Blackberry Banana Smoothie

It's a Very Berry Summer around here. Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries and Blackberries galore. Today's Smoothie recipe is brought to you by the Berry Black - Blackberry that is. A nice sweet, slightly tart tribute to this lovely berry - simple and sweet. Enough buttering up the berries - here are the deets on the Blackberry smoothie.


The Deets
2 Cups Blackberries1 Banana
1 Cup Spinach
1 Cup Plain Lowfat Yogurt
1/4 Cup Milk
1 TBS Creamed Honey


The How To
Add Milk and Yogurt to Blender
Next Add Spinach
Then Pile in the Berries, Banana & Honey
Blend & Enjoy!

White Chicken Lasagna

Lasagna. When you hear the word Lasagna I bet you imagine red sauce, ground beef and lots of tomatoes. Am I right? Well time for a switch up in your normal {delicious but normal} Lasagna. This recipe is actually lighter than it sounds, you can forgo the heavy cream and use all milk to make it even lighter. Either way, it's delicious! 

The Deets

1/4 Cup Butter

1 Shallot {or 1/2 small onion [I'm a shallot fan]} finely chopped

1 Clove Garlic minced

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

2 Cups Chicken Broth

1 Cup Milk
1/2 Cup Heavy Cream

2 1/2 Cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

1/2 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese

     1 TBS Chopped Fresh Basil

1 tsp Oregano

1 Cup Ricotta Cheese

2-3 Chicken Breasts, Cooked and Chopped/Cubed

1 Package Frozen Chopped Spinach {Thawed, Rinsed and Drained}

1 Jar Artichoke Hearts – Roughly Chopped

1 Box Lasagna Noodles

     1/4 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese for Topping

The How To

Melt the Butter in a saucepan over medium heat

Cook the Shallot and Garlic in the butter until tender

Stir in Flour and Salt, and simmer until bubbly

Add Chicken Broth and Milk, 

Gently bring to a boil, stirring constantly

Once boiling add 1 1/2 Cups Mozzarella and 1/4 Cup Parmesan

Reduce heat and stir until smooth

Add Basil and Oregano mix until smooth and remove from heat.

Divide Sauce in half

Add Chicken, Spinach and Artichoke Hearts to 1/2 of Sauce Mixture

Cook Lasagna Noodles according to package directions

Time for Assembly! 

In 9x13 baking dish add 1/2 of the plain sauce mixture 

Add a layer of Lasagna Noodles 

Top with  1/2 Ricotta, and 1/2  Chicken/Spinach/Artichoke Sauce 

Add another layer of Lasagna Noodles 

Top with remaining  Ricotta and Chicken/Spinach/Artichoke Sauce  

Add 1/2 Cup of Mozzarella and 1/4 Cup Parmesan

Add another layer of Lasagna Noodles

Top with remaining plain sauce mixture and remaining Cheese

Bake at 350 for 35 to 40 minutes

Plate Pray & Enjoy!

Dinner Salad : Redefined

During the Summer the blistering Heat Zaps my Motivation to Cook Dinner more often than I'd like to admit.  On Nights like this Salad for Dinner is a Life Saver. In order to make a Salad into a meal you need some good lean protein, like Chicken and/or Egg (which came first?), and some healthy fats from Avocado and/or Cheese. This is a Light yet Hearty Summer Meal perfect for a Hot Summer Night.

The Deets (for 2)
4 Cups Spinach
4 Baby Peppers
1 Tomato or 1 Cup Grape Tomatoes
1/2 Cup Shredded Carrots
1/2 Cucumber
1 Avocado
2 Hard Boiled Eggs 
   (I don't like yolk so I make my salad sans yoke)
1/4 Shredded Cheese (Tillamook Sharp Cheddar)
4 Oz Chicken Breast 
   (Usually I cook my own but today I used Precooked)
1 Handful of Raw Almonds Roughly Chopped
Dressing of Choice - this is a good salad for Ranch Dressing

Look at those beautiful Greens!

The How To

Chop It Up

Mix It Up

Serve It Up

Plate, Pray & Enjoy!

Bagel Sandwiches for a Quick Fix

Sometimes we all need an easy dinner.
Tonight was one of those nights.
So CarboLoading Bagel Sandwiches it is.

The Deets
(for 2)
2 Bagels (Einstein Brothers Whole Wheat)
Thick Cut Chicken (I used Carving Board Turkey)
Extra Sharp Cheddar
Spicy Sprouts (Alfalfa & Radish Sprouts)
Spinach
Tomatoes

The Assembly 
Toast Bagels
Add Cheese while Bagels are hot to melt it a bit
Add toppings

Serve with Salad, Kale Chips or another healthy side and dinner is served.

Plate, Pray & Enjoy!

Summer Breakfast Scramble

Summer is almost here, flavorful, fresh produce is abundant and fresh light dishes are on my mind.  This time of year makes me crave healthier food, full of fresh flavors!  Even Breakfast gets a quick fresh overhaul. Today's dish: Vegetable and Goat Cheese Scrambled Eggs.

The Deets for One
2 Eggs
6 Mushrooms Roughly Chopped
1 Large handful of Fresh Spinach - Chopped
1 Large handful of cherry tomatoes Quartered
1/8 Cup Crumbled Goat Cheese
1 TBS Milk
Salt to Taste

The How To
Sear Mushrooms until desired doneness (I like mine cooked well)

Add Spinach and Tomatoes for a quick Sear

In a Bowl Scramble Eggs and Milk
Add Goat Cheese
Add to Pan over Medium Low

Scramble for 3-4 minutes or until Eggs turn white

Plate, Pray & Enjoy!

It's Sandwich Time! Grilled Edition.

Short, Sweet and to the Point:

I Love Sandwiches.

I especially Love Grilled Sandwiches.

Here is my idea of A Perfect Sandwich:
2 Slices Whole Wheat Bread (I Love Big Sky Bakery & Alpine Valley Organic)
2 Slices of Uncured Hard Salami
Extra Sharp Vintage White Cheddar (Tillamook)
1/2 Avocado
1/2 Tomato
1 handful Spinach
1 handful Sprouts
Butter

The Construction
Butter Bread, layout cheese & cook over medium low until golden brown
Once bread is golden brown & cheese is melted add Salami & Veggies
Add a Pickle & you're good to go!