simple Archives - Ari's Menu

Vanilla Bean Coconut Butter

July 23, 2013 · by Ari ·

So, if it weren’t for other blogs, I wouldn’t even know coconut butter was a thing. Coconut is, like, the next big thing in the food world it seems. Coconut milk, coconut oil, coconut butter, COCONUT EVERYTHING!

I didn’t even have an idea what it would actually taste like, but one day I just threw some coconut in my food processor, and decided to give it a try. I do love anything with the word ‘butter’ in the name, so I figured there was no way it could be bad…

In fact, you could tell me that broccoli butter is a thing, and I’d probably be convinced I needed to get in the kitchen and make it rightthatsecond.

Turns out, coconut butter is good. Like, really good. It’s like a combination of creamy, drippy homemade peanut butter with chewy coconut flavor and texture. It’s great on toast, bananas, and especially smoothies. It’s actually kind of magical in smoothies.

The coconut is already slightly sweet, so you don’t need a lot of sugar. I used 1/2 tbsp, and I probably would have REALLY loved it with 1-2 tbsp, but I wouldn’t use more than 2. Also, if you don’t like to add sugar, you can totally leave it out. Either way, you are in for a creamy, drippy jar of deliciousness.

Vanilla Bean Coconut Butter

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Yield: Scant 1/2 pint

Serving Size: 2 tbsp

Vanilla Bean Coconut Butter

Creamy, simple and delicious coconut butter with bold vanilla bean and lightly sweetened with brown sugar.

Ingredients

2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
1 vanilla bean (or 1 tbsp vanilla bean paste)
1/2 tbsp brown sugar*

Instructions

Blend coconut in your food processor until a creamy, peanut-butter-like texture forms, about 5-7 minutes. Split vanilla bean length wise and scrape seeds into coconut mixture. Add brown sugar and continue to pulse until well combined, about an other 1-2 minutes. Store in an airtight container at room temperature, or in the refrigerator. Stir before serving.

Notes

*You can omit the brown sugar if you wish, or if you like things sweeter, add up to 2 tbsp. I would add it 1/2 tbsp at a time, and taste as you go.

I've had my jar for over 2 weeks and it is still going strong. If it will last you longer than that, you may wish to keep refrigerated.

https://arismenu.com/vanilla-bean-coconut-butter/

Guacamole Chicken Salad

May 30, 2013 · by Ari ·

My name is Ari, and I have a chicken salad problem.

There, I admit it. I just…I get on these kicks, and I have to make something every way humanly possible until I decide I’m bored, then I move on to the next best thing. Right now, I enjoy about 3 meals. Burgers, hot dogs (just you wait…so many are coming), and chicken salad (duh). At least my tastes seem to be seasonal?

So I actually realized I’ve been holding out on you guys. I’ve never actually posted my guacamole recipe. That’s probably because, until now, I had absolutely no idea what it was. I always just messed with a few key ingredients until it tasted the way I wanted. That’s the best part about guacamole–mess it up? Oh, just add more of something else, and it’s sure to even out eventually.

So for the first time in my life, I measured out every single ingredient for my guacamole. Because I didn’t think using instructions like “Add salt until it’s salty enough” really counted as “quality content”. And I don’t mean to brag, but my guacamole is AWESOME! Spicy, fresh and creamy–it gets requested all.the.time.

So I made it, then I added a rotisserie chicken, some tomatoes, and after all the photography was done, I had the brilliant idea to add dried cranberries. Oh Em Gee. ADD THE DRIED CRANBERRIES!!! I’m sorry they’re not in the picture. Add them anyway. You’re welcome.

This is legit the best chicken salad I have EVER tasted. It lasted about 3 days, and Steve and I were fighting each other for it. It’s perfect for all you dairy-free folk, and anyone who loves guacamole, or chicken, or food in general.

Guacamole Chicken Salad

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Yield: 6-8 servings

Guacamole Chicken Salad

Ingredients

2 large (or 3 small) avocados, peeled and pitted
1 lime, zest & juice
small handful fresh cilantro
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 jalapeno, finely chopped (remove stems and heat for less heat)
1 tsp cumin
generous pinch each salt and pepper
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/3 cup dried cranberries (optional, but recommended)
10-12 oz cooked and shredded chicken (I used one rotisserie)

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine avocado, lime (zest and juice), cilantro, garlic, jalapeno, cumin, salt and pepper. Use an immersion blender to blend all ingredients together until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute. Blend for less time if you like a thick and chunky consistency.
Stir in onion, tomatoes, cranberries and chicken. Serve immediately, or store in an airtight container with half a lime (this prevent browning) for up to 5 days.

https://arismenu.com/guacamole-chicken-salad/

Want more chicken salad options? I have lots (and none of them have mayo)!

