Plant-based Protein – Asian Chop Salad with Gardein Teriyaki Chick’n Strips

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Thanks to Gardein for introducing me to their Gardein Teriyaki Chick’n Strips and for sponsoring today’s post.

I’m that fast girl you’ve been warned about. I talk fast, I run fast . . . . and, I like to get my food fast. But NOT fast food, no way.  To keep my diet fit and fresh, I like to make the majority of my meals at home, despite the insanely busy schedule I keep.  So, while a 30-minute weeknight meal might sound pretty quick to most, I’m kicking it up into super-sonic speed on the typical night with 10-minute, pan-to-plate dinners!

Teriyaki Chick'n Chop Salad is a fit, fast and flavorful meal that takes 10 minutes to make and fills you up with healthy plant-proteins.

Tonight, I whipped up a far-out, far-east inspired dinner using Teriyaki Chick’n Strips from Gardein. These tasty strips have 15 grams of plant-based protein for a mere 120 calorie cost. They are made with non-GMO soy and wheat, ancient grains and veggies and remarkably have a similar taste and texture to real chicken breast – they are also work for those of you who keep vegan and kosher diets. My husband,  a carnivorous guy who would normally turn his nose up at such “nonsense,” didn’t even realize he was eating a meat substitute! I call that winning dinner!  #MeetChef

Teriyaki Chick'n Chop Salad is made with plant-based protein and perfect for a #MeatlessMonday mealIn addition to the Teriyaki Chick’n Strips magic, I employed my favorite busy-night trick and used what I could find in the produce bin to make the remainder of dinner.   While the strips were browning for five minutes in the skillet, I quickly chopped up some jicama, carrots and red onion and thawed out shelled edamame that I always keep in the freezer. The Teriyaki Chick’n Strips come with a sauce packet that also I also found to make a serendipitous salad dressing (there was plenty to drizzle on everything)!

This quick and easy meal solution is definitely going to be in my dinner rotation — I now have more time for running fast . . .  and running errands!

jen running in yellow flowers

Gardein makes lots of other yummy, healthy, meatless proteins like Gardein Ultimate Beefless Ground, Golden Fishless Filets. Check back next week, because I’ll have a new recipe for you! All Gardein products are found chillin’ in the freezer aisle at your favorite grocery store.  Save yourself a dollar with this coupon (available for download until May 31, 2015).

Far Out Far East Chick'n Chop Salad - TheFitFork.com

10-Minute Meal for Fast Girls – Teriyaki Chick’n Chop Salad #MeetChef @Gardein https://ooh.li/e44c699

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What is your quickest go-to meal to make at home?

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Teriyaki Chick'n Chop Salad
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
10 mins
 
This Asian-inspired salad uses plant-based protein, teriyaki sauce and chopped fresh veggies to create a fit, fresh and fast dinner solution.
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Asian
Servings: 3 Servings
Ingredients
  • 1 bag Gardein Teriyake Chick'n Strips
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 cup chopped carrots
  • 1 cup chopped jicama
  • 1 cup shelled edamame beans
  • 1/2 cup chopped red onion
  • 2 ounces cashews
  • 3 tablespoons Sriracha sauce if desired
Instructions
  1. Heat olive oil on medium-sized skillet over medium-high heat. Add thawed chick'n strips and cook for about 5 minutes, flipping once. Remove from heat. Add thawed sauce packet to skillet to coat strips.
  2. Toss carrots, jicama, edamame beans and onion into skillet and stir quickly to coat veggies with sauce, yet not heat them.
  3. Divide chicken and veggies among three plates and sprinkle with cashews. Drizzle with Sriracha sauce, if desired.

Raw Vegan Jicama Nachos, Freezing Guacamole and Cinco de Mayo Sippers

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Raw Jicama Nachos make a vegan swap for the traditional dish.

Keep your Cinco de Mayo fiesta fit with my recipe for Raw Vegan Jicama Nachos with Cumin Lime Vinaigrette. No cheese here people, but lots of creamy guacamole and vegetable goodness that will make you shout “Ole” – especially when you bite into the crispy, crunchy jicama ‘chips.’ While these thin wedges of jicama obviously aren’t bona fide, deep-fried tortilla chips, they do provide a nutritious and neat way to shovel a bunch of tasty toppings into your mouth.

Raw Jicima Nachos make a vegan swap for the traditional recipe.

I cut my jicama into ¼-inch rounds and then quartered them to resemble triangle-shaped nacho chips. I’ve seen other veggie lovers and Paleo diet types slice the jicama nearly paper thin to use as a flexible wraps for taco fillings.

Vegan Jicama Nachos, Freezing Guacamole, #CincodeMayo Drinks #CLBlogge #Fitfluential

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freezing avocado guacamoleIf you’re looking for a great guacamole recipe, I am a fan of RO*TEL’s Rockin’ Guac or simply mash up avocado, squeeze in lime juice and season with garlic salt. If you have leftover guacamole, it can be frozen. Just follow the steps in my DIY post from last year on how to make guacamole that you can keep in the freezer!

