• Easy Chicken Shawarma with Mint Yogurt Sauce

    Recipes from Damn Delicious and Walderwellness.

    Ingredients:

    Chicken Shawarma:

    • 2 TBSP olive oil
    • 1 TBSP water
    • 1 TBSP lemon zest
    • 1 TBSP freshly squeezed lemon juice
    • 3 garlic coves, minced
    • 2 tsp. ground coriander
    • 2 tsp. sweet paprika
    • 2 tsp. ground cumin
    • 1 tsp. ground turmeric
    • 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
    • 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
    • 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
    • 1/4 tsp. ground cardamom
    • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
    • 2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
    • 1 1/2 TBSP vegetable oil

    Mint Yogurt Sauce:

    • 3/4 c. plain Greek yogurt
    • 1 c. fresh mint
    • 3 TBSP lemon juice
    • 3 garlic cloves or 1 tsp. garlic powder
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    • Cucumbers, chopped, optional

    Directions:

    1. Chicken Shawarma: In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, water, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, coriander, paprika, cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, cayenne pepper, cardamom, 1 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper.
    2. In a gallon size Ziploc bag or large bowl, combine chicken and olive oil mixture; marinate for at least 2 hours to overnight, turning the bag occasionally. Drain the chicken from the marinade.
    3. Preheat grill to medium high heat.
    4. Brush chicken with vegetable oil; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
    5. Add chicken to grill, and cook, turning occasionally, until chicken is completely cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165F, about 10 minutes.
    6. Mint Yogurt Sauce: Combine yogurt through salt and pepper in a food process and blitz until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired. May add chopped cucumbers to the mixture.

    Easy Chicken Shawarma and Mint Yogurt Sauce:

  • Chicken Caesar Burgers

    Recipe from Defined Dish.

    Ingredients:

    • 1 lb. ground chicken 
    • 1 TBSP SideDish Miso Caesar dressing
    • 1 tsp. Kosher salt
    • 1/2 tsp. garlic powder 
    • 1/2 tsp. black pepper 
    • 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes 
    • 1/3 c. gluten-free panko breadcrumbs 
    • 2 TBSP freshly chopped parsley leaves
    • 1/4 c. finely grated parmesan 
    • Avocado oil, for cooking
    • Caesar salad: 2 c. roughly chopped romaine, Caesar dressing, and freshly ground black pepper
    • Assembly: burger bun, burger, salad, and shaved parmesan

    Directions:

    1. Burgers: In a bowl, combine all of the ingredients for the chicken patties (except for the avocado oil) until well combined. Shape into 4-equal sized patties.
    2. Heat 2 to 3 TBSP of avocado oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. When hot, add the patties and cook until golden brown on both sides and cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate. Set aside.
    3. Salad: In a medium bowl, toss the romaine lettuce with 1 to 2 TBSP of Caesar dressing and pepper, until it is well coated.
    4. Assembly: To build the burgers, place the burger patty on a bun and top with Caesar salad and shaved parmesan cheese.

    Chicken Caesar Burgers:

  • Damn Delicious Fried Rice

    Recipe Adapted from Damn Delicious.

    Ingredients:

    • 1/3 c. oyster sauce
    • 2 TBSP rice wine vinegar
    • 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
    • 1 lb. chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-size pieces or tofu
    • Salt and pepper, to taste
    • 2 TBSP vegetable oil
    • 1 small onion, diced
    • 3 garlic cloves, minced
    • 1 TBSP ginger paste
    • 10 oz. frozen corn, cooked
    • 12 oz. frozen broccoli, cooked
    • 10 oz. frozen peas and carrots, cooked
    • 4 c. cooked (day old) white or brown rice
    • 3 (or more) eggs, beaten

    Directions:

    1. In a small bowl, whisk together oyster sauce, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes.
    2. Season chicken with 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper.
    3. Heat 1 TBSP vegetable oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium high heat. Working in batches, add chicken to the skillet in a single layer and cook until golden brown, about 7-8 minutes; set aside.
    4. Add onion to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 3-4 minutes.
    5. Stir in garlic and ginger until fragrant, about 1 minute.
    6. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and sesame oil over medium high heat.
    7. Spread rice in an even layer. Cook, without stirring, for 2 minutes. Flip and spread in an even layer again, cooking for an additional 2 minutes.
    8. Push rice to one side of the skillet (or in a separate skillet); add eggs to opposite side of the skillet, and cook, stirring often, until thickened and no visible liquid egg remains, about 2-3 minutes.
    9. Stir in chicken, cooked vegetables, and oyster sauce mixture until well combined, about 2-3 minutes. Continue cooking, stirring constantly, until flavors have blended, about 3-5 minutes.

