Fizzy Basil Tom Collins

What a weeknight treat! These fresh, fizzy cocktails were simple to make (and even simpler to drink). Fresh basil added a new twist on an old favorite. Here's the recipe:

Fizzy Basil Tom Collins

Fresh basil, lightly muddled

1 part gin

2 parts freshly squeezed lemon juice (I had one ENORMOUS one from a friend's tree to use, and that worked too)

Fill remainder of glass with sparkling water and dash of simple syrup, honey or agave

Add ice and a sprig of basil for garnish

Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble for Two

Smelling and tasting the strawberries at the Farmers' Market this weekend was the inspiration for this weeknight dessert. With one of the three pints I purchased, I decided to slice them up and combine with tart rhubarb from a Farm Fresh box for a delicious crumble. Prep it just before dinner, then throw it in the oven while you eat. It'll be ready to share (or not!) when you're finished with your meal. 

Need more convincing? Here are 3 great things about crumbles: 

1. Measurements are less important than with other baked goods
2. A crumble is a simple but super impressive dessert for a night with a dessert guest or a full dinner party
3. With so many great fruits in season all summer long, you can reduce the sugar you add to your dessert quite a bit and let summer naturally sweetness shine! 

My suggestion, as always, is to get creative. I used pistachios in the topping and strawberry-rhubarb filling. But try different kinds of nuts and whatever fruits you love. Enjoy! 

 Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble for 2 

Serves 2

Ingredients

The crumble:

3 Tbs whole wheat flour

1 ½ Tbs turbinado sugar

¼ tsp salt

1 ½ Tbs butter, cold

2 Tbs old fashioned oats

2 Tbs pistachios, toasted and coarsely chopped

½ tsp vanilla extract

The filling:

1 pint strawberries, hulled and sliced

1 stalk rhubarb, ends removed and thinly sliced

1 tsp turbinado sugar

1 tsp vanilla

Directions

1.  Make crumble topping. Whisk together flour, sugars and salt. Add butter and mix together with fingers until resembles large, coarse crumbs. Add oats, nuts, and vanilla and toss with fingers until just combined. Cover and refrigerate until ready to bake dish. Can be covered and refrigerated up to 1 day in advance.
2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Make filling. Combine all ingredients in 2 small ramekins or 1 small baking dish. Add topping. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-30 minutes, until top is golden brown and fruit juices are bubbling at edges.
3. Allow to set after baking about 5 minutes before serving. Serve alone, or topped with vanilla ice cream and mint. 

Shrimp Zucchini "Linguine"

In this light, summery dish, zucchini strands take the place of pasta. I love using vegetable peelers like these to strand vegetables for texture in salads, or dishes like Shrimp Zucchini "Linguine". I served this dish over quinoa for some whole grain goodness to make a satisfying (and still low calorie) dinner. Next time I'll try it with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc...

Shrimp Zucchini “Linguine”

Ingredients

2 large zucchinis

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ - ½ pound large shrimp, shelled and deveined

1 garlic clove

2 teaspoons crushed red pepper

2 Tablespoons olive oil, divided

½ cup 0% Greek yogurt

Juice of 1 lemon

2 Tablespoons fresh tarragon, chopped

1 Tablespoon fresh chives, chopped

(Based on dish without
optional serving suggestions.)

Directions

1. Using vegetable peeler or mandolin, slice zucchini into thin strips. Place in strainer over bowl with salt, allowing water to drain out for about 10 minutes. Discard water.
2. While zucchini drains, sauté garlic, crushed red pepper and shrimp in 1 Tablespoon olive oil over medium heat until shrimp is pink and cooked through.
3.   Make yogurt dressing. In large bowl, whisk together yogurt, lemon juice, tarragon, chives, and remaining Tablespoon olive oil. Discard water from strained zucchini, and add drained zucchini strands to yogurt sauce. Add cooked shrimp and toss.
4. Serve hot or cold, with (optional) side of quinoa, brown rice, or bread of choice.  

Corn on the Cob

Growing up in Indiana, summer means corn! In preparation for its mid-summer peak season, I recently made this delicious corn-on-the-cob concoction, inspired by two restaurants (Ms Lily's and Cafe Habana) that serve it up indulgently as appetizers. I served it as a truly delectable (if I do say so myself) side dish alongside green salad, caramelized cauliflower, and grilled chicken. Though summertime corn straight off the cob, no additions necessary, is delightful, I'm definitely going to give this jazzed up version another go before the summer is over. Enjoy!

