Fiesta Quinoa Bowl

Here is another recipe where I incorporate a rotisserie chicken. They really are conveniet and a good staple for the fridge.  And I’m actually using canned vegetables too…crazy I know! My thought on canned food is to avoid at all costs, but when it comes to beans. I’m not afraid to use organic, no salt added canned beans. Let’s be real, soaking beans is a pain in the ass…Ain’t nobody got time for that.

This recipe is quick and if you are brave enough can be made with almost anything vegetables in your kitchen. It just takes some balls to try things out! But for those of you who go by the book, here is my recipe for you!

Yields 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 rotisserie chicken, breasts shredded
  • 1 8oz can of organic black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 8oz can of organic diced tomatoes
  • 1 ear of yellow corn
  • 1/2 cup of quinoa
  • 1/2 cup of shredded lettuce
  • 1 jalepeno pitted and sliced
  • 1/2 a red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 avocado
  • 1 clove of garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon of cumin
  • 1/2 a tablespoon of chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon of paprika
  • 1 teaspoon of olive oil

Instructions 

  1. Prepare quinoa according to packaging information
  2. In a large pot bring about 2 inches of water to a boil and add corn. Cook for 5-7 minutes
    • NOTE: Please restore my faith in humanity and remember to shuck the corn before you attempt to boil it…
  3. Let corn cool and then shave off kernels
  4. Meanwhile, in a large skillet heat olive oil on medium/high heat
  5. Add garlic, jalepeno and red pepper. Continuously stir for 3 minutes until garlic becomes aromatic
  6. Add shredded chicken, diced tomatoes and all the spices to the skillet
  7. Stir until all ingredients are thoroughly mixed 
  8. In a separate nonstick skillet heat the corn and black beans on medium heat
  9. Allow both skillets to summer for about 5 minutes before combining all ingredients
    • NOTEIf you desire more of a broth feel free to add water, but careful you don’t add too much!
  10. Let the entire meal simmer for another couple minutes before plating 
  11. Take one serving of quinoa and top it with shredded lettuce then the chicken mixture and some freshly diced avocado 
  12. Enjoy!

 ❤ the fit bitch

Protein Packed Turkey Chili

Being the Midwest there is no surprise about a unexpected snow storm in the middle of March. So when I woke up yesterday morning to a white-out covering the city skyline I knew nothing would be more comforting than a nice pot of turkey chili for Monday night family dinner.

I love chili. Everything goes into one pot and you can pack it with pretty much anything you desire, there are no limitations. It’s also a great dish to separate and freeze for a rainy — or in this case, snowy — day. Loaded with protein and vegetables, served over rice or on it’s own, chili is an essential for any Midwesterners life!

Yields 12 servings — that’s 12 meals for you meal preppers!!!

Ingredients

  • 1 lb of lean ground turkey
  • 3 cloves of garlic
  • 1 yellow onion
  • 2 jalapeños
  • 1 red pepper
  • 1 green pepper
  • 1 zucchini
  • 3 tomatoes
  • 1 avocado
  • 3 green onions
  • 1 can of organic whole corn kernels
  • 1 can of organic, no salt added black beans
  • 1 can of organic, no salt added kidney beans
  • 24 ounces of tomato juice
  • 4 tablespoons of crushed red pepper
  • 4 tablespoons of paprika
  • 4 tablespoons of chili powder
  • 4 tablespoons of cayenne pepper
  • 4 tablespoons of cumin
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon of olive oil
  • Cheese of your choice (optional)

Instructions

  1. Chop all the vegetables — garlic, onion, jalapeños, pepper, zucchini and tomatoes
  2. In a large stew pot heat oilve oil, garlic, onion, and crushed red pepper on low/medium heat. Stir until they become fragrant
  3. Add ground turkey and cook until browned
  4. Add remaining chopped vegetables  and spices (paprika, chili powder, cayenne, and cumin) — stir until well mixed
  5. Turn heat up to medium and add tomato juice
  6. Rinse beans and corn in a strainer
  7. Bring mixture to a boil and add beans and corn
  8. Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes until the chili has thickened
  9. Serve in a bowl and top with fresh sliced avocado, chopped green onion and cheese of your choice (optional)
  10. Enjoy!

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❤ the fit bitch

Turkey Burger and Fries

Who doesn’t love a good burger and fry combination? Well, actually, it has to be a really great burger for me to go out of my way to order it, but that usually doesn’t take much. So like any good American girl, I have provided you with a #fitbitchapproved burger and fry recipe (turkey burger, just so I’m not misleading). I made them for a quick family dinner last week and didn’t hear one complaint!

Yields 4 burgers and fries

Ingredients

  • 1 package of ground turkey (usually sold in 1.25lb packages)
  • 1 large sweet potato
  • 2 medium yellow potatoes
  • 1 tomato – sliced
  • 1 avocado – sliced
  • 1 pack of fresh basil
  • ½ a cup of pine nuts
  • ½ a lemon
  • 1 garlic clove
  • Cheese of your choice (optional)
  • Whole wheat buns (optional)
  • Paprika
  • Salt & pepper

Instructions for fries:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
  2. Cut the sweet potato and yellow potatoes into sticks, about ¼ an inch thick and ½ an inch long
  3. Place in a large bowl and lightly drizzle with olive oil
  4. Season with paprika, salt and pepper to your liking
  5. Give them a good toss and place them on a cooking sheet
    • NOTE: Make sure there is enough room so the fries are not piled on top of each other, rather spread out on the pan so they cook evenly
  6. Place in the oven for 15 minutes before taking them out and giving them a good flip
  7. Place them back in the over for about 15 minutes — until golden brown
    • NOTE: Keep and eye on these bad boys so they don’t burn!

Instructions for burgers — while the fries are in the oven:

  1. Use your hands to mold the meat into 4 evenly sized burger shapes
  2. Dust the side facing up with salt, pepper and paprika
    • NOTE: This is more of a personal preference step. I LOVE paprika and use a lot, while keeping the salt and pepper to a minimum
  3. Heat a pan on medium heat
  4. Once the pan is hot, place the burgers in the pan seasoned side face DOWN
  5. While they are cooking, season the other side in the same manner as the first
  6. Cook on the first side for about 10 minutes before flipping
  7. Cook for another 10 minutes until cooked all the way through – try to only flip once to keep the moisture in your burger!
    • NOTE: Turkey MUST be cooked thoroughly to avoid any potential food sickness, so cut into the middle of one burger with a knife and make sure it is NOT PINK!
  8. If you would like cheese, place a slice on top for the last 5 minute of cooking — I suggest covering the burgers with cheese to make it nice and melty!

Instructions for pesto:

  1. Place the garlic clove, basil, pine nuts, juice from the lemon half, and a teaspoon of salt and pepper into a food processor
  2. Blend until nice and creamy
  3. Sometimes I like to add about a ¼ cup of water to make it more of a sauce and less of a paste, but that’s totally up to you!

If you choose to use a bun, put it in the oven for a couple minutes to get it nice and toasty then place the burger on top with a dollop of pesto, a tomato slice and some avocado, and enjoy!

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❤ the fit bitch