    Damn Delicious Fried Rice:

  • Rachels Pesto

    Ingredients:

    • Bag of fresh spinach (about 6 oz.)
    • 1 garlic clove
    • Parmesan Cheese or Pecorino Romano Cheese (about 1-inch x 2-inch piece, cut into 3 or 4 pieces)
    • Handful of nuts (about 1/2 c. – I generally use pecans, but you can use any nut you like)
    • 2 large handfuls of fresh basil
    • Extra virgin olive oil (about 2 TBSP)
    • Salt and pepper, to taste
    • 1 lb. pasta
    • Reserved pasta water (about 1/2 c.) to thin
    • Add ins: tomatoes, mozzarella, grilled chicken, parmesan etc.

    Directions:

    1. Add the spinach, garlic clove, parmesan cheese, and nuts to a standard sized food processor and process until you have enough space to add the basil. If you can’t fit all the spinach in at once, process what you can until you have space to add the remaining spinach. 
    2. Add the basil and the salt and pepper and process until everything is finely chopped (no large pieces of parmesan cheese remain and nuts are chopped). 
    3. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil.  Add enough olive oil so that pesto mixture is just coming together.  The consistency is not sauce like at this point (more like finely chopped ingredients) and it should be quite thick with no visible amounts of oil.
    4. Taste the mixture and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
    5. Meanwhile cook your pasta.  Once pasta is cooked, reserve about 1/2 c. pasta water (to ensure you have enough), and add the pasta to a large bowl.
    6. Add the thick pesto to the top of the pasta and add 1/4 c. reserved pasta water to the top of the pesto.  The pasta water thins the pesto.  Begin tossing the pesto in the pasta.  If the pesto is still too thick, you can add more reserved pasta water (start with 1/8 c. at a time).
    7. Once all combined add tomatoes, mozzarella, and/or chicken, if using, and top the with fresh grated parmesan cheese.

    Rachel’s Pesto:

  • Amazing Green Rice and Creamy Corn

    Recipes adapted from Pinch of Yum

    Rice Ingredients:

    • 1 1/2 c. long-grain white rice
    • 1 bunch cilantro (about 1 c. packed)
    • 3–4 c. fresh spinach
    • 1 shallot (or small onion), peeled and roughly chopped
    • 1 jalapeno pepper, roughly chopped 
    • 1–2 garlic cloves
    • 2 TBSP olive oil
    • 1/2 tsp. salt (1 tsp. salt if using water)
    • 2 c. chicken or vegetable broth, or water (up to 2 1/2 cups for stickier rice)

    Creamy Corn Ingredients:

    • 1/4 c. mayo
    • 2 TBSP cream cheese
    • 1 garlic clove, grated
    • 1/2 tsp. salt
    • 1 tsp. cumin
    • 1 tsp. chili powder
    • Lime juice, to taste
    • 2 c. frozen or fresh sweet corn (2 -10 oz. bags frozen sweet corn), cooked

    Directions:

    1. Rice Prep: Thoroughly rinse the rise in a mesh colander. Shake it a few times to remove excess water and set aside. (This prevents it from splattering in the oil when you add it to the pan in Step 3.)
    2. Make Green Herb Mixture: Pulse the cilantro, spinach, shallot, jalapeno, and garlic in a food processor until very finely chopped.
    3. Saute the Rice: Add olive oil to a skillet over medium high heat. Add rice and sauté for 3-5 minutes until lightly toasted. Add the herb mixture and salt; sauté for another 3-5 minutes until nice and fragrant. 
    4. Cook the Rice: Add the broth or water, bring to a simmer. Cover and keep over low heat for 15-ish minutes. Check the rice by fluffing with a fork; add more water / cook longer if necessary. When the rice is done to your liking, remove from heat and fluff with a fork to distribute the greens.
    5. Creamy Corn: Mix mayo through lime juice in a bowl. Cook corn and add hot corn to the bowl with sauce. Toss to combine, taste and adjust seasoning as desired.