Curried Chicken Salad

Buffalo Chicken Salad

Cranberry Apple Chicken Salad

Jalapeno Popper Chicken

May 27, 2013 · by Ari ·

I don’t know about you guys, but I am living in a haze of my post-long-weekend-fun. Did you guys do anything exciting for memorial day? I helped my brother move into his first apartment, celebrated my mom’s birthday, and had an awesome day at Lake Pleasant with Nicole. Oh, and then I spent actual Memorial Day creating recipes, meal planning, grocery shopping, and attempting productivity. Now? I just want to lay around and be lazy.

It’s always those lazy nights that I feel like throwing in the towel and hitting up Chipotle (honestly, does Chipotle EVER not sound good?) that I end up coming up with some of my favorite recipes. A quick survey of the fridge and pantry, throw a few things together in about 5 minutes, stick it in the oven and hope for the best.

I know you guys love recipes like that too. Who wants to cook healthy food if it means spending your entire life in the kitchen? Umm, I love cooking, and that sounds awful even to me! This chicken is breaded and crispy and filled with cheese and jalapeno creating the unmistakable flavor of a jalapeno popper (one of my favorite bar food appetizers) in a healthy, simple dinner. I fell in love with it at first bite, and you better believe it will become one of my I-don’t-feel-like-cooking staples.

Jalapeno Popper Chicken

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Yield: 2 servings

Serving Size: 1 x 6oz chicken breast

Jalapeno Popper Chicken

Crispy, breaded chicken breast stuffed with roasted jalapeno and cheese. It tastes like a jalapeno popper for dinner!

Ingredients

1 cup whole grain bread crumbs (brown rice, whole wheat, etc.)
dash cayenne pepper
generous pinch each salt and pepper
1 jalapeno, ribs and seeds removed
2 cloves garlic
1 tsp olive oil
2 x 6 oz chicken breasts, butterflied
1 oz goat cheese (or cream cheese)
2 egg whites, beaten

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375. Place a cooling rack inside of a cookie sheet and spray lightly with nonstick spray. Set aside.
Combine bread crumbs, cayenne, salt and pepper in a large shallow bowl. Set aside.
Place jalapeno and garlic on a small piece of tin foil. Lightly drizzle with olive oil. Broil until softened, about 10 minutes. Keep an eye on it to make sure the garlic doesn't burn. Roughly chop jalapeno, and finely chop garlic.
Divide cheese, jalapeno and garlic between the center of the two chicken breasts. Fold chicken back over on top of the fillings. Secure with a toothpick.
Place beaten egg whites in a large shallow bowl. Drench chicken in egg whites, then coat completely in bread crumb mixture and place on prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining chicken.
Bake until cooked throughout and juices run clear, about 30 minutes.

https://arismenu.com/jalapeno-popper-chicken/

10 Minute Taco Salad

April 24, 2013 · by Ari ·

You know that go-to outfit that you can always count on when you don’t know what to wear? The one that always looks cute, is super comfortable, and always makes you feel like a million bucks? This salad is like that. Except, I wouldn’t wear it. That would be such a waste of so much deliciousness.

It doesn’t require much explanation. What I can tell you is I have made this more often than any other meal. Ever. I never thought to photograph and post it because it seems so simple and straight forward, but it’s easy to forget that it is those easy and straight forward recipes that I didn’t have back in the day, and those exact recipes that helped me finally be able to lose weight and kick my Taco Bell habit for good.

You can add/subtract whatever you want really. You can use a store bought taco seasoning or make your own, and you can include whichever fresh veggies make your heart happy. I always use romain hearts as the base for crunch, and add cucumber and tomatoes. A lot of times I add chopped carrots, and tons of extra cilantro. Some avocado pieces never hurt, either. Really, there’s no wrong way to make this salad.

Okay, there is ONE wrong way–inside a greasy, deep-fried taco shell. I mean, what is even the point of that thing??? Oh, and also, don’t omit the cinnamon. I know it sounds crazy, but it will take the flavor of your taco salad to the next level. It will become your taco salad secret weapon. Like a ninja. Okay, I’m done.

10 Minute Taco Salad

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Yield: 6 servings

10 Minute Taco Salad

Ridiculously easy, healthy and delicious taco salad. My go-to meal that I continue to make over and over again.

