Healthy Cooking | The Artful Gourmet :: Food Stylist | Photographer | Blogger

December 28, 2018March 6, 2020

Sweet + Spicy Meyer Lemon Shrimp Stir Fry

Hey guys! Oh my gosh, it’s almost the end of the year! Can you believe it? Where does time fly? I’m so ready for a New Year though – #2019 can’t come soon enough! 🙂

I was invited to participate in the #Steviva #Holiday #Keto #Blogger #Recipe Challenge this year and made a Sweet and Spicy Meyer Lemon Shrimp Stir Fry. With all the #holidays going on and the rich, delectable #food I’ve been enjoying this month, I wanted to make a recipe a little bit lighter and healthier, and on the lower carb side…(before it all happens again this weekend for New Years!)

I love Steviva products because they are lower in carbs, low glycemic, low calorie and they use all natural ingredients in their products. Their line of good-for-you all natural alternative sweeteners are terrific options for cooking and baking without sugar. Whether you need a granulated sweetener to replace table sugar, a powdered sweetener to replace confectionery sugar or a liquid sweetener to replace corn syrup, they have carefully developed safe, low glycemic, low caloric sweeteners that taste and act just like sugar.

This dish is super easy and quick to make and has great flavors using fresh Meyer Lemon juice, soy sauce, sesame, Nectevia Agave Stevia Blend, Steviva Erythritol Blend, a dash of ginger and #Sriracha for some spiciness to make a delicious sticky marinade to go with the shrimp and fresh veggies. And it’s low carb and low cal! BONUS*** 🙂

Simply make your marinade for the shrimp with all the ingredients and put it in the fridge in a ziplock baggie for 1/2 an hour. Then stir fry the shrimp for a few minutes until they are no longer pink and remove the shrimp from the pan.

Add the veggies and stir fry those for about 5-7 minutes until tender crisp and the sauce starts to thicken. Add the cooked shrimp back in and toss together for another minute or so.

Serve immediately over brown or cauliflower rice, zucchini noodles or soba noodles and spoon the rest of the spicy and sweet sauce on top and garnish with a few more sesame seeds and even some green onions if you wish.

Sweet + Spicy Meyer Lemon Shrimp Stir Fry

Prep Time: 40 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Yield: 4

A super easy and delicious stir fry made with shrimp and fresh veggies, marinated in a spicy and sweet sauce made with Meyer lemon juice, soy sauce, Sriracha, Steviva Blend and Nectevia. Great for a weeknight dinner or special occasion. Best served over brown rice, cauliflower rice, zucchini noodles or soba noodles.

Ingredients

4 tablespoons Steviva Blend
4 tablespoons Nectevia agave syrup
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon minced garlic
juice of one Meyer lemon
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1 tablespoon Sriracha
dash of red pepper flakes (optional)
dash of ginger (fresh minced or dried)
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 tablespoons butter
2 cups fresh sliced veggies (broccoli florets, red pepper, snap peas)
white pepper, to taste

Instructions

Whisk together Steviva Blend, Nectevia agave nectar, soy sauce, garlic, lemon juice, sesame oil, sesame seeds, Sriracha, red pepper flakes and ginger in a small mixing bowl.
Add half of the sauce to the shrimp and let marinade in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or more.
Heat butter in a medium sized skillet over medium high heat. Add the shrimp, discard marinade from the bag (save the other unused half for making the sauce). Saute for about 3-5 minutes until shrimp is no longer pink.
Remove shrimp from the pan and add the fresh vegetables. Saute for about 5 minutes or so until soft.
Add the reserved marinade and pour over the vegetables. Cook for another few minutes until sauce thickens.
Add the cooked shrimp back into the pan and toss together with the vegetables and the sauce. Season with pepper, to taste.
Serve immediately, garnish with additional sesame seeds and green onions if desired over brown rice, cauliflower rice, soba noodles or zucchini noodles.

Notes

You can also use this marinade for scallops or chicken or beef, just increasing the cook time appropriate for the protein (about 10-12 mins for chicken or beef until cooked through). Vegetables can be swapped out as well whatever you prefer!

https://www.theartfulgourmet.com/2018/12/sweet-spicy-meyer-lemon-shrimp-stir-fry/

I’d love to hear your comments on this recipe below if you decide to make it! Please make sure to tag @stevivabrands and @artfulgourmet with a link back to this original post on my blog if you do share any recipes or photos on social media!

For more information on #Steviva Brands products and more recipes, please visit their website and social media pages:

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Note: I received products from Steviva Brands to experiment with recipes for the Blogger Challenge Recipe Contest. All opinions, recipes, photos and text are my own.

November 16, 2017March 6, 2020

Dr Smood: Smart Food for a Good Mood + Maca Pumpkin Couscous

I just discovered an amazing new cafe and store in NYC called Dr Smood – have you seen it? If not, you need to go. Based out of Miami, Dr Smood is a health company that makes “Smart Food for a Good Mood” – and oh how you’re gonna love this place!

