Southwest

Guacamole-Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Sarah Hoff — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 20:54:57 +0000

A cousin of chile rellenos, these roasted stuffed poblano peppers are filled with guacamole and shredded lettuce. Serve this healthy Mexican recipe as a light lunch or go all out and serve it as a side dish with tacos or enchiladas for dinner.

Chipotle-Cheddar Broiled Avocado Halves

Sarah Hoff — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 20:23:59 +0000

Chipotle-Cheddar Broiled Avocado Halves

In this avocado side-dish recipe, zesty avocado halves are topped with melted Cheddar cheese and broiled until golden brown. You can serve these healthy avocado halves as a side dish with grilled chicken or steak.

Slow-Cooker Pinto Bean Stew with Jalapeño-Corn Dumplings

Sarah Hoff — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 14:56:07 +0000

Slow-Cooker Pinto Bean Stew with Jalapeño-Corn Dumplings

This healthy slow-cooker pinto bean stew recipe is bursting with veggies—onion, bell pepper, celery and corn—and topped with crunchy bits of radish and chile- and lime-flecked cornbread dumplings. If you’re pressed for time, skip the dumplings and serve this pinto bean stew straight out of the crock pot, topped with crushed tortilla chips and a sprinkling of Monterey Jack cheese. Make sure to soak your dried beans before using them in the slow cooker to ensure even cooking.

Southwestern Vegetable & Chicken Soup

Erin McCormick — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 16:31:36 +0000

Southwestern Vegetable & Chicken Soup

Who wouldn’t want to eat their vegetables when they’re tucked into a fragrant broth with bits of tasty chicken and spiked with a shot of fresh lime and cilantro? This healthy chicken vegetable soup seems even richer with the smoky flavor from roasted poblano peppers and garlic. Serve this healthy chicken soup recipe with tortilla chips.

Spice-Rubbed Steak with Sautéed Wild Mushrooms

Sarah Hoff — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 15:05:28 +0000

Spice-Rubbed Steak with Sautéed Wild Mushrooms

We love the flavor of wild mushrooms with seared spice-rubbed steak, but any type of mushroom will work. Like the rub in this steak recipe? Make a double, triple or quadruple batch to keep on hand for chicken and firm fish (swordfish, tuna and salmon) too. Store the steak rub in a jar or sealable plastic bag in your spice drawer for an instant dinner seasoning.

Ancho-Honey Pork Tenderloin with Cheese Grits

Erin McCormick — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 14:51:40 +0000

Ancho-Honey Pork Tenderloin with Cheese Grits

In this recipe, roast pork tenderloin is glazed with honey, lime, soy and ancho chile powder and served on top of cheese grits. Ancho chile powder, made from dried poblano peppers, has a mild heat and adds a rich, subtly smoky flavor. Serve with sauteed kale with slivered garlic.

Classic Margarita

Erin McCormick — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 18:27:31 +0000

Classic Margarita

This skinny margarita recipe saves 150 calories compared to traditional margarita recipes made with syrupy-sweet margarita mix and gets back to the basics—fresh lime juice, tequila and Triple Sec are all you need. Adding lime zest to the salt rim gives great flavor and cuts the salt in half.

Skinny Guacamole

Erin McCormick — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 18:23:16 +0000

Skinny Guacamole

This delicious guacamole recipe replaces half the amount of high-calorie avocado in a traditional guacamole recipe with a stealth, low-calorie vegetable—zucchini—to cut 100 calories and 6 grams of fat so we can eat more guacamole with fewer calories. We use the microwave to cook the zucchini until it’s very tender, but you can steam it on the stovetop if you prefer.

Pork Fajitas with Smoky Cherry Salsa

Erin McCormick — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 18:03:08 +0000

Pork Fajitas with Smoky Cherry Salsa

This pork fajitas recipe with grilled pork tenderloin, onions and peppers gets a sweet-smoky aroma and flavor when topped with chipotle-infused cherry salsa. Manchego cheese, though untraditional for fajitas, pairs nicely.

Black Bean & Chipotle Tostadas with Crème Fraîche

Erin McCormick — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 21:44:29 +0000

Black Bean & Chipotle Tostadas with Crème Fraîche

If you love breakfast burritos or huevos rancheros, you’ll love this tostada with seasoned black beans on crispy tortillas with scrambled eggs on top. Pass salsa or hot sauce to go with it.

Firehouse Frito Pie

Erin McCormick — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 20:35:05 +0000

Firehouse Frito Pie

Classic Frito pie is a pile of Fritos topped with beefy chili and runny cheese often made straight in the chip bag! Our refined and lightened version is fresh-tasting and delicious. A whole 1/2 cup of chili powder gives it plenty of punch, but be sure to use mild chili powder. If you have spicier chili powder, start with 1 to 2 tablespoons and taste as you go. Top with tomato, lettuce and just a little cheese (hold the Whiz, please).

Southwest Grilled Chicken Caesar

Erin McCormick — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:03:40 +0000

Southwest Grilled Chicken Caesar

In this Southwestern spin on the classic Caesar salad, avocado stands in for raw egg and some of the oil in this rich, creamy dressing. Grilled spice-rubbed chicken makes it satisfying.

Southwestern Sauté with Salsa Grits

Erin McCormick — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 15:19:53 +0000

Southwestern Sauté with Salsa Grits

Cheesy, salsa-flavored grits are the base for this easy bean and vegetable sauté. Use fresh salsa (found in the market near other dips) to keep sodium in check. Look for quick grits near oatmeal and other hot cereals or near cornmeal in the baking aisle. Serve with a romaine and red cabbage salad with avocado and pepitas.

Salsa-Braised Kale

Sarah Hoff — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 19:24:42 +0000

Salsa-Braised Kale

Braising kale in salsa and topping it with cheese makes a delightful side dish for your favorite Mexican meal. Different brands of salsa have varying amounts of sodium. Sometimes prepared fresh salsa is the lowest.

Chicken, Tomato & Jalapeño Pizza

Sarah Hoff — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 18:30:42 +0000

Chicken, Tomato & Jalapeño Pizza

We forgo pizza sauce and instead brush the pizza dough with garlicky olive oil for this Tex-Mex pizza. Tomatoes and chicken make a simple topping; a sprinkle of fresh jalapeño gives it a little heat. No time to make homemade dough? Look for whole-wheat pizza-dough balls at your supermarket. Check the ingredient list to make sure the dough doesn’t contain any hydrogenated oils. Serve with a big green salad tossed with avocado and red onion.