Month: August 2018

I love a good fillet! What I don’t love is the price when I order one. Here is the perfect solution …. make it at home! Trader Joe’s has amazing fillet at under $11 for two fillets!!! Now you can enjoy this protein packed treat every night if you want. I pair it with a delicious mushroom risotto that I mix with fresh spinach in order to add a healthy dose of veggies into the one-pan dinner.

Sometimes it’s nice to get new ideas for dinner, especially when it is proven to be delicious and a time saver. I am here to share my finds with you! They may not be made from scratch, but they are made with love.

	Ingredients Serve 2	Cost
1	1 Pkg Fillet Mignon	$10.85
2	1 Pkg Mushroom Risotto	$2,19*
3	1/2 Bag Fresh Spinach	$1.15*
	Total	$14.19 ($7.10 per serving)

*Please note: the cost of this items reflects the amount used for this recipe, not the total cost of the package. 

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
Calories	438
Carbs	26g
Fats	25.1g
Protein	13.9g
Sugar	1g
Fiber	1.5g
	Source: MyFitnessPal

*Ingredients sourced from Trader Joe’s

Directions

Step 1: Spray a cast iron skillet with Pam grill spray then set on M/H.

Step 2: Sprinkle salt and pepper on the top of steak while the bottom is searing. After about 4 minutes or so flip the steak.

Step 3: Place the whole bag of Mushroom Risotto that has been defrosted in your fridge into the skillet.

Step 4: Add half bag of spinach to the skillet and wilt.

Step 5: Stir into the risotto. When the steak is done to your liking, place on a plate with a serving of risotto. (Note: there are 3 servings per bag so you should have some left over for lunch)

Step 6: Enjoy!

I love a good Gnocchi recipe, but what I don’t love are all the calories and carbs in traditional potato Gnocchi. Trader Joe’s has a frozen Cauliflower Gnocchi that has less carbs and fewer calories, yet all the flavor, making it a natural for this recipe. After reading the online reviews, I knew I had to come up with a way to make the Gnocchi so that it had the same texture as traditional Gnocchi, and guess what – I found that way!

Watch this video and you too will be able to make perfect Cauliflower Gnocchi every time. I love how the Olive Tapenade gives the sauce a little kick without being overbearing. If you are vegetarian, you can try this dish using a Fig Salami, and if you are Kosher, you can substitute the Turkey Summer Sausage with an all beef kosher salami! This quick and easy recipe can be enjoyed no matter what diet you follow.

	Ingredients Serve 4	Cost
1	1 and 1/2 bags frozen Cauliflower Gnocchi	$4.04*
2	1 Turkey Summer Sausage	$3.99
3	1/2 Carton Mushrooms	$2.00*
4	1/3 Jar Arrabiata Sauce	$1.10*
5	2 T Olive Tapenade	$0.22 *
	Total	$11.35 ($2.84 per serving)

*Please note: the cost of this items reflects the amount used for this recipe, not the total cost of the package. 

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
Calories	279
Carbs	28g
Fats	10.4g
Protein	13.9g
Sugar	3.8g
Fiber	6.6g
	Source: MyFitnessPal

*Ingredients sourced from Trader Joe’s

Directions

Step 1: Turn on your range to med/high heat. Spray the pan with a little olive oil spray.

Step 2: Start browning your Gnocchi. (I don’t follow the directions on the bag – I defrost the Gnocchi the night before in my fridge and DO NOT add any water. Just keep giving little sprays of the olive oil if you think it isn’t sticking. They will brown up and have a nice texture if you prepare them this way.)

Step 3: Peel the casing off the Sausage and slice.

Step 4: Place them in the pan and fry up with the Gnocchi.

Step 5: Put half a carton of mushrooms in the pan and brown.

Step 6: When everything is browned a bit, pour 1/3 jar of sauce in the pan.

Step 7: Put 2 T Olive Tapenade in the pan and mix up.

Step 8: Enjoy!

I love Chicken Fried Rice, but what I don’t love is the calorie count in the traditional recipe or how long it takes to prepare. So, I came up with a quick and easy version for you to cook along side of me – hope you enjoy it! If you follow a vegetarian diet, you can substitute the chicken with Quorn Chik’n Cutlets, and for my vegan friends, an egg substitute works too. 

	Ingredients Serve 4	Cost
1	1 Pkg Natural Chicken Tenders	$5.34
2	1 Bag Riced Cauliflower Stir Fry	$2.99
3	1 Egg	$0.25*
	Total	$8.58 ($2.15 per serving)

*Please note: the cost of this items reflects the amount used for this recipe, not the total cost of the package.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
Calories	194
Carbs	8g
Fats	4.4g
Protein	27.8g
Sugar	3.4g
Fiber	2.2g
	Source: MyFitnessPal

*Ingredients sourced from Trader Joe’s

Directions

Step 1: Turn on your range to med/high heat. Spray the pan with a little olive oil spray.

Step 2: Place chicken tenders in the pan and cook according to the directions.

Step 3: Remove chicken from the pan and place on serving platter.

Step 4: Pour the whole bag of defrosted cauliflower rice stir fry into your pan (I recommend putting it in your fridge the night before so it’s defrosted when ready to use).

Step 5: Make a well in the center of the rice.

Step 6: Crack your egg and place in the center of the rice. Put the lid back on the pan, allowing the egg to fry up. Once you see the egg start to cook, start stirring it into the rice, making sure the whole egg has cooked.

Step 7: Place the chicken back on top of the fried rice to warm back up a bit.

Step 8: Enjoy!

Sometimes I come across an item that I really want to try, so I build a recipe around it. That is how I came up with this AMAZING recipe! I saw a can of Giant Baked Cannellini beans and thought, “I bet I can make an amazing vegetarian dish out of this.” I really think you will enjoy this one! It’s loaded with fiber, which is great for my fellow Weight Watchers as it allows you to bring the carb count down by subtracting the fiber from the carbs. Nutritionally, it has everything you’re looking for to make it a healthy meal of choice.

*Please note: the cost of these items reflects the amount used for this recipe, not the total cost of the package. 

	Ingredients Serve 2	Cost
1	One Package Portabello  Fresh	$2.79
2	1/3 Container diced yellow onions	$0.60 *
3	Can of Giant Baked Beans	$1.99
4	1/4 C Shredded Pepper Jack Cheese	$0.33 *
	Total	$5.71 ($2.85 per serving)

Ingredients sourced from Trader Joe’s

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
Calories	282
Carbs	31g
Fats	10.5g
Protein	16g
Sugar	4g
Fiber	11.5g
	Source: MyFitnessPal

Directions

Step 1: Clean your mushrooms by removing the stem with a knife and carefully removing the black gills by and scooping them out with a spoon. Clean the back of the mushroom with a wet paper towel and then score it (i.e. make a little ‘X’ in it with a knife).

Step 2: Set your range heat to Med and spray your pan with a little butter spray.

Step 3: Place your mushrooms score side down in the pan and cover.

Step 4: Pour the diced onions in the same pan along with the can of Cannellini Beans and allow to simmer while mushrooms soften.

Step 5: Check mushrooms and flip over until they are soft. It takes about 5 minutes total for them to get soft.

Step 6: Flip the mushrooms back over and stuff them directly in the pan. Then sprinkle with half of the cheese.

Step 7: Enjoy!