Peak Performance Fitness

Lynbrook | New Hyde Park | NY

summer

Recipe of the Week: Springtime Asparagus Medley

Yield: 8 servings

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1-1/2 pounds fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 2 small tomatoes, cut into wedges
  • 3 tablespoons cider vinegar
  • 3/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon grated onion
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/3 cup canola oil
  • 1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted
  • 1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese, optional

DIRECTIONS:

  1. In a large saucepan, bring 1 cup water to a boil. Add asparagus; cook, covered, until crisp-tender, 3-5 minutes. Drain; place in a large bowl. Add tomatoes; cover and keep warm.
  2. Place vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, onion, salt and paprika in a blender; cover and process until smooth. While processing, gradually add oil in a steady stream. Toss with asparagus mixture. Top with almonds and, if desired, cheese.
  3. Note: To toast nuts, bake in a shallow pan in a 350° oven for 5-10 minutes or cook in a skillet over low heat until lightly browned, stirring occasionally.

NUTRITION FACTS:

Serving Size: 3/4 cup

Per Serving: 154 calories

11g fat, 159mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein

 

 

Original recipe from Taste of Home can be found here!

Recipe of the Week: Pineapple Quinoa

A quick dinner that is not only sweet but savory! Perfect for a night where you are short on time.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup Quinoa
  • 8 ounces 100% Pineapple Juice (not from concentrate!)
  • 8 ounces water
  • 1 tablespoon Grapeseed Oil
  • 1 cup Fresh Pineapple, cubed (may use tidbits)
  • 1 Red Bell Pepper, chopped
  • 1 Green Onion, chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon Sea Salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon Crushed Red Chile Pepper

Directions:

  1. Prepare quinoa according to package instructions, replacing half of water with pineapple juice.
  2. Coat skillet with grape seed oil. Add pineapple and pepper. Sauté until the pineapple and pepper soften. Add green onion, salt and red chile pepper. Sauté for an additional two minutes.
  3. Combine pineapple mixture with quinoa and serve.
  4. Enjoy!

 

Nutrition:

Calories 264, Carbohydrates 45g, Fat 6g, Protein 7g

Recipe of the Week: Sweet Potato Skins

Super Bowl Sunday is this weekend. Whether you are hosting the party or heading to a friend’s place for the big game, the Super Bowl is synonymous with snacks (and commercials). Stay on track with your goals and bring this healthy dish to share!

Makes: 8 servings

Prep: 25 minutes
Total time: 2 hours

Ingredients:
Potato Skins:

  • 4 small sweet potatoes
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Guacamole & Toppings:

  • 1 ripe avocado
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup chopped tomato
  • 2 tablespoons minced red onion
  • Chopped cilantro for garnish

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. Tightly wrap sweet potatoes in foil and place on a baking sheet. Roast until very tender, 50 minutes to 1 hour. Carefully unwrap and set aside to cool.
  3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  4. Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop out the flesh, leaving a ¼-inch border (save the scooped-out flesh for another use). Place the sweet potato halves skin-side up on the prepared baking sheet. Brush with oil and sprinkle with kosher salt. Bake until browned and crisp, 20 to 30 minutes.
  5. Cut each skin in half widthwise and return to the baking sheet, skin-side down. Sprinkle each with 1 tablespoon Cheddar. Return to the oven and bake until the cheese is melted, 8 to 10 minutes.
  6. Meanwhile, make the guacamole: Mash avocado in a medium bowl. Stir in lime juice, garlic and salt.
  7. Top each sweet potato skin with guacamole, tomato, onion and cilantro, if desired.

Nutrition Information:
Per serving: 117 calories
8 g fat; 3 g fiber; 10 g carbs; 3 g protein; 3 g sugars; 113 mg sodium

 

Original recipe from Eating Well can be found here!

 

Honey Roasted Butternut Squash with Cranberries and Feta

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 35 mins
Total: 40 mins

Ingredients:

  • 1 large butternut squash, peeled + chopped
  • a hearty drizzle of olive oil (1-2 TBSP)
  • salt, pepper, and garlic powder, to taste
  • 1-2 cups fresh cranberries
  • 2-3 TBSP honey (or extra, to taste)
  • 1/4 cup finely crumbled feta
  • ground cinnamon, to taste
  • fresh or dried parsley, to garnish, optional

Instructions:

  1. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Lightly spray a baking sheet with olive oil.
  3. Add cubed squash to the sheet along with another drizzle of olive oil.
  4. Sprinkle with a light layer of salt, pepper, and garlic powder, based on taste preference.
  5. Roast at 400 F for 25 minutes on the center rack.
  6. At the 25 minute mark, pull out the oven rack, and add your fresh cranberries to the roasting pan.
  7. Return to the oven for 10-15 minutes or until the cranberries have started to soften and burst a bit, resembling juicy craisins v fresh firm cranberries.
  8. Remove from oven and add a sprinkle of cinnamon (approx. 1/8-1/4 tsp depending on preference) along with feta and honey, sweeten to taste.
  9. Garnish with parsley and enjoy!

 

Original recipe from Peas & Crayons can be found here!

Recipe of the Week: Confetti Corn

Total:30 min
Prep:15 min
Cook:15 min
Yield:6 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons good olive oil
  • 1/2 cup chopped red onion
  • 1 small orange bell pepper, 1/2-inch diced
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • Kernels cut from 5 ears yellow or white corn (4 cups)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons julienned fresh basil, minced fresh chives, and/or minced fresh parsley leaves

Directions

  1. Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large saute pan. Add the onion and saute for 5 minutes, until the onion is soft. Stir in the bell pepper and saute for 2 more minutes.
  2. Add the butter to the pan and allow it to melt. Over medium heat, add the corn, salt, and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 7 minutes, until the corn just loses its starchiness. Season to taste, gently stir in the basil or other green herbs, and serve hot.

 

Original recipe from The Food Network can be found here!