healthy

Sesame Ginger Green Beans

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Sesame Ginger Green BeansThere’s nothing more summer-like than fresh green beans. So green and fresh and crisp. YUM! We’re growing green beans in our backyard…the rabbit that keeps popping up around our yard appears to enjoy them. There are lots of blooms on our green bean plants. The baby green beans look like they have great potential. Usually the day after I notice a couple green beans that are close to full grown we find some nice stems that were eaten clean by that very sneaky bunny.

Sesame Ginger Green BeansHowever, I have to say that I did save 1 green bean from said rabbit and it can be seen here in these pictures! Yes, one single green bean. A little sad, but still, I’m like a proud parent. I have no idea which lonely green bean is ours unfortunately, but it’s in there! The rest came from my mother-in-law, who brought them from VanScoy Farms, so I could still be assured that they would be fresh and delicious.

Sesame Ginger Green BeansThis recipe is little different from other green bean recipes with its slightly Asian inspired ingredients. I guess you could say I’m embracing the spirit of the Olympics and thinking more global. Plus they’re delicious. Let’s be honest, delicious is my main concern here. Also, slightly spicy, which adds a new and interesting flavor to the green beans. I’m so used to the typical salt and pepper take on fresh green beans, which is also delicious, I may add. This just seems like a great way to “spice” up your green bean eating experience…no pun intended. Ok, pun intended.

Sesame Ginger Green BeansSpeaking of the Olympics, have any of you been sucked into the games like I have? I’ll start by saying that I don’t know much about sports. The only sport I ever participated in was cross country. If anyone knows the rules to cross country you know there aren’t any really. Pretty much just stay on the path and run the fastest. However, I somehow legitimately feel like I’m a sports expert all of a sudden for every summer sport ever. Travis and I have no problem doling out scores on gymnastics and diving, talking about who has the best chance for swimming or cycling based on their turns and form, and watching beach volleyball like our lives depend on it. I’m pretty sure the irony only grows when you think about the fact that I’m almost 9 months pregnant, sitting on the couch, and eating ice cream while this occurs. Maybe I’m living vicariously through the athletes, remembering what it was like to touch my toes…

Sesame Ginger Green Beans
Serves 3
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Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
15 min
Total Time
20 min
Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
15 min
Total Time
20 min
Ingredients
  1. 1 pound green beans, ends trimmed
  2. 1 tablespoon honey
  3. 1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil
  4. 1/2 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
  5. 1 clove garlic, minced
  6. 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce
  7. 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
  8. 1/2 teaspoon Sriracha
  9. 1/2 cup frozen peas
  10. salt and pepper, to taste
  11. 1-2 teaspoons sesame seeds
Instructions
  1. Bring large pot of water to a boil. While it is coming to a boil, prepare an ice bath by adding ice to a large bowl of water.
  2. Add the beans to the boiling water for approximately 4 minutes (a little less if they are small or more if they are large). Remove beans from the water with tongs and place directly in the ice bath. This will help stop the cooking and keep the beans bright green. Let them sit about 5 minutes in the ice water.
  3. Drain the beans and pat dry with a towel. You can refrigerate them at this point to finish later, if desired.
  4. Mix the honey, vegetable oil, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, and Sriracha in a bowl.
  5. Pour sauce mixture into a large saute pan over medium heat. Stir continuously until the sauce becomes bubbly (about 2 minutes).
  6. Add in green beans. Heat until warm. Add in peas and salt and pepper, to taste. Saute until peas are heated through. Top with sesame seeds.
Adapted from The Cafe Sucre Farine
Adapted from The Cafe Sucre Farine
Flavor From Scratch https://www.flavorfromscratch.com/

Veggie Fried Rice

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Veggie Fried RiceVeggie fried rice has quickly become one of my “go-to” recipes. It’s quick, healthy, and pretty darn delicious. Travis and I started eating it fairly regularly for lunches with some leftover grilled chicken or pork on it. Best. Lunch. EVER! Also, really easy to transport since it’s not liquid-y or anything. That’s a good thing since Travis tends to throw his lunch container in his work bag along with everything else important. Anyways, we also eat it as a side dish, which one may argue is probably it’s main purpose. However we do eat it for dinner…as a main dish. I eat it for 7th meal (pregnancy does that to you). We basically eat it nonstop.

