Turkey, Butternut Squash Chili

I use this "chili" for lots of different things! It's healthy and loaded with protein! Also kid friendly because it's flavorful and not spicy! Serve in a bowl with a dollop of Greek yogurt on top, use for breakfast with an egg on top or use for the filling in place of taco meat! Protein galore! If you can't find butternut squash, sweet potato is the perfect replacement! 

You will need:

• 1 package of ground turkey

• 1 28oz can of diced tomatoes with juice

• 1 can of cannelloni beans, rinsed

• 1 can of black beans, rinsed

• 1 butternut squash cleaned and diced

(My local market already has it in a container)

• 1 can of tomato paste

• salt and pepper

• 1 tablespoon of cumin, paprika, onion powder. 

• 6 cloves of garlic, diced 

• 1 bag of baby spinach

• 1 cup quinoa 

• olive oil 

• plain Greek yogurt

• shredded cheddar cheese

• chopped parsley 

In a large pan on medium flame, add a few tablespoons of oil and start to cook the turkey meat. Salt and pepper liberally. 

 

Once brown, add the garlic. 

Then the squash

Sauté for about 5 mins. Then add the spices. 

Stir and add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste and rinsed drained beans. 

1 cup quinoa 

Stir everything together, cover and cook on LOW flame for 25-30 minutes. Check the seasoning and add if needed. 

Before serving add 1 bag of fresh spinach. Serve in bowl with a bit of Greek yogurt, cheddar cheese and parsley for garnish! 

Don't forget it makes a healthy breakfast!

Drizzle with sriracha to kick up the heat!

Enjoy!!!

The Perfect Roasted Chicken

For some reason, a roasted chicken intimidates people. I'm here to show you it's easy, CHEAP and the leftovers will be great during the week for salads and sandwiches! My chicken was about 6-7 lbs and on sale at shop rite for $7!

These oven stuffers are much bigger than those rotisserie chickens that are usually 1 lb for $5-6! 

You will need:

• 1 oven stuffer chicken approx 6 lbs

• olive oil

• dried herbs de provence OR

• salt and pepper

• 1 onion, quartered 

• 5 carrots

• few cloves of garlic chopped

• 1 apple 

• 1 baking pan

• kitchen twine and toothpicks

Preheat oven to 450 with the rack in the middle. 

Now prep that chicken. Unwrap and discard the bag from the inside of the chicken. Rinse with water inside and out and pat dry with paper towels. 

Salt the inside and outside generously. 

Then stuff the garlic, onions and apple inside. (These aren't to eat! Just to flavor the chicken!)

Pin it closed with toothpicks 

Drizzle olive oil all over the chicken. Then rub the seasoning on every inch! 

Place over the carrots in the pan. 

Don't forget a bit of oil. 

Now take the string and tie the legs up together. 

Place in oven on 450 for ONLY 15 minutes!!! This will make the skin crispy!

After 15 minutes, decrease to 350 for 1.5 hours. Take out and let sit for about 20 minutes. 

Serve it will vegetables, use it for chicken salad or sandwiches. Enjoy!!!