Unstuffed Zucchini

I do not like making zucchini boats because I know my kids will not eat the zucchini, just the "insides"(same with stuffed peppers) so this is a perfect alternative for us to get in all our veggies :-) 

You will need:

1lb ground turkey( could use spicy sausage, or whatever is your preference) 

1 large zucchini 

1 medium onion 

Small green pepper 

2 cloves garlic, minced 

1 Tbsp Olive Oil 

Red Potatoes(Your preference, about 1 1/2-2 cups)

3 Roma tomatoes,chopped 

Oregano,Thyme,Sage (1/2tsp each optional)

Salt and Pepper 

1/2 cup shredded Monterrey Jack Cheese 


1. Add turkey to pan and top with seasoning of your choice( I used Rachel Rays 24/7 seasoning grinder)let cook until no longer pink and drain(leave in colander) 

2. Heat Olive Oil in the pan,add potatoes and allow to start browning on all sides

3. Add zucchini,onion,pepper, garlic, and salt and pepper. Allow to cook until onions are translucent.

4. Add turkey back to pan and add tomatoes.Add spices and stir to combine. Cover and simmer 25 minutes, stirring often. 

5. Turn off stove, add cheese to the top and add cover back to melt cheese just for a few seconds.

Turkey, Kale,and Black Bean Tacos with Pico De Gallo

TURKEY,KALE,AND BLACK BEAN TACO FILLING

1 lb lean ground turkey
1/2 sweet onion,chopped
1 sweet pepper chopped(i used yellow pepper because that's what I had)
1 1/2-2 cups chopped Kale(chopped small)
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 Tbsp Chili Powder
1 Tbsp dried Cumin
Pinch of Kosher Salt

*Heat a large skillet over medium heat, spray with nonstick spray.Brown the turkey with the onion.

*Add the chopped Kale along with a large pinch of salt, stir all together.

*Add in the pepper, beans, and spices and cook 2-3 minutes allowing everything to come together.

*Lower to a simmer to keep warm until ready to eat.

We have made this a few times now and I have to say it is very versatile! Can use as filling for tacos, burritos,Quesadillas,Taco Salad, and I even put some in an egg muffin I made(just a scrambled egg poured in a muffin tin,add this filling and some cheese) and it was delicious!

Here are the Quesadillas for the kids, I put one tortilla in the pan with guacamole,spinach,cheese then the filling and a tad more cheese. I put another tortilla on the top with more guacamole to hold everything together. (Not the best picture but you get the gist)

I found the original recipe at GreenLiteBites


PICO DE GALLO

1 cup tomato,chopped
1/2 cup red onion,chopped
1/4 cup cilantro,chopped
Lime Juice
Salt and Pepper

*Chop everything small and add to a bowl. Add Lime juice and S&P and stir. Allow to sit a few minutes before serving. YUM YUM!!
(Keep in mind if making a small bowl, before buying a large bunch of cilantro, they may have a small pack in the produce section with other packaged herbs.)

Turkey Sausage and Kale Soup

It is a cold rainy day and I am so glad I planned this soup on the menu! Very Yummy and filling!
I did have to substitute a few things from the original recipe I wanted to have, but was still great!

I am taking a little time while Brother is napping to get this blog post done, start looking for recipes for next week and just resting(3 yr old BOYS wear you out!)  ;-)

I have to share that we are all going strong on this healthy eating challenge! I can feel the change; I do not want a soda(really), I don't want to eat crap because I know how many calories are in it and I don't want to have to walk/exercise more just to get those off on top of what I already have to do. I am really enjoying the juicing, wish I could get in to the smoothies more though, my blender is not getting it..well..smooth. It's very thick and gritty. Any tips would be appreciated!

On to the recipe, here we go...

Turkey Sausage and Kale Soup 

Turkey Sausage- (I used Seasoned Turkey Sausage Links, because that's what I had on hand. This would be good with regular Turkey meat seasoned, ground chicken seasoned, Turkey kielbasa, etc...)

1 small onion, 3/4 cup, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes , drained but juice reserved

Broth/Water- ( I used 2 cans chicken broth and 2 cups water. Which was very good, however next time I am going to try with vegetable broth and water)

4 red potatoes, quartered (about 2 cups)

1 can (15 oz) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed (I used Pinto because that's what I had)

1 cup carrots, chopped

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 bunch kale (about 6 cups raw), stems removed and cut into bite-size pieces

*Place a dutch oven over medium-high heat and spray with non-stick cooking spray.

*Once it is hot,add onion and meat. Let cook until the meat is browned and onions are soft. Remove meat and set aside.

*Add the garlic and the drained tomatoes to the pot, stir constantly until the tomatoes begin to dry out and brown color begin to form on bottom of pan.

*Add the reserved tomato juice and broth slowly while stirring/scraping the brown from bottom of pot.

*Add the potatoes and simmer for 10 minutes.

*Add beans,carrots, meat and pepper, cook 5 more minutes.

*Add the kale and let simmer until the kale is wilted.

I got the idea for this recipe from SparkPeople.com

Italian Turkey Meatballs

Here is what you will need:

2 cloves garlic
Large handful fresh flat leaf parsley, chopped
1/2 medium onion,chopped (I grated one to see if I could hide it from Sissy)
1 1/2lbs ground turkey
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1/2 cup dried bread crumbs
2 tsp kosher salt
1 large egg, beaten
2 Tbsp milk
2 dashes Worcestershire sauce (about 1/2 tsp)
Course black pepper
1/4 cup EVOO

1. Mix the turkey, onion, parsley, garlic, Parmesan, bread crumbs, salt, egg, milk, Worcestershire, and black pepper in a large bowl. Mix until just combined; don't over mix.
2. Using your hands, gently form mixture into balls. Put them on a plate and cover and refrigerate at least an hour up to 24 hours.
3. Turn oven on broil. Spray baking sheet, and place balls on sheet.
4. Broil for 10 minutes or until they start to brown and crisp.

You can eat these with a little ketchup or throw them in some basic spaghetti sauce. YUM-O!
They would also be great turkey burgers!

I got this recipe originally from How to Boil Water  a GREAT cook book that teaches you everything you need to know for cooking!!  :-)

Mari's Turkey Burgers

I am not usually a turkey burger kind of girl. Even though they aren't the healthiest I am an angus beef burger kind of girl  :)
 However, when my friend Mari posted these Cheddar Pepper Turkey Burgers  I knew I had to try them! And the did NOT disappoint! They were SO good!

Here is what you will need:

3/4 cup chopped roasted red or yellow peppers (I used both and I found these @ Kroger)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese ( I had a block of cheddar so I shredded that)
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 1/2 Tbsp. garlic salt
1 Tbsp. smoked paprika
2 tsp. ground black pepper
1 large egg
NOT PICTURED: 1 lb. 85/15 ground turkey
              1 lb. 99% fat free ground turkey
Preheat the broiler to high(We will also be doing these on the grill when hubby gets it out). In a large bowl, combine all ingredients with your hands.

Divide the mixture into 10 patties. Wrap the extra patties in plastic wrap and freeze them for later.
 Put the amount of patties you want on a sheet pan (one with a lip on the side) and broil for 10-12 minutes (or until they are browned and the internal temperature is at 165 degrees F).
Remove from the oven and cool.

I had mine with half of a avocodo, peppered. It was Mmm mmm Good  :)

Y'all try these out soon, I know you will love them too! And if you haven't been over to MARI NOT SO BLAND. What are you waiting on?? She has some great recipes to try out!