birthday dessert ideas: ground turkey

Showing posts with label ground turkey. Show all posts

Showing posts with label ground turkey. Show all posts

Teriyaki Broccoli Slaw Turkey Wraps - 17 Day Diet - Day 12

I know this looks similar to a recipe I posted a few days ago, Asian Turkey Wraps. I assure you, this is different though. This is a recipe that I make every few weeks. We love it. I've posted it before but it's great for the 17 Day Diet so I'm posting it again. Plus, it really is awesome so you need to make it.

It makes a really big batch. You need a really big pan. The broccoli slaw will fill right to the brim but it will cook down so it's okay. This stores in the refrigerator nicely so it's ready for you when you need a quick meal. My family generally eats this on whole wheat tortillas. I put mine on corn tortillas or lettuce or just in a bowl, as is.

It does use bottled sauce but like I said, it makes a really big batch so it's not like you're consuming a ton of sauce at one time. Is that rationalizing? Maybe, but I'm good with that. :-)

Day 12 - 17 Day Diet Menu Plan

Egg Whites with salsa

Apple

Turkey Lettuce Wraps

Yogurt

Teriyaki Broccoli Slaw Wraps

Yogurt

I know my meals aren't very original or exciting. My morning usually starts out with eggs. They are quick, easy and filling. I've been eating a lot of lettuce wraps. I really, really love them. You can stick almost anything in a piece of lettuce. Salads are easier but the lettuce wraps seem more fulfilling to me. It is a pain to tear off the lettuce leaves in nice pieces but it's worth it. I think that the 17 day diet frowns upon bottled sweet sauces. I don't use them too often but I really, really like it in this recipe.

Asian Turkey Teriyaki Broccoli Slaw Wraps Recipe

1 lb. lean ground turkey
1 large onion, chopped
1 tbsp. ginger (I use from the jar)
2 tbsp. garlic (I use from the jar, we're garlic lovers here)
2 cans water chestnuts, drained and roughly chopped
3/4 cup teriyaki sauce
1 tsp. sesame oil
Red pepper flakes (I just put a quick shake in it, use to taste)
Salt and pepper
3 - 12 oz. bags of broccoli slaw (sometimes they come in 10 oz, it doesn't really matter)

Brown ground turkey in a pan. Throw in the onion, ginger, garlic and water chestnuts. Season with red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Stir. Pour in the teriyaki sauce and sesame oil. Stir. Put one bag of broccoli slaw in at a time and stir after each addition. The last bag might not stir in right away because your pan will be FULL. It's okay, just cover and let it cook down a bit. Cook for about 30 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes or so. Serve on tortilla wraps or lettuce leaves.

Asian Lettuce Wraps - 17 Day Diet - Day 7

Have you ever had P.F. Changs lettuce wraps? They are phenomenal. They totally rock. I skip the entre and just have the lettuce wraps as a meal. They are that good.

A few weeks ago, I scoured the internet looking for a copycat recipe. I found several different versions. I tried one and found it to be just "okay". Then I started the 17 Day Diet and knew that lettuce wraps would be a perfect meal for the program. Veronica sent me a list of her 17 Day Diet friendly recipes and right on top was this recipe for the Asian Lettuce Wraps. The timing was perfect, I didn't exactly know what was for dinner and was estatic when I realized that I had all the ingredients. This was a perfect dinner.

My first lettuce wraps used ground chicken, these I used ground turkey. I always have ground turkey on hand and it's cheaper. Plus, this recipe used coleslaw in with the meat. That was my problem with the first wraps, they seemed like too much meat. This was perfect. I think I even used more coleslaw than Veronica did but we loved it!

I just know that these will make an appearance again on the menu. The next day, I just tossed the meat mixture on a bed of lettuce. It's a much less messy way to eat them.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Day 7 - 17 Day Diet Menu Plan

Eggs

Bacon, 1 piece

Ham, 1 piece

Blueberries

40 Garlic Chicken in the slow cooker

Broccoli

Yogurt

I know that bacon and ham aren't on the first part of the 17 Day Diet menu. I caved. I did just have a little bit though. And I rationalized because the meat and eggs were both breakfast and lunch. Then we came home to a garlic smelled house. It smelled amazing in here! I bought a huge back of PEELED garlic at Costco for only $4.99. So worth not having to peel all those suckers. I've been using garlic like crazy but have hardly put a dent in the package. Then I had a yogurt for a late night snack. All in all, the day went well. I should have nixed the breakfast meat and had a yogurt instead. Next time, I promise.