Cheesy Corn on the Cob with Spicy Aioli 

Serves 2 (or 4 appetizers)

2 ears of corn
2 Tablespoons mayonnaise
1 Tablespoon Sriracha sauce
2-3 Tablespoons grated sharp cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper

1. Boil corn until done (fork tender).
2. Make spicy aioli: mix mayonnaise, sriracha, and dash of salt and pepper.
3. Spread aioli over warm corn and sprinkle with cheese.

Summer Lovin' Smoothies

Nothing gets your day (or metabolism!) revved up quite like a  healthy breakfast. Finding a delicious, easy, and nutrition-packed solution is key. A few summers ago, I made the blender a summertime counter-top staple in order to easily whip up these tasty, healthy Greek yogurt fruit smoothies. Packed with protein from the yogurt, fiber from your fresh/frozen fruits of choice, and an added sweetness (without much sugar) from the coconut water--they're a light, tasty morning boost!

These summertime smoothies are great really any day or time of year. I find them to be a wonderful pre-brunch  breakfast. While I love meeting friends for brunch on the weekends, sometimes the meeting/dining time makes it more of an eggs-for-lunch situation than any resemblance of my "morning" meal. So I get started with a small smoothie to keep me from being overly hungry/cranky beforehand.

See below for one of my recipes, but get creative with whatever fruits are looking and smelling their best this summer!

Summertime Greek Yogurt Smoothies
Makes 4 small smoothies

1 cup frozen cherries or berries
1 cup fresh juicy peaches
1 cup coconut water
1 cup 0% or 2% plain Greek Yogurt

Blend and enjoy!

Make a Meal out of Appetizers

Want to have a dinner party without tons of work? So did I! Some appetizers homemade and some simply store-bought and plated--I was able to do about 20 minutes of cooking, and enjoy hours of relaxed conversation with one of my favorite dinner guest. The key is to have a mix of breads/starch, vegetables, meats and cheeses. Hearty enough for a meal, but healthy enough to nibble while you chat. Here's what was served:

• Zucchini Oven "Fries" with Spicy Garlic Aioli (see recipe below)
• Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus Spears (simply blanch the spears, wrap them, and stick toothpicks)
• Grandaisy Bakery Sesamo bread with brie cheese, olive oil and vinegar for dipping
• Delicious red wine (courtesy of my generous guest)

Zucchini Oven “Fries” with Spicy Garlic Aioli

For the Zucchini Fries

2 Medium Zucchinis

1 egg, beaten

¼ cup whole wheat breadcrumbs

¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

2 tsp dried basil

½ tsp salt

½ tsp black pepper

For the Aioli

1 Tbs mayonnaise

¼ cup Greek yogurt (I use Fage 0%)

1-2 garlic cloves, roasted and mashed

1 Tbs Sriracha sauce

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425F. Prepare baking sheet with parchment paper. 
2. Slice zucchini in half lengthwise, then into ¼” diameter spears.
3. Beat egg in a bowl. In a separate bowl, combine breadcrumbs, 2 Tbs Parmesan, basil, salt and pepper in bowl.
4. Coat each zucchini spear first in egg, then breadcrumb mixture. Place on prepared baking sheet. Once all spears coated, bake for about 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through.
5. While zucchini is baking, prepare Aioli by combining all ingredients in bowl. Transfer to small dish for dipping.
6. Remove zucchini from oven, sprinkle with remaining 2 Tbs grated Parmesan and serve with Aioli.

 

Shakshouka

This middle-eastern dish of eggs poached in spicy tomato sauce is bubbling hot and perfect for sharing on a cold night! I served it with some homemade whole wheat pita bread and Moroccan Eggplant Salad. It made perfect healthy comfort food as the snow comes down in NYC!

Shakshouka
Serves 4

A mildly spicy, bubbling hot dish perfect for sharing on a cold night.

2 Tbs olive oil
4 jalapeños, stemmed, seeded, and finely chopped

1 small yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, crushed and sliced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon paprika
1 28-ounce can low sodium or no salt added diced tomatoes

Salt, to taste
4 eggs
1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley
Warm pitas

1.    Heat oil in a 12” skillet over medium-high heat. Add chiles and onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and golden brown, about 6 minutes. Add garlic, cumin, and paprika, and cook, stirring frequently, until garlic is soft, about 2 more minutes.

