Lemon Basil Tilapia

Lemon Basil Tilapia, one of my summer favorites! Tilapia is low in fat and a great source of protein. Not only is tilapia healthy for you it is also inexpensive compared to salmon. So there ya have it-- easy to make, delicious, and inexpensive? Sounds like a win to me!

Cooking fish during the summer time is a must. Fish is light meal that is perfect paired with a glass of wine, good company, and dinner outside on the patio. I also like cooking with citrus for a burst of healthy, natural flavors! So pairing the two together seemed like a great idea!

This is hardly a recipe, and more of a method due to how easy this. Make this for the next date night! Instead of going out, stay in with this recipe and large glass of wine.

Ingredients:

4 Fresh Water Tilapia Fillets.
2 Large Lemons
Basil Spice (I of course used my favorite, Penzey Basil Spice-- YUM!)

To-do:

1) Place oven on broil
2) Slice lemons into medium thick slices
3) Spray a cooking sheet with PAM
4) Place lemons on cooking sheet and add the tilapia on top
5) Sprinkle with desired amount of basil
6) Cook for about 12 minutes and then flip tilapia for another 10 minutes. Watch closely, you do not want to burn the tilapia.
7) Squeeze extra lemon on top if desired and add mixed veggies as a side dish. I used my Veggin' Out Skinny Girl Style mixed veggies recipe!

Evelyn's Skinny Style Chicken Salad

I have never made chicken salad before and after two tries within two days, I have a feeling I have perfected the art! My chicken salad is protein packed, and low in fat! Perfect for a picnic, lunch on the go, or a quick snack!

Like I mentioned in my previous post, my boyfriend is big into body building, physique, and eating! Eating healthy and extremely clean, sheesh spoiled boy. So I made this for him, the best thing about this recipe is that it makes a ton of chicken salad! You can make this at the beginning of the week, refrigerate, and quickly pack for lunches on the go! This would also be nice to bring to a summer backyard cookout or pool party. It is not too heavy and will keep the masses pleased!

I wanted to try and make this recipe as healthy as possible, I am sure I will keep modifying it over the years but for now-- I am obsessed! It is the perfect lunch or snack for a hot summers day. Not only is my chicken salad delicious it is most importantly healthy. I eliminated the use of mayo, which is packed with fat and calories. I gagged when I read the back... sorry 'boutcha Mayo... but no way, you are NOT going in my body!

Instead, I used a mixture of spicy brown mustard and fat free italian dressing. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

I added pretzels and fruit with my chicken salad today! Yum! Clean eating does a body good!

Ingredients:

6 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
8 Boiled Eggs (Yokes taken out after boiled)
2 Chopped Celery Stalks
1/2-1 Cup Sauteed Sweet Onions (we are onion people, so I used about a cup)
1/4 Cup Green Onions/ Chives
1/4 Cup Dried Cranbries
Mrs. Dash Seasoning (your choice-- sodium free!)
1 Cup Fat Free Italian Dressing
2 Tablespoons Spicy Brown Mustard

To-do-
1) Place oven on broil.
2) Place eggs in pot, add water until its about an inch over the eggs, add a dash of salt, place on medium heat until it comes to a boil. Let eggs boil for one minute, then turn off heat and let sit for about 20-25 minutes.
3) While your eggs are cooking, season chicken breast with Mrs. Dash Seasoning. I use Mrs. Dash because it is sodium free and since I am adding spicy brown mustard and fat free italian dressing, we really do not need any extra sodium.
4) Place seasoned chicken in oven on broil for 12 minutes. Once timer dings, flip and cook for another 10 minutes.
5) Chop up onions and sauté on sprayed skillet pan.
6) Chop up celery stalks, add more if you'd like more.
7) After chicken has cooled- shred chicken (you can use a food processor if you'd like)
8) After eggs are cooled, peel off the shell, and take out the hard yellow yokes (this reduces the fat)
9) Place sautéed onions, celery, cranberries, shredded chicken, and egg whites into a large mixing bowl.
10) Mix in fat free italian dressing and spicy brown mustard. Then refrigerate chicken salad for at least two hours before serving-- I think it tastes better if you let it sit overnight!  

Healthy-Easy-Banana Bread, Oh My!

All breads are not created equal!

I found this recipe on Pinterest a long time ago and have been meaning to make it! I love this recipe because all of the ingredients are readily available, its economical, healthy, and better yet, delicious. I am interning this summer and have moved in with my boyfriend (oh my) and let me tell you, this boy can eat. He and I are also health food freaks, we love to cook healthy and eat clean. I constantly look for healthy recipes that not only are good for your waistline but delicious.

This recipe could not have come at a better time, my boyfriend has been on a extremely strict diet for the past three-four (forever) months, and has gone without bread and "treats" to prepare for his Physique Competition. His hard work payed off when he won his class, and it was about time he loaded up on some carbs! This is where I step in! 

Penzey Spices make everything taste better.

I love bread, and the BEST thing about this bread is that there is no butter, oils, or granulated sugar. Instead you use unsweetened apple sauce and honey! Mmm two of my favorite and most used ingredients. I virtually do not buy butter anymore. Its not that I am anti-butter but if you can go without the calories and fat, why not?