Asian Lettuce Wraps

Adapted from Veronica's Cornucopia

1 lb. ground turkey

2 tsp. teaspoons olive oil

5 cloves garlic, minced

1 onion, chopped

1 tbsp. fresh shredded ginger (I used the stuff in the jar)

1/2 tsp. salt

1 bag coleslaw

2 cans water chestnuts, drained and minced

1/4 cup green onions, sliced

1/4 cup soy sauce

2 tsp. sesame oil

1 tsp. splenda or sweetener

1/2 lemon, zested and juiced

1/2 to 1 tsp. sriracha or hot sauce

1/3 cup cilantro

1 - 2 heads iceberg lettuce

Drizzling Sauce

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar

3 tbsp. water

1 tsp. splenda or sweetener

1 tsp. fresh shredded ginger

Heat a big pan on the stove. Brown ground turkey. When almost done, add chopped onion. Saute for about 5 minutes. Add garlic, ginger and salt. Cook for a few minutes. Add cabbage, water chestnuts and green onions. Cook until cabbage is wilted, about 2 - 3 minutes. Then add soy sauce, sesame oil, sweetener, lemon zest and juice and sriracha if desired. Remove from heat and stir in cilantro.

To prepare the dipping sauce, combine all the ingredients and whisk to combine. To serve, carefully remove each individual leaf from the head of lettuce, place chicken mixture on the leaves and serve with sauce.

Pineapple Meatballs

I like to make my own meatballs but when they are on sale, I will pick them up. They do make for a quick meal. Sweet and sour meatballs are my favorite. This sauce is awesome! We ate thse with brown rice and steamed broccoli. These would be a fantastic appetizer for football parties.

Pineapple Meatballs Recipe

40 frozen meatballs
1/2 of a 20 oz. can of crushed pineapple, drained
1/4 cup ketchup
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup reserved pineapple juice or water

Put the frozen meatballs in the slow cooker. In a food processor or blender, process the rest of the items and pour over meatballs. Cook 4 - 6 hours on low until meatballs are warm and done.

BBQ Beef Shepherds Pie

Did you know that before I started blogging 3 years ago, I'd never eaten shepherds pie? Now I would say that it is one of my favorite meals. I love putting meat on top of potatoes, so naturally potatoes on top of meat is a good idea.

The recipe below is for a big batch of the meat. Feel free to reduce it if you'd like but I like to make a lot and eat it throughout the week or freeze it for another meal. This freezes beautifully. You're free to add whatever veggies you fancy, I would have liked peas in it but didn't find any in the freezer. So I added the 1/2 bag of green beans on the top shelf that has been there for practically forever. You know the ones. I loved all the veggies! The more the better!

I wasn't sure how the flavored mashed potatoes would be with these flavors but it was wonderful and the flavors were perfect.

BBQ Beef Shepherds Pie
Adapted from Our Eating Habits

2 1/2 lb lean ground beef or ground turkey

16 oz. corn, frozen

1 onion, chopped

1 red pepper, chopped

1 cup green beans, frozen (or any desired veggie)

2 (4 oz) can chopped green chiles, undrained

1 1/2 cups barbecue sauce (you might need more)

salt and pepper to taste

1 1/2 lb baby red potatoes, unpeeled

Butter and milk, for mashing potatoes

1/4 cup sliced green onions (about 4)

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

2 tbsp ranch dressing

4 slices bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled

1. Cook ground beef in large skillet until browned, drain. Add onion and red pepper and cook for 4 - 5 minutes. Add corn, green chiles, BBQ Sauce and salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, continue to heat on low until potatoes are done.
2. Cook potatoes until tender in boiling water. Drain and mash with butter, milk ans salt and pepper. Stir in green onions, cheddar cheese, ranch dressing and bacon.
3. Scoop meat mixture on to plate and top with potatoes.

