3 new healthy recipes! {cooking}

I have to admit…the last week I have not stayed on my diet plan. Why is it so hard to do when you are out of town! No worries, now that I’m home and this cruise is staring me in the face in 2 months, I am motivated…very motivated. So, continuing on with some more healthy recipes to help you to meet your goals!

I love grilled chicken breasts with fruit salsa. Here is my latest version…with pears! The flavors sounded a little off to me, but they worked. Lets be honest, I’ll probably love anything that has cilantro in it 🙂 It’s a good way to use some of those pears in your refrigerator that have been staring you down!

Chicken with Spicy Pear Salsa
1 firm but ripe Red Anjou Pear, peeled, cored and chopped
1/4 cup diced sweet onion
2 T. chopped fresh cilantro
1 clove garlic, minced
2 t. sliced jalapeno peppers, finely minced
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3 T. extra virgin olive oil
Salt and Pepper

In a small bowl combine pear, onion, cilantro, garlic and jalapeno peppers. Set aside.

Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.

Over medium high heat, heat olive oil in large skillet. Place chicken breasts into pan and brown well on each side. Cover pan and reduce heat to low. Keep covered until chicken is cooked through.

Remove chicken from pan and place onto serving plates. Heat pan over high heat, add salsa to the pan and quickly heat salsa while deglazing pan.

Pour salsa over chicken breast and serve.

From: Fruit and Veggie Guru

Sometimes when I am craving a healthy treat, the ingredients I want are out of season…and that makes me truly sad! The best thing about this recipe is that the fresh ingredients in it are always at the store, no matter what time of year, and the rest all come out of a can. So this winter if you are in the mood for something fresh tasting, give this a try! It is great just with some chips, but can imagine how great it would be over a chicken breast as well 🙂

Bean, Tomato and Corn Salsa

5-8 tomatoes (personal preference), chopped into small pieces

1 can white whole kernel corn, drained

1 can black eyed peas (or black beans), drained

4 chopped green onions

½-1 bunch of cilantro, chopped

1 env. Italian dressing, mix as directed on package (use red wine vinegar)

Mix all ingredients in large bowl and serve with tortilla chips.

Recipe Source: Momma

I am a pathological snacker. It’s an awful problem. In order to satisfy my snacking urges (after drinking an entire liter of water and chewing gum doesn’t quite cut it), I want something salty. What is the perfect snack-y type food for that? Why crackers and chips, of course!

To help me satisfy the Doritos craving, I have been forcing myself to find alternatives. This one fits the bill… crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside, packed with spices, and better yet, good for you! Think Corn Nuts here. The question is…do they taste as good as the MSG filled Doritos, why of course not…nothing ever will! But they are a great snack to have around and taste great in their own right 🙂

Spicy Crunchy Chickpeas
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon allspice (I didn’t have so left out)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
I added 1/2-3/4 t chili powder
2 15 1/2-oz. cans chickpeas, rinsed, drained, thoroughly patted dry

Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil. In a large bowl, combine olive oil, cinnamon, cumin, allspice, salt and pepper. Add chickpeas and toss to coat thoroughly. Turn chickpeas out onto baking sheet and roast, stirring or shaking baking sheet often, until chickpeas are browned and crunchy, 45 to 50 minutes (start checking them around 35 minutes…that’s all mine took). Transfer to a bowl and let cool before serving, stirring occasionally.

From: On My Menu

Continuing to wish you luck on your weight loss quest!

Britni
http://myrecipeboxx.blogspot.com/