    Amazing Green Rice and Creamy Corn:

  • Skillet Creamed Corn Poblano Chicken

    Recipe adapted from the Defined Dish.

    Ingredients:

    • 1 lb. skinless chicken breasts
    • 2 tsp. kosher salt, divided
    • 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, divided
    • 1 tsp. chili powder
    • 2 TBSP flour
    • 2 TBSP extra virgin olive oil
    • 2 large poblanos, seeded and sliced into ¼-inch wide strips
    • 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
    • 4 garlic cloves, minced
    • 4 ears sweet corn, husked and kernels removed (about 2 1/2 c. or 20 oz. frozen corn)
    • 8 oz. cream cheese 
    • 1 c. low-sodium chicken broth
    • Zest of 1 lime
    • 4 TBSP lime juice
    • 1/3 – 2/3 c. Monterey jack cheese
    • Serve over rice and/or tortillas

    Directions:

    1. Preheat oven to 375F.
    2. Place the chicken on a cutting board. Add a piece of parchment paper or plastic wrap on top of the breasts and use a meat mallet or the bottom of a heavy skillet to pound them to about a 1/2-inch thickness. Pat dry with paper towels.
    3. Season both sides of the chicken with 1 tsp, of salt, ½ tsp. of black pepper, and chili powder.
    4. Add the flour to a large plate. Dredge each chicken breast in flour on both sides and shake off the excess.
    5. In a large, oven-safe skillet (preferably cast iron), heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts and brown on both sides, about 2 minutes per side. This chicken will finish cooking through in the oven. Set aside.
    6. Reduce heat beneath skillet to medium. Add the poblano, red onion, and garlic. Sauté for 3 minutes until the veggies begin to soften.
    7. Add the corn, remaining 1 tsp. salt, and ½ tsp. pepper. Sauté for another 2 minutes. Reduce heat to medium low.
    8. To the skillet, add the cream cheese, chicken broth, lime zest, and lime juice. Stir until cream cheese is well incorporated with the veggies then remove from heat.
    9. Nestle the chicken back into the skillet. Add the cheese over the chicken and entire skillet. Place into oven, uncovered, for 12 to 15 minutes until cheese is melted and chicken is cooked through.
    10. Serve over rice and/or tortillas.

    Skillet Creamed Corn Poblano Chicken:

  • Mediterranean Tuna Salad

    Recipe adapted from One Balanced Life.

    Ingredients:

    Salad:

    • 1 14 oz. can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
    • 1 5 oz. can tuna, drained
    • 1/4 c. red onion
    • 1/4 c. chopped banana peppers
    • 1/4 c. chopped Kalamata olives
    • 2 TBSP feta cheese
    • 1/4 c. chopped cucumber
    • 1/4 c. chopped artichokes
    • 2 TBSP fresh parsley

    Dressing:

    • 1/3 c. mayonnaise
    • 1/4 tsp. ground thyme
    • 1/4 tsp. oregano
    • 1/2 TBSP red wine vinegar
    • 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
    • 1/2 small lemon, juiced
    • 1/2 tsp. salt
    • Pepper, to taste

    Directions:

    1. Salad: In a large bowl add cannellini beans through parsley and mix to combine.
    2. Dressing: In a small bowl mix the mayonnaise through pepper and stir to combine.
    3. Assembly: Add the dressing mixture the salad and toss to combine. Serve over lettuce, as a sandwich, or with crackers.

    Mediterranean Tuna Salad:

  • 20-Minute Fish Tacos

    Recipe from Caroline Chambers.

