Chicken, Cheese, Rice and Broccoli Casserole

Chicken, Cheese, Rice, and Broccoli Casserole
From the kitchen of Amy Meek (adapted from Jenna Grubb)



2cups cooked/ shredded chicken
2 cans of cream of chicken soup (my preference is just cream of chicken, I think the original recipe calls for one chicken and one celery- I use the Pacific brand cr of chicken- it tastes 10 bajillion times better than Campbell's and you recognize all the ingredients)
2 cups cooked rice (I usually cook a cup and just dump in however much that makes)
1 cup chicken broth
Broccoli, chopped small (cooked) - about a cup/ cup and a half
Cheese (to your taste)

Then top with cheese and crumbled crackers, stick in oven for around 35 minutes on 400 or until hot and bubbly

Chicken Pot Pie Soup, 100% organic and GMO free

Chicken Pot Pie Soup
From the kitchen of Stephanie, adapted from this recipe from skinnytaste.com

Ingredients:

1/3 cup organic all-purpose flour (for a gluten free option, see original recipe)
2 cups water
4 cups organic 1% milk
1 large organic celery stalk, chopped
1/2 medium organic onion, chopped
8 oz (1 container) sliced organic button mushrooms
3 tsp organic chicken Better Than Bouillon
fresh ground pepper
big pinch of thyme
1-2 tsp garlic powder
1 cup frozen organic peas
1 cup frozen organic sweet corn
12oz organic baby carrots, chopped
2 organic medium sized potatoes, peeled and cubed small
12 oz cooked organic chicken breast, shredded or in small cubes (I will give instructions for how I cooked mine)
salt

Directions for Chicken:

So that the soup didn't take that long to make, I made my chicken earlier in the day, while Hudson was napping. I preheated the oven to 400 degrees. I sliced each chicken breast in half (so that it was thinner), then I place it in a glass 9x9 dish....no spray, no oil, no butter. Just place it directly on the glass. Then I seasoned the top with garlic powder, pepper, and salt. I baked it, covered with foil, for 55 minutes. (I have found that Organic Chicken Breasts take a little bit longer to cook, which is why the time seems a little longer). Another option you could do is use the chicken from a rotisserie chicken, but just know that would stop the soup from being 100% organic and GMO free.

Directions for the soup:

Mix 1/2 cup of cold water and flour in a small bowl and set aside for later.

Pour water and milk into a stock pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally, so that you don't get a film on the top. Once the liquid has come to a slow boil (takes about 5-10 minutes), add all of the veggies, spices and Better Than Bouillon and stir. Let this cook over low heat, partially covered with a lid for about 20-30 minutes. The length of time will depend on how small you diced your carrots and potatoes. Remove the lid and add your chicken. Once incorporated, add your flour and water mixture. Make sure to stir as you add the mixture. Let cook for another 5 minutes, taste and adjust your seasonings if needed.

Enjoy!!!

Total Calories per cup of soup:

195 calories
1 gram of fat
27 grams of carbs
17 grams of protein

Healthy Taco Salad

Healthy Taco Salad
From the kitchen of Stephanie


Ingredients:

1 cup Kale (deribbed and chopped)
1 heart of Romain (chopped)
4 oz of extra lean ground turkey
Taco Seasoning (I prefer Trader Joe's...no additives and great flavor)
1/2 Yellow Onion (chopped)
2 Green Onions (chopped)
1/4 cup of Light Mexican Cheese Blend (I also use Trade Joe's...no GMO's)
1/4 of an Avocado
Tortilla Chips (I used the Reduced Guilt Trader Joe's Tortilla Chips...great flavor)
1/2 cup Tri-color Bell Peppers (chopped)
1 lime
2 TBSP Salsa (I prefer the Homestyle Salsa Especial from Trader Joe's)


1. Cook the ground turkey with about 1-2 tsps of the taco seasoning (depends how spicy you'd like it to be) along with the onions. Literally all I did to cook this meat was use a non-stick pan, dumped the meat in with the onions, sprinkle the taco seasoning on top and I added a couple tablespoons of water...no oil, no butter, no sprays.
2.While the meat is cooking, chop all of the veggies
3. When the meat is done, combine all ingredients together (this makes one BIG serving or two smaller servings).

Nutrition:
(for the whole thing)
383 Calories, 8 grams of fat, 39 grams of carbs, 49 grams of protein



***The only thing I think I'd do different next time is add some pinto beans to the taco meat once it's mostly done cooking.

Hannah's Turkey-Stuffed Peppers

Hannah's Turkey-Stuffed Peppers
From the BiggestLoserClub.com
The Season 11 finalist takes the new contestants into the kitchen!

On this week's episode, we watched Season 11 runner-up Hannah Curlee give the Black Team a good dose of inspiration and a cooking lesson on how to make one of her favorite healthy dishes. Here's the recipe.

1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1.25 pound extra-lean ground turkey
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
¼ cup low-sodium tomato sauce
1 cup fat-free, low-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro or parsley
3 large red bell peppers
¼ cup reduced-fat shredded Cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Lightly coat a large nonstick skillet with olive oil cooking spray. Heat over medium heat. Add onion and garlic to the pan. Sauté about 2 minutes, or until softened. Add ground turkey to the pan. Season to taste with salt and add garlic powder and ground cumin.

Cook turkey, breaking into chunks, 10 to 12 minutes, or until meat is no longer pink and juices run clear. Add tomato sauce and ½ cup of the broth. Reduce heat and simmer over low heat about 5 minutes. Add cilantro.

Cut bell peppers in half lengthwise and remove seeds and stem. Place bell pepper halves in baking dish and spoon about 1/3 cup of the turkey mixture into each. Pour the remaining broth into the dish. Cover with foil and bake 35 minutes. Sprinkle peppers with cheese before serving.

