Air Fried Chickpeas

Quarantine has got me like a mad science experiment. I try new recipes on a daily basis like it’s my full-time job. Finding different ways to expand my palate is fun for me. It brings me joy when I create a masterpiece.

One of my favorite meals is snack time. I can eat a meal full of calories with snack food. It’s easy to eat a ton of them, which could wreak havoc to your body if you’re eating junk food.

I found a healthy way in order to combat this habit. Instead of shaming myself for my love of snacks, I felt a sense of peace knowing what I’m putting into my body. When I prepare my food at home, I feel powerful having self-control over eating an entire bag of potato chips. If I end up eating a lot of my own food, I don’t end up eating as many calories. That alone has helped me be able to sustain weight loss for over 8 years. I still allow myself room to eat treat food, but I don’t feel guilty when it’s done in moderation.

Roasted chickpeas are my new #1 favorite salty snack swap. I could eat an entire can of them (although it is not a good idea because it’s a LOT of fiber).

I’ll leave the recipe here so you can have some of these ASAP.

Ingredients:

• 2 (15 oz) cans Garbanzo beans - drained, rinsed, and patted dry

• 3 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• 4 Tbsp. Flavor God Seasoning (I used Nacho Cheese and Taco Tuesday Seasonings)

Directions:

1. Preheat air fryer to 390 Degrees F.

2. Clean garbanzo beans by getting the clear skin off as many as you can.

3. Mix garbanzo beans, spices, and oil in a mixing bowl.

4. Cook for 25-30 minutes. Stir after 15 minutes. After 30 minutes, cook and stir in 5 minutes intervals. Cook until they become brown and crunchy, but not burnt.

5. Serve with more seasoning and enjoy!

Is your mouth watering yet? I have more recipes for you like this one to help curb your salty snack craving.

Air Fried Zucchini Chips

I have become obsessed with my air fryer. I recently received an instapot as a quarantine gift, which has an air fryer component. I’ve been using it almost every day to add a whole new level to my taste buds. I love how crispy everything gets without the sogginess I sometimes get from oven roasting the same exact food. When it comes to making zucchini chips in the oven, one side of the zucchini cooks properly while half of it burns. The first time I tried zucchini chips in the air fryer, they turned out perfectly. Needless to say, I will never be putting my zucchini chips in the oven ever again. They didn’t even last for an hour before my family ate it all. Now, I get to share the recipe behind the deliciousness so you can get your hands on some straight away.

Ingredients:

• 4 small or 3 medium zucchini, sliced

• 3 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• 4 Tbsp. Flavor God Seasoning (I used everything, garlic, and taco seasoning)

Directions:

1. Wash your zucchini and pat it dry with a paper towel. Cut the zucchini into thin slices either by hand or with a mandolin.

2. Mix the zucchini, oil, and seasonings in a bowl.

3. Set the instapot to air fry at 350 degrees F. Cook for 40 minutes. Stir at 15 minutes and at 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, stir at 5-minute intervals until the zucchini are at your desired crispiness. When they are done, they will be brown and crunchy, but not burnt.

4. Top with more seasoning and serve while they’re hot!

Is your mouth watering yet? I have more recipes for you like this one to help curb your salty snack craving.

Quinoa Stuffed Peppers with Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette

I have been craving stuffed peppers for a long time. However, I haven’t cooked these in 5 years. Stuffed peppers are something I would eat as a child on a regular basis. Either, my parents would cook them or I would eat it out of a Stouffer’s frozen dinners. They tasted like I wanted more. I could down 3 of those peppers and still be hungry. I wanted to find a way to amp the nutrition and quality without compromising the childhood nostalgia. Quinoa has become a staple for being able fill me up more than rice. Since quinoa is a complete protein, it digests slower in the body than your typical carbohydrate counterpart. You’ll get fuller faster while eating in a way that energizes your body. The added vegetables add more bang for your buck by being able to stuff more nutrients in each pepper. The best part is that this dish can be modified to fit your dietary needs. You can add ground beef or turkey for an extra protein kick or use beans to make this dish plant-based. Adding dairy is completely optional. My homemade cilantro lime vinaigrette is what takes this pepper to the next level because you won’t find anything like this in a restaurant. Find my out-of-this-world recipe below.

