Tag Archives: dinner

Thai Stuffed Peppers

Entree, Recipes, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Thai Stuffed Peppers
Change up the standard old stuffed peppers with this Thai-flavored recipe that loads up the veggies, turns up the flavor, and skips the cheese. To make this a vegan/vegetarian dish, use precooked whole grains such as quinoa, buckwheat, or brown rice instead of turkey.

 

Thai Stuffed Peppers

Print recipe
Serves 6
Prep time 25 minutes
Cook time 25 minutes
Total time 50 minutes
Tired of plain old stuffed peppers? Add some international flair with these healthy Thai stuffed peppers.

Ingredients

  • 6 medium bell peppers
  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil, such as canola, coconut, or olive
  • 1lb lean ground turkey (organic preferred, or at least no antibiotics used)
  • 1/2 cup yellow onion (diced)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic (minced)
  • 2 cups Chinese or Japanese eggplant (chopped)
  • 2 cups white mushrooms (diced)
  • 1/2 cup natural peanut butter (organic preferred)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon low sodium tamari or soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons sambal oelek or other hot/chili sauce to taste

Directions

Step 1
Preheat oven to 400˚F. Cut tops off bell peppers and set aside. Remove rind and seeds from the inside and discard. Remove bell pepper stems and chop, then set aside.
Step 2
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the onion and turkey and stir occasionally until meat is mostly cooked, about 3-4 minutes. Add garlic, eggplant, and mushrooms, until vegetables start to soften, stirring occasionally. Add chopped bell pepper tops and cook for about 1 minute.
Step 3
Combine peanut butter, tamari, and sambal oelek in a small bowl, blender, or food processor. Stir into turkey mixture and remove from heat. Place bell pepper bottoms into a baking dish such as an 8x8" pan or cake pan. Fill with turkey mixture, then bake for 20-25 minutes until tops start to brown and bell peppers become tender and look a little shriveled on top. Serve warm.

 

Thai Stuffed Peppers

Shakshuka (eggs in tomatoes)

Entree, Recipes, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Shakshuka (also spelled “shakshouka” and “chakchouk”) is a flavorful Middle Eastern and North African dish made of tomatoes, egg, and spices. It is a healthy combination of vegetables (tomato and onion), protein (eggs) and healthy fats (olive oil). Made in one pan, it is as easy to make as it is to clean up! It is delicious with a nice slice of crusty bread.

Shakshuka | GuessWhosCooking.com | Healthy, easy, simple, vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free, soy free

Shakshuka

Print recipe
Serves 3
Prep time 5 minutes
Cook time 22 minutes
Total time 27 minutes
This incredibly flavorful recipe is a great way to have vegetables for breakfast. Using fresh tomatoes instead of canned gives it a hearty, chunky texture and avoids potentially harmful BPA or other chemicals in can liners, which may be leached more easily due to the acidity of tomatoes. Tomato paste is available in glass jars and tetra paks. With that said, the nutrition benefits of eating canned tomatoes outweighs the risk of not eating enough vegetables, so if canned is your only option, go for it!

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 medium yellow onion (diced)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 3 cups ripe tomato (diced)
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 6 large eggs

Optional

  • 2 cups fresh baby spinach

Directions

Step 1
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook until onions begin to brown, 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and cook for 30-60 seconds or until fragrant. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, cumin, paprika, and salt and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes start to break down. Add spinach if using and cook until it begins to wilt, 1-2 minutes.
Step 2
Crack eggs on top of tomato mixture, cover and simmer until eggs are set, about 7-10 minutes.

Shakshuka | GuessWhosCooking.com | Healthy, easy, simple, vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free, soy free

Shakshuka | GuessWhosCooking.com | Healthy, easy, simple, vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free, soy free

Asian Chicken Marinade

Entree, Recipes, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Asian Chicken Marinade | GuessWhosCooking.com | Healthy, easy, simple, gluten free, dairy free

This simple, healthy Asian-flavored marinade can be used for baked or grilled chicken.

Asian Chicken Marinade

Print recipe
Serves 4 - 6
Prep time 5 minutes
Cook time 30 minutes
Total time 35 minutes
This simple, healthy Asian-flavored marinade can be used to bake or grill chicken.

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons low sodium tamari
  • 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil, such as grapeseed, canola, or olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon minced ginger
  • 1 - 1 1/2lb boneless skinless chicken (breast, thighs, or both)

Directions

Step 1
Combine all ingredients except chicken in a medium bowl, mixing well. Add chicken, cover with marinade, and cover the bowl. Refrigerate for 2-24 hours.
Step 2
Grill chicken on an outdoor grill or on a stovetop grill pan, flipping once nice grill marks have formed, until internal temperature reaches 165° F, or finish in oven once both sides have nice grill marks. Another option is to bake at 350° F until internal temperature reaches 165° F, about 20-30 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken.
Step 3
Serve sliced or chopped on a salad.

