Peak Performance Fitness

Lynbrook | New Hyde Park | NY

summer

Recipe of the Week: Vegetarian Gyros

Looking for dinner that’s an easy, meatless meal? Think Greek! These Vegetarian Gyros are made with strips of Portobello mushrooms and a homemade Tzatziki Sauce. Just top with fresh veggies and dinner is served!

Prep: 25 mins
Cook: 12 mins
Total: 30 mins
Servings: 4 gyros

INGREDIENTS:

For the Gyros

  • 8 ounces portobello mushroom caps (2 large or 3 medium caps), don’t remove gills
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon Greek seasoning*
  • 4 pita bread rounds
  • Toppings: sliced tomato, thinly sliced red onion, sliced cucumber, crumbled feta cheese

For the Tzatziki Sauce

  • ½ cup grated English cucumber, squeezed to remove water
  • ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and line a large baking sheet (or two smaller baking sheets) with parchment paper.
  2. Gently rub portobello caps with a paper towel to remove any dirt. It is not necessary to remove the gills (they will add more flavor). Slice each portobello into ¼-inch-thick strips (and no thicker than ?-inch-thick strips).
  3. In a bowl, gently toss portobello strips with oil and Greek seasoning. Spread out portobello strips and pieces in an even layer on the baking sheet(s) – it’s OK to place them somewhat close together as they will shrink during cooking. Bake the portobello strips for 12 minutes.
  4. While the portobello strips are baking, prepare the tzatziki sauce. In a small bowl, combine all of the sauce ingredients; mix gently to combine.
  5. To serve, heat pita rounds directly on the rack in the hot oven for 1 minute. Divide the baked portobello strips among the pita rounds and top with tomato slices, red onions, cucumber, feta, and a drizzle of Tzatziki Sauce.

NOTE: Make your own Greek seasoning: combine 1 tsp dried oregano, ½ tsp dried onion flakes (or onion powder), ½ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp dried dill, ¼ tsp marjoram, ¼ tsp dried thyme.

NUTRITION INFORMATION

Serving Size: 1 gyro with 1/4 cup Tzatiki sauce

Calories: 377

Fat: 8 g, Carbohydrate: 66 g, Protein: 15 g

 

 

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

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: Double Tomato Pesto Spaghetti

This fresh recipe features end of summer zucchini and cherry tomatoes, plus a delicious sun-dried tomato pesto. Served over zucchini noodles and spaghetti, it’s light and delicious as a main dish or served on the side!

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

INGREDIENTS:

Pasta and zucchini noodles:

  • 8 ounces whole grain spaghetti
  • 1 large zucchini

Pesto:

  • 2/3 cup walnuts
  • 2 pints (4 cups) cherry or grape tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • 1/4 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, rinsed and drained
  • 2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Garnishes:

  • 1/2 cup lightly packed basil leaves, larger leaves torn into small pieces
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, optional
  • Olive oil, for drizzling

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil for the spaghetti. Cook the pasta until al dente, according to package directions. Drain and transfer to a large serving bowl. Turn the zucchini into noodles with a spiralizer, a julienne peeler, or grate the long way on a large box grater.
  2. Toast the walnuts: In a medium skillet over medium heat, cook the walnuts, stirring occasionally, until they smell nice and fragrant, about 7 minutes. Set aside to cool.
  3. Cook the cherry tomatoes: In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the cherry tomatoes, olive oil and a pinch of salt. Cover the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes have burst open and they are cooking in their own juices, about 7 to 8 minutes. Set aside.
  4. In a food processor, combine the walnuts, half of the cooked tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, lemon zest, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, red pepper flakes, 1/4 teaspoon salt and several twists of freshly ground black pepper. Blend until the mixture is pretty smooth, then season to taste with additional lemon juice, salt and/or pepper until the flavors really sing (if that doesn’t do the trick, add some more sun-dried tomatoes). Blend again.
  5. Pour the pesto over the spaghetti and toss to combine. If you’ll be consuming this dish in one sitting, go ahead and toss in all of the zucchini noodles now, too. (If you plan on having leftovers, store the zucchini noodles separately from the rest as they will let out more water).
  6. Pour the rest of the cherry tomatoes on top of the dish, and sprinkle the basil over them. Toss gently, and divide the mixture into bowls. Top individual bowls with Parmesan or nutritional yeast, if you’d like, and a light drizzle of olive oil. Serve immediately.

 

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 673

Fat 25g, Carbs 99.3g, Protein 20g

 

 

Original recipe from Cookie & Kate 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 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!