Just Picked Possibilities – Fruit & Veggie Recipes + Grilled Steak Salad

Snapping peas, shucking corn, wandering through the woods in search of huckleberries – the chores of summer have me salivating!   Fresh fruits and vegetables are the cornerstone of my kitchen creations and the summer season offers so many fresh-for-the-picking possibilities.  In addition to the Any Way, Any Day Grilled Steak Salad recipe I share below, I’ve gathered up this collection of some of my favorite warm weather recipes that are ideal for outdoor entertaining! Enjoy!

Check out Just-Picked Possibilities! Summer Fruit & Veggie Recipes

by The Fit Fork at Foodie.com

If you are looking for a “no recipe” recipe that takes advantage of the season’s freshest ingredients, then my Any Way, Any Day Grilled Steak Salad will delight you with its lack of details – but let me assure you this healthy salad is in no shy in sunny day, farm-fresh flavor!  You can fix up this entrée salad on a plate or platter for dinner tonight, or package up in a mason jar to take for the best lunch break ever.  Jar salads are genius in form and function – a vibrant rainbow of goodness layered in a handy container that can be taken “to go” en route to a picnic, concert in the park, the gym, or even work (sigh). When ready to dig into the salad simply give it a shake and then eat from the jar or pour onto a plate – because it is layered in the reverse order of a typical salad, the lettuce ends up on the bottom of the plate and the salad dressing on top!

sirloin jar salad

Any Way, Any Day Grilled Steak Salad Recipe

  • 12 ounce top sirloin steak, 1” thick
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon coarse ground pepper
  • 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt
  • 8 cups chopped greens (like romaine lettuce, kale, spinach, an assortment)
  •  4 cup assortment of chopped or shredded vegetables of choice (like cucumber, snap peas, carrots, radish, celery, tomatoes, etc.)
  • 1 (15-oz) can beans of choice, drained and rinsed (like black bean, chick pea, edamame, kidney, etc.)*
  • 1 cup salad toppings (like pecans, almonds, feta cheese, dried or fresh fruit or assortment)

Dressing:

  • 1 6-oz carton plain Greek Yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon or equivalent “sweet” dressing component (honey, maple syrup, agave, etc.)
  • 1 teaspoon “spicy” dressing component (Sriacha sauce, chipotle powder, Tabasco, etc.)
  1. Preheat grill to 400 F degrees.
  2. In small bowl, make a paste of garlic, olive oil, pepper and salt.
  3. Use fork tines to slightly pierce steak all over the front and bottom. Apply paste liberally to steak, rub until well coated.
  4. Grill steak for approximately 5 -6 minutes per side, flipping only once if possible. Remove when instant read thermometer registers 135 F degrees. Let rest for approximately 5 minutes (temperature should rise to 145, which is medium rare).
  5. Slice steak into thin slices across the grain. If desired, then cut slices into bite-sized pieces.
  6. In small bowl, whisk together yogurt and chosen dressing components.
  7. To assemble salad on plate, start with lettuce, then vegetables, beans, beef slices, salad toppings and then dressing. For the jar salad, dollop dressing in the jar first and then layer with vegetables, beans, beef, lettuce and then salad toppings. Serves 4.

*If lettuces and other delicate ingredients are layered at the top of the jar (away from the dressing and juicy meat), the salads will remain fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.  Make ahead for busy work day lunches!

If you like the idea of jar salads, don’t miss these other two I love:

 

Thai Peanut Chicken Jar Salad

jennifer fisher - thai peanut chicken salad - main option 1

 

 

 

 

Chopped Ancho Chicken Jar Salad

ancho chili chicken salad collage

 

 

 

 

This post is sponsored by Foodie.com. However, all commentary, opinions and recipes are naturally my own. 

 

Chipotle Ranch Sweet ‘Tater Burrito Bowls & Frenemy Partner Workout

thefitfork black bean sweet potato burrito bowl

I’m still riding the black bean train for a fast, flavorful and fiber-packed meal – toot, toot! All kidding aside, a big Crockpot of homemade black beans will last the better part of a week. If you don’t want to go to the time and trouble of breaking out the slow-cooker (geeze, it can be a hassle), canned black beans are a decent option and I always make sure I have the pantry stockpiled. And, sweet ‘taters, too!

Earlier this week, I shared Black Bean, Zucchini & Corn Tacos as a delicious, nutritious option for a simple yet super-yummy summer dinner.  Since I had leftover beans that I couldn’t let go to waste, I convinced my husband to NOT go to his favorite casual burrito joint for dinner – I’d make him my healthy version of a burrito bowl instead! What I love about making burrito bowls at home is I can be as creative as I want, plus I don’t bust my budget by saying “yes” to extra avocado!

