All tagged Walnuts

Light and Fluffy Zucchini Bread

Light and Fluffy Zucchini Bread

Chelsea Gloeckner

This Light and Fluffy Zucchini Bread is just that- incredibly light and fluffy, almost like a sponge cake! Traditional recipes call for a lot of oil and sugar, but this recipe subs in apple sauce for most of the oil, and cuts down on the sugar, while still creating a moist and sweet bread. The hint of lemon juice and zest adds a nice brightness, and a slice (or two or three) is delicious warm with butter or a slather of almond butter. Meal prep these loafs for quick and easy breakfasts, snacks, or even dessert to enjoy throughout the week 😊

Strawberry Quinoa Salad with Fresh Mint and Creamy Goat Cheese | GF |

Strawberry Quinoa Salad with Fresh Mint and Creamy Goat Cheese | GF |

Chelsea Gloeckner
Blog

Who doesn’t want to make a recipe in under 30 minutes that can last all week in the fridge, and be enjoyed at any meal, be that breakfast or dinner!  This Strawberry Quinoa Salad with Fresh Mint and Creamy Goat Cheese is rich in antioxidants, as well as protein to keep you full and satisfied.  Make once, enjoy all week!  The perfect simple meal prep recipe 😊

Serves: 6

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cooking time: 20 minutes

What (your ingredients):

1 cup quinoa

2 cups water

3 tablespoons orange juice (juice from 1 blood orange)

1 ½ tablespoons olive oil

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 lb. strawberries

20 fresh mint leaves

2 oz. goat cheese

Walnuts to serve

How (your directions):

Add 1 cup quinoa and 2 cups water to a large sauté pan.  Bring to a boil, then cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, create an easy vinaigrette by adding orange juice, olive oil, and salt to a large bowl.  Whisk and set aside.

Slice strawberries and chiffonade the mint.  Add to bowl with the vinaigrette.

When the quinoa has cooked for 15 minutes, turn off the heat, but leave the quinoa in the covered pan for 5 minutes.

Fluff the quinoa with a fork, then add to the bowl.  Stir to combine.

Place in refrigerator for a few minutes to cool.  Once cooled, crumble the goat cheese into the quinoa salad.

Serve room temperature or cold, and top with walnuts.

Enjoy for lunch or dinner (or even breakfast!) throughout the week.

Why (the science):  Mint and other herbs are high in antioxidants, which helps reduce inflammation and boost your immune system, which helps you feel better in general!

Swiss Bircher Muesli | + Video |

Swiss Bircher Muesli | + Video |

Chelsea Gloeckner
Blog

In Switzerland, this breakfast is part of every breakfast buffet, and for good reason- it’s so filling and satisfying! You know, for those long ski days or hiking excursions up the Alps 😉 So easy to make, this recipe is great for beginners in the kitchen.  Swiss Bircher Muesli also lasts in the fridge for 4-5 days, so this recipe can last for a week of ready-made breakfasts.

Serves: 4-6

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 0 minutes (refrigerate 2 hours or overnight)

What (your ingredients):

1.5 cups muesli

1.5 cups plant milk (I used 1 cup Unsweetened Original Ripple and 1/2 cup oat milk)

1 cup almond yogurt (Kite Hill is excellent)

1 teaspoon orange zest

Juice of 1 orange

1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

2 apples (1 diced, 1 grated) covered with 1 teaspoon lemon juice (prevents browning)

Favorite Toppings: berries, hazelnuts, walnuts

How (your directions):

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.  Refrigerate overnight.

Enjoy with your favorite toppings!

Why (the science):  Oats contain soluble fiber, which helps lower “bad “LDL cholesterol!

Kale and Quinoa Salad with Fig and Walnuts

Kale and Quinoa Salad with Fig and Walnuts

Chelsea Gloeckner
Blog

Full disclosure: I’m always intimidated to make salads, because I worry that they won’t be near as good as what I can order from a nice restaurant.  But THIS is the recipe that changes everything! Easy? Check! Café-quality? Check! Elegant but fast to throw together? Check! Kale and Quinoa Salad with Fig and Walnuts will be your go-to “I’ll bring the salad” dish to show off to all your friends 😊

Serves: 1

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cooking time: 0 minutes

What (your ingredients):

1 bunch kale, torn into pieces

1 tablespoon pomegranate balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons walnut pieces

2 dried figs, cut into small pieces

1 oz. goat cheese

1/3 cup quinoa, cooked

How (your directions):

Place kale pieces into a large bowl.  Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and olive oil.  Massage the kale for 2-3 minutes.  Tip: Massaging kale allows it to become more tender and slightly sweeter!