Roasted Tomato Soup

Recipes, Sides, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Roasted Tomato Soup | GuessWhosCooking.com | simple, healthy, plant based, dairy free, gluten free, vegan, nut free, soy free.

This recipe is very simple with only 5 required ingredients. Avoid the guilt with this soup because it is almost nothing but vegetables with a little healthy fat, yet is full of flavor and much more appetizing than canned tomato soup. In these pictures, I used heirloom tomatoes. Use any tomatoes you’d like, but make sure they are ripe. That means purchasing tomatoes during the summer, when they are actually in season. If possible, buy them from your local farmers market. If you’re looking to start growing your own vegetables, try growing tomatoes – they are easy and so much tastier when you grow them yourself!

Roasted Tomato Soup

Print recipe
Serves 4 - 6
Prep time 10 minutes
Cook time 45 minutes
Total time 55 minutes
This simple soup recipe is vegan and contains only 5 ingredients.

Ingredients

  • 3lb tomatoes (halved)
  • 1 medium onion (quartered)
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus a little to drizzle, if desired)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Optional

  • fresh basil (garnish)

Directions

Step 1
Preheat oven to 400˚F. In a large bowl, toss tomatoes, onion, and garlic with olive oil. Spread in an even layer on a baking sheet.
Step 2
Place in the oven and bake for 30 minutes, turning the vegetables halfway through. Let cool.
Step 3
Place roasted vegetables in blender or food processor and blend in small batches as needed. Add salt. Blend until completely smooth, adding a little water or broth to thin if necessary. Warm in a saucepan over medium heat until heated through and serve. Garnish with fresh basil and a drizzle of olive oil (optional).

Roasted Tomato Soup | GuessWhosCooking.com | simple, healthy, plant based, dairy free, gluten free, vegan, nut free, soy free.

Springtime Buckwheat Salad

Recipes, Sides, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Springtime Buckwheat Salad | GuessWhosCooking.com | Healthy, plant based, vegan, dairy free, gluten free

Whole grains don’t have to be boring! Buckwheat, which happens to be gluten-free, despite the word “wheat” in its name, is accompanied by colorful veggies and simple yet flavorful dressing. This salad is great side dish for a potluck, picnic, lunch, or dinner! Or add some protein such as chicken or beans and make it your entree.

Springtime Buckwheat Salad

Print recipe
Serves 8-12
Prep time 15 minutes
Cook time 30 minutes
Total time 45 minutes
This colorful salad can be made with either roasted or grilled vegetables, which are combined with a tender whole grain and simple lemony dressing for a fresh-tasting and very satisfying salad!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup buckwheat groats (toasted for 4-5 minutes in a dry pan, or buy pre-toasted)
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 green zucchini, organic preferred (chopped)
  • 2 carrots (diced)
  • 1/2 red onion (diced)
  • 1 red bell pepper, organic preferred (chopped)
  • 1 bunch asparagus (cut into 1-inch pieces)
  • 1/2 cup artichoke hearts (quartered, thawed from frozen or marinated in jar and drained)
  • 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (divided)
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice (about 1 medium lemon)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (minced)

Directions

Step 1
Preheat oven to 425˚F. Combine buckwheat and 2 cups water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook on low 10-12 minutes, then let stand for 5 minutes. Let cool. Grains should be tender but not mushy. Toasted buckwheat or kasha may take less time to cook.
Step 2
Toss vegetables with 1/4 cup (4 Tbsp) olive oil and spread into a single layer on 2 baking sheets. Do not crowd the vegetables on the pan. Roast for 10-12 minutes, stirring once or twice, until vegetables are light golden brown on one or more sides. Let cool.
Step 3
In a small bowl, combine 2 Tbsp olive oil, lemon juice, and 1 tsp salt. In a large bowl, combine cooked buckwheat, roasted vegetables, and olive oil mixture. Toss and garnish with parsley. Serve warm or refrigerate and serve cold.

Springtime Buckwheat Salad | GuessWhosCooking.com | Healthy, plant based, vegan, dairy free, gluten free

Springtime Buckwheat Salad | GuessWhosCooking.com | Healthy, plant based, vegan, dairy free, gluten free

Broiled Green Beans

Recipes, Sides, Snacks, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Eat them like French fries, with or without sauce, or enjoy them as a super quick side dish, or keep reading for another idea!

