Kid Friendly Beef Stroganoff

Who else loves beef stroganoff? One of my favorite college memories was making and eating Hamburger Helper. It was my early introduction to "cooking", even if it just meant following directions on a box to mix a few pre-made ingredients together.

However, Hamburger Helper isn't the best for you. It's cheap and sure there's protein, but it's also usually cooked with pasta and who knows what kind of preservatives.

Here's a clean beef stroganoff recipe that the whole family will love.

Kid Friendly Beef Stroganoff 

3 tablespoons butter, divided
1 pound sirloin or beef tenderloin, thinly sliced into 1/2" strips
12 ounces sliced mushrooms (button, cremini, or portobello)
3 shallots or 1 large yellow onion, sliced
2 cloves garlic
1/2 cup beef broth
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat. Sear the beef for two minutes, turning once, or until browned on both sides and just barely cooked through. (Work in batches, if necessary.) Remove beef to a plate and set aside. Return the skillet to medium heat.

Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter, the mushrooms, shallots or onion, and garlic. Cook for 5 minutes, or until the shallots or onion is softened and the mushrooms release their juices. Stir in the reserved beef, the broth, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.

Stir in the sour cream and mustard. Cook for 1 minute, or until heated through.

Pork Fried "Rice" aka Cauliflower "Rice"

Who else is a fan of Fried Rice? But who else is dealing with PCOS or needs a lower carb option? Me! Maybe you too? While I don't think that cauliflower rice will ever TRULY replace white or brown rice for me, it's a good alternative when the craving strikes.

Pork Fried "Rice

1 head cauliflower, broken into large pieces
2 tablespoons coconut oil divided
4 scallions, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 eggs, whisked
1/2 pound pork tenderloin, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1/4 cup tamari or gluten-free soy sauce

Using a food processor with a shredding disk attachment, shred the cauliflower. Place in a microwaveable bowl. Cover and microwave on high for 4 minutes, stirring once, or until desired doneness.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet or wok over medium-heat, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil until hot. Cook the scallions and garlic for 2 minutes. Add the eggs and store continuously until cooked through and lightly browned. Remove the egg mixture to a bowl and set aside.

Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the wok or skillet. Cook the pork, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes, or until no longer pink. Stir in the tamari or soy sauce, steamed cauliflower, and the reserved egg mixture. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes or until heated through.

Strawberry and Peanut Butter Parfaits

Do you like PB and J's? One of my favorite sandwiches growing up. But if I'm being really honest, I loved PB and N...peanut butter and nutella. Here's a parfait that reminds me of a PB&J!

Strawberry and Peanut Butter Parfaits

2 cups whole milk plain Greek yogurt

1/4 cup natural no-sugar-added peanut butter

1/4 cup cream

Sweetener equivalent to 1/4 cup sugar (such as Stevia)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons ground golden flaxseeds

1 cup sliced strawberries

1/4 cup lightly salted roasted peanuts, chopped

In a medium bowl, combine the yogurt and peanut butter, mixing until blended. Stir in the cream, sweetener, vanilla, and flaxseeds and mix well. In 2 small bowls or parfait glasses, spoon one-quarter of the yogurt mixture and top with half of the strawberries. Divide remaining yogurt mixture between the 2 bowls. Top with the remaining strawberries and the peanuts.

Cheesecake for Breakfast

Looking for a clean, lower carb, wheat free, gluten free option for breakfast? Have a sweet tooth? Me too.

Cheesecake for Breakfast 

1 cup ricotta cheese, at room temperature

1/2 cup coconut flour

Sweetener equivalent to 3/4 cup sugar

4 teaspoons lemon juice

4 eggs, separated

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 375. Grease a 9x9 baking pan.

In a medium bowl, place the cheese, flour, sweetener, lemon juice, egg yolks, and vanilla.

In a separate medium bowl, with an electric mixer on high speed, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Using the same beaters, beat the cheese mixture until smooth. With a spoon, gently fold the egg whites into he cheese mixture until thoroughly combined. 

Pour into the baking pan. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool slightly before serving. 

Mini Baked Egg Casseroles

Easy breakfast idea - mini baked egg casseroles. It's a great low carb and wheat free recipe option.

Mini Baked Egg Casseroles

8 slices Canadian bacon

1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

8 eggs

2 tablespoons finely chopped chives or scallions

Preheat over to 350. Lightly coat 8 muffin cups with cooking spray or oil.

Line each muffin cup with 1 slide of Canadian bacon. Place 1 tablespoon of the cheese in the bottom of each. Carefully break 1 egg into each muffin cup.

Bake for 15 minute, or until just set and the whites are cooked but the yolks are still soft. Sprinkle with the chives or scallion tops. Let stand for 5 minutes before removing from the cups and serving. 

