Friday, March 16, 2012

Healthy Black Bean Dip!

March is my favorite time of year, mostly because of the NCAA tournament.

So, with all the game-watching and St. Patrick's Day festivities, it's really easy for calories to get away from you. 

I came up with this dip because I wanted something easy that I wouldn't feel guilty about eating.  It's delicious, creamy and best of all--has ZERO fat, tons of fiber and even protein! 

Serve with veggies or whole wheat pitas

How To:

1.) Rinse and drain 1 can of black beans
2.) Peel 1-2 cloves of garlic and chop each in a few large pieces
3.) Put garlic and beans in food processor--salt and pepper to taste
4.) Process to desired consistency
5.) SERVE!

**Optional:  If you want to add extra vitamins and fiber, feel free to add a couple of handfuls of fresh spinach.  It will make more dip and change the color to be more green--but still delicious! 

Enjoy!

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Citrus Chicken in a Bag

I know, weird name.  But once you read the recipe, you'll see why it's so fitting! 

This is a great one to have on-hand because it's easy, inexpensive, tasty and HEALTHY.  Plus, it's way more delicious than regular old chicken and broccoli.  You can make it outdoors on your grill or indoors on a grill pan or in a skillet.  (I HIGHLY recommend investing in a grill pan, especially if you live in an apartment.  Trust me.  Being able to grill year-round and/or indoors will change your life) 

CITRUS CHICKEN IN A BAG (serves 2)

What you'll need:

1 boneless, skinless chicken breast per person
1 orange
1 lime
1 lemon
Garlic (2 or 3 cloves--your preference)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Kosher Salt
Pepper
Fresh or frozen broccoli--whatever you have on hand
2 large re-sealable plastic bags, one inside the other (big enough to hold 2 chicken breasts)

HOW TO: 

1.) Mince garlic and add to plastic bag
2.) Add a couple of splashes of olive oil into the plastic bag
3.) Place raw chicken breasts inside bag
4.) Zest the lemon, lime and orange and add zest to the bag
5.) Juice the orange into bag (if you don't feel there's enough juice, feel free the juice from a 2nd orange)
6.) Sprinkle in salt and pepper (about 1 tsp of salt and 1/2 tsp pepper)
7.) Seal plastic bags and move chicken around so everything mixes and coats the chicken breasts.  Allow to marinate for at least 15 minutes--but the longer the better (up to 24 hours)!
8.) Heat grill or grill pan until it's (of course) screaming hot
9.) Take chicken out of the bag and place directly on the grill, cooking until desired level of done-ness
10.) While meat cooks, make the broccoli.  I usually do frozen, so that means sticking it in the microwave for about 3-3 1/2 minutes
11.) While 9 and 10 are happening, juice the lemon and lime into a separate small bowl.  Add a pinch of salt and pepper and then whisk with a fork while streaming in some olive oil (about 1/2 tsp or so)
12.)  When broccoli is done, pour dressing over it and toss
13.) Once the meat is done cooking, plate it and allow it to rest (covered) for a few minutes to allow the juices to redistribute
14.) Put some chicken and some broccoli on your plate. 
15.) Enjoy! 

**Optional side dish:  lemon basil pasta

What you'll need:
1/2 pound of any long pasta (whole wheat preferred)
1 lemon, zested and juiced
Fresh basil

1.) I hope you know how to make pasta, but in case you don't--boil some water and put the pasta in the boiling water and cook for about 7-9 minutes.

2.) Drain pasta and mix with lemon zest and juice.

3.) Tear fresh basil and add it to the pasta

:)