What I Ate This Week: 4-9 April
I'm back with some more recipes! In between holidays and traveling we haven't been eating at home as often. Which also means we haven't been eating as well. I was excited to get back to it and ease into some healthier meals.
MONDAY: MANICOTTI
Photo from Kraft
It's been a while since I've had a good manicotti. So I decided to make some! I usually use cottage cheese, but this time I went more traditional with the ricotta. I mixed in a few handfuls of shredded mozzarella, a ton of spinach, and some salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Plus, a little cayenne powder and turmeric. I mixed over low heat until everything was melted, mixed, and wilted. Then I removed it from the heat to cool so that I could handle the filling. Next, I boiled some manicotti for just a few minutes so that they maintained their shape and could finish cooking in the oven. When the filling had cooled to just above room temp I filled a piping bag with it and piped the filling in the manicotti. I arranged them in a baking tray and topped with a store-bought tomato sauce. Lazy, I know, but I had it on hand and needed to use it. I popped it in the oven for 10 minutes, added some mozzarella over the top, then baked for another 5 minutes until the cheese was melty and just golden brown on the top. It was yummy, but I will say I prefer the cottage cheese route!
TUESDAY: AVOCADO ZOODLES
Picture by Damn Delicious
I was looking for healthier ways to have pasta and came across this recipe. While it calls for regular spaghetti, I decided to spiralise some courgettes (zucchinis). I followed the recipe otherwise, omitting the corn. It was light and fresh, took almost no prep time, and required zero heat! This is perfect for those hot summer days or evenings when you're in a rush to get dinner done.
WEDNESDAY: MUSHROOM FLORENTINE
Picture by She Wears Many Hats
On the less healthy side of pasta was this mushroom florentine recipe. With some whole wheat spaghetti, low sodium chicken broth, and low fat milk, it's not as bad. It was super tasty. I topped ours with some chicken, cooked in paprika, salt, pepper, and cayenne. I also addd some broccoli straight into the pasta rather than serving it as a side.
THURSDAY: STEAK AND POTATOES
Picture from My Recipes
It doesn't get much simpler than steak and potatoes. Sometimes it's nice to go back to the basics. I like to do my steak with cumin, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. For extra flavour, cook in veggie or chicken broth. If you really want to go all in, cook the steak in butter. I kept mine on the healthier side, cooking it in just coconut oil and topping with the seasonings. After boiling my potatoes I cooked them in the pan after the steak was taken out until golden and crispy on the outside. I also served some steamed carrots on the side. One easy, filling meal done!
FRIDAY: HONEY SALMON
Picture from Betty Crocker
I'm sure you're getting tired of seeing this one on my blog, but I just can't help but keep going back to it. Honey salmon. It's the simplest recipe that produces the most flavour. A little salt and pepper and honey. Wrap it up in some foil and bake it and you've got the quickest, easiest salmon meal ever! I like to have mine with wild rice and broccoli.
SATURDAY: GARLIC SHRIMP COURGETTI
Picture by Just A Taste
In our local grocery store they have the best fresh seafood section. Our favourite is the garlic prawns they do. I like to cook ours and have them over some spiralised courgettes. Fast, easy, and cheap. If your store doesn't do a garlic shrimp, check out the recipe above from Just a Taste!