Swiss Chard- Super Healthy Side Dish

Recent research has shown that chard leaves contain at least 13 different polyphenol antioxidants, as well as:

Ingredients: One bunch of Swiss Chard (or rainbow chard is equally as good with more red and yellow colors and all the nutrients that those colored vegetable contain), 2 gloves minced garlic, 2 tbsp of walnuts or pine nuts, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 cup water. For sweet version: 2 tbsp orange juice. For tangy version: 2 tbsp of lemon juice or squeeze one fresh lemon. For Mediterranean Version: Brown garlic and olive oil in deep skillet. For salty version: 1 tbsp soy sauce.

Directions: Cut up swiss chard in half then long way then into 2 inch slices and completely fill skillet- don't worry, it cooks down just like spinach. Add water and sweet, tangy, Mediterranean or salty sauce bringing to a boil then settling to a high simmer. Cook for 3-4 minutes covered then uncovered for 1-2 minutes on high until almost all the liquids are burned off. Serve with walnuts or pine nuts on top.

Fry-less Eggplant Parmesean

This is a great healthy version of what could be a secretly high calorie vegetarian option. Such slight changes make a difference in the fat without compromising on any of the taste. It's also a great place to sneak in any good veggies that you barely even notice!

Ingredients: 1 eggplant, panko crumbs or bread crumbs (use whole wheat if you can and/or homemade from whole wheat bread by cooking at 300 for 10-15 min), reduced fat mayonnaise (Trader Joe's has a great eggless, transfatless one), low fat mozzarella cheese (or for a lower fat version use feta crumbles), your favorite pasta sauce, one bunch of mushrooms, spinach.

Directions: Preheat oven to 350. Slice up eggplant into quarter inch to half inch slices- the thinner the crispier and the thicker the meatier. Layer on paper towels and cover with more layers of paper towels and eggplant layers. Press out eggplant juice by covering with something heavy- I use a cast iron skillet- this takes away that eggplant "bite." Brush each side of eggplant with mayonnaise and dip in bread crumbs then place on greased baking sheet. Once all eggplant slices are complete, bake at 350 until golden brown for about 8-12 minutes flipping once half way into cooking time. Then spread 1/4 jar of pasta sauce evenly around the bottom place with crispy eggplants layered on top. Spread a layer of spinach and mushrooms, then about 1/2 the jar of pasta sauce before covering with shredded cheese. Bake at 350 again for 7 minutes or until cheese is melted.  

Homemade Sweet Potato Fries

Indulge in this guiltless pleasure as you embark on your new years attempts for a healthier lifestyle.

Ingredients: sweet potato or yam (1 usually serves enough for 3 people as side), olive oil, garlic salt

Directions: Preheat oven at 425 degrees. Cut up the sweet potato/yam into rectangle cubes like french fries. Drizzle olive oil and garlic salt or even better shake up in a zip lock bag to evenly cover. Feel free to add whatever herb you like (rosemary is my fav but basil is a different good taste). Cook at 425 until golden brown (about 10-17 minutes depending on how crispy you like it) flipping once. Serve with your favorite dip (garlic aoili, blue cheese dressing, ranch, ketchup).

Baked Brie

Tis the season for cheeses and sweets!

Ingredients: 1 package crescent rolls, triangle of brie, maple syrup, walnuts

Directions: Unwrap the crescent rolls and lie flat on greased pan. Place brie triangle in the middle (I always cut the triangle in half and place them together to make a square). Drizzle desired amount of maple syrup on top of cheese. Sprinkle some walnuts on top. Wrap dough around cheese and press edges together so there are no cracks for the syrup to ooze out of. Bake according to crescent roll directions (usually at 350 for 12 minutes). Serve with sliced baguettes and watch it disappear!

Other Variations: Feel free to change up the syrup for fruit preserves (raspberry and apricot are good ones) and change up the walnuts for almonds, pine nuts, macadamia or your favorite.

