Tag: lunch

  • Lemon Chicken and Greek Salad Skewers

    Lemon Chicken and Greek Salad Skewers

    Lemon Chicken and Greek Salad Skewers

    The inspiration here is Greek Salad―but on a stick. We’ve added some savoury lemony garlic chicken packed with flavour so it’s delicious served cold. These skewers are packed full of veggies, which makes them easy to modify for those with dietary preferences. Just leave off the feta or the chicken for those who prefer veggies only. And while they’re delicious as is, the inclusion of a tzatziki-style dip adds an extra zing. To keep things on schedule, cook the chicken the day before or early in the morning of your picnic.

    Lemon Chicken and Greek Salad Skewers

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    Servings: 6
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    Lemon Chicken
    • 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
    • ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
    • 1 garlic clove peeled and minced or crushed
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    • ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt
    • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast
    Skewers
    • 4 ounces feta cut into 12 bite-sized pieces
    • 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
    • ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
    • 2 mini cucumbers sliced into 12 pieces
    • 12 grape tomatoes
    • 12 bite-sized pieces red onion
    • 12 bite-sized pieces bell pepper in mixed colours
    • 12 pitted Kalamata olives
    • 12 wooden skewers
    Tzatziki
    • ¼ cup Greek yogurt
    • 1 tablespoon grated cucumber
    • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
    • 1 teaspoon finely chopped mint

    Method
     

    1. In glass container with fitted lid, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, garlic, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Add chicken breast, coating on both sides with the marinade. Seal container and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.
    2. When ready to cook, remove chicken from refrigerator and bring to room temperature while you preheat oven to 350°F. Bake chicken for 45 minutes, or until instant-read thermometer registers 165°F. Allow chicken to cool completely and refrigerate to chill for minimum 2 hours.
    3. In small bowl, dress feta with olive oil and oregano. Cut chicken into 12 bite-sized cubes. Assemble skewers by placing pieces of cucumber, tomato, a cube of chicken, red onion, pepper, feta, and olive on each skewer. Pack in airtight container and place in your cooler.
    4. Combine yogurt, grated cucumber, lemon juice, and mint. Add to small Mason jar with lid and pack in cooler or picnic basket. Bring a spoon so picknickers can drizzle the dressing over skewers.

    by Helena McMurdo

    Recipe Courtesy of Alive Magazine

  • Cranberry Wild Rice Salad

    Cranberry Wild Rice Salad

    Cranberry Wild Rice Salad

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    Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 cups wild rice
    • 8-12 cups water
    • Pinch of salt
    • 1 pound apples cored and chopped
    • ¾ pound Brussels sprouts trimmed and thinly sliced
    • 1 bunch scallions green and white parts thinly sliced
    • ½ cup dried cranberries
    • ½ cup toasted pecans roughly chopped
    • ½ cup avocado oil
    • ½ cup apple cider vinegar
    • ¼ cup honey or agave syrup
    • ¼ cup Dijon mustard
    • ½ teaspoon marjoram (optional)
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt

    Method
     

    1. Cook wild rice with water and salt in a pot, simmering for about 50 minutes or until tender. Drain any excess water and cool.
    2. Toss cooled wild rice with apples, scallions, Brussels sprouts, pecans, and cranberries.
    3. In a small bowl, whisk together avocado oil, vinegar, honey, mustard, marjoram, and salt until emulsified. Toss with salad and serve.

    Recipe Provided by INFRA

  • Green Chicken Chili

    Green Chicken Chili

    Green Chicken Chili

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    Total Time 25 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Ingredients Method Notes

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 small yellow onion minced
    • 1 large poblano pepper chopped
    • 1 large jalapeño pepper minced
    • 1 4 ounces can diced green chiles
    • 2 tablespoons minced garlic
    • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
    • 1 ½ teaspoons chili powder
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • 1 quart chicken stock
    • 1 15.5 ounce jar green salsa such as salsa verde or tomatillo salsa*
    • 1 15 ounce can great northern beans drained and rinsed
    • 1 ½ pounds pulled rotisserie chicken**
    • Optional garnishes: sour cream, cilantro, tortilla chips, cotija cheese, sliced avocado, thinly sliced radishes

    Method
     

    1. Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add onion, peppers, and chiles. Sauté for 3-5 minutes or until tender then add in garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
    2. Add cumin, chili powder, salt, chicken stock, and salsa verde. Bring mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 5 minutes.Stir in chicken and beans.
    3. Heat through and serve with toppings of your choice. Enjoy!

