Salmon with Lemon Almond Pesto

Mel and Tammy1 Comment

After coming from vacation where the family and I feasted, it felt wonderful to be able to cook a meal at home. Health, health, health was what I was going for, so salmon came to mind right away. I absolutely love pesto because it’s so fresh and versatile. It pairs so well with the rich flavor of salmon. Pesto means to pound or crush, and typically consists of basil, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil and parmesan cheese. You can make extra and use in other dishes like sandwiches and pasta too!

 -Mel

Health tips: Low fat, low carb, heart healthy, diabetes friendly, anti inflammatoryRead More »

Rachael Ray’s Sliced Steak Salad with Bloody Mary Vinaigrette

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I love salad! Salads are fun to eat, versatile, and I don’t have to feel guilty about eating them! And thank you to Rachael Ray for coming up with this salad that we have eaten over and over in my house. I want to share it with you. Sliced Steak Salad with Bloody Mary Vinaigrette. All the flavors you love from a Bloody Mary, turned into a salad. Original recipe found here. Thank you Rachael Ray….Family Apron loves you!

 -Tammy

Health tips:  kidney friendly, diabetes friendly, low carb

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Smoked Jalapeno Popper, Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf

Mel and Tammy1 Comment

Smoked Jalapeno Popper, Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf!!! OH YES I DID! I took a classic and kicked it up like a million notches. I usually cook all day on Sundays. But on this day, I didn’t want to go my usual route; I knew I wanted to use my smoker, but I wanted something different, something I have never done before. So I came up with this recipe. Meatloaf! I will wrap it in bacon. But what can I stuff it with? I know… I’ll stuff it with jalapeño poppers! (You should’ve heard the conversation I was having with myself; hilarious). If you do not have a smoker, then you can absolutely make this in the oven as an alternative.  And remember, this ain’t yo mamas meatloaf, but it’s darn good!

-Tammy

Health tips:  cheat meal

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Grilled Chicken Cordon Bleu Portobello Stack

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This is another one of my favorite Rachael Ray recipes, it’s a take on Chicken Cordon Bleu but prepared in a fun compact stack. Grilling all the individual components really adds such great flavor, and the combination of ingredients is perfect. And the addition of the light swiss cheese makes you feel like you’re indulging. This is such a simple, wholesome, satisfying meal!

 -Mel

Health tips: Low fat, low carb, heart healthy, diabetes friendly, anti inflammatory, kid friendlyRead More »

One Crockpot=Two Meals: Tortilla Soup and Enchilada Suiza

Mel and Tammy1 Comment

I’m really excited about this blog post! I cannot wait for you all to try it and hear your feedback! I know it’s hard for some of us to make time to cook. So this is an easy way to kill two birds with one stone! Make a Crockpot full of chicken and use it for two dinners, maybe even three. One Crockpot of chicken will make my modified version of Rachael Ray’s Chicken Enchilada Suiza Casserole and my Chicken Tortilla Soup. And if you want to throw an extra chicken thigh or two into the slow-cooker, you’ll have enough for a third dinner…maybe tacos or panini’s.  Just add the chicken to the Crockpot before you leave for work. When you come home, your chicken will be done and you can make two or three healthy meals! You’re welcome!

 -Tammy

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

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Easy Slow-Cooked Filipino Chicken Adobo

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I am so excited to share our first Filipino dish on our blog! I’m a first generation Filipino-American and have been learning to cook traditional Filipino recipes from my parents and grandparents ever since I was little. Chicken adobo is the Philippines’ national dish and is so easy and flavorful. Adobo is stewed chicken in vinegar, soy sauce, pepper, onions and garlic. It had a very distinctive savory, yet tart, flavor…so satisfying! When you throw everything in the crockpot, it’s even less stressful and you can’t go wrong with super slow-cooked meat. We hope you enjoy this sometime soon!

 -Mel

Health tips: Low fat, heart healthy, low carb and diabetes friendly Read More »

Sweet OR Savory Chicken Salad-Two Ways!

Mel and Tammy2 Comments

Our followers ask, and we answer! You would love a chicken salad recipe you say? Well here is my take on two of my favorites! Chicken salad two ways- sweet and savory! Try my chicken salad with apples, celery, and grapes OR my buffalo chicken salad! Both are a delicious, healthy lunch or snack! Make it for a party, make it for your lunch, or take it to go!

 -Tammy

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

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Proscuitto-Wrapped Jalapeno Popper Bites and Stuffed Mushrooms

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Ready for a double-dose of stuffed goodness? These simple Jalapeño Poppers and Stuffed Mushrooms both use a similar creamy stuffing, making it even easier to prepare. You can also prep them ahead of time. These delicious finger foods will satisfy your crowd at your next get together!

 -Mel

Health tips: Cheat mealRead More »

Chicken Parmesan with Roasted Eggplant and Zucchini with Basil Vinaigrette

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I absolutely love Giada DeLaurentis’ new way of cooking…she does an amazing job at balancing those comforting Italian flavors with a clean, delicate and healthy touch. I found this light chicken parmesan recipe from her new cookbook Happy Cooking and it’s now a favorite of mine. The addition of fresh herbs in this recipe really makes it stand out. I modified a bit to lighten up some areas more. I paired it with roasted veggies that you often find in Italian cooking, tossed in a wonderfully bright basil vinaigrette.

 -Mel

Health tips: Low fat, low carb, heart healthy, diabetes friendly, anti inflammatoryRead More »

Slow-Cooker Carnitas Tacos

Mel and Tammy2 Comments

Why, oh why are carnitas sooooo delicious?!?! Is it the meat itself? Is it the tortillas you put them in? The fixin’s? Or a combination of it all? For whatever the reason(s), I love to make a slow cooker version of this yummy pork. It’s inexpensive to make and can feed a ton of people. In fact, if you have a nice little crowd over, you might want to think about making my carnitas for super bowl. Enjoy!

 -Tammy

Health tips:  kidney friendly, diabetes friendly

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