Main Dishes

Crustless Quiche Florentine (Spinach Quiche)

Ahhhhh! Spring has arrived in Northern Michigan! or has it? That is always the big question Up North. But oh the beauty of it when it does. Spring up here is fickle. We had glorious days last week with the daffodils blooming and the sunshine so warm on your skin. The weather was nice enough for a picnic outside, and I actually put out my repurposed, hand painted ladder back chair I am using this summer for garden decor with a pot of daffodils. Later I will replace them with petunias. See photo down below. But the snow this morning! It was just a skiff and will be melted by noon.

Nice weather always makes me crave a good quiche! This is a new recipe I have written for Quiche Florentine. It is so light and fluffy, and it popped up in the oven and browned beautifully. I used baby spinach and a good aged cheddar with plenty of pastured local eggs. It is delicious, and I am so glad there is a piece left for me for lunch today!

Crustless Quiche Florentine (SCD, Low FodMap, Grain Free)

Crustless Quiche Lorraine

Preheat your oven to 375 Degrees F.

Ingredients:

10 Ounces of Baby Spinach, sauteed in olive oil and sprinkled in salt

12 Pastured Eggs

4 oz. of aged cheddar cheese, shredded

1/2 Cup of Coconut Milk

2 Teaspoons of Dried Chives

1/2 Teaspoon of Salt

1/4 Teaspoon of Pepper

a pinch of Nutmeg

Directions: Grease a deep dish pie pan.

Sautee the spinach in a separate pan with a tablespoon of garlic olive oil, set aside.

Whisk the eggs with the coconut milk, salt, pepper, nutmeg and chives. Fold in the cheese. Pour the egg mixture into your prepared deep dish pie pan. Now, take the cooked spinach and using tongs, place it artfully on top of the egg mixture. Place the pan in your preheated 375 degree F. oven for 40 minutes on the middle shelf until the eggs are set and the top is puffed up. The casserole should register 165 degrees F. in the center. Cool ten minutes before slicing.

Let me show you it sliced!

The quiche is SCD Legal, Gluten Free, Grain Free and just delicious, real food ingredients.

This is the chair I repurposed for my garden this summer. What do you think? I found it at a consignment shop where I live and had a hole cut in the base and then primed and painted it in whimsical colors with flowers. We get quite a bit of foot traffic by our house in the spring and summer, so I thought it would be enjoyed by the passerby.

At the end of a long, productive day, I like to take a little me time to unwind, and one of my favorite ways to do that is by reading a good book. I recently discovered Viola Shipmen! I was browsing a local bookstore and found a signed copy of The Heirloom Garden. Oh my gosh! Don’t you get so excited when you find an undiscovered to you new author whose books thoroughly suck you in with strong female characters? Now I am reading The Summer Cottage by Viola Shipmen and have more to look forward to after that, with a new one coming out this Summer.

I find a great way for winding down is a good book and a soak in the tub. I’m using Lemongrass Spa’s new Rejuvenate Bath Soak, the luscious Lemon Sorbet body polish and Cactus & Guava body wash. Lots of lovely aromatherapy!

So how have you been doing? Leave me a comment below on your favorite Spring food. Here’s to a wonderful Spring!

Sandra

Mediterranean Lentils and Cannellini Beans with Sundried Tomatoes, Olives and Peppers, Benefits of Laughter and Lemongrass Gluten Free Lip Products!

**Mediterranean Lentil and Cannellini Bean**

Hi friends! I have so much to share with you today. Let’s start with this new delicious recipe that can be served as a side dish or a main. This combination of brown lentils, cannellini beans and savory sundried tomatoes, peppers and olives is super delicious and nutritious, packable the next day for lunches, and can be prepped in advance. It is great mounded onto a green salad, served alongside chicken and fish, and good hot or cold.

You will cook the lentils first and then pour a flavorful vinaigrette on them while still warm. They soak up all the flavor of the vinaigrette, and then you layer more flavor in with the tangy, savory and salty sundried tomatoes, olives, roasted red peppers and parmesan cheese!

Lentils are a nutritious and an inexpensive way to get in some wonderful nutrients, fiber, and improve gut flora. They are often overlooked, but so delicious! Did you know that a serving of lentils has 90 percent of your RDA of folate? They are also high in polyphenols and are a good source of zinc, B6 and other important vitamins.

