PB Pretzel Granola

Serves 12

Ingredients:
Parchment paper for lining the baking dish
2 ½ cups whole-wheat pretzels, chopped
1 cup old fashioned oats, plus 1 cup left whole
2 tablespoons chia seeds
1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup agave nectar

 Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare a baking dish (e.g. 9” x 9”) with parchment paper.

2. Chop the pretzels until coarsely ground (or use a food processor). Then transfer to a mixing bowl.

3. In the food processor, pulse the oats until they are finely ground (resembling oat flour). Then transfer to the mixing bowl.

4. In a small saucepan, combine the peanut butter, olive oil, and agave nectar. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring frequently, until warmed through and well combined.

5. Stir the peanut butter mixture into the reserved oat-pretzel mixture and mix well. Then transfer to the baking dish and evenly spread throughout.

6. Bake for 20-mintues to until the granola is lightly browned. Cool the granola and store in an airtight container.

Recipe from Molly’s book, Skinny Size-It (Harlequin Non-Fiction 2014)

Instant Pot: Lemon Garlic Chicken

This is a very tasty pressure cooker recipe! It is very flavorful and easy to pull together. Give it a try!

Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken (Image Source: Getty Images)

INSTANT POT LEMON CHICKEN
Serves 6.

Ingredients:
2 tablespoon olive oil
3 tablespoon butter
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
4 garlic cloves, sliced or minced
1 sweet onion, chopped
1/2 teaspoon basil
1/2 teaspoon ground parsley
2 - 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
6 - 8 chicken thighs
zest of 1 lemon

Directions:

1. Set the Instant Pot to saute. Add the butter and olive oil. Then add the garlic powder and garlic. Saute until fragrant. Add the onion, basil, parsley, and lemon juice to the pot. Saute for 2 - 3 minutes.

2. Add the chicken thighs and lemon zest to the pot. Lock the lid and adjust the settings to pressure cook. Cook on high for 10 minutes. Then release the steam.

Serving suggestion: Serve over brown rice or cauliflower rice with steamed or roasted broccoli.

Nutrition facts (per serving): 200 calories, 14 grams fat, 6 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 65 milligrams cholesterol, 90 milligrams sodium, 4 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram fiber, 1 gram sugar, 14 grams protein.

Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup

Cold days call for warm soup! This slow cooker black bean soup is hearty, filling, and delicious. Plus, if you’d like you can make it in an Instant Pot and cook the soup under pressure for a meal that is done in minutes. Each serving has 8 grams of heart-helping fiber AND 14 grams of protein. Enjoy!

Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup (Image Source: Molly Morgan)

Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup
Serves 6

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup celery, chopped
1 cup carrot, chopped
1 cup sweet peppers, chopped
5 - 6 cloves garlic, minced
3 1/2 cups canned or cooked black beans
32 ounces low sodium chicken or vegetable stock
1 cup medium salsa
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1 1/2 cups cooked brown rice
black pepper
sea salt

Directions:

1. In a skillet* add the olive oil and heat over medium heat. Add the celery, carrots, and peppers. Cook for 7 - 10 minute until the vegetable are softened. Then add the minced garlic and cook for one minute more.

   *Instant Pot - use the saute setting.

2. Transfer the vegetable mixture to the slow cooker* and add the black beans, vegetable stock, salsa, chili powder, and cumin. Cover and cook for 4 hours on high or 6 - 8 hours on medium or low.

   * Instant Pot - keep working in the Instant Pot. OR to cook under pressure, change the setting to cook under pressure and seal the lid, cook under pressure for 15 minutes.

3. Then about 30 minutes before serving*, add the cooked rice and stir. Season with salt and pepper.

   *Instant Pot - Add the cooked rice to the soup after the pressure cooking is complete.

Nutrition facts (per serving): 270 calories, 4 grams fat, 1 gram saturated fat, 0 milligrams cholesterol, 170 milligrams sodium, 45 grams carbohydrates, 8 grams fiber, 3 grams sugar, 14 grams protein

General Tso Veggies

If you like grabbing Chinese food for a quick meal, you can make these General Tso veggies-based and protein-rich dinner quickly! Also there are instructions on how to make General Tso Chicken in the Instant Pot.

General Tso Veggies

General Tso Veggies

Serves 4

Ingredients:

3 - 4 cups broccoli florets
1 cup sweet peppers, chopped
1 sweet onion, chopped
2 zucchini, sliced
8 ounces baked tofu, cubed
2 cups edamame, shelled
1 teaspoon sesame oil
6 tablespoons rice vinegar
1/4 cup Hoisin sauce
6 tablespoons light soy sauce
4 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ginger, minced

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

2. On a large sheet pan arrange the vegetables, tofu, and edamame.

3. In a small mixing bowl whisk together the remaining ingredients for the sauce. Optional: add 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes.

4. Pour the sauce over the vegetable mixture and bake for 20 - 25 minutes until the vegetables are tender. Stirring occasionally throughout cooking.

Serving suggestion - Serve over brown rice, farro, or soba noodles - pictured above, is with soba (buckwheat) noodles.

Note: This sauce works great with chicken in the Instant Pot too! Here’s a quick how-to: Cube chicken into 1-inch cubes. Saute the chicken in the Instant Pot, in 1 teaspoon sesame oil, until the chicken is lightly browned. Make the sauce as above and pour the prepared sauce (make a double batch of sauce if you are doing veggies and the chicken) to the chicken. Cook under pressure for 10 minutes. Carefully quick release the steam. Then whisk in 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to thicken the sauce. Serve the chicken with brown rice, veggies, or soba noodles.

Recipe adapted from: https://www.adventuresofanurse.com/better-take-instant-pot-general-tsos-chicken/

Roasted Cauliflower Hummus

Well, cauliflower has another incredible use… it can double as a hummus. For all those that think they don’t like hummus, dislike chickpeas, or eat low carb, this is the hummus for you!

Roasted Cauliflower Hummus

Ingredients:
5 cups cauliflower florets (about 1 large cauliflower)
1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
1/4 cup tahini (sesame seed paste)
1 fresh lemon, juiced (about 2 tablespoons)
1/4 cup olive oil or avocado oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons water
sea salt and cracked black pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

2. Place the cauliflower florets on a baking sheet and drizzle with oil. Roast for 20 - 25 minutes until the cauliflower is browned and tender. After the cauliflower is roasted, let it cool.

3. In a food processor (working in batches if needed) add the roasted cauliflower, tahini, lemon juice, oil, and garlic powder. Adding water throughout blending and blend until smooth. If needed, add additional water (one teaspoon at a time) to help smooth the texture.

4. Season with sea salt and cracked black pepper.

   Serving suggestions: Serve with sliced vegetables, roasted vegetables, or your favorite whole grain tortilla chips.

   Nutrition facts (per 2 tablespoons): 55 calories, 5 grams fat, 1 gram saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 0 milligrams cholesterol, 60 milligrams sodium, 2 grams carbs, 1 gram fiber, 1 gram protein