They make all their own juices, smoothies, organic products and delicious healthy food based on 6 moods – Power, Beauty, Immunity, Detox, Energy and Health, which you can choose based on your mood and feeling and what you want to gain from the experience.

I had the opportunity to visit the Flatiron location in NYC and had a delicious Organic Detox Juice #9, made with ginger, lemon, lime, raw honey, echinacea, and cayenne. Then for lunch I tried their Butternut Squash Soup, Turkey and Avocado sandwich on their homemade Performance Bread before browsing the beautiful cafe and store of amazing products including organic tea, coffee, chocolate, health and beauty supplements and organic dried foods.

Dr Smood’s Organic Superfood Powders

Dr Smood’s Organic Superfood Powders would make a wonderful gift for the health and wellness-obsessed foodies on your list. They’re full of health-boosting goodness and are easy to use (they can be easily mixed into smoothies or juices, on yogurt or cereal or added to energy balls and no-bake treats).

There are a total of 13 beautifully packaged superfood powders, including Raw Cacao Powder, Spirulina Powder and Red Maca Powder. Each powder comes with an information packet, including a recipe and serving suggestions, and can be purchased at one of the five Dr Smood cafés in NYC.

Dr Smood Red Maca Powder is an adaptogenic herb that helps the body to adjust to stress. Maca is an excellent source of phytochemicals and protein and helps to regulate the endocrine system and hormones, boost libido and increases energy, stamina and endurance. Enjoy maca in homemade granola or add it to tea, juice, smoothies, oatmeal or cereal. (SRP: $21.95)

Dr Smood Spirulina Powder contains over 60% complete protein—almost 3x as much as beef—and is one of the few good sources of plant-based B12. This algae can also boost your immunity and promote a healthy digestive tract. Use it to make a semi-raw soup with sweet potatoes and carrots, spirulina cacao clusters or add it to your favorite juice or smoothie. (SRP: $14.95)

Dr Smood Raw Cacao Powder contains approximately 40x more antioxidants than blueberries, which help the body to resist and repair damage from free radicals; plus it’s a natural mood booster and can promote beautiful skin, nails and hair. Use it to make hot cacao with coconut cream and almond milk this season and you will never want the standard version of hot chocolate again! You can also add it to coffee, yogurt, fresh fruits or smoothies. (SRP: $10.95)

I picked up a jar of the Red Maca powder at the store and created a new recipe for Maca Pumpkin Couscous w/ Shallots and Bacon and Crispy Sage that turned out absolutely delicious! Maca powder is a great supplement to add to sweet recipes like juices and smoothies and organic raw desserts, or savory recipes like soups, sauces, gravies, or to sprinkle on roasted veggies.

Maca Pumpkin Couscous w/ Shallots and Bacon and Crispy Sage

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Yield: Serves 4.

Serving Size: 1 cup

A delicious and healthy way to incorporate Red Maca powder into a lovely fall savory dish. Roasted pumpkin, sautéed garlic and shallots and bacon tossed into a basil and herb couscous topped with crispy sage and pumpkin seeds.

Ingredients

1 small sugar pumpkins, halved, seeds removed, skin on
3 tablespoons olive or coconut oil, divided
Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper
1 tablespoon Dr Smood Red Maca Superfood Powder
Dash of cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 shallots, sliced
1 garlic clove, chopped
6 slices of bacon, cooked, drained and crumbled
1 package of Near East Basil and Herb couscous
6-8 sage leaves
Roasted pepitas or pumpkin seeds, for garnish
Parmesan cheese, grated, for garnish

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Drizzle each pumpkin half with 1 tablespoon of oil. Season with salt and pepper, Red Maca powder and cayenne. Place the pumpkin halves cut side down onto a lightly greased baking sheet. Roast in oven for 1 hour, until fork tender and golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes.
Remove skin from pumpkin, cut into 1-inch cubes and toss with maple syrup; set aside.
Meanwhile, bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Cook the couscous according to package directions and set aside.
Cook bacon in oven on a large foil lined baking sheet for about 20 minutes until crispy and brown, drain and crumble; set aside.
Heat another tablespoon of oil in a sauté pan over medium heat; cook shallots and garlic for approximately 5 minutes until soft and golden (be careful not to burn!). Add sage leaves and sauté until crispy and browned.
Add the cooked pumpkin, bacon, garlic, shallots to the couscous and toss together.
Transfer to individual serving bowls, garnish with crispy sage, roasted pumpkin seeds and grated parmesan cheese.

