Curry Quinoa & Veggies

This post is WAY overdue...it's embarrassing! I don't know how and I don't know why, but these weeks are just passing by and I feel like there are always a billion things happening! I've been wanting to share this curry quinoa recipe for a while! I posted it to my instagram (@tveenverano_RD) a while back, but never got around to actually writing out the recipe for you guys! So, as I sit outside of Starbucks waiting for my husband to get off work so we can go to DISNEYLAND (YESSSSS) I decided to finally just type up the recipe and press publish! SO, here it is!

This recipe is super simple, delicious, gluten-free, and a plant-based protein that will keep you full! What could be better? :) I hope you enjoy this recipe, and I hope to be writing again VERY soon!

Paleo Kung-Pao Chicken with Vegetables

I am so excited to finally be sharing this recipe! I absolutely love Chinese food, especially Kung Pao chicken with the crunchy toasted peanuts! Growing up, eating Chinese food usually resulted in me “throw out” my healthy eating goals and just indulging in this salty, sweet, saucy, yummy food. This would unfortunately leave me with, shall we say, digestive discomfort, not too long afterwards. Ever since discovering that I have a gluten allergy about a year ago, eating Chinese food has been out of the question for me, since soy sauce contains wheat and is a main ingredient in most Chinese and Asian cooking. However, I always wanted to create a “healthier,” no sugar version of my favorite Chinese dishes in order to enjoy the flavors without the guilt and discomfort soon afterwards!

After experimenting with the paleo lifestyle earlier this year and following the Whole 30 program in March, I finally perfected my very own soy free, gluten free, sugar-free, PALEO Kung Pao Chicken with Cashews recipe! Here it is!

Once the sauce thickens up, turn the heat off and serve! Top with the toasted cashews and green onion slices if desired and serve with cauliflower rice!

Healthy & Light Shepherd's Pie

Funny story: I went to the grocery store on Wednesday to stock up after our vacation. My husband was craving shepherd's pie, and I had never made it before! But determined to make it for him, yummy and healthy, I went to the store. It was about 102 degrees outside. 

As I was checking out, the worker asked me what I was planning on cooking at night. I said "shepherd's pie!" Her eyes probably got to twice the size that they were, and she exclaimed "WHAT?!! IN THIS HEAT??" Umm, yes? I told her my husband wanted it, and she said she was impressed I was going to make it for him in this heat, and that we must not have kids yet. I just thought this was hilarious! Everyone tells me things will change when we have kids, and I expect it will! But right now, I love making the dishes my husband likes, in as healthy a way as possible. I figure, why not take advantage of this time now for me to cook and be a little home maker before kids get into the mix? Even in 102 degrees heat? I say yes to that! :) 

So, here is my healthier version of shepherd's pie. My first attempt at this dish and we both loved it! Here you go! 

And there you go! This meal was absolutely delicious, a total comfort food meal, and is still healthier than it's traditional version! We enjoyed it so much, even with the heat! :) 

I hope you all get to try this recipe; if not now, maybe in the winter! Have a happy weekend everyone!

Almond Crusted Chicken Tenders

I haven't shared a recipe on here in SO long! I wasn't anticipating sharing this one, but it turned out SO good, I just had to write it up! I've been trying to keep my diet (and my husband's) squeaky clean lately, and feeling AMAZING doing so. I am still following the 21 day fix container system and Autumn's countdown to competition meal plan (click here for my previous post)! I am loving the results I am seeing and am remembering how amazing my body feels on clean, whole foods. On top of that, there are enough temptations and distractions during this time of year to overindulge, so as much as I can help it, we are keeping things nice and healthy in the Verano household.

I have been wanting to make a crusted chicken recipe in SO long, and I finally got around to it yesterday! My husband loves breaded chicken, but I stay away from it because of my gluten allergy, and I just find breaded chicken SO heavy. Yesterday, I decided to try to "bread" chicken with almond flour instead of panko  bread crumbs and they turned out DELICIOUS! My husband was happy, I was happy, and our Saturday was made! Here is my quick and easy Almond crusted chicken tender recipe!

I served these up with some buffalo veggies, which were basically steamed veggies I had in the fridge, tossed with Frank's buffalo hot sauce, and baked on 425 for about 15 minutes. I also made the hubby oven-baked fries! I sliced the potatoes nice and thin and spread them out on a lined baking sheet. Then tossed in 1 T olive oil and some salt and paprika. Baked for about 20 minutes, and viola! He was a happy, happy man!