I used Cannellini Beans in this recipe because they are a bigger bean and creamy. They are a good source of protein and fiber. You can use any bean in this recipe you like. My favorite brand of beans is Eden Organics because they soak them overnight and that makes them easier to digest.

Mediterranean Lentils and Cannellini Beans with Sundried Tomatoes, Olives and Peppers

Ingredients:

1 Cup of Brown Lentils cooked according to package directions

1 Can of Canned Cannellini Beans (I use this brand because they are soaked)

1/3 Cup of Kalamata Olives, sliced

1/3 Cup of Oil Packed Sundried Tomatoes, finely chopped

1/3 Cup of Roasted Red Peppers, chopped

1/3 Cup of Parmesan Cheese, Grated

Vinaigrette:

2 1/2 Tablespoons of Balsamic Vinegar

1 1/2 Tablespoon of Garlic Infused Olive Oil my favorite brand, or 1 fresh minced clove of garlic

1 Tablespoon of Dried Chives

1 Tablespoon of Dijon Mustard

1/8 Teaspoon of Salt

1/8 Teaspoon of Black Pepper

(Whisk the vinaigrette all together)

Directions: Cook the lentils according to the package directions. Pour over the whisked vinaigrette after they are fully cooked and all the water is absorbed. Set aside.

While the lentils are cooling, chop up your remaining ingredients and drain and rinse your cannellini beans under cold water.

Put the lentils with the vinaigrette into a medium bowl, and add the remaining ingredients except the cheese. After stirring in the vegetables, beans and olives, fold in most of the grated parmesan and keep a little to sprinkle on the top.

You can serve the dish right away while warm, or refrigerate it and serve it cold. It is good either way.

It feels so good to laugh, and there are reasons why. Laughter reduces stress, increases your intake of oxygen, helps deepen bonds with others, reduces anxiety, and helps lower blood pressure. Sounds good, right? Just make sure you aren’t laughing at the expense of others and it’s appropriate laughter. The average 4 year old laughs 300 times a day and the average adult over 40 laughs only 4 times a day. So, because laughter is so good for you here’s a bean joke, which seems appropriate for the theme of this blog post: What’s beans’ favorite hat? A beanie 🙂 Dad joke! So sorry.

**The Benefits of Laughter for your Health**

As my loyal readers know, this is a gluten free blog, because I have gluten intolerance, I write recipes that are gluten free. I also use ONLY gluten free lip and makeup products for the same reason. It is especially important for any lip products! I absolutely love all the Lemongrass Spa makeup and lip products, because they are #1 beautiful, and #2 ALL Gluten Free!!

**Lemongrass Spa Gluten Free Lipstick and Lip Gloss**

What’s really in your lipwear?

Since lipstick, gloss and balm are so readily ingested, it should be as safe as possible. I use Lemongrass Spa Lip products because ALL of their Lipwear is Gluten Free and Organic! They actually list all the allergens on all their products.

When navigating the cosmetic aisle, it’s hard enough to find the perfect shade. It gets harder still when you want to find a safe, non-toxic version of your favorite color! It’s especially important to look for safe lip wear because the lips are a very sensitive part of the body. Everything is gluten free, and the lip glosses, lip oils and lip tints are nut free also!

I trust Lemongrass Spa Organic lip wear in all the attractive, long-lasting shades, glosses and moisturizers!

What do you prefer ?

A) Lip Balm

B ) Lip Gloss

C) Lipstick

D) Lip Oil

E) Tinted Lip Balm

**Gluten Free Organic Lipsticks and Glosses from Lemongrass Spa**

**Gluten Free Lip Oils and Lip Balms from Lemongrass Spa**

Sundried Tomato, Bean and Sausage Frittata

Well hello! I hope the end of January is finding you well! We are craving warming, hearty meals here this time of year, and if you are busy, this one dish cast iron skillet meal checks all the boxes!! My hand is raised here. I am feeding a family of five who all seem to devour food like lumber jacks. No offense to the lumber jacks, but having three full grown children and a hard working husband with a hearty appetite in the house keeps me hopping! Fortunately, I have lots of help in the kitchen too. Clean up is my least favorite part of cooking. Especially the dish washing, and Doug is happy to get in there. He is an excellent scrubber.

