Healthier Nachos

 

Ingredients

Tortilla Chips
1/2 cup sliced tomatoes
About 10 sliced black olives
1 ripe avocado
1/4 cup purple cabbage
1/4 cup spinach
1 1/2 green onion
1 jalapeno
1/2 cup fresh grilled corn
1/4 bunch of roughly chopped cilantro
1/3 cup Nacho cheese sauce
3 tbs salsa
3 tbs sour cream
1 tsp cumin

How to make Healthier Nachos

This is just an updated version of my nachos that manages to get a few more vegetables in there!

To Make:
Preheat the oven to 375F degrees.

In a medium size casserole dish, spread an even layer of chips lining the bottom of the dish.  Drizzle nacho cheese sauce evenly over the chips.  Then, sprinkle some of the tomatoes, olives, sliced onions, corn, jalapenos, and cilantro over the chips.

Then add another layer of chips.  Pour the rest of the cheese sauce over these chips.  Then sprinkle the rest of the tomatoes, olives, corn, jalapenos, and the tsp of ground cumin over the chips as well. 

Bake in the oven for about 10 minutes or until cheese sauce is hot.  Top with salsa (see recipe), spinach, cabbage, avocado, green onions, cilantro, and sour cream.

Corn and Potato Chowder

 

Ingredients

1 yellow onion (diced)
3 cloves garlic (minced)
2 tbs butter
1 1/2 tbs flour
1/2 cup fat free milk
1/2 cup evaporated milk (or 3 tbs cream cheese)
2 cups vegetable stock
2-3 Russet potatoes (cubed)
1/2 cup frozen corn
1/2 green bell pepper (diced)
1 carrot (chopped)
1 celery stalk w/ leaves (chopped)
1 tbs creole seasoning (I use Tony Chachere)
Fresh cracked pepper
2 bay leaves

How to make Corn and Potato Chowder

This is super easy and even more delicious!

In a large dutch oven, heat butter and add onions and garlic to sweat.  After about 3 minutes, add the flour a bit at a time and slowly stir.  Do not let the flour turn brown.  Then, add a bit of the vegetable stock and stir continuously.  Add more vegetable stock at the mixture thickens until all of the stock is added.  Stir, and make sure there are not lumps.  Add about 6 cups of water and the creole seasoning.

Bring this to a boil.  Add the bay leaves, potatoes, carrots, and celery.  Simmer for about 10 minutes or until almost tender.  Add the bell pepper, corn, milk, and evaporated milk or cream cheese.  Bring to a simmer and add black pepper.

Serve with cheese or cilantro and sliced green onions.  Enjoy!

Southwestern Orzo Pasta Recipe

 

Ingredients

2 cups uncooked orzo pasta
1 tsp cumin
1 tbs oil or butter
1 shallot diced
2 gloves garlic minced
2 cups vegetable stock
1/2 cup frozen corn (thawed)
1/2 chopped hot house tomato or 8 halved cherry tomatoes
1/4 cucumber, chopped
1 handful of cilantro
1 green onion, sliced
Asiago cheese for serving

How to make Southwestern Orzo Pasta

This can be a hearty main dish or a fantastic side dish.

In a large skillet, heat oil and sweat onions and garlic for 1 minute.  Add cumin and orzo and saute for about 3-5 minutes, allowing the pasta to brown slightly.

Slowly stir in the vegetable stock and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to a simmer and let pasta cook, absorbing the stock.  When pasta is 90% done, stir in corn and heat.  Cook pasta until al dente and stir in tomatoes and cucumber.

Top with cilantro, green onion, and grated Asiago cheese.

Enjoy!

Lemon and Leek pasta Recipe

 

Ingredients

1 large lemon
3 tbs olive oil
1 leek (white parts)
1/2 yellow onion
1 shallot
2 cloves garlic
1/4 cup white wine
2 tbs flat leaf parsley
8 oz whole wheat pasta
1 ear of grilled corn
1 diced roma tomato
1 tsp red pepper flakes
garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste

How to make Lemon and Leek pasta

This is a refreshing pasta that can be served hot or cold.

Cook pasta according to package directions in heavily salted water until almost al dente.

Meanwhile, in a saute pan, heat oil over medium heat.  Add onions, shallot, and leek and saute for about 6-8 minutes.  Then add the garlic and saute for 2 more minutes.  Slowly add in about 1/2 cup of the pasta water and the wine.  Then add the corn (removed from the ear), parsley, tomatoes, and seasonings.  Add the pasta and toss.  Right before serving, add the juice from the lemon. 

Garnish each plate with lemon zest, and lemon wedge, and parsley.