    Notes

    *Note that green salsas can vary wildly in their spice level, so be sure to select a salsa the fits your spice preferences.
    **Substitute turkey for chicken for a deeper flavor.
  • Squash and Lentil Rolls

    Squash and Lentil Rolls

    Squash and Lentil Rolls

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    Servings: 15
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil or coconut oil plus extra for brushing phyllo
    • 1 yellow onion finely chopped
    • 1 pound skin-removed and chopped squash pieces such as kabocha or butternut
    • 1 cup no-salt-added vegetable stock
    • 1 19 oz. can brown lentils drained and rinsed
    • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
    • 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
    • 1 tablespoon dried Italian herb blend
    • 2 tablespoons ground flax
    • ½ cup quick-cooking oats
    • 12 sheets phyllo pastry

    Method
     

    1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
    2. In medium saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring often, until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add squash and vegetable stock. Bring mixture to a simmer; cover and let cook until squash is easily pierced with a fork, about 8 to 10 minutes. With fork or potato masher, mash squash into a chunky paste. Stir in lentils, tomato paste, soy sauce, herbs, ground flax, and oats. Cook, stirring often, until mixture is well combined, warmed through, and thickened, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat.
    3. Place one sheet of phyllo dough with long side facing you on a work surface. Cover remaining phyllo with a very lightly dampened kitchen towel to keep it from drying out. Lightly brush with oil and top with another piece of phyllo. Repeat twice more, resulting in a stack of four phyllo sheets. Place one third of squash and lentil mixture (about 1 1/2 cups) along bottom of phyllo edge in a thin line, spreading it out evenly end to end. Roll up from bottom to completely enclose filling. Place on parchment-lined baking tray and repeat with remaining phyllo and filling. With serrated knife, cut each log into 10 pieces. Bruch each piece with some more oil before transferring baking tray to preheated oven. Bake until phyllo is golden brown and crisp, about 25 to 30 minutes. Enjoy!

    By Lawren Moneta

    Article Courtesy of Alive Magazine

  • Kids Lunch Box

    Kids Lunch Box

    Kids Lunch Box

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    Total Time 30 minutes
    Servings: 1
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    Sandwiches
    • 1-2 slices sandwich bread
    • 1 slice cheddar cheese
    • 5 pepperoni slices
    Vegetable Sticks
    • 1 small cucumber
    • 1 small red bell pepper
    • 1 medium carrot
    Pinwheels
    • 1 whole wheat flour tortilla 8" round
    • ¼ cup softened cream cheese plain or flavored
    Fruit and Cheese Sticks
    • 1 red apple
    • 2 cheddar cheese slices ¼" thick

    Method
     

    Sandwiches
    1. Using a cookie cutter, cut out two bread shapes for the sandwich using one or two slices of bread depending on the size and shape of the cookie cutter.
    2. Assemble sandwich by layering the pepperoni and cheese between the slices of bread.
    Vegetable Sticks
    1. Slice vegetables into ¼ inch thick slices. Use various shaped cutters to cut out shapes.
    2. Thread veggies onto blunt end toothpicks to create mini veggie skewers. Alternatively, place veggie cut outs into small cups and arrange in bento box.
    Pinwheels
    1. Spread cream cheese onto the tortilla and roll up. Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes then slice into ½" thick wheels.
    Fruit and Cheese Sticks
    1. Slice apple into ¼ inch thick slices. Use various shaped cutters to cut out different shapes.
    2. Cut shapes out of the cheese slices.
    3. Thread fruit and cheese onto blunt end toothpicks to create mini fruit and cheese skewers. Alternatively, place cut outs into small cups and arrange in bento box.
  • Spanish Style Fish Stew

