Mexican Shrimp Bowls, by Diane

 

I saw this recipe from @calwillcookit and it looked just like the perfect fresh and detoxing recipe needed for lunches this week after 3 weeks of vacation in Asia! This could not have been easier to make and it was DELICIOUS! I made two adjustments here- first, he served them over rice, but I liked them on their own and was trying to do a grain detox, and second, I swapped the sour cream in the sauce for high protein cottage cheese to get more protein in these meals. Both suggestions I would do again so I'm writing them in the recipe below. Yum!

Ingredients:

For shrimp:

1 lb raw shrimp, deveined and shelled, thawed

2 tbsp taco seasoning mix (I used chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, red chili flakes, and mexican oregano finely mixed)

2 tbsp EVOO

For salsa:

1 can black beans, rinsed

1 cup corn, charred (I used one can of corn because summer corn isn't good yet)

1 cup baby heirloom tomatoes, sliced

1/2 cup red onion, diced

1/2 cup poblano pepper, diced

1/2 bunch cilantro, finely chopped

juice 1 lime

salt to taste

pepper

garlic powder

1 tbsp red wine vinegar

For the creamy cilantro sauce:

1 cup cottage cheese

1 tbsp EVOO

2 cloves garlic

1/2 bunch cilantro

juice 1 lime

zest 1/2 lime

salt to taste

Directions:

1. Rinse and drain the shrimp, toss in seasonings, and cook 2-3 min per side in a med heat frying pan until cooked. Set aside. 

2. To make the salsa, stir all ingredients and adjust for taste, set aside.

3. To make the sauce, blend all ingredients in an immersion blender and adjust for taste, using water if desired to get a saucier consistency.

4. Serve all together and enjoy!

Warm Grain Bowls, by Diane

These have been on repeat as of late for dinners. They are quick to meal prep and even easier to grab on a busy weeknight. I especially love the combination of flavors and textures, and that it is warm on a cold night! Makes 4 servings

ps- I also love this with arugula too!

Ingredients:

For the bowls:

1 large bunch kale, stems removed and chopped

2 tbsp lemon flavored olive oil

1 tsp salt

4 cups brown rice and quinoa mixture

4 cups diced chicken breast 

4 cups roasted butternut squash

2 cups roasted broccoli (I used my beloved burnt broccoli here)

2 gala apples, diced (I dice these on the spot so they don't go brown)

8 tbsp chopped roasted pecans

8 oz goat cheese crumbles

For the dressing:

2 large shallots, roasted

2 tbsp dijon mustard

4 tbsp EVOO

1/2 lemon, juiced

salt and pepper

1/2 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp honey

Directions:

1. Prep the kale by massaging it well with the salt and lemon olive oil. Set aside in it's own bowl.

2. Roast the squash and broccoli, as well as the shallot, until golden. 

3. Add the squash and broccoli to a bowl with the rice mixture and chicken and set aside on it's own.

4. Blend the roasted shallots with the other dressing ingredients until smooth, sometimes I have to adjust for seasonings or consistency by adding water.

5. When you're ready to eat, in a personal sized bowl combine kale, chicken/rice/squash/broccoli mixture, dressing, and goat cheese. Heat in the microwave for one minute. 

6. Top with diced apples and pecans, mix well and enjoy!