Lynbrook | New Hyde Park | NY

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Recipe of the Week: Shakshuka Skillet Eggs

Breakfast for dinner? Serving brunch for a crowd? Try this flavorful North African baked egg dish! It’s loaded up with sautéed peppers, tomatoes and spices

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Yield: 4

Ingredients:

  • 3 Tbsp Olive oil
  • 1 red onion, diced
  • 1 large red bell pepper, thinly sliced or diced
  • 1 large yellow bell pepper, sliced or diced
  • 4 garlic cloves, rough chopped
  • 3/4 tsp salt, more to taste
  • cracked pepper to taste
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp aleppo chili flakes (optional)
  • 3 medium tomatoes diced small with juices (or one 14-ounce can diced tomatoes with juices)
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil ribbons, chopped cilantro or Italian parsley
  • 4 –6 Extra large organic eggs

Instructions:

  • Preheat oven to 375F
  • In a large cast iron skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the sliced peppers and garlic, and turn heat down to med-low and cook for 5-7 more minutes, until peppers are tender.
  • Add all spices, sugar and salt.
  • Cook for 2 more minutes. Add fresh tomatoes and water.
  • Simmer on low for 10-15 minutes, uncovered, adding more water if it gets too dry or thick. You want a saucy, stew-like consistency. After tomatoes cook down, taste, it should be full-flavored, so adjust salt, spices, and sugar if necessary.
  • With the back of a spoon, make a well for each egg in the stew. Crack the eggs into each well, sprinkling each egg with a little salt and cracked pepper and Aleppo chili flakes.
  • Bake until egg whites are become opaque and are cooked (~8-10 minutes) and yolks are still soft.
  • Remove from oven and top with fresh basil.

Nutrition Facts:

Serving Size: 1.5 eggs
Calories: 250
Fat: 14.9g
Carbohydrates: 17.7g
Protein: 12.2g

Original recipe from Feasting at Home can be found here!

Recipe of the Week: Summer Roasted Tomato Tart

Looking for a way to enjoy late summer tomatoes? Check out this roasted tomato recipe below! Great to serve as a side dish or appetizer.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients:Tomato & Butternut Squash Quiche

  • 1 pre-made pie crust, thawed
  • 4 ounces Gruyere cheese, shredded
  • 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 4–5 medium firm tomatoes, cored and sliced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • salt and pepper
  • fresh basil – optional

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Lightly spray a 10-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Press pie crust into the pan, and slightly up the sides.
  3. Spread the grated cheese evenly over the pie crust with the cheese, and then sprinkle with garlic powder, nutmeg, and thyme.
  4. Arrange tomato slices over cheese in an overlapping pattern. Season with salt and pepper, and drizzle with the olive oil.
  5. Bake 45-50 minutes until crust is golden and tomatoes are soft but retain their shape.
  6. After removing from the oven, add fresh basil if desired.
  7. Let tart cool to room temperature before slicing and serving.

Nutrition:

Calories: 173 cal/ serving
Carbohydrates: 10g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 11g, Cholesterol: 15mg, Sodium: 134mg
Original recipe from Craving Something Healthy can be found here!

Recipe of the Week: Mediterranean Zucchini Boats

PREP TIME 20 minutes
COOK TIME: 40 minutes
TOTAL TIME: 1 hour

Ingredients:

  • 3-4 large zucchini
  • 1/2 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed well under cold water
  • 1/4 cup diced shallot or onion
  • 1 clove of garlic, grated or minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup sun dried tomatoes, chopped
  • Zest of a lemon + 2 tablespoons of juice
  • 1 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 1/4 cup kalamata olives, chopped
  • 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
  • 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400° F. Cut the zucchini in half lengthwise and use a spoon to scoop out the middle leaving a 1/4 inch border all the way around. Sprinkle salt onto the flesh and let them sit for 10-15 minutes. Prepare the quinoa while you wait.
  2. In a large saucepan, sauté the shallot and garlic in a couple teaspoons of olive oil. When they’re soft and fragrant, add in the quinoa, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, salt and pepper, and sun dried tomatoes. Stir together and toast the quinoa for 30 seconds and then pour in 1 cup of water. Bring the quinoa to a boil then cover with a lid and lower the heat and let it simmer for 15 minutes.
  3. While the quinoa cooks par-bake the zucchini. Start by using a paper towel to blot out the excess liquid from the inside of the zucchini. Spray a sheet pan with cooking oil or line it with foil. Place the zucchini halves onto the sheet cut side up and bake for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven.
  4. After the quinoa is cooked, add in the lemon zest and juice, chickpeas, olives, feta, and parsley. Fluff everything together with a fork and then divide the filling into the zucchini boats. Drizzle the tops of them with a little olive oil and then place the sheet pan back into the oven and bake another 10 minutes or until the zucchini is tender.
  5. Remove the zucchini boats from the oven and garnish with toasted pine nuts, extra feta and parsley.

Nutrition Information:

CALORIES: 299
FAT: 10g
CARBOHYDRATES: 42g
FIBER: 8g
SUGAR: 9g
PROTEIN: 13g

 

Original recipe from Recipe Runner can be found here!

Recipe of the Week: Instant Pot Greek Chicken

Fall off the bone chicken in an hour? Sign us up! This Greek chicken serves up perfectly with a high-fiber grain, like quinoa or farro, and a side of vegetables. Enjoy!