Veggie Fried RiceI think the best part of this dish is that it’s so simple and so versatile. The vegetables included in this are vegetables that I almost always have and if I don’t I can leave something out or switch it up with something else. The other ingredients in here are staples in my house so I almost never have to get more than 1 or 2 things total for this recipe. And if I do have to get something, it’s easy because it has become one of those recipes that I pretty much have memorized. That’s something that happens rarely for me so it says a lot.

Veggie Fried RiceI’ve also gotten my family addicted to this recipe. I’m not sorry that I’m such a good influence on them all. I made it for my sister and brother-in-law who loved it and then they went back home to Ohio where they promptly made it for my parents. My 15-month old niece is a fan. What can I say? It’s a dish for everyone!! Note that the serving of 6 is more for a light meal or side. I heard rumor that for 4 people and a toddler my family might have doubled the recipe and eaten almost all of it for dinner. Just a rumor. I have not verified this officially.

Veggie Fried RiceIf we get down to business, there is one thing to point out. The rice needs to be refrigerated before using it in the recipe. This just ensures that the rice doesn’t get all sticky and clump together. You can try the recipe with fresh made rice if you’re short on time or a person who doesn’t read directions well. *hint, hint…read directions well first* I find it’s super easy just to make some rice when making dinner the night before I make this then refrigerate it. Also, another note…if you use vegetable broth in place of the water to cook the rice you have MEGA flavor. It’s worth a shot, but I’ve also used water for my rice many a time and it’s still scrumptious.

Veggie Fried Rice
Serves 6
Fried rice packed with vegetables and everything delcious
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Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
15 min
Total Time
30 min
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
15 min
Total Time
30 min
Ingredients
  1. 5 cups cooked and chilled brown rice*
  2. 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  3. 1 1/2 cups diced carrots
  4. 1 cup chopped onions
  5. 4 cloves minced garlic
  6. 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
  7. 2 cups diced broccoli
  8. 1 cup diced bell pepper (I used a combination of orange, red, and yellow)
  9. 4 eggs
  10. 1 cup frozen peas
  11. 1 cup frozen corn kernels
  12. 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  13. 1 1/2 tablespoons sesame oil
Instructions
  1. Heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet or pot. Add the diced carrots, onions, garlic, and ginger. Saute about 3 minutes.
  2. Add the broccoli and bell pepper and saute an additional 3-4 minutes, or until the vegetables start to become tender.
  3. In a small bowl, scramble the eggs. Push the vegetables to 1 side of the pan and pour the eggs in to the pan. Stir the eggs until cooked and scrambled.
  4. Add in peas, corn, soy sauce, sesame oil, and brown rice and stir everything together.
  5. Cook until the rice and frozen vegetables are warmed through.
Notes
  1. *To get the right amount of brown rice I used just over 1 1/2 cups of dry brown rice with about 3 cups of water. I have used vegetable broth to replace the water for the rice and it was delicious! It works best if the rice is refrigerated overnight or at least for a couple of hours so it doesn't all stick together.
Adapted from Cooking Classy
Adapted from Cooking Classy
Flavor From Scratch https://www.flavorfromscratch.com/

Spicy Turkey Burgers

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Spicy Turkey BurgerYou know you think it when you hear “turkey burger”…just a hint of disappointment knowing that you’ll have to slather on some extra condiments to make up for the otherwise dry and bland burger itself. You don’t have to pretend that you love the taste turkey burgers *so* much more than beef burgers. I’ve been there. I know. BUT, luckily these turkey burgers are by no means bland and DEFINITELY not dry. I would even venture to say that I would pick this turkey burger over a beef burger. It’s THAT good. You will be in shock. And awe. And wonder why you’ve suffered through so many bad turkey burgers pretending to like them because they’re supposed to be “healthy.” Trust me here.

