Pepitas

Pepitas, also known as pumpkin seeds are a super tasty snack. These didn't last very long this year though. Hana had some neighborhood friends hanging out in the garage while Joe worked to transform it into a haunted house and the six of them ate every last one of our pepitas! Want to know why they gobbled them up so quickly? Here's what you do:

Clean out a couple of pumkins, preferably to turn them into jack-o-lanterns.

Clean the pumpkin goo off the seeds and spread on a baking sheet to dry over night.

Spray with olive oil and season to your liking.

This year I used kosher salt, cayenne and garlic powder.

Bake at 250 until lightly browned. Mine cooke approximately two hours.

Turkey Taco Salad

Tonight I made taco salad with ground turkey breast. Instead of adding water with the taco seasoning mix, I added low-sodium V8. It was absolutely delicious and I don't see a reason to ever make taco salad with ground beef again!

Spicy Turkey Burgers

1 lb ground turkey1/2 c red onion, finely chopped
2 tbsp cilantro, finely chopped

1 chipotle chile in adobo sauce, finely chopped

1 tsp garlic salt

1 tsp onion powder

1/4 tsp black pepper

4 slices reduced fat Mozzarella or Provolone cheese

4 toasted whole wheat hamburger buns

Mix first 6 ingredients in a bowl.

Form into 4 patties

Cook until meat is no longer pink.

I set aside enough to make a small patty for Hana and added everything but the chipotle chile in adobo sauce to hers.

Put burger together & enjoy! Yum! Yum!

Mexican Crockpot Chicken: *My Way

1 can no-salt-added corn, drained
1 can low-sodium black beans, drained & rinsed
1 small jar chunky salsa
1/3 small yellow onion, chopped
garlic salt
pepper
2 chicken breasts
shredded 2% milk cheese (I used Colby Jack)

Mix corn, beans, 1/3 jar of salsa, onion and put in bottom of crockpot. Place chicken on top, season to your liking with garlic salt & pepper, top with remaining salsa. Cover and cook on high 2 1/2 - 3 hours until chicken is done, careful not to overcook. Sprinkle cheese on top and cover until cheese is melted. Serve as is or over rice, even shred the chicken if you like and put in tortillas.

*There are tons of versions of this. Some add cream cheese or Velveeta and omit the onion and seasonings. This is my version! Next time I think I will try hominy in place of the corn and Rotel instead of salsa.

Joe's Baked Potatoes

These are easy, delicious and pretty darn healthy!

Clean your potatoes.
Rub olive oil on the outside.
Sprinkle kosher salt on the outside.
Use a fork to poke holes in the potatoes.
Place on a microwave-safe plate and cook for 10-15 minutes, until done/tender.

Works with regular baking potatoes or sweet potatoes. You'll be shocked to find that when you do this with sweet potatoes you won't need to add anything else to them when it comes time to eat them!

Spicy Mini Meat Loaves

1/2 c finely chopped yellow onion

3 tbsp dry bread crumbs (I prefer Panko)

2 chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, chopped

1 tbsp chopped cilantro

1/4 tsp garlic salt

1/4 tsp cumin

1/4 tsp dried oregano

1/4 tsp dried basil

1/8 pepper

1 garlic clove, minced

8 oz ground turkey breast

1 large egg white, lightly beaten

3 tbsp ketchup, divided

1 tsp Tabasco

Preheat oven to 350.

Combine onion, the next  11 ingredients and 2 tbsp ketchup in a bowl and mix well.

Spray muffin pan with cooking spray.

Distribute mixture evenly into three of the muffin cups.

Combine Tabasco with remaining 1 tbsp ketchup in a bowl; brush over meat loaf tops.

Bake at 350 for approximately 30 minutes.

Makes 3 servings. Serving Size: 1 muffin/loaf

DC Chicken Salad

Ever had The Corner Bakery's DC Chicken Salad? If not, you're missing out.

It's delicious and I (think) I found the recipe! I searched for it and found it here:

DC Chicken Salad

It's not "official," but it sure does taste like the real thing!



Goes great in a whole wheat pita pocket with a side of fruit. 

Here's the recipe:

4 chicken breasts, cooked and chopped into cubes or 1 small whole roasted chicken, de-boned and shredded

1/3 small red onion, finely chopped

2 celery ribs, chopped

1/2 granny smith apple, chopped

1/4 cup dried currants

1 1/2 ounces slivered almonds

1/4 cup Miracle Whip  ( I used 1/2 low fat Helman's mayo, 1/2 fat free plain yogurt) 

Mix together and serve. Would also be good over lettuce. Hana prefers hers in the shape of person with currant eyes and a strawberry smile.

You're welcome!