Triple Onion Burgers

I could eat caramelized onions on just about anything. I'm surprised I don't make them more often just to throw on random food. They stay in the refrigerator and heat up well. I might just have to whip up another batch of them. Although, we go through so many onions as it is. I buy them in bulk at Costco and it is strangely alarming how fast we go through them.

So of course it was my love of onions that drew me to this burger recipe of course. I even thought to make an onion dip to top it with.

Instead I served it with this awesome ranch potato salad. If there is anything that I love more than onions, it's ranch. It too, goes with just about anything. The onion burger and the ranch potato salad make for an awesome meal!

Triple Onion Burger Recipe

2 lbs. ground turkey
1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
1/3 cup green onions, sliced
3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
4 cloves garlic, minced

Caramelized onions
2 onions, sliced
1 tbsp. butter
1 tbsp. oil
Salt and pepper
1/2 tsp. sugar
3 tbsp. balsamic vinegar

In a bowl, combine ground turkey, red onion, green onions, salt, pepper and garlic, mix well. Shape into 6 patties. Cook in pan or grill until done.

Caramelized onions:
Melt butter in a pan, add oil and onions. Stir, cover and cook for about 5 minutes. Uncover, stir in salt, pepper and sugar. Heat about 10 more minutes or until onions are golden brown, stirring occasionally. Add vinegar, stir and serve.

One Year Ago...

Sloppy Maple BBQ Joes

This is linked with:
Works for Me Wednesday at We are THAT Family
Real Food Wednesday at Kelly the Kitchen Kop
Whole Food Wednesdays at This Chick Cooks
Gluten Free Wednesday at Gluten Free Homemaker
The Mommy Club at Crystal and Co.
Bake With Bizzy at Bizzy Bakes
Foodie Friday at Simple Living

Egg Roll Stir Fry

I consider egg rolls a treat. I will sometimes indulge in Chinese cuisine but won't often go for the egg roll. Delicious might they be, they just have too many calories.

I was intrigued when I found this recipe. I loved the idea of eating my beloved egg roll without all the calories of an egg roll, ya know?

This was really good. Super healthy and filling. I ate it plain and I did eat some with gluten free crackers the next day. Does it taste like an egg roll? Hmm...Maybe not exactly, but it is tasty, healthier alternative.

Egg Roll Stir Fry
Adapted from Once a Mom, Always a Cook

1 lb. ground turkey, beef or chicken (I used ground turkey)
1 head of cabbage
Bok choy, optional (I didn't use it)
3 - 4 medium carrots
1/2 onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 heaping tsp. ginger (I used the jarred)
1 tbsp. sesame oil
4 - 5 tbsp. soy sauce
2 tbsp. seasoned rice vinegar
1/2 tsp. fresh pepper

First, shred cabbage with a serrated knife. Next, chop the bok choy if using. Shred carrots. Set veggies aside.

Brown ground turkey with the diced onions and garlic. Then add the cabbage and carrots. Add the ginger, oil, soy sauce, vinegar and pepper. Toss as best you can and cover and cook over medium heat until cabbage has wilted, stirring occasionally. Cook for about 15 - 20 minutes until it's desired consistency.

One Year Ago...

Easy Tasty Beer Bread

This is linked with:
Works for Me Wednesday at We Are That Family
Real Food Wednesday at Kelly the Kitchen Kop
Whole Food Wednesday at This Chick Cooks
Gluten Free Wednesday at Gluten Free Homemaker
Recipe Linky at Newlyweds
The Mommy Club at Crystal and Co.
Full Plate Thursday at Miz Helen's Country Cottage

Sweet and Tangy Chili Recipe

Another chili? Yes, another chili! Chili is incredibley versatile and can be made so many ways. And by golly, I am determined to try as many as possible!

Did I really just say, "By Golly?!"

The red wine with the balsamic vinegar add a wonderful tang that is perfect in this chili. The cinnamon and the other flavors blend together perfectly!

Throw it in the slow cooker and come home to an awesome meal.