Yield: 6 servings

Per serving: 140 calories, 20 fat calories, 2.5 g total fat, 0.5 g sat fat, 35 mg cholesterol, 150 mg sodium, 10 g total carbohydrates, 2 g fiber, 5 g sugars

Meat loaf Sloppy Joes

Meat loaf Sloppy Joes
From BiggestLoserClub.com

Budget Supper
Meat loaf Sloppy Joes are a great way to save money and still eat amazing food

Leftovers make for delicious, inexpensive, and easy sandwiches to take to work or school the next day.

Olive oil spray
2/3 cup old-fashioned oats
1/3 cup + 1/4 cup + 1/4 cup canned sloppy joe sauce
2 large egg whites, lightly beaten
1 pound 96% lean ground beef
1/3 cup minced green bell pepper
1/4 cup finely chopped sweet onion
1 clove fresh garlic, minced

Preheat the oven 350°F. Lightly mist a 9" x 5" x 3" nonstick loaf pan (a slightly smaller one is okay) with the olive oil spray.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the oats, 1/3 cup + 1/4 cup of the sloppy joe sauce, and the egg whites. Let the mixture stand for 3 minutes, or until the oats begin to soften. Add the beef, bell pepper, onion, and garlic. With a fork or clean hands, mix the ingredients until well combined.

Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and spread so that the top is flat. Spread the remaining 1/4 cup sloppy joe sauce evenly over the top. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the meat is no longer pink in the center. Let sit for 10 minutes. Cut into 8 slices and serve.

Yield: 4 servings

Per Serving: Calories 229.8, Total Fat 5.4 g, Saturated Fat 1.4 g, Cholesterol 61.8 mg, Sodium 343.5 mg, Total Carbs 15.8 g, Dietary Fiber 1 g, Sugars 3.8 g, Protein 27.5 g

Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken Pot Pie
Created by Stephanie

This recipe fills three deep dish pies (or four regular)...I usually make one for me and than freeze the filling in two separate tubs or I make this when I know I'm making a meal for someone and than just freeze the third portion for a later time and a very
easy to assemble meal b/c you simply would take the filling out the night before to thaw and than dump in the
pie shell at dinner time and bake. :)

Crust:

For the bottom:

I buy the deep dish frozen pie crusts (usually comes in a two pack)

For the top:

I buy the Trader Joe's Crusts (also comes in a set of two).

Filling:

1 Large onion minced (I do it in my food processor)
3-4 cloves of garlic minced
1 stick of butter
6-7 large carrots, peeled and diced
1/2 of a bag of frozen peas
2-3 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced
1 can of Mushroom pieces and stems
1-2 cups of Heavy Cream
1/2 to 1 cup of milk
1 carton of chicken broth (about 4 cups)
about 1/4 cup of flour
Salt, Pepper and onion powder
1 Rotisserie Chicken completely shredded

Directions for filling:

1. Saute onions and garlic in the butter for about 5 minutes (In a big sauce pan, preferably that has a lid).
2. Add carrots, potatoes, and chicken broth and cover. Leave on Medium heat for about 30-40 minutes (until
carrots and potatoes are fork tender....make sure they don't get too soft or they will break apart in pie later).
3. While veggies are cooking, whisk together flour and milk until thick...think milk shake.
4. When veggies are ready, add milk and flour mixture, along with 1 cup of heavy cream.
5. Stir until well blended and combined.
6. Add in Chicken, mushrooms and peas
7. Add Salt and Pepper to taste...I also usually add about 1 TBSP of onion powder, but it's all to taste.
8. Cook for another 5-10 minutes...if it's too thick, add a little more milk...if too thin add a little more cream
9. This can sit on low for as long as you need it to if you're not ready to use it or you can add it immediately to your shells.


Assembling Pies:

1. I usually ladle the filling into the pies just below the top of the crust (it tends to bubble over in the oven if you fill them too
full.
2. Then, unroll one of the Pillsbury Pie Crusts and lay it over the top of the pie. I use a sharp knife and go around the crust
to trip to fit pie.
3. Then, I use a fork to press the top crust to the bottom crust (all the way around)
4. Finally, I put three slits on the top of the crust and brush an egg wash over the top

I bake the pies at 375 for 30-45 minutes (or until golden brown)

Broke Bean Stew

Broke Bean Stew
From The Biggest Loser: 6 Weeks to a Healthier You

Beans offer a great, inexpensive source of protein and fiber in this recipe from The Biggest Loser: 6 Weeks to a Healthier You:

Makes 10 1-cup servings

1 Tbsp olive oil
1 large yellow or white onion, chopped
1 Tbsp chopped garlic
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
1 can (28 oz) diced fire-roasted tomatoes
3 cans (15.5 oz each) chickpeas (or kidney beans, black beans, white beans) rinsed and drained (or 4 1/2 cups cooked beans)
4 cups fat-free low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
¼ cup chopped cilantro
3 cups fresh baby spinach leaves, chopped kale or Swiss chard

Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in 4-quart saucepan. Add onion and sauté about 5 minutes, until softened but not browned. Add garlic and cook 1 minute longer. Do not brown garlic.

Add spices and tomatoes and simmer about 5 minutes. Add 3 cups (2 cans) of beans and 2 ½ cups of broth and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer.

Place remaining beans and broth in bowl of food processor or in blender. Add cilantro and puree until smooth. Add mixture to stew. Add spinach and heat just until wilted. Stir well and serve hot.

Per Serving: 160 calories, 8 g protein, 26 g carbohydrates, 7 g fiber, 3 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 mg