Notes

You can also substitute roasted butternut squash or any other hearty veggies like eggplant, zucchini, mushrooms and bell peppers. Omit the bacon and cheese to make it vegetarian and dairy free.

https://www.theartfulgourmet.com/2017/11/drsmood-smartfood-for-a-goodmood/

Here’s another fun easy recipe you can make when you have a sweet tooth:

Maca, Coconut and Cashew Granola (gluten-free, vegan)

1 1/2 cups gluten-free rolled oats
1 cup raw, unsalted cashews, coarsely chopped
1 cup coconut flakes
4 tablespoons pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons coconut oil
1 tablespoon Dr Smood Red Maca Superfood Powder
pinch Himalayan fine grain sea salt

Preheat your oven to 300° F. Line a medium-sized baking sheet with parchment. Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Spread all ingredients in an even layer on a pan. Bake for 15 – 20 minutes. Allow to fully cool on the pan. Granola will firm and turn crunchy once cooled. Store in a sealed container in the fridge.

Check out the gallery below to see more photos of their amazing store and food and products I discovered!

To find a Dr Smood cafe and retail store near you, please visit their website at http://drsmood.com

Dr Smood Facebook Page

Dr Smood Instagram Page

August 10, 2017September 3, 2022

Balsamic Tomato Basil Pasta w/ Fresh Ricotta

Summer is in full swing, and we all know what that means…TOMATO SEASON! I’m sure you all have a bountiful crop of tomatoes lying around from your garden..and if not, a plentiful supply of them from the farmers market or grocery store. So what better recipe to make with them than a gorgeous, easy Summer pasta dish?

Now I know this may sound weird, but I am not a fan of raw tomatoes. Never have, never will. Yeah, I am THAT person. But, when they’re cooked with a plethora of fresh ingredients to sweeten them up and break them down into a gorgeous sauce or salsa? I’m a huge tomato fan once they are transformed into some sweet and savory deliciousness…so here we go. Balsamic Tomato Basil Pasta with Fresh Ricotta.

This is truly Summer in a Bowl, my friends. This pasta dish is so simple and fresh you’re gonna love it. I made a lovely chunky sauce with a batch of chopped fresh tomatoes, simmered in 7 Barrels Balsamic Vinegar and their Sweet Basil Olive Oil (omg #LOVE!), with sautéed sweet onions and garlic, red pepper flakes and chicken stock. Then I tossed the pasta with a little bit of the pasta water, added the cooked balsamic tomato sauce, and topped it with fresh basil, some big dollops of fresh ricotta, and lots of Parmesan cheese. Juicy, sweet, tangy, savory perfection.

Balsamic Tomato Basil Pasta w/ Fresh Ricotta

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Yield: Serves 4-6

Serving Size: 1 cup

This is truly Summer in a Bowl, my friends. Made with fresh tomatoes simmered in 7 Barrels Balsamic Vinegar and Sweet Basil Olive oil, with sautéed sweet onions and garlic making a lovely chunky tomato sauce..topped with fresh basil and ricotta cheese and more Parmesan cheese! And it's so easy to make that you won't be slaving over the stove in this hot weather either. Juicy, sweet, tangy, savory perfection.

Ingredients

1 pound of pasta, reserving some of the pasta cooking water
1 tablespoon Seven Barrels Sweet Basil extra virgin olive oil
4-6 large tomatoes, diced
1 small onion, diced (about 1/2 cup)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
1/2 cup Seven Barrels Traditional Balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup chicken stock
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup fresh ricotta cheese, for garnish
1/4 cup fresh basil, torn into pieces, for garnish
Sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Cook pasta according to package directions, drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add tomatoes, onions, garlic and red pepper flakes.
Reduce the heat to medium and cook 3 to 5 minutes over medium heat, until onions begin to get soft and lightly browned and tomatoes release some of their liquid.
Place balsamic vinegar, chicken stock, and cornstarch in a small bowl and whisk well. Carefully add it to the skillet and continue to cook for a few minutes more until the sauce slightly thickens; remove from the heat.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the tomatoes, and toss together over low heat for an additional few minutes until the sauce coats the pasta. Add a small amount of the pasta cooking water if the mixture is too dry, to your desired sauce consistency.
Place the pasta in large bowl and top with fresh grated Parmesan, ricotta cheese, and basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve hot, immediately with some crusty garlic bread.

https://www.theartfulgourmet.com/2017/08/balsamic-tomato-basil-pasta-w-fresh-ricotta/

Yes please, I’ll take another bowl.

August 2, 2017March 6, 2020

Maple Balsamic Quinoa Salad

Hey guys! I’ve been so busy working on client projects I haven’t had the time to post many new recipes lately so I wanted to share a super delicious one I created for a client that I know you’re gonna love!

This recipe for Maple Balsamic Quinoa Salad is absolutely delicious! I made a dressing with Seven Barrels Maple Balsamic vinegar and olive oil and tossed it with quinoa, chickpeas, dried tart cherries, arugula, celery, green onions and crunchy pecans.

Not only is this super healthy and light but absolutely delicious! It has the perfect balance of tangy vinegar with a slight sweetness from the maple balsamic, agave and tart cherries, and a delightful crunch from the celery, chickpeas and green onions.