Ingredients

1/2 sweet onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 tbsp olive oil
20 oz ground turkey breast (or 93% lean ground turkey, or 96% lean ground beef)
3 tbsp taco seasoning (preferably homemade, or at least reduced sodium variety)
pinch cinnamon
1/2-3/4 cup water
16 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
2 romain hearts, chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 large or 2 persian cucumbers, sliced

Optional Toppings:

Reduced fat cheddar cheese
Nonfat plain Greek yogurt
Fresh cilantro
Sliced avocado
Salsa

Instructions

Heat onion, garlic and bell pepper in olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add ground turkey and cook until turkey is fully browned. Add taco seasoning and cinnamon. Slowly add water until the meat has reached your desired level of liquid (some will cook out, so add a little more than you'd think). Increase heat to bring liquid to a light boil, then reduce to simmer.
Meanwhile, heat beans in a small sauce pan over medium heat until fully warmed.
Place chopped romain in large serving bowls. Layer with cooked meat, beans and fresh veggies. Add any desired toppings.

https://arismenu.com/10-minute-taco-salad/

Curried Chicken Salad {without mayo}

April 18, 2013 · by Ari ·

Today I am going to tell you something so embarrassing. Like, I can’t even believe I’m going to tell you, but it’s just so embarrassingly funny that it would be wrong to not give you the opportunity to laugh at me.

Okay, first let me tell you that on Sunday morning I woke up and stretched in bed. All of the sudden my neck snapped, and the pain was immediate. I have barely been able to move my head since. I even called in sick to one of my jobs on Monday and I never call in sick. Anyway, I’ve been glued to the couch after making my way through every episode of How I Met Your Mother that Netflix has to offer, I found myself needing something to watch to ease the pain.

This is where things get ugly. You see, when I’m sick, I love mindless TV. I love that it keeps going and going. I love that I only have to tune in every now and then to understand what’s going on. And I love that I don’t have to use my brain. So this morning when I was deciding what was next while I waited for my stupid neck to heal (I’ve been blogging from the couch laying on my back with my laptop on me knees when I don’t absolutely have to be at work), I may have chosen the most embarrassing TV show ever.

Like, ever. So when Steve came home this afternoon from Landis (he just hangs out at the bike shop for no reason….), I quickly tried to turn off the TV so he wouldn’t see just how low I’d stooped. Then I tried to distract him by pretending to be interested in his trip to the bike shop, but it was no use.

Steve: Are you watching Dawson’s Creek???

Me: I don’t wanna talk about it….

Steve: Babe, I know you’ve been having a hard time (as he struggles to speek through his eruptive laughter)…. Well It would be worse if you were watching it on Hulu or something.

Me: I DON’T WANNA TALK ABOUT IT!!!

Steve: Really?? REALLY?????

(He then gets out his laptop and attempts to post on facebook about me. I plead with him not to embarrass me on the internet–clearly, I’m fully capable of doing that myself…)

Me: (finally) I thought I should start at the beginning.

And that my friends is how ridiculously embarrassing I am. That pretty much sums up my life.

But you know what? Even when I can’t move, I can still make this ridiculously easy chicken salad. It was the first thing I made in days, and I was so thrilled to actually do something productive. I MADE FOOD!! For, like, the entire week! I don’t suck at life!!

One of my best healthy habits (when I actually do it) is making a bulk healthy meal on Sundays that I use for lunch for the entire week. The thing is–you actually have to make it, and you have to REALLY like it if you’re going to eat it all week long (I usually take myself out to Chipotle one of the days, because, I mean, COME ON!). This is what we call lazy woman’s “food prep”.

This chicken salad is so simple with only a handful of ingredients, and it comes together in minutes giving you an entire week’s worth of lunch in less time than it takes me to make breakfast in the morning. And, umm, I would TOTALLY eat this every day for the next 10 weeks. It is bold and flavorful with the curry seasoning, and has a spicy kick with sweet grapes and crunchy almonds and celery–it is perfection. You can eat it on lettuce, with a fork, on rice cakes, in a sandwich, in a Dr. Seuss book… It doesn’t matter how you eat it because, trust me, you will love it!

Curried Chicken Salad {without mayo}

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Yield: 6-8 servings

Curried Chicken Salad {without mayo}

Healthy, bold, flavorful and protein-packed curried chicken salad in minutes with no mayo.