Just for the record, I first created this recipe for Litehouse Food’s blog to showcase their new Chipotle Ranch a delicious Greek yogurt dip in a just-debuted line-up of healthy goodness called OPAdipity!  Just like their very popular OPA Dressings, the OPAdipity dips have significantly fewer calories and fat (plus more protein) than traditional creamy dips and ranch dressings. By the way, Litehouse likes to keep things fresh, so you will find all their products in the produce section of your market.

vegetarian burrito bowl

 Black Bean & Sweet Potato Burrito Bowls with Chipotle Cream Recipe

  • 1 medium sweet potato (about 10 – 12 ounces)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
  • ¼ cup Litehouse Food Opadipity Chipotle Greek Yogurt Dip (divided)*
  • 3 cups baby spinach
  • 1 15-ounce can black beans (drained and rinsed)
  • ½ cup prepared pico de gallo
  • ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
  • ½ small avocado cut in slices
  • 2 ounces crumbled queso fresco cheese
  • ½ lime sliced for garnish
  1. Preheat oven to 400 F degrees.
  2. Wash and dry sweet potato; chop into approximate ½” cubes. Place on one side of rimmed baking sheet; drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with cilantro. Add frozen corn to the other side of pan.
  3. Roast for approximately 15 – 20 minutes or until sweet potatoes are softened and beginning to crisp and corn is turning slightly brown at edges. Remove from oven.
  4. Place sweet potatoes in bowl and coat with 2 tablespoons of Chipotle Greek Yogurt Dip.*
  5. Layer spinach evenly among the bottom of two bowls. Top with dressed sweet potatoes, black beans, roasted corn, pico de gallo, red onion, and avocado. Sprinkle with crumbled cheese, add a dollop of the remaining Chipotle dip and garnish with lime wedge. Serves 2.

*If not available, mix 1 teaspoon dried chipotle powder and 1 teaspoon lime juice into ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt.`

partner workout

Even though my burrito bowl is a very healthy meal, I feel like I need to leave you with a workout so you can take advantage of it’s magical refueling powers– how about the Frenemy Heave & Haul – the partner workout you’ll love to hate. Say hello to tire flips, burpees, planks and a race to the finish – oh, and I forgot to mention the “partner carry.” I’d suggest picking a similar-sized friend because each person in the duo has a turn hauling – carry your partner however you can whether over the shoulder, cradle carry, or piggyback.  Just try not to laugh and strain something!

Summer Suppers – Black Bean, Zucchini & Corn Taco Recipe

Y’all know I like to get my daily dose of lean protein — particularly beef, fish and Greek yogurt (though not all mixed together)!  But sometimes I like a meal that focuses on veggies and alternative proteins – I don’t discriminate!   This recipe for Black Bean, Zucchini and Corn Tacos shows off my favorite bean source for protein (the black bean) and some yummy seasonal produce – it’s the perfect recipe for al fresco feasting, inviting vegetarians over dinner  or a #MeatlessMonday meal.

veggie black bean tacos

Black beans are plain awesome, not just because they taste good but because they work in so many different types of cuisines – South American, Mexican, Cuban, Indian, Creole, Cajun and more!  They are super-packed with phytonutrients, rank low on the Glycemic Index (meaning they provide long-lasting energy) and are, I’m pleased to report, the highest-fiber bean around.  In addition to providing 15 grams of fiber per 1 cup serving (almost 60% of DV), the same size serving offers about 15 grams of protein.

I like to put black beans in my omelets, in soup, on salads, sprinkled on baked sweet potatoes – and of course as the star of tacos.

black bean tacos

Black Bean, Zucchini and Corn Tacos Recipe

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium zucchini, chopped ¼’
  • ¾ cup fresh corn kernels (or frozen)
  • ¼ cup diced red onion
  • 1 jalapeno, seeded and minced
  • 1 cup cooked black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon ancho chile powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 4 ounces queso fresco, crumbled
  • 8 tortillas (I like the corn-flour mix tortillas)
  • Cilantro springs for garnish

Add olive oil to skillet and bring to medium-high heat. Add zucchini, corn, onion and jalapeno and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes, or until veggies are softening and zucchini is starting to turn lightly brown.  Add black beans, garlic, chile powder, cumin and salt to skillet and stir around for approximately 2 more minutes, or until heated through.

If desired, lightly crisp tortillas over gas burner or in a skillet. Add 1/8 of mixture to each tortilla, top with ½ ounce of crumbled cheese, and garnish with cilantro. Serves 4 (2 tacos each)

 

watermelon pureeIf you are wondering what I’m drinking with the tacos (the pink beverage) – it’s watermelon juice and a Nuun Hydration Electrolyte Tab. In the Texas heat, it’s hard to stay properly hydrated – but Nuun is a tasty, sparkling and sugar-free way to keep everything in check. To make the drink, pour about 8 ounces of watermelon juice in a glass (just the stuff that collects in the bottom of your bowl when cutting up a melon or you can puree watermelon chunks) and add ½ Nuun tablet in the flavor of your choice – they even have watermelon!

Just a little hint of things to come starting July 1 – WATERMELON!!! I’ll be talking all things watermelon , every day, for one week – including how watermelon juice actually can benefit athletic performance and recovery!

So, what are you eating for dinner tonight? Please share in the comments, I am always looking for new ideas!