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Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Baking season is in full swing in my home! So far I've made peanut butter cookies, pumpkin cornbread, a few variations of pancakes, and now these banana oatmeal chocolate chip cookies! With so many parties and events to go to, I always want to be sure I have something delicious to take with me but also something slightly healthy as well. These cookies were easy to whip up and remained healthy and delicious! Here is the recipe!  

Pancakes for Christmas Morning!

Ok, you could really make these pancakes any morning, but I'm definitely making these tomorrow for Christmas! I love love LOVE pancakes, and I've recently started experimenting with spelt flour and love the way these pancakes taste!

Spelt flour is a very nutritious whole grain that is chock-full of vitamins, minerals, protein, fiber, and even iron. It's a great substitute to use when baking and leaves baked goods even more fluffy and soft than white flour. It has a nutty and light texture, and these pancakes where the perfect vehicle to get this healthy whole grain into my belly!

I topped our pancakes with PB and then added some sliced strawberries on the side! SO delicious! You could also make these a pumpkin version by using 1/2 cup pureed pumpkin instead of the banana. So many ways to make pancakes, I just love them all!

Southwest Quinoa Salad

January is the month of resolutions and goals, right? Well, this year, my hubby and I have resolved to spend less money. A tempting place for me to spend way more that I need to is on groceries. So, we are going on a "grocery diet." Of course we all need to eat, but I tend to get a little too excited at grocery stores and spend wayyyy more than I ever intended to spend. I am determined to use up all we have at home before entering the tempting arena of Trader Joe's. SO, that's meant a lot more creativity on my end to put meals together! Last night, I whipped up this easy southwest quinoa salad in under 30 minutes and it turned out delicious and was even husband-approved!

I try to keep some staples on hand at all times such as: quinoa, beans, veggies, rice, and hummus. If you have these things...anything can go down in the kitchen. Here is the recipe, and there is also a cooking video at the bottom so you can watch how it's done! 

 See? Super easy, healthy, and delicious! I hope you guys enjoy the recipe! Stayed tuned for more easy and affordable meal ideas coming your way! 

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Scones

​I have always loved scones, especially from the tea place my mom and I went to ever since I was a little girl. I even had my bridal shower there and loved it! (Tea Rose Garden in Pasadena, CA!) There was just something so magical about tea, scones, jam, and cream. I could care less about the little sandwiches, it was those scones that did me in, and I thoroughly enjoyed them.

This coming weekend, I am hosting an "afternoon tea" for my family, so I decided to test out a scone recipe yesterday. I was torn between just buying a mix (scones from scratch have always seemed so high maintenance to me!) but I decided to test out a recipe I stumbled upon for Brown Sugar Cinnamon Scones (link above). I made a few modifications, and the finished product was delicious!

I recommend hosting an afternoon tea ASAP and making these. They were way easier than I thought and with a few modifications, totally guilt free! I hope you all enjoy!

Lentil Patties (Vospov Kufteh)

I am SO sorry it took so long to get this recipe up!! But trust me, it's worth the wait! This was one of my favorite meals growing up, and I finally made it all by myself this past week! It's the perfect meatless Monday meal option and pairs perfectly with a fresh salad! In Armenian, it's called "vospov kufteh," but it's essentially lentil patties with cracked wheat and spices! This is my mama's recipe and it's delicious! Hope you enjoy!

I served this with a light cucumber-tomato salad, then had it again for lunch over some spinach and tomatoes! Fresh veggies are SO good with this meal!

I hope you all enjoy this recipe! Maybe try it next Monday for a yummy meatless meal!

**a note on the bulgar: my mom usually buys this for me from an Armenian market; however, I do believe places like Sprouts and Whole Foods carry it! It is probably called something like "cracked wheat fine #1." ;)

Banana White Chocolate Muffins

I've been on a baking kick lately...and I'm not mad about it. I've also been on a white chocolate kick...which I'm not mad about either. This past weekend, I spotted 3 brown bananas, so I knew I just had to bake! I decided to whip up these banana muffins with white chocolate chips and they turned out delicious!! So good fresh out of the oven and warmed up a bit the next day :) they also include chia seeds and flaxseed for some healthy fats, so you know you are getting some good stuff in there along with the treat! Here is my recipe, hope you enjoy!

I enjoyed these with my morning coffee...bananas with white chocolate are such a good combo! I'll definitely be making these on the regular! Have a great Monday everyone!