Ingredients:

• 5 red peppers, seeded and sliced in half

• ½ cup uncooked quinoa

• 1 lb ground beef or turkey (85% fat and 15% lean)

  ** Note: Can swap for 1 15 oz can of black beans (drained and rinsed) if vegetarian

• 1 cup water or vegetable broth

• 4 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• ½ onion, diced

• 3-4 ribs of celery, chopped

• 1-2 fresh tomatoes, diced

• 1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped

• 1 5 oz bag of spinach

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 Tbsp. chili powder

• 2 tsp paprika

• 1 tsp cumin

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• ½ tsp dried basil

• 1 cup cheddar or pepper jack cheese (can omit if dairy-free)

For the Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette

• ½ bunch of cilantro, washed and patted dry

• 2 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• 2 Tbsp. water or vegetable broth

• 1 lime, juiced

• 1-2 Tbsp. honey

• 1 clove garlic

• 1 cap full of apple cider vinegar

• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

1)      Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

2)      Wash and rinse the quinoa before placing it in a pot with 1 cup of water or vegetable broth. Bring the water to a boil. Then, cover and let simmer until all the water has evaporated (15-20 minutes).

3)      In a sauté pan, begin cooking the ground meat until it is all browned (10-15 minutes). Drain in a colander to remove excess grease from the pan.

4)      Cut your vegetables. In a separate sauté pan, turn the heat to medium. Add the oil and wait for the pan to heat up for 1 minute. Add the onions and celery. Sauté for 3-5 minutes until they get soft. Add the jalapenos and stir for another minute. Add spinach, tomatoes, and garlic. Stir until the spinach is wilted.

5)      Prepare your peppers and place them on a 9x9 casserole dish with cooking spray. Cut the pepper in half the long way. Clean the pepper by removing the white part and the seeds.

6)      Once the meat and quinoa are fully cooked, combine with the vegetables. Stir to combine and add seasonings to the mixture.

7)      It’s time to stuff the peppers now. With a spoon, evenly fill all the peppers and top them with cheese.

8)      Place the peppers in the oven foiled for 40 minutes.

9)      While the peppers are cooking, prepare the cilantro lime vinaigrette by placing all the ingredients in a high-powered blender. Adjust ingredients to preferred taste. Place the dressing in a bowl and set aside.

10)   When the peppers are done, remove from the oven, uncover, and serve with cilantro lime vinaigrette. Enjoy!

Looking for some more recipes to stay on track while being in quarantine? Check out my new recipe e-book “Quarantine Clean Eating” using ingredients you already have in your pantry.

Bean and Quinoa Burgers

This stay-at-home order has got me doing a pantry makeover. Over the last year or so, I’ve collected tons of dry ingredients, canned goods, and spices that have been sitting there unused. All that was unnecessary spending that could have been used more productively.

I had a huge craving for burgers, but not for meat. Lately, my body has been wanting more vegetables. I’ve been using this time to get more connected to my health and be more consistent about it. I would have spurts where I would eat super healthy for a week and then eat like shit the next. It was messing with my psyche by not staying on track. I started feeling bloated and was getting sick more often. Eating less meat has helped me maintain a healthier balance in my diet. Plus, I’m saving tons of money by not going out to eat. A lot of the ingredients are inexpensive while getting a ton of leftovers out of it.

Enjoy this family-pleasing burger with a side of sweet potato fries, sauteed spinach, and a homemade honey mustard sauce. The perfect well-rounded dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 29 oz cans beans of choice (or equivalently 3 15 oz cans), drained and well-rinsed ** Can use any other type of bean here as well like black beans or cannellini beans. I used pinto beans in this recipe.

• 2 cups cooked quinoa

• 1 red pepper, diced

• 1/2 white onion, diced

• 1 1/2 cup gluten-free panko breadcrumbs

• 2 large eggs

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 Tbsp all-purpose gluten-free flour (I used almond flour)

• 2 Tbsp Trader Joe's Everything but the Bagel Seasoning

• 1 tsp dried mustard powder

• Heaping ½ tsp dried basil

• Heaping 1 tsp oregano

• ½ tsp paprika

• ½ tsp black pepper

• ½ tsp kosher salt

• 2-4 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil for sauteing

For the Vegetables:

• 2-3 medium-sized sweet potatoes, peeled, and cut into fries

• 1 10 oz bag fresh spinach

• 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided

• Salt, and pepper to taste

For the Mustard Sauce (optional):

• 1/4 cup veganaise (or regular mayo)

• 1-2 Tbsp dijon mustard 

• 1 Tbsp honey

• 1 Tsp garlic powder

• 1/2 tsp dried parsley

• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

2) Dice onions and peppers. Add half the olive oil, salt, and pepper to a foiled sheet pan. Roast them for 15-20 minutes until cooked through.