This Sundried Tomato, Bean and Sausage Frittata is loaded with tasty ingredients like tangy sundried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, onion, pecorino Romano cheese for a sharp, salty flavor, savory sausage, and creamy white beans! My mouth is watering!

Who else loves a wonderfully seasoned cast iron skillet? It is non-stick when cared for properly and seasoned well, plus it is a wonderful non-toxic pan!

Let’s make an awesome, hearty frittata!

Sundried Tomato, Bean and Sausage Frittata

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. I used a ten inch cast iron pan. If yours is larger or smaller, it is fine, but the oven times will vary.

Ingredients:

1 Pound of Good Quality Pork Sausage

10 Eggs

1 Cup of White Navy Beans or Cannellini Beans (I use Eden Organic canned. Drain and rinse them under water in a colander before using.)

1 Medium Yellow Onion

1 Cup of Grated Pecorino Romano Cheese

1/2 Cup of Greek Yogurt

1/2 Cup of Green Onion (sliced)

1/2 Cup of jarred Roasted Red Peppers (chopped)

1/4 Cup of Olive Oil Packed Sundried Tomatoes (finely chopped)

2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil

salt and pepper

In your cast iron skillet, cook your sausage until brown and no longer pink. Remove it from the skillet to drain on a plate with paper towel. Wipe your skillet of excess grease. Then, melt your olive oil over medium heat and add the chopped yellow onion, a sprinkle of salt and pepper, and cook until translucent. While the onion is cooking, whisk together your eggs in a bowl along with the Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup of the Pecorino Romano cheese, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.

After the onions are translucent, fold in the rinsed beans and chopped roasted red pepper maintaining the heat at medium. Add the cooked sausage back to the pan and evenly mix the vegetables, beans and meat. With a spatula make an even layer of your mixture, then pour the eggs over the top. Do not stir! Sprinkle the Frittata with sundried tomatoes, sliced green onion and the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese. Place the cast iron skillet in your oven, and bake for approximately 25 minutes until set and the top is golden brown. Serve! This goes really well with a leafy green salad!

This makes six generous servings.

Guest Post: Traditional Spanish Tortilla

I am so delighted to welcome Max from My Health Food Service as a guest today! Max lives in Spain and is sharing with us an authentic Spanish Tortilla Recipe:

Spanish Tortilla (Tortilla Española) is a traditional dish from Spain that is made with potatoes, onions, and eggs. It is a simple yet satisfying dish that can be enjoyed as a main course, a side dish, or even a quick snack. It does require some practice to get it right, so don’t worry if you don’t nail it first try.

Ingredients:

Around 1 Kg of potatoes (about 5 medium sized potatoes)
1 medium-sized onion, thinly sliced
7-8 eggs
Salt and pepper, to taste
Olive oil

Feel free to use more or less of these ingredients. The quantities are not necessarily exact. Try to use around 0.7-0.8 eggs per 100g of potatoes.

Instructions:

Peel the potatoes, clean them and chop them up into slices as seen in the image below. Add some salt to the potatoes and stir.

Add the sliced potatoes to a pan with olive oil and fry them until they are soft and lightly browned. If you have an air fryer, use that as it will be a healthier option.
In a separate pan, fry the chopped-up onions on low heat until they are translucent. Once ready, add into a large bowl together with the potatoes
In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and pour them over the potatoes and onions. Gently stir everything together.
Heat a splash of olive oil in a pan on medium-high heat, and once ready pour the whole mix into the pan. leave for a few minutes, and then start separating the tortilla from the sides or walls with a wooden spoon.
Once you can reach down and move the whole tortilla with the spoon, and you can just see that the bottom is going golden brown but the top is still liquid, it’s ready to turn around. This is the most important part.
Get a large plate that can cover the whole pan easily and place it over the top. Place a hand on the top of the plate and hold it firmly whilst you lift quickly turn it over. The tortilla should be left on the plate. Most Spanish households have a special plate designated for flipping tortillas, like the image below, but any plate large enough to cover the whole pan fully will work fine.

Place the pan back on the fire and slide the tortilla back in, so that the golden brown side is now on the top, and flatten it out with a wooden spoon. Leave it for another few minutes until you can again see that the bottom is turning golden brown.
Once ready, place the plate over the pan again and perform the same flip as before, just to take out the tortilla.

