Ground Turkey Florentine (Paleo)

I am totally obsessed with this dish right now. Not only is it super tasty, it is beyond easy and quick to throw together. There are some nights that I get home later than I would like and need to get something ready for dinner on the fly, and this is the perfect fit. 

Since I avoid carbs, especially wheat and grain, I often look for ways to rework dishes that would traditionally end up over pasta. In this dish, you don't miss it at all. It's perfect for people who keep Paleo and those who don't, they won't miss a thing. 

In general, I prefer to make my own sauce, but in a pinch I will use a jarred sauce. I like Newman's , Barilla and a few others. I had some Barilla tomato sauce with mushrooms handy so that's what made its way into the dish. 

Ingredients:

2-3 Cloves chopped garlic

1/2 Medium finely chopped sweet white onion

1 lb. Ground Turkey (99% lean)

8 oz. + Organic Baby Spinach

24 oz. Barilla Tomato Sauce (I used mushroom)

Olive Oil

Salt

Optional:

Grated Parmesan Cheese

In a large saute pan, over medium heat, add olive oil and when heated, chopped garlic and onions. Cook until the onions are translucent and just starting to brown. Don't let the olive oil burn. Then add the ground turkey and break into pieces with a spatula. When browned, pour 1/2 jar of pasta sauce in pan and stir well. Add 1/2 the spinach and stir. As it cooks down, add the rest of the spinach and continue to stir. Add more sauce as you like until desired consistency is reached. I used basically the whole jar. Let the mixture simmer and the sauce reduce just a bit. 

It should yield 3-4 servings. Top with a dusting of Parmesan if you'd like. 

Roasted White Sweet Potato, Chicken, Caramelized Leek, Manchego and Fennel Pollen Flatbread

Fennel Friday Cooking Club 

I was so excited to be asked by The Hungry Goddess to be part of the Fennel Friday Cooking Club sponsored by Pollen Ranch! This is my first installment of posts for the club and I hope it doesn't disappoint!

Although I love fennel in any way, cooking with fennel pollen was new to me. If you're a fennel fan, you will be thrilled with fennel pollen. It is delicate yet intoxicating and decadent with an aroma that comforts. I was also totally intruiged when I found a white sweet potato, totally new to me! It has a similar flavor, just not as strong. You could absolutely use regular sweet potato if you can't find white. At my supermarket, the white sweets were located in the organic section. 

The theme for this Friday was Pizza or Flatbread and I went with flatbread for a few reasons. Mainly, I wanted something light and crispy, and easy to make that wouldn't be a carb overload. Heading into the summer months in Florida, I was looking for a combination that would be tasty warm out of the oven or perfectly cool for a beach picnic, and I think this is it! The flavors are all very complimentary and don't compete. It's like a perfect little summer syphony in each bite. 

Ingredients:

Fennel Pollen

Rudi's Organic Spelt Tortillas (4)

Manchego cheese (1/2 cup, shaved-- I use a veggie peeler)

Pecorino Romano  (1/2 cup, shaved-- I use a veggie peeler)

Grilled Chicken Breast (2 large cut into strips, then grilled)

Rosted White Sweet Potato (1)

Caramelized Leeks (3) 

Pasture Butter

Olive Oil

Salt & Pepper

Makes 4 flatbreads. 

Preheat oven to 375

A lot of these steps can be done ahead of time. It really saves a lot of time for prep when you are ready to make your flatbread. It is also easier to handle the sweet potato if they aren't hot out of the oven.  The night before, I make the chicken on the grill and roast the white sweet potato. 

While the oven is preheating, I get my pizza pan out and set it aside. Then I remove the skin of the potato and put it in a bowl to mash. Drizzle a little bit of olive oil, and grind fresh salt and pepper to taste. Mix and mash it together until it is a spreadable paste-like consistency. I just mashed it with my hands, much easier (and less to clean up) that way. Then shave the manchego and pecorino and set aside. 

In a skillet, melt a tablespoon of pasture butter. Thinly slice the leeks and separate. Toss in the butter and let brown. I like them a little crispy,crunchy. When done, remove from heat and set aside. 

Slice the grilled chicken breast strips into super thin slices. You don't want any of the ingredients to be too heavy since the tortilla is a very delicate vessel and can't withstand a heavy load of ingredients. You don't want it to flop or crumble when you are eating. 

Place the Rudi's Spelt tortillas on the pizza pan and spritz a light dash of olive oil spray (if you have it) then, spread a thin layer of the sweet potato mash on top. Then layer then chicken and leeks. Next a healthy dusting of the Fennel Pollen. Go as heavy or as light as you'd like. A hefty pinch works for me. 

