp.

3) In a large bowl, toss spinach with the remaining 3 teaspoons of coconut oil and 1 tablespoon of lime juice. Divide among four serving plates with a fillet and drizzle with lime juice.

**You can sauté the spinach leaves also!

Nutrition

  • Calories: 196
  • Carbohydrates: 3g
  • Fat: 10g
  • Protein: 23g

 

Healthy Summer Habits to Carry into Fall

The summer months often bring out the happier, healthier side of people compared with the winter version that dreads heading outdoors and shorter days. But these healthy habits are something that should be maintained all year round. Think of fresh picked vegetables, boardwalk biking adventures, and hanging out outdoors. Try these simple tips to carry your healthy habits into the cooler months!

1.Under the hot summer sun, people are more conscious of how much water they are drinking. Hydration is important in maintaining good health and should be a priority year-round. Remember that a good rule of thumb is to drinking half your body weight in ounces of water each day.

2. Summer cookouts are perfect for eating lean and green. Keep grilling your favorite low-fat meats and seasonal vegetables throughout Fall and even the Winter. Try investing in an indoor grill pan for your stove top for when it cools off outside.

3. It’s easier to get up and go outside for a walk when there are long hours of daylight. Make a promise to yourself to stay active as you head into the rest of the summer. Keep your exercise routine going strong! If you’re heading back to school, try breaking it up by doing some exercises for 15-30 minutes a day before and/or after work.

4. During the summer days, we often eat lighter foods with more fruits and vegetables. With cooler months, it’s natural to crave heavier foods. Eating seasonal produce ensures it is fresh and at its best- which means you’ll enjoy it more. Tomato, corn and zucchini season may come to an end, but fall super foods like pumpkins, apples, and Brussels will be popping up next month!

5. Buying your produce at a farmers’ market can save you money, helps support local business, and is environmentally friendly (requiring less packaging and transportation). Plan your family’s meals around your farmers’ market finds- that fresh-picked flavor of locally grown fruits and veggies will have your family craving seconds! Many markets are open well into October, too.

6. The summer provides the perfect climate for outdoor activities like hiking, biking and swimming. With a few extra layers, you can keep jogging or biking well into the fall. The cooler air and drop in humidity will be welcomed after those muggy summer days.

 

By Louise Mills-Strasser