Sweet and Tangy Chili Recipe

2 lbs. ground turkey
2 onions, chopped
2 peppers, chopped
1 jalapeno, chopped
2 tbsp. garlic, minced
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tsp. beef bouillion
1 (15 oz) can of tomato sauce
1 cup ketchup
1/2 cup water (or more if desired)
3/4 cup red wine
2 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
2 (15 oz) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup + 2 tbsp. chili powder
1/4 cup + 2 tbsp. brown sugar
2 tbsp. paprika
2 tbsp. cumin
2 tsp. cinnamon
Salt and pepper

In a large saucepan, brown ground turkey. Add onion, peppers, garlic and jalapeno and cook for about 5 minutes. Pour ground turkey mixture into a large crock pot. Add the remaining ingredients and stir thoroughly. Heat on low for at least 4 hours, I cooked mine for more like 7 hours. Everything is cooked, you're just getting the flavors to come together nicely.

This makes a huge batch. It freezes well if you want to freeze half for another meal.

One Year Ago...

Italian Vegetable Soup

This is linked with:
Foodie Friday at Rattlebridge Farm

Deconstructed Stuffed Cabbage Casserole

Cabbage is a very underrated vegetable in this house. I don't cook with it a lot and I just tend to forget about it. I forget how good and tasty it is.

This casserole reminded me of lasagna. No, it wasn't just like lasagna; you would need 3 times the cheese to accomplish that. The cabbage is a fairly bland vegetable that works well with these flavors. The The health benefits of cabbage vs. pasta is of course is amazing. This was super healthy and incredibly low in calories. Oh, did I mention that it tasted amazing too?

Deconstructed Stuffed Cabbage Casserole
Adapted from Kalyn's Kitchen

1 lb. ground turkey or ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
1 tbsp. garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1 1/2 tsp. paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
1 head green cabbage, coarsely chopped
1 can (15 oz.) diced tomatoes with juice
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
1/4 cup water, (just enough to rinse out the can)
2 cups cooked rice, I used brown rice
2 cups cheese, I used 6 oz (I used colby jack)

Spray a large casserole dish, I used a 12 x 15. This makes a big casserole.

Cook ground turkey and cook until almost done. Add chopped onion and continue to cook for about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic, dried thyme and paprika and cook for about 2 minutes more. Then add the diced tomatoes with juice and tomato sauce. Rinse out the cans out with a little water, just about 1/4 cup total and add it to the pan. Let mixture simmer until it's hot and slightly thickened, about 15 - 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, cut cabbage in half, cut out core and remove any wilted outer leaves, then chop the cabbage coarsely into pieces. Heat about a tablespoon of oil (I used bacon grease) in a skillet, add the cabbage, turning it over several times so it all wilts and cooks. Season cabbage with salt and pepper.

When meat and tomato mixture has cooked for about 15 - 20 minutes and thickened a bit, stir in the 2 cups of cooked rice and gently combine.

Layer half the cooked cabbage in the prepared casserole dish. Then put in half of the meat mixture. Sprinkle half the cheese and then the rest of the cabbage. Top with the rest of the meat layer. Cover with foil and bake for about 40 minutes. Remove foil, add the rest of the cheese and cook for another 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and started to slightly brown.

One Year Ago....

La Bamba Mexican Casserole

This is linked with:
$5 Dinner Challenge at $5 Dinners
Made from Scratch Monday at Living with Food Allergies and Celiac

Next Day Chili

Chili is one of my favorite things to have in the refrigerator as a leftover. This chili intrigued me as you make it the day before and purposely eat it the next day.

I will have to admit, I did sample some the same day as cooking and I didn't notice a huge difference from the day after.

I loved the chorizo meat. I don't eat it very often and I forget how incredible the flavor is in food. Don't let the long list of ingredients scare you off, it came together easily.

Crackers and chili is one of my favorites, I prefer it to the traditional cornbread. These are Mary's Gone Crackers gluten free crackers and they were fantastic!