This is a perfect side dish to make ahead for a Summer picnic and it’s full of protein and veggies and fiber making it the perfect meal on it’s own.

You can also substitute dried cranberries for the tart cherries if you can’t find them, and use a variety of nuts like cashews, almonds, or walnuts instead of pecans. Throw in some edamame or black beans too if you want more protein. Or how about a little crispy bacon???? YUM.

Hope you’re enjoying your Summer – enjoy!

Maple Balsamic Quinoa Salad

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Yield: Serves 4-6

Ingredients

2 cups quinoa, rinsed
1 cup pecans
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup Seven Barrels Maple balsamic vinegar
1/3 cup agave syrup or honey
1 cup dried tart cherries
1/2 cup celery, sliced
4 scallions, thinly sliced
Handful of baby arugula
1 tsp sea salt, plus additional to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Cook quinoa according to package directions. Let cool completely.
Toast the pecans for about 5 to 7 minutes over medium-low heat in a saute pan, let cool and chop coarsely.
Make the dressing: Whisk together the olive oil, Maple Balsamic vinegar and agave syrup (or honey) in a small mixing bowl.
Add 3/4 cup dressing to the cooked quinoa. Mix in the chopped toasted pecans, tart cherries, celery, scallions, and sea salt. Serve refrigerated or at room temperature; just before serving, stir in remaining 1/4 cup dressing, arugula and season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Notes

You can also substitute dried cranberries for the tart cherries and use any type of nuts (cashews, walnuts, almonds).

https://www.theartfulgourmet.com/2017/08/maple-balsamic-quinoa-salad/

June 2, 2017September 3, 2022

Spinach Artichoke Chicken & Bacon Flatbread Pizza

If there was one last thing I could eat before my last day on earth yes, it would be pizza. Italian food is one of my favorite things to eat and cook – in fact my Techniques of Italian Cooking course at the Institute of Culinary Education got me hooked on making homemade pizza and pasta from scratch.

But sometimes making pizza dough at home is time-consuming and labor intensive and all I want to do is eat pizza. Sure, I live in NYC and it’s easy enough to walk downstairs and get a slice or two at the local pizza shop. But when I want pizza but don’t really feel like paying $6 a slice or $25 for a whole pie, I make my own. And, I’m absolutely in love with thin crust pizza and honestly, it’s the toppings and flavor combinations that are so much fun to experiment with. It’s also Summer and beach days are calling, so using up all my carbs and calories with one slice of pizza is no fun. Alas, I discovered FlatOut flat breads that you can prepare yourself with the use of bread machines that you can get easily online at sites like Village-Bakery.com. They’re thin and light and bake up into a crispy shell in minutes and are the perfect base for any pizza. And they’re only 130 calories and 2 g of fat in each one. And that’s pretty awesome.

So today I made a Spinach Artichoke, Chicken and Bacon flatbread pizza on one of these cuties. And it’s absolutely delicious. And not too filling. And I don’t feel so guilty eating it that I want to hide under the covers and never put on a bathing suit again. Or fall asleep on my laptop after eating while writing this. I used the Honey Wheat thin flat breads which are perfect for one person, but you could also try another flavor (plain, whole wheat, spinach) or try one of their pizza flat breads which are a little longer and bigger if you’re feeding a crowd.

This flavor bomb pizza has a layer of spinach and artichoke dip on the base of the flatbread which I baked for a couple of minutes on the oven rack to get it crispy and lightly browned before adding the dip as a base for the other ingredients.

Then I topped it with some crispy bacon, sauteed onions and mozzarella cheese..

some cooked chicken breast (seasoned with Old Honey Barn Kentucky Seasoning that I bought in Louisville KY),

and a touch of garlic powder and a healthy dose of grated parmesan cheese.

I popped it in the oven for about 5 minutes until the cheese melted, then topped it off with some chile flakes, green onions and more parmesan cheese as a garnish, and a few cracks of freshly ground black pepper. OMG> so delicious and so easy.

I’m thinking this will be my new thing for Summer and I’ve already thought of a million pizza combinations and ideas I’m planning to make. In fact, you could use the same ingredients to make a kick butt quesadilla on the stove or a healthy chicken wrap. Sayonara gut bomb thick crust pizza, hello thin and crispy skinny pizza.

You’ve made my life. ;)

Spinach Artichoke Chicken & Bacon Flatbread Pizza

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Yield: Makes 2 flatbread pizzas.

Serving Size: 1/2 flatbread pizza

This flavor bomb pizza has a layer of spinach and artichoke dip on the base of the flatbread (I had some leftover from last night but you can certainly make your own) which I baked for a couple of minutes on the oven rack to get it crispy and lightly browned. Then I topped it with some sautéed onions, crispy bacon, seasoned cooked chicken breast, and parmesan cheese. I popped it in the oven for about 5 minutes until the cheese was melted and then topped it off with some chile flakes, green onions and more parmesan cheese as a garnish, and a few cracks of freshly ground black pepper. OMG> so delicious and so easy.