Finally, layer the shaved cheeses on top and place the pan in the preheated oven. Bake for 7 min and check for golden edges of the tortilla. They should be just starting to turn brown. If they aren't quite there yet, put the pan back in the oven for 2-3 minutes. 

Cut each flatbread into 4 pieces. It is delectable hot out of the oven or at room temperature. There is no flavor loss and the flatbread stays crispy. This could be great as a light dinner with a salad, at a cocktail hour, or as a starter at a dinner party.

Happy Dishing! Check back next month for the next Fennel Friday post! 

Mashed Cauliflower

I like to make mashed cauliflower pretty frequently, and I'm actually surprised I haven't posted the recipe sooner. I was even called a "delicious recipe hoarder" recently for withholding it for too long. My apologies. 

Mashed cauliflower is easy to make and wicked tasty. I am always on the lookout for ways to cut starches and rework old favorites. I've been making this for a while as a great substitution for mashed potatoes, and they've been a huge hit! Whether you are trying to cut carbs and avoid starch, or just add some extra veggies they're a big win. The flavor is awesome, and the texture is pretty similar to mashed potatoes, and you really won't feel like you are missing out. 

Ingredients:

1 Head Cauliflower - cut into florets

1/2 Cup Freshly Grated Parmesan or Romano (or a blend) 

1/4 Cup Greek Yogurt 

1/4 Cup Whipped Cream Cheese

Optional:

Pasture Butter

Truffle Salt 

Shredded Cheddar

You will need an immersion blender or a hand held masher. I use my immersion blender for so many things, it is so worth investing in one if you don't already have one. You can find really reasonable options. 

Steam or boil the cauliflower until fork tender. You don't want it to be firm since you'll need to puree it. 

Drain the water and move to a large bowl. Add the cheese, yogurt and cream cheese. Sprinkle salt and pepper to taste. You may need to increase the amounts of cream cheese and yogurt, depending on how creamy you like it. I like to add a bit of sharp shredded cheddar and a pinch of black truffle salt. 

Once all ingredients are combined, use your masher or immersion blender and, whip it good! Once you've reached the desired consistency, taste and season accordingly.

Enjoy!!

Overnight Oats

I don't know where I've been that I missed out on Overnight Oats for so long?! But, I'm glad I finally stumbled across them! I like conventional oatmeal, but I don't make it everyday. It's delicious, but I don't always have time to fix a hot breakfast in the morning. Luckily, I am always looking for new ways to try old favorites. 

One thing I love about overnight oats is the time-saver they are for me in the morning. I am, no matter how early I get up, always in a rush in the morning. So whatever I can do the night before, I like to get out of the way. I prep my coffee, get things together, etc. This gets one more thing out of the way for me. If you don't have time to sit and eat, or sneak bites between hair straightening and make up application, you can take it with you. I've put it in a solo cup or Tupperware and taken it to go. 

Ingredients:

1/2 Cup Irish Style, Steel Cut Oats

1-2 Tablespoons Chia Seeds

1 Tablespoon Hemp Hearts

1 7oz. Container Greek Yogurt

1 1/2 Cup  Coconut/Almond Milk

Optional items: 

Dried Cranberries

Honey 

Walnuts

-or-

Peanut Butter 

Bananas

Chocolate Almond Milk

These quantities make enough for tow servings.

You will need a mason jar, or other air-tight jar/container.

Put the oats, hemp seeds and chia into the jar- then add in the yogurt and coconut/almond milk and honey (to taste). Toss in a handful of dried cranberries. 

Once you've combined all the ingredients, shake up the jar to make sure everything is evenly distributed. I mean, you could use a spoon and stir, but shaking it up is more fun! 

In the morning, take the jar out of the fridge and let sit for a few minutes. I liked it closer to room temperature better than ice cold. 

The top with the walnuts and a bit more honey if you are so inclined. 

I really enjoyed the fruit and nut version I started with. It is light and refreshing. But, then I discovered something amazing. Peanut Butter and Co. Dark Chocolate Dreams is too good. It is full of cocoa and peanut butter flavor without being too sweet, which is important for me. 

I replace the vanilla or unsweetened plain almond/coconut milk with unsweetened chocolate almond milk, add the Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter in place of the honey, cranberries and walnuts, but the rest of the items remain. I like to top the choco-peanut butter oats with a banana. 

Let me know about what new ways you try Overnight Oats. 