Next Day Chili Recipe
Adapted from Veronica's Cornucopia

2 lbs. ground beef, 93%
10 oz. chorizo
1/2 lb. bacon
1 tbsp. bacon grease
1 can chili beans, undrained
1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 large onion, chopped
2 tbsp. garlic, minced
2 tbsp. cumin
1 tbsp. oregano
2 tbsp. paprika
3 tbsp. black pepper
2 1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. sage
2 tbsp. red wine vinegar
2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
3 - 5 tbsp. hot sauce, depending on taste
1/2 cup chili powder
1 tsp. coriander
2 tbsp. maple syrup
1 - 2 cups chicken broth, depending on desired thickness
1 (6oz) can of tomato paste
1 cup tomato juice, I used V8
Red pepper flakes to taste

In a very large pan, brown ground turkey and chorizo, drain and set aside. Slice bacon into 1 inch pieces and cook bacon until crisp, set aside on paper towels to drain. Take 1 tablespoon of the bacon grease and add it to the turkey/chorizo mixture. Add all remaining ingredients, except bacon, to large pot. Simmer for 3 hours, stirring occasionally and tasting to adjust salt, pepper, chili powder and red pepper flakes to taste.

Let cool for an hour or so and then refrigerate overnight. Refrigerate bacon separately. Simmer again the next day for 2 - 3 hours, adding the bacon the last hour. Now it's ready to serve!

One Year Ago...

This is linked with:
Works for Me Wednesday at We are THAT Family
Real Food Wednesday at Kelly the Kitchen Kop
Whole Food Wednesday at This Chick Cooks
Gluten Free Wednesday at Gluten Free Homemaker
Mommy Club at Crystal & Co.

Pumpkin Hummus Wraps

Zesty Sloppy Joes

More sloppy joes. It's my blog and I can do what I want. I like sloppy joes and rarely have to make the same ones twice.

These were quite zesty. Thus the name. They went nicely with some mashed potatoes.

Zesty Sloppy Joes
Adapted from Kiddie Corner Deals

2 lbs. ground turkey, lean
1 large onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
2 tbsp. garlic, minced
1 tbsp. mustard
1 1/4 cups ketchup
1 tbsp. seasoned salt
2 tbsp. worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp. brown sugar
2 cans Rotel with green chile
1 tbsp. tomato paste (optional)

Brown ground turkey in a large skillet. Add onions, peppers, garlic and seasoning. Cook 10 minutes uncovered, stirring often. Add the ketchup, mustard, worcestershire sauce, brown sugar and rotel. Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring every so often. I added about a tablespoon of tomato paste to it to thicken it slightly and and more tomato taste.

One Year Ago...

Mexican Ground Turkey Quinoa Skillet

This is linked with:
Foodie Friday at Rattlebridge Farm
Gallery of Favorites at 21st Century Housewife
Friday Favorites at Simply Sweet Home
I'm Lovin' It at Tiday Mom

Jalapeno Poppers Stuffed Burgers

I used to make a lot of burgers. For some reason this last year I haven't made too many of them. I've been favoring the casserole or the crockpot lately it seems. Or - *gulp* - buying the premade frozen burgers. It's been awhile since I've made homemade burgers.

I don't usually like stuffing things. I'm always afraid it will ooze all out and just make a mess. With me cooking; often it does end up in a big old mess!

These worked out perfectly. They were simple to make and they didn't ooze all over. They tasted fantastic and I can't wait to make them again!

Not a pretty picture but I ate mine without the bun along with some sweet potatoes.

Jalapeno Poppers Burgers
Adapted from Colies Kitchen

2 lbs. ground turkey, extra lean
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. black pepper

4 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 tsp. ancho chile powder
1/2 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. onion powder
1 - 2 tbsp. jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced (add to taste)

Mix the meat, worcestershire sauce, salt, garlic powder and pepper.

Shape the mixture into 12 patties. Mix the cream cheese, ancho chili powder, cumin, onion powder and minced jalapeno.

Top 6 patties with the cream cheese mixture, spreading in the middle but not to the edges. Cover each patty with one of the remaining 6 patties, sealing the edges well.

Cook the patties on stovetop or grill until done.

One Year Ago...

