TASTES LIKE CHICKEN

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I am so grateful to have a partner in life that doesn't ever turn up his nose at anything I cook and put in front of him to eat (even though sometimes he REALLY wants to!).  He never even batted an eyelash when I announced a few years ago we were going to start Meatless Mondays (even though he REALLY wanted to!).  So I do my best to make those nights as chock-full of flavor as possible.  The great thing about tofu is that it is a flavor absorber! So this particular night I went with pan-seared tofu, heavily seasoned to where it really tasted like chicken!  Pair that with a beautiful warm Lima bean salad and some creamy greens and you won't even believe yourself how good this meal is!  Meatless Monday for the win!

This image is © 2015 by Life As She Does It. Please link back or credit if any content or images are used.

SEASONED SEARED TOFU

1 block organic tofu, extra firm, sliced about 1/2-inch thick

1 tsp sea salt

1 tsp pepper

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp paprika

extra virgin olive oil (evoo)

Mix all the spices together in a small bowl and sprinkle over both sides of each tofu slice.  Heat evoo in a heavy pan on medium for about a minute-and-a-half.  Cook each slice for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and desired consistency is reached.  Serve with whatever your heart desires.  (But I'd go for the warm Lima bean salad recipe below if I were you!)

NOTES: Using organic tofu keeps your conscience clear about not allowing GMOs into your diet.  Do not overcrowd your pan or else you will not get a good sear on the tofu.  Too many pieces will steam it instead.  I did 4 at a time.  Serve with anything you like, but if I were you, I'd go with the warm Lima bean salad recipe below!

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WARM LIMA BEAN SALAD

1 bag frozen Lima beans, thawed

extra virgin olive oil (evoo)

sea salt

pepper

1 cup parsley, chopped coarsely

1 cup crumbled feta cheese

juice of one lemon

In a pot, sprinkle enough evoo to cover about half of the bottom and heat on medium for about a minute-and-a-half.  Add the Lima beans and let them brown well before stirring.  Continue to cook, only stirring after the Lima beans have browned well and are cooked through, about ten minutes.  Remove from heat and salt and pepper to taste.  Add parsley, feta, and lemon juice.  Mix well.  This is truly INCREDIBLE STUFF, even if you are not a Lima bean fan.  

NOTES:  Just for a pretty plate, I mixed power greens (usually raw spinach, kale, etc.) with some mayo, sea salt and pepper and added it to the plate.  But the tofu and Lima beans on their own is pretty hearty!  This meal is high in fiber and low in carbs!  HUGE IN FLAVOR!!

RAGU YOU!

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Like most of America, I love spaghetti and "the sawse".  But sometimes I like to put my own spin on things because I get all hum-drummed out.  So I made some ragu with ground turkey and for The Hubster, used some organic rotini pasta, and tofu shirataki noodles for me, being the Low-Carb Girl that I am.  Add some fresh basil and you've got a beautiful meal that tastes authentic Italian......and DELICIOSO!

GROUND TURKEY RAGU

1 pkg ground turkey

extra virgin olive oil (evoo)

sea salt

1 tbs garlic powder

1 tbs ground sage

1 medium-sized onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

2 cans tomato paste

1 small can diced tomatoes

2 tbs fresh oregano

6 basil leaves, cut in a chiffonade

shredded mozzarella or Parmesan, for garnish

In a heavy pot, sprinkle enough evoo to cover about 1/2 of the bottom and heat on medium heat for about a minute  Add ground turkey, and add all seasoning, onion, and garlic.  Brown the turkey, using a wooden spoon or silicone spoonula to break it up as it cooks.  Once it is cooked through, bring to low heat, and add tomato paste, diced tomatoes and oregano.  Cook on low for about ten minutes or until heated through.  Serve over pasta of your choice and sprinkle with fresh basil chiffonade.  Add cheese of your choice and mangia!

NOTES: When cooking the ground turkey, be careful not to stir too much or break it up until it starts to cook or it can get tough and dry.  I suggest using a wooden or silicone utensil to break it up so you don't scratch or scrape up your pot  Do not sprinkle with the chiffonade (rolled up and sliced fine) until the end, or it could turn black instead of looking and tasting fresh.  This is a great meal for the end of summer because it just tastes so fresh.

Creamy Dreamy (Leftovers?)

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I had leftover pasta from sausage ragu night.  I had leftover roasted chicken from Sunday Supper.  I had leftover salad I had used as a side.  I loathe waste so I can't throw it all away!  What's a girl to do?  Simple!  Throw it all into a bowl and smother it in a creamy, dreamy sauce and give it a name everyone is familiar with, like Pasta Chicken Salad, and voila!    No more leftovers!

CREAMY PASTA CHICKEN SALAD

leftover pasta (or just make some!)

leftover roasted chicken, de-boned and shredded (or some store-bought rotisserie)

leftover salad, consisting of spinach, lettuce, carrots, celery, green onion and cucumber (or cut up these veggies or any veggies you like!)

Toss this all together in a bowl.  Await dressing.

CREAMY DREAMY DRESSING

1 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup sour cream

1/4 cup milk

1 tbs prepared horse radish

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp cumin

sea salt, to taste

pepper, to taste

slight squeeze of fresh lemon juice

Put all ingredients into a jar with lid and shake or place in a bowl and whip with a whisk.  Pour over pasta chicken salad and eat.  Close your eyes, let out a slight moan of deliciousness.  Repeat.

NOTES: Carb-free or low-carb?  Prepare the chicken and salad with dressing first and set some aside.   Add pasta for everyone else and mix!

Chop, Chop!

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Pork chops around my house are a rare treat!  But we were standing in our local grocery store chain that carries whole foods (ahem) and saw these beauties.  I couldn't resist and The Hubster ended up with what we now call the I-Am-So-Happy-I-Get-Bacon-Or-Pork-Of-Any-Kind face, flashed me that handsome grin, and then hugged me tight right there in front of the other patrons.  You should see the kiss I got to go along with it after I cooked them up!

BAKED PORK CHOPS

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6 pork chops

sea salt

pepper

paprika

summer savory

1 cup vegetable or chicken broth

extra virgin olive oil (evoo)

Lightly sprinkle each chop with sea salt, pepper, paprika, and summer savory on both sides.  In a heavy pan (I use the old-but-faithful cast iron!) sprinkle enough evoo to cover the bottom and heat on medium high for about a minute-and-a-half.  Gently place the chops in the heated oil and brown for about four minutes on each side.  Add the vegetable or chicken broth and cover.  Turn heat to low and let simmer for about twenty minutes.  Remove chops and let rest (while you make pan gravy!!).

NOTES:  I not only made pan gravy out of the juices from these chops, I served them with sauteed mushrooms and onions, and a side of summer slaw!  Dizzy-causing goodness!