SIDES/SPLURGE: Easy, Chicken-filled, Puff Pastries

I had a ton of leftover chicken from dinner a few nights back; I didn't want to reheat it in its existing form, so I figured I would fill some pastry shells with a chicken and cheese blend.

Serving Size: 8-16

Ingredients:

• Cooked and seasoned chicken, tofu, or ground beef
• Shredded cheese blend
• Salt and pepper to taste if your stuffing isn't already heavily seasoned
• Puff pastry shells
• Egg, beaten and in a bowl
• Optional: steamed broccoli or spinach

Instructions:

• Preheat your oven at 400 degrees
• Thaw puff pastry sheet for 7-10 minutes (not longer as the shell will start to get sticky)

• Mix chicken, cheese, and any vegetables you would like to use
• Cut the pastry shell into 4 squares (or more if you'd like smaller pastries)

• Glaze each side of the shell with the egg wash 
• Stuff half of each shell, and seal each pastry with the empty half
• Bake for 15-20 minutes (flip each pastry mid-way)
• Enjoy! 

DRINKS: Comforting Coco-Ginger Cardamom Tea

Masala Chai is wonderful, but for a change, try Ginger Cardamom Tea. You can make ginger tea very quickly by doing the following:

- Add one cup of water per cup of tea to a small pot per cup of tea
- Add two black tea bag per cup of tea
- Pour in a cup of coconut milk (or skim, soy, or almond milk) per cup of tea
- Add three to four small pieces of cut ginger (each piece should be approximately double the size of an m&m)
- Add 1 tsp of honey or agave per cup should be perfect
- Add 2-3 cardamom pods per cup if you like
- Boil the mixture for ten to fifteen minutes, strain, and enjoy!

DRINKS: 4 Steps to a Perfect Cup of Coffee

Philz, Intelligentsia, Blue Bottle and Urth have all attempted to convince you that you can't make a great cup of coffee without a professional who spends 4+ minutes painstakingly dripping your coffee through some advanced filter...the truth is you can make amazing, fresh coffee at home without all the drama. 

Here's what you need: a coffee grinder (Cuisinart makes good ones), a great french press (see my Bodum stainless steel press here), and of course, some good whole bean coffee. I recommend a french press over a coffee maker for a few reasons: it's easier to clean and you don't have to remember to buy those pesky filters.  If you take my advice on buying a french press, go with a stainless steel version; glass ones can and do break.

On to the good stuff - follow these simple steps to get started brewing your own fresh coffee:

• Grind your coffee beans
• I prefer to blend enough for at least 3-4 days and store my grounds in a stainless steel airtight container - good gladware will suffice

• Scoop a 1-2 tablespoons of coffee per cup into your french press
• You can make it stronger or weaker by increasing or decreasing the amount of coffee you use

• Pour boiling water into your press 
• This is where an electric water kettle could be very useful
• Let coffee brew for 2-3 minutes, press french press coffee handle down, and enjoy your perfectly brewed cup of joe!
• Add your creamer and sugar and you're good to go

DRINKS: The Real V8

This is a great dinner replacement juice; it is suitable for the evening as it has a very low glycemic index. Simply blend a carrot, tomato, parsley, single celery stalk, orange, a whole lemon, wheatgrass, and chia seeds (optional). Add at least 3/4 cup of water or pomegranate juice to dilute this mixture a bit. You can also add pineapple to sweeten the drink. I blended this in my Vitamix as it blends the drink to sheer perfection, but you can blend it in a normal blender - just be sure to add a lot of water. Enjoy!

DRINKS: Summer Peach Smoothie

You don't necessarily need a Vitamix for this one: just blend a peach, non-fat vanilla yogurt, and a few ice cubes for what I think is the best drink I have ever had. No joke.

DESSERT: Yogurt based, Peanut Butter, Chocolate Ice Cream

 This is soo easy and soo yummy: simply blend 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt, a tablespoon of peanut butter, a squirt or two of chocolate syrup, and two frozen bananas. I recommend using a Vitamix to make this: blend on high for 20-30 seconds, refreeze for about 20 minutes, and voila the most amazing, healthy ice cream you have ever had!

HOTSPOTS: Local honey from Beekind at the SF Ferry Building

In case you haven't heard, consuming local honey is thought to help allergy sufferers alleviate symptoms - local pollen in honey is thought to work in the same way that a vaccination prepares the body to deal with disease. Beekind has different regional honeys - so pick the one that is nearest to you.

HOTSPOTS: Best masala chai ever @ Samovar Tea Lounge SF

DINNER: Thai Yellow Curry Chicken/Tofu - modifying a bottle sauce and making it better

I am a huge fan of yellow curry chicken, in fact. it's probably the only thing I order at Thai restaurants.  I found yellow curry sauce at Trader Joe's, used it by itself once, and wasn't a fan; however, it's pretty fantastic with a bit of flare.

Servings: 3-4

Ingredients:

• Thai Yellow Curry Sauce from Trader Joes
• Handful of chopped basil
• 1.5 tbsp chopped garlic
• 1/2 tbsp chopped ginger
• 4 small potatoes, cubed (or 1 large potato)
• 1/2 onion, chopped finely
• 1 lb chicken, cubed or chopped in 1" pieces (tofu works equally well)
• 1/2 tbsp sea salt 
• 1.5 tbsp, pepper 

Instructions:

• Pour 2-3 tbsp of canola oil in pan
• Saute onions until translucent/golden
• While you saute the onions, stick the diced potatoes in the microwave for 3-4 minutes
• Quickly saute garlic and ginger 
• Add in chicken or tofu (ensure you are at medium heat)
• Immediately add in salt and pepper (add in a bit of cayenne pepper or parika if you like)
• Pour in about 1/2 of the sauce and continue to let the chicken cook
• Add in 4 tbsp of yogurt (non-fat works) and stir quickly to ensure the yogurt dissolves
• Add in remaining sauce, basil, and potatoes
• Remove mixture from heat 3-4 minutes later
• Enjoy! Brown rice is a perfect side

DRINKS: Vitamin C Heavy Hitter - C-suite Juice

Simply blend a whole orange with some watermelon, and you have a whole new twist on your standard cup of oj. Enjoy!

