Tag: Recipes

Bran Muffins

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Makes 12

Need help getting enough fibre? Try these fibrous and easy to make bran muffins! (No electric beater required!). Add it to your breakfast or grab it as a snack! The fibre will keep you full and help keep you regular! Wheat bran not only contains B vitamins, minerals and some protein, but also has soluble fibre – which forms a gel in your gut trapping some cholesterol and removing it 🤯! So why not try these yummy muffins that can improve gut health along with your heart health ❤!

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups (87g) wheat bran
  • 1 ⅓ cups (165g) all-purpose flour
  • ⅓ cup (68g) sugar
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • Âź tsp salt
  • ½ tsp cinnamon, ground (optional)
  • 1 ⅓ cup (330 ml) 2% milk
  • ⅓ cup (75 ml) canola oil
  • 1 egg

Instructions:

  1. Pre-heat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. In a medium sized bowl, combine wheat bran, flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Set it aside.
  3. In large mixing bowl, combine milk, egg and oil with a whisk. Add dry ingredients and stir only until combined.
  4. Scoop batter evenly into twelve muffin pan cups greased with cooking spray or lined with paper muffin liners. Bake in oven for 15-20 minutes or until a fork/toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Serve warm.

⚠ Always remember to increase fibre intake slowly and to have more water when you have more fibre to avoid discomfort! Talk to a dietitian to find out if you are having enough.

Nutrition Information (per muffin):
161kcal / 4g protein / 23g carbohydrate / 3.5g fibre / 7g healthy fat

Photo Credit: AllBran

Honey Garlic Salmon

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When I come home from a long day and want to make something quick, yet healthy, fresh and tasty – I make honey garlic salmon! With ingredients that can be found in our fridge and cupboards, and a short cooking time, dinner will be ready in minutes! High in protein, healthy omega fats, and a good source of vitamin D!

Ingredients:

  • 2 tsp (10ml) honey
  • 1 tbsp (15ml) low sodium soy sauce 
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp dried thyme leaves
  • 1 tsp (10ml) lemon juice
  • 2 tsp (10ml) canola oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ lemon, sliced
  • 4 salmon fillets (4-5 oz or 150g each) 

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Season salmon fillets with a mixture of honey, soy sauce, lemon juice, pepper, paprika and thyme. Let fillets marinate for 15 minutes in the fridge, covered.  
  2. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat, and saute garlic for 1 minute. Add salmon fillets, along with the marinade into the pan. Cook each side for 4 minutes, while periodically basting the top of the fillets with the marinade. 
  3. Place fillets in a baking sheet,and  broil the salmon in the oven for another 5-6 minutes or until cooked.
  4. Serve with sliced lemons, and drizzle with any extra marinade.

*Tip*  Great with a side of steamed greens and a whole grain such as bulgur, quinoa or wild rice. 

Nutrition Information (per serving):

256kcal / 25g protein / 3.8g carbohydrate / 12g healthy fat

Photo Credit: Cafe Delites

Mexican Veggie Burgers

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Every now and then on cold days such as these (when the snow is at full blast and I can’t walk to the corner store without risking frostbite) I like to prepare meals that remind me of warmer and happier times. One such meal is the wonderful Mexican veggie burger 😌. My mum would always prepare these for us as kids during the summer holidays and I have fond memories of fighting my siblings to the death for the last patty. Ah! Such fun 😅. Whip some up today and maybe double the recipe so no one gets hurt!

Ingredients:

  • ½ can (10 oz/280 mL) lentils, drained and rinsed
  • ½ can (10 oz/280 mL) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • ½ cup (125 mL) breadcrumbs
  • 1⁄3 cup (80 mL) onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp (15 mL) paprika
  • 1 tbsp (15 mL) red chilli powder
  • 1 tbsp (15 mL) vegetable oil
  • 1/3 cup (75 mL) water
  • 1⁄2 cup (125 mL) shredded Cheddar or Swiss cheese
  • Low sodium salsa

Instructions:

  1. Mash lentils and chickpeas in a large bowl using a small-holed masher or fork.
  2. One by one, slowly add in most of the other ingredients (breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, paprika, red chilli powder, water). Mix after adding each one to make sure the mixture is incorporated well.
  3. Add cheese and start to form the mixture into patties. Aim for burgers that will be about 1 inch (about 2.5 cm) thick.  
  4. Heat oil in a sauce pan over medium-high heat and cook burgers for 4-5 minutes on each side. Serve with salsa over hamburgers buns and enjoy! 

Nutritional Information (per serving):

248 kcal / 14g protein / 30g carbs / 14g healthy fats

Photo Credit: Cindy Kurman, Kurman Photography

Spicy Red Lentil & Spinach Soup

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The cold weather is here and it’s here to stay, so what better way to warm yourself up than with a hearty soup! This red lentil and spinach soup is not only tasty but healthy with loads of nutrients such as iron, fibre, folate, protein, vitamin A and more. Fibre from the spinach, and protein from the lentils will keep you full, while the spices will give you a burst of flavour in your mouth! Super easy to make as well! 

Ingredients:

  • 1 onion, diced
  • ½ tsp salt
  • Âź tsp turmeric 
  • ½ tsp red chili powder
  • ½ inch ginger, chopped (or ½ tsp ginger paste)
  • 1 garlic clove, chopped (or ½ tsp garlic paste) 
  • 2 cups (60g) fresh or frozen spinach 
  • 1 cup ( 200g) red lentils, rinsed 
  • 2 cups (500ml) water or vegetable broth (adjust for thickness)

Follow 3 Easy Steps:

  1. Place diced onion, frozen or fresh spinach and lentils into a large pot. 
  2. Add water or vegetable broth. Then add all the spices, along with ginger and garlic. 
  3. Cook on medium heat for 30 minutes or until cooked. For a pressure cooker, cook for 15 minutes.