Ingredients

2 FlatOut 100% Whole Wheat flatbreads
1 cup Spinach and Artichoke Dip (homemade or store bought)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
½ large onion, chopped
Seasoned salt or Kentucky Chicken seasoning
1 pound thin chicken cutlets (or breasts pounded thin)
4 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ cup grated parmesan cheese, plus extra for garnish
Dash of red chile flakes
½ cup green onions, sliced
Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F. Place two FlatOut flatbreads on a cookie sheet (or directly on oven rack for crispier crust). Bake crust for two minutes. You can also grill the flatbread with a little olive oil in a grill pan or on the grill for a couple of minutes.
Remove flatbreads from the oven and spread the spinach and artichoke dip onto the flatbread and sprinkle with half of the mozzarella cheese.
Cook the onions in some olive oil over medium heat and remove from sauté pan. Add the additional tablespoon of oil into the pan and season the chicken breast. Cook chicken for about 5-6 minutes until cooked through, cut into strips or large chunks. Meanwhile, fry the bacon until crisp, then drain and crumble, and set all ingredients aside.
To make the pizzas, sprinkle the cooked onions, chicken and bacon on top of the cheese. Sprinkle with garlic powder, parmesan cheese, more mozzarella cheese and chili flakes.
Bake for 5 minutes until cheese is melted. Remove flatbread from the oven, and top with sliced green onions, red chile flakes, freshly ground black pepper, and additional grated parmesan, to taste.

Notes

You can substitute any flatbread you like for this pizza or even use real pizza dough if made super thin.

Feel free to experiment with the toppings too - the sky is the limit!

https://www.theartfulgourmet.com/2017/06/spinach-artichoke-chicken-bacon-flatbread-pizza/

January 31, 2017March 8, 2017

Lemon Garlic Shrimp w/ Spaghetti Squash

So we are well into the New Year, and it’s definitely time to up my game and start smashing my fitness and healthy cooking and eating goals for this year.

I’ve joined a new gym, hired a Personal Trainer and committing to doing Yoga, Pilates, Barre and weight training plus lots of walking at least 4 times a week from now on. I’m also focusing on lower carb eating for a while – cutting out sugar, processed foods, carb loaded foods. And drinking more water, getting more rest and taking my vitamins. The list goes on! Gosh, getting healthy and in shape is not easy.

I decided to make a lighter version of Lemon Garlic Shrimp Spaghetti that’s normally loaded. I swapped out healthy spaghetti squash roasted with olive oil, sea salt and pepper instead of pasta to lighten up the carbs and calories.

Then I simply shredded it into spaghetti strands with a fork…

and sautéed some sliced fresh garlic and shrimp in olive oil, butter, red chile pepper, fresh parsley and a big splash of fresh lemon juice. YUM!

It’s so light and delicious i don’t even miss the pasta or bread (truly!) This lovely dish is also low in calories and high in protein – two staples to losing weight. Not to mention staying full and energized without the sugar highs and lows from eating all those heavy carbs.

You can also add more veggies to the dish if you like..try sautéing some mushrooms, zucchini, cherry tomatoes or bell peppers and adding them to the mix. I absolutely love the possibilities of this dish! Who needs pasta when you have delicious buttery strands of squash instead? Please add your comments below on how you would make or alter the dish – creativity is good!

Hope you enjoy the recipe and here’s to happy and healthy New Year to all of you. xx

Yum

Lemon Garlic Shrimp w/ Spaghetti Squash

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours

Yield: Makes 4-5 cups Spaghetti Squash and approximately 3 cups of Lemon Garlic Shrimp, serving 2.

This light and healthy dish is made with roasted spaghetti squash topped with sautéed shrimp, garlic, olive oil, chile flakes, lemon and parsley. Super easy and tasty and low on the carbs!

Ingredients

Roasted Spaghetti Squash:
1 (3-pound) spaghetti squash
2 tablespoons olive oil
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Lemon Garlic Shrimp:
6 cloves garlic, sliced
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined (16-20 ct)
2-3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Pinch of red pepper chile flakes
3 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves, plus more for garnish
Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
Grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Roasted Spaghetti Squash:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Cut spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and scrape out seeds and inner membranes. Drizzle and rub squash with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Place the halves, cut side down, in a large baking dish and roast squash for 35-45 minutes until tender.
Remove squash from oven and turn side up, letting it cool for about 10 minutes.
Scrape the inside of the squash with a fork to make spaghetti strands and serve with the Lemon Garlic Shrimp.
Lemon Garlic Shrimp:
Heat oil and butter over medium-high heat in a skillet until shimmering, then add the sliced garlic and cook while stirring constantly, about 1 minute.
Add the shrimp and cook, stirring constantly, until shrimp are slightly cooked through, about 2-3 minutes. Add the lemon juice, red pepper flakes and parsley; toss to combine.
Season to taste with salt and pepper, serve immediately over roasted spaghetti squash.
Garnish with additional fresh parsley and grated parmesan cheese, if desired.

