OooOooh Fall you are almost here, my favorite time of year…cooler days, Autumn colors, pumpkin-spiced everything, scarves, Halloween, Oktoberfest, birthdays, the list goes on and on. I know it’s still warm here in Cali during the day but the nights are getting cooler. Cozy, yet light, comfort food could not come any sooner. Here’s my take on a healthier version of a crowd favorite, Beef Stroganoff!
-Mel
Health tips: Low fat, kid friendly
As we close with the last few weeks of summer, I decided to make a healthier version of Caesar salad. My hubby and I recently had our 10 year anniversary. We went out to dinner to a new restaurant and had a delicious Caesar salad. But what made it so special was that it had fried capers and little pieces of prosciutto in the salad! Those two extra ingredients really made the salad unique! As soon as I had it, I knew I had to re-make it into a healthier version by using my favorite go-to salad dressing. It’s made with yogurt! It’s low in calories, fat, sodium, sugar, has no preservatives, and has no artificial colors or flavors. You can find it in the refrigerated section in the produce department. Make your own whole grain croutons, if possible. I highly suggest it! (recipe to follow soon) And for a little extra indulgence, make my Parmesan crisps. So go ahead, have a Caesar salad without the guilt!
-Tammy
Health tips: Low carb, low fat, heart healthy, diabetes friendly
Happy Labor Day from Family Apron! This holiday marks the last official summer gathering for many, so why not grill some more before Fall comes around!? Get together with family and friends this holiday weekend and try this recipe for Glazed Chicken Sate Skewers with Peanut Sauce! The chicken is tastier and more tender the more you let it marinate, so start early! Thank you to the amazing Ellie Krieger for your inspiration on this one!
Tip: If you have leftovers, shred or chop chicken and mix with some greens and peanut sauce. This makes a yummy salad or wrap!
-Mel
Health tips: Anti-inflammatory, low carb, low fat, heart healthy, kid friendly
I’ve made so many seafood dinners recently. But I can’t help it…it’s summer! There’s something about the summer and seafood (and wine); they just go together. You can make such light, healthy meals with seafood. And my shrimp salad is the perfect meal for warmer seasons (but please, feel free to make it whenever you’d like). Whether you make this on an indoor or outdoor grill, this meal is totally satisfying. This dinner may look super fancy, but it’s super easy to make. And the shrimp is full of flavor! Cheers to a great, healthy dinner!
-Tammy
Health tips: Diabetes friendly, kidney friendly
We still have a few weeks of summer so I want to take advantage of the grill as much as possible. Keeping the heat out instead of inside the kitchen is always a good thing, plus who doesn’t love the smell of the smoking grill on a summer day. As I’ve mentioned before, the Mediterranean diet is super healthy, fresh and delicious, especially for those trying to avoid inflammation of the joints like my hubby. The flavors are so flavorful, yet light! I posted a recipe with chicken when we first launched the blog, but here’s a take on Mediterranean flavors with yummy seafood. Again, we have the opportunity of using my hubby’s freshly caught yellowtail!
-Mel
Health tips: Anti-inflammatory, low carb, low fat, heart healthy, diabetes friendly
Who doesn’t love pasta? This is a yummy protein-packed pasta that you do not have to feel guilty about! The shrimp has protein, the pasta has protein, and even the yogurt has protein. It has a real kick too! Cheers to spicing up your life!
Health tips: Kidney friendly
I don’t think to make quesadillas often. But why not? They’re delicious, quick, satisfying, easy, and can be made healthy*. Note to self…make more quesadillas!
Loaded with veggies, lean chicken, and made with healthy tortillas, these really are fit-for-you! And with the temperature being over 100 today, I didn’t want to cook inside. So once again, I used my grill. It was as easy as making quesadillas on the stove. So I encourage you all to use your outdoor grill more, especially when it’s super hot outside!
-Tammy
Health tips: Kidney friendly, low carb, diabetes friendly*
There’s nothing like comforting, delicious chicken stock…whether it’s in a soup, gravy or rice. It flavors and is the base of so many recipes that we often find ourselves always buying boxes and boxes from the store. This can start getting expensive and the healthy boxes of stock are typically pricier. Making your own stock at home allows you to store or freeze multiple quarts for future use and you can closely control the fat, nutrition and sodium content. And it’s easy, not much chopping or peeling, just waiting for those flavor to develop. =) Here’s my recipe for a healthy and tasty stock, which also includes strong disease-fighting ingredients like ginger and turmeric. You’ll definitely get a better bang with your buck with this recipe!
That’s not all folks! You’ll not only be getting a few quarts of stock from this recipe, but also tender and flavorful slow-cooked meat that you can store for future meals. My Creamy Chicken, Broccoli and Wild/Brown Rice Casserole is inspired by my Mama’s Chicken Divan, one of her staples at potlucks growing up. Love it! It’s simple, wholesome and can satisfy the whole family. Try it this week!
-Mel
Health tips: Anti-inflammatory, low carb, low fat, heart healthy, diabetes friendly
Can I get a woop woop for making your own taco seasoning!?!?!? Making your own is cheaper and waaaay more healthy because you control the ingredients (especially the amount of sodium)!
-Tammy
Health tips: Kidney friendly, diabetes friendly
Breakfast for dinner? Say whaaaat? And what’s easier than leftovers, right? It’s all about taking those leftovers and making something new…so I decided to do a healthy egg scramble for hubby and I. Honestly, my husband is not a fan of eggs. But this dish was so flavorful and had so many different textures, he loved it!
-Tammy
Health tips: Kidney friendly, low carb, diabetes friendly
Family Apron 