Haricot vert, French for green beans, are a variety of green beans that are longer and thinner than most varieties in the US. When you broil them, they will be tender yet crisp on the outside. Because they are thin, they cook very quickly and work really well in this recipe. If you can’t find them, just use the thinnest green beans you can find and increase the cooking time.

Broiling is a high temperature direct heat cooking method. The outcome is an appearance that mimics Chinese restaurant-style stir fried green beans, usually cooked in a wok over a very high flame, which isn’t always possible at home, especially when you have an electric (as opposed to gas) stove. After broiling, you could try quickly warming them in a large skillet with a Szechuan sauce.

Pro tip: Trim the stems off the green beans by using kitchen shears. It is easier and dirties less dishes than using a cutting board and knife.

You can even roast frozen green beans straight out of the freezer! Prepare them the same way except bake (rather than broil) at 400˚F for 10-15 minutes, stirring once or twice, until light golden brown.

Broiled Green Beans

Print recipe
Serves 3
Prep time 5 minutes
Cook time 15 minutes
Total time 20 minutes
Dietary Diabetic, Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Meal type Side Dish, Snack
Misc Child Friendly, Serve Hot
This super simple recipe is addictively delicious and takes only about 5 minutes to cook!

Ingredients

  • 3 cups green beans, trimmed
  • olive oil
  • salt to taste

Optional

  • garlic powder

Directions

Step 1
Place oven rack in the top third of oven, second rack from the top. Set oven to broil.
Step 2
Toss green beans with a drizzle of olive oil, a generous pinch of salt, and if using, a light dusting of garlic powder. Spread an even layer of green beans on a baking sheet.
Step 3
Broil until light golden brown, tossing once or twice, about 5 minutes for haricot vert or very thin green beans, or up to 10-15 minutes for standard green beans. Watch the oven carefully the entire time to prevent burning.

Broiled Green Beans | GuessWhosCooking.com | Easy, quick, healthy, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, plant-based

25 Healthy & Fun Game Day Recipes

Appetizers, Dessert, Entree, Recipes, Sides, Snacks, , , , , , , , , ,

25 Healthy and Fun Game Day Recipes | Guess Who's Cooking | Recipes are mostly minimally processed, plant-based, and low in added sugar and refined flours. Perfect for the Super Bowl!

Looking for a healthier recipe to share during the big game? Here are 25 recipes that are healthy, fun and delicious. For those with special needs or tastes, many recipes are:

  • Made with whole, real foods
  • Vegan
  • Lower-carb
  • No-sugar-added

Appetizers, Sides, & Snacks

Asian Cole Slaw

Baked Falafel

Bean & Corn Dip

Brussels Sprouts Chips

Chex Mix Pumpkin Seeds

Eggplant “Fries”

Mexican Zucchini Fritters

Pizza Hummus

Rosemary Sesame Pecans

Salt and Vinegar Pumpkin Seeds

Savory Roasted Chickpeas

Vegetarian Baked Beans (lower sugar)

 

Entrees

Cajun Meatloaf

Cauliflower Pizza Crust

Copycat Chipotle Barbacoa

Fishy Nuggets

Mexican Taco Meatloaf

Personal Portabello Pizzas

Pizza Omelet

Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken

White Chicken Chili (dairy-free)

 

Desserts

Black Bean Brownies

Buckeyes

Chickpea Blondies

 

Spaghetti Squash with Green Beans, Arugula, and Truffle Oil

Entree, Recipes, Sides, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Spaghetti Squash with Truffle Oil. Guess Who's Cooking. Low carb, vegan, gluten free, dairy free, soy free.

This “pasta” dish is so full of flavor that you won’t care that it’s spaghetti squash, not spaghetti! The truffle oil is optional, but really gives this dish a huge boost in rich, earthy flavor.

Truffle Spaghetti Squash with Green Beans, Arugula, and Truffle Oil

Print recipe
This rich and flavorful pasta dish is so tasty that you will forget you're eating spaghetti squash, not spaghetti!

Ingredients

  • 1 Medium spaghetti squash
  • 1/2 to 1lb green beans (trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces)
  • handful baby arugula
  • drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
  • garlic powder to taste
  • salt to taste

Optional

  • dash of truffle oil

Directions

Step 1
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Slice the spaghetti squash in half and remove the seeds and stringy flesh. Drizzle with olive oil, rub the oil over the inside and outside of the squash, and place face down on a baking sheet.
Step 2
Bake for 30-40 minutes, until squash is fork tender or flakes easily with a fork. Let cool.
Step 3
Bring a saucepan of water to a boil, then add green beans. Blanch for 2-3 minutes for thin beans and 4-5 minutes for thick beans. Drain.
Step 4
Once the squash is cool enough to handle, shred the flesh into strands with a fork. In a large bowl, combine the squash, green beans, and arugula. Drizzle with oil, and sprinkle with salt and garlic powder to taste.