3) Cook quinoa by adding 1 cup of dry quinoa to 2 cups boiling water. Clean the quinoa to remove the bitter, gritty taste by rinsing them with water before adding them to the pot. Lower the heat and cook for 10-15 minutes. Fluff with a fork and set aside.

4) Place beans in a food processor and pulse several times until roughly chopped -- Add a bit of water to help the beans blend thoroughly. Try not to puree them all, leave a few pieces if you can.

5) In a large bowl place chopped beans, quinoa, diced peppers, diced onions, panko and stir to combine. Add eggs, flour, and remaining ingredients --> garlic, basil, oregano, paprika, pepper, and salt. Stir to combine.

6) Using your hands, divide the mixture into 12-15 equal parts and place on a prepared baking sheet with parchment paper. Form each part into a ball, then press gently to form a patty.

7) Gently cover and place the entire baking sheet in the refrigerator and let chill for 1 hour.

8) Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Cut the sweet potatoes into fries. It is recommended to cut them 1/4 inch thick for crispier fries.

9) Put the sweet potatoes on a foiled sheet pan. Use half of the olive oil, salt, and pepper to season them. Place in the oven for 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway through.

10) Use the rest of the olive oil, salt, and pepper to saute the spinach in a separate pan for 5 minutes or until spinach is fully wilted.

11) After one hour, heat oil in a nonstick skillet (enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan) and in batches, saute burgers for about 6-8 minutes per side or until golden and crispy. Serve with the mustard and enjoy! Note: Burgers store well in the refrigerator in a sealed container for several days, or in the freezer for several months (if they make it that long). Reheat in the microwave or in a saute pan.

Does this recipe want to make you jump inside the computer screen and gobble up this dish? I can teach you how to cook this meal from the comfort of your own home. It will be sure to please even the pickiest of eaters because of its burger-like texture. You’ll barely realize you’re eating a ton of vegetables while enjoying the taste of the food. Find out more information below.

Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai 2.0

One of my favorite activities is eating different cuisines from all over the world. It’s a fantastic way to expand my culture and learn about a country. Food is the universal language to the soul and my mission is to unlock as many as possible to transform into my dishes back home. I enjoy the flavor combinations that expand my palette that I wouldn’t normally think of on my own. Sweet and salty is a fun combo I like to work with. Pad Thai is a dish that combines sweetness from brown sugar and saltiness from fish sauce/tamari with the tanginess from lime juice. I grew up eating stir fry, so when I found this recipe in college, I wanted to learn how to create this back at home. If you find this at a restaurant, it can range from anywhere from 600 calories on the extremely generous side to well over 1000 calories. Also, it’s packed with more sugar than you need in a day’s serving. Using spaghetti squash as the “noodle” and ingredients from the supermarket, I will share with you how I cut down the calories and up the veggie ante to make this a well-rounded healthy dish. Find my recipe for Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai below:

Ingredients:

•       1 lb cooked protein of choice

•        1 Medium to large spaghetti squash

•        2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil, divided

•        1/2 cup shredded carrots

•        3 eggs, whisked

•        3-4 green onions, sliced thin

•        1 15 oz can of bean sprouts, drained or 1 cup fresh bean sprouts, washed and drained

•        Salt and pepper to taste

•        Top with lots of chopped peanuts, extra crushed red pepper flakes, lime wedges

For the Sauce:

•        1/3 Cup vegetable broth

•        1/3 Cup brown sugar or turbinado sugar

•        4 Cloves garlic, minced

•        1/4 Cup fish sauce

•        1/2 Cup Tamari or Liquid Aminos

•        2 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar

•        1 Tbsp. sriracha (optional)

Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place spaghetti squash halves face down on a baking sheet with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper on each half. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until squash is fork tender.

