Thursday, December 11, 2014

Winter healthy meals!

Chicken & Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo


        Ingredients

  • 8 ounces orzo, preferably whole-wheat
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes, (not oil-packed), divided
  • 1 plum tomato, diced
  • 1 clove garlic, peeled
  • 3 teaspoons chopped fresh marjoram, divided
  • 1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed (1-1 1/4 pounds)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 1 9-ounce package frozen artichoke hearts, thawed
  • 1/2 cup finely shredded Romano cheese, divided

           Preparation

  1. Cook orzo in a large saucepan of boiling water until just tender, 8 to 10 minutes or according to package directions. Drain and rinse.
  2. Meanwhile, place 1 cup water, 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, plum tomato, garlic, 2 teaspoons marjoram, vinegar and 2 teaspoons oil in a blender. Blend until just a few chunks remain.
  3. Season chicken with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook, adjusting the heat as necessary to prevent burning, until golden outside and no longer pink in the middle, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate; tent with foil to keep warm.
  4. Pour the tomato sauce into the pan and bring to a boil. Measure out 1/2 cup sauce to a small bowl. Add the remaining 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes to the pan along with the orzo, artichoke hearts and 6 tablespoons cheese. Cook, stirring, until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes. Divide among 4 plates.
  5. Slice the chicken. Top each portion of pasta with sliced chicken, 2 tablespoons of the reserved tomato sauce and a sprinkling of the remaining cheese and marjoram.

    Nutrition

    Per serving: 457 calories; 12 g fat (3 g sat, 6 g mono); 68 mg cholesterol; 54 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 36 g protein; 10 g fiber; 372 mg sodium; 546 mg potassium.
    Nutrition Bonus: Folate (34% daily value), Iron (25% dv), Potassium (16% dv), Calcium & Vitamin C (15% dv).
    Carbohydrate Servings: 3
     
    Makes:4 servings
    Active Time:
    Total Time: 30 minutes
     

                                        

Ravioli & Vegetable Soup

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 cups frozen bell pepper and onion mix, thawed and diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper, or to taste (optional)
  • 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes, preferably fire-roasted
  • 1 15-ounce can vegetable broth or reduced-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 cups hot water
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil or marjoram
  • 1 6- to 9-ounce package fresh or frozen cheese (or meat) ravioli, preferably whole-wheat
  • 2 cups diced zucchini, (about 2 medium)
  • Freshly ground pepper to taste
     

Preparation

Heat oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add pepper-onion mix, garlic and crushed red pepper (if using) and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add tomatoes, broth, water and basil (or marjoram); bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Add ravioli and cook for 3 minutes less than the package directions. Add zucchini; return to a boil. Cook until the zucchini is crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Season with pepper.

Nutrition

Per serving: 264 calories; 9 g fat (3 g sat, 3 g mono); 28 mg cholesterol; 38 g carbohydrates; 11 g protein; 8 g fiber; 763 mg sodium; 762 mg potassium.
Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin C (60% daily value), Vitamin A (40% dv), Iron (21% dv), Calcium (16% dv).

Makes: 4 servings, about 2 cups each
Active Time:
Total Time:



Lemon & Dill Chicken

Ingredients

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, (1-1 1/4 pounds)
  • Salt & freshly ground pepper, to taste
  • 3 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, or canola oil, divided
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 teaspoons flour
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill, divided
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

        Preparation

  1. Season chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper. Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear until well browned on both sides, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to a plate and tent with foil.
  2. Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons oil to the pan. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Whisk broth, flour, 1 tablespoon dill and lemon juice in a measuring cup and add to pan. Cook, whisking, until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes.
  3. Return the chicken and any accumulated juices to the pan; reduce heat to low and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, about 4 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a warmed platter. Season sauce with salt and pepper and spoon over the chicken. Garnish with the remaining 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill.

        Nutrition

Per serving: 173 calories; 6 g fat (1 g sat, 4 g mono); 64 mg cholesterol; 3 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 24 g protein; 0 g fiber; 236 mg sodium; 219 mg potassium.
Nutrition Bonus: Selenium (30% daily value).

Makes: 4 servings
Active Time:
Total Time:





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