Transfer salad to a plate, then top with walnuts, figs, crumbled goat cheese, and quinoa.

Enjoy immediately or the next day!

Why (the science):  Quinoa is a complete protein, making it a great replacement for brown rice and other starches!

Grilled Pineapple with Yogurt and Walnuts

Grilled Pineapple with Yogurt and Walnuts

Chelsea Gloeckner
Blog

A high protein breakfast or a satisfying dessert, Grilled Pineapple with Yogurt and Walnuts is hard to beat!  The natural sugar in the pineapple caramelizes into beautiful smoky grill marks, while the walnuts add crunch to the creamy Greek yogurt.  Grill a bunch of pineapple as part of your meal prep for the week and refrigerate.  This special breakfast can then be assembled quickly!

Serves: 1

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cooking time: 10 minutes

What (your ingredients):

½ teaspoon coconut oil

½ cup pineapple (sliced or in chunks)

1 container plain nonfat Greek yogurt (about 17 grams of protein)

2 tablespoons crushed walnuts

Dash of cinnamon

How (your directions):

Grease grill pan with coconut oil, and heat over medium heat.

Layer pineapple slices onto hot grill, and sear for 3-4 minutes on each side.

Plate grilled pineapple, then serve with Greek yogurt.

Sprinkle with walnuts and cinnamon.

Enjoy!

Why (the science):  Pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that helps us break down and digest protein.  Bromelain is also a powerful anti-inflammatory compound, so it can help with arthritis and indigestion.

 

 

Pear and Gorgonzola Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette

Pear and Gorgonzola Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette

Chelsea Gloeckner

There’s a reason pear and blue cheese salads are a classic- these salads are rich flavor while incredibly easy to make.  In fact, in 5 minutes (or less, if you are a quick pear slicer!), you can create this Pear and Gorgonzola Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette.  This special salad is rich in heart-healthy omega-3’s and antioxidants.  Of course, the recipe can be extended for however many family members or guests you may be entertaining.  An elegant dish that any salad-hater will love 😊

Serves: 1

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cooking time: 0 minutes

What (your ingredients):

Dijon Vinaigrette

¼ cup apple cider vinegar

Pinch of salt and pepper

½ cup olive oil

Pear and Gorgonzola Salad

2 handfuls spinach

½ ounce walnuts

½ pear, sliced paper thin

1-inch cube gorgonzola blue cheese, crumbled

Drizzle of Dijon Vinaigrette

How (your directions):

Prepare the Dijon Vinaigrette by whisking all ingredients together.  Vinaigrette can be stored in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for future use.

To prepare salad, place a few handfuls of spinach onto a plate.  Then place sliced pears onto spinach a drizzle with Dijon Vinaigrette.

Sprinkle salad with walnut pieces and gorgonzola crumbles.

Enjoy immediately!

Why (the science):  Pears are rich in flavanols, which have been shown to play an important role in improving insulin sensitivity (which means your insulin is more controlled)!

Grilled Plum Salad with Walnuts and Aged Balsamic | + Video |

Grilled Plum Salad with Walnuts and Aged Balsamic | + Video |

Chelsea Gloeckner
Blog

Serves: 2

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cooking time: 10 minutes

What (your ingredients):

3 plums

1 tablespoon olive oil

4 cups arugula

3 tablespoons raw walnut pieces

2 tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze

How (your directions):

Heat grill pan over medium heat.

Slice each plum in half and remove the stone (pit).  Using a pastry brush or baster, brush olive oil onto cut side of plum and place onto grill.

Repeat process with remaining plum halves.

Grill plums for 10 minutes.  If desired, flip plums and grill on second, rounded side for an additional 5 minutes.  This will yield a sweeter and softer grilled plum.

Plate arugula, then top with 3 grilled plum halves.  Sprinkle with walnuts and a drizzle of aged balsamic.

Enjoy immediately!

Why (the science):  Plums are a good source of soluble fiber, meaning that prunes slow the rate of digestion.  The result?  Feeling fuller, longer!