Month: March 2019

Grilled, Trader Joe's Hacks, Under 10 WW SmartPoints

Trader Joe’s Pollo Asado Salsa Verde Bowls

by aspoonfulofsimpleblogLeave a Comment on Trader Joe’s Pollo Asado Salsa Verde Bowls

Due to the craziness of moving over the last two weeks, cooking has been tricky. I have limited pots, pans, and counter space because of the myriad of boxes that currently fill my home. One Trader Joe’s trip later, and I’ve been set with simple meals to get me through the week. For this recipe, I combined a few things that required no preparation on my part (which is amazing). So, let’s call this a “semi-homemade meal.” It’s super easy and very delicious! No chopping, marinating, or prepping required!

Ingredients

1 package Trader Joe’s Pollo Asado chicken

1 package Trader Joe’s Mexican Style Roasted Corn with Cotija Cheese

1 package Uncle Ben’s (or brand of choice) whole grain rice

1/4 cup Herdez Salsa Verde

The BEST salsa verde!

Directions

  1. Get a grill pan heating up over medium heat. Spray lightly with olive oil.
  2. Place the chicken in a single layer on the grill pan. Let it grill on each side for 5 to 7 minutes, until fully cooked through (when reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F).
Check out those beautiful grill marks.

3. As the chicken is cooking, pour 2 tbsp of olive oil into a skillet over medium heat. Take the cheese packet out of the Trader Joe’s Mexican Corn bag, and dump the frozen corn and sauce blocks into the hot skillet. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, until sauce is all melted and covering corn.

4. Once everything is done, heat up the rice (if using the instant rice like I did).

5. Layer your bowl with some rice, corn, diced grilled pollo asado chicken, and cotija cheese. Then pour some Herdez salsa verde over the top and combine flavors together.

That’s it! So easy and so delicious!

Weight Watchers Freestyle SP: 7 points for one serving (about 4 servings total). Points were calculated using the Recipe Builder on the WW app.

Trader Joe's Pollo Asado Salsa Verde Bowls

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Print

Ingredients:

1 package Trader Joe’s Pollo Asado chicken
1 package Trader Joe’s Mexican Style Roasted Corn with Cotija Cheese
1 package Uncle Ben’s (or brand of choice) whole grain rice
1/4 cup Herdez Salsa Verde

Directions:

1. Get a grill pan heating up over medium heat. Spray lightly with olive oil.

2. Place the chicken in a single layer on the grill pan. Let it grill on each side for 5 to 7 minutes, until fully cooked through (when reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F).

3.As the chicken is cooking, pour 2 tbsp of olive oil into a skillet over medium heat. Take the cheese packet out of the Trader Joe’s Mexican Corn bag, and dump the frozen corn and sauce blocks into the hot skillet. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, until sauce is all melted and covering corn.

4. Once everything is done, heat up the rice (if using the instant rice like I did).

5. Layer your bowl with some rice, corn, diced grilled pollo asado chicken, and cotija cheese. Then pour some Herdez salsa verde over the top and combine flavors together.

**See packages for nutritional label and information.**

Uncategorized

Air Fryer Sweet Chili Wings

by aspoonfulofsimpleblogLeave a Comment on Air Fryer Sweet Chili Wings

Ever since I got an air fryer for Christmas, I have been experimenting with different recipes. Some turn out great, nice and crispy like I want them, but some seem to still fall short.

I’ve never been one who loves wings. Perhaps it’s because when I eat them in public I look like an absolute barbarian, but the taste and texture has to also be just right for me to feel that they are worth it (especially when they are deep fried). That is until I tried sweet chili wings, a menu item at my local pub. My boyfriend insisted we order them and I agreed they sounded interesting. They. were. amazing.

I needed to figure out how to recreate these wings so I could be the hit of any Super Bowl party I ever attend for the rest of my life. But I hate deep frying things at home….so..

Enter my air fryer.

Ingredients

1 lb chicken wings (about 9-12 wings)

2 tsp baking powder

4 tbsp Blue Dragon sweet chili dipping sauce

Olive oil spray

Salt and pepper, to taste

Garlic powder (optional, to taste – no more than 1 tsp)

Trader Joe’s Everything But the Bagel seasoning (optional, for garnish)

Directions

  1. Place the chicken wings in a shallow bowl. Pat as dry as possible with a paper towel. Discard paper towel and wash hands before handling anything else!
  2. Sprinkle the baking powder into the bowl. Evenly coat the chicken with the baking powder (I used my hands for this, but just remember when handling raw chicken to always wash your hands before touching anything else!)
  3. Then, sprinkle in salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Evenly coat the chicken.