DRINKS: Post Workout Shake - Peanut Butter Joy

This drink is an energy powerhouse: blend 1/2 cup of yogurt, a single banana, two tbsp of natural peanut butter, a single tbsp of ground flax seed, a dash of milk (or chocolate milk) and you're ready to go...enjoy!!

Apple Beer - alcohol free and five calories

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LUNCH/SIDES: The 200 Calorie Mushroom Garlic Pizza

This is a great and healthy 5 minute prep time recipe - layer a multigrain tortilla (love the Artisan line by mission) with pizza sauce (or pasta sauce), ground pepper, chopped garlic, basil, mushrooms, and finally skim cheese (I used a Mexican blend for mine). Bake for 13-15 minutes at 350 degrees. Enjoy!

DRINKS: Strawberry Dream - Probiotic Shake

This probiotic shake takes all of two minutes to make, and is loads better than market flavored kefir or probiotic drinks. Simply blend 3-4 strawberries, plain kefir, and a few chunks of pineapple together and there you have an all natural, no added sugar probiotic shake. Feel free to use fresh or frozen fruit.

BUILDING BLOCK: Easiest pesto spread ever

Simply blend basil leaves, low fat yogurt, salt and pepper, and walnuts together...voila a great spread for your sandwiches, topping for omelettes, or crumpet dressings.

HOTSPOT: Waffles in the South Loop (Chicago)

They serve this hot chocolate sampler on the house to nice guests...

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SIDES: Juicy, Low-fat, Sliders on Whole Wheat Buns

Who doesn't like sliders? It's all the fun of a burger, but in a cuter, gourmet package.  This recipe results in a super juicy, well seasoned, and most importantly low-fat slider.  The key component of this recipe is the Lipton's Onion Soup mix (unfortunately, it does have MSG in it - if you can find a replacement, use it).

Ingredients:

• 1 lb lean ground beef, chicken, or turkey
• 1 packet onion soup mix
• 1/2 - 1 tbsp black pepper
• Optional: 1 jalapeno, finely chopped
• Whole wheat dinner rolls
• Romaine lettuce 
• Pepper jack cheese, cut into slices that fit the buns
• Brown mustard
• Ketchup (optional)

Instructions:

• Mix ground beef with the packet of onion soup mix and black pepper (add jalapeno if desired)
• Form into small (relatively flat) patties the size of your dinner rolls
• Heat patties on a grill or broil in oven (or bake at 450) for 8-10 minutes (4-5 minutes on each side)
• While the patties are cooking, stick buns on a cookie sheet and bake at 450 for 3-4 minutes
• Split buns and layer the cheese, patty, and lettuce - spread ketchup and mustard as desired on the top bun
• Optional: add onions, pickles, or hot peppers
• Enjoy!

SIDES: Fiery, baked buffalo wings

I love, love, love buffalo chicken wings, but I don't often indulge in this fried beauties because, well, they're just plain bad for you.  I made these wings for a family Super Bowl party, and not only did they taste amazing, the wings itself were perfect in terms of texture.

Servings: 5-6

Ingredients:

• 4 lbs chicken wings (ready-to-cook - tips removed)
• 2 bottles Louisiana Wing Sauce
• 2 tbsp cayenne pepper
• 2 tbsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 tbsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp salt

Instructions:

• Fill a large pot (or two) half way with water
• Boil water, wings, and all spices (except sauce) for 15 minutes
• Set oven on "roast" on 450 or on bake at 450 (preferably roast)
• Strain boiled wings
• Cover a large cookie sheet in foil
• Pour one bottle of Lousiana Hot Sauce in a small to medium size bowl
• Dunk wings in Lousiana Hot Sauce and place on the cookie sheet
• Place wings in the oven - bake/roast for 10-12 minutes on one side
• Take wings out and brush sauce on the top of the wings
• Flip wings over and brush sauce on the other side of the wings
• Return the wings to the oven for another 10-12 minutes
• Remove from oven and enjoy with celery, carrot sticks, and some low-fat ranch dressing!

SIDES: Warm, Spicy, Low-fat Spinach Dip

I love warm spinach dips, but they're typically very fattening.  The problem is most dips use heavy cheese or sour cream, which really up the ante on the fat-factor.  I made this dip for a family Super Bowl party and it was a hit.

Serving Size: 10-12

Ingredients:

• 1 package frozen, chopped spinach (typically 14-16 oz)
• 1-2 cloves garlic, chopped finely
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp cayenne or red chili powder
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 4 oz low or non-fat cream cheese (1/2 a small tub)
• 1 cup non-fat yogurt 
• 1/2 cup shredded low or non-fat cheddar cheese 

Instructions

• Heat garlic and spinach in a medium deep pan over medium heat
• Let water cook out of cpinach
• Add in all spices and stir thoroughly
• Add in yogurt - cook until the yogurt's water content dries out a bit (3-5 minutes)
• Add in cream cheese and stir throughly
• Let mixture heat for another 3-4 minutes
• Add in shredded cheese and stir thoroughly as the cheese melts
• Let cool 
• Enjoy with pita chips or wheat thins!

Awesome "Artisan" chocolates from Fannie May

 
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