2) Begin cooking your protein. If you're using chicken, add it on a separate foiled baking sheet and cook with the spaghetti squash.

For shrimp, cook on the skillet over medium heat for 5-10 minutes or until pink.

For tofu, sandwich a 14 oz block of firm tofu between paper towels, press and drain for 30 minutes.  Next, cut the tofu into 1/4 inch slices.  Season with salt and pepper.  Cook the tofu in 1 tablespoon oil in a non-stick pan in a single layer for 2 minutes, undisturbed.  Then flip the tofu and cook on the second side for 1-2 minutes, until lightly browned.  Transfer to a clean plate and set aside for 5 minutes to cool. After, cut tofu into cubes.

3) Combine ingredients for sauce by whisking them all together until mixed through. Set aside.

4) Chop your veggies. On medium heat, add a tablespoon of olive oil to a pan. Place the carrots and bean sprouts in your pan and sauté for 5 minutes.

5) Combine all ingredients to the sauce in a separate bowl, set aside.

6) When your spaghetti squash is done, let it cool for 5-10 minutes. Spaghetti all of your squash with a fork and add it to your vegetables.

7) Add the cooked protein, and sauce mixture to your veggie mixture and stir to mix through.

8) In the pan, move everything aside to make room for the eggs. Pour the eggs into the pan and stir constantly until cooked through. Stir everything to combine.

9) Top with additional toppings and green onions. Enjoy!

Want more spaghetti squash dishes like this one? Check out some of my latest recipes below:

Spinach and Artichoke Dip Stuffed Spaghetti Squash

PS: Looking for other creative ways to use spaghetti squash? Check out some of my other recipes on how I’ve transformed spaghetti squash into healthier versions of my favorite dishes.

Spinach and Artichoke Dip Stuffed Mushrooms

Recently, I have decided to eat less meat in my diet because of my gut health. As a result of Clean, Burn, Shape, I noticed how much less inflammation I experienced. I want to keep the momentum going, especially with my big trip to Mexico right around the corner. When I detox, I release all of the inflammatory foods such as gluten, dairy, and processed sugars. It gives me an opportunity to be creative in the kitchen. I explore new ways to eat all the time as I heal my gut. I find my body releasing a lot of mental stress as well while I release the physical stress from certain foods. I take the time to slow down and recover, which is important for living a healthy lifestyle. I started cooking regularly and it has sparked a world of imagination.

One of my favorite dips is spinach artichoke dip. However, it is full of mayonnaise with soybean oil and processed Parmesan cheese. It is seemingly healthy with the spinach in there. Some recipes also use mozzarella cheese, sour cream, or cream cheese to create a stomach monstrosity. As Redefining All Diets, I found a healthier way to create my favorite dish from home using a cashew base for cheese, nutritional yeast for the flavor, and vegeneise to cut a portion of the unhealthy fat. I added an extra veggie kick by stuffing it into a mushroom. This also gives it more protein to make this a well-rounded dish. You won’t even miss the meat with how filling this is. Find my recipe below:

Ingredients:

• 8-10 Portobello mushroom caps

• 1 lb cooked meat of choice (optional)

• ** 1 cup cashews

• 1/3 cup nutritional yeast

• ½ cup almond milk or vegetable broth

• 2-3 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil, divided

• ½ cup veganaise (or you can use regular mayo here)

• 1 lemon, squeezed

• 1 Tbsp. arrowroot starch

• ½ cup vegan Parmesan cheese (find the recipe here)

• 1 cup dairy-free mozzarella cheese ** see below for homemade recipe or can buy from stores like Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods

• 4 cloves of garlic

• ½ teaspoon sea salt

• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

• 1 can artichoke hearts, chopped

• 1 yellow onion, chopped

• 1 red bell pepper, chopped

• ** 1 8 oz bag of frozen spinach or buy a large bag of fresh spinach

• Fresh Parsley, crushed red pepper, and balsamic glaze (for topping)

For the Dairy-Free Mozzarella Cheese

Credits to: https://gourmandelle.com/how-to-make-stretchy-vegan-mozzarella-cheese/

• ** 1 cup (~150g) raw cashews, soaked overnight

• 1 cup (~500ml) hot water or vegetable broth

• 7 Tbsp. tapioca starch

• 4 Tbsps nutritional yeast

• 1 tsp sea salt

• 1 Tbsp. lemon juice

Directions:

** If you don’t have a high-powered blender or a food processor, soak the cashews in 1 cup of water overnight, so they are ready to blend.