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Looking for something to do with those brown bananas? This is an excellent breakfast that will hold you over all day. 
Ways to make this recipe healthier: 1. Use whole wheat flour instead of bleached. 2. Add 1 tbsp. crushed flax seeds. 3. Use 1/2 the suggested amount of chocolate chips.

Ingredients: 1/4 c. vegetable oil, 1 1/2 c. flour, 1 c. sugar, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp orange zest, 1/2 tsp salt, 2 lg eggs, 1 c. mashed bananas, 1/2 c. chocolate chips, 1/2 c. walnuts.

Directions: Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour loaf pan. In large bowl mix together flour, sugar, baking soda, zest, and salt. Mix in oil, eggs, and bananas. *Variation: Mix in 1-2 tbsp of peanut butter.* Stir in chocolate chips and walnuts. Pour in pan. Bake until toothpick comes out clean about 70-80 minutes. Cool in pan 10 minutes then cool on rack.

Top your slice with cream cheese, butter, or peanut butter!

Oatmeal Toffee Cookies

My favorite cookie recipe!!
Ingredients: 3/4 c. flour, 1 c. old-fashioned rolled oats, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/4 tsp salt, 3/4 c. packed brown sugar, 1/4 c. butter softened, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1 lg egg, 1/3 c. almond toffee bits (found in the baking section with choc chips).
Directions: Preheat oven to 350. Combine flour, oats, baking soda, and salt in bowl. Mix sugar and butter in a separate bowl and beat together until well blended. Add vanilla and egg to sugar/butter mixture and beat well. Add flour mixture and beat until combined. Stir in toffee bits. Drop tablespoons of cookie mixture onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake for 11 minutes. Note: These are good chewy so cook a minute or 2 less for chewier cookies.

3 Amazing Prosciutto Appetizers

The best way to cook is being able to use the same ingredients for more than 1 recipe, and with sweet and salty as the consistent theme you can make a party platter with subtle variety that people will die for! My appetizer secrets, like my other recipes, are extremely easy to make but with creative gourmet combinations that will make a party in everyone's mouth.

Prosciutto Wrapped Nectarines
Ingredients: 2 nectarines, 8 slices of prosciutto, maple syrup
Directions: Cut each nectarine into 8 wedges and cut the 8 slices of prosciutto in half lengthwise. Wrap each nectarine wedge with a piece of prosciutto. Grill over med heat turning often, until prosciutto begins to crisp (about 4-6 minutes). Drum roll for the secret ingredient...Brush with 2 tbsp of maple syrup during the last minute of grilling.

Prosciutto Wrapped Stuffed Dates
Ingredients: 3/4 c. goat cheese, 1 tbsp minced shallots, 1 tbsp chopped thyme, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 24 whole pitted dates, 6 thin slices prosciutto.
Directions: Preheat oven to 350. Combine first 4 ingredients in a small bowl stirring with a fork. Slice date lengthwise, cutting to, but not through, the other side. Open dates and place 1 rounded teaspoon of cheese mixture into each date. Cut 1 prosciutto slice in half lengthwise and then crosswise to make 4 pieces. Wrap each date in prosciutto slice, place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 350 for 8 minutes. Serve immediately. Note: If I'm bringing this appetizer to someone's house, I do all the prep at home so I just need to bake it there.

Prosciutto Wrapped Apples and Cheese
This is one of my old recipes so I don't have exact quantities. I usually make as many as I can using 1 package of prosciutto.
Ingredients: granny smith apples, sharp cheddar cheese, prosciutto, maple syrup
Directions: Slice apples into wedges. Slice cheese into small rectangular chunks as wide as apple wedges. Stack the cheese on the apple wedge and squirt a dallop of maple syrup on top. (This is where it gets messy but it's all worth it!) Wrap apple/cheese/syrup amazingness in prosciutto and broil until crispy outside and gooey inside.

You get the idea! Fruit, cheese, maple syrup, prosciutto= UH-Mazing! Get creative with the combos: 
Prosciutto Wrapped Pears and Blue Cheese
Prosciutto Wrapped Apples, Cheese, and Walnuts
Prosciutto Wrapped Asaparagus (with/without a cheese of choice)