BBQ Chicken Enchiladas

This is linked with:
Let's Do Brunch at My Sweet and Savory
Works for me Wednesday at We are THAT Family
Real Food Wednesday at Kelly the Kitchen Kop
Recipe Swap at These Chicks Cook
Gluten Free Wednesday at Gluten Free Homemaker
The Mommy Club at Crystal and Co.
Weekend Wrap Up Party at Tatertots and Jello
Ingredient Spotlight: Cream Cheese at Eat at Home

Bacon Cheeseburger Skillet

My mom died when I was young so it was just my dad who raised me and my brothers. He did his best but he didn't do a lot of cooking. We ate frozen TV dinners, potpies and a lot of hamburger helper. A lot.

This meal reminded me of hamburger helper. A nice one pot meal, browning the hamburger (ground turkey in this case) and letting the potatoes cook for awhile. Yup, just like hamburger helper.

But that's where the similarities end.

This was delicious, healthy and completely filling. No dried powedered flavor packet, but a tasty simple sauce. The bacon I already had in the fridge so it was a last minute addition. A wonderful addition I would say. I loved this casserole and was only disappointed that there weren't more leftovers.

Bacon Cheeseburger Skillet Recipe

2 lbs. ground turkey
1 red pepper, chopped
2 onions, sliced in rings
8 small potatoes, sliced (I might have used more)
1 can diced tomatoes
1/2 cup water
3/4 cup pickle relish
1/3 cup mustard
1 1/2 cups ketchup
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
Shredded or cubed cheese

Brown ground turkey until almost done. Add red pepper, onions, potatoes, diced tomatoes and water and stir together. In a small bowl, combine pickle relish, mustard and ketchup together. Add to turkey veggie mixture and stir together. Cover and cook for 20 - 30 minutes, stirring occasionally until potatoes are tender. Turn heat off and sprinkle with chopped bacon and cheese. Or you can cube your cheese and stir it in the skillet.

One Year Ago...

This is linked with:
Works for me Wednesday at We are THAT Family
Real Food Wednesday at Kelly the Kitchen Kop
Recipe Swap at These Chicks Cooks
Mommy Solutions at Crystal and Co.
Gluten Free Wednesdays at The Gluten Free Homemaker
Miz Helen's Country Cottage's Full Plate Thursday
Recipe Swap at It's a Keeper

BLT Hummus Wraps

Sweet and Spicy Turkey Sloppy Joes Recipe

Who's says you need buns for sloppy joes? Of course, it's not so sloppy on a potato. Still, they are sloppy joes.

My family ate theirs on buns. Plain old white hamburger buns. Mine? On a delicious, hot sweet potato. Gluten free but not so sloppy. Mine tasted better too!

I know, I've been putting a lot of food on top of a sweet potatoes. Get used to it. It's good.

Sweet and Spicy Turkey Sloppy Joes

2 lbs. ground turkey
2 medium onions
12 - 15 pickled jalapeno slices, chopped
2 tbsp. garlic, minced
1 tbsp. chili powder
2 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tbsp. paprika
1 tsp. allspice
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 1/2 cup ketchup
1 tbsp. worcestershire sauce
3 tbsp. brown sugar

Brown ground turkey in a pan. Add onion, jalapeno and garlic, cook until onions are tender. Add chili powder, cocoa powder, paprika, allspice and pepper. Stir together and cook for a few minutes. Add ketchup, worcestershire sauce and brown sugar. Stir until medium heat until it is heated through. Serve over a potato or sweet potato if gluten free.

One Year Ago...

Southwestern Butternut Squash

This is linked with:
Tuesday at the Table at All The Small Stuff
Hearth and Soul at 21st Century Housewife
Tasty Tidbits at Permanent Posies
Slightly Indulgent at Simply Sugar and Gluten Free
Let's Do Brunch at My Sweet and Savory
Works for me Wednesday at We Are THAT Family
Real Food Wednesday at Kelly the Kitchen Kop
Best Recipe at This Chick Cooks
Gluten Free Wednesday at Gluten Free Homemaker
The Mommy Club at Crystal and Co.
Recipe of the Week at Family Fresh Meals

Zucchini Pizza Casserole

It's time for me to rethink pizza. I love pizza but it doesn't like me. Well, the crust doesn't like me. I like a GOOD crust on my pizza and I haven't found one that I like that is gluten free. I've found some that are okay, but I find that it is fairly high calorie and not very nutritious. It seems like just the "handle" for the good stuff on top.

