Meatless Monday: Grilled Carrots and Yukons

Summer is coming to an end, but with the weather still warm, last week Paul and I decided to get some grilling done before it's completely gone. I tried something new and grilled organic carrots and Yukon Gold potatoes with some unique marinades. Take a look...

To prepare vegetables:

Cut ends off of each carrot (I used 8) and shave. Thoroughly wash potatoes (I used 2 large ones) and cut into quarters. Peel if desired. 

Rosemary-Balsamic Marinade

2 tbsp olive oil oil
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp rosemary (fresh or dried)

Mix all ingredients together in small bowl. Brush over vegetables with basting brush. Add extra rosemary if desired.

Curried-Maple Marinade

2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp curry powder
1 tbsp maple syrup

Melt butter (or you could use coconut oil instead) over low heat in small pan. Stir in curry to make it curry butter. Remove from heat and mix together with maple syrup in small bowl. Brush onto vegetables with basting brush. 

To grill:

Allow vegetables to marinate for at least one hour before grilling. Heat grill to 350 degrees, then place vegetables directly onto grill, or wrapped in tin foil if preferred. Heat carrots for 10 minutes on each side or until cooked through; heat potatoes 15-20 minutes on each side or until cooked through. Pierce with fork to test done-ness. Marinate once more halfway through cooking. Allow to cool before serving.

They were simply delicious! I loved how both of the marinades turned out, but if I had to choose, I'd have to say the carrots were best with the Rosemary-Balsamic and the potatoes were best with the Curried-Maple. Just delish! Paul, Lily, and I ate them all up! The carrots went the fastest, though...

This is an ideal way to serve veggies for the whole family. Each marinade is sweet and slightly spicy without going overboard, and with low calories and only natural, healthy sugars. I hope you enjoy! Serve babies over 6 months fresh veggies grilled without marinade and mashed with a fork. My niece loves them that way!

Now it's your turn to share your Meatless Monday dish below! No rules, other than please only link-up meat-free recipes. No other un-related links or I will remove them. Sorry to sound so harsh, but let's keep it true to what it is, ok? Link up as much as you want, and feel free to spread the word with the button below. Thanks, and have a great week! 

<a href="http://jessica-healthymommyhealthybaby.blogspot.com/search/label/meatless%20mondays" target="_blank"><img alt="Healthy Mommy, Healthy Baby" src="http://draft.blogger.com/%E2%80%9CADD%E2%80%9D"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z327/ruffandcut/HMHBMMHop_button.jpg"/></a>

Meatless Monday: Easy Old Bay-Style Sweet Potato Fries

For this Meatless Monday, I'm keeping it simple. I ate a whole lot of less-than-healthy food this weekend, mainly because it was convenient and readily available. Sneaky unhealthy food...so, this week I will be starting fresh and enjoying a nice salad for my Meatless Monday. 

One thing I did make that was wholesome and yummy were these quick and easy sweet potato fries. I've made a version of these before with Russets, but this was the first time with yams, and they came out really good! I had them with a freshly-made crab bisque which I will share with you later this week...

Don't you just love this gorgeous dish I found at a garage sale?

Easy Old Bay-Style Sweet Potato Fries
(serves 2-4 as side dishes)

2 larges yams
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp Old Bay seasoning

Peel the yams, then cut into halves length-wise, and then quarters like in the picture below. Preheat oven to 425, then prepare baking sheet by brushing some of the olive oil onto it lightly. Next, line up the sweet potato wedges on the sheet like in the picture below, then brush wedges with the rest of the olive oil. Before you put them in the oven, sprinkle with the Old Bay seasoning. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until brown and crispy to your linking. Serve with extra olive oil or other dipping sauce if desired.

And that's it! So easy! Gotta love that ;)

If you're not familiar with Old Bay seasoning, it is a combination of salt, celery seed, red pepper, black pepper, paprika, and "other" spices. That's according to the Old Bay website; according to this website, there are a lot of "other" spices in it. Not sure I can taste any cardamom or ginger, but it sounds like they would be a nice addition!

