Tag: weeknight dinner

3 Cheese Spinach Crustless Quiche

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Recipe inspired by a recipe given to me by my former colleague, Adriana.

This meal was a big thumbs up for the little ones in our house. I made sure to keep the olives on one side and tomatoes on the other side according to my kids’ preferences, with the middle portion containing a vegetable medley that we adults enjoyed.

Ingredients:
8 eggs, lightly beaten
6 tbsp pancake mix (I used @kodiakcakes mix, you can use GF or passover pancake mix)
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup grated smoked Gouda (this added amazing flavor)
2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
120 grams frozen spinach, defrosted and liquid squeezed out
3 tbsp milk
1/2 tsp baking powder
Freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese .
Optional vegetable add ins:
Sautéed mushrooms
Caramelized onions
Sliced tomatoes
Sliced olives
Bell Peppers (unless you’re inviting me over for the meal – I won’t touch them)
Roasted broccoli
Etc

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Prepare whatever “add ins” need to be prepared (ex sauté mushrooms). Mix together all ingredients, excluding cheddar cheese and add-ins. If you’re not trying to keep the “add-ins” separate, you can mix them in once batter is made.
Pour into a heavily greased Pyrex (mine was 6.5×10) or quiche pan.
Add vegetable add-ins, separating them according to your children’s preferences if desired. Push some of them down so they span the height of the quiche.
Top with cheddar cheese. I also added goat cheese to the adult center portion.
Bake uncovered for about 30 minutes.
Serves 4

Sweet and smoky rosemary grilled chicken

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Ingredients:
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp silan (date syrup)
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 
2 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary 
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp smoky paprika
Zest of 1 lemon
1/2 tsp sea salt 
Freshly ground pepper 
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, each cut in half to form 2 cutlets.

Directions:
Mix together mustard, silan, oil, rosemary, garlic, smoky paprika, lemon zest, salt and pepper. 
Spread over chicken. Allow to marinate for up to an hour. 
Grill on BBQ or grill pan over medium-high heat, flipping when edges get white and chicken starts appearing slightly opaque. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. (Cilantro just for picture purposes, I actually dislike it and accidentally bought it).

Ramen Bowls

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Ingredients:
4 eggs (room temperature) – optional
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp fresh ginger
1 tsp sesame oil 
1 carton vegetable broth (you can also use chicken broth)
3/4 cup sliced mushrooms (I used shiitake)
1 3-inch piece of lemongrass 
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp miso paste
Squirt of sriracha hot sauce (to taste)
1 head bokchoy, washed and chopped
1/2 cup grated carrots 
1/4 cup purple cabbage 
1/2 cup edamame beans 
2 packages ramen, packets discarded .

Directions:
Start by making your soft boiled eggs – you can use the following method or whatever works for you. Bring water to a boil and gently add your eggs. Let boil for 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and put under cold water. .
Heat sesame oil over medium heat in a pot and sauté ginger and garlic for a few minutes. Pour in broth and add mushrooms, lemongrass, soy sauce, miso and sriracha. Bring to a boil and let simmer for about 5 minutes. (Make sure miso is mixed in before proceeding). Add in bokchoy, carrots, purple cabbage, edamame and ramen. Continue to cook until ramen noodles are soft. 
Serve soup topped with 1 halved soft boiled egg. 

Miso Sushi Bowl

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Ingredients:
2 slices of salmon (skin removed)
1 tbsp miso
1/2 tbsp freshly grated ginger 
1/2 tbsp soy sauce or GF tamari
1/2 tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp sesame oil 
Squirt of sriracha hot sauce 
1 cup of rice, cooked according to package directions (I used brown rice)
Edamame (cooked)
Grated carrots 
Purple cabbage 
Pickled ginger
Avocado 
Nori
Hoisin sauce 
Sesame seeds .

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400°F
Mix together miso, ginger, soy sauce, maple syrup, sesame oil and sriracha. Spread half on top of salmon, reserve half as sauce for bowl. 
Bake salmon for about 15 minutes, until cooked through. .
Assemble bowl – top rice with cut up salmon, edamame, carrots, cabbage, pickled ginger, avocado and nori. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Drizzle with remaining miso marinade and hoisin sauce. 
You can also top with additional sriracha. .
You can also add the follower to your bowl: mango, cucumber, fake crab, sushi grade salmon/tuna (uncooked), jalapeños, sliced peppers etc 

Vegetarian Gyros

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These probably taste nothing like the real deal but I have no idea and it was definitely gyros inspired. .
1-8oz package of tempeh (unflavored), sliced in 1/4” slices 
2 tbsp greek seasoning blend (see previous post)
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 
Naan rounds 
Tomatoes 
Cucumber 
Kalamata olives 
Spinach .
Sauce:
Tzaziki Greek yogurt (Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic) mixed with lemon juice and a sprinkle of Greek seasoning .
Mix together oil and Greek seasoning, coat tempeh. Allow to marinate for about an hour if possible. 
Grill tempeh on both sides until a nice crust forms. 
In the meantime, warm naan.
Spread sauce on naan. Top with spinach, sliced tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, kalamata olives and tempeh. .
Enjoy! .

