Very Lemony Chicken

VERY LEMONY CHICKEN

Using skinless chicken breasts means this tangy dish is lower in saturated fat and cholesterol.

1-1/2 lb	chicken breast, skinned and fat removed
1/2 C	fresh lemon juice
2 Tbsp	white wine vinegar
1/2 C	fresh sliced lemon peel
3 tsp	chopped fresh oregano or 1 tsp dried oregano, crushed
1 medium	onion, sliced
1/4 tsp	salt
to taste	black pepper
1/2 tsp	paprika

 

1. Place chicken in 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish.
2. Mix lemon juice, vinegar, lemon peel, oregano, and onions. Pour over chicken, cover and marinate in refrigerator several hours or overnight, turning occasionally.
3. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and paprika.
4. Cover and bake at 325º F for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake 30 minutes more or until done.

Yield: 4 servings--Serving Size: One chicken breast with sauce

Each serving provides:

Calories: 154
Total fat: 5 g
Saturated fat: 2 g
Cholesterol: 63 mg
Sodium: 202 mg 

recipe from the DASH diet, Heart healthy

Minty meatballs with feta-dill dip, gluten free

This is a recipe my good friend Helen shared with me. She said"you make it and let me know". So, i did and as usual made some modifications to help people with food sensitivities.The meat balls are very tasty and can be eaten alone or with another dip/sauce like a marinara. However, the feta-dill dip adds a wonderful tang!
Makes 24 large meatballs

1 1/2 lean ground beef / i used turkey breast
1 cup cooked quinoa
1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped, plus more for garnish
1/2 cup fresh mint, finely chopped
1 egg, lightly beaten or two egg whites
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 cup 1 percent milk / i used unsweetened coconut milk
1 1/2 tsp salt / i did not use any added salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp allspice
parchment paper

In a bowl, mix together all ingredients until combined.  Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 1 hour.  heat 425 f.  Form meat mixture into 24 oval balls (about 3 tbs each).  Arrange on 2 cookie sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake 8 minutes; turn and bake 10 minutes more.

feta-dill dip
1 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley
2 tsp white-wine vinegar
4 oz crumbled feta / i used non-fat feta
1 cup fresh dill
freshly ground black pepper

in a food processor, place yogurt, parsley, vinegar and all but 1 tsp dill.  Blend until smooth.  Transfer to a bowl: top with remaining dill and pepper.

Fresh Vietnamese Spring Rolls for Super Bowl

2 tsp sesame oil
3 Tbs chopped green onions
1 Tbs finely minced garlic
1 Tbs finely chopped of grated fresh ginger
2 cups shredded green cabbage
4 fresh shiitake mushrooms, stemmed, caps thinly sliced
2 small zucchini, cut into matchstick-size strips
1 carrot, cut into matchstick-sized strips
1 Tbs low sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos

Heat sesame oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add green onions, garlic and ginger;stir-fry 1 minute.
Add cabbage, mushrooms,zucchini and carrot; stir-fry until vegetables are crisp tender. about 3 minutes.
Add 1 Tbs soy sauce and stir to coat veggies, about 30 secs. transfer mixture to colander and drain off liquid.  cool
Rice-paper wrappers (found in Asian  grocery stores)
makes about 12 small rolls
Rice wrappers need to be soaked briefly in warm water to soften them. To make it easier, use a pie pan, a tart pan or a wide dinner plate big enough to hold the flat wrapper.
Place one softened wrapper on a low- lint towel, place a large spoonful of the veggie mixture in the center  section of the wrapper and roll up by folding in sides, then roll up tightly.
Peanut Sauce Dip
2 Tbs smooth peanut butter
1 1/2 tsp tomato paste
1/4 cup hoisin sauce
1/3 cup water
1 1/2 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp crushed red pepper (optional)

In a small heavy sauce pan,combine all ingredients and  blend until smooth. Heat over medium-high heat and cook 3 to 4 minutes until thickened. remove from heat and cool slightly.
Note: if you want to cut calories, use 2 Tbs. powdered peanut butter. PB2 brand.

Sugar-smart holidays,Low-glycemic Apple Crisp

serves 12
With almond flour,walnuts, organic coconut oil, and xylitol, this naturally gluten free dessert is a low-glycemic alternative to apple pie made with refined white flour and starches, sugar or honey-and a perfect end to a holiday meal.
1 3/4 cup almond flour
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon, divided
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
2 Tbs. organic extra virgin coconut oil, warmed so it is liquefied
4 Tbs. xylitol, divided
1 Tbs. gluten free vanilla extract
4 cups Gala apples, peeled, sliced thin, and chopped in half width-wise
1 tbs. arrowroot powder or cornstarch

1. Preheat oven to 350f. Mix almond flour, sea salt, 1 tsp cinnamon, nutmeg and walnuts in medium bowl. Mix coconut oil, 3 tbs xylitol and vanilla in separate bowl. Stir wet ingredients into dry, then combine ingredients with hands to create crumbly mixture.

2. Grease 8-by11  1/2-inch, 2 quart casserole dish.  Mix apples, remaining xylitol, arrowroot, and remaining cinnamon together in mixing bowl. Arrange apple mixture in baking dish and bake this mixture for 20 minutes. Then add the crumble topping over apples and bake again for another 15 minutes until fragrant and brown but not burnt. 
this is a recipe adapted from "better nutrition" magazine

Gluten free Pumpkin-Cranberry-Pecan scones

yesterday i was in the mood to try making scones using holiday flavors. My son was returning from college and i wanted him to try them. He is supposed to be gluten free as well. Dairy free too!
To make these a great breakfast treat cut in half and put jam on them like a biscuit.
Ingredients:
2 cups Jules Gluten free All Purpose flour(TM) i like this flour mix, but other gluten free combinations can be used.
2 Tbs. flaxseed meal
1/4 cup Xylitol (sugar substitute)
2 tsp. gluten-free baking powder
1/2tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon
4 Tbs. butter or (Earth Balance shortening )
2 large eggs (or egg substitute like 2 Tbs. flaxseed meal steeped in 6 Tbs. warm water)
1/2cup yogurt, dairy or non-dairy( So Delicious Vanilla coconut yogurt)
1/4 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup fresh cranberries
1/4 cup chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 400f.  whisk together all dry ingredients in a large bottom bowl.  cut butter into the dry ingredients using a pastry cutter.  stir in the eggs, yogurt and pumpkin.
spoon dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet "drop biscuit" style.
bake for 8-11 minutes, just until the tops are lightly browned. Do not overcook. makes about 15 scones.
this recipe is adapted from Jules Speaks Gluten Free

i like shopping at smaller markets like "Teddy's", Health food Market, at 3701 Pacific Ave. Virginia beach Va.
or  the Health Nut at Loehmann's Plaza shopping Center also in Virginia Beach.

Gluten free, Dairy free, Sugar free!

Almond Butter Whey cookies. A snack that is actually good for you!
1/2 cup oats
1 T almond butter
1 scoop whey protein powder or 3 T almond flour
1 egg
2 packets stevia, to taste
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/8 cup carob chips or sugar free choc chips
preheat oven to 350f. line cookie sheet with  parchment paper.
combine all ingrredients together in a mixing bowl with clean hands.
Shape the dough into goofball-sized balls.  Place onto the cookie sheet, about an inch-and-a-half apart.  Bake for about 10 minutes. serve. adopted from Oxygen magazine