2.   Add tomatoes and juices, reduce heat to medium, and simmer. Using back of spoon, mash tomatoes while stirring. Simmer until thickened slightly, about 15 minutes. Season with salt to taste.

3.   Crack eggs over sauce so that eggs are evenly distributed across surface. Cover skillet and cook until yolks are just set, about 5 minutes. Using a spoon, baste the whites of the eggs with tomato mixture, being careful not to disturb the yolk. Sprinkle with feta and parsley and serve with pitas, for dipping.

Croutons from Day-Old Bread

With a 2-day, partially-eaten baguette on my counter, I was heartbroken to let a delicious loaf go to waste. Here's how I made it into crunchy soup and salad toppers:

Garlic-Herb Croutons

Ingredients

1/2-3/4 baguette, halved lengthwise

2 cloves garlic, halved

4 Tbs olive oil

1-2 Tbs chopped fresh herbs of choice (or 1 Tbs dried)

1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 350degrees. Rub garlic onto both sides of baguette. Cut baguette into 1/2 inch cubes. Toss bread with olive oil, herbs, and pepper. Place in single layer on baking sheet and bake at 350 for ~10 minutes until golden brown. Store in airtight container at room temperature. 

Latkes and Homemade Applesauce

 The holidays are a great time for great food. I got to celebrate the holidays with delicious dishes like last night's Zucchini Potato Latkes with homemade applesauce--check out the recipes and save for next year or enjoy a belated holiday favorite :)

Homemade Bourbon Applesauce

Ingredients
6 small-medium apples, peeled cored, loosely chopped
1/4 cup bourbon
1-2 tsp cinnamon (or 1 cinnamon stick)
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp Allspice

Preparation
Place apples in heavy pot over medium-low heat. Add bourbon and spices. Cover and stir periodically until apples are softened, mashing with spoon as you stir. Takes about 30-40 minutes for chunky consistency  Remove from heat. Mmm!

Zucchini Potato Latkes

Ingredients
3 small-medium waxy potatoes, coarsely grated (for all grating in this, use large grate on box grater or food processor attachment like I did)
2 medium zucchini, coarsely grated
1small onion (or 1/2 large), coarsely grated
1/4-1/3 cup flour (I used whole wheat--whatever you've got works)
1 egg, beaten
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1/4 cup vegetable oil (for frying)

Preparation
Place grated vegetables in dish towel and wring out excess moisture.

In mixing bowl, combine egg, flour, salt and pepper. Add vegetables to egg mixture and toss until well combined. Add more flour as needed (extra flour and egg will make these fluffier on the inside vs. crispy the way I make them).

Heat half oil in large skillet, but do not let smoke. Drop rounded tablespoons of mixture into oil, and flatten. Fry first batch until golden brown (about 2-3 minutes) and flip. Brown on other side. Remove from oil and drain on paper towel. Repeat with remaining latke mixture and oil.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Spin

These oatmeal chocolate chip cookies are full of surprises. From the more traditional Spiced Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Pecan to a more unique Dark Chocolate with Cherries and Orange, these will not disappoint. The spices, nuts, and fruit give them a holiday flare that make great gifts. Since both batches start with the same base,  it's easy to whip up both varieties at once.

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients

8 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

3/4 cup sugar

1 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 large eggs

1 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

pinch ground clove

1 cup chopped pecans

6 ounces semisweet chocolate chips

6 ounces dark chocolate, chopped

1 cup dried cherries

2 teaspoons freshly grated orange zest

1. Line a large cookie sheet with parchment and place in refrigerator.
2. In standing mixer, beat the butter in a bowl until light and fluffy. Add both sugars, salt, and vanilla, and beat until well mixed. Stir in eggs, one at a time.
3. Sift together the flour and baking soda in separate bowl. Add half of the flour mixture to the butter with the mixer on low speed. Once the flour has been incorporated, add the second half. Stir in the oats.
4. Divide dough in half and place in separate bowls. Add cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, pecans and chocolate chips to one half and mix well. To other half, add dark chocolate, cherries, and orange zest and mix well. Refrigerate all dough 30 minutes to an hour.
5. Preheat oven to 350degrees.  Drop the dough, by the tablespoon, onto the cookie sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden. Remove from the oven and cool the cookies on a rack.