Need a drink for your Cinco de Mayo fiesta? Might I suggest my Skinny Blackberry Nectarine Margarita or Watermelon Ginger Lmeade? Or, check out these south-of-the-border inspired beer cocktails and other Cinco de Mayo ideas from CookingLight.com.

two ingredient beer cocktails

Raw Jicima Nachos make a vegan swap for the traditional recipe.
Print
Raw Vegan Jicama Nachos with Cumin Lime Vinaigrette
Prep Time
15 mins
Total Time
15 mins
 
Get your fiesta off to a fit start with these no-cook nachos made from jicama and veggies. Perfect for Cinco de Mayo. And, find out how to freeze guacamole.
Course: Appetizer, Salad
Cuisine: Mexican, Southwestern
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
Nachos
  • 4 6" diameter slices jicima slices 1/4" thin
  • 1 cup guacamole your favorite recipe
  • 4 radishes, shredded
  • 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup zucchini, matchstick sliced
  • 1/4 cup pepita seeds
Dressing
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 2 teaspoons lime zest
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • dash salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Slice jicama into 1/4" discs and then cut each slice into 4 to 6 wedges.
  2. Top each wedge with large dollop of guacamole. Sprinkle with veggies and pepita seeds.
  3. In small bowl, whisk together vinaigrette ingredients until emulsified. Drizzle onto "nachos," enjoy.

Skinny Blackberry Nectarine Margarita and Virgin Smoothie Option

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Skinny Blackberry Nectarine Margaritas are perfect for Cinco de Mayo or hot summer happy hours.Cinco de Mayo is almost upon us and soon a symphony of blenders will be whirling up my favorite adult beverage – margaritas! Margaritas are sweet, tart and refreshing, but all this slurp-worthy goodness comes with a couple downsides – lots of sugar (and therefore calories) and the potential to cause a nasty headache.  That’s why I like making my margaritas at home – I have more control over the ingredients.

Low Calorie Blackberry Nectarine Margaritas

My recipe for Skinny Blackberry Nectarine Margaritas uses fresh fruit with no simple sugar syrups or limeade concentrates – just water and a splash of stevia for sweetness.  I also use only one-half ounce of tequila (preferably 100% agave) ather than a full ounce or two that most single-serving recipes call for – this creates a further reduction in carbs along with lessening the chance of getting a hangover. Usually, I can only handle one margarita – but with my lightened version I can handle two! Whoohoo, it makes me want to leap for joy!

jennifer fisher thefitfork.com

If you’d prefer to skip the alcohol all together, just omit it and you now have a virgin margarita or healthy smoothie!

Skinny Blackberry Nectarine Margarita for Cinco de Mayo

Skinny Blackberry Nectarine Margarita Recipe (with Virgin Smoothie Option )

For nectarine layer:

  • 3 large nectarines, peeled and pitted
  • 10 ounces sparkling or regular cold water
  • 2 large limes, juiced
  • 2 – 4 packets stevia, depending on ripeness of fruit and sweetness preference
  • 1 cup frozen blackberries
  • Ice, as needed

For blackberry layer:

  • 3/4 cup frozen blackberries
  • 4 ounces water
  • 1 juice of large lime
  • 1 – 2 packets stevia
  • Ice as needed

Add ingredients for nectarine layer in blender, pulse for a minute or two until well blended and smooth — adding as as needed. Sugar or salt rims of margarita glasses, if desired. Divide this mixture among two glasses. Next, add ingredients for blackberry layer into blend are blend until smooth. Pour blackberry mixture on top of the nectarine mixture already in glasses. Garnish with fresh blackberry and lime slices, if desired.  Serves 2.

Do you prefer traditional lime margaritas — or do you have a favorite flavor? Let me know in the comments!

Crowing About Parmesan Roasted Sunchokes — Tastes Like Artichoke Dip!

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Parmesan Roasted Sunchokes are warm and crunch and taste like artichoke dip!You might walk right past Sunchokes in the market, they are knobby, gnarly and not a vegetable that jumps out with color and leafy flash and says “buy me, buy me!”  Some call this tuberous root a “Jerusalem Artichoke,” however they are not at all related to the artichoke – although they do have a strangely similar taste that could be described as a little sweet, a little nutty and quite crunchy when served raw. It’s super simple to slice Sunchokes up thinly and sprinkle on a salad.

Sunchokes are a tuberous root also called Jerusalem Artichokes .

Another easy way to prepare this unusual veggie is oven-roasting — what root or tuber doesn’t benefit from a toasty turn under high, dry heat?! I toss Sunchokes in olive oil, garlic and Parmesan cheese and the final result is a cross between oven fries and artichoke dip! OMG, so good and so much healthier than the traditional party-night artichoke dip that has a ton of cheese, mayo and other heavy ingredients.