Pan-Fried “Noodles” with Vegetable Stir Fry

Entree, Recipes, , , , , , , , , , ,

d
Pan-Fried "Noodles" with Vegetable Stir Fry

Pan-Fried “Noodles” with Vegetable Stir Fry

Print recipe
This recipe replaces unhealthy fried refined noodles with light pan-fried spaghetti squash. It's delicious!

Ingredients

  • 1 Medium spaghetti squash
  • olive oil
  • 1lb chicken, fish, or scallops (bite-sized pieces)
  • 1 egg white
  • 2 teaspoons corn starch
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 Medium yellow onion
  • 1/2lb snow peas
  • 1/2lb shiitake mushrooms
  • 1/4lb bean sprouts
  • 1 tablespoon Shaoxing rice wine (or substitute dry sherry)
  • 2 tablespoons low-sodium tamari
  • 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
  • peanut oil

Directions

Step 1
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Cut the spaghetti squash in half and remove the seeds. Brush with olive oil, then place face-down on a baking sheet. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until tender. Let cool.
Step 2
Meanwhile, whisk the egg white in a medium bowl, then add corn starch, salt, and protein of choice (chicken, fish, or scallops) and combine. Cover and refrigerate for about 20 minutes.
Step 3
Combine the Shaoxing rice wine, tamari, and black pepper, then set aside.
Step 4
Heat 2 tablespoons peanut oil in wok or large pan. Add the chicken, fish or scallops and stir fry for a few minutes until mostly cooked. Set aside in a dish, leaving excess oil in pan or letting oil pool in the dish and adding any remaining oil back to the wok.
Step 5
Add 1-2 tablespoons peanut oil to the pan, less if some oil remains from the previous step. Add the onion and cook for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until it starts to become translucent. Add the mushrooms and cook until they are mostly soft, stirring occasionally. Add the snow peas and cook another 2-3 minutes, until they are bright green and no longer dull. Add the bean sprouts and cook 1 more minute.
Step 6
Add the chicken, fish, or scallops back to the wok, then add the sauce and combine. Set aside in another dish, then wipe out the pan.
Step 7
Once the spaghetti squash has cooled, use a fork or spoon to scoop out the flesh, which will resemble noodles.
Step 8
Heat the wok over medium heat, then add 2 tablespoons peanut oil. Add enough spaghetti squash to form a solid layer about 1/2 inch thick on the bottom of the pan. Once it starts to become golden brown on the bottom, flip the spaghetti squash and cook until the other side starts to turn golden brown. Repeat with remaining squash if necessary. Place the squash on a serving plate.
Step 9
Top the squash with the vegetable stir fry and serve.

Pan-Fried "Noodles" with Vegetable Stir Fry

Easy Whole Wheat Scallion Pancakes

Recipes, Sides, Snacks, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

These savory pancakes are similar to Chinese and Korean pancakes, but are made with whole wheat flour. They may not be completely authentic, but they are easy to make and even easier to eat. You could experiment with other finely chopped or shredded veggies too, such as carrots or bell peppers.

Healthy Whole Wheat Scallion Pancake - similar to Chinese or Korean pancakes. Guess Who's Cooking

Whole Wheat Scallion Pancakes

Print recipe
Serves 4-8
Prep time 5 minutes
Cook time 30 minutes
Total time 35 minutes
Meal type Appetizer, Breakfast, Lunch, Main Dish, Side Dish, Snack
These savory pancakes are similar to Chinese and Korean scallion pancakes, but have a healthy twist with whole wheat flour.

Ingredients

Pancakes

  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 cup water
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 1/2 cup green onions (or about 8 stalks)
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 2 teaspoons oil (grapeseed, canola, coconut, or olive oil)

Dipping Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons low sodium tamari or soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Directions

Pancakes
Step 1
Add eggs to a large bowl and whisk. Add water and flour and whisk until well combined.
Step 2
Slice green onions into 1-inch pieces. Add to batter, along with salt.
Step 3
Heat a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add about 1/2 teaspoon oil to the pan to lightly coat the bottom.
Step 4
Add about 1 cup of batter to the pan. Swirl the pan to make the pancake an even round shape, and use a wooden spoon to spread out the scallions if necessary.
Step 5
When the edges start to brown and the underside is golden brown, about 3-4 minutes, flip the pancake. Continue cooking until the underside is golden brown, another 3-4 minutes. Set aside and repeat steps 3-5 until you've used up all the batter. Cut into wedges and serve with dipping sauce.
Dipping Sauce
Step 6
Whisk together ingredients for dipping sauce.