Schema/Recipe SEO Data Markup by Yummly Rich Recipes

https://www.theartfulgourmet.com/2017/01/lemon-garlic-shrimp-w-spaghetti-squash/

December 10, 2016January 5, 2017

Olive Garden unveils new ‘Tastes of the Mediterranean” menu

I had the opportunity to attend a special preview tasting of Olive Garden‘s new ‘Tastes of the Mediterranean’ menu this week at a lovely event held at Haven’s Kitchen in NYC with a group of other food bloggers, writers and journalists.

We sampled a (generous!) variety of delicious food and wine, and learned more about the new menu ideas and inspiration from the Olive Garden team and Executive Chef, Jim Nuetzi.

Inspired by the flavors of Italy’s Mediterranean Coast, Olive Garden is evolving its popular Lighter Italian Fare menu to the new ‘Tastes of the Mediterranean’ menu, which celebrates the flavors and cooking styles from the popular Mediterranean region of Italy with all entrees under 600 calories.

Beginning Jan. 2, two new entrees – Chicken Margherita and

Linguine di Mare – will be available in restaurants. Following, the fully evolved ‘Tastes of the Mediterranean’ rebranded menu section, which includes guest favorites as well as the new entrees, will be introduced on Jan. 23.

“Healthier dishes at restaurants can often be perceived as boring or unsatisfying. However, our Mediterranean-inspired Shrimp Scampi with its flavorful ingredients was our second most popular entrée on the entire menu last summer,” said Jim Nuetzi, Executive Chef for Olive Garden. “The positive reaction from our guests further showed that we could create indulgent and craveable entrees that just happen to have the added benefit of lower calorie counts.”

The guest-favorite Shrimp Scampi, which was introduced to the Olive Garden menu last year, has exceeded any other Olive Garden lighter fare entrée in popularity. Many guests were surprised that the flavorful and satisfying dish was only 500 calories.

The guest reaction to the Shrimp Scampi inspired chefs to explore additional ingredients that would excite guests in the same way, leading them to the cuisine of Italy’s Mediterranean coast. The region is long known for healthier lifestyles and cooking with light, flavorful ingredients such as seafood, olive oil, fresh vegetables, whole grains and Italian spices.

The ‘Tastes of the Mediterranean’ menu features:

NEW! Chicken Margherita: Grilled chicken breasts topped with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, basil pesto and a lemon garlic sauce. Served with parmesan crusted zucchini.

Shrimp Scampi: Shrimp sautéed in a garlic sauce, tossed with asparagus, tomatoes and angel hair pasta.

NEW! Linguine di Mare: Shrimp and mussels sautéed with homemade pomodoro sauce and whole grain linguine.

Herb-Grilled Salmon: Filet grilled to perfection and topped with garlic-herb butter. Served with parmesan-garlic broccoli.

Chicken Piccata: Grilled chicken topped with a lemon garlic butter sauce, sun-dried tomatoes and capers. Served with parmesan crusted zucchini.

Tilapia Piccata: Delicate white fish baked in a lemon garlic butter sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and capers. Served with parmesan crusted zucchini.

Entrees on the rebranded menu start at $14.29.

And last but not least, we enjoyed a gorgeous dessert, Warm Chocolate Baci Cake with coffee..simply divine.

..and got some take home goodie bags with a bottle of wine and some wine glasses!

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ABOUT OLIVE GARDEN

Olive Garden is the leading restaurant in the Italian dining segment with more than 800 restaurants, more than 96,000 employees and more than $3.8 billion in annual sales. Olive Garden is a division of Darden Restaurants, Inc., (NYSE: DRI), which owns and operates more than 1,500 restaurants that generate over $6.8 billion in annual sales. Headquartered in Orlando, Fla., and employing more than 150,000 people, Darden is recognized for a culture that rewards caring for and responding to people. Olive Garden is committed to making a difference in the lives of others in the local community. As part of this commitment, Olive Garden restaurants have donated more than 35 million pounds of food to local community food banks across the country.

Guests can join the conversation and connect with Olive Garden at Facebook.com/OliveGarden, Twitter.com/OliveGarden and Instagram.com/OliveGarden. For more information and to find your nearest Olive Garden restaurant, visit OliveGarden.com.

August 3, 2016September 21, 2018

Elderberry Lime Chicken & Veggie Kabobs + Heirloom Tomato, Peach & Mozzarella Salad

I love grilling in the Summertime – and there’s nothing easier, tastier and healthier than Grilled Chicken and Vegetable Kabobs!

I also love a delicious salad using the fruits and veggies of the season – try my Heirloom Tomato, Peach & Mozzarella Salad which is bursting with fresh flavors!

