Hi! I just wrote my whole post and then my computer did something weird and I lost it...so here we go! These recipes are easy to substitute in things to accomodate your life and allergies, they can be made dairy free, gluten free, vegan...they are also very versatile! We are living through a heatwave here in the Northeast, so they are very hot weather friendly as well. I hope everyone had a great weekend! Did you try any recipes from last week?
1 Tbsp. maple syrup, plus additional for drizzling
2 Tbsp. almonds
1 Tbsp. pumpkin seeds
Blend the strawberries, yogurt, 1 tablespoon of the maple syrup, and the vanilla until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and top with the cornflakes, strawberries, blueberries, almonds, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, and a drizzle of yogurt.
Lunch (more strawberries because they're delicious, add chicken or other protein to make it more of a meal)
Ingredients
1 bunch fresh spinach
1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
1/2 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese (pasteurized, or sub cheddar)
1/2 cup raw pecans (leave out for allergies)
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 cup olive oil
salt and ground black pepper to taste
Directions
Combine the spinach, strawberries, Gorgonzola cheese, and pecans in a large bowl.
Stir the balsamic vinegar and honey together in a bowl; slowly stream the olive oil into the mixture while whisking continuously. Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving.
Dinner (in the crock pot because it is so damn hot!)
Hawaiian BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches )
Ingredients
2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1/2 cup ketchup
1/3 cup pineapple juice (apple juice could be substituted)
1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup honey
2 1/2 tsp molasses
1/4 tsp liquid smoke (I omit because I don't keep it on hand)
1/4 tsp coconut extract
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 Tbsp cold water
1 Tbsp cornstarch
2 Tbsp tomato paste
Glazed Pineapple
6 fresh pineapple rings (cut about 1/2" thick)
4 Tbsp brown sugar, divided
1 Tbsp butter, divided
Directions
Place chicken in a 6 or 7 quart slow cooker. In a mixing bowl, whisk together ketchup, pineapple juice, low sodium soy sauce, honey, molasses, liquid smoke, coconut extract, ginger, onion powder, garlic powder and black pepper. Pour sauce over chicken in slow cooker, cover with lid and cook on low heat for 5 - 6 hours. Remove chicken from slow cooker, shred and set aside. In a medium saucepan, whisk together cold water and cornstarch, pour in sauce from slow cooker and add tomato paste. Bring mixture to a boil over medium high heat, stirring frequently, then reduce heat and simmer 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until thickened. Return chicken to slow cooker (or the mixing bowl) and pour sauce over chicken, toss to evenly coat. Serve warm on hamburger buns, along with optional glazed or grilled pineapple and optional diced green onions (grilled red onions would be good too).
Glazed Pineapple
Working in 2 separate batches, melt 1 Tbsp butter in a 10 inch non-stick skillet. Sprinkle 1 Tbsp brown sugar among one side of 3 pineapple rings (about 1 tsp per each), add pineapple to skillet (brown sugar side down) and saute over medium high heat until golden on bottom about 3 minutes. Sprinkle another 1 Tbsp over the tops of pineapple rings in pan (again 1 tsp per each), then flip and cook opposite side until lightly browned about 3 minutes. Repeat this process with remaining 3 pineapple rings.
Re: Meal Plan Monday