Salad

Chop it likes it's HOT!

Ok, so I might be crazy, but really, I used my new Pampered Chef Salad Choppers today to chop my salad and it TASTED way more amazing than it usually does. Like ridiculously amazing. Of course that means I would have to share my recipe, but fair warning, it just may not taste as amazing without these salad choppers. Ha! Just kidding, it will be still be good, it is one of my favorites. Even before salad choppers came into my life! 

First step is to make turkey taco meat.  I make this in batches and store it in the freezer for quick weeknight meals or lunches. Really, in my eyes, if I can double something when I cook it and freeze it, you can bet your ass I am going to do it.  That saves me time later on and I like to save time! I work smart, not hard...sometimes. 

What you need (makes about 8 servings): 
2 lb 93/7 Ground Turkey
2 tbsp of Southwest Seasoning (see below) 
1/4-1/3 cup of diced tomatoes w/ peppers (rotel) 
3/4 cup water

Instructions: 
1. Cook the meat until no longer pink (be sure to chop it up or crumble). 
2. Drain, although w/ the lean I buy there is never much to drain
3. Add in water, rotel & seasoning, mix well.
4. Let it simmer until water is gone. Usually about 10 minutes. 

Southwest Seasoning
2 tbsp chili powder
4 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp coriander
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp paprika
2 tsp sea salt
Mix all the seasonings together and put in a sealed container, it should make enough to have some left for other recipes! It is really great on anything, I use it in my burgers too! 

Oh wait...we are talking salad recipe here, right? Guess you need that too...I almost forgot! 

Here is how I assemble my salad! 
2 cups butter lettuce (the bag kind because I am lazy like that) 
3/4 cup turkey taco meat
1/3 cup avocado & cheese (half & half) 
1/4 cup salsa

Put ingredients together and ENJOY! 

For my Fix Family:
2 Greens, 1 Red, 1 Blue
If you use a fresh salsa (no extra junk in it), Autumn says a small amount isn't enough to count! 

It pays to be prepared...take it from me!

I don't know where you guys live but I am currently living in a sea of water and by sea of water, I mean the middle of Missouri. 

Yeah, so when it is rainy and cold, I avoid leaving my house which means I avoided getting in my boat and going to the grocery store all weekend. Mostly because 1) I don't have a boat 2) I was scared to melt in the rain and 3) I was just not feeling like getting my act together after the holidays. The struggle is real you guys.  Typically, my meal plan is done by Friday and I grocery shop by Sunday! That totally was not the case this past weekend. Oops. 

You know what happens when you aren't prepared?  You order Papa John's for lunch because you have NOTHING in the house to feed yourself or the kids. Those are the decisions you make when you are hangy and your fridge is empty! True story. I know from experience. 

So I got myself up off the couch, went shopping, got my food for the week and whipped up this amazing homemade caesar salad for dinner from the Team Beachbody blog. And let me tell you after you eat not so healthy, it just feels good to eat right! 

By the way, I am super excited for this weeks meal plan other than our date night for sushi, we are having caesar salad (yes, again, it was that good), "fried" rice, general tso's chicken, habanero chili & a couple of different pastas! I promise you, eating healthy doesn't have to be boring. I love knowing I can eat all of these foods and if I eat the right portion, thanks to my handy portion controlled containers, I will stay on track to reach my goals!  

I am sure I will share recipes so check back! In the meantime, here is the Caesar Salad & Dressing! I modified it just a bit and my recipe serves 2. 
 

Caesar Salad 

What you need: 
1 bag of precut romaine lettuce
6oz grilled chicken
4 tbsp dressing (posted below)
1/8 cup organic croutons
1/8 cup shaved parmesan

1. Cook your chicken until no longer pink or until the temp is 160 degress. I used a grill pan & just sprinkled them with a little salt and pepper. Once cooked, cut into strips. 
2. Evenly split up lettuce into two serving bowls. Place chicken on top.
3. Drizzle dressing over top (2 tbsp on each) & toss to blend. 
4. Top with croutons & cheese. 
 

Creamy Lemon Caesar Dressing

What you need:
8oz nonfat plain greek yogurt
1/4 cup real mayo
3 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 glove garlic, finely chopped
1 tsp. anchovy paste
1 tsp. Worcestershire
1 tsp. dijon mustard
Sea salt & fresh cracked pepper, to taste

Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor until completely smooth/mixed.  This dressing recipe is about 8 servings but since we are having this salad again this week, I wasn't worried about having leftovers, I just threw it in a container & put in my fridge. 

For my Fix foodies this recipe counts as:
1/2 green, 1/2 red, 1 yellow, 1/2 blue or orange + 1/2 blue or orange & 1/2 tsp for dressing