Ingredients

1 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
1 tsp dijon mustard
1 1/2 tbsp curry seasoning
pinch garlic salt
pinch cayenne pepper
10-12 ounces cooked chicken, shredded (I use the meat from a whole rotisserie)
2 ribs celery, finely chopped
3/4 cup grapes, halved
1/4 cup slivered almonds

Instructions

To make the dressing, whisk together Greek yogurt, mustard and seasonings in a large bowl.
Add remaining ingredients and toss until combined. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

https://arismenu.com/curried-chicken-salad/

Portobello Breakfast Cups

April 16, 2013 · by Ari ·

It seems strange to go “back to normal” today. I was originally going to post these yesterday, but it just didn’t seem right. I had too many things rolling around in my brain, and I needed to use this blog for what I originally started it for–to share my thoughts. I love sharing recipes, but I also always want this blog to be a place I approach with honesty and the truth of my thoughts. So if you took the time out of your day to read those thoughts, I also want to say thank you.

Okay, let’s attempt to get back to normal, shall we? You know how I eat the same thing for breakfast every single day? Well, I actually usually eat this for lunch. I love sweet breakfast for breakfast and savory breakfast for lunch. I know, I’m kind of a freak. One day, after eating this for about the 6th consecutive day, I thought I’d take a picture of it.

Except when I eat this, I just chop the mushroom up and throw everything together in a big bowl, but that’s not exactly visually appealing, or at all photogenic. So this time I put everything in nice little mushroom cups for you. Then, after I took this picture, I threw everything into a big bowl.

It’s funny, I rarely use eggs when I bake. I’ll use them if I’m using other dairy products, but that’s not very often, so I usually leave them out to keep them friendly for my vegan friends. But on their own? I love eggs. Especially a runny yolk.

This meal comes together in less than 20 minutes, and it is packed with healthy veggies–perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!

Portobello Breakfast Cups

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Yield: 2

Serving Size: 2 cups

Portobello Breakfast Cups

A simple, veggie-packed breakfast, lunch or dinner. Grain and gluten-free.

Ingredients

4 large portobello mushrooms, stems removed
2 tbsp olive oil, divided
1/2 large sweet onion, chopped
1 bell pepper (red, yellow, orange, etc.), chopped
1 zucchini, chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
large handful chopped kale, approx 1 cup loosely packed
1 chicken sausage, sliced
1/4 cup 75% reduced fat cheddar cheese (or whatever cheese you want to use, or no cheese if you wish)
4 eggs
salt and pepper to taste
Chalulah for topping, optional

Instructions

Line a medium-large baking dish with tin foil. Add portobello mushrooms and drizzle lightly with 1 tbsp olive oil. Broil until tender, about 10-15 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat remaining olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, zucchini and garlic. Cook for 5 minutes, until fragrant. Add kale and chicken sausage. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes.
While vegetables finish cooking, fry eggs over medium heat in a large nonstick skillet until bottoms are browned, and eggs are cooked to desired consistency (for me, it's about 5 minutes).
Top cooked portobellos with sauteed vegetables, then cheese. Top with fried egg. Add a few shakes of Chalulah is desired.

https://arismenu.com/portobello-breakfast-cups/

Green Chile Enchilada Sauce

April 3, 2013 · by Ari ·

For years, I have been buying enchilada sauce. Always green, although for years I was totally weirded out by green sauce. It was green, so obviously it was gross. Like vegetables, ew. Except now I am totally obsessed with almost all vegetables, and if offered the chance to be healthy, and never eat them, I would not accept.

I love veggies and cookies. But not together. Unless it’s carrot cake or zucchini bread flavored cookies, or sweet potato cookies, in which case SIGN ME UP!

Anyway, my college roomie/bestie Heather always made amazing enchiladas, and I stole her recipe and started making them all the time. Always with tons of bold and spicy green sauce.

I always kind of assumed that the sauce must be healthy because, well, it’s green–how bad could it be? I mean, the store bought kind isn’t terrible, but it totally includes all those things I can’t pronounce, which sucks, and it’s expensive! In fact, I made a quart and a half for probably about the amount I’d spend on one can at the grocery store!

It’s also incredibly easy. Like, ridiculous easy. I think it took me about 30 minutes start to finish, but that includes about 20 minutes of veggie roasting time in which I got important life things done, like emptying the dishwasher. Uggghhh, I HATE emptying the dishwasher. I have to do it while cookies are chilling, or food is in the oven so that I trick myself into believing it’s part of that task, not it’s own crappy task.

The sauce came out bold, slightly spicy (you can easily adjust the spice by adding extra chiles), and fantastically thick. I hate runny sauces. I feel like I can never soak them up and get the full flavor, but this is thick, almost like a well blended salsa. In fact, I could easily just eat it with a spoon.

I know it’s barely April, but Cinco de Mayo will be here before you know it, and trust me, you don’t want to buy the canned stuff at the last minute. This stuff will keep in the fridge for at least 2 weeks (that’s how long mine’s been going strong), or you can freeze it for much longer. I made a huge batch, so I will have my own on hand for a very long time.