   
These fries are also kid-friendly, although kids with sensitive taste buds might find it a bit spicy with the Old Bay. For babies over 6 months, you can make them with only olive oil- they will love it! Just make sure it's cool enough before serving. They will likely only eat one or two, unless you have a big eater!

Now it's your turn to share your Meatless Monday dish below! No rules, other than please only link-up meat-free recipes. No other un-related links or I will remove them. Sorry to sound so harsh, but let's keep it true to what it is, ok? Link up as much as you want, and feel free to spread the word with the button below. Thanks, and have a great week!

<a href="http://jessica-healthymommyhealthybaby.blogspot.com/search/label/meatless%20mondays" target="_blank"><img alt="Healthy Mommy, Healthy Baby" src="http://draft.blogger.com/%E2%80%9CADD%E2%80%9D"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z327/ruffandcut/HMHBMMHop_button.jpg"/></a>

What are you having for Meatless Monday???

 

Meatless Monday: Grilled Chili-Lime Sweet Potato Wedges with Cilantro

It's been quite a weekend, yet I have somehow managed to gather the energy to write this post. Mainly, because it was such a good weekend and I am still running on the high from it, as pooped as I may also be. Also, because the yams I made for the family BBQ I had here on Saturday came out so awesome, I couldn't wait til Sweet Saturday to share them!

A few weeks ago, I asked readers to post their favorite cook-out recipes for the big family gathering Paul and I had at our place this past Saturday (that kept me so busy, too busy to blog this weekend until now!). I received a lot of delicious-sounding and looking posts linked up here, but this one stood out to me, partly for it's simplicity that packed a lot of flavor, and partly because who can resist sweet potatoes?

The recipe I decided to try was Chipotle, Cilantro-Lime Sweet Potato Wedges from Angie at Rustic Feast. Angie was a new linker at Sweet Saturday, so kudos to her for making such a great first impression! Recipe is below; I made two slight changes, neither intentional, that's just how things go sometimes when you're trying to follow a recipe- you adapt! Since it's a bit altered, I changed the title for this purpose.

Grilled Chili-Lime Sweet Potato Wedges with Cilantro  
(Serves 20! Maybe more!) 

3 lbs. sweet potatoes
1/2 cup lime juice
1/2 cup olive oil
1 tbsp chili powder
Salt and pepper to taste
1 bunch of cilantro, chopped

Scrub and then boil sweet potatoes in large pot for about 20-30 minutes. Once soft enough to pierce with a fork, remove from heat and place into ice water to cool down and stop cooking. While they're cooling, mix lime juice, olive oil, and chili powder together in small bowl. Use Chipotle chili powder if you have it; I couldn't find any chili powder specifically called "Chipotle" chili powder. Chipotle has a much smokier flavor, so I highly recommend using it if you can get it!

Once the potatoes are cooled enough to handle, peel off skin then cut into halves length-wise, then into wedges. Spread wedges onto large serving tray, then drizzle with the olive oil, chili and lime mixture until covered. Top with a sprinkling of salt and pepper (use freshly ground if possible). 

Now, here is where the recipe got altered a bit once again: I was so busy hosting the big event, that I had to have Paul's dear uncle and cousin man the grill. They were kind enough to offer, in fact, and they did a far better job than I would have! The thing was I failed to mention to them to put the wedges directly on the grill so they'd get those grill marks, and they instead wrapped them in tin foil and turned them after on each side after 10 minutes to heat them through. 

   
They still came out spectacular, however they did not have that awesome smoky grill taste or cool-looking grill marks that they could've had. In order to do it that way, place wedges directly onto grill and turn after about 5 minutes or just until they clearly have the marks on all sides (or however you prefer!). You can do either way, they will taste awesome regardless, just don't forget to top with the chopped cilantro, that really made them special!

They were a hit! Almost every single one disappeared before the day was done. The flavor combination was just the perfect balance of sweet and sour, with just enough kick for everyone to enjoy, kids and adults. I will definitely make them again! Thanks, Angie!!

