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MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN SHAWARMA WITH YELLOW RICE

INGREDIENTS: FOR CHICKEN MARINADE: -1 lb boneless chicken breasts (or thighs) -3 cloves garlic, smashed -2 tbsp olive oil -1 tbsp honey -1/2 lemon, juiced -1 1/2 tsp ground cumin -1 1/2 tsp paprika -3/4 tsp ground cinnamon -3/4 tsp ground ginger -3/4 tsp oregano -3/4 tsp ground turmeric powder -dash of cayenne pepper -1/2 tsp salt -1/2 tsp pepper  FOR RICE: -1 1/2 cups white jasmine (or basmati) rice rinsed thoroughly & drained -2 1/4 cup waiter -1 tbsp olive oil -1/2 white onion, chopped -2 cloves garlic, minced -1/4 tsp ground cumin -1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder  -salt/pepper to taste -fresh cilantro  TOPPINGS: Totally optional depending on what you like! Pictured is pre-made tabouli salad (from Trader Joe's, it's sooo good), roasted red pepper hummus, crumbled feta cheese, diced cucumber & banana peppers. 1. For chicken: Place chicken & ALL seasonings + oil in a large zip lock bag. Massage...

CHICKEN RAMEN STIR-FRY

NOTE: Do not substitute the low sodium soy sauce or low sodium chicken stock for regular. It will be way too salty! INGREDIENTS: For the sauce: -1/2 cup LOW sodium soy sauce -2 tbsp corn starch  -1/2 cup LOW sodium chicken stock -3 tbsp brown sugar -3 cloves garlic, minced For the stir-fry: -1 lb boneless chicken breasts, cut into small cubes  -3 tbsp vegetable oil, divided  -2 packages of Ramen noodles (do not use seasoning packet) -2 cups chopped broccoli florets, (fresh or frozen)  -1 red bell pepper, diced  -Chopped green onions (not pictured but optional for garnishing) -Pepper -Onion powder INSTRUCTIONS: 1. In a small bowl, mix together all ingredients for the sauce until well combined and no lumps remain.  2. Coat a medium sized skillet with 2 tbsp of oil over medium high heat. Cook broccoli and pepper until softened. Remove from skillet and set aside. Add remaining tbsp of oil and cook chicken, ...

CHEESY CHICKEN, BACON & BROCCOLI NOODLE CASSEROLE

INGREDIENTS: -2 large boneless chicken breasts, diced into small cubes -5 strips of bacon -1 lb pasta (you can use ANY kind, I used large macaroni because I love when the sauce goes inside the noodles) -1 large head of broccoli or 2 small heads, cut into small florets without stems -3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided -1 26ounce can cream of chicken soup -1 cup sour cream -1 cup milk + more (see note in #4) -Olive oil -Italian seasoning -Garlic powder -Onion powder -Salt/pepper NOTE*** The best way to make this is to cook all of the components separately and then toss them all together before baking! INSTRUCTIONS: *Preheat oven to 375*  1. For the chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium high heat & drizzle with olive oil. Add chicken pieces & season generously with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt & pepper. Cook, tossing frequently, for 5-7 minutes until pieces are cooked through. Drain o...

CHICKEN BLTA CLUB WITH FRIED TOMATOES & SPICY AIOLI

NOTE: I used thick sliced brioche bread from Trader Joe's for this sandwich which was absolutely amazing. But you can use ANY kind of bread that will hold up to the ingredients. Also, my plan was to make fried *green* tomatoes but I couldn't find any at the store so I substituted red tomatoes instead and they still turned out great. If you can find green tomatoes you can follow the same instructions below. INGREDIENTS: -Sliced & lightly toasted bread -2 chicken breasts -2 large tomatoes (green or red) -1/2 cup flour -1/2 cup corn flake crumbs -1/2 cup yellow cornmeal -2 eggs, beaten (for tomatoes) -Bacon -Lettuce -1 avocado, cut into slices -Miracle Whip (or Mayo) -Garlic powder -Onion powder -Italian seasoning -Paprika -Chili powder -Dijon mustard -1 clove grated garlic  -Salt/Pepper -Vegetable oil for frying tomatoes PREP NOTE: In order for the tomatoes to fry up perfectly without getting soggy you need to d...

MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN & SALAD WITH YOGURT SAUCE & ISRAELI COUSCOUS

INGREDIENTS: -4 chicken breasts pounded 1/2 inch thick & sliced in half vertically (8 total pieces) -1 cup non-fat plain Greek yogurt -1 box plain Israeli couscous (I purchased mine from Trader Joe's) -1 English cucumber, chopped -Mini Heirloom tomatoes, cut in half (I found a perfect sized pack at Aldi) -1 avocado, diced -1/4 cup red onion, diced -Crumbled Feta cheese (I purchased the fresh blocks in water at Costco but you can use any kind) -Olives ***Optional*** -3 Lemons -2 tbsp minced garlic -1/4 cup white wine (cheap Pinot Grigio works) -Dried oregano -Dried parsley -Garlic powder -Onion powder -Salt/pepper INSTRUCTIONS: 1. For yogurt sauce, mix Greek yogurt with juice from 1 half of 1 lemon. Season with garlic powder, parsley, salt & pepper to taste. Set aside. 2. For salad, mix chopped tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, & olives (optional) in a large bowl. Drizzle with 2 tbsp olive oil, juice from other half...

MONGOLIAN CHICKEN

  INGREDIENTS: -2lbs thinly sliced chicken breasts (cut into bite size chunks) -1 cup corn starch (+ 3 tsp for sauce) -3/4 cup low sodium soy sauce (DO NOT use anything but low sodium! or else it will be way too salty) -1 1/2 tsp toasted sesame oil -2 tsp Trader Joe's "Soyaki" sauce -1/3 cup water -1/2 cup brown sugar -3 gloves garlic, minced -2 tsp fresh ginger, minced -1/2 cup vegetable oil -1/2 cup green onions, cut into 1 inch pieces -1/4 cup unsalted peanuts (or more if desired) -Rice of choice (I used steamed organic jasmine white rice from Trader Joe's, freezer section) INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Make sauce mixture by combining soy sauce, sesame oil, Soyaki, water & brown sugar. Set aside. 2. Place cut chicken pieces in a large bowl & cover with corn starch to evenly coat the chicken. Toss to completely coat. 3. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Once hot, add chicken (I did this in 2 batches) & c...

SMASH BURGERS WITH BAKED BACON & GRILLED POBLANO PEPPERS

   INGREDIENTS: -2 lbs 80/20 ground beef (makes about eight 8oz patties) -Brioche buns -1 small log of garlic & herb goat cheese, room temperature -3 poblano peppers -1 package bacon -Mango pepper jelly (I found this in the refrigerated specialty cheese section of the grocery store) -Salt/pepper -Cast iron griddle INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 400. While the oven is preheating, form your "patties". When I say patties, I really mean round balls of meat. You want to loosely form the meat into 8oz balls. Later, we will smash them down. Hence the "smash burger". Set burgers aside. 2. Take an elevated wire rack & place it on top of a deep (anything other than flat) baking sheet. The rack allows for even cooking & the shallow sheet pan will catch any fat drippings from the bacon. If you use a flat baking sheet.. you will have a giant mess in your oven. I placed a second wire rack on top of the bacon so that it stayed flat while cooking....