Some people like to have a tortilla with a solid middle part and some people prefer the center a bit more liquid. Feel free to try both by leaving the mix a bit longer or shorter on the second side before taking it out.

The Spanish Tortilla can be served hot, warm, or at room temperature, and can be garnished with chopped parsley or chives if desired. It’s great as a main course, side dish, or even as a snack and it’s a great way to use up leftover potatoes. You can also add some diced vegetables such as peppers, zucchini, or spinach, or even some cooked bacon, chorizo, or other meats, to make it more hearty and filling.

If you liked this recipe and would like to see more content like this, please check out My Health Food Service. Feel free to ask any questions related, to the editor Max.

Chicken Enchilada Casserole (Grain Free, Healthy, Low Carb & Delicious) Benefits of Houseplants in your Home, and Non Toxic Living

We are well into January, and I have to say I like the thought that the days are getting longer now! In fact, I find I have been using some of my Summer mugs, because they feel so bright and cheerful.

I am a lover of enchiladas and eating healthy. I think it is great to focus on foods that feed your body, mind and soul that are good for you and taste incredible, keeping in mind that if you have been eating a lot of processed and fast foods, taste buds need time to adjust to less salt and sugar. This is also a low carb recipe, so if you have been fighting belly fat, this is a wonderful casserole that tastes even better the next day.

Chicken Enchilada Casserole (Grain Free, Healthy and Delicious)

Delicious Grain Free Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Chicken Enchilada Casserole (Grain Free, Healthy and Low Carb)

Ingredients:

3 lbs. of Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs

Two Large Bunches of Swiss Chard, stems stripped, washed and roughly chopped and dried

5 oz. of Spinach

2 1/2 Cups of Carrots (peeled, chopped and steamed. You can also use baby carrots and skip the peeling)

1 Cup of Good Salsa (I used Green Mountain Gringo. You choose the heat based on your preference)

1 Cup of Plain Greek Yogurt

1 Cup of Aged Cheddar Cheese, shredded (about 4 ounces)

1/4 Cup of Chicken or Bone Broth

1 Tablespoon of Garlic Olive Oil (I like and use this brand)

1 Teaspoon of Salt, Divided plus some for sprinkling

1/2 Teaspoon of Black Pepper, Divided plus some for sprinkling

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.

Lay the chicken thighs onto a baking sheet and brush lightly with olive oil. Then, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and roast in the oven for 35 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Meanwhile, steam your carrots either on the stovetop or following the directions of your instant pot. Once the carrots are steamed, set them aside to cool slightly before pureeing. Once the carrots have cooled so they are not steaming hot, place them in a food processor along with 1/2 cup of salsa, 1 Tablespoon of garlic olive oil, 1/4 cup of broth, 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.

Sautee the spinach with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Chop the spinach.

Chop your chicken into small bite sized pieces and place it in a large mixing bowl. Add 1/2 cup of salsa to the bowl with the chicken along with 1 cup of Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, the chopped, cooked spinach, 3/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.

Grease a large 15 by 10 inch casserole with olive oil. Now the easy and magical assembly. I was impressed with how well Swiss chard bakes in a casserole. Layer half the chopped Swiss chard evenly in the bottom of the casserole. Add your prepared chicken filling. Top with the remaining chopped Swiss chard. Now spread your carrot mixture evenly onto the top of the Swiss chard, covering it as evenly as possible. Sprinkle on the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Sprinkle on a little extra black pepper.

Bake uncovered in your 400 degree F. oven for 35 minutes until the cheese is browned and the casserole is bubbly!

Yummy!!!

Today is National Houseplant Appreciate Day! Houseplants are a wonderful way to bring nature and it’s health benefits indoors. We spend so much time indoors, me too, even thought I love to exercise outdoors, garden and be outdoors, we still as humans spend the majority of time indoors. With all the inanimate objects in our homes like furniture, electronics, etc. it can feel good and benefit us to incorporate living plants in our rooms. They create a restorative atmosphere, are always changing and growing and can decrease stress and increase happiness. There are some beautiful plants out there, and some that are low maintenance and good if you have a black thumb.

