dinner

working girl cuisine: apple pecan salad with goat cheese

apple pecan salad with goat cheese recipe

Since nobody’s thrilled about Tax Day tomorrow (except possibly Uncle Sam), let’s celebrate something much more exciting today: National Pecan Day.

Obviously, there’s no better day to bring you one of my favorite go to recipes.  I tend to make this a lot when Nate’s out of town for work, because 1) cooking for yourself is already no fun, 2) this recipe’s ingredients are perfect for just 1 person, and 3) it’s just so quick!

This recipe is an adaptation from one of my favorite local restaurants.  The only prep involved is cutting up part of an apple.  Easy like a Sunday morning.

apple pecan salad with goat cheese

Pecan Salad with Goat Cheese

Ingredients:

  • 1 package of Baby Spinach
  • 1 Granny Smith Apple
  • 1 package of Crumbled Goat Cheese
  • 1 bag of Pecan Pieces
  • 1 bag of Julienned Carrots (not shown in picture, but I usually add them in for some extra nutritional value!)

Directions:

  1. Cut up the apple into small cubes.  Use about 1/4 of the apple per person. Leftover apple can be put in a ziplock baggie and stored in the fridge for later use.
  2. Fill bowl or plate with spinach.  Top with apple, goat cheese crumbles, carrots (if using), and pecans as you wish.
  3. Drizzle with salad dressing, and eat up! (I like a dressing that isn’t overpowering and is slightly on the sweet side, like a Poppyseed.)

healthy turkey meatloaf (you won’t even miss the beef!)

Hola friends.  The other day I made this treasure for dinner.  It’s been a favorite in our household since I saw it on the Today Show a few years back.  The best part is that it’s pretty healthy – only 205 calories and 3.5 grams of fat per slice!

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Mom’s Turkey Meatloaf, by Ellie Krieger

Ingredients:

3/4 cup quick-cooking oats
1/2 cup nonfat milk
1 medium onion, peeled
2 pounds ground turkey breast (I buy the extra lean)
1/2 cup seeded and chopped red bell pepper (1/2 medium pepper)
2 large eggs, beaten
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup ketchup
1/2 teaspoon salt
Black pepper to taste (I usually use 1/4 teaspoon)
One 8-ounce can no-salt-added tomato sauce

Gather your ingredients and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

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Thinly slice about a 1/4 to 1/3 of the onion into rings, and set aside.   Finely chop the remainder of the onion.

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Then chop your red pepper.

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Mix your oats and milk in a small bowl.  Let sit for a few minutes.

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Combine the milk-oats mixture, eggs, gr. turkey, veggies, ketchup, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce into a large bowl.

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Mix all ingredients.  (As in, with your hands! Don’t be afraid to get them dirty 🙂 )

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Now transfer your giant meatball into a 9 x 13 baking dish.  Form into a log that is about 5″ wide by 2″ high.

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Top with tomato sauce and onion.  Fact: putting the little onion rings on top is my favorite part (yes I’m a huge dork).

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Bake at  350 degrees for about an hour to an hour and a 1/2.  Thermometer should read 160 in the middle of the loaf.

Remove from the oven and let sit for 10-15 minutes before slicing.   Serve with your favorite side of veggies!  Hope you enjoy!!

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(Recipe Source:  Ellie Krieger)