Tag: lunch

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Steak and Watermelon Salad

steak-and-watermelon-salad

The contrasting flavors and textures of steak and watermelon salad makes for a truly exciting meal. The unlikely combination is unique and brings a surprise to the palette and your meal routine. The steak can be easily prepared in advance and the watermelon cut up so the meal prep is quick and easy. This is a great salad for nutrition as it provides its own dressing from the flavors of the marinade to the juice of the watermelon. The sweet and savory combo is a sure win for anyone but especially salad lovers.

The nutrition of the meal is as fantastic as the flavors. The steak provides good amounts of protein, good for muscle building and weight management, while the watermelon provides antioxidants. The B12 and iron from the steak will help with nerves and oxygen in the blood cells. The greens and tomatoes provide fiber and additional nutrients on top. This light and healthy meal will leave you full from the protein in the steak and hydrated from the fruits and vegetables. Perfect for a work day lunch or a summer evening.

Preparing the beef is the only potentially tough part of this meal and practice makes perfect. Searing the steak can take great timing and heat management. Everyone is different and the preferred level of doneness is up to you so learn how your grill heats up and cooks and you’ll cook perfect steaks without even trying. Slicing the steak is an important component as well. Cutting against the grain will allow for easy bites when you eat. When you cut with the grain you find that you are tearing the beef when you bite into it rather than having clean breaks. You can identify the grain of the steak by looking closely at the strands that run through it.

steak-and-watermelon-salad

Steak and Watermelon Salad

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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Course lunch
Cuisine American
Servings 2

Equipment

  • knife
  • cutting board
  • tongs
  • indoor grill pan

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz flank steak
  • 1 cup watermelon (cubed)
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes (sliced)
  • 4 cups salad mix
  • 1/4 tsp chili powder
  • 1/4 tsp paprika
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions
 

  • Marinate the flank steak with chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Then coat it with olive oil
  • Pre-heat the indoor grill pan on medium-high heat
  • Sear the steak on each side for about 3 to 5 minutes until it reaches your desired doneness
  • Then, assemble your salad by mixing the cherry tomatoes and watermelon in a bowl. Add the salad mix and dress it with your favorite salad dressing to your preferred taste (2 tbsp of dressing per serving)
  • When the beef is finished, set it aside to cool for 5 minutes
  • Slice the beef cross wise and add it to the salad mix
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Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Sausage

stuffed-sweet-potatoes-with-sausage

Stuffed sweet potatoes are delicious and a great way to mix up your meals. The usual stuffed potatoes are good too but sweet potatoes bring a new flavor and life to the dish that sets it apart. Each bite brings together the sweetness of perfectly roasted sweet potatoes and the richness of a savory sausage filling, creating a satisfying meal that’s both comforting and nourishing.

This cozy stuffed sweet potato recipe is perfect anytime of year but especially great on summer evenings or chilly winter days. It’s a quick and easy meal to put together and can be scaled up to feed the whole family. The rich flavors of the sausage is a great way to introduce sweet potatoes to anyone who is a little more picky on their meals as well.

Consider some sides as well. Additional vegetables and greens alongside this meal can really round it out nicely. The extra greens will provide additional nutrition and lighten the meal.

stuffed-sweet-potatoes-with-sausage

Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Sausage

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Prep Time 5 minutes
Servings 2

Ingredients
  

  • 2 each pre-cooked beef sausage links (3 oz each)
  • 2 each sweet potatoes
  • 1 cup pasta sauce
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 425F
  • Wash and rinse sweet potato, cover with foil and place in the oven to cook for 30 minutes
  • Meanwhile, slice the beef sausage into coins
  • Then add oil to a saute pan medium-high heat and saute the sausage slices for about 2 to 3 minutes
  • Add the pasta sauce and simmer in the pan for 5-10 minutes. Season with garlic powder and salt
  • When the sweet potatoes are finished baking, remove from the oven and let it cool
  • Once cool, slice it in half and scoop out the sweet potato (save the middle for another side dish for another meal)
  • Feel free to top off with fresh herbs such as basil
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Chicken Sausage and Leeks

chicken-and-sausage-and-leeks

Chicken sausage and leeks is a delicious take on sausage and veggies. This is a fantastic recipe for weeknight dinners. It’s easy and quick to make so even when you’re exhausted you can whip this up quickly without many ingredients. Convenience is one of the main reasons people break their diets. Instead of going to get fast food, just chop some ingredients up and toss them in a pan. You’d be amazed by what a simple dish like this can deliver in flavor and satisfaction

Our take on sausage and veggies replaces traditional sausage with chicken sausage. Chicken sausage is the healthier, leaner version and tastes great if a little different. This swap is a great option in a lot of sausage based recipes, offering more protein and lower fat. Accompanying the sausage is of course the leeks as well as bell peppers and celery. This delicious combinations of vegetables are rich in vitamins and dietary fiber that will benefit digestion and the immune system.

The dish begins with sautéing the leeks until they soften and release their sweet, mild flavor, a process that fills your kitchen with a warm, inviting aroma. The chicken sausage is then browned, adding a savory depth that complements the leeks perfectly. The dish can be cooked in one pan, minimizing cleanup and maximizing convenience.