    Ingredients:

    Fish:

    • 1 1/2 lbs. boneless, skinless firm white fish filets (like cod, mahi mahi, flounder), cut into 4 filets
    • 2 TBSP neutral oil
    • Juice of 1/2 lime
    • 1 tsp. chili powder
    • 1 tsp. garlic powder
    • 1 tsp. smoked paprika
    • 1/2 tsp. salt

    Slaw:

    • 8-10 oz. shredded cabbage/coleslaw
    • Pinch of salt
    • 2-3 peaches (nectarines or mangoes), thinly sliced
    • 1/2 c. cilantro, chopped
    • 2 TBSP neutral oil
    • Juice of 1 lime
    • 1/2 tsp. salt

    Chili Lime Sauce:

    • 1/2 c. mayonnaise
    • 1 tsp. chili powder
    • 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
    • Pinch of salt
    • Juice of 1/2 lime

    Directions:

    1. Fish: Preheat oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and place fish filets in center of the baking sheet and drizzle with the oil through the salt and toss to coat evenly. Spread filets out so no fish is overlapping. Bake 10-15 minutes, or until fish flakes easily when poked.
    2. Slaw: In a large bowl add the shredded cabbage/coleslaw and a pinch of salt. Using your hands, massage the slaw 7 times by scrunching it between your fists, which softens the cabbage and allows it to absorb flavors quickly. Add the sliced peaches, cilantro, oil, lime juice, and salt, and stir to combine and set aside.
    3. Chili Lime Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise through lime juice; taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
    4. Assembly: On a warm tortilla add some chili lime sauce, then the slaw, then the fish, and then top with the chili lime sauce.

    20- Minute Fish Tacos:

  • Taco Meat – Instant Pot or Slow Cooker

    Recipe adapted from Skinny Taste.

    Ingredients:

    • 2 lb. 93% lean ground beef
    • 1 TBSP cumin, divided 2 tsp. and 1 tsp.
    • 2 tsp. kosher salt
    • 2 tsp. chili powder
    • 2 tsp. paprika
    • 1 tsp. dried oregano
    • 1 small onion, minced
    • 1/4 c. red bell pepper, minced
    • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
    • 1/2 c. water
    • 1 c. tomato sauce
    • 1 bay leaf

    Directions:

    1. Instant Pot: Press saute, add the beef and cook breaking it into smaller pieces as it cooks. When no longer pink add 2 tsp. of the cumin along with the remaining dry spices, onion, bell pepper, and garlic; stir and cook 2 to 3 minutes until soft.
    2. Add 1/2 c. water, tomato sauce, and bay leaf. Cover and cook on high pressure 20 minutes; natural release. Discard the bay leaf and add the remaining 1 tsp. of cumin.
    3. Slow Cooker: Brown the beef in a large nonstick skillet over high heat, breaking it into smaller pieces as it cooks. When no longer pink add 2 tsp. of the cumin along with the remaining dry spices, onion, bell pepper and garlic; stir and cook 2 to 3 minutes until soft, then transfer to the slow cooker along with 1/2 c. water, tomato sauce, and bay leaf. Cover and cook on high 3 hours or low 6 to 8. Discard the bay leaf and add the remaining 1 tsp. of cumin.

    Taco Meat:

  • Street Corn Salad

    Recipe adapted from Bad Batch Baking.

    Ingredients:

    • 2 TBSP olive oil
    • 5-6 ears of corn husked and removed from the cob (about 3-4 cups)
    • 1/3 c. mayo
    • 1 lime, zested and juiced
    • 1 garlic clove, minced
    • 1/2-1 tsp. Tajin
    • 1/2-1 tsp. chili powder
    • 1/4 tsp. salt
    • Pepper, to taste
    • 1/4 c. cilantro, minced
    • 1/3 c. green onions, sliced
    • 1 jalapeno, diced
    • 1/3 c. grated cotija cheese

    Directions:

    1. Add olive oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add in the corn and allow it to cook stirring frequently until it starts to char and get some color, about 5-7 minutes. Allow to cool.
    2. In a large bowl, add in the mayonnaise, lime zest, lime juice, garlic, Tajin, chili powder, and salt and pepper. Mix together to make a sauce then add in the corn, cilantro, green onions, jalapeno, and cotija cheese. Mix well until it’s all combined and top with a sprinkling of additional cotija cheese, Tajin and chili powder.

    Street Corn Salad: