Turkey Mango Picadillo

This meal is everything. It's comforting, hearty, flavorful, fresh, easy-to-make, it's just damn near perfect. Which is exactly why it's become a part of my regular dinner rotation. Seriously this spice combination? Bomb dot com. This version of the recipe uses ground turkey  although the original recipe called for ground pork. I've tried it both ways and you can't go wrong with either. Get the full recipe below. 

The breakfast sandwich SALAD

Guys...this salad. This salad! I keep making it because honestly it's like a restaurant-quality salad but you can make it at home in about 10 minutes. Do you see it, semi-runny egg yolk, melty cheese, perfectly ripe avocado, crispy chunks of bacon and then under all of that deliciousness is the some fresh peppery arugula dressed every so slightly with the tangy juice from a lemon. Yum yum gimme some. Get the full recipe below.

Chocolate Raspberry Baked Oatmeal

So, apparently oatmeal is like the super food for nursing mothers...say the nursing gods or whoever is an expert on this type of thing. But regardless, I love me some oatmeal so I've been eating a lot of it these days because it's a pretty quick breakfast and it fills me up. I love playing around with different fruits, nuts and spices in my oatmeal, but one thing that makes it feel like an extra special treat is when there's a little chocolate thrown in there. Who can pass up chocolate for breakfast? This chocolate raspberry version has been a favorite of mine for some time and if you follow this recipe you'll end up with a oatmeal casserole of sorts that will last you the whole week. Just heat up a square in the microwave for 30-60 seconds and you've got a ready-to-eat meal! Also, can I get a high five for writing a post that isn't about motherhood or babies!? *Pats self on back* 

Get the full recipe below.

Zucchini noodles with tomatoes, mozzarella & garlic sauce

You've probably already heard, spaghetti squash, SO last year. Zucchini noodles... all the rage. I thought I'd give them a try since I'm a crazed pasta lover these days and could probably afford to cut back on the gluten. First things first, you have to get your hands on a spiralizer (isn't that the weirdest name?) The cheapest option is going to be the Veggetti but I had a gift certificate so I splurged for the Paderno Spiralizer. Then you gotta get your hands on 3-4 zucchinis and start spiralizing!  

Homemade corn tortillas

I swear, I actually do eat food other than tacos, although by the looks of things on this blog, that's not how it appears. Well, a couple weeks back, when I posted my sneaky trick for easy carnitas tacos, my pal Dave reached out to me and said, "Did I ever tell you that I used to make my own tortillas? I haven't made them in forever but they are so good. We should set up a taco night so I can make them for you guys." And to that I said, HELL FREAKING YES. Plus, this way I could put together a blog post about it without having to do any actual cooking, win-win! So first things first, we prepared some watermelon margaritas. I don't think you can properly make tortillas without a little tequila in you first. 

Dressing up taco night

I talk about tacos a lot on this blog. I just love them so much they really hold a special place in my heart. The weird thing is that when I was a kid I really didn't like tacos (Say what, Marissa!?! You cray!) I suppose I'm just making up for lost time now, stuffing my face with the delicious meat filled discs whenever I get the chance. When it's a hot day, and you don't really feel like cooking, you can cut up a bunch of fresh veggies and toppings and make yourself a fancy taco bar. The "trick" I'm going to fill you in on, is a little secret I learned from my dear friend, Ana. First, you need to head to Trader Joe's and pick up some of their traditional carnitas. One package is just barely enough for two people, but if you have a big eater in your family, you're going to want to pick up at least two packages. This stuff is like gold, it's pre-cooked, pre-seasoned, so all you have to do is heat and serve. See below for more photos and garnish ideas. 

Grilled pineapple with cinnamon whipped cream

This recipe is very complex. Basically, you grill some pineapple and then top it off with fresh whipped cream. Sounds impossible doesn't it? I kid. It's super easy. The hardest part is whipping the heavy cream (which, if you have a decent stand mixer, isn't really hard at all.) What I love about this dessert is that it feels rich and decadent, but it's simple and on the scale of really unhealthy to not-that-unhealthy, this one definitely falls in the latter category. Oh, and I must mention, this may or may not be the pineapple that was featured in my Memorial Day Weekend post. Check out more photos below.

Nākd Bars: A Healthy & Delicious Snack

I always struggle to find healthy snacks. Sure, nuts are tasty, but they're easy to overeat. You start with one almond and then the next thing you know you've consumed half of your caloric intake for the day in nuts. Fruit is good, but not very filling and sometimes tricky to transport. Beef jerky is one of my favorites, but the grocery store brands have tons of sodium and other ingredients I can't pronounce, and making jerky at home is a complicated process. 

Recently, I had the opportunity to sample Nākd healthy snacks, they're made by a British company devoted to increasing world happiness with yummy healthy snacks. Since I was competing in the Girls on Girls Partner Throwdown last weekend, I figured I'd share them with my fellow hungry athletes. Lots of folks in the CrossFit community try to eat paleo, and luckily Nākd bars are both gluten and dairy free and have no added sugars. Check out more photos and my full review below.

Lemony chicken and rice soup

This winter. This freaking winter! I wish it would go away already and never ever come back. I know everyone in the Northeast (and even the Mid-Atlantic) is feeling the same way right about now. Where the heck is spring and why wasn't it hear weeks ago? We've had a few teaser days, but I'm ready for hot, sticky, unadulterated humidity. Bring. It. On. 

In the meantime, I'll share with you the staple meal that I made all winter long to make me feel warm and cozy on even the blustery-ist of days. I really think this soup passes as a meal since it contains lots of veggies, rice and tons of chicken. Plus, since it's brightened up by the lemon I will probably continue to make this in the spring too. If it ever decides to show up. Full recipe and additional photos below. 

Sausage, Bacon, and Cream Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms

I'm always on the hunt for an easy appetizer to bring to parties or serve when I'm entertaining. Sometimes, I get in a rut and just make boat loads of bacon wrapped water chestnuts. Don't get me wrong, they're always a hit and quite yummy, but sometimes you just feel like making something new. I totally forgot about stuffed mushrooms... I used to make them a lot when I lived back in New York, and in high school I was obsessed with the stuffed mushrooms at Houlihan's. Does that place even exist anymore!? So I thought it was time to bring the stuffed mushroom back. I brought them over to a friend's house for a little NCAA basketball tournament watching party (surprise, surprise, I didn't watch any basketball, I was too busy playing drinking games.) But they were a hit and therefore will be included in the regular appetizer rotation -- you've been warned friends. Get the full recipe below.