Showing posts with label iron. Show all posts
Showing posts with label iron. Show all posts

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Meatless Monday: Mini Frittatas with Asparagus and Hollandaise

I've been seeing a lot of variations on the frittatas made in muffin tins, so I decided to go ahead and try it last week when I had some spinach I needed to use up. I suddenly got a craving for Hollandaise sauce as well, which may not be the healthiest of sauces whatsoever, but it's one of my favorites, and I hadn't enjoyed it in a very long time. The outcome was quite lovely...

 
Mini Frittatas
(serves 3-6)

6 large eggs (you can double-up on the eggs to make them bigger)
1 cup baby spinach, rinsed and packed
1 cup chopped broccoli
1 medium onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper
2 tbsp olive oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Saute the garlic and onion in a medium pan with 1 tbsp of the olive oil for about 5 minutes, or until fragrant. Beat the eggs, salt and pepper together in a large bowl. Add in the sauteed onion and garlic, along with the spinach and broccoli. Last, fold in the cheese, or else you could just add it to the muffin tins once you pour the mixture in them. 


Once combined, lightly grease the muffin tin cups with the rest of the olive oil, then pour some of the egg mixture into each until they are all equal. Add the cheese if you have not done so already. Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes, or until lightly browned on top. You can also use the toothpick method and stick one in the middle of one of the mini frittatas to see if it comes out clean. Once ready, the frittatas should pop out easily with a fork after you allow them to cool for a few minutes.


Steamed Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce
(serves 4)

20 asparagus spears, trimmed
4 egg yolks 
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 cup butter, unsalted, or butter substitute
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp cayenne
  
For the asparagus: After rinsing and trimming the trunks of the spears, place in steam basket in large pot over about 1 inch of water. Bring water to high simmer, cover pot, and steam asparagus for about 5 minutes or until to desired tenderness. Alternatively, you can use a tabletop steamer for the same amount of time.
 
For the sauce: Melt the butter in a small sauce pan over low heat. Once melted, set aside, and place the egg yolks and lemon into blender. Blend on high setting until smooth, about 5-8 seconds. Add in the melted butter and seasonings, and blend again for another few seconds. Reheat in sauce pan if needed and serve over the asparagus.If allowed to cool down to much, the sauce may separate; just whisk and reheat again if needed when this happens.

All pretty easy, huh? It all tasted really yummy and gourmet...I was quite impressed with myself. You can throw in anything you want to the frittatas; I actually wished I'd had fresh tomatoes and/or bell peppers to add to them at the time. The Hollandaise complimented the frittatas very nicely, as well. Lily and Paul enjoyed it, too. Success!

Alongside some gouda

Like I said, and as many of you may know, Hollandaise sauce is in no way a healthy sauce. Butter is loaded with cholesterol and yolks are obviously fattening- or are they? Did you know egg yolks- albeit loaded with the "taboo" cholesterol -are actually more nutricious for you than the white part? The yolk holds all the nutrients, such as calcium, magnesium, iron, and vitamin C, just to name a few! In fact, eating an egg yolk everyday could work just like taking a multi-vitamin! So, forget that old adage of egg yolks being bad for you, and next time go ahead and eat it. I like mine nice and runny :)

P.S. If anyone knows of a healthier version of Hollandaise sauce that tastes just as good, let me know!

Now it's your turn to share your Meatless Monday dish below! Share your turkey-alternatives or other yummy Thanksgiving favorites. 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! 
          
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Saturday, November 17, 2012

Sweet Saturday #28: Turkey Loaf

I've been sick the past few days, so apologies for this link party being a day late!...Today's post isn't exactly sweet, but I wanted to share this recipe for those of you who don't have to/want to go all out for Thanksgiving this year. If I wasn't traveling to North Carolina to be with my extended family, I'd be home making this simple and tasty turkey loaf for Paul, Lily, and myself. I found the recipe in a book called 100 Best Slow Cooked Dishes and really enjoyed it when I made it a few weeks ago. Although the recipe was for making in a slow cooker, I made it in my oven instead.



Turkey Loaf
(serves 6-8)

Ingredients:

1 1/4 lb ground lean turkey meat
1 onion, chopped
2/3 cup rolled oats
2 tbsp fresh chopped sage
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 egg, beaten
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix ground turkey, onion, oats, sage, Worcestershire sauce, egg, salt and pepper together in a large bowl. Spoon mixture into a greased 9" loaf pan and smooth the top out with a spatula. Place loaf into oven on center rack and bake uncovered for about 30 minutes, or until loaf registers at 170 degrees in center. Slice up and serve after allowing to cool for a few minutes. See? Easy!



We had this with corn on the cob and asparagus baked eggs and it was all very good. The turkey loaf had a savory flavor from the sage and onion, and was just the right texture, didn't even need gravy! It's the perfect recipe for a small family, or for the mom who doesn't want go crazy making a huge turkey that just ends up being leftovers for weeks. The oats contain a lot of vitamins and nutrients that provide you with a natural burst of energy, and support for a healthy heart and immune system. They are high in fiber and can help lower cholesterol, and even lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Had it all again as leftovers the very next day

Lily ate every bite

She LOVES corn on the cob

 Now for our awesome fall-themed most-clicked features!

 
These scrumptious-looking maple brown sugar granola cookies were our most visited sweet treat. A healthier cookie that will still satisfy your sweet tooth ;) Thanks, Tammy, at Our Neck of the Woods! 



Diane at Simple Living and Eating shared this mouth-watering recipe for apple sage chicken that I cannot wait to try. Truly a unique and cozy recipe. Thanks, Diane!


Mary from Back to the Basics shared a post about gifting eco-friendly seeds that is not exactly fall-related, but with the holidays right around the corner, it's no wonder so many decided to click it! Take a look at her array of heirloom seed offerings if you missed it last week!