Spicy Turkey BurgerNow, on the flip side, don’t let the word “spicy” scare you. These turkey burgers do have a couple of spicy ingredients but are by no means 5-alarm, call the fire department spicy. The spice just perks up the otherwise kind of bland turkey. The green chiles also add some much needed moisture to the turkey. As does the cheese. Plus, it’s hard to go wrong with cheese.

Spicy Turkey BurgerI kind of got this recipe from my mom. I say “kind of” because when I asked her what was in it she replied, “ground turkey, cheese, green chiles, and hot sauce.” Thanks, mom. That’s real helpful. Just kidding…I love my mom and I’m sure she would figure out the exact amounts for me if I wanted but she just knows how much goes in. It’s like her secret. Well, I’m outing her secret. Because it’s too good not to share. I also added a little fresh cilantro because we have an enormous amount in our garden. Totally optional. Totally delicious.

Spicy Turkey BurgerWhat did I put on my turkey burgers? A little extra cheese (there’s never enough), guacamole, and lettuce. Um, YUM! I think we even added pickles to the mix when we had leftovers. You can also use your traditional burger toppings and it would be delicious. Basically, you can’t go wrong with these burgers.

Spicy Turkey Burgers
Serves 4
Juicy and flavorful turkey burgers
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Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
12 min
Total Time
17 min
Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
12 min
Total Time
17 min
Ingredients
  1. 1 pound ground turkey
  2. 1/2-3/4 can chopped green chiles (4 ounce can)
  3. 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  4. 2 tablespoon chopped cilantro
  5. 1 teaspoon hot sauce or Sriracha
Instructions
  1. Gently blend ingredients together until just combined.
  2. Form into 4 patties.
  3. Grill over medium heat for 5-6 minutes per side, until golden brown and the inside temperature reads 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Since these are turkey burgers, make sure they are cooked all the way through.
Notes
  1. I topped my burgers with lettuce, a little more cheese, and guacamole. You can also use your favorite traditional burger toppings!
Flavor From Scratch https://www.flavorfromscratch.com/

Melon and Cucumber Salad

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Melon Cucumber SaladSchool’s out for summer!! When I think of summer, I think of lots of fun and good food and rest. This quick and easy salad full of refreshing and colorful watermelon, cantaloupe, and cucumber is PERFECT to start your summer out right! It’s flavorful, sweet, and crunchy. Full of melon and cucumber that will keep you cool and hydrated! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! Must try dish. It’s seriously too simple not to try.

Melon Cucumber SaladI made this dish when my in-laws were in town and it was a hit! The cucumber is a little unexpected, but a beautiful and refreshing addition to this salad. The honey adds a hint of sweetness and the mint is just plain delicious! The lime isn’t an obvious flavor, but it brings everything together perfectly. It’s like summer in a bowl. Yum-o-yum.

Melon Cucumber SaladIf you haven’t figured out, I’m a little excited for summer. And by a little I mean *extremely* excited. It’s been a long school year full of great things but also lots of stress. My growing belly also makes it hard to run around chasing kids like I did so easily a few months ago. To say the least, I’m ready for a break!

This summer break comes with lots of new adventures including getting the nursery ready for our little man making his debut at the end of summer/beginning of fall. It also comes with the uncertainty of what is to come being a mom. I’m planning to take some time off to be with the baby. I cannot wait to be a full-time mom but that also means leaving behind my job that I love and wondering what if I will lose my mind when I’m home day after day with a non-verbal tiny person. And by non-verbal I mean a person that will just cry until I figure it out. So technically verbal. Just in a language I know nothing about. Oh boy!

Melon Cucumber SaladDon’t get me wrong, I will love every minute of being home with the little guy. I really mean it when I say this is a new adventure…adventures are always worth it in the end! But please forgive me in advance when my posts come out less often after baby comes because I’m changing my 1,000,000th diaper and crying in a corner. Ok, maybe not crying in a corner…but you never know. You never know. I’m not making any promises.

