Beef and Black Bean Crockpot Chili & Tex-Mex Quinoa Cakes

Our kiddo hasn't been feeling the best lately, and I know chili is one things she will generally always eat.  Not to mention it covers a few of the major food groups all in one dish, so I figured this would be good to make for her tonight as she hasn't eaten much the last few days. 

1 pound lean ground beef (cooked and browned)
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cans Del Monte Zesty Chili tomatoes
2 Tablespoons honey
2-3 Tablespoons chili powder
1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
1/2 cup beef broth
4 Tablespoons tomato paste
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 ounce can diced green chiles
1 teaspoon cumin

Combine all ingredients in a crock pot ( I used my 3 qt. and it was full to the top!).  Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.  Makes 6 servings.

Calories 290, Carbs 46, Fat 8g, Protein 21g

 

 

 

 

 

Steaming hot Beef and Black Bean Chili!

I saw the recipe for these Tex-Mex Quinoa Patties on Pinterest tonight and thought they would go well with the chili - I was right!  They are really good!  You can find the recipe HERE for them.  Quick and easy, and very tasty.  I dipped them in my chili.  The recipe makes 12 cakes, 2 cakes per serving. 

Tex-Mex Quinoa Bites

Calories 130, Carbs 4, Fat 4, Protein 7g

Crock Pot Shrimp Stir-Fry

The thing I love most about my crock pot is it's intended purpose - set it and forget it.  This recipe uses the crock pot, but we're only talking a maximum of 3 hours of set it and forget it!  I started this when I got home from shopping later this afternoon, and it was ready just in time for dinner.  Good flavor and low in calories, I will be making this again for my family.  You can find the recipe I used HERE.  I did make a few changes-
1. After removing the shells and de-veining the shrimp, I precooked them in a skillet with a little seasoned salt and fresh ground black pepper, just to ensure they were cooked through. 
2.  I didn't have any oyster sauce, so at a friend's suggestion, I used  worcestershire sauce.
3.  I added a small sliced onion into the crockpot at the beginning stages.
4.  I added the cooked shrimp 20 minutes before done time as the recipe suggests. 
5.  I did not add bamboo shoots, as no one in my family particularly cares for them.
6. I completely forgot to add the snow peas!  I had every intention, and will definitely put them in next time, as I think they will be a great addition. 
7.  I used an orange pepper instead of a red one.

I did the nutritional values based on the original recipe, and NOT including the rice.
Serves 6
Per Serving: Calories 133, Carbs 11, Fat 2g, Protein 18g

Chicken & Pepper Soft Tacos

Talk about Easy!  I tossed these ingredients in the crock pot at about 10am this morning and we had a fantastic meal at 6pm!  Can't get any easier than that!

3-5 chicken breasts depending on size.  Mine were roughly 7oz. each and I used 3.  I even put them in frozen!

2 bell peppers, any color, sliced
1 large onion, sliced
1/2 cup chicken broth
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
dash salt
2 Tablespoons lemon juice

Place the chicken breasts on the bottom of your crock pot, followed by the onions and peppers. Drizzle the lemon juice over chicken.  Mix the spices/salt into the 1/2 cup of chicken broth and pour over chicken.  Set on low and cook for 6-8 hours.  I shredded the chicken at about hour 5 and let it continue to cook until we ate!

We topped ours with my family's FAVORITE salsa - Jack's Special Salsa by Garden Fresh Gourmet.  If you haven't had it - you must try it!  We also used shredded 4 blend cheese and low fat sour cream.  Yum!

Serves 4 (2 tacos each)  These values do not include toppings or tortilla.
130 calories, 10 carbs, 2g fat, 20g protein

Adapted from a recipe found here .

Warm Cinnamon Apples

These are so fast and easy - great for a side dish or as a dessert. 

2 apples, peeled and sliced
3 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Mix all ingredients together in a microwave safe bowl, and microwave from 2 to 5 minutes until apples are soft.  Time will vary depending on the type of apple you are using.  Serves 3.

Per serving:  108 calories, 29 carbs, 0 fat, 1 protein


Enjoy!