Active time: 20 minutes
Total time: 1 hour, 5 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1 medium lemon
  • 1 (6-inch/15cm) fresh rosemary sprig
  • 2 (6-inch/15cm) fresh oregano sprig
  • 2 medium garlic cloves, peeled
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 (4-pound/1.8kg) whole chicken, giblets and neck removed from cavity, if present
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 medium yellow onion, sliced
  • 1/4 cup (104g) pitted Castelvetrano olives, smashed
  • 1 tablespoon vinegar-packed capers, rinsed and drained

Directions

  1. Zest the lemon onto a cutting board. Cut the lemon in half and juice it into a measuring cup. Add enough water to make 1/2 cup, set aside. Pull the rosemary and oregano leaves off the woody stems and discard stems. Mound the herbs and garlic on top of the lemon zest and chop everything together until the mixture is a coarse paste. Put the mixture in a small bowl, add the pepper and salt and stir to combine.
  2. Carefully slide your fingers under the skin of the chicken covering the breast, thighs and drumsticks. Stuff the lemon zest-herb mixture under the chicken skin, spreading evenly. Tuck the wings tips under the chicken. Remove the blobs of yellow fat inside the cavity of the chicken and discard. Stuff the spent lemon halves into the cavity, tie the ends of the drumsticks together with kitchen string. Spray a trivet with handles with cooking spray and place the chicken breast side up on the trivet. Set aside.
  3. Put the olive oil in the Instant Pot and adjust to high heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring frequently, until they are tender and beginning to brown, 4 minutes. Press cancel. Add the lemon juice-water mixture and scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the pot. Add the olives and capers and stir to combine. Place the chicken on the trivet in the pot. Lock the lid and make sure the pressure valve is sealed. Select pressure cook, adjust to high pressure for 24 minutes.
  4. When the cooking program ends, allow the pressure to dissipate naturally for 15 minutes. Release any remaining pressure. Wearing oven mitts, lift the chicken on the trivet out of the pot. Place on a rimmed baking sheet. Use a slotted spoon to fish out the onions, capers and olives and transfer to a small gravy boat. Set aside. Pour the cooking liquid into a gravy separator. If you don’t have a gravy separator, pour the sauce into a large glass measuring cup and spoon off the fat floating on top.
  5. Pour the defatted sauce back into the Instant Pot, add the onion-olive mixture, select saute, and adjust to medium heat. Simmer uncovered while finishing the chicken.
  6. Set broiler to high and adjust an oven rack to the upper third of the oven. Broil the chicken, rotating the baking sheet once, until the chicken is golden brown, 3 minutes. Remove from oven. Carve the chicken, discarding the skin and bones. Serve with the sauce.

 

Serves: 6 | Serving Size: 1/6 of the chicken (131g), 1/4 cup (59ml) sauce

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 206, Fat: 13g, Carbohydrate: 10g, Protein: 17g

 

Original recipe from My Fitness Pal can be found here!

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 CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA

PREP TIME: 5 mins
COOK TIME: 25 mins
TOTAL TIME: 30 mins
YIELD: 6 SERVINGS

Craving Indian food or take out for dinner tonight? Try this lightened up version of Chicken Tikka Masala! Add in the vegetables and you have a whole meal – I’ve even added a can of chickpeas for extra fiber.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cubed
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 1/2 chopped onion
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon grated ginger root
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 14 ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
  • 2 cups cauliflower florets
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas
  • 1/2 cup full fat canned coconut milk
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, for serving

 

INSTRUCTIONS:

  • Season chicken with 1 teaspoon salt.
  • Press sauté button and melt the coconut oil, add onion, garlic, ginger and 6 spices (from coriander to cardamom) and sauté until the vegetables are soft and the spices are fragrant, about 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Add the tomatoes and use an immersion to blend until smooth (or blend in the blender), add the chicken, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and stir, cook high pressure 15 minutes. (Note: it takes several minutes for the pot to pressurize.)
  • Quick release, add the cauliflower and peas and cook 3 minutes on high pressure. (Note: add more volume by using the whole head of cauliflower, but increase cook time to 5 minutes.)
  • Quick release, stir in coconut milk and serve garnished with cilantro.
NUTRITION:
Serving: 3/4 cup
Calories: 226kcal, Carbohydrates: 9g, Protein: 25g, Fat: 10g
Original recipe from Skinny Taste can be found here!

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: Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai

Serves: 4
Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups baked spaghetti squash, patted dry
  • 2 teaspoons avocado oil
  • 1 pound chicken breast, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 4 large egg whites
  • 1/2 cup green onion, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon tamari soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice, freshly squeezed
  • 1 teaspoon lime zest
  • 1/4 cup cilantro leaves, whole
  • 1/4 cup unsalted cashews, chopped

Directions:

To bake the squash: Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Halve the squash lengthwise and scoop out the seeds, discard. Place the squash, cut-side down, on a parchment-lined baking sheet and roast for about 30 minutes. Bake the squash just until you can separate the strands with a paring knife; don’t overbake. Cool on a rack until you can handle the squash. Scoop out and separate the strands.

Coat a large sauté pan with avocado oil and place the pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breast and crushed red pepper and stir frequently until the chicken is cooked through, about 4 minutes. Add the egg whites and stir for a minute to cook, then add the green onions and spaghetti squash and stir.

Mix the tamari, lime juice and zest in a cup, then drizzle over the pan, stirring to combine. When the egg whites are set, sprinkle with cilantro and cashews and serve.

Nutrition:

Calories: 261 per serving
Fat: 8g; Carbohydrate: 15g; Protein: 33g

 

Original recipe from My Fitness Pal can be found here!