4. If you are making a smaller amount of wings, you can achieve optimal crispiness by placing in a metal wire rack into your air fryer (mine came with one). If you do not have a metal rack or if you are preparing a larger amount a wings, you may just use the basket (they still get pretty crispy and you save some time!). Spray the rack / basket with a small amount of olive oil spray to lightly coat.

5. Carefully sort the wings in one layer onto the rack/ or as close to a single layer as possible in the air fryer basket. You may overlap a little on a second layer if necessary.

6. Set air fryer to 340 degrees for 13 minutes. If cooking wings in the basket directly, shake basket every 5 minutes or so to allow for even cooking.

7. After 13 minutes, change the temperature to 400 degrees F and set the timer for another 8 minutes.

Now time for this stuff!

8. As wings are continuing to cook, pour sweet chili dipping sauce into a wide, shallow bowl.

9. Once 8 minutes is up, take wings out WITH TONGS (THEY WILL BE HOT), and toss to coat in the dipping sauce. Place them back in the air fryer.

10. Once all wings are coated with the sauce, cook on 400 degrees for 5 more minutes, or until when chicken is fully cooked through. If not yet to your desired crispiness, carefully place them back in for a few minutes, checking frequently, until done.

11. Garnish with Trader Joe’s Everything But the Bagel Seasoning and some green onions/chives for a nice game day treat!

Weight Watchers Freestyle SP: 12 points for one serving (about 3-4 wings, depending on their size). Points were calculated using the Recipe Builder on the WW app.

Air Fryer Sweet Chili Chicken Wings

  • Servings: 3
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Print

Ingredients:
1 lb chicken wings (about 9-12 wings)
2 tsp baking powder
4 tbsp Blue Dragon sweet chili dipping sauce
Olive oil spray
Salt and pepper, to taste
Garlic powder (optional, to taste – no more than 1 tsp)
Trader Joe’s Everything But the Bagel seasoning (optional, for garnish)

Directions:

1. Place the chicken wings in a shallow bowl. Pat as dry as possible with a paper towel. Discard paper towel and wash hands before handling anything else!

2. Sprinkle the baking powder into the bowl. Evenly coat the chicken with the baking powder (I used my hands for this, but just remember when handling raw chicken to always wash your hands before touching anything else!)

3. Then, sprinkle in salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Evenly coat the chicken.

4. If you are making a smaller amount of wings, you can achieve optimal crispiness by placing in a metal wire rack into your air fryer (mine came with one). If you do not have a metal rack or if you are preparing a larger amount a wings, you may just use the basket (they still get pretty crispy and you save some time!). Spray the rack / basket with a small amount of olive oil spray to lightly coat.

5. Carefully sort the wings in one layer onto the rack/ or as close to a single layer as possible in the air fryer basket. You may overlap a little on a second layer if necessary.

6. Set air fryer to 340 degrees for 13 minutes. If cooking wings in the basket directly (not on the wire rack), shake basket every 5 minutes or so to allow for even cooking. If cooking on the wire rack, you can let it cook without shaking.

7. After 13 minutes, change the temperature to 400 degrees F and set the timer for another 8 minutes.

8. As wings are continuing to cook, pour sweet chili dipping sauce into a wide, shallow bowl.

9. Once 8 minutes is up, take wings out WITH TONGS (THEY WILL BE HOT), and toss to coat in the dipping sauce. Place them back in the air fryer.

10. Once all wings are coated with the sauce, cook on 400 degrees for 5 more minutes, or until when chicken is fully cooked through. If not yet to your desired crispiness, carefully place them back in for a few minutes, checking frequently, until done.

11. Garnish with Trader Joe’s Everything But the Bagel Seasoning and some green onions/chives for a nice game day treat!

Note: Nutrition information may not be exact. Ingredients were estimated and entered using verywellfit.com’s Nutrition Calculator.
Chicken, Dinner, Lunch, Pasta, Trader Joe's Hacks

Trader Joe’s Pesto Genovese Chicken with Pasta

by aspoonfulofsimpleblogLeave a Comment on Trader Joe’s Pesto Genovese Chicken with Pasta

I’m currently in the process of moving to a new apartment, and with that comes the stresses of trying to avoid the takeout temptation every single night. The problem is, however, that I have absolutely no idea where half of my stuff is boxed. While this could be an easy excuse for me to get that personal pizza down the road, I’m fighting the urge (with a little help from my friend Trader Joe). Here’s a simple take on Trader Joe’s Pesto Genovese Chicken over pasta with more pesto sauce (can never get enough).