Chipotle chili peppers are pretty amazing, not only tasting, but health-wise as well. They are jalapeno peppers that have been smoked (to get that wonderful smoky flavor, of course) then dried, which helps to reduce the strong heat from fresh jalapenos, making them more palatable. They are chock full of vitamin a, vitamin k, and a chemical compound called capsaicin which has been found to help reduce heart disease, stroke, and lower high blood cholesterol and sugar.

Friday I will post more about how the cook-out once I go through all the pictures. I didn't take nearly enough, especially not of the food, but there were so many incredible dishes there! I'm talking edamame succotash, pineapple-coconut fruit dip, Indian-spiced chicken, gourmet cupcakes, pasta salad....I have such a talented family of cooks, clearly.

But, here are a few "teaser" shots from the big day, enjoy ;)

A peek at my niece raiding the dessert table

Lily playing with the slip 'n slide in her own way...

My favorite pic I took of Lily in the sprinkler :)

Now it's your turn to share your Meatless Monday dish below! No rules, other than please only link-up meat-free recipes. No other un-related links or I will remove them. Sorry to sound so harsh, but let's keep it true to what it is, ok? Link up as much as you want, and feel free to spread the word with the button below. Thanks, and have a great week! (hopefully I will have my act together for this week's Sweet Saturday, too!)

 

<a href="http://jessica-healthymommyhealthybaby.blogspot.com/search/label/meatless%20mondays" target="_blank"><img alt="Healthy Mommy, Healthy Baby" src="http://draft.blogger.com/%E2%80%9CADD%E2%80%9D"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z327/ruffandcut/HMHBMMHop_button.jpg"/></a>

Sweet Saturday #5: Puckered Papaya Smoothie

First of all, I just wanted to share this picture of my perfect breakfast that I took this morning:

I thought it just looked too pretty not to share :) 

Now, enjoy this:

 
Puckered Papaya Smoothie
serves 2-4

1 cup chopped papaya
1 ripe banana
1/2 cup orange-pineapple juice
1/2 cup almond coconut milk
1 tsp honey
Juice of half a lime
Lime wedges for garnish

Put all ingredients except for the lime wedges into blender. Blend or puree until smooth. Serve in glasses with lime wedges. Tip: rub the lime wedge along the rim of the glass to get that puckered lime taste each sip!

Boosts you can add:

• aloe vera juice
• hemp seed powder
• coconut oil
• protein powder
• super greens powder
• ginger

Add about 1 tsp each per serving for maximum benefit!

The whole fam will love it! Make a big batch and share it at a party or gathering. This would be a hit at your Memorial Day weekend BBQ!  


I just love papaya, and I certainly don't eat it enough. They are technically in season June-September, but Paul came across this yummy smoothie recipe and I just couldn't wait! Besides being positively delicious, papayas are full of so much healthy goodness. They have high amounts of vitamin c, vitamin a, folate and potassium. They protect against heart disease and aid in immune support and digestion. 
They have also been found to prevent macular degeneration (primary cause of vision loss in older adults) and when combined with green tea, papaya can protect against prostate cancer! Papaya is considered by many to be a super food.

Now it's your turn to share something sweet with the return of Sweet Saturday Link Party! Link up a sweet treat, a sweet post, a sweet photo, a sweet Etsy shop or Facebook page- whatever you want! Just remember to follow your hostess and, if you'd like to, share the link on your page or blog with the button below. Whoever's link gets the most visits will be offered to co-host next week!
 

<a href="http://jessica-healthymommyhealthybaby.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="<" target="_blank"> />" alt="Healthy Mommy Healthy Baby" width="125" height="125" /></a>

 
Have fun and share as much as you'd like! Have a great weekend!


Oooohhh, I almost forgot- I FINALLY joined Pinterest, so be sure to follow me and/or pin this sweet little recipe. I'm new to it, so feel free to "show me the ropes" ;)