And the most clicked-on honorable mentions are:


Thanks to everyone who linked up, and welcome new linkers! Grab a button below if you were featured!

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Now on to the party!

Just follow these simple rules:


1. Link up something sweet to really WOW us all- your blog, Etsy store, Pinterest, Facebook, whatever you want! 
2. Link-up as much as you want and please follow me if you are not already. Leave me a comment if you are a new follower so I can follow you back!
3. Don't forget to hop around and say hi!
4. Share my button to get more people to join us (not required, but it would be nice!)

Healthy Mommy, Healthy Baby

Thanks for stopping by, this little get together really makes the weekend even more enjoyable for me, and gives me the encouragement to keep my little blog going :) 

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Meatless Monday: Lemony Spinach and White Bean Soup

During the time my family and I were stuck at home without power due to Hurricane Sandy, I was somewhat limited with what I could make for dinner. The oven wouldn't work because it has an electric starter, and I tried to use up what I already had at home as to not waste gas going to the store. I did, however, have to pick up a lemon and some fresh Parmesan cheese for this soup, but it was well worth it.


Lemony Spinach and White Bean Soup
(serves 6-10 depending on serving size)

Ingredients:

4 cups vegetable broth (you can also use chicken)
2-4 cups water (depending on how brothy you like it)
1 cup packed baby spinach
1 cup small-shaped pasta, such as ditalini
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup small white beans (cooked)
Juice of 1 small lemon
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil + extra for topping
1 tsp lemon zest + extra for topping 
Salt and pepper to taste + extra for topping
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for garnish

Cook the pasta separately, then set aside tossed with a little olive oil so it doesn't stick together. Heat the 2 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil in large pot, then add the garlic and sauté for about 3 minutes or until fragrant. Add in the broth and water and bring to a boil. Stir in the white beans then bring to a simmer for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add in the rest of the ingredients. Serve in bowls or mugs topped with a drizzle of olive oil, a sprinkling of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, a pinch of lemon zest, and as much grated Parmesan as you like.


This is a very simple to make soup that is full of lots of fragrant ingredients. The garlic and lemon go together wonderfully, and are balanced nicely with the subtle flavor of the white beans and crisp green spinach. The garnishes really make this soup, so don't forget to add those or it's just not the same!

For older babies and toddlers, you can serve this soup up to them with a slotted ladle so they don't make a mess of or get burnt by the broth. The soup is full of yummy goodness to help a little one grow. Kids should like this soup too as it doesn't have too many spicy flavors, maybe just go easy on the pepper and add extra cheese ;)

Black pepper is normally taken for granted as a standard table top condiment that doesn't get much thought other than whether you're going to use it to spice up your food a bit or not. It may surprise to find out, then, that it's also full of lots of vitamins and minerals such as manganese, vitamin K, and iron. It can also aid in disgestion and has anioxidants and antibacterial properties. Using freshly ground will give you the most benefits!

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! 
          
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Monday, October 29, 2012

Meatless Monday: Orange-Balsamic Roasted Beets and Carrots over Quinoa and Spinach

The storm's-a-comin' as I write this: the winds outside are picking up and the rain is just starting to come down. We are all ready with a stocked kitchen, extra filtered water, and plenty of candles at hand. We don't know just how bad Sandy's going to be, but we will be cozy :)

I was craving fresh vegetables after 3 days in a row of eating a less than stellar intake. Turkey loaf with Rice-a-Roni one night, carnival fare at the pumpkin patch for lunch on Saturday, then lasagna with tiramisu for dessert- I needed vegetarian pronto! And beets were on my mind...I picked up a bunch at my last trip to the supermarket, and roasted them along with some carrots in a sweet and slightly sour marinade...



Orange-Balsamic Roasted Beets and Carrots
(serves 2-4)

Ingredients:

3-4 beets
4-6 carrots
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup orange juice
1 tsp orange zest + extra
Salt and pepper to taste (optional)

Set oven to broil. Slice off tops and bottoms of beets, then peel with a peeler. Wrap in tin foil, and place on baking sheet, then into oven like in picture below. Broil for 45 minutes-1 hour, or until they are easily pierce-able by a fork.



Meanwhile, trim and peel carrots then cut into thirds and quarters, or however you'd like. Reserve them for the last 20 minutes of roasting; at the appropriate time, arrange them on tray beside beets.

Once ready, remove beets and carrots from oven and allow to cool. While they're cooling, heat balsamic vinegar and orange juice over low heat in small saucepan. Heat for about 5 minutes, or until the mixture thickens slightly. Slice beets up like an orange into sections, or however you prefer. Toss veggies in bowl and some salt and pepper to taste if desired.

We ate this served over quinoa and fresh baby spinach, along with some orange slices and extra orange juice squirted right onto it all. It was delicious and refreshing, just what I was craving. Paul and Lily enjoyed it as well. This is a great way to introduce these kinds of healthy foods to your family. The veggies are extra sweet with this marinade, and it all mixes well with the spinach and quinoa. I cooked 1 cup of quinoa according to the package, along with a tsp of olive oil. 

she likes her beets!

Balsamic vinegar is my most often-used salad dressing. I like to mix it with a little olive oil, and salt and pepper. Did you know this low-fat, low-cal condiment also contains some health benefits? It is high in antioxidants, aids the digestive system in breaking down proteins, and also helps to regulate blood sugar, making it especially beneficial for those with diabetes.

If you have little ones under a year old, serve some of the carrots and beets mashed up plain, or with a little orange juice if desired. This is truly a meal the entire family can enjoy, whether you partake in Meatless Mondays or not.   

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! 


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