Ingredients

1 package Pesto Genovese Chicken Breast from Trader Joe’s

1 box whole grain rotini

2 packages Knorr Pesto sauce mix

Olive oil

Directions

  1. Get the water boiling for the pasta and sprinkle the water with some salt.
  2. In a separate small saucepan, dump in the two pesto sauce mixes with 1/2 cup olive oil and 1 1/2 cups water. Whisk together well and heat over medium heat, whisking frequently, until boiling. Once sauce starts to boil, lower heat to simmer for 5 or so minutes.
  3. In a separate frying pan (I know, super chef on three burners!), pour a little bit of olive oil over medium-high heat. Place the Pesto Genovese Chicken evenly in one layer in the pan. Cook on each side for 3-4 minutes or until cooked through to an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
  4. Once water is boiling, cook the pasta to package directions.
  5. Once everything is done, pour the saucepan of pesto sauce over the pasta and stir well until all combined. Then, place a piece of chicken over the pasta.
  6. Voila! Easy, delicious dinner! (Thanks TJ!)

Once you put it all together, here is the finished product! Delicious and it was a hit!

Trader Joe's Pesto Genovese Chicken with Pasta

  • Servings: 6
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Print

Ingredients:

1 package Pesto Genovese Chicken Breast from Trader Joe’s
1 box whole grain rotini
2 packages Knorr Pesto sauce mix
Olive oil

Directions:
1. Get the water boiling for the pasta and sprinkle the water with some salt.

2. In a separate small saucepan, dump in the two pesto sauce mixes with 1/2 cup olive oil and 1 1/2 cups water. Whisk together well and heat over medium heat, whisking frequently, until boiling. Once sauce starts to boil, lower heat to simmer for 5 or so minutes.

3. In a separate frying pan (I know, super chef on three burners!), pour a little bit of olive oil over medium-high heat. Place the Pesto Genovese Chicken evenly in one layer in the pan. Cook on each side for 3-4 minutes or until cooked through to an internal temperature of 165 degrees.

4. Once water is boiling, cook the pasta to package directions.

5. Once everything is done, pour the saucepan of pesto sauce over the pasta and stir well until all combined. Then, place a piece of chicken over the pasta.

Weight Watchers Freestyle SP: 14 points for one serving (this recipe makes about 6 servings). Points were calculated using the Recipe Builder on the WW app.

Note: Nutrition information may not be exact. Ingredients were estimated and entered using verywellfit.com’s Nutrition Calculator.
Appetizers, Party Favorites, snacks, Under 10 WW SmartPoints

Oven Baked Breaded Ravioli

by aspoonfulofsimpleblogLeave a Comment on Oven Baked Breaded Ravioli

I don’t know what it is about being home, but I always feel guilty at the thought of deep frying things myself. If I’m the one cooking, I better make it worth it, good for me, and tasty. But my mind always drifts to my take-out favorites, one of which is fried ravioli. So how can I recreate this delicious treat without frying? By oven baking them!

Ingredients

1 bag frozen ravioli (spinach or regular cheese–I used spinach and cheese)

3/4 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs

1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

2 eggs

1 tsp butter

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1.  Preheat oven to 450 degrees

2.  Boil a pot of water for the ravioli

3.  When water begins to boil, pour the frozen ravioli into the pot and boil them for 2 minutes

4.  After 2 minutes, drain the ravioli and let the 1 tsp of butter melt on them to avoid sticking

5.  Crack the two eggs into a bowl and beat lightly

6.  Combine the bread crumbs and cheese in a separate bowl

7.  Cover each ravioli with the egg and then with the bread crumb mixture

8.  Place each breaded ravioli on a metal rack which is placed on top of a baking sheet covered in foil (this will make for easier cleanup of any fallen breadcrumbs)

Breaded ravioli before baking

9.  Bake for approximately 15-18 minutes

Breaded ravioli after cooking…check out that crunch!

10.  Serve with marinara sauce and enjoy!

Oven Baked Breaded Ravioli

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Print

Ingredients:

1 bag ravioli (spinach or regular cheese–I used spinach and cheese)
3/4 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 eggs
1 tsp butter

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees
2. Boil a pot of water for the ravioli
3. When water begins to boil, pour the frozen ravioli into the pot and boil them for 2 minutes
4. After 2 minutes, drain the ravioli and let the 1/4 tsp of butter melt on them to avoid sticking
5. Crack the two eggs into a bowl and beat lightly
6. Combine the bread crumbs and cheese in a separate bowl
7. Cover each ravioli with the egg and then with the bread crumb mixture
8. Place each breaded ravioli on a metal rack which is placed on top of a baking sheet covered in foil
9. Bake for approximately 15-18 minutes
10. Serve with marinara sauce and enjoy!

