Mexican Rice

Ahhh...the ever famous and easy company meal.  With something for everyone (even the kids), it is always a crowd pleaser.  Mix it up the night before in the crock pot, refrigerate, and start it slow cooking just 4 hours before your guests arrive.  Love this easy dish!  Serve with black or re-fried pinto beans to make it especially fancy.


Mexican Rice Recipe

2 lbs. beef
2 large onion chopped
1 T. garlic
1 T. chili powder
1 T. oregano
1 T. cumin
1 T. salt
1 T. honey
4 c. cooked brown rice
2 cans of kidney beans
3 c. chopped tomatoes (I use my blendtec to chop these). 
4 c. sweet potato soup


Cook the perfect pot of brown rice by using a large pot.  Bring 10 cups of water to a boil. Once boiling, pour in 4 cups of brown rice.  Cover and turn heat to low, and cook for 40-50 minutes.


Meanwhile, brown beef and onion, and then pour into the bottom of 7-quart crockpot. Add the remaining ingredients and the rice when its finished.  Mix well.

Refrigerate overnight or cook immediately on low for 4 hours.  

 

Toppings:
Tortilla Chips
Romaine Lettuce chopped
Tomatoes chopped
Olives chopped
Avacado chopped

Shredded White Cheese (optional)
Ranch Dressing (recipe here)
Salsa (recipe here)
Cilantro


Layer your salad with tortilla chips, chopped romaine lettuce, Mexican rice,  tomatoes, olives, avacado, ranch dressing, salsa, shredded white cheese (optional) and chopped cilantro. 

Egg Salad Anyone?

It's not what you're thinking, but it is oh so good!

Romaine and red leaf lettuce topped with mung bean and alfalfa sprouts, cucumber, and boiled eggs . . . yum!

Use your favorite salad dressing or make you're own! Today I drizzled a little olive oil,  sprinkled a little rice vinegar, and topped it off with sea salt, coarse black pepper, and tarragon.  What do you like on your salads?

Lean & Green

 

How many different ways are there to make a lean and green meal (protein and vegetables)?  As many as you have imagination for!  As one who thrives on consistency and repetition, I was pleasantly surprised that each of these dishes had it's own flare despite the fact that they are made from essentially the same few ingredients.  Take a look.  

This simple salad...

...became an easy lean & green with the addition of some lentil sprouts to add some protein.

Celery dipped in almond butter.

Aren't the colors beautiful???  A few soaked almonds or nuts and this meal is complete.

Black bean quinoa, steamed zucchini and crooked neck with some raw carrots.  

Raw veggies and hummus to dip.

 
Mixed sprouts and lightly steamed broccoli.

Sprouted lentils, steamed vegetables, olives, and grape tomatoes.

Black beans, tomato, avocado, lettuce, hummus, blue corn tortilla chips, carrot and celery strips.

Chicken, lightly steamed green beans, olives, and alfalfa sprouts.

Akmak whole wheat crackers. Celery, jicama, and carrot strips.  Hummus and soaked almonds.

Steamed green beans, sprouted lentils, tomatoes, and olives.

Bed of lettuce, white cabbage, canned chicken, tomatoes, avocado, and soaked almonds.  

Fried kale, tomatoes, olives, sprouted lentils, and chick peas.

Bed of lettuce, cucumber, tomato, cubed jicama, steamed asparagus and baked chicken breast. 

Steamed green beans, grape tomatoes, and sprouted legumes.

Bed of lettuce, tomatoes, olives, cubed jicama, steamed green beans, and baked salmon.

Bed of lettuce, purple cabbage, mung bean sprouts, cucumber, and tomato.

Steamed green beans, alfalfa sprouts, tomato, olives, sprouted lentils, and adzuki beans.

Steamed zucchini, yellow quash, red peppers, olives, and sprouted legume mix.

Raw sweet potato chips, green pepper, soaked almonds, and hummus dip.

Bed of spinach and lettuce, cilantro, purple cabbage, tomato, cucumber, and sprouted legume mix.

Bed of lettuce and spinach, cilantro, cucumber tomato, soaked almonds, and sprouted legume mix.

Crooked neck squash, yams, olives, spouted legume mix and alfalfa sprouts.

Fried zucchini, tomatoes, olives, and alfalfa sprouts.

Luau Salad.  

Bed of lettuce, black beans, avocado, tomato, red pepper, and cucumber.

Quinoa, black beans, avocado, and tomato.

Steamed zucchini, broccoli, red pepper, boiled egg, and soaked almonds.

Raw broccoli, celery, and cucumber with hummus dip.

Steamed broccoli and sprouted lentils.

Steamed zucchini, yellow squash, green beans, tomato, olives, and sprouted legume mix.

Bed of lettuce, black beans, chick peas, tomato, avocado, and craisins.

Salad Supreme!

When I've got a healthy appetite and want to fill satisfied, this salad is sure to do the trick every time.  Lot's of greens with yummy toppings and power packed foods.

Salad Supreme

Romaine Lettuce
Red Cabbage
Spinach
Cucumber
Tomatoes
Yellow Pepper
Black Beans
Soaked Almonds
Sea Salt & Cracked Pepper

Top it with a little Trader Joe's Caesar Ramano Dressing (or your own favorite) and it's a winner!

toss a new salad

BISTRO PASTA SALAD

12 oz. pasta, cooked as directed (try rotini, bowties, or penne)
1 c. chopped Roma tomatoes
4 oz. feta cheese
2 T. dried basil
1/4 c. chopped red onion
1/4 c. sun-dried tomatoes (optional)
2 c. cauliflower pieces, steamed until tender
1/2 c. crumbled bacon bits
Creamy Caesar salad dressing (I like Trader Joe's)

Serve with spinach salad for a complete meal.

Salad anyone?

Typically, this is one of my favorite meals. I love the mixture of flavors and textures.

ASIAN SALAD

Greens (romaine & spinach or spring mix)
Mandarin Oranges (or fresh Mango if you have some)
Almonds
Chow Mein Noodles
Red Pepper
Cilantro
Green Onion (optional)
Oriental Dressing
Chicken (cooked and cubed)

1. Chop almonds, red pepper, mango, green onion and cilantro.

2. Assemble greens, and top with remaining ingredients.