    Spanish Style Fish Stew

    Spanish Style Fish Stew

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    Total Time 30 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 plant-based chorizo sausages sliced
    • 3 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 small onion minced
    • 2 garlic cloves minced
    • 3 cups vegetable broth or water
    • 1 14-ounce can crushed tomatoes
    • 2 large yellow potatoes peeled and chopped
    • 1 ½ teaspoon sea salt
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ½ teaspoon whole cumin seeds
    • 1 large red bell pepper chopped
    • 1 pound cod cut into 2" pieces
    • 1 small lemon
    • 2 tablespoons fresh minced dill
    • Crusty bread optional

    Method
     

    1. In a Dutch oven, add oil and heat over medium flame. Add chorizo sausage and cook until browned, about 3 minutes. Remove and set aside.
    2. Add onion to pot and sauté until translucent. Stir in garlic and cook for a few seconds then add broth, tomatoes, potatoes, salt, smoked paprika, and cumin seeds. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 minutes then add in peppers. Cook until potatoes are barely tender.
    3. Add in chorizo and cod. Simmer on low until cod flakes easily with a fork, approximately 3-5 minutes.
    4. Stir in lemon juice and dill. Serve with crusty bread. Enjoy!
  • Scissor-Cut Tofu Pasta

    Scissor-Cut Tofu Pasta

    Scissor-Cut Tofu Pasta

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    Total Time 1 hour
    Servings: 4
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • 14 ounces silken tofu
    • 2 ¾ cup all-purpose flour
    • 1 ½ teaspoon sea salt
    • ⅓-½ cup olive oil
    • 2 cups wild assorted mushrooms trimmed
    • 1 teaspoon crushed red chilis
    • 4 large garlic cloves thinly sliced
    • 1 bunch asparagus trimmed and cut into 1" pieces
    • ½ cup frozen or fresh sweet peas
    • ½ cup shaved aged sheep's cheese optional

    Method
     

    1. Drain liquid from the tofu. In a food processor or blender, process the silken tofu until smooth.
    2. Make the pasta dough: Combine flour, blended tofu, and salt in a medium size bowl. Stir until the mixture forms a dough. Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes, using small amounts of flour to prevent sticking. Cover with a damp towel and rest for 15-20 minutes.
    3. Fill a large pot of water with salt and set over medium-high heat to bring to a boil. 
    4. Meanwhile, heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add mushrooms and crushed red chiles. Sauté for 3 minutes or until starting to brown. Add garlic and cook until lightly browned. Turn turn off heat. 
    5. Using scissors, cut small pieces of dough, approximately 1-inch by ¼” in size and drop into boiling water. Cook for 3 minutes or until pasta floats then add in peas and asparagus. Cook for an additional minute.
    6. Immediately strain and add pasta to the skillet. Toss pasta to coat and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with an aged sheep cheese grated on top. Enjoy!
  • The rainbow test

    The rainbow test

    The rainbow test

    Color your menu!

    Does your meal pass the rainbow test? What’s the rainbow test, you ask? Check out the colors on your plate—when it comes to fruits and veggies, the brighter the colors, the more nutrient dense your meal is. Try out these recipes—and you’ll pass the rainbow test with flying colors!

    Beautiful Rainbow Prawn Salad

    Chock full of healthy ingredients, this salad is a bell ringer that’ll satisfy the fussiest of eaters. Heart-healthy antioxidants with enormous eye appeal and delicious flavor—what more do you need in a dish?
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    Servings: 4
    Ingredients Method Notes

    Ingredients
      

    Salad
    • 3 cups spring greens washed and spun dry
    • 1 small, raw red beetroot peeled and spiralized
    • 1 small carrot peeled and thinly shaved on the diagonal
    • ½ cup sugar snap peas blanched in lightly salted water
    • 4 large red radishes thinly shaved
    • 2 Belgian endive separated into leaves
    • 1 Persian cucumber cut into matchsticks
    • ½ cup thinly shaved red onion
    • ½ cup pea shoots
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 8 large prawns tail on, peeled, and deveined
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 2 tablespoons toasted cashews chopped
    • 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds
    Dressing
    • ¼ cup tahini sauce
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
    • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
    • 1 small garlic clove smashed and minced
    • Pinch of salt