Melon and Cucumber Salad
Serves 6
Refreshing and colorful salad perfect for summer!
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Prep Time
10 min
Prep Time
10 min
Ingredients
  1. 3 1/2 cups watermelon, cubed
  2. 3 cups cantaloupe, cubed
  3. 3 cups cucumber, cubed (about 1 large English cucumber)
  4. 3 tablespoons honey
  5. 2 tablespoons lime juice (juice from about 1 lime)
  6. 2 tablespoons chopped mint
  7. pinch of salt, to taste (optional)
Instructions
  1. Toss the watermelon, cantaloupe, and cucumber together in a large bowl.
  2. In a small bowl, mix the honey, lime juice, mint, and salt (optional) until combined. Pour over the melon mixture. Toss to combine.
  3. Best enjoyed when first tossed, though can be kept refrigerated for a couple of days.
Notes
  1. If you include salt, make sure to eat the salad sooner than later because it will pull the water out of the melon and cucumber.
Flavor From Scratch https://www.flavorfromscratch.com/

Orange Cranberry Cashew Salad

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Orange Cranberry Cashew SaladIn general, I have to be in the right mood to eat a salad. Like if I could choose anything in the world to eat, my first choice would not be salad. It’s usually something more like pizza. Just saying. However, Travis and I ate this entire thing one day for lunch and loved it! The orange gives it a fresh citrus flavor, the cranberry is a little sweet and sour, and the cashews are salty and crunchy. YUM! I also have some creamy fresh mozzarella on there. And let’s face it…cheese makes everything better. End of story.

Orange Cranberry Cashew SaladThe great thing about this salad is that it’s *super* simple to make but seems *super* fancy. You could totally bring this to a fancy party and fit right in. But you could also make it in 5 minutes while binge watching TV in your sweatpants. It’s your life…I won’t judge. It’s hard to find something appropriate for EVERYTHING. This is it. This is the side dish that is perfect in any situation. You’re welcome.

Orange Cranberry Cashew SaladTalking about fancy, I am not very fancy. Fancy restaurants make me nervous and I usually leave hungry. Well, yesterday Travis and I went to this kind of fancy restaurant for an event with appetizers and such. As soon as we walked in I thought, “Something smells funky.” I mean I wish I spent the time enjoying meeting and talking to people but I mostly thought about how funky it smelled. I’m just being honest here. Anyways, they had some nice flatbread pizza and fancy fries and dips that of course we devoured. Afterwards, I told Travis that the funkiness was definitely from the fries. I thought it was a cheese or something but turns out they were truffle fries.

Orange Cranberry Cashew SaladNow, here’s the difference between me and someone fancy with a refined “palete” (yes, I had to look up how to spell that because I don’t use that word in real life). Turns out, I HATE the smell and taste of truffles. A fancy person would say that’s crazy and I don’t know what’s good. I’m sorry, but I’m not a fan. It must be one of those acquired tastes that only fancy people like. Or maybe I can just blame my heightened sense of smell and taste on the pregnancy. Perhaps I shouldn’t rule out such a supposedly wonderful thing so quickly. So instead I will say that as of today, I am not a fan of truffles, but who knows what will happen in the future.

Anywho, getting back to the salad. Regardless of how refined you palate is, this is a fancy and simple salad that you will love!

Orange Cranberry Cashew Salad
Super simple salad perfect for any event!
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Prep Time
5 min
Prep Time
5 min
Ingredients
  1. 1 orange
  2. 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  3. 1 tablespoon honey
  4. 1 teaspoon mustard
  5. salt and pepper, to taste
  6. 1/4 cup olive oil
  7. Spinach and/or salad greens of your choice
  8. Dried cranberries
  9. Cashews
  10. Fresh Mozzarella cheese
Instructions
  1. Cut the skin off the orange with a knife. To do this, I cut the top and bottom of the orange off, then ran my knife around the orange from top to bottom. Make sure to get all the white pith off in this process.
  2. Using a sharp knife, cut out the orange wedges by cutting just inside the white lines (see image above). This makes nice slices without the pith.
  3. Squeeze the juice from the leftover orange pith into a bowl. Whisk in the balsamic vinegar, honey, mustard, and salt and pepper.
  4. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until it comes together.
  5. In a large salad bowl toss together the salad greens, dried cranberries, cashews, Mozzarella cheese, and a drizzle of the salad dressing, to taste.
Flavor From Scratch https://www.flavorfromscratch.com/
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