Maple Mustard Chicken

We are always looking for easy crock pot recipes as a family with a hectic schedule.  I like easy crock pot recipes too; you know, the ones where you don't have to chop 15 items or pre cook the meat before you put it all in the crock pot!  Those don't really count as easy crock pot recipes for me!  

We tried a new easy crock pot recipe this week from the Foodie and the Fix, and it was a hit!  The only change we made was to take out the potatoes after they finished cooking (after step 5).  We cooled, refrigerated, and heated in the microwave for dinner Tuesday, and I topped the chicken with a mix of honey and spicy brown mustard.  I'm also skipping potatoes this week, as I'm on the ramped up nutrition plan and skipping certain carbs, so I ate with brussels sprouts and sauteed mushrooms.  

Ingredients

·         6 large red potatoes, cut into 1/2" - 3/4" cubes

·         1/3 cup spicy brown mustard

·         1 Tbs maple syrup

·         2 lbs chicken breasts, trimmed

·         salt and pepper, to season

Maple-Mustard Sauce

·         1/2 cup spicy brown mustard

·         1/4 cup maple syrup

Instructions

1.      In a small bowl, stir together 1/3 cup mustard and 1 tablespoon maple syrup, set aside.

2.      Add the potatoes to your slow cooker, then drizzle with half of the maple-mustard mixture.

3.      Lightly season the chicken with salt and pepper on both sides then place on top of the potatoes, drizzling with the remaining maple-mustard mixture.

4.      Cover and cook on low for 4 - 4 1/2 hours or until the chicken is cooked through. Remove chicken, let cool a few minutes then refrigerate.

5.      Your potatoes won't yet be fully cooked. Give them a stir and crank the slow-cooker up to high for another 2 hours or until they're cooked through.

6.      Meanwhile, stir together 1/2 cup mustard with 1/4 cup maple syrup and set aside. When ready to serve, warm in the microwave.

7.      Once the potatoes have fully cooked, you can either throw the chicken back into the slow-cooker to heat it through or you can heat it in the microwave. When chicken is hot, let it rest for a couple of minutes, then slice and serve with the potatoes and the warmed Maple-Mustard Sauce.

http://thefoodieandthefix.com/slow-cooker-maple-mustard-chicken-potatoes/

Sloppy Joes

One of my favorite meals as a child was Sloppy Joes.  I haven't been able to find a homemade recipe I was really crazy about until recently.  We played with a few recipes, and ended up with the below - and thankfully everyone loved it!!  We eat on top of potatoes and the girls use wheat rolls, however, one of my recent challengers shared their house fave was over brown rice.  

Sloppy Joes

(about 8 servings)

2 tsp olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

1 medium red bell pepper, chopped

4 cloves garlic, chopped

2 lbs raw ground 93% lean ground beef or turkey breast

1/2 tsp sea salt (or Himalayan salt)

1/2 tsp ground black pepper

3 cups tomato sauce

2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

6 tbsp all natural tomato paste

2 tbsp pure maple syrup (or raw honey)

1. Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat.

2. Add onion and bell pepper; cook, stirring frequently, for 4 to 5 minutes, or until onion is translucent.

3. Add garlic; cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute. Transfer onion mixture to a medium bowl. Set aside.

4. Add turkey to the same skillet; cook, over medium heat, stirring frequently to break up the turkey, for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the turkey is no longer pink.

5. Season with salt and pepper.

6. Add onion mixture, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, and maple syrup. Mix well. Reduce heat to medium low; gently boil, stirring occasionally, for 15 to 20 minutes, or until sauce has thickened.

Serve Turkey Sloppy Joes open faced on top of baked potato, over 1 cup zucchini noodles, or over cooked whole wheat pasta, quinoa, or brown rice.  

Taco Zucchini Boats

We LOVE Mexican food, and we have tacos on a pretty regular basis.  We also like to change things up a bit though, so tried a new recipe this weekend.  I'm a big fan of pretty much any recipe with taco meat and cheese, so these are a new favorite of mine!

Taco Zucchini Boats

6 servings

1. 6 medium zucchini, cut in half lengthwise
2. 1/3 cup salsa
3. 1.5 pounds lean ground turkey
4. 1.5 teaspoon chili powder
5. 1.5 tablespoon garlic powder
6. 1.5 teaspoon cumin
7. 1.5 teaspoon paprika
8. 3/4 teaspoon oregano
9. 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
10. 6 ounces no sugar added tomato sauce
11. 1/3 cup water
12. Cheddar cheese, shredded
13. Cilantro, chopped and/or green onions for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400F. Spray a 9" x 13” casserole dish with olive oil then set aside. Slice each zucchini in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, hollow out the center of each zucchini. Chop the scooped out zucchini flesh and save 1/2 cup to add to the taco filling (squeeze excess water with a paper towel,) discarding the rest.
2. Brown turkey in a large skillet, breaking up as it cooks. When no longer pink, add the chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, and salt and mix well.
3. Add the reserved zucchini, tomato sauce, salsa, and water. Stir and simmer on low for 15 minutes.
4. Fill each zucchini boat with 1/2 a red container of meat mixture, and top each with half of a blue container of shredded cheddar.  
5. Cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes, until cheese is melted and zucchini is cooked through. Top with cilantro and/or green onions if desired. Serve 2 zucchini boats for each person.