    Method
     

    1. On large serving platter, scatter spring greens. Top with beet, carrot, snap peas, radishes, endive, cucumber, red onion, and pea shoots. Lightly toss to mix. Set aside.
    2. In skillet, heat oil. In bowl, toss prawns with cumin and smoked paprika. Tumble into skillet and stir-fry over medium-high heat for 1 to 2 minutes, until almost opaque. Transfer to plate and cool. Season with a little salt.
    3. In blender, combine dressing ingredients. Whirl until creamy. Add a splash or two of water, if necessary, to thin dressing as you like.
    4. Place prawns on rainbow salad. Drizzle with dressing and scatter chopped cashews and sesame seeds overtop.

    Notes

    Each main course serving contains: 254 calories; 10 g protein; 15 g total fat (2 g sat. fat, 0 g trans fat); 24 g total carbohydrates (8 g sugars, 6 g fiber); 281 mg sodium

    Delicious Vegetarian Spaghetti Squash Bake

    This dish is a satisfying “bowl-in-one” supper. It’s low in calories, high in fiber, and a valuable source of vitamin C, manganese, and B6. You can even bake the squash ahead of time for an easy weekday meal.
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    Servings: 4
    Ingredients Method Notes

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 medium spaghetti squash each cut in half horizontally
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil divided
    • 1 medium sweet onion finely diced
    • 3 large garlic cloves smashed and minced
    • 1 7-ounce package plain tempeh crumbled
    • 2 large yellow or red bell peppers seeded and finely diced
    • 8 inch long unpeeled zucchini finely diced
    • 1 tablespoon coconut aminos (or soy sauce)
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
    • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
    • 3 cups lightly packed baby spinach leaves chopped
    • ½ cup ricotta cheese
    • ¾ cup shredded mozzarella divided
    • ¼ cup grated Parmesan

    Method
     

    1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Scrape seeds from cut squash and discard. Brush insides of squash halves with 1 tsp oil. Place cut side down on baking sheet. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until cut edges are turning golden. Baking time will depend on size of squash. You want the rind to give a bit when pressed with your finger. Remove and set aside until cool enough to handle.
    2. While squash bakes, in heavy saucepan, heat remaining 2 tsp oil over medium heat. Add onion and saute until soft. Do not brown. Add garlic, crumbled tempeh, and finely diced pepper and zucchini. Continue to saute until tempeh is golden-tinged and vegetables are soft, about 7 minutes. Stir in coconut aminos (or a little less soy sauce, if using) and seasonings. Fold in chopped spinach, cover, and remove from heat.
    3. Scrape inside of baked squash with fork to remove spaghetti-like strands and place strands in clean dish towel, reserving squash boats. Squeeze strands until barely moist and place on cutting board. Coarsely chop. Add to tempeh/spinach mixture along with ricotta and half the mozzarella. Fold together until evenly mixed. Add more seasonings to taste, if you wish.
    4. Place squash boats, cut side up, on baking sheet. Spoon mixture evenly into boats. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and Parmesan evenly over each.
    5. Increase oven temperature to 425°F. Bake for 20 minutes or until piping hot. Then turn oven to broil, and broil squash until cheese is bubbly and golden, about 30 seconds.

    Notes

    Each serving contains: 366 calories; 24 g protein; 18 g total fat (7 g sat. fat, 0 g trans fat); 32 g total carbohydrates (12 g sugars, 5 g fiber); 440 mg sodium

    Vegan Blueberry Crumble Top Tart

    Eating a rainbow of colorful foods, including dark blue and purple, is essential to good health. Considered the king of antioxidant-rich foods, the rich blueberries in this delectable tart are especially amazing health givers.
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    Servings: 10
    Ingredients Method Notes

