Healthy Meal On a Budget

 

Carrot Curls and Broccoli Salad

Serves 4 

4 carrots- cut in curls

2 cups broccoli florets

2 Tablespoons of raisins

2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

3 tablespoons of red wine vinegar

4 slices red onion, thinly sliced

Salt and pepper to taste

 

Soak onion slices in vinegar. Combine carrots, broccoli, and raisins. Drizzle oil toss to coat. Add onion slices and vinegar. Salt and pepper to taste.

 

Tex -Mex Chicken Thighs   

Serves 4

1-cup tomato sauce

1-tablespoon tomato paste

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 onion, small, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

1-teaspoon cumin

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 ½ lb. skinless and boneless chicken thighs, fat trimmed

1 poblano pepper, cut into 8 pieces

 

In a medium pan over medium heat combine tomato sauce, paste, Worcestershire sauce, chopped onion, garlic, cumin, salt and pepper. Add chicken pieces and mix thoroughly. Add poblano pepper. Bring to a boil. Cook for 5 minutes. Cover with lid. Reduce heat and let braise for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally.  Remove from heat and serve.  

 

Orzo Pasta Side

Serves 4

2 tablespoons of oil

1 cup orzo pasta

2 cup water

1 tablespoon tomato paste

¼ teaspoon salt

In a medium saucepan combine olive oil and pasta. Cook on medium heat for one minute while stirring to prevent sticking and to coat each pasta grain with oil. Add 2 cups of water, tomato paste and salt, stir. Cover and let cook on low-medium heat for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and fluff with fork. Serve as side with chicken.

 Caramelized Apple Slices

Serves 4                                 

3 apples, golden delicious, peeled, cored & sliced ½ inch thick

3 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons water

1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice

1 teaspoon fresh ginger, finely minced

   

1.    In a large skillet over medium heat dissolve sugar in lemon juice and water, mixing continuously. When sugar is dissolved and begins to caramelize, starts to turn a brown color,  watch closely; add apple slices and mix gently to coat slices. Cook for 2 minutes.  

2.    Add ginger and mix to distribute thoroughly; cook for 1 minute.

       Remove from heat. Transfer onto a serving platter.  Serve.

Tip: For a more elegant and rich presentation: serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream drizzled with melted chocolate.