I developed these recipes for my client Seven Barrels, who makes spectacular infused olive oils and vinegars. I wanted to create a refreshing recipe for their Summer promotion, so I created a marinade for the kabobs and a vinaigrette dressing for the salad using their Elderberry Balsamic Vinegar and Lime Olive Oil – a delicious combination!

Hope you’re enjoying your Summer and enjoy these recipes at your next cookout! 🙂

Check out Seven Barrels website for more product information

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Grilled Chicken & Veggie Kabobs

Prep Time: 1 hour

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Yield: 4 to 6

Grilled chicken and summer veggie kabobs in an Elderberry Lime Marinade - perfect for Summer!

Ingredients

Grilled Chicken & Veggie Kabobs:
2 pounds boneless chicken thighs (skinless), cut into 1-inch chunks
2 bell peppers (red, yellow, orange or green), cut into 1-inch chunks
1 large red onion, cut into large chunks
1 large zucchini, cut into large chunks
1 large yellow squash, cut into large chunks
1 cup Elderberry Lime Marinade (recipe follows)
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
Elderberry Lime Marinade:
½ cup Seven Barrels Lime Olive Oil
½ cup Seven Barrels Extra Virgin Olive Oil
¼ cup Seven Barrels Elderberry Balsamic Vinegar
2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons honey
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons fresh basil or parsley, minced
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Grilled Chicken & Veggie Kabobs:
Place chicken and vegetables in large plastic ziplock bags and pour 1/2 of the Elderberry Lime Marinade over each, letting marinade in the fridge for at least two hours up to eight hours.
Pre-soak wooden skewers in water for at least 15-20 minutes, and preheat grill on medium-high heat.
Thread the chicken and vegetables evenly spaced on separate skewers and discard the marinade except for a small amount to use while grilling.
Lightly oil the grate and grill chicken skewers until opaque and juices run clear (about 12-15 minutes) and the vegetable skewers for about 8-12 minutes until soft and beginning to brown. Turn and brush with extra marinade frequently. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
Transfer the skewers to a warm platter and serve immediately.
Elderberry Lime Marinade:
In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, soy sauce, honey, garlic, basil or parsley, garlic salt and black pepper. Cover and set aside until ready to marinade the chicken and vegetables.
Makes 1 ¼ cups.

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https://www.theartfulgourmet.com/2016/08/elderberry-lime-chicken-veggie-kabobs-heirloom-tomato-peach-mozzarella-salad/

Heirloom Tomato, Peach & Mozzarella Salad

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Yield: 6-8

A gorgeous Summer salad made with heirloom tomatoes, fresh peaches, mozzarella, basil, arugula in an Elderberry Lime vinaigrette dressing topped with sunflower seeds.

Ingredients

Heirloom Tomato, Peach & Mozzarella Salad:
2 large handfuls of baby arugula
2 peaches, cut into wedges
1 Heirloom tomato, cut into wedges
½ cup cooked corn
½ cup cucumber, cut into wedges
1 cup cherry tomatoes
1/3 ball of burrata or fresh mozzarella
1/2 cup toasted sunflower seeds
Fresh basil
Sea Salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Elderberry Lime Vinaigrette:
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/4 cup Seven Barrels Elderberry balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup Seven Barrels Lime Olive Oil

Instructions

Heirloom Tomato, Peach & Mozzarella Salad:
On a large plate, arrange the arugula, peaches and heirloom tomato wedges. Sprinkle corn and cucumber over the salad.
Carefully rip the ball of burrata or mozzarella into pieces and scatter on top of the salad along with the cherry tomatoes. Sprinkle with toasted sunflower seeds, salt and pepper and a few basil leaves.
Drizzle with a few tablespoons of the Elderberry Lime vinaigrette and serve immediately. Serve with extra dressing and additional salt and pepper, if desired.
Elderberry Lime Vinaigrette:
Combine all the ingredients except the olive oil in a medium bowl and whisk together well. Once combined, stream in the olive oil and continue to whisk until the vinaigrette comes together. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
Note: The dressing can be stored and refrigerated for 1 week.
Makes approximately 3/4 cup.

https://www.theartfulgourmet.com/2016/08/elderberry-lime-chicken-veggie-kabobs-heirloom-tomato-peach-mozzarella-salad/

January 30, 2016March 15, 2023

Red Curry Beef w/ Zucchini Noodles

Since the holidays are coming soon, we all know what THAT means..lots of holiday parties with food and drinks, and with that in mind, I’ve decided to commit to eating healthier and lighter the next few weeks.

I absolutely love my KitchenAid® Spiralizer Attachment that goes with my KitchenAid® Stand Mixer – and I’m so excited to make some healthier low-carb meals! It comes with five different blades for peeling, coring and slicing and is perfect for fresh fruits and vegetables. I love pasta and rice, but spiralized veggies are such a great substitute when I want to lighten up my recipes and eat low carb.