Enjoy!

Nutrition Information (per serving):

126kcal / 9g protein / 22g carbohydrate / 0g fat 

Photo Credit: iFoodreal

Spicy Ginger and Vegetable Tofu Stir Fry

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After a cold and windy weekend, I for one need a BREAK 😂. I saw the weather forecast for the rest of the week and knew that I’d need something spicy and full of protein to get me through until Friday. Hence, the Spicy Ginger and Vegetable Tofu Stir Fry was born! It’s a simply beautiful and filling recipe that makes my mouth water just thinking about it. With the right balance of grains, protein, and colourful veggies, why not secretly prepare this in your kitchen at night when everyone is asleep and share it with no one other than your future self? Some things just aren’t meant to be shared!

Serves 4

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups brown rice
  • 2 tbsp peanut or canola oil
  • 14 ounces very firm tofu
  • 2 large green onions, chopped
  • 1 coloured bell pepper (e.g., orange pepper), sliced
  • 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 2 inches (5 cm) of ginger, grated
  • 7 thai chilli peppers, finely chopped
  • 1 ½ cups of baby spinach
  • ½ small red cabbage, sliced
  • 1 tbsp chilli powder
  • ½ cup of sesame seeds

Instructions:

  1. Prepare tofu by placing on a plate and drying with a paper towel. Leave one paper towel and a heavy pan on top to flatten the tofu out and make it easier to cut into smaller pieces.
  2. Take this time to prepare your rice according to package instructions.
  3. Cut your flattened tofu into small pieces
  4. Get ready to sautĂŠ your ingredients by placing a large pan or wok on your stovetop. Set to medium-high heat.
  5. Add oil to pan and wait until it has heated up. Slowly add garlic and ginger and wait 2 minutes before adding all other ingredients except tofu and spinach. Stir.
  6. After 3 minutes has passed, carefully add cut tofu into your pan. Continue to stir and ensure that the tofu pieces are turned over frequently for an even bake.
  7. Remove pan from heat and top with spinach and sesame seeds. Serve with brown rice and enjoy ☺

Nutritional Information (per serving): 

380 kcal / 20g protein / 40g carbs / 15g healthy fats


Warm Vegetable Chili

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As the daylight hours begin to dwindle and the cold weather approaches, I for one gravitate towards more simple recipes that don’t require too much of my energy. You know, the ones where I don’t need to stick something in the oven for about 40 minutes and twiddle my thumbs while I wait for it to cool (😂). Warm Vegetable Chili is just one of those recipes that won’t sacrifice speed for nutrition – this perfect mix of protein, fibre, and veggies is an excellent addition to your autumn repertoire. Bon appĂŠtit!

You will need:

  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
  • 1 1/2 cups (375 ml) frozen vegetables
  • 1 ½ tsp of garlic and ginger paste
  • 14 oz (398 ml) red kidney beans
  • 14 oz (398 ml) black beans
  • 5.5 oz (156 ml) tomato paste
  • 28 oz (796 ml) chopped tomatoes
  • 1 tsp (5 ml) turmeric
  • 1/2 tbsp (7 ml) chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp (2 ml) paprika
  • 1/2 tsp (2 ml) vinegar
  • Âź cup (60 ml) freshly chopped coriander
  • Grated marble cheddar cheese
  • Corn chips

Instructions:

  1. SautĂŠ vegetables and garlic paste in a pan with olive oil on medium heat. 
  2. Drain and rinse red kidney beans and black turtle beans using a large colander. Add to pan and stir.
  3. Add the rest of your ingredients with the exception of cilantro. Allow for mixture to simmer for 25 minutes.
  4. Remove mixture from heat and allow to slightly cool. Garnish with coriander.
  5. Serve on table with bowls of grated cheese and corn chips. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information (per serving):

280 kcal / 14g protein / 45g carbohydrate / 5g fat

Photo credit: Marco Verch

Creamy Garlic Chicken

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Ever wanted to have a creamy garlic chicken without all the saturated fat from cream? Well now you can! Try our new recipe where we use 2% milk instead of heavy cream and still manage to get a nice creamy texture! 

Ingredients:

  • 1 tbsp canola oil
  • 4 skinless chicken breast
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp salt
  • Âź  tsp garlic powder
  • Âź  tsp paprika
  • Âź  tsp black pepper
  • 2 tsp garlic, minced
  • 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
  • ž cup 2% milk
  • 1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch

Instructions: 

  1. In a large pot, heat canola oil. 
  2. In a separate bowl combine spices together and spread it over chicken pieces.
  3. Sear the chicken pieces on each side for 2-3 minutes. 
  4. Add minced garlic and saute for a minute. 
  5. Add the low sodium broth and stir to incorporate everything together (including any flavours stuck to the bottom of the pot). 
  6. Cover with a lid, and cook for around 15-20 minutes until chicken is well done. 
  7. In a bowl or cup, whisk the cornstarch into the milk and add it to the cooked chicken. 
  8. Saute on a medium to high heat, stirring occasionally, until your desired sauce thickness is reached (~5 mins).  
  9. Serve with a side of lightly roasted green beans, broccoli or asparagus.

*Add mushrooms to add both flavour and some fibre. 

Nutritional information (per serving):

175 kcal / 27g protein / 4.4g carbohydrate / 4.7g fat

Photo credit: Salt & Lavender