** If you decide to use frozen spinach, thaw according to directions on the package. Make sure it’s completely dry before adding to the rest of your vegetables.

1.       Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Clean and prep your mushroom caps by washing them lightly with a paper towel patted with water and scraping the inside with a spoon. Set aside.

2.       Chop your veggies. On medium heat, add a tablespoon of olive oil to a pan. Place the onions into your pan and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the peppers and sauté for another 5 minutes. Add the artichokes and spinach. Sauté until the spinach is wilted and your veggies are nice and soft. Add the mozzarella cheese and your cooked meal.  Stir until the cheese is melted.

3.       Blend all of the ingredients for the cashew mozzarella until it looks like a light paste. Place the mixture in a small pot on medium heat. Stir consistently until it starts to form into a sticky ball texture. Set aside.

4.       Place cashews, nutritional yeast, almond milk or veggie broth, veganaise, lemon, arrowroot starch, parmesan cheese, garlic, salt, and pepper into the blender. Blend until smooth and creamy. Set aside.  

5.       Add the sauce mixture and mozzarella cheese to your veggie mixture. Stir to mix through.

6.       On one baking sheet, use the remaining olive oil to gently oil the mushrooms. Using your hands, make sure the entire mushroom is covered lightly with olive oil. Use more olive oil if you run out. Season with salt and pepper.

7.       In a 9x9 casserole dish, place your spinach artichoke dip. Top with parsley and extra mozzarella cheese if desired.

7.       Put the mushrooms on the top rack (or top oven) and place the casserole dish on the bottom oven (or bottom rack). Bake for 15-20 minutes. Take the mushrooms out of the oven, flip, and cook for another 15-20 minutes until most of the juices have been cooked out of the mushroom. They will shrink during cooking.

8.       Remove the dip and mushrooms from the oven. With the mushrooms facing cap side up, scoop enough dip to fill each mushroom. Use any leftover filling for dipping with tortilla chips.

9.        Cook for 15-20 minutes until the tops with the filling are browned.

10.      Top with parsley, balsamic glaze, and crushed peppers. Enjoy!

Banh Mi Pizza

Growing up, I lived on pizza.

When the time was in a pinch, my parents would order pizza.

When I was in marching band and we had late night practices, we would order pizza.

When I would go out with my friends, we would eat pizza.

After a late-night on the town, I would be craving pizza.

Everywhere you look, pizza is at every corner.

Pizza has become a staple of the American diet being eaten for breakfast, lunch, AND dinner.

Legit, people eat this 24/7.

Sure, it’s easy to produce, but how does this affect your body?

By saying its okay to skip out on cooking and order something convenient, you are building a life that is based around everything being easy, cheap, and handed to you.

Your body may be able to handle the pizza now, but as you get older all the chemicals added to the pizza, cheese, and crust will wreak havoc on your body.

Your body is not meant to eat meat, carbs, and dairy alone.

All it’s doing is drying up your cells while your blood is not flowing through your veins properly, causing a leaky gut and a slew of other gut issues.

The vegetables and fruits give you the opportunity to chew down your food, break up the fibers, and allow the body to slowly digest the food in order to distribute nutrients to the blood, cells, and organs in your body.

Your body is like “WTF are you putting into my body?”!

What about taking the extra time to make something healthy instead?

After you spent all that time thinking about what you want to eat and not acting upon it, you could have made yourself an easy meal.

However, this meal was quite out of the box because I wanted to find a way to marry my love of pizza with a healthy spin adding vegetables, a homemade sauce, homemade cheese (for bonus points), AND making my own crust from scratch.

I thought “Why not find a healthy way to eat pizza that is creative and can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, and dinner?”

I’m not going to lie; I ate this multiple times a day because it was THAT good.

It was hands down the best pizza I ever made.

Thanks to a bit of inspiration from Half Baked Harvest, I bring to the table, my all-new Bahn Mi Pizza!

Check this out!