Fall Treat--Pumpkin Muffins

The smell of these Whole Wheat Pumpkin Walnut Muffins makes welcoming the fall chill a little easier. The pumpkin keeps them moist and dried fruit adds a touch of sweetness. Canned pumpkin makes them especially easy. Grab one for breakfast, or serve instead of rolls alongside a Thanksgiving feast! 

Whole Wheat Pumpkin Walnut Muffins 

Adapted from Gourmet 

Ingredients

1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter

3/4 cup canned solid-pack pumpkin

1/4 cup buttermilk

2 large eggs

3 tablespoons unsulfured molasses

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup whole-wheat flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

3/4 cup chopped pitted dates, raisins, or currants

3/4 cup finely chopped walnuts + 2 Tbs minced walnuts

Directions

Preheat oven to 400degrees. Grease twelve ½ cup muffin cups, or place wrapper in each.

1.       Melt butter and cool slightly. Whisk together butter, pumpkin, buttermilk, eggs, molasses, and vanilla.

2.      Into a large bowl sift together flours, baking powder, spices, salt, and baking soda and whisk in brown sugar. Make a well in center of flour mixture and add pumpkin mixture, stirring just until combined. Stir in fruit and ¾ cups chopped walnuts.

3.      Divide batter among cups. Sprinkle remaining 2 Tbs walnuts evenly over batter in each cup and bake muffins in middle of oven 20 to 25 minutes, or until puffed and a tester comes out clean.

4.      Cool muffins in cups 5 minutes and turn out onto a rack. Serve muffins warm or at room temperature.

Lamb Burgers with Kale Chips

I love a good burger--nothing satisfies a red meat craving quite like them! Jazzing up a standard burger recipe for company is an affordable and delicious way to impress. Making small patties and serving burgers alongside lots of vegetables can keep your portion of a fattier meat in check and still leave you full and satisfied.

This week I made lamb burgers for a weeknight dinner with friends and served them with whole wheat pita pockets, homemade yogurt lemon dill dressing, and a side of oven-roasted kale chips (a favorite, fast go-to recipe). The yogurt dressing would go great on a salad or as a chicken marinade, so make a big batch since you have to get out the blender anyway!

Lamb Burgers

Serves 6

Ingredients

1.5 lbs ground lamb

1 ounce feta, crumbled

3 Tbs chopped kalamata olives

1 clove garlic, minced

2 Tbs fresh basil leaves, chopped

2 Tbs fresh oregano leaves, chopped

Salt and pepper

Directions

1. Mix all ingredients with lamb until combined. Form into 6 patties and refrigerate ~30 minutes.
2.  Grill on one side until browned, about 3-4 minutes. Turn and grill additional 3-4 minutes, until sides are browned and inside is pink.
3. Serve with pita, cucumber, tomato, and yogurt dressing. 

Yogurt Lemon Dill Dressing

Makes about 1.5 cups

Ingredients

1 cup Greek yogurt

Juice of 1 lemon

½ cup chopped fresh dill

¼ cucumber, peeled and diced

1 clove garlic, minced

2-3 Tbs olive oil

Salt and pepper

Directions

Blend all ingredients except olive oil, salt and pepper. Drizzle olive oil into blender until dressing reaches desired consistency. Add salt and pepper to taste.  

Kale Chips

Makes 2 servings

Ingredients

1 bunch kale, washed, stems removed

2 Tbs olive oil

Sea salt and black pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 425. Wash kale and remove stems. Dry leaves well, tear, and toss in olive oil, salt and pepper. Place leaves on cookie sheet and roast about 10 minutes, until crispy. 

Fall for Soup

I find myself craving warm comfort foods this time every year. Homemade soup is one of my favorite ways to enjoy autumn produce. It warms the soul without needing to loosen your belt! Soup also stores easily--I made a large batch and will freeze some for quick weeknight dinners over the next couple weeks.

Check out what I doctored up tonight (and served with some toast spread with feta!). Try this creation, but keep in mind that it's easy to mix and match various vegetables, beans, and spices to create a unique dish each time.

