Posts Tagged ‘recipes’

It Tastes Just Like…

Looking for a dinner idea for tonight? Well, you don’t have to go any further because do I have a good one for you! Just swing by the store to pick up some spaghetti squash and tofu. I promise it will be worth it!

For dinner last night, I had a few things on my mind. I wasn’t quite sure how my hankerings would partner up, but they played nice. I followed my gut and allowed my taste buds to reap the rewards.

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A couple weeks ago, Nasoya offered me some free product coupons to review the brand’s new Tofu Plus version. I immediately said yes.

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I love tofu for its versatility, and I really love the Nasoya brand. The “plus” version comes fortified with important vitamins that a meat-free diet can commonly lack, such as B vitamins. Cool!

For the tofu, I decided to go with some Parmesan Tofu Nuggets a la Beth’s recipe. When I saw them on her blog last week, I knew I had to make them! 

I pressed the tofu, cut the block into "nuggets” and followed Beth’s recipe. Baked the little guys up and plated them up with some basic marinara for dipping fun.

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When deciding on this recipe, I couldn’t figure out what to have as a side. While perusing the produce section, my eyes caught sight of a perfectly sized spaghetti squash. My cravings settled.

As I cooked dinner, I realized I didn’t want to do the same ole same ole with the squash. Besides, dousing it with marinara would take away the nugget dipping fun.

So, I made a game time decision and pulled out a wedge of Garlic & Herb Laughing Cow cheese.  Love those little wedges. They provide such creamy flavor so easily!

Want to know what you get when you mix one of those babies with spaghetti squash?

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A surprisingly creamy and rich tasting side that couldn’t possibly include vegetables. Except it does. And it’s fabulous. And you must give it a try!

I scooped mine up forkful after forkful with a pile of zucchini, mushrooms, and onions. I don’t believe I have put together a dinner this good in quite some time! Or at least not since the night before with that quinoa blend. I’m eating well this week, that’s for sure!

“It Tastes Just Like..” Pet Peeve

Now, this dish isn’t meant to compare to some chicken parmesan and pasta alfredo. Besides, I wouldn’t want it to! Actually, when people claim a recipe tastes JUST LIKE something else, I always roll my eyes. Because, no…it usually doesn’t taste JUST LIKE the original.

Banana Soft Serve does not taste just like a pint of Ben & Jerry’s.

Drinking a pumpkin smoothie is not like eating a slab of pumpkin pie.

A black bean burger does not taste just like a beef burger.

“Cookies” made from ground up nuts and dates do not taste just like a gooey, warm from the oven chocolate chip cookie.   

And spaghetti squash does not taste just like pasta.

What do I have to say to that? It’s OKAY if they don’t! In fact, a lot of the options still taste just as dang good, if not better, in their own right!

I understand wanting to make things sound more appealing by comparing it to a classic favorite. I know I have done it myself. I just wonder when the day will come that making a healthy dinner or dessert doesn’t lend itself to needing some “ohhhh…it’s just like _____” promise. Let those creations speak for themselves! Just my two cents. Winking smile 

  • What’s a food comparison of “It tastes just like ____” that you don’t agree with? Got any good ones? Biggie for me = Tofu Shirataki  noodles. They are not like pasta…and they are just NASTY to me!
  • Any pet peeves you want to get off your chest? I’m all ears!

Posted by on October 26th, 2011 68 Comments

I Had To Marry An Italian (Recipe)

For the longest time I didn’t care too much for Italian food. My exposure to the dishes consisted mainly of plain ole spaghetti with jarred sauce (no offense, Mom) or heavy dishes from the likes of Olive Garden. I always felt either unsatisfied or sick after eating most Italian food. It never had that comforting feeling so many people equate with pasta or a hearty chicken parmesan.

I just had to marry an Italian.

I quickly learned the importance of good Italian food to Peter and his family. Christmas dinner? Forget the ham and casseroles – it’s all about the ravioli, meatballs, and cannoli. Birthday gatherings? There will be cake, but only after a nice serving of mom’s spinach alfredo.

Pasta night regularly became part of our rotation. I found that if the pasta included fresh veggies and perfectly cooked whole wheat noodles, I liked it a lot more. Still give me Mexican over Italian any day, but at least I gained a new appreciation and could accommodate my man’s taste.

When meal planning for last week I got struck with a sudden dose of inspiration. I wanted to make a homemade lasagna.

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For some many of you that is probably not a big deal at all. For me, it meant giving Peter a little piece of his family tradition and one of his favorite meals…not from the freezer aisle and without making him do all the cooking.

It did take more effort in the kitchen than my normal cooking, but the effort melted into oblivion after my first bite. It almost makes me wonder if I should spend more time in the kitchen. But let’s not go too crazy now.

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Slice. Serve. And feel like an official Italian. Well…minus the jarred sauce. I had to draw the line somewhere. Winking smile

  • What is a dish that intimidates you to make?
  • Do you have any strong cultural food ties in your family?

Posted by on October 5th, 2011 37 Comments

 

 
Catch Up With Recent Posts

Announcement Time

Posted: November 23, 2011 at 7:47 am

Well, I have had a whirlwind of a few weeks over here. I missed all of you so much! I can’t express enough gratitude for your patience while I got some important things sorted out. Some scary things. Are you ready for the announcement? Here goes! I will no longer be blogging at Faith Fitness […]

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Self-Love Reflection: The Road Not Taken

Posted: November 20, 2011 at 11:47 am

Hello FFF readers! Nice to meet ya! My name is Carissa and my husband and I blog at Fit2Flex.  Well, I blog…he consults! We are both certified personal trainers with a passion for healthy, active living and clean eating.  I am also studying to become a registered dietitian, a race announcer, and a runner.  Stop […]

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Healthier Eating For Kids

Posted: November 19, 2011 at 10:56 am

Thanks to Plum Organics for sponsoring my post about tips for baby feeding magic. What if you let baby choose what’s for dinner? Check out their cute "Quest for Yum!" video and see what happens! As parents, we want the best for our children. We help them to feel loved. We strive to teach them […]

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Announcement

Posted: November 17, 2011 at 3:36 pm

Hey, everyone! I wanted to pop in and say I am working on some new and exciting changes.  As a result,I may not be posting as much during the coming week.  Please stay tuned for the big announcement! Love you all! And still feel free to find me on Twitter and Facebook for the time […]

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Where The Change Happens

Posted: November 16, 2011 at 7:54 am

It’s kind of funny. I become a certified personal trainer and the first workouts I turn to this week come from someone else. The book came in for me at the library last week and, after flipping through it, I couldn’t wait to give the circuits a go. Making The Cut includes a lot of […]

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From Beginning To End

Posted: November 15, 2011 at 11:53 am

Good morning! First off, thanks for the many congrats yesterday. Love you all bunches for the tons of support you have given me in so many things this year. I hope I can return a little bit of that love through this here blog as well. So yesterday I had my first parent-teacher “conference” for […]

55 CommentsRead more →