Sheet Pan Chicken Shawarma – 3 ways

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Ingredients (very roughly):
Cauliflower and broccoli florets, cut small
Baby carrots, halved
Asparagus, cut into thirds
3 skinless boneless chicken breasts, cubed (I would have used thighs but they had a smell when I took out the package, it does change the cooking time)
Chickpeas, drained and rinsed 
Shawarma seasoning
Extra virgin olive oil
Lemon juice 
Sea salt
Humus 
Cabbage 
Olives 
Tahini 
Whatever other shawarma fixings you like 
Tortilla wraps (option 1)
Rice, cooked according to package directions (option 2)
Kale (option 3)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400°F. 
On a sheet pan, spread cauliflower, broccoli, carrots and chickpeas. Coat with oil, shawarma seasoning and a light sprinkle of salt. 
Bake for 20 minutes. 
In the meantime, coat chicken and asparagus with shawarma seasoning, a bit of olive oil and some lemon juice. When the 20 minutes are up, add chicken and asparagus to sheet pan. Return to oven for additional 20 minutes (check the thickest piece of chicken for doneness)
*note that the pan should be overcrowded, you can always divide the mixture into 2 pans*
.
Serving options:
Option 1: spread humus on a tortilla and fill with chicken, vegetables and any other toppings you like (including olives, cabbage etc)
.
Option 2: make a rice bowl with all the chicken, vegetables and additional toppings. Garnish with tahini and zaatar. .
Option 3: enjoy over a kale salad. The juices from the chicken will be quite flavourful. All you have to add is a drizzle of oil, lemon juice and if you’d like, some tahini

Barbecue Rosemary Arayes

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Ingredients:
Pita (I used 6 medium and 20 mini ones)
2.5 kg minced meat and minced chicken, preferably not lean (I did half and half)
4 garlic cloves, pressed through garlic press
1/4 c barbecue sauce
1 tbsp Montreal steak spice
2 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary .

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400°F
Mix together all ingredients, except pita. 
Slice pita partially open and stuff each pita with meat mixture and flatten to ensure even cooking. 
Spray baking sheet liberally with non stick cooking spray and place stuffed pitas on pan. Spray again with non stick cooking spray. 
Bake for 20-25 minutes (small for 20, large for 25)

Fried Cauliflower Rice with Salami

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Ingredients:
1 tbsp avocado oil
1 shallot, peeled and chopped 
1 clove garlic, peeled and pressed through garlic press
1 cup chopped carrots (1/4 inch big)
3 cups riced cauliflower 
1 cup cooked rice (optional)
1/2 cup frozen peas 
2-3 tbsp soy sauce or GF tamari
2.5-3 oz thinly sliced gourmet salami
2 eggs, lightly beaten .

Directions:
Sauté shallot, garlic and carrots in oil for about 2-3 minutes. Add 3 cups cauliflower rice, soy sauce, peas and salami. Cook for an additional 2 minutes before mixing in the rice. Mix to combine everything. Push rice mixture to one side of the pan, raise temperature and add eggs to empty side. Mix them so they break into little pieces while frying. Once egg is cooked, mix everything together and enjoy! . 
You can also broccoli, tofu, chicken, peppers, sausages etc. 

Asian Chicken Meatballs

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Ingredients:
1-1/4 lbs ground chicken 
3/4 cup grated zucchini, liquid squeezed out
2 tbsp soy sauce 
2 tsp freshly grated ginger (adjust according to preference)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup oats (can use GF variety)
1 egg 
1-2 tbsp avocado oil

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400°F. 
Mix together all ingredients, except oil, and form into meatball shapes. 
Heat oil in oven safe pan on high heat. Sear meatballs on all sides until nicely browned. Bake in oven for 10 minutes (check for doneness).

Asian Chicken “Arayes” with Ginger Soy Dipping Sauce

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After trying traditional arayes (which were fabulous), I decided that I wanted to try the same idea with different flavours and fillings. These were a hit for all (the kids ate them with ketchup).

Ingredients:
12-15 mini pitas 
1 lb minced chicken 
1 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp maple syrup, divided
Juice of 1/2 a lemon
1 tbsp minced ginger
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 medium zucchini, grated and liquid squeezed out 
1/2 cup grated carrots .
Dipping sauce:
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp maple syrup
1 tbsp rice vinegar 
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tbsp chopped fresh mint 
1 tsp minced ginger . 

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400°F. 
Mix together chicken, soy sauce, 1 tbsp maple syrup, lemon juice, ginger, garlic, zucchini and carrots. Cut openings in pita and stuff with chicken mixture. Place on greased baking sheet and spray top of pitas with additional cooking spray. Bake for 10 minutes, flip, brush with remaining 1 tbsp maple syrup, bake for an additional 10 minutes. 
Mix dipping sauce ingredients together. 
For a spicier option, feel free to add some sriracha hot sauce to the arayes or dipping sauce.