Category: dinner

Citrus Soy Pork Chops with Onions and Peppers (Filipino Pork Bistek)

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My mom made this super tasty and simple recipe for Dane and I while we were staying over my parents’ house, waiting for escrow on our new home. Well we finally moved in, and this is the first homemade recipe in my kitchen! This traditional Filipino recipe combines the savory flavor of soy sauce with the bright, tart flavor of citrus….soooo yummy. Marinating and slow cooking the onions in the sauce soaks up so much flavor as well. My mom adds sweet peppers as well which adds more flavor and color. I love to pair mine with nutritious roasted cauliflower!

 -Melanie

Health tips: Low fat, heart healthy, diabetes friendly, low carb

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Corn and Crab Chowder

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This rainy weather is awesome! Such a great change to the hot summer weather of Southern California. It’s really beginning to feel like Fall around here and the more reason for soups…and more soups! This corn and crab chowder was inspired by many recipes, including my Mama’s. You’ll love the tasty flavors of this soup with a hint of creaminess. It calls for fresh crab meat so be on the lookout for deals at your local stores. I was able to snag almost a pound for less than $6! It takes some time to pull out the meat, but the fresh flavor is worth it!

 -Melanie

Health tips: Low fat, heart healthy, low carb

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Thai-Style Halibut with Coconut Curry Broth

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Thai coconut curry is one of my favorite exotic comfort food dishes, so as soon as I came across Ellie Krieger’s recipe, I just had to try it! It’s so simple and so delicious. I added a few of my favorite flavors like garlic, ginger and Thai basil, but pretty much kept it as it was written. The recipe is also very flexible. You can swap any type of seafood with the Halibut or if you’re not a seafood fan, can also use chicken. Either way you will really enjoy this!

 -Melanie

Health tips: Low fat, heart healthy, diabetes friendly, anti-inflammatory and low carb (without rice or noodles)

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Mini Meatloaves Nestled in Zucchini Noodles and Tomato Sauce

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Nothing says comfort food more than meatloaf! However,  just hearing the words comfort food makes me think of gut-busting food. But not this meal. I’ve lightened it up by making mini meatloaves rather than one giant one. And I nestled them in zucchini noodles and tomato sauce, rather than regular noodles. Protein and veggies makes this a healthy meal!  Enjoy!

 -Tammy

Health tips: diabetes-friendly, low carb, kidney-friendly, kid-friendly

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Chicken in Cheesy Poblano Sauce

Mel and Tammy1 Comment

This is one of my favorite Rachael Ray recipes, and great for a family dinner! The sauce is so creamy yet so fresh, with very very soft heat from the poblano peppers. I adjusted it to use lower fat ingredients to be able to enjoy it more often. I especially love the melted cheese on top. As long as you serve alongside some roasted veggies, it’s completely fine =)!

 -Melanie

Health tips: Low fat, heart healthy, diabetes friendly, low carb

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German Sausage and Barley Soup (Graupensuppe)

Mel and Tammy1 Comment

Fall is finally here woohooo! I am beyond excited for cozy soups, stews and casseroles. I’ve been researching for a delicious sausage recipe in honor of Oktoberfest, and came across this excellent soup on www.oliviascuisine.com. It’s a bit cooler in Southern Cali this week so I jumped on the opportunity! I just adjusted a bit by adding in kale for some extra vitamins and crumbled in the crispy bacon at the end. My family absolutely loved it…so tasty and hearty, yet still light. Enjoy this on a nice cozy night this Fall!

 -Melanie

Health tips: Low fat, heart healthy, diabetes friendly. anti-inflammatory, low carb

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Seared Ahi Tuna Salad

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Tuna…center-cut ahi tuna…on sale again at Sprout’s! $5.99 a pound!  This is when I make this salad (and my tuna tartare). Wish I can take credit for this one. Thank you Willow Arlen for this delicious meal! Growing up, I thought I hated tuna. But, oh, how I’ve changed my mind! There’s not much else to say, except that it’s delicious and I think ya’ll should try it! We all could probably use a little more tuna in our lives! 😉 Enjoy!

 -Tammy

Health tips: diabetes-friendly, low carb

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Benihana’s-Style Shrimp and Magic Mustard Sauce

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The Benihana’s shrimp appetizer and “Magic Mustard” sauce is one of my favorite parts about going to the popular restaurant…besides the onion volcano! =P I actually ask for a double serving of the mustard sauce because I love to soak everything in it, including my fried rice. I want to be able to enjoy it more often without feeling the guilt, so I decided to experiment and create a lighter, yet still very tasty version of the sauce. After you taste this sauce, you will want make extra and keep it as condiment staple in your fridge!

 -Melanie

Health tips: Low fat, heart healthy, diabetes friendly, low carb

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Tuna Salad with Dill and Capers

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Tuna salad-stuffed tomatoes were one of my favorite meals growing up. It was one of the few healthy meals I actually got really excited about when I saw it on my plate! This is my take on tuna salad…which is pretty similar to the ingredients I absolutely love in egg salad. The strong, yet bright flavors of Dijon, dill, lemon and capers really make this pop! And what’s great is you can keep this low-carb if you stuff it in a tomato like my mom did, or you can eat it on some wheat bread or crackers. Either way, you will love it!

 -Melanie

Health tips: Low carb and diabetes friendly without crackers or bread, low fat, heart healthy, anti-inflammatory

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Buffalo Chicken Salad

Mel and Tammy1 Comment

Hot summer days equals light, healthy meals! The hubby wanted buffalo wings, and I wanted something lighter, but something that would hit the same bells and whistles! When I told him I’d be making my buffalo chicken salad, he was very happy. He LOVES this salad! You can always buy your own blue cheese dressing, but I like to make my own dressings from scratch because you can control the quality and quantity of ingredients. My husband does NOT like blue cheese dressing; the moldy cheese, it freaks him out! However, he does love feta cheese. So I make his “blue cheese” dressing into a “feta cheese” dressing. I still prefer blue cheese, so I divide the base mix into 2 bowls-one for me with blue cheese, and one for him with feta cheese. Feel free to make your own! Or you can always go out a buy  a bottle. They have great yogurt-based dressing in the produce section. Enjoy!

 -Tammy

Health tips: kidney-friendly, diabetes-friendly, low carb

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