I thought a delicious comfort food dish with a healthy twist would be perfect for the cooler months, and decided to make a Red Curry Beef with Zucchini Noodles.

I used lots of fresh, organic ingredients: beef, sweet potatoes, onions, garlic and green beans, and then made a lovely curry sauce with coconut milk, red curry paste, fresh lime juice, fish sauce, some beef broth and a dash of Sriracha to spice it up.

I used my Professional Series 3.5″ Paring Knife that came with the 7-piece Professional Series Cutlery set, for chopping my onions and garlic, Thai chilies and basil.

The larger Chef’s knife was great for cutting up the large chunks of beef and sweet potatoes with its sturdier grip and large super sharp blade.

My heavy duty KitchenAid ceramic cast iron pot is perfect for making this dish – it cooks evenly and is large enough to make a large pot of curry or stew, and is ovenproof to 500 degrees!

The KitchenAid spiralizer attachment is also easy to use! All you need to do is attach it to the KitchenAid mixer, and the spirals come right out perfectly cut. Then you just briefly cook them in a saucepan with some olive or peanut oil, season them with some salt and pepper.

Top the #zoodles with this luscious and creamy curry – lots of great flavors and textures, sweet and spicy – all in one pot. Delish!

This is such a great Winter comfort food dish to make and it’s so easy to make with all the right tools… You’ll definitely want to make this Red Curry Beef Zucchini Noodles for dinner – tonight!

Red Beef Curry with Zucchini Noodles

Ingredients

INGREDIENTS
3-4 medium zucchini
2 1/2 pounds lean stewing beef, (chuck or round), cut into 1 1/2 inch chunks
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons canola oil
1 sweet onion, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup red curry paste
2 cans (13.5 ounce) unsweetened coconut milk
2 tablespoons Thai fish sauce
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1/4 cup beef broth
1 tablespoon Sriracha hot sauce (optional)
1 large handful French green beans, trimmed
3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into medium chunks
1 (8 ounce) can sliced bamboo shoots, drained
3 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped or torn, for garnish
1-2 Thai green chilies, sliced fine, for garnish
1/2 cup peanuts, for garnish

Instructions

Attach the KitchenAid® Spiralizer Attachment to your KitchenAid® Stand Mixer and choose your desired spiralizing blade. Attach the vegetable skewer to the Spiralizer and secure it to the zucchini. Move the spiralizing blade to the end of the zucchini and turn on the Stand Mixer to low (level 2) to make the spiralized zucchini noodles. Make sure you place a bowl underneath to catch the zucchini noodles as they fall. Set the noodles aside or keep them in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Cut the beef into 1 1/2 inch large chunks and place in a bowl. Sprinkle with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Heat the oil over medium-high heat in your KitchenAid® 6.0Qt Cast Iron Cookware and brown the beef in two batches until lightly browned on all sides. Remove the beef from the pot and transfer to a bowl, set aside.
Add the onion and garlic to the same pot and sauté over medium heat for about a minute. Add the curry paste, stirring into the onions and garlic, until lightly fragrant, for about 30 seconds. Add the coconut milk, and deglaze the pan, stirring up all the crispy brown bits with a wooden spoon. Stir in the fish sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, beef broth, Sriracha (if using) and bring the liquid to a boil.
Add the green beans and sweet potatoes and stir into the liquid. Next add the browned beef back in and stir together well. Cover the pot, reduce the heat to low and let simmer for about an hour and 45 minutes. Add the bamboo shoots into the curry and let simmer for another 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat a tablespoon of olive oil in your 10? Skillet from the KitchenAid® Stainless Steel 8-Piece Set over medium heat. Add the zucchini noodles, with some salt and pepper to taste, and sauté for a few minutes until the noodles are soft.
Serve the noodles in bowls topped with the Red Beef Curry, garnishing with fresh chopped basil, sliced Thai green chilies and peanuts.

https://www.theartfulgourmet.com/2016/01/red-curry-beef-zucchini-noodles/

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Enjoy!

October 4, 2015January 31, 2017

Zucchini & Sweet Potato Pancakes w/ Homemade Apple Sauce

Now that the fall season has finally arrived, it’s time to start cooking with seasonal ingredients that are richer in color and warmer in flavor. One of my favorite dishes to make in the fall are Potato Pancakes, served with applesauce and sour cream, just like my Grandma used to make.

I recently got a KitchenAid® Juicer and Sauce Attachment for my Stand Mixer and decided to do a twist on this traditional family recipe by making Homemade Applesauce and making the pancakes out of zucchini and sweet potatoes to add some healthy color and fall flavors to the dish. I used my KitchenAid® Stainless Steel 3-Quart Saucepan, which was perfect for cooking the applesauce in, and a fantastic KitchenAid® Copper Core 12″ Nonstick Skillet, great for cooking the pancakes with it’s large base and even, quick heat distribution.