Zucchini and Corn

This is the side dish I made to go with the Mexican Picadillo from my last post.  I thought it was really good together and I will for sure be making both recipes again.  I also like that this recipe uses fresh summer produce!

Zucchini & Corn - Click to link to recipe.  To make dairy-free, simply omit the Parmesan cheese.

Mexican Picadillo

You have to try this!  It is so good.  My kids also really liked it.

The only note I have on the recipe is that it took me longer than the recipe stated to cook it.  My potatoes still were not tender after the recommended time.  I ended up covering mine to get them tender.  Next time, I will cover it to cook until the potatoes are tender then remove the lid until the excess moisture is reduced.  If you are on a gluten-free diet, make sure the beef broth/stock you use is gluten-free.

If you like this recipe, you may also like Meat Potatoes & Green Beans (EF, DF, GF).

Mexican Picadillo - Click to link to recipe.

Chef Salad

Another salad that is interesting and tasty enough for a manly man!  My husband loved this chef salad.  I know you all probably don't really need a recipe for salad, but I always find it helpful to see salad recipes to inspire me!  So, I thought I would share.

Chef Salad

2 c Mixed greens

½-1 c Cooked ham cubes*

¼ c Carrot, shredded

¼ c Cheese, shredded 

¼ c Black olives, sliced

½ c English cucumber, sliced and quartered

½ c Grape tomatoes, cut in half

1-2 T Ranch (We like Wishbone Ranch, which is egg-free and gluten-free.)

In a large bowl, combined desired amount of each ingredient, omit some, add others, depending on your tastes.  I find that if you add a little dressing and mix it into the salad, then you can get away with using a lot less dressing.

The quantities I listed above are great for one large salad.  According to my calorie counting ap, it is only about 400-600 calories.  That is not bad at all for a filling, delicious lunch.

*The first time I made this salad, I used leftover ham that we had in the freezer from our Easter dinner.  I have also bought packaged cubed ham from the grocery store.  I like to sear my ham in a skillet to brown it up a little, which enhances the flavor and dries up any excess moisture on your ham pieces.  You don’t need to add oil or anything to the pan.  If you are on a gluten-free diet, make sure your ham is gluten-free.

Roasted Fingerling Potatoes

Happy Memorial Day!  Here is a quick and easy recipe for Roasted Fingerling Potatoes.  My kids at them like french fries, but they are fancy enough for company!

Roasted Fingerling Potatoes

1 ½ pounds fingerling potatoes

1-2 T olive oil

½ t seasoned salt

½ t freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 425^o.  Wash and dry potatoes.  Cut potatoes in half.  Cut the larger ones in fourths, so the potatoes are all about the same size.  Line a cookie sheet with foil.  Spread oil over foil.  Place potatoes in a single layer over oil.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes.  Turn over potatotes and bake 10 minutes.  Turn again and bake an additional 10 minutes or until desired texture. 

Chicken Fiesta Salad

In our continual attempts to try to eat healthier, my husband and I are trying to eat more salads.  But for him to really be on board with that, I need to keep them somewhat interesting and tasty!  He loved this Fiesta Salad.  I know you all probably don't really need a recipe for salad, but I always find it helpful to see salad recipes to inspire me!  So, I thought I would share.

Chicken Fiesta Salad

Mixed greens

Chicken, shredded (I used rotisserie chicken.)

Easy Corn Black Bean Salsa

Carrot, shredded

Cheese, shredded 

Black olives, sliced

Ranch (We like Wishbone Ranch and Chipotle Ranch.  They are egg-free and gluten-free.)

In a large bowl, combined desired amount of each ingredient, omit some, add others, depending on your tastes.  I find that if you add a little dressing and mix it into the salad, then you can get away with using a lot less dressing.

Easy Corn Salsa

Salsa is a great way to add flavor without much added calories.  This is a super quick, easy corn salsa.  We had it on salad.  I think it would be great on tacos, nachos, grilled chicken or steak or just about anything you can think of!

 

Easy Corn Black Bean Salsa

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 can corn, drained

1 can Rotel tomatoes, drained

Put all ingredients in a bowl and gently mix until evenly combined.  Serve immediately or refrigerate for later use.