Crow Pose - TheFitFork.com

I like to try new things, it makes life more exciting! Like learning the crow yoga pose earlier in the year and getting up enough nerve to balance on a picnic table! Sunchokes can be an exciting and unusual addition to your healthy diet (they are obviously gluten-free, Paleo friendly and are low on the Glycemic Index making them a good choice for diabetics.  Sunchokes are also a great source of iron, potassium and thiamin. They are also low in calories (60 calories for 4-ounces) and high in fiber. If you want to learn more about Sunchokes or can find them at the store, just ask your produce manager – or check out Friedas.com for nutritional information and more recipes.

Parmesan Roasted Sunchokes - TheFitFork.com

Parmesan Roasted Sunchokes –  OMG, Tastes Like Artichoke Dip! #Fitfluential #Recipe

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Have you ever tried Sunchokes? What did you think? Share in the comments!

Parmesan Roasted Sunchokes - TheFitFork.com
Print
Parmesan Roasted Sunchokes
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
30 mins
 
Sunchokes (aka Jerusalem Artichokes) are easy to oven roast with Parmesan and garlic, making a delicious and healthy side dish in less than 30 minutes. Serve with the dip of your choice as an appetizer or alongside a burger!
Course: Side Dish, Vegetable
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Ingredients
  • 1 pound Sunchokes scrubbed and sliced into 1/3" chunks
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic finely minced
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese finely grated
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 425F. Scrub the Sunchokes under cold running water and slice 1/3-inch thick.
  2. Add Sunchokes, garlic and olive oil to bowl and toss until coated. Add Parmesan cheese and shake bowl until
  3. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, turning once, or until Sunchokes are turning golden brown on the outside and tender inside.

Cinco de Mayo Means Guacamole and Limey Drinks #ZestyInADash

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This post is sponsored by ConAgra RO*TEL.

otel Rockin Guac and Lime-A-Ritas are a festive addition to Cinco de Mayo.

We know how to put on a fiesta every weekend here in Texas. But, Cinco de Mayo is an extra special reason to celebrate because five out of seven years the party falls on a work day – and that’s a legitimate reason to tell the boss “adios” and cut loose early to enjoy some patio time. This year, Cinco de Mayo is on a Tuesday which so conveniently aligns with Taco Tuesday, Tostado Tuesday and Guacamole & Tortilla Chips Tuesday. I am a food blogger and thus allowed to make up these extra observances dedicated to food and drink.

Kick back and relax with a Bud Light Lime-A-Rita and Plate of Rockin' Guac -- get the recipe at RO*TELThere can be no fiesta without guacamole. In these parts, guacamole is not just a healthy dip and satiating snack — it’s an appetizer that draws people together, have you ever seen the mob scene near the guacamole bowl?! Smashed up avocado is also a condiment smeared on everything from eggs and enchiladas to burgers and burritos, and salads and sandwiches – and, of course, devoured right off a dipped chip.  You can even serve it up with a super healthy spin by serving it in tomato cups along with mild green chilies! Ole!

RO*TEL's Rockin' Guac is perfect for dipping and stuffing!

RO*TEL's Rockin' Guac -- this avocado guacamole is easy to make and delicious!

There are only four ingredients (plus salt and pepper) in RO*TEL’s Rockin’ Guac – more time to enjoy the fiesta!

 

 

One of the best recipes I’ve found is RO*TEL’s Rockin’ Guac – it’s so simple to make and gets a zesty (but not too spicy) kick from the tomatoes and green chilies.

 

 

 

I’m keeping things simple this Cinco de Mayo and making Black Bean, Zucchini and Corn Tacos – they are just screaming for  RO*TEL’s Rockin’ Guac! It’s a vegetarian recipe, but even those carnivorous folks in the crowd love it (I think it’s the guac that makes it so satisfying). The beauty of this recipe is that I can sauté the veggies up in a skillet, keep it warm, and then sit back and enjoy the party – no sweating over the grill!

veggie black bean tacos

 

Start your Cinco de Mayo off right with a Bud Light Lime-A-Rita!

 

So, what will we all drink?  Creamy watermelon smoothies for the kids and the adults will enjoy Bud Light Lime-A-Ritas, a margarita-like drink that isn’t quite as strong. Tequila has never agreed with me, so these perfectly-portioned cans of yum (made with malt alcohol) don’t give me a hideous hangover the next day. That is a GOOD thing to ensure I can fiesta on the Seis de Mayo, too!

 

 

Almost Cinco de Mayo! Fast avocado fix @RO_TEL Rockin’ Guac #ZestyInADash #Ad

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rotel rockin guac

 Zest up your fiesta with RO*TEL’s Rockin Guac and Bud Light’s Lime-A-Rita. How are you planning to celebrate Cinco de Mayo?

Bud Light Lime-A-Rita® is a registered trademark of Anheuser-Busch. ConAgra Foods, Inc. All Rights Reserved