Houseplants can improve air quality in your space, increase a sense of wellbeing, and give your eyes a much needed break from screens and help you relax and improve mental fatigue. They also can be a great addition to add beauty. It is important if you have small children or pets that you do your research and choose plants that are safe for them and also it is important to know if you have allergies or asthma, choose allergen friendly plants like cactus and succulents. Overwatering can cause mold growth, so read and make sure you know the water needs of your plants. I like to choose ones that need water once a week maximum. I also like to wipe my leaves with a damp cloth to keep them clean.

**Houseplants in your home can add serenity and beauty**

I am always striving for having the cleanest non-toxic living habits as possible. I want my home to be toxin free, my lawn and my skincare. That’s why I love Beautycounter so much. They are leading us to cleaner, safer beauty for all, and it doesn’t hurt that their skincare and makeup is high performing and really works. Here’s a few facts about them. I used them for a good five years before becoming a consultant, because I loved their mission and the changes they were making with beauty laws, not to mention being in love with their skin care products. They have an in house team of scientists and toxicologists, and they test for trace contaminants throughout the manufacturing process! Did you know lipsticks commonly contain lead? Yikes! The skincare regimens are fantastic, and I am obsessed with their Vitamin C Serum!

Beautycounter Clean Fact. They have in house scientists and toxicologists and are changing beauty products for the better.

Beautycounter Clean Fact. The products are obsessively tested for trace contaminants you don’t want on your body or in your bloodstream.

Drop me a line. I love to hear from you! I hope you have a great day!

Chicken Enchilada Casserole, Gluten Free, Grain Free, Low Carb

My first introduction to chicken enchilada casserole was in high school when I went over to my friend Kristy’s house, and her mom made it for dinner. I was also taught how to properly eat a whole artichoke at that time. Amazing! The casserole was absolutely delicious, and I took the recipe home with me and gave it to my mom to make (who was an excellent cook) as well.

At that time I didn’t have a clue what gluten, gluten sensitivity or celiac was. We tried to eat healthy, and also had our share of Oreos and Nutter Butters in the cookie drawer, and it being the 70’s, I was envious of the kids who got to eat tv dinners. Ha! I completely didn’t know how lucky I was to have a mom who cooked most everything from scratch and fed us plenty of garden vegetables that my dad (Pop) grew with his very capable hands, lovingly adding compost, leaves and other garden amenities every year to make the soil fertile and very black.

But I digress, this is about Chicken Enchilada Casserole that is something to brag about and be appreciated by those who partake of it. This casserole is a healthy version of a casserole I loved that also happens to be gluten and grain free. A little secret…cashew based sauces are a creamy alternative to cream cheese.

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Ingredients:

8 cups of chopped, cooked bone in chicken thighs

1 Cup of Gluten Free Enchilada Sauce (I used this brand)

2 Tablespoons of Chopped Green Chilies (I used a gluten free brand from the grocery store)

1 Tablespoon of Taco Seasoning (I used this brand which is gluten free and no fillers and delicious)

1 Cup of Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese (for the top)

1 Cup of Plain Greek Yogurt

Salt and Pepper for the Chicken to Taste

My Recipe for Dairy “Cheese” Sauce here:

Dairy Free Cheese Sauce:

1 Cup of Raw Cashews soaked in 4 cups of water for 4 hours, then rinsed and drained)

1 Red Bell Pepper, seeded

1/4 Cup of Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice

1 Tablespoon of Nutritional Yeast

1 Teaspoon of Ground Tumeric

1/2 Teaspoon of Onion Powder

1/4 Teaspoon of Salt

Directions:

Soak your cashews. You can also do this in the refrigerator overnight.

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Lay out your bone in skin on chicken thighs in a single layer. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and roast in the oven for 40 minutes. Remove the chicken from the oven and set aside to cool.

Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F.

While the chicken cools a little, drain and rinse your soaked cashews. Blend up your sauce using the soaked cashews (we soak them to soften them and get them really, really creamy).

In a high speed blender, add the cashews and all the Cheese Sauce ingredients, and using your plunger blend it on high until it is completely combined and very creamy.

Remove the bones from the thighs, and chop them into bite sized pieces. Put them in a big mixing bowl, and add in your cashew cheese sauce you just blended and the rest of the ingredients except the shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and combine using a rubber spatula. Grease a large casserole dish, and put your chicken enchilada mixture in to the dish. Spread evenly.

Sprinkle the shredded sharp cheddar cheese on top, and bake for 30 minutes until the sides are bubbly. If you’d like, you can refrigerate it to bake later, just increase the baking time to 45 minutes.

