Tag: carrot

Soy-Free Chicken Fried Rice

Categories Recipes1 Comment on Soy-Free Chicken Fried Rice

Fried rice is such a comfort food in our house, and a weeknight staple that we have made many versions of over the years.  This Soy-Free Chicken Fried Rice has the perfect balance of chicken, egg, and veggies, all while being allergy friendly!

The flavors and ingredient ratios of this recipe are specifically tailored to blend with the taste of the Coconut Aminos soy sauce-alternative.  Therefore, if you don’t have a soy allergy and want to try using a more traditional soy sauce, note that it will not be a 1:1 ratio.

That being said, you will not miss the soy sauce at all!  Even those without allergies love this dish.  It’s a fun and tasty way to mix things up!

(This post contains affiliate links from which I may earn a commission if you make a purchase. Read more here!)

Main Supplies Needed:

  • Knife & Cutting Board
  • Garlic Press
  • A Medium Pot
  • A Medium Pan
  • Wok (or equivalent)

Servings: 4 Bowls

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/4 Cups (Dry) Long-Grain White Rice
  • 3 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Oil, divided
  • 2 Cloves Garlic, crushed
  • 1/2 + 1/2 Tsp Red Pepper Flakes, divided 
  • 1 1/4 lb Chicken Breast, cut into 1-2” pieces
  • 1 Tsp Kosher Salt
  • 4 Eggs, scrambled
  • 2 Peeled Carrots, diced
  • 1 Red Bell Pepper, chopped
  • 1/2 Yellow Onion, cut into thin strips    
  • 1/2 Cup + 3 Tbsp Coconut Aminos, divided 
  • Sea Salt, to taste
  • 1/4 Tsp Onion Powder
  • Chopped Green Onions, to garnish

Directions:

Rinse and cook the rice according to the package instructions, and set aside

While the rice is cooking, warm up 1 tbsp of the sesame oil in a pan on medium heat on the stove

Add the garlic and 1/2 tsp of the red pepper flakes, and cook together until the garlic lightly browns

Add the cut chicken and cook thoroughly along with the kosher salt

Once the chicken is cooked, turn off the heat and set aside

In a large wok, add in 1 tbsp of the oil along with the scrambled eggs

Turn on the heat to medium, and slowly cook the eggs, breaking them into bite-sized pieces

Once the eggs are cooked, but not overcooked, add in 1 more tbsp of oil along with the carrots, bell pepper, and onion

Add in the 3 tbsp of coconut aminos

Cook the veggies with the eggs until they soften, stirring regularly (the moisture will cook off, and the onions will become translucent)

Turn the heat down to low

Add in the cooked chicken pieces along with a pinch of sea salt and the other 1/2 tsp of red pepper flakes

Next add in the cooked rice, slowly adding in the other 1/2 cup of coconut aminos, mixing together until evenly coated 

Add another pinch of sea salt, as well as the onion powder, stirring in evenly

Turn off the heat

Top each serving with a generous garnish of green onions

Serve with extra sea salt available 

Enjoy!

[Store leftovers sealed in the refrigerator.]

Whole Wheat Apple Carrot Muffins

Categories Recipes3 Comments on Whole Wheat Apple Carrot Muffins

Super soft, hearty, and a blank slate for breakfast, these Whole Wheat Apple Carrot Muffins are so convenient to have on hand!  They’re not overly sweet, and are best enjoyed either warmed up with some butter on top, with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup, combined with yogurt, or with a smear of your favorite nut butter.  Most of the ingredients are likely in your pantry already, plus you get to sneak in some veggies and whole grains…Win-win!

Servings: 12 Muffins

Ingredients:

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350º

Line the muffin pan with muffins liners

Peel and finely grate the carrots, and set aside

Measure out the apple sauce, and set aside

Melt the butter in a large bowl (such as glass in the microwave)

Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the melted butter and stir until combined

Add the brown sugar and stir again until combined

Stir in the applesauce and carrots, then set the wet ingredients aside

In another medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, sea salt, baking powder, and baking soda

Add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, and stir together until well combined

Fill the 12 muffin liners to just below the tops

Bake for approximately 23 minutes, or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean

Dig in while they’re warm from the oven, or store them sealed in the refrigerator or freezer after they’ve cooled

[Reheat in the microwave whenever you’re ready for one, and they’ll taste just as good as they did straight from the oven!]

Enjoy!

Ingredient recommendations linked!

Want more muffins?  Check out my Whole Wheat 2-Banana Muffins!