Green Chile Enchilada Sauce

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Yield: 1 1/2 quarts

Green Chile Enchilada Sauce

Simple and easy homemade green chile enchilada sauce. Vegan, gluten-free, grain-free, paleo.

Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil
3 lbs tomatillos, husks and stems removed, halved
3 green chiles, ribs and seeds removed
1 large onion, roughly chopped
1/2 head garlic, peeled
2 jalapenos, stems removed (seeds and ribs are optional depending on how spicy you like it)
1 lime
1/2 bunch cilantro
Heavy pinch sea salt
Pinch black pepper
1 tbsp ground cumin

Instructions

Place tomatillos, chiles, onion, garlic and jalapeno in a large baking dish. Drizzle lightly with olive oil and broil until tender and lightly charred, about 15-20 minutes. Keep an eye on it--if onion and garlic begin to cook faster, remove them first.
Transfer your cooked ingredients to your food processor or blender. Zest the lime into the mixture, then add the juice. Add cilantro and remaining seasonings and blend until well combined, about 30 seconds. Store in an airtight container refrigerated for 2 weeks, or freeze for months.

https://arismenu.com/green-chile-enchilada-sauce/

Chipotle Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken

March 27, 2013 · by Ari ·

Sometimes I just really don’t want to make what I planned for dinner. Steve and I have been pretty good about meal planning. It gets me excited to cook dinner, keeps me from eating Chipotle for dinner every night of the week, and it’s a great opportunity to work through my recipe to do list, but sometimes I just really, really don’t want to make what I’m supposed to.

I usually use this as an excuse to go out to dinner. Steve is realllllly good about letting me. It goes something like this:

Me: Uggghhhh, I don’t want to cook. Can we just get sandwiches from Whole Foods? Or Chipotle? Again?

Steve: Sure. Put the dogs outside.

He is so agreeable that one. Sometimes I wish he’d be more of a jerk, and say something like “No B. Get in the kitchen and make my dinner!” Okay, actually I don’t wish he would say that. I wouldn’t mind being held a liiiiiittle more accountable though.

So this particular night, I was supposed to make lettuce wraps. It sounded good when I wrote it on the list. I took chicken out of the freezer to thaw for it, but the night came, and I was tired, and I just didn’t feel like going to the trouble of chopping things. I really wanted to go out instead, but I gave myself a little pep talk, and before I knew what I was actually making, I was butterflying some chicken and throwing things inside.

Excluding salt and pepper (which I don’t count as ingredients, because I think that’s silly), this recipe has a total of 3 ingredients, and an equal amount of steps to prepare it. I know a lot of people struggle with making healthy eating, especially weeknight dinners, easy and accessible.

In fact, my friend Meryl even asked me to create a space for simpler recipes on the blog where they’d be easier to find (I plan to).

I wasn’t sure how this chicken would turn out since, as I said, I didn’t actually plan any of it out. I happened to have some leftover chipotle peppers in adobo sauce from this recipe, and in my house, goat cheese goes makes everything better, so I stuck them inside the chicken and crossed my fingers.

If you want to make your life easier, browning the chicken is not mandatory, but I would highly recommend it. By giving the meat a quick sear to get it browned then transferring to the oven to cook all the way through, you get the best of both worlds–perfectly browned outside with the softest, juiciest, most tender chicken breast you will ever taste underneath.

The biggest complaints people have about chicken breast are that it’s boring and dry. This meal is neither of those things! The chipotle peppers give it a bold, spiciness, while the goat cheese adds a comforting creaminess, and the sear-then-bake method makes for anything but dry chicken!

Chipotle Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken

yield 2 servings

2 medium chicken breasts
salt and pepper (a good pinch of each)
2-4 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped (I used 4, and it was SPICY. Use less for a more mild taste.)
1 oz goat cheese, crumbled**

**If you’re looking for a dairy free option, try using half an avocado instead!

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400. Spray a baking dish with nonstick spray. Set aside. Season both sides of chicken with a hefty pinch each of salt and pepper. Butterfly each chicken breast and top with peppers and goat cheese. Fold chicken back over on top of fillings.
Heat a large pan over medium-high heat and coat with nonstick spray (or olive oil if you prefer). Once pan is hot, carefully add chicken and sear until browned, about 5 minutes. Carefully flip chicken to brown the other side, about an other 5 minutes.
Transfer chicken to prepared baking dish. Use a couple of toothpicks to secure the opening and keep the fillings inside. Bake in preheated oven until cooked throughout and juices run clear, about 15-20 minutes. Drizzle with extra adobo sauce if desired, and serve immediately.