Enjoy!

Gluten Free Shredded Chicken Bowls Board!

Everyone loves a bowl! This is a chicken board you can make for dinner and set out bowls for everyone to grab and assemble as they like.

Meal Board with Shredded Chicken for Dinner

When I serve up shredded chicken with a mixture of crunchy, salty, chewy, crusty, creamy, savory and spicy ingredients, toppings and sauces, it is always a hit. People like to create their own versions based on their preferences and it pleases everyone.

This shredded chicken bowls board is a complete meal. Just hand everyone a bowl and tell them to dig in and pile high. I included a sweet, spicy, delectable house hot sauce from American Spoon Foods that is made with apricots, habanero chilies, ginger and lime. Choose ones your family and guests like. This one is delectable, and a great discovery. The other sauce is Chili Crisp which is very spicy, and trendy and has a lot more heat.

One of the fast things about this recipe is you will use an instant pot (or you can use a store bought rotisserie chicken and shred it to save time.) To cook the chicken in the instant pot, add one cup of water to the pot, place the whole chicken on a wire rack insert and sprinkle with Greek Gyro seasoning or another blend you like. This one is a very versatile one I always have in my pantry. Put the lid on the instant pot and seal. Set the manual timer for 25 minutes on high pressure. After it is done, let it sit and release slowly for 20 minutes. I’ve made this many times and some days I let the chicken set on warm until I am ready to shred it and it holds for a few hours which is very convenient. Let’s go!

Gluten Free Shredded Chicken Bowls

Ingredients:

1 Whole Cooked Chicken, shredded

1 Cup of Quinoa (I use a rice cooker!)

A loaf of good gluten free artisan bread (shown here is Challah from Gluten Free Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day. I highly recommend it if you want to take your gluten free bread baking to the next level.)

Shredded, Aged Cheddar Cheese

Cannellini or White Kidney Beans (I use Eden Organic)

Chopped Avocado

Chopped Tomato

Chopped Onion

Bacon, Cooked and Chopped

Marinated Asparagus (I used this one from Thrive Market)

Pitted Kalamata Olives

Hot Sauce

Chili Crisp Sauce

**Gluten Free Homemade Challah Bread with Everything Bagel Topping**

Directions: Prepare the quinoa as directed, or in the rice cooker, my favorite way. Rinse 1 cup of quinoa, then place it in the rice cooker with two cups of water and a half teaspoon of salt. Turn it on. Shred the Cooked Chicken, and Place it in a big bowl. Chop your avocado, tomatoes and onion. Rinse the beans and warm them in a bowl.

Place all the ingredients and toppings on a big board on your counter for serving. Place some pretty bowls beside it and let everyone make their own!

Mediterranean Chicken Salad

There are so many varieties to chicken salad, and I love a good chicken salad recipe! It seems like every time I make one it is gobbled up to the point people are fighting over the last of it. Maybe I don’t make it often enough.

If you ask me, “Do we need another chicken salad recipe?”, it is a resounding “yes!”. Variety is important, and this Chicken Salad is very colorful! After all, we eat with our eyes first! The wonderful thing about this chicken salad is it is Mediterranean! Mmmm! So much flavor, and one of the healthiest ways to eat in the world. It has sundried tomato bruschetta, fresh basil (my favorite fresh herb), delicious roasted red peppers, black olives and the tang of red wine vinegar. It also has the crunch from fresh celery, and two kinds of onion flavor…..green onions and chives! You will need a whole roasted chicken, and I am totally all for a good store bought rotisserie chicken if you are tight on time. There are so many good ones, and many of them are gluten free. If you are making the chicken at home, you can oven roast it or use an instant pot to cook it. Another good trick of mine is to roast two chickens at once. One is for dinner that night, and I make the other one into chicken salad. It’s a time saver and smart cooking!

Chicken salad is such a great lunch option in my opinion. You can heap it over a salad, one of my favorite ways to eat it, make a sandwich, or serve it alongside something else. For dinner, I like to pull it out of the refrigerator after having made it earlier in the day, and then make some sides to go with it. It makes an easy dinner night that everyone here really loves. Did I mention Make Your Own Wrap night? That’s another winner. Just put out the wraps, the chicken salad and some toppings and sauces. People can make it their own. Another great thing about this recipe is, it is just as delicious, if not better, the next day with all the flavors melding. I do hope you will try this recipe, Let me know what you think!