I also am trying to reduce the amount of meat so I made a version of this the following week with black beans instead of ground turkey and it turned out fantastic!

This casserole tastes like pizza. The "crust" is zucchini and is absolutely delicious. So you can't pick it up like pizza, who cares? It is healthy and delicious! Because I didn't use my calories on the bread, I put more cheese than I usually would.

Cheese is good and makes me happy. :-)

Zucchini Pizza Casserole Recipe
Adapted from Finding Joy in my Kitchen

4 cups shredded zucchini (I used about 5 small zucchini's)
1/2 tsp. salt
2 eggs
2 tbsp. parmesan cheese
2 oz. cheese (I used mozzarella and cheddar)
1 tsp. italian seasoning

1 lb. ground turkey (or can of black or white beans)
2 oz. pepperoni, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped

2 cups spaghetti sauce
1 medium bell pepper, chopped
4 oz. cheese (I used mozzarella and cheddar)

Shred zucchini. Mix the zucchini with 2 eggs, parmesan cheese, 2 oz. of cheese and italian seasoning. Press the zucchini mixture into the bottom of a lightly greased 9 x 13 in. glass baking dish. Bake the crust uncovered for 20 minutes at 400 degrees.

While the crust bakes, brown the ground turkey in a large pan. Add in the onion, pepperoni and spaghetti sauce and cook until onion is soft, about 5 - 7 minutes. Remove the crust from the oven. Pour the meat and sauce over the crust. Top with peppers, sprinkle with 4 oz. of cheese.

Bake for 20 minutes at 400 or until the pizza is heated through and the cheese is melted and slightly browned. Allow the dish to stand for 2 - 3 minutes before slicing and serving.

Total calories = 2200 calories
8 servings = 275 calories per serving

Vegetarian version: Sub the ground beef for black beans, I made one the following week this way and it was awesome!

Two Years Ago...

Apple Juice Pork with Squash & Golden Raisins

This is linked with:
Full Plate Thursday at Miz Helens Country Cottage
Project Linky at It's A Keeper
Ingredient Spotlight: Beans at Eat at Home

Quinoa Chili Skillet

I'm always looking for new ways to use quinoa. It's a wonderful grain that is super healthy, versatile and extremely filling and satisfying.

Pairing quinoa this time with chili proved to be a delicious choice.

I put my cup of quinoa over a sweet potato. The sweet potato soaked up the juices and tasted fantastic!

Quinoa Chili Skillet Recipe

1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
2 cups water

1 lb. ground turkey, lean
1 large onion
2 tbsp. garlic, minced
1 jalapeno, seeded and minced
1 tbsp. chili powder
1 tbsp. ground cumin
2 - 15 oz. cans diced tomatoes
2 - 15 oz. cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1 green pepper, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
1 zucchini, chopped
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. parsley
Salt and pepper
1 1/2 cups frozen corn, thawed
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Bring the quinoa and water to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to medium low, cover and simmer until the quinoa is tender and the water has been absorbed, about 15 - 20 minutes.

Heat a large pan and cook ground turkey. When the turkey is almost done, add the onions, garlic and jalapeno and cook until softened and ground turkey is done. Season with chili powder and cumin, cook for about a minute. Stir in the tomatoes, black beans, green pepper, red pepper, zucchini, oregano and parsley. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Simmer until the peppers are tender, about 20 minutes.

Add the corn and quinoa and heat through. Add the cilantro and serve.

Total calories = 2570 calories
14 cups = 184 calories per cup

This is linked with:
Full Plate Thursday at Miz Helen's Country Cottage
Recipe and Project Linky at It's a Keeper
Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum
Gallery of Favorites at 21st Century Housewife
Friday Favorites at Simple Sweet Home
I'm Lovin' It at Tidy Mom
Friday Potluck at EKat's Kitchen
Ultimate Recipe Swap at Life as Mom