This bread is also super moist, easy to take on the go, a great way to carb up before a workout, makes a large batch, and picky boyfriend approved! Sounds like a winning combination to me. Sorry there is only one picture, after I made it I snapped a quick shot and before I knew it-- It was all gone!

Check out 8 Weeks to a Better You Blog for yummy smoothie & breakfast ideas! 

So delicious, it will be gone within two days!

Ingredients:

3 Mashed Bananas (ripe-or brown, both work just fine!)

2 Cups Whole Wheat Pastry Flour

1 Teaspoon Baking Soda

1/4 Teaspoon Salt

2 Teaspoons Penzey Ground Cinnamon

1/2 Cup Unsweetened Apple Sauce

3/4 Cup Honey

2 Eggs Beaten

To-do:

1) Preheat the oven to 350. Grease a medium square cake pan or bread pan.

2) Whisk dry ingredients together: flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.

3) Mash the bananas, and mix in honey, apple sauce, and eggs.

4) Place in the oven for 45-50 minutes if using medium cake pan, for bread pan try 55-60 minutes!

Enjoy this delicious bread for breakfast with almond butter on top or plain with a side of fruit!   

Cinnamon Sugar Apple Chips

I just made my skinny zucchini chips (check 'em out) and realized I had a few apples that I needed to use, so I thought why not make some apple chips! I went from a salty to now sweet snack! These chips are perfect for a little snack that the whole family or college roomies will enjoy!

Quick and easy--

Little flowers in the apples! Pretty!

Mmm mmm.

Ingredients:

1 Apple (I use green apples-- less sugar)

Cinnamon Sugar

To-do:

1) Place the oven on broil.

2) Using the Mandoline Slicer or knife slice your apple into medium-thin slices (6-8 mm).

3) Place on a sprayed cooking sheet, sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top and put your apples into the oven. Keep a close on 'em!

Enjoy!

Variations:

Instead of green apples-- use whatever kind you have or use pears!

Instead of cinnamon sugar-- use plain cinnamon mixed with organic stevia.

Skinny Zucchini Chips

I have missed the Dish On College Cooking! These past couple of weeks have been extremely hectic. Between finals, getting ready to head up north for an internship, moving into a new apartment, I have been running around like a mad women. It has also taken me a couple of days to get into a new routine at the new apartment (especially the kitchen-- of which I LOVE!) I finally have more space to cook!

I want to cook all sorts of things but, my boyfriend and his close friends are big into body building and body physique and have a physique competition this weekend. With that said they have an extremely strict diet and I have been told not to make anything tempting to eat until after their show. Come Sunday, I will finally be able to cook up some of my healthy favorites and ditch the plain extra lean ground turkey meals for a little while. THANK THE LORD!

I was having blogger withdrawals so while everyone was out of the apartment today, I thought I would use my new mandoline slicer, that I got on sale at Marshalls for only 7.50! Who doesn't love a deal? I recommend using a mandoline slicer for zucchini chips, because the slicer will cut the zucchini into the same width and cook more evenly.

I was able to make two batches out of one zucchini-- I made the first batch spicy with Penzey's Chipotle Ground Red Seasoning and the second batch salty with Penzey's Fox Point Seasoning (my all time favorite). These chips were so yummy, easy to make, and better for you than a bag of Lay's Potato Chips, and like Lay's-- I bet you can't eat just one!

So yummyyyyy!

Be careful! I sliced my finger... Mental note, get band aids.

Ingredients:

1 Zucchini

1 TSP Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Seasoning of your choice (I vow by Penzey)

To-do

1) Place your oven on broil.

2) Use a Mandoline Slicer or cutting knife and slice the zucchini into thin slices (3mm).

3) Place the olive oil, zucchini, and seasoning of choice into a mixing bowl until the oil is spread throughout.

4) Lay the seasoned zucchini on a well spread cooking sheet. You can add more seasoning if you'd like. 

5) Place in the oven, keep a close watch-- I have learned this the hard way multiple times... You do not want burned zucchini chips! Yuck! 

6) Take the chips out once they are a golden brown-- some might be burned (thats okay, they are still delicious!)

Enjoyyy!

Skinny Applesauce Cinnamon Waffles

Its Saturday and Cinco De Mayo! I have had a long week of work and finals. Not fun. But almost done. So I thought I would whip up some waffles this morning. After all, its tradition in my family. As you all know I love breakfast and am always looking for new alternatives to make it healthier and still delicious. So today I made a delicious brunch before hanging out by the pool with margaritas! 

Healthy versions of a Saturday favorite. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

(Dry)

1C Whole Wheat Pastry Flour

1 TBS Baking Powder

1 TSP Baking Soda

1/3 C Whole Grain Oats

1 TSP Cinnamon 

1 Packet Organic Stevia (optional)

(Wet)

1/3 C Unsweetened Almond Milk

3/4 C Applesauce

1 Egg (or egg beaters)

1 TSP Vanilla

1) Whisk dry ingredients together.

2) Mix wet ingredients together.

3) Combine all ingredients.

4) Place 1/4 C on waffle maker and cook until golden brown.

Toppings:

Powder Sugar

Sugar Free Syrup

Honey

Fruit

Ev's notes:

- No butters, no oils. Whole wheat pastry flour. Less sugar. Delicious and better than traditional waffles! Enjoy, and be great today! Off to the gym and then to the pool!

- These are also great for freezing and reheating later! Lots of love!