Nutrition

Asparagus Chickpea Quinoa Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Celebrate spring with this salad recipe from the MGH Be Fit program.  Leftovers work well for a quick lunch—just keep the dressing separate and add before eating, so the greens don’t wilt.  You can also add a hard-boiled egg to further increase the protein in this recipe.

Ingredients

For the lemon vinaigrette
¼ cup lemon juice
½ cup olive oil
2½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste

For the salad
1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed and drained
1 bunch asparagus (15 to 20 spears), cut into 1-inch pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 (14-ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
3 large handfuls of arugula
2 scallions, thinly sliced
½ cup crumbled feta cheese

Instructions:
To make the vinaigrette:
Place all ingredients in a small jar with a lid and shake until thoroughly combined (or whisk together in a small bowl). Taste vinaigrette; add salt and pepper as needed.

To make the salad:
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the quinoa with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then cover and lower the heat to a simmer. Cook for 15 minutes or until the quinoa is tender. Let sit for 5 minutes then fluff with a fork. (If your quinoa still has water in it simply strain it out.) Set aside until ready to assemble the salad.
While the quinoa is cooking, sauté asparagus in olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat until cooked through, about 7 minutes.

To assemble the salad:
Combine the cooked quinoa with asparagus, chickpeas, arugula, and scallions. Top with vinaigrette and feta cheese.

Yield: 6 servings

Nutrition Information per Serving:
Calories: 390 • Protein: 10g • Sodium: 240mg • Carbohydrate: 31g • Fiber: 7g •
Fat: 26g • Sat Fat: 5g

Recipe adapted from Two Peas & Their Pod
Uncategorized

Potato Basil Frittata

A frittata (similar to an omelet) can effortlessly transition from brunch to a quick weeknight dinner, being both elegant and easy.  Add a side salad to round out your meal.

Ingredients:
2 tbsp olive oil
4 red potatoes, peel left on, cubed
8 extra large eggs
¼ cup low fat milk or soymilk
½ cup basil, chopped
1/3 cup scallions, chopped
¼ cup grated pecorino romano or parmigiano reggiano cheese
3 ounces goat cheese, sliced into rounds
Pinch of salt and pepper

Instructions:
Heat a sauté pan on medium heat and then add olive oil. Add cubed potatoes and sauté, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork (about 15 minutes). Meanwhile in a separate bowl, whisk the eggs; then stir milk, basil, scallions, grated cheese, and salt and pepper into eggs. Turn on oven broiler.

Pour the egg mixture over the potatoes and cook on medium low heat for 3-5 minutes,
occasionally running a rubber spatula around the edges of the frittata to loosen. Frittata is ready for the broiler when eggs around the edge of the pan start to set, but the middle is still loose.

Top frittata with goat cheese rounds and place under the broiler for about 3 minutes or until eggs are set throughout. Run your spatula along the sides and bottom of the frittata to loosen from the pan and place on large plate or platter.

Yield: 8 servings

Nutrition Information per Serving:
Calories: 273 • Protein: 15g • Sodium: 327g • Carbohydrate: 18g • Fiber: 2g
Fat: 15.5g • Sat Fat: 6g

Nutrition, recipes

Easy Weekday Breakfast Ideas

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  Don’t skip breakfast if you’re pressed for time in the morning – instead try one easy breakfast ideas from Janelle Langlais, a dietetic intern with the MGH Department of Nutrition and Food Services.

Turkey, Butternut Squash & Nuts
Serves 1

3/4 cup Butternut squash
¼ cup or 10-15 almonds/walnuts/pecans sliced/chopped
1 tsp. cinnamon (as desired)
1/8th tsp. ginger (as desired)
2-3 oz. Turkey (or chicken) breast

Directions

  1. Combine squash, turkey (or chicken) and spices in a microwave safe dish.
  2. Microwave on high for 1 minute (keep an eye on things).
  3. Add nuts and spices.
  4. Enjoy with ½ cup of skim milk, soy milk or water as desired!

Calories: 365 • Carbs 22g • Protein 29g


Avocado and Egg Sandwich
Serves 1

1 Egg or 2 Egg Whites
2 Slices low-Carb whole wheat bread Or 1 Whole Wheat English Muffin
¼ Avocado sliced or ¼ cup Guacamole
2 slices of tomato
¼ cup spinach
1 slice low-fat cheddar/American cheese

Directions

  1. Microwave egg or egg whites in a microwave-safe dish for 1 minute or until egg is firm. Or conventionally cook egg in a frying pan on stove with Pam or canola oil.
  2. Toast English muffin or bread in toaster/toaster oven.
  3. Top egg with cheese, avocado slices/guacamole, add tomato and spinach.
  4. Enjoy!

Calories: 330 • Carbs 24g • Protein 23g


Blueberry Banana Overnight Oats
Serves 1

1/3 cup oats
2/3 cup Greek yogurt
1/3 cup soy milk, slightly overflowing
1/2 banana (1/3 if it’s particularly large)
1/4 cup blueberries
1/8 cup Granola and/or chopped nuts

Directions

  1. Mash banana and blueberries together in a bowl until blended together. Stir in oats, yogurt, and milk. Cover, and refrigerate overnight.
  2. In the morning, top with granola and/or walnuts, along with fresh berries/bananas, if desired.

Calories: 460 • Carbs 49g • Protein 20g