Ingredients:

For the Pizza Crust:

• 4 cups almond flour

• 1 packet of stevia ** optional

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1/2 cup butter, melted ** Make sure it's dairy-free if fully vegan

• 4-6 Tbsp. water, divided

For the Pizza Sauce:

• 1/4 cup soy sauce

• 2 tablespoons sesame oil

• 2 tablespoons honey

• 1-2 tablespoons fish sauce I used 2

• 1-2 tablespoons sriracha I used 2

• juice of half a lime

• 1 tablespoon fresh lemongrass finely chopped

• 1/3 cup each - fresh basil and cilantro chopped

Pizza TOPPINGS

• 2 carrots shredded

• 1 pound ground pork or chicken

• 1 cucumber thinly sliced

• 4 radishes thinly sliced

• 1 red Fresno chile or jalapeno seeded+ sliced

• 1/3 cup fresh basil + cilantro roughly chopped, the total for both together

• 2 teaspoons peanut or sesame oil

• toasted sesame seeds for topping

• 8 ounces fresh mozzarella shredded ** or make my homemade version

• 3-4 eggs optional

For the Homemade Mozzarella Cheese (optional)

• 1 cup raw cashews, soaked overnight

• 2 cups hot water

• 7 Tbsps tapioca starch

• 4 Tbsps nutritional yeast

• 1 tsp sea salt

• 1 Tbsp lemon juice

SRIRACHA "MAYO"

• 1/3 cup tahini * sesame seed paste

• 1-2 tablespoons sriracha

• juice of half a lime

• water to thin the sauce

Directions:

1.   Chop all of your veggies. Set aside. 

2.     To make the crust, combine all of the ingredients except the water. Mix well with your hands. Add the water tablespoon by tablespoon, mixing the flour until mixed through. You can skip this step if you buy the crust. Follow the directions on the package. Let it sit for 10 minutes in the fridge to let it set.

3.     Cook the ground beef or pork until cooked through, pat dry to release all the grease, and set aside.

4.     Prepare the mozzarella cheese. Put all ingredients in your food processor or blender. Blend well until it has the consistency of milk.

5.     Put a large saucepan over medium heat.

6.     Pour the "milk" into the pan.

7.     Start stirring continuously.

8.     After a few minutes the cheesy sauce will start to thicken. Cook it while continuously stirring for about 10-15 minutes.

9.     Remove from heat and let it sit for a few minutes.

10.   Combine all ingredients for the sauce and set aside. Next, in a separate bowl, combine ingredients for the sriracha mayo.

11.   Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. 

12.   Form your pizza into two crusts flattening it out as much as you can (I couldn’t find my pizza pan, so I used one giant baking sheet and sprayed it with cooking spray)

13.   Add the sauce, cheese, and toppings in the order you would like your pizza. I did sauce, toppings, cheese, and more sauce.

14.   Top with sriracha mayo, eggs, and sesame if you wish.

15.   Put in the oven and cook for 20-25 minutes or until the crust is brown on the edges and the cheese is bubbling.

16.   Serve with more sauce and enjoy!

PS: I have 55 recipes like this one where I modified the ingredients to give them a healthier spin. If you’re ready to ditch the takeout, check out my new recipe ebook. If you are one of the first 55 people to purchase the book, you will receive a free 30-minute 1:1 call with me.

Homemade Chicken and Jackfruit Enchiladas

It's more fun when you bring more people into the kitchen to share a meal with you.

My sister brought over some jackfruit a few days ago and I thought to myself, "What the hell do I want to do with this?"

I wasn't in the mood for BBQ since I had that the night before and I didn't want it Asian style since I'm making Bahn mi pizza later this week.

After a few minutes on Google for ideas, the idea of enchiladas came up.

But not just any enchiladas...

I decided I was going to make my own sauce and cheese since I have gone a little ham on the dairy lately. (I made a cashew cheese)

Once that was done, my sis and I prepared the jackfruit and chicken to make enchiladas two ways.

The jackfruit is interesting because it has a sweet flavor that blends well with the salty dish.

Obviously, the other one was chicken since my parents weren't too big on the jackfruit idea.

Needless to say, the chicken reigns supreme in this round, but it was still a pretty creative idea to incorporate the jackfruit to make this a vegan dish as well. (Both still taste delicious)

I’m super excited to share this wonderful recipe with you!