Lentil Stew with Squash and Greens

Ingredients

1 Onion, diced

2 Garlic Cloves, minced

1/4 Kabocha squash, seeds removed and diced

2 large carrots, diced

3 large parsnips, diced

2 Tbs caraway seeds

2 Tbs dried basil

1 Tbs crushed red pepper

2 bay leaves

salt and pepper

1/2 lb dried lentils, rinsed and picked over

2 cups low sodium beef broth + 2 cups water

1 bunch kale, stems removed and torn

1 bunch fresh basil

Directions

1. Oil large soup pot and saute onion and garlic until tender. Add squash, carrots, parsnips, and seasonings. Mix together and saute about 3 minutes. 

2. Add lentils, broth and water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until all vegetables and beans are tender, about 20 minutes. 

3. Remove bay leaves and stir in kale and basil until wilted. 

4. Serve or let cool before freezing/refrigerating. 

Spice Up Your Spice Cabinet

Try cooking with fresh and/or dried herbs and spices! In addition to helping you cut back on salt, herbs and spices have health properties all their own, including their antioxidant properties to help reduce risk of chronic diseases. Perking up your pantry is a great way to make sure affordable meals are never too long of a process. It can be daunting to dive into the spice rack world all by yourself, so check out some combinations below to match what flavor profile you're in the mood for:

• Curry + Cumin + Coriander Get the great taste of take-out without all the added fat and salt! This adds beautiful yellow color to roasted cauliflower, caramelized onions served over grilled chicken, or bean stews.
• Basil + Oregano + Caraway Seeds A new take on Italian classics. This mixture with anise flavor mimics the flavors of Italian sausage. Use either fresh or dried basil & oregano and dried caraway in tomato sauce with a bit of garlic or used to flavor lean cuts of meat. 
• Cinnamon + Cayenne Pepper Cinnamon is too rarely used in savory dishes! The natural sweetness of carrots or sweet potatoes go great with a dash of cinnamon and a bit of hot and spicy flavor. Can't handle the heat? Try it with chili powder instead of cayenne which has loads of flavor but won't leave your lips burning. 
• Rosemary + Thyme + Sage  This combo always makes me dream of Thanksgiving feasts. While it is delicious on poultry alongside a squirt of lemon, it is also a fabulous addition to roasted beets and parsnips. 

Whole Wheat Pizza

Most Americans love pizza. But why waste the calories on the terrible 30 minute delivery place down the block? Thin-crust, fresh toppings is way more up my alley. I decided a couple weeks ago to get out my standing mixer and whip up a batch of pizza dough. This was my first attempt, but I was certain I could give this "junk-food" staple a new reputation. Using whole wheat flour instead of refined to boost vitamins and fiber and using fresh herbs, cheeses, and farmers market veggies as toppings, I felt like I got a lot of taste without the grease.

The dough recipe I used makes enough to serve about 8 people, 2 slices per person. I froze half, and was able to share round 2 with a dear friend. In addition to fabulous wine, we dined on 2 different whole wheat pizzas: White Pizza with Caramelized Onions, Prosciutto and Zucchini (recipe below), a simple Margarita with Heirloom Tomatoes, as well as an arugula and fig salad. I dare you to try it--you'll never call Domino's again. 

Whole Wheat Pizza Crust

Adapted from The Williams Sonoma Cookbook

Ingredients

1 package (or ~2.5 Tbs) active dry yeast

1 ½ cups warm water (105-115F)

1Tbs salt (plus ~1 tsp for seasoning)

2 Tbs extra virgin olive oil, plus about 1-2 tsp additional for greasing

3 ½ -4 cups whole wheat flour, divided

Preparation

1.       In bowl of a standing mixer with dough hook, sprinkle yeast over warm water and let stand until foamy (about 4 minutes). Add olive oil, ½ cup flour, and 1 Tbs salt; mix until creamy. Add additional flour, ½ cup at a time, and knead in mixer until dough is smooth but not sticky (about 10 minutes).

2.      Form dough into a ball, put in lightly oiled bowl, and turn to coat with oil. Cover bowl with towel or plastic and let rise at room temperature until doubled in bulk (about 1 hour). Divide dough into 4 balls, kneading as you shape them.

NOTE: If freezing or refrigerating dough, after step 2 (first rise), wrap each ball in aluminum foil, and freeze up to 2 weeks or refrigerate up to 4 days. To re-use, thaw in refrigerator, then following steps 3-5 to complete.

3.      Place dough balls in bowl and cover with towel. Let rise (second rise) until doubled in bulk, about 45 minutes.

4.      Preheat oven to 450F. Flatten each ball and gentry roll on floured surface, until about 8 inches in diameter (smaller if you like a thicker crust). Place rounds on flour-dusted baking sheet.