Weight Watchers Freestyle SP: 9 points for one serving (this recipe makes about 4 servings). Points were calculated using the Recipe Builder on the WW app.

Note: Nutrition information may not be exact. Ingredients were estimated and entered using verywellfit.com’s Nutrition Calculator.

Pasta

Veal Sauce Over Pasta

by aspoonfulofsimpleblogLeave a Comment on Veal Sauce Over Pasta

Here is the recipe for my absolute favorite meal from growing up.  The best part of it all?  It is so easy to make.  It’s almost hard to screw up!  And you are sure to impress anyone you serve it to.  Walking into the house after a long day and getting a whiff of the sautéed onions and garlic is one of the best moments of the week.

Ingredients

Note: Use whole wheat pasta if you are tracking WW points — saves 2 points per serving!

1 lb. ground veal

1 can 29 oz. Hunt’s Tomato Sauce

1 large red onion- chopped

1 tsp. chopped or minced garlic

1 box medium shells pasta (whole grain to save a few WW points)

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil


Directions

1.  Saute onion in large skillet in extra virgin olive oil

2.  Once onions start to become translucent, add in garlic and stir

3.  When onions are almost fully translucent, add in ground veal and mix into the onions and garlic. Don’t let the garlic sit too long and burn!

4.  Mix veal until it turns completely brown

5.  Once veal is completely brown, drain the excess fat/oil (or let it burn off if there is not too much)

6.  Add in tomato sauce and let simmer, stirring occasionally, for at least 30 minutes (the longer the better — let those flavors sit!!)

7.  Boil pasta

8.  Serve veal sauce over pasta

9.  Voila!  The perfect meal for any occasion

Enjoy!!

Veal Sauce Over Pasta

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Print

Ingredients
1 lb. ground veal
1 can 29 oz. Hunt’s Tomato Sauce
1 large red onion- chopped
1 tsp. chopped or minced garlic
1 box whole grain medium shells pasta
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Directions:
1. Saute onion in large skillet in extra virgin olive oil
2. Once onions start to become translucent, add in garlic and stir
3. When onions are almost fully translucent, add in ground veal and mix into the onions and garlic
4. Mix veal until it turns completely brown
5. Once veal is completely brown, drain the excess fat/oil (or let it burn off if there is not too much)
6. Add in tomato sauce and let simmer, stirring occasionally, for at least 30 minutes
7. Boil pasta
8. Serve veal sauce over pasta
9. Voila! The perfect meal for any occasion

Weight Watchers Freestyle SP: 11 points for one serving (this recipe makes 4 servings) — *Note 11 points is using Barilla Whole Grain Pasta, not the pasta pictured – add 2 points for regular pasta.* Points were calculated using the Recipe Builder on the Weight Watchers app.

Note: Nutrition information may not be exact. Ingredients were estimated and entered using verywellfit.com’s Nutrition Calculator.
**PPS: these calories are for 1/4 of a whole box of the whole grain pasta… a girl’s gotta eat!! To lessen the calories, cut the serving size to 2 oz. instead of 4 oz. of pasta.**

Breakfast, snacks

Easy Chocolate Chip Muffins

by aspoonfulofsimpleblogLeave a Comment on Easy Chocolate Chip Muffins

I was getting tired of my usual bowl of Cheerio’s before work, and decided it was time to mix up my breakfast for tomorrow.  I looked through a few recipes, and came across this one for Sinfully Rich Chocolate Chip Muffins.  Let’s just say for once, I can’t wait to get up tomorrow morning!

Ingredients (yields 12 muffins):

2 cups flour 
1/3 cup sugar 
1/3 cup brown sugar 
2 teaspoons baking powder 
1/2 teaspoon salt 
2/3 cup milk 
1/2 cup butter, melted 
2 eggs, beaten 
1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper cups, or grease the pan. 
2.  In a large bowl, combine all dry ingredients. 
3.  In another bowl, mix melted butter, beaten eggs, milk, and vanilla. 
4.  Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix until just combined. 
5.  Stir in chocolate chips. 

6.  Divide into 12 muffin cups. 
7.  Sprinkle a little granulated sugar and extra chocolate chips on top of each muffin for a little sparkle and crunch (optional).

8.  Bake at 400 for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into middle of muffin comes out clean.

Enjoy!

Easy Chocolate Chip Muffins

  • Servings: 12
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Print

Ingredients:
2 cups flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup milk
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper cups, or grease the pan.
2. In a large bowl, combine all dry ingredients.
3. In another bowl, mix melted butter, beaten eggs, milk, and vanilla.
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix until just combined.
5. Stir in chocolate chips.
6. Divide into 12 muffin cups.
7. Sprinkle a little granulated