February Foodie Penpal

This month I was treated to some delicious snacks and sweets from Wendy. I thought it was an adorable idea to write the note on a postcard. I'd never thought of that!!

I was excited to see the Cheese Crisps, we really like those. I'm saving those for some company this weekend. These are so good with hummus! Try it. 

The Natural Almonds are great. A nice healthy snack, right up my alley!!

H was so very excited to see the Nutter Butter cookies. He's my cookie monster. I also shared the caramel Hershey kisses with my sweetie. 

The chocolate and nut trail mix looks delish! It'll be great for an afternoon snack. You can't beat a sweet treat here and there. 

Thanks so much Wendy!!! I really appreciate the Pen Pals package you put together for me. 

If you'd like to see what I sent out, take a look over at Creating a Great Today and an Even Better Tomorrow, run by the lovely Sarah. I was so excited to see she enjoyed her snacks and treats! 

If you are interested in joining the Foodie Pen Pals, check out the information below. You'll be glad you did.

And now it's time for some details about Foodie Penpals.  In case you’re a new reader, here’s a reminder of what the program is all about:

-On the 5th of every month, you will receive your penpal pairing via email. It will be your responsibility to contact your penpal and get their mailing address and any other information you might need like allergies or dietary restrictions.
-You will have until the 15th of the month to put your box of goodies in the mail. On the last day of the month, you will post about the goodies you received from your penpal! 
-The boxes are to be filled with fun foodie things, local food items or even homemade treats! The spending limit is $15. The box must also include something written. This can be anything from a note explaining what’s in the box, to a fun recipe…use your imagination!
-You are responsible for figuring out the best way to ship your items depending on their size and how fragile they are. (Don’t forget about flat rate boxes!)
-Foodie Penpals is open to blog readers as well as bloggers. If you’re a reader and you get paired with a blogger, you are to write a short guest post for your penpal to post on their blog about what you received. If two readers are paired together, neither needs to worry about writing a post for that month. 
-Foodie Penplas is open to US, Canadian & European residents.  Please note, Canadian Residents will be paired with other Canadians only. Same with Europeans. We've determined things might get too slow and backed up if we're trying to send foods through customs across the border from US to Canada and vice versa. 

If you’re from the US or Canada and are in participating for November, please CLICK HERE (www.theleangreenbean.com/foodie-penpals/) to fill out the participation form and read the terms and conditions. 

You must submit your information by March 4th as pairings will be emailed on March 5th!

*If you're from Europe, please CLICK HERE (www.thisisrocksalt.com/foodie-penpals/) to signup.
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OCEAN2000 at Pelican Grand

Last month I was invited to the big, beautiful reveal of the OCEAN2000 restaurant, at the pristine Pelican Grand. I had a feeling it was going to be a fabulous evening, and I wasn't wrong. The property was stunning, the food was scrumptious, the drinks were perfectly mixed. 

I would love to spend a night here, to relax and recharge. Sip a mojito on the beach, read a book and lounge around with my Honey. The rocking chairs on the patio/ porch area are calling my name, the perfect place to rock the evening away, basking in seaside splendidness. 

Ocean2000 has a beautifully decorated dining room. The ambiance is inviting and so is the delightful staff. 

When I arrived, I checked in and received some casino chips. I thought it was such a great idea to have some  interactive games for people while the bites and sips were passed. I tried my hand at roulette and had some (very short lived) beginner's luck. I'm sure that they were there for just that event, but it reflected the versatility of the hotel and restaurant as an event venue. 

I started the evening with a tasty Sangria made with Veev, a spirit made with Acai. It was perfectly refreshing. I was tempted to try another, but I knew there'd be much more, and I didn't want to overindulge.

After walking around the gorgeous beachfront patio, which has the feel of being on the porch of an old friend's, very swanky, beach house, I found the Absolut Tune luge. How could I resist trying a sparkling sip?! 

Tuna Tiradito

How gorgeous are these lights?! I wish I had some at home. 

Fresh and Flavorful , Local Mahi-Mahi Ceviche 

One of the most indulgent portions of the evening was the gelato shop dolci. It was stocked full of everything you could imagine. I felt like I'd taken a turn into Willy Wonka's.

Chocolate Mousse

Coconut Tres Leches

Panna Cotta

Kiwi Cocktails

I am very much looking forward to going back to OCEAN2000 for, what I know will be, a delectable dining experience. If you are ever in the South Florida area, think of staying at the Pelican Grand and treating yourself to an exquisite experience, sure to delight all your sesnes.