5.      Add toppings, and bake until edges are golden brown (about 10 minutes). 

Prosciutto, Zucchini and Caramelized Onion White Pizza on Whole Wheat Crust

Ingredients

¼ recipe Whole Wheat Pizza Crust (1 dough ball)

2 tsp olive oil

¼ cup part-skim ricotta cheese

1 ounce part-skim mozzarella, sliced

½ large white onion, sliced and caramelized

2 ounces prosciutto, sliced and torn into small strips

1 cup zucchini, sliced

1.5 oz (a handful) Parmesan cheese, shredded

Freshly cracked black pepper

Preparation

With back of a spoon, spread ricotta and about 1-2 tsp olive oil over rolled-out pizza dough. Layer prosciutto, mozzarella, onions, and zucchini strips. Top with parmesan cheese and black pepper. Bake at 450F for about 10 minutes, until crust edges are golden brown and cheese begins to brown.

Peanut Cabbage Slaw With Mustard-Crusted Tofu

It tasted so good that we weren't
too picky about presentation! 

I recently had a friend over for a weeknight dinner, and decided to see if I could make a tofu-lover out of her. I often attempt to get people to love things they think they hate. I doctored up some Cabbage Slaw with homemade peanut sauce and served it alongside Mustard Crusted Tofu. Check out the recipes below:

Cabbage Slaw with Peanut Sauce

Serves 2 main dishes or 4 sides

(Nutrition Facts based on 4 servings)

Ingredients

For Slaw:

1 cup snow peas

 1 Tbs sesame oil

½ head cabbage, sliced thinly

3 green onions

1 cucumber, sliced into thin half-moons

2 Tbs sesame seeds, toasted

Freshly ground black pepper

For Sauce:

¼ cup creamy natural peanut butter

Juice of 2 limes

1 Tbs reduced sodium soy sauce

1 tsp fresh ginger, grated

1 garlic clove, minced

Preparation

Lightly sauté snow peas in sesame oil.  Toss sautéed snow peas with all ingredients for slaw in large bowl. In blender, blend all ingredients for dressing.  Toss slaw and dressing together, and let sit for 1 hour before serving.

Mustard Crusted Tofu

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 12oz package extra firm tofu

3 Tbs Dijon mustard

Salt and pepper

3 Tbs olive oil

Preparation

Cut tofu into 5 strips. Place on paper towels or over colander for ~15 minutes. Coat tofu strips with mustard and sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper. Heat 2 Tbs olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Place tofu in pan and fry on one side until golden brown. Just before turning, add remaining 1 Tbs olive oil. Fry until golden brown on both sides. Serve warm. 

Healthy Breakfast Swaps

Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. Whether it's quick cold cereal before a busy workday, diner breakfast, or homemade brunch, a morning meal can rev up your metabolism after a nightlong fast. But studies show that consuming too large of a breakfast doesn't keep you from consuming more calories later in the day. Check out some breakfast swaps to give you enough energy until lunch but keep it healthy in the morning:

Instead of: Large muffin
Try: Cook up 1/2 cup oatmeal in 1 cup water. Once cooked, add 2 Tbs peanut butter and a sliced banana. Sprinkle with cinnamon.
Why: Craving a sweet breakfast? This oatmeal is my go-to in my morning routine. It's sweet without the added sugar of a muffin. The peanut butter and heart-healthy soluble fiber in the oatmeal make it filling--keeps me going until lunch. There's also a whole day's worth of potassium in the banana (great post-workout!)

Instead of: Bacon, egg and cheese on a roll at the deli
Try: Bacon and egg whites with tomato on whole wheat
Why: If you're craving a standard NYC deli breakfast, don't sacrifice the flavor entirely. We all love bacon every once in a while. Instead, treat yourself to the bacon, but cut out the sodium and calories from the cheese and leave out the saturated fat from the egg yolk. Switch to whole grain and add a veggie for added fiber.







Instead of: Eggs Benedict with Hash Browns

Try: Eggs Florentine with side of greens
Why: Vegetables are a great start to the morning! Save some calories by substituting spinach for the ham. Skip the fried potatoes and opt for greens instead--with all the starch from the English muffin, I bet you don't even miss them! Asking for Hollandaise on the side to cut calories even more.