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Lemon Almond Chicken Salad

Show me the person that isn’t looking for more delicious, healthy lunch ideas — we all are! Rarely are we dreaming of digging into a lunch we threw together at home in a hurry. So forget the sad salads you usually pack, and whip up a batch of this lemon almond chicken salad for tomorrow. With this recipe in your arsenal, you might actually stick to eating the healthy lunch you brought from home — and you’ll definitely look forward to it. The crunchy almonds are so satisfying, and the lemon pepper seasoning makes this recipe oh-so-craveable. Eat it with crackers, or wrap it up in a lettuce leaf for a low-carb option. It’s great all on its own, too! We snack on it by the spoonful at my house. There are tons of other ways to customize this recipe. Omit the tiny bit of mayo if you’re going for…

Warning: You may not want to use the pepper shaker at restaurants

The next time you’re out to eat, you may want to consider whether you really need to add salt and pepper to your meal. It turns out, pepper shakers are one of the dirtiest items in a restaurant. According to a study from ABC News, pepper shakers harbor one of the highest bacteria counts at a public dining facility with counts reaching 11,600 — second only to restaurant menus. (And for your complete disgust, restaurant menus were found to carry the most — an average bacteria count of 185,000 — and have 100 times more bacteria than your typical toilet seat.) The study examined swab samples taken from common table items at 12 restaurants throughout New York, Ohio, and Arizona. The swabs were then examined for “total bacteria counts and coliform — a broad class of bacteria found in our environment. The presence of coliform can indicated fecal matter.” Dr.…

Cantaloupe salsa sweetens up end of summer celebrations

My oven broke last week, and I’ve been waiting for two weeks for the new one to arrive. But with this summer heat dragging on, I actually don’t mind the inconvenience one bit. Ive been using this time to get creative with foods that don’t require a heat source. That’s how this bright and cheery cantaloupe salsa came to be. I’ve always been a big fan of fruity salsas, whether on their own, or over fish or chicken. Mango salsa is the king of sweet salsas, closely followed by pineapple salsa — but this melon version is right up there. The cantaloupe and jalapeño create that delicious sweet heat I can’t get enough of. Tortilla chips and salsa might not seems like much of a dinner, but when it’s this delicious — and the weather is this hot — sometimes, it’s all you can handle. And don’t forget this fun…

Easy Chicken Enchiladas are ready to party

You’ll look forward to making this easy enchilada recipe almost as much as you’ll look forward to eating it. It’s so simple yet full of that delicious Mexican flavor you crave. And you don’t have to go to a restaurant for Cinco de Mayo. Whip these up for authentic flavor on May 5 or any night of the year. Easy Chicken Enchiladas Ingredients 3-4 cups cooked chicken, shredded (I use cooked rotisserie chicken as a time saver) 1 medium onion, chopped 2 teaspoons olive oil 3/4 – 1 cup sour cream 1/2 cup parsley, chopped 1 large can enchilada sauce (Dos Amantes has great flavor) 3 cups shredded cheese (Mexican blend preferred) 8-12 flour tortillas Directions Preheat oven to 350ºF. In a large pan over medium heat, heat 2 tsps of olive oil. Simmer the onions and cook until soft. Stir often. Combine the chicken and the onions in the pan. Stir until combined. Pour about 1/2 cup of enchilada sauce…

Easy, vegetarian Mexican quinoa bowl

This dish is chockfull of so many delicious flavors. From its black beans and jalapeños to the green chilis and cumin, it’s a fun Mexican dish with a twist. It has a hint of heat and a bit of tanginess from the lime, too. It’s a great healthy alternative to taco salad. The quinoa makes this dish so filling, and the cumin and beans makes it so satisfying, you’ll never even notice meat is missing. You could even serve this mix on a bed of fresh greens for extra nutrition. vegetarian Mexican quinoa bowl Serves: about 6 Ingredients 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinse and drained 1 cup corn kernels, canned or frozen 1/3 cup quinoa, rinsed 1/2 red onion, chopped 1 red pepper, chopped 1 can (4.5 oz), diced green chilis 1 small jalapeño, minced 2 tsp cumin 1 tsp salt + a pinch 1/4 tsp pepper 1 lime, quartered…

Grapefruit, avocado, capers, a flavorful salad for all seasons

Discounts can lead you to make some questionable choices. In one of those “I’m totally saving money” moments, I purchased an enormous jar of capers for two bucks at the market a few months ago. (It was 150 servings!) My love of the little briny flower buds is strong, but how many cups of capers can one person honestly eat? Since my excessive purchase, I’ve let them be my muse. You’d think a recipe like the one below would have started with the citrus at its center. But actually, it was the salty capers that lead me in. But no matter where you start in a recipe, it’s the final product that matters most. This recipe works all year round. Make it in the winter when citrus is in peak season. Or whip it up in summer when we have an endless appetite for all things fruity. The sour to semi-sweet grapefruit pairs perfectly with the smooth,…

8 Foods you can carve that aren’t pumpkins

Be original this year and forget about pumpkin carving. There are other fun foods you can turn into jack-o-lanterns just as easily. You could start with an unusual looking squash — one of those green and bumpy ones you see at the farmers market, or you could take it totally weird and think citrus. Here are eight creative carving ideas for Halloween. Apples Apples are another symbol for fall, so why not give them the jack-o-lantern treatment? Their firm flesh and thin skin make them a perfect candidate for going under the knife. If you plan on keeping them around for longer than a few hours, try spraying with a bit of lemon juice to keep from turning brown. Bonus points for turning your creation into the best fall apple of them all — candy apples. https://www.instagram.com/p/BMO8G07jQfy/?tagged=carvedapple Oranges A grapefruit spoon will help you tackle the delicate job of gutting an orange. Carve…

Restaurant quality at home with roasted red pepper sauce pizza, pasta

It’s good for our tastebuds if we mix things up every so often. Try this roasted red pepper sauce on anything you would typically top with a tomato sauce for an instant, restaurant-worthy upgrade. It’s a unique flavor all on its own, and it will give new life to those dishes you’ve made dozens or even hundreds of times before. It looks like tomato sauce, but the creamy, fiery flavor will surely make you a fan. Roasted Red Pepper Sauce Ingredients 16 oz. jar of roasted red peppers 2 tbsp water 2.5 tbsp butter 3-4 cloves of garlic 1 tbsp dried basil 1 tbsp dried oregano 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional) healthy dose of fresh cracked pepper 1/3 cup heavy cream (if using on pizza, use 1/4 or less) Directions Add peppers to blender along with 1-2 tbsp of extra liquid from the jar they came in. It’s a bit acidic, but can…

Citrusy, cilantro pasta salad with peas, green beans and almonds

Pasta salads are one of the most simple and versatile dishes around. There’s a seemingly endless combination of delicious pastas, veggies, herbs and spices out there. With fresh ingredients, they rarely fail. This pasta salad uses whole wheat penne for a hearty base and matches it with the snap of green beans, the pop of peas, and the crunch of almonds. Yet, it’s the citrus and cilantro that take it to the next level. Enjoy this light and summery pasta salad with chicken, fish or even on its own. (Use fresh green beans for best flavor. You may substitute Royal Burgundy (Phaseolus vulgarism) for a purple pop along side the green peas and oatmeal colored pasta. The color combo is a real show stopper!) Citrusy Pasta Salad with Peas, Green Beans Prep time: 30 minutes, Serves 3-4 Ingredients 8 ounces whole wheat pasta (I like the shape of penne to match the beans) 4 cups…