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup oat flour
    • ½ cup almond flour
    • ½ cup coconut flour
    • ¼ cup coconut or raw sugar
    • ⅓ cup coconut oil softened, plus extra for oiling tart pan
    • 2 tablespoons plain coconut or tofu yogurt
    • 2-3 tablespoons ice water
    • 3 cups fresh blueberries
    • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
    • 3 tablespoons sliced natural almonds

    Method
     

    1. Preheat oven to 400°F. With coconut oil, grease 9 inch high-sided tart pan with removable bottom.
    2. In food processor, combine oat, almond, coconut flour, and coconut sugar. Pulse to blend. Add softened coconut oil and yogurt and pulse until crumbly. Add ice water, 1 Tbsp at a time, until mixture begins to stick together. Remove 1/4 of the mixture and place in small bowl. Refrigerate while preparing tart shell. Place remaining 3/4 of dough into oiled tart pan, pressing mixture into bottom and halfway up the sides.
    3. In another bowl, combine blueberries with cornstarch. Toss to evenly coat. Tumble into prepared tart pan. Remove remaining quarter of dough and add sliced almonds. Toss to mix. Sprinkle berries overtop. Place tart pan on baking sheet and bake in lower third of preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes until crust is golden. Remove to rack to cool. Refrigerate.
    4. To serve, remove tart pan sides from chilled tart and cut tart into wedges. It’s delicious with coconut yogurt infused with lemon zest.

    Notes

    Each serving contains: 235 calories; 5 g protein; 12 g total fat (7 g sat. fat, 0 g trans fat); 29 g total carbohydrates (11 g sugars, 6 g fiber); 4 mg sodium

    By Irene McGuinness

    Article Courtesy of Alive Magazine

  • Spring Dumpling Soup

    Spring Dumpling Soup

    Spring Dumpling Soup

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    Servings: 4
    Ingredients Method Notes

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 quarts vegetable or chicken broth
    • 1 small onion quartered
    • 2 inch piece of ginger sliced
    • 2 garlic cloves halved
    • 1 small cinnamon stick
    • ½ tablespoon coriander seeds
    • 2 whole star anise
    • 1 cardamom pod
    • 3 whole cloves
    • 2 tablespoons fish sauce
    • 16-20 dumplings
    • 1 pound zucchini spirals (aka zoodles) about 4 cups
    • Cilantro leaves for garnish

    Method
     

    1. In a large pot, combine broth, aromatics, and spices (all recipe ingredients up to and including fish sauce). Bring to a gentle simmer for 25 minutes to infuse. Strain broth and return to the pot.
    2. Add dumplings to the pot and cook based on the package instructions.
    3. To serve, place zucchini spirals into serving bowls and ladle hot broth over. Place dumplings on top of broth and garnish with cilantro.

    Notes

    3 hours (if making broth from scratch) OR 40 minutes (if using store bought)
  • Kimchi Fried Rice with Shrimp

    Kimchi Fried Rice with Shrimp

    Kimchi Fried Rice with Shrimp

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    Total Time 25 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 tablespoons tamari
    • 1 tablespoon sugar
    • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
    • ½ teaspoon ground black or white pepper
    • ⅓ cup avocado oil divided
    • 1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined
    • 4 ounces white mushrooms sliced
    • 1 cup drained kimchi (reserve liquid)
    • 4 cups cooked basmati rice cold
    • 3 large eggs beaten
    • ¾ cup frozen peas thawed
    • Cilantro or green onion for garnish

    Method
     

    1. In a small bowl, whisk tamari, sugar, sesame oil, and pepper to combine.
    2. Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat with a little oil.
    3. Separately sauté the shrimp until opaque and pink, the mushrooms until browned, and the kimchi until dry. Add oil as needed between batches.
    4. Coat rice with 2 tablespoons of oil then add to the wok. Cook until the rice starts to crackle and brown, about 3-5 minutes.
    5. Make a well in the rice and add the beaten egg and cook through. Stir in tamari, sugar, sesame oil, and black pepper.
    6. Fold in cooked ingredients with peas and heat through. Season to taste with reserved kimchi liquid, and additional tamari. Garnish with chopped cilantro or sliced green onion and serve promptly.