Mediterranean Chicken Salad

Ingredients:

1 Whole Cooked Chicken, deboned, skin off and chopped

3/4 Cup of Sliced Black Olives

1/2 Cup of Sundried Tomato Bruschetta

1/2 cup of Fresh Basil, torn

1/2 cup of Sliced Green Onion (aka scallions)

1/3 Cup of Mediterranean Organic Roasted Red Peppers, diced

2 Stalks of Fresh Celery, diced and you can include the leaves too

1/3 Cup of Chopped Pecans or you can use Pine Nuts

1/4 Teaspoon of Salt

1/2 Teaspoon of Black Pepper

1 Tablespoon of Chives (fresh or dried)

1/2 Teaspoon of Dried Oregano

1/3 Cup of Olive Oil

2 Tablespoons of Red Wine Vinegar

Directions: Whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, chives and oregano to make your dressing. Place all the other ingredients into a large bowl after chopping and prepping them as directed above, and then pour over the dressing and toss thoroughly. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

I hope you love this recipe as much as I do! I’d love to hear from you.

Sheet Pan Salsa Chicken

Two words…chicken and salsa! They just go together in a palate pleasing way, and sheet pan meals are some of my favorite weeknight ways to cook for the family!

When I am roasting boneless chicken, thighs are my go to, because they never disappoint! I do love a juicy chicken breast, but honestly you need to be right on top of it to get the chicken out right when it reaches 165 degrees F. and not a minute after to get a really juicy breast, and the best flavor for chicken breasts is bone in. I had seven chicken thighs, but this will vary depending on the size.

Back to this utterly delicious Salsa Chicken recipe! It’s on my rotation menu based on all the Mmmm’s I am getting from the kids and hubby. Choose your favorite salsa for this. I used Fody Foods Low FodMap Salsa in this recipe which was surprisingly delicious since it didn’t have the traditional onion and garlic in it. But use your favorite, and your favorite heat level! The salsa is a vessel for the fresh tangy lime juice and green onion. Another spring favorite addition to meals. Greens onions are lovely sprinkled on savory dishes in general. They are exceptional on salads too. If you are eating Low FodMap, Fody Foods is a great choice. You will also need a can of black beans. My favorite canned beans brand is Eden which is headquartered in my home state of Michigan. They are non-gmo, soaked (very important for digestion), organic, and in BPA free cans. I always rinse my beans under cold running water before using them.

I have never in my recent memory been so glad for Spring to be here. The winter seemed longer than usual, and I love the promises of Spring with renewal all around us and new growth! When I saw this blue sheet pan I’m using at my local Marshall’s I had to grab it. The color was so gorgeous! It is so good to go outside for a walk and hear so many birds singing, and best of all, wearing tennis shoes instead of boots. There is a feeling of freedom not being bundled up against the cold. I am not one to stay inside all winter, I need to be outdoors because the fresh air just feels good, and it boosts my mood. I’m just starting to get out into my gardens and do some clean up! I see the deer are out and about too. They are very hungry, even eating out of my bird feeder, so I forgive them for digging up a couple of my tulip bulbs.

*Mexican Seasoned Chicken for Sheet Pan Salsa Chicken*

In this chicken recipe I have two colors of peppers. Did you know peppers are higher in Vitamin C than oranges? They are a perfect addition to this salsa chicken. Feel free to substitute any colored peppers you have on hand. Green would be good too.

I mixed up a Low FodMap Mexican Spice blend to coat the chicken that is delectable. Cumin gives the chicken a smoky flavor, and it is not hot, so it won’t blow your socks off! If you are into that, you can use a hot salsa and your favorite hot sauce at the table like my son, Jeff. 🙂

I’d like to add that if you are having digestive problems, a gut health and microbiome test can be very helpful, and balancing your gut can be a huge help in overcoming FodMap intolerance. FodMaps are very beneficial to feeding the good bacteria in your gut, which you want. Low FodMap eating can help alleviate symptoms, but it is always good to get to the root cause. I highly recommend this Gut Health Test from Thorne which is surprisingly reasonable, I just took it myself, you can do it at home and the report is extensive and very helpful with recommendations based on your results and a deep dive into your gut.

