Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Chicken Fajitas with Spicy Avocado Sauce

Chicken Fajitas with Spicy Avocado Sauce
adjusted from The DASH Diet Cookbook

Sauce
1 large avocado, pitted, peeled and cut into fourths
1/2 C plain greek yogurt
1/4 C water
Juice of 1 lemon
1 small jalapeno pepper
1/8 tsp sea salt
1/8 tsp black pepper

Fajitas
4 chicken breasts, cut into 1/2 inch thick strips
1/8 tsp sea salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
1 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp ground cumin
3 Tbsp olive oil
1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1/2 inch strips
1 large green bell pepper, cut into 1/2 inch strips
1 large yellow bell pepper, cut into 1/2 inch strips
1 white onion, cut into 1/2 inch slivers
2 large garlic cloves, minced
8 tortillas

For the sauce, place all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth.  Set aside.
For the fajitas, season the chicken with salt, pepper, cumin and half the oregano.  Heat oil over medium high heat, then add chicken and cook 4 to 5 minutes.  Add the bell peppers, onion, garlic and remaining oregano.  Season with salt and pepper to taste, then cook a few more minutes, until veggies are soft.  Warm tortillas.  Scoop chicken and veggie mixture into each tortilla and drizzle with avocado sauce.  Fold the tortilla over and serve.

Mediterranean Bowl

Mediterranean Bowl
adjusted from The DASH Diet Cookbook

1 cup uncooked whole wheat couscous
1 1/4 C water
1 (16 oz) can artichoke hearts, coarsely chopped
1/2 C rinsed black olives, halved
3/4 C chopped roasted red pepper
1/2 C feta cheese
1 C grape tomatoes, chopped
1/2 small red onion, finely diced
1/4 tsp dried oregano
Pinch crushed red pepper
4 Tbsp olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
Pinch black pepper

Boil water, add the couscous, stir and turn off the heat.  Cover pot with lid and let sit for 5 minutes, then fluff with fork.
Meanwhile, combine all ingredients except for couscous and mix thoroughly.  Refrigerate 15 minutes or so, then fold in couscous.  Serve cold or at room temperature.

Cauliflower Carrot Soup

Cauliflower Carrot Soup
adjusted from The DASH Diet Cookbook

1 large head of cauliflower, coarsely chopped
2 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 small white onion, chopped
3 large cloves garlic, chopped
3 medium carrots, chopped
4 cups vegetable broth
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
a pinch or two crushed red pepper
1/4 tsp dried basil

Fill large pot with water and bring to a boil.  Add chopped cauliflower, cover pot and let boil for 6 to 8 minutes, or until cauliflower is easily pierced with a fork.  Strain cauliflower and discard water.
Meanwhile, heat oil over medium heat.  Add onion, garlic and carrot.  Saute until onion is translucent.
  Add cauliflower.  Transfer a ladleful of veggies to a blender.  Add 1 cup of broth and blend on low to combine, then on high until smooth.  Transfer blended veggies to another pot and repeat process until all veggies are blended.
Heat the blended veggies over medium-high heat.  Add salt, pepper, red pepper and basil.  Bring to a boil and serve hot.