This is a versatile recipe so making swaps on veggies or protein is completely fine. Don’t have celery, swap it for fennel, onions, or carrots and enjoy your own twist on the recipe.

chicken-and-sausage-and-leeks

Chicken Sausage and Leeks

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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Course dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Equipment

  • knife
  • cutting board
  • spatula
  • saute pan

Ingredients
  

  • 4 each chicken sausage links (sliced, 3 oz each)
  • 1 bundle fresh leeks
  • 1 each green bell pepper (diced)
  • 1 each red bell pepper (diced)
  • 1 cup celery (diced)
  • 1/4 tsp paprika
  • 1/4 tsp italian seasoning
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions
 

  • Wash and rinse your vegetables
  • Thinly slice the leeks cross wise, using the white parts of the leeks
  • Add olive oil to a saute pan on medium-high heat.
  • Add the sausage and cook through until golden brown (about 3 to 5 minutes), then remove it from the pan
  • Then add the leeks and stir for 2-3 minutes (add another tbsp of oil if needed to coat the pan)
  • Add the diced peppers and celery. Season with paprika, italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until they have wilted
  • At the end, add the sausage back to the pan and mix well
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Chicken and Mandarin Orange Salad

chicken-and-mandarin-orange-salad

Refreshing and delicious, this chicken and mandarin orange salad recipe is a perfect lunch on a busy work day or a light dinner. Salads are best served fresh however if you keep the vegetables, chicken, and oranges separate then you can easily store them and combine just before eating. The savory chicken, marinated in sun dried tomatoes and pesto, is balanced by the citrus flavor of the orange slices. You won’t need much salad dressing for this chicken and mandarin orange salad, the ingredients and marinade are excellent already.

The dish is stunning as well. The vibrancy alone makes the meal stand out and then the unique combination of vegetables, fruit, and protein make for a unique salad experience. If you’re looking for a way to add salads to your routine and have struggled with it in the past, try this recipe. It’s different then the typical salad. Or, if you’re an avid salad eater, mix up your routine with this chicken and mandarin orange salad recipe. Bring some new flavors to your usual meal prep.

This salad is super easy to make and assemble. It’s fast and versatile too. Grill or cook your chicken in an air fryer, on a grill, in the oven or even try a different protein. Steak works well with the flavors as well if you’re looking for a different take. Even adding different vegetables or nuts, for an added crunch, are great ways to mix up the recipe.

chicken-and-mandarin-orange-salad

Chicken and Mandarin Orange Salad

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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Course lunch, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Equipment

  • knife
  • cutting board
  • grill pan
  • tongs

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb boneless chicken thigh or chicken breast
  • 4 tbsp sun-dried tomato pesto sauce
  • 1 cup canned mandarin oranges (drained)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes
  • 8 cups salad mix
  • 8 tbsp choice of vinaigrette dressing
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your Indoor Griddle/Grill on Medium High
  • Marinate the chicken with the Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Sauce, covering the whole surface of the meat
  • Place the chicken on the preheated indoor griddle/grill and sear the chicken on each side for 6 to 7 minutes until the chicken cooks for an internal temperature of 165F
  • While the chicken is cooking, assemble your salad by mixing the cherry tomatoes and mandarin oranges in a bowl. Add the salad mix and dress it with your favorite dressing to your preferred taste (recommend 2 tbsp per person)
  • When the chicken is finished, set it aside to cool for 5 minutes. 
  • Slice the chicken into bite size pieces and add it to the salad mix
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Baked Salmon with Corn and Apple Medley

baked-salmon-with-corn-and-apple-medley

Baked Salmon with Corn and Apply Medley makes for a quick and delicious dinner. The tender, flaky salmon is seasoned to perfectly balance with the sweet corn and crisp apple flavor. The moisture from the corn and apples provides a beautiful bed for the salmon allowing for the crust from the salmon contrast in textures. It’s also stunning to look at it before you even dig in. The mix of savory and sweet creates a refreshing and light dinner.

The whole meal takes less than thirty minutes and requires very little technique or work. Fish can be tricky to cook but salmon is a forgiving fish and the medley provides even more range for dryness.

The salmon provides an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, beneficial for your heart. The fiber from the corn and vitamins from the apples offer a well rounded and low calorie dinner. The salmon also provides a ton of protein and healthy fats so it’s perfect for weight loss and muscle gain.

baked-salmon-with-corn-and-apple-medley

Baked Salmon with Corn and Apple Medley

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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Course dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 2

Equipment

  • knife
  • cutting board
  • spatula
  • sheet pan
  • oven

Ingredients
  

  • 10 oz salmon
  • 2 cups corn (canned or frozen)
  • 1 each apples (diced)
  • 1 tbsp green onions (chopped)
  • 1/4 tsp paprika
  • 1/4 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 375F
  • Season the salmon with paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt covering the whole surface area of the salmon
  • Drain the corn if canned, or defrost if frozen
  • Dice the apples in small pieces
  • Wash and rinse the green onions and thinly slice
  • Place the salmon on a sheet pan. Drizzle it with half of the olive oil and place it in the oven for 15 minutes until it cooks through
  • While the salmon is cooking, add the rest of the oil to the saute pan on medium high heat and saute the corn for 3 to 5 minutes
  • Once the corn heats through, add chopped green onions, the diced apples, and season with salt as needed
  • Remove from the pan and set aside in a serving dish.
  • When the salmon is finished cooking remove it from the oven and place on the serving dish with the corn medley