Inspired by: https://wellvegan.com/dinner/vegan-enchiladas-jackfruit-black-beans

Ingredients:

•  1 20-oz. can jackfruit in water or brine, drained or use fresh ** see notes if you use fresh jackfruit

• 8 oz. cooked chicken

• 1 15.5-oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed

• ½ cup salsa

• 1 tsp. cumin, divided

• ¾ tsp. paprika, divided

• ¾ tsp. chili powder, divided

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

• 2 tsp. olive oil

• ½ yellow onion, diced

• ½ red bell pepper, diced

• 4 oz. mushrooms of choice, chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 2 handfuls of baby spinach

• 8 gluten-free tortillas (I used corn)

• Sliced avocado and fresh cilantro, for serving

For the Enchilada Sauce:

• 3 tablespoons chili powder

• 5-6 fresh tomatoes on the vine

• 1 cup chicken broth (water can work too)

• 2 teaspoons ground cumin

• 1 tablespoon garlic , minced

• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 1 4-oz. can diced green chilies, drained

• 1 6 oz. can of tomato paste

For the Cheeze Sauce:

• 1 ½ cups raw cashews soaked overnight in cool water

• 1 lemon, juiced

• 1/3 Cup nutritional yeast

• ½ Cup vegetable broth

• 1 Tsp Chili powder

• 1 Tsp Paprika

• 1 Tsp Cumin

• 1 Tsp garlic powder

• 1 Tsp Worcestershire sauce

• 1/8 Tsp liquid smoke (optional)

• Dash of hot sauce (optional)

Directions:

** Notes: If using fresh jackfruit, cut the whole jackfruit into quarters. Add them to a boiling pot of water and let it boil for 45-50 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool for 5-10 minutes. Then, pull it apart like you would in step 1.

1.   Drain the jackfruit and rinse with cold water. Transfer the jackfruit pieces to a cutting board and slice off the tough core and remove the seeds. Add the fleshy, stringy part of the jackfruit to a mixing bowl and pull apart by hand (watch the video above for a visual demonstration). Blot with a few layers of paper towel to remove excess moisture and set aside.

2.   In a separate bowl, combine the black beans, salsa, ½ teaspoon cumin, ½ teaspoon paprika, and ½ teaspoon chili powder; season with a pinch of salt and black pepper. Use a fork to lightly mash the black beans and give the mixture a good stir.

3.   Preheat oven to 375F. Drizzle the olive oil in two non-stick skillets and place over medium heat (if you choose to separate jackfruit and chicken). Add the onion and garlic and sauté, stirring often, for 2-3 minutes. Add the red pepper and mushrooms and sauté for another 5 minutes. Add the jackfruit (or chicken) and the remaining ½ teaspoon of cumin, ¼ teaspoon of chili powder, and ¼ teaspoon of paprika; continue to cook for 5 minutes, or until most of the moisture from the jackfruit has evaporated. Finally, stir in the spinach and cook until just wilted, about a minute more. Remove from heat.

4.   To make the enchilada sauce, place all ingredients in a high-powered blender and blend until smooth. Pour in a separate bowl and set aside.

5.   To make the cheese sauce, soak the cashews overnight unless you have a high powered blender or food processor. Add all of the ingredients to the blender and blend until smooth.

6.   Pour ½ cup of the enchilada sauce into the bottom of a 9×13 glass baking dish. If necessary, heat your tortillas in the microwave for 15-20 seconds, until soft and pliable. Add a spoonful of the black bean mixture to the center of each tortilla, followed by a scoop of the jackfruit (or chicken) mixture. Roll the tortillas up and place them seam-side down in the prepared baking dish. Pour the remainder of the enchilada sauce on top to completely cover the enchiladas, followed by the vegan cheese, if using. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the edges of the tortillas are slightly crisped and the sauce is bubbly.

7.   Serve enchiladas warm with sliced avocado and fresh cilantro.

PS: Looking for recipes to that are healthier versions of your favorite takeout recipes without having to leave your home?

I have 55 all-new recipes that I've modified to be gluten-free and dairy-free.

Each recipe can be modified to fit your dietary needs.

Contains recipes for appetizers, breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, and crockpot.

As a bonus, I have included tips for some food swap ideas.

Ditch the takeout and bring the food back to your kitchen with my easy, healthy, affordable meals.