 21 day fix container counts (two boats): 1 1/2 green, 1 red, 1 blue

Southwest Chicken and Black Bean Salad

Another fave recipe from week one of our newest program was this southwest salad.  I just tell you, I wasn't sure how I was going to like it just reading the recipe, but this was amazing!  My hubby said he could eat this over and over, and a hubby's approval on a recipe is key around our house!  Enjoy!!

Southwest Chicken and Black Bean Salad (Shift Shop Recipe Booklet)

Makes 4 servings

3 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar

2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

½ tsp. lemon pepper

1 Tbsp. + 1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil

2 cups black beans

3 cups sliced orange bell peppers

3 cups sliced red bell peppers

1 cup thinly sliced red onion

2 cups chopped tomatoes

3 cups sliced grilled chicken breast

½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

1. To make dressing, combine vinegar, lemon juice, and lemon pepper in a medium bowl; whisk to blend.

2. Slowly add oil while whisking; mix well. Evenly divide dressing between 4 one-quart Mason jars. Set aside.

3. Evenly layer beans, bell peppers, onion, tomatoes, chicken, cheese, and cilantro on top of dressing in jars.

4. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Shake before serving.

Slow Cooker Beef Chili

My hubby thought I was a little crazy when I added a chili recipe to our weekly meal plan in the middle of July, but he ended up loving this recipe!!  My oldest daughter loved it as well, but the other two didn't want to even try it.  I didn't force the issue because I selfishly wanted enough chili for myself - ha!!

When we started week one of our new program, we received a nutrition guide and recipe booklet, and the chili is week one approved recipe.  The program is a fitness and nutrition ramp up program, so each week you increase the length of workouts and adjust carbs/protein/veggie intake.  I had to go with the chili week one because beans aren't allowed the next two weeks.  We'll be making this again this fall!!

Slow Cooker Beef Chili (Shift Shop Recipe Booklet)

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1½ lbs. raw extra lean beef chuck, cut into bite-sized pieces

1 medium onion, chopped

1 medium green bell pepper, chopped

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 (15-oz.) can diced tomatoes, no salt added ¼ cup tomato paste, no sugar added

2 Tbsp. chili powder

¾ tsp. sea salt (or Himalayan salt)

½ tsp. ground black pepper

1 (15-oz.) can kidney beans, drained, rinsed

1. Heat oil in medium nonstick skillet over high heat.

2. Add beef; cook, stirring frequently, for 4 to 5 minutes, or until browned. Reduce heat to medium-high. 3. Add onion and bell pepper; cook, stirring frequently, for 3 to 4 minutes.

4. Add garlic; cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute.

5. Place beef mixture in a 3-quart slow cooker.

6. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well; cover. Cook on high for 3 hours.

7. Add beans; cover. Cook for 1 to 1½ hours, or until beef is tender.

Marinated Summer Veggies and Chicken Sausage

Wow, I didn't even realize how long it's been since I've shared recipes on the blog!  I've been creating detailed meal plans each week, and I've included recipes and grocery lists with each meal plan for our family and my groups.  It's been such an easy way to keep track of recipes, that I've let my blog fall to the way side!  I've had a few friends request recipes lately though, so decided I need to start putting more effort into the blog.  I'll be posting several recipes over the next few weeks, many of which we have tried for the first time along side the new athletic/agility training program I've been following.  You definitely will not feel deprived when you add these recipes to your weekly meals!  

The first recipe is one we found on the team beachbody webiste, and it's a favorite in our house and among the members of my groups!  

Ingredients

·         2 tsp . olive oil

·         2 Tbsp . balsamic vinegar

·         2 Tbsp . fresh lime juice

·         2 cloves garlic , chopped

·         Sea salt (or Himalayan salt) and ground black pepper (to taste; optional)

·         1 lb . green beans , ends removed

·         2 medium zucchini , sliced

·         2 medium summer (crookneck) squash, sliced

·         1 cup halved cherry tomatoes

·         1 medium green bell pepper , sliced

·         1 medium red onion , sliced

·         4 cooked chicken sausages , sliced

·         2 Tbsp . chopped fresh basil

Instructions

1.   To make marinade, combine oil, vinegar, lime juice, and garlic in a medium bowl; whisk to blend.

2.   Season with salt and pepper, if desired; whisk to blend. Set aside.

3.   Place green beans, zucchini, summer squash, tomatoes, bell pepper, and onion in a re-sealable plastic bag (or large bowl). Add marinade; shake to blend. Let sit for 30 minutes.

4.   Preheat grill or broiler to high.

5.   Place veggie mixture on a large sheet pan (or broiler pan). Add sausages; mix well. Spread out evenly.

6.   Grill or broil for 4 to 8 minutes, turning occasionally, until vegetables begin to soften.

7.   Sprinkle with basil before serving.