Entertain your guests with comfort food that doesn't send them searching for their elastic-waist pants. Follow these delicious dinner recipes for flavor without the guilt: Greek-Style Quinoa Burgers
Known for its great source of protein, quinoa gives a healthy spin to your backyard bbq.
Ingredients
• 1/2 cup rinsed quinoa
• 1 medium carrot, cut in large chunks
• 6 scallions, thinly sliced
• 15 ounces great northern beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/4 cup plain dried breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• Coarse salt
• Ground pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 4 pitas (each 6 inches)
• 1/2 English cucumber, thinly sliced diagonally
Directions
- In a small saucepan, bring 3/4 cup water to a boil; add quiona, cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook until liquid is absorbed, 12 to 14 minutes; set aside.
- In a food processor, pulse carrot until finely chopped. Add cooked quinoa, half the scallions, beans, breadcrumbs, egg, cumin, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; pulse until combined but still slightly chunky.
- Form mixture into four 3/4-inch-thick paties (dip hands in water to prevent sticking). If too soft, refrigerate 10 minutes to firm. In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium; cook burgers until browned and cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes per side.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine yogurt, lemon juice, and the remaining scallions; season with salt and pepper. Serve burgers in pita topped with cucumber and yogurt sauce.
Grilled Portobello Pizzas
Bite-sized, and without blame, portobello mushroom caps are the ultimate stuffed crust.
Ingredients
• 12 cherry tomatoes, halved (about 1/2 pound)
• 4 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Roasted Garlic
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 8 portobello mushrooms, cleaned and stems trimmed (about 3 pounds)
• Four 1 1/2 X 3-inch shavings Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (about 1/2 ounce)
• 4 very thin slices prosciutto (about 1 ounce)
• 4 tablespoons Rough-Cut Basil Pesto
Directions
- Prepare a stove-top griddle or outdoor grill.
- Combine the tomatoes, thyme, 2 teaspoons of olive oil, the roasted garlic, and salt and pepper in a small bowl and toss. Set aside.
- Brush the top and bottom of each mushroom with the remaining oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and grill until the mushrooms are tender, about 4 minutes per side.
- Place the mushrooms stem side up on a cutting board. Arrange an equal amount of the tomato mixture on 4 mushrooms. Top each with a shaving of Parmigiano-Reggiano.
- Arrange a slice of prosciutto on each of the remaining mushrooms and spread 1 tablespoon of the pesto on top of each prosciutto slice.
- Arrange 1 of each pizza on each of 4 dinner plates and serve.
Spaghetti Squash with Turkey Meatballs
This low calorie, barley carb-ed meal makes sure there are no meatballs rolling off the table, because your guests ate them all.
Ingredients
• 1 spaghetti squash (about 3 pounds), halved lengthwise
• Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano
• 1/2 ounce grated Parmesan cheese (3 tablespoons)
• 1 tablespoon dried breadcrumbs
• 8 ounces lean ground turkey
• 8 ounces mixed mushrooms, such as shiitake, cremini, and oyster, cut 1/4 inch thick (about 3 cups)
• 1 cup homemade or store-bought low-sodium chicken stock
• 4 ounces baby spinach (about 5 cups), washed well
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Season cut sides of squash with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bake, cut sides down, on a baking sheet until tender, about 45 minutes. Let stand until cool enough to handle. Scrape flesh into strands using a fork. Let drain, covered to keep warm, in a colander set over a bowl.
- Meanwhile, heat 1 teaspoon oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Cook onion and garlic, stirring, until soft but not brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Add oregano; cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Divide mixture between 2 bowls.
- Stir 1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons cheese into 1 bowl of onion-garlic mixture. Mix in breadcrumbs, turkey, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper using your hands. Form mixture into 12 balls.
- Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown meatballs, turning, 4 to 6 minutes; transfer to a plate. Add remaining teaspoon oil to skillet. Cook mushrooms, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper, adding a few tablespoons water if skillet browns too quickly, until soft and beginning to brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Add remaining bowl of onion-garlic mixture, meatballs, and stock; bring to gentle simmer. Cook, partially covered, until meatballs are cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes. Add spinach; cook until just wilted, about 1 minute.
- Divide squash and meatball mixture into 4 servings. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
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Source: Whole Living Photo: stock.xchng