Seasoning Mix Recipes

Taco Seasoning Mix

3 tablespoons chili powder

1 1/2 tablespoons onion powder

2 teaspoons paprika

2 teaspoons garlic powder

1 1/2 teaspoons ground red pepper

1 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon dried oregano

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and store in an airtight container. 

Italian Seasoning Mix

2 tablespoons dried basil

2 tablespoons dried oregano

2 tablespoons dried rosemary, crushed

1 tablespoon dried marjoram

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon onion powder

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and store in an airtight container. 

Cajun Seasoning Mix

2 tablespoons paprika

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon onion powder

2 teaspoons ground black pepper

1 1/2 teaspoons ground red pepper

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and store in an airtight container. 

Guacamole and Hummus Recipe

I love guacamole! I'm pretty sure I could just eat it on it's own. Guacamole basically makes everything better.

Guacamole recipe:

3 ripe avocados, halved, pitted, and peeled
1 onion, coarsely chopped
1 serrano chile pepper, coarsely chopped
2 cloves garlive, coarsely chopped
1/3 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
Juice of 1 lime
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 tomato, coarsely chopped

In a food processor or chopper, combine the avocados, onion, pepper, garlic, cilantro, lime juice, and salt. Plus until slightly chunky and combined. Add the tomato and pulse until desired consistency.

Hummus recipe:

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 can (15.5 ounces) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons tahini
1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
1 tablespoon pine nuts (optional)
1 tablespoon chopped chives (optional)

In a food processor, pulse the olive oil, chickpeas, and garlic. Add the lemon juice, tahini, red pepper, paprika, and salt, and process until thoroughly mixed and smooth. Sprinkle with cheese, pine nuts, or chives if desired. Store in airtight container in the fridge.

Wheat Free Recipe: All-Purpose Baking Mix

All-Purpose Baking Mix

Makes 5 cups

4 cups almond meal/flour

1 cup group golden flaxseeds

1/4 cup coconut flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

Whisk together all ingredients in a large bowl. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. 

Sandwich Bread

3 cups All-Purpose Baking Mix

1 teaspoon aluminum-free baking powder

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

5 eggs, separate

1/4 cup butter or coconut oil, melted

1 tablespoon buttermilk or coconut milk

Preheat oven to 350. Grease 8.5 x 4.5 loaf pan.

In a food processor, combine dry ingredients until well blended. Add the egg yolks, butter/coconut oil, and buttermilk/coconut milk. Pulse until blended.

In a large bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form. Pour into the flour mixture and pulse until the egg whites are evenly distributed, but to not run the machine at a constant speed. Spread into the pan and back for 40 minutes or until a fork comes out clean.

Shakeology Pancakes

Last weekend we were really low on groceries and the only thing we really had available for breakfast were eggs and some turkey slices. So I quickly whipped up some scrambled eggs and turkey.

But my husband was still hungry. He has a fast metabolism...like athlete fast.

There wasn't much else to make, but then I remembered I could fashion some pancakes from Shakeology, a banana, and some eggs. So I gave it a whirl.

They turned out about as well as I could expect for three ingredient pancakes! I ate mine with a teaspoon of peanut butter. But they definitely hit the spot! It's worth a shot when you're in a pinch. Plus, I can say that these pancakes were the healthiest meal of the day.

Shakeology Pancake Recipe:

1 scoop Shakeology (I used Chocolate)

2 eggs

1 banana

splash of almond milk

Put all ingredients in blender or NutriBullet.

Cook over hot griddle.

Serve immediately.

Makes about 8-9 small pancakes.

The plate in the photo is a saucer, not a full size dinner plate.

I based this recipe off of other 3 ingredient protein pancakes I saw floating around on Pinterest.

Clean Eating Stir Fry Veggies & Grilled Chicken

Stir Fry Veggies and Grilled Chicken

Veggies (Green Container & 1 teaspoon)

Ingredients:

1 tsp olive oil
1/4 cup chopped asparagus spears
1/4 cup chopped red bell peppers
1/4 cup chopped carrots
1/4 cup chopped onions
1/2 tsp All purpose seasoning

Directions:

Heat oil in medium skillet over medium heat.
Combine asparagus, pepper, carrots, onions, and seasoning.
Cook veggies in skillet, mixing frequently for 2 to 3 minutes or until crisp tender.

Chicken (Red Container)

Ingredients:

4 oz raw chicken breast, boneless, skinnless
1 tsp olive oil
All purpose seasoning

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Place chicken in ovenproof dish
Spray with cooking spray at the bottom of pan.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in the middle and juices run clear
Cooking times may vary depending on the thickness and weight of the chicken breast.

Brown Rice (Yellow Container)

Make whole grain brown rice according to package directions, use 1 yellow container and store the rest in an airtight container for later.