One-Skillet Beef & Veggie Empanada Filling

Categories RecipesLeave a Comment on One-Skillet Beef & Veggie Empanada Filling

This One-Skillet Beef & Veggie Empanada Filling is a must-try!  The ingredient preparation is so darn simple and it’s all combined in a single skillet!  You can use either a homemade or store-bought dough of your choosing to then bake the savory pastries.  This recipe fills about 13 medium-sized empanadas making it a perfect choice for a group meal, or for easily reheated leftovers in a smaller household.

The flavors make salsas and guacamole natural toppings for serving, and the level of spice can be adjusted by adding more or less cayenne.

Servings: Filling For Approx. 13 Medium Empanadas

Ingredients:

1 Yellow/Sweet Onion, finely chopped

1 Large, Or 2 Small, Russet Potatoes, peeled and diced

2 Full Sized Carrots, peeled and finely diced

3 Garlic Cloves, minced or crushed

2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 Cup Beef Broth

1 Lb Ground Beef

2 Tbsps Tomato Paste

2 Tsp Chili Powder

1/2 Tsp Cumin

1 Tsp Cayenne

Sea Salt And Black Pepper To Taste

Additionally:

2 Eggs + 1 Tbsp Cold Water For Egg Wash

Directions:

[If you are making a homemade dough, prep ahead of time, refrigerate, and bring back to room temperature accordingly.  If using a premade/frozen dough, follow package instructions for thawing.]

Finely chop the onion

Peel and dice the potatoes

Peel and finely dice the carrots

Mince the garlic (or use a garlic press)

In a large skillet, add the olive oil and then all of the above (onions, carrots, potatoes, and garlic) and start cooking on medium heat

Stir veggies often, adding in splashes of water if they are getting dry

Once the veggies have softened significantly, add in 1/2 a cup of the beef broth, then once it cooks off, add in the other 1/2 cup

If additional softening of the veggies is still needed, continue to cook with splashes of water until cooked thoroughly

Add in the ground beef, disperse, and cook evenly among the veggie mix, continuing to add splashes of water if too dry

Lower the heat

Add in the tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, cayenne, salt, and pepper

Taste test and adjust the spices to your taste (I recommend a lot of salt and pepper)

The final consistency should be slightly mushy (see photos) 

Remove the skillet from the heat

[From here:

Preheat the oven to the specific temperature required for your dough

Cut the dough into circular shapes

Fill the empanadas

Fold over

Seal by pressing with a fork

Brush with an egg wash if your dough requires it

Bake according to your dough instructions – For my dough it was around 30 minutes at 400º, but this is variable!]

Serve final empanadas with the salsa or guacamole (or both!) of your choice

Enjoy!

[Leftovers can be stored sealed in the refrigerator.]

Healthy Sherbet Smoothie

Categories Recipes, Snacks1 Comment on Healthy Sherbet Smoothie

4 INGREDIENTS + SUPER REFRESHING ON A HOT DAY!

Last week our temperatures rose to nearly 100° and it’s only April!  When the heat is that intense, the kitchen becomes filled with iced (decaf) coffees, margaritas, and of course, smoothies.  This Healthy Sherbet Smoothie is a new favorite!  It’s super thick like a shake, only requires 4 ingredients, and is both protein and vitamin-rich.  It makes for a great snack to beat the heat!

The frozen fruit makes this smoothie icy and thick while the greek yogurt adds creaminess. The juice and the frozen fruit create the perfect amount of natural sweetness as well. Whether you’re in need of a post-workout cool down or a summer poolside treat, it’s ready in 5 minutes.

NO PREP NEEDED FOR THIS HEALTHY SHERBET SMOOTHIE

Simply throw the ingredients into the blender and enjoy!

Servings: 1

Ingredients:

  • 1 Serving Frozen Peaches (approx. 1 cup)
  • 1/2 Cup Lakewood “Orange & Carrot” Juice
  • 1/2 Cup Plain Greek Yogurt (I used nonfat, but full fat would be delicious as well!)
  • 1/2 Of A Chopped Large Frozen Banana (or 3/4 Of A Chopped Small Frozen Banana)

Directions:

Blend the ingredients together until creamy

Serve and enjoy!

Ingredient recommendations linked!

Want more smoothies? Check these out!

Peanut Butter Blueberry Banana Smoothie

Berry & Peach Sunbutter Smoothie

Banana Cherry Smoothie

Protein “PB & J” Smoothie

Berries & Cream Smoothie