Mojito Mint Iced Tea & Pure Via Giveaway

Another holiday to report — did you know June is National Iced Tea Month! Oh how I love to sun brew a big container of tea and flavor it with ginger and lemon – or sometimes I’ll mix my pitcher of refreshment with a fruit puree. Or, how about a tall glass of Mojito Mint Iced Tea, that’s what I have for you today! Sit back on the porch and enjoy, y’all!

mint lime sun tea

 Mojito Mint Iced Tea Recipe

  •  2 quarts water
  • 4 – 6 black tea bags (depending on strength preference)
  • 2 limes
  • 1 bunch of mint
  • Liquid stevia to taste

Directions: Pour water into a large glass container with lid. Add tea bags and hang tags over rim. Zest limes into tea container, taking care not to zest bitter white pith. Reserve limes, for use later. Massage and twist mint with hands to activate oils; immerse into container. Top with lid and set in sunny part of yard for 4 – 5 hours. Take tea bags out of jar and pour tea through strainer to remove zest and mint leaves. Squeeze flesh of zested limes into tea, add liquid stevia to taste – -stir and enjoy!

Remain calm, this is just a Stevia plant!

Remain calm, this is just a Stevia plant!

I’ll be first to come clean that I have a major sweet tooth and can’t drink my iced tea plain – yet that sweet tea that’s served down here in the south is way to sugary. My compromise is to use stevia, a natural and zero-calorie extract derived from the leaves of the Stevia plant. I still get the satisfaction of “sweet” without the calories, carbs or that sickly saccharine taste that comes with many other sugar substitutes.

I’ve tried many brands of stevia and I really like Pure Via®, the company has a wide range of products including non-GMO stevia packets that can be sprinkled in beverages and used in recipes along with liquid stevia that comes in a handy little squirt bottle that fits in my purse – I love to sweeten my on-the-go coffees and smoothies with the vanilla – the sweetness of stevia is very concentrated, so just a few drops will do ya!

sugar free berry lemonade

If you like to cook, bake or mix up drinks with stevia, check out Pure Via’s collection of yummy recipes.  I can’t wait to make this Blackberry Lemonade – as I’ve mentioned before, blackberry is totally the hipster berry of the year!

Pure Via and Iced Tea

Win this Pure Via Summer Fit Kit!

One of you lovely readers will soon be even sweeter — that’s because I’m giving away a Pure Via®  Summer Fit Kit that includes:

  • Box of Pure Via® non-GMO packets
  • Bottle of Pure Via® stevia liquid
  • Bottle of Pure Via® vanilla stevia liquid
  • Container of instant iced tea
  • Pure Via mason jar & straw
  • Pure Via pedometer (get in your 10,000 steps!)
  • Pure Via SPF 15 lip balm

To enter the giveaway, please follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter app – also, please note that this review and giveaway is sponsored by Pure Via®, however the opinions are my own. Entrants must be limited to the U.S. only and only one winner per household (eg: you can’t win the same prize from another blog.

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Grate Expectations – Seared Steak Thai Salad – #GrillIt #WinIt

There’s something special about summer grilling – relaxing in the great outdoors, keeping the grill master company with good conversation and a cold beer, and enjoying the season’s bounty sizzling off the grates.  It’s the perfect way to wind down after a long day, except for when it isn’t.  When the thermometer is hovering over 100 degrees, the mosquitos are as big as dragonflies, and dirty barbeque smoke is making your eyes water, it’s time to head back indoors!

Man Grilling

Dean on grill duty, getting a little smoke in his eyes!

But, how can you get that that grilled outside flavor from the cool comfort and convenience of your kitchen? Well, I have had some luck with a grill pan that sits right on your stove top, but even better is the Searing Grill from Hamilton Beach – it heats to a really high temperature to lock in the natural juices in the lean protein or produce you are grilling. The grate marks it makes are gorgeous, food looks like it has been flipped around by Bobby Flay. Clean up is easy, the grates can go in the dishwasher and slide-out drip pan washes easily in the sink – no more standing out in the backyard with your grill disassembled and for a spray nozzle hose blasting.

healthy grilling recipes thefitfork.com

I’ve tested a few of my favorite grilling recipes on this awesome indoor grill –- from my Tuscan Grilled Eggplant to Mojo Chicken Breast with Citrus pictured above.

seared beef mango thai salad I also created a delicious recipe for Seared Beef & Mango Thai Noodle Salad Recipe for Hamilton Beach’s blog, EverydayGoodThinking.com. This easy recipe keeps things cool, the lean beef and mango sear quickly on the grill while the rest of the veggies don’t need any cooking – even the thread-thin noodles only need to soak it hot water from the sink. Head over to EverydayGoodThinking.com right now to get the recipe and more!

win it searing grill

So, yay! Thanks to Hamilton Beach, I get to give away one of these Searing Grills so you can #GrillIt !  Enter via the Rafflecopter app below and I’ll keep my fingers crossed that you are the winner!

Oh and speaking of grilling, it’s not too late to register for my “Live Well, Grill Well” class at the downtown Whole Foods in Austin, Texas. I would love to have a packed house!

live well grill well

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