To make this dish very Low FodMap, omit the black beans which are a moderate fodmap. Beans do have a lot of health benefits, and soaked beans are easier to digest.

Sheet Pan Salsa Chicken

Ingredients:

3 pounds of boneless chicken thighs

1 16 oz. jar of salsa

2 large bell peppers, one yellow one red

1 can of Black Beans, drained and rinsed under water (I always use Eden in my recipes)

3 green onions, sliced (green parts only for Low FodMap)

Juice of 1 Lime (A juicy one. Limes can be finnicky)

Garlic Infused Olive Oil

Mexican Spice Blend:

1 Tablespoon of Cumin

2 Teaspoons of Chili Powder

1/2 Teaspoon of Oregano

1/2 Teaspoon of Salt

1/2 Teaspoon of Black Pepper

Directions: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease a large sheet pan. I used Avocado Oil spray. Put your chicken thighs in a medium bowl. Add a tablespoon of garlic olive and toss to coat the chicken.

Mix together the Mexican Spice Blend. Sprinkle it over your chicken, and toss again until the chicken is evenly coated. Place the chicken thighs evenly spaced on your large sheet pan. Put the chicken in the preheated oven and roast for 20 minutes.

While the chicken is roasting. Put your salsa in a bowl. Add the can of drained and rinsed beans, sliced green onion, and the juice of a lime. Stir it together. Mmm. It’s looking good!

Wash, seed and slice your peppers into long strips. In a bowl, toss the peppers with an additional Tablespoon of Garlic Olive Oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.

When the 20 minutes are up for the chicken roasting in the oven, pull it out and nestle the peppers around the chicken thighs, not on top of them. That’s for the salsa. Now, mound the black bean salsa mixture over each of the thighs evenly. Place the sheet pan back in the oven and continue roasting for 20 more minutes until the peppers are tender and the chicken is cooked through. Your house is going to smell amazing by the way.

It is ready to serve. You can serve this over cauliflower rice or a rice of your choice. It is absolutely delicious. Don’t forget the pan juices. Spoon them up too. If you love Mexican food, you and your family will love this meal. It is a wonderful, healthy and delicious sheet pan chicken meal! Leftovers are not a problem either, unless you don’t have any. Guess what I’m having for lunch today? 😉 Please leave any comments below. I love to hear from you. Are you enjoying Spring? What is blooming in your area, and what is your favorite Spring meal lately? Have a wonderful day!

Spiralized Zucchini Casserole

Spring is finally here! It’s time for dishes that are lighter, and Easter is just around the corner.

Spiralized vegetables add variety and interest to meals instead of eating them the same old way. This Spiralized Zucchini Casserole is perfect for spring, and it is perfect for Easter brunch or dinner too.

There is no dairy in this dish, but I did add some nutritional yeast which gives it a hint of umami flavor, plus it is a great source of B12 vitamins. If you haven’t tried a spiralizer yet, I highly recommend one. They are very inexpensive and you can do so much with them.

Here’s the recipe:

Spiralized Zucchini Casserole

Ingredients:

4 Medium Zucchini Spiralized, I used the ribbon blade (about 4 cups)

13 Eggs

1/2 Cup of Good Mayo

2 Shredded Carrots

2 Teaspoons of Nutritional Yeast

1 Heaping Tablespoon of Djon

2 Teaspoons of Dried Chives

1 Teaspoon of Dried Parsley

1 Teaspoon of Salt, or to preference

1/2 Teaspoon of Black Pepper

Directions: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 9 x 13 glass baking dish and set aside.

Spiralize your zucchini into ribbons and lay them evenly in your greased pan. If you want to make it even faster, you can buy fresh spiralized zucchini at your grocery store.

Whisk together your eggs, nutritional yeast, mayonnaise, Djon mustard, chives, parsley, salt and pepper. Stir in your shredded carrots. Pour the egg mixture over the spiralized zucchini in your casserole pan. It will cover your zucchini, but some will still be poking up. Use a fork to get as much under the eggs as possible. It doesn’t need to be completely immersed. Bake in your preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes until the edges are golden brown and the eggs are set.

Spiralized Zucchini Ready for Egg Mixture

Serve! Yum! These make excellent leftovers for breakfast too! Let me know what you think! Any other recipes you would like to see me healthify? Let me know in the comments!