The first 55 people who purchase my booklet will also receive a free 30-minute 1:1 session with me. 

Take-out Fake-out Chipotle Burrito Bowl

A next level version of Chipotle’s Burrito Bowl that is vegan-friendly.

I love to eat Chipotle Mexican Grill, but I would much rather cook this at home. Let’s face it. Chipotle is constantly raising their prices. With delivery apps like Door Dash and Uber Eats, it can ramp the price to almost $15 with fees. That’s not including the tip. That’s where my RAD Kitchen Take-Out Fake-Out Burrito Bowl comes in. We live in a world where we want to have convenience in the palm of our hand. You can have this meal completed before you would receive your delivery. I made this recipe from scratch to create a healthy burrito bowl without all the carbs, cheese, and tortillas/chips we typically eat when we go to Chipotle. The best part is that this dish is vegan-friendly.

I was doing some research on Chipotle’s main page and noticed that they changed the way they market their ingredients. A few years ago, there was a list of all the ingredients used in every product. Now, there is an allergens page where you have to scroll down to find the ingredients used. If you click the individual ingredients, it shares a fun fact, but not a complete list of ingredients anymore. With Redefining All Diets, all the ingredients are listed out for full transparency. Find my take-out fake-out recipe below:

For the Veggies/Beans:

• 1 yellow onion, chopped fajita style

• 1 red pepper, chopped in long strips

• 1 sweet potato, cubed

• 1 can of pinto beans

• greens on greens on greens (I used spinach and collard greens, but feel free to use as

• much of these as you'd like and which ever greens you like

• 1 bag of Trader Joe's frozen cauli rice (or rice one head of cauliflower yourself by cutting it into florets and blending them on low)

• Top with my restaurant quality guacamole

For the sauce:

• 6 Tbsp. EVOO

• 2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar

• 1 tsp chili powder

• 1/2 tsp paprika

• 1/2 tsp cumin

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• 1 lime, juiced

• 4 Tbsp. of nutritional yeast (feel free to add more or less depending on how much you want)

• 1/4 cup of salsa

Directions:
1. Chop your veggies and put them in a pan with some EVOO on medium heat. Start with your sweet potatoes for 10-15 minutes. Then, add the onions and peppers for another 5-10 minutes. Sauté until all of the veggies are soft.
2. Sauté the cauli rice until it's soft in a separate pan and set aside when it's done
3. Add your pinto beans and continue to sauté for another 5 minutes
4. Add your greens and sauté until they wilt
5. Add the cooked cauli rice to your main pan
6. Stir all ingredients of the sauce together
7. Top with my restaurant quality guacamole or you can get store bought (I used wholly guacamole for time's sake)
8. Enjoy your delicious homemade veggie bowl

Want to learn how to make this from the comfort of your kitchen at your own pace? I designed cooking demos to help you learn how to create this and more without ever having to leave the house.

Source: Chipotle Mexican Grill

Homemade Paleo Chocolate

Are you having a sweet tooth craving?

I know I get them all the time.

I get them pretty much on a daily basis.

What is my food of choice?

CHOCOLATE! I admit it. I am quite a chocoholic.

I would go as far as eating chocolate chips out of the bag.

As delicious as that sounds, the sugar adds up quickly and I get a stomach ache right after.

Does this happen to you?

I feel you!

I’ve come to accept that processed chocolate no longer serves me and I eat it as minimally as possible.

Which is why I found this awesome recipe for minimally processed chocolate that I get to share with you!

It’s not as sugary sweet, but just enough sweetness to leave you satisfied with eating less.

Enjoy my recipe for homemade chocolate!

Credits to: http://www.kristabutler.com/blog/2014/02/easy-paleo-chocolate

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (ideally grass-fed) unsalted butter, room temperature

• 1/2 cup almond, peanut or sunflower butter

• 1 cup cacao powder

• 1/2 cup maple syrup (or honey)

• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

• 1/4 tsp sea salt

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Directions: 

1) Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl once the butter is at room temperature.

2) Spread the mixture onto parchment paper. Then, place another piece of parchment paper on top of it to flatten it.

3) Place in the freezer for an hour.

4) Remove from freezer, cut into bite size piece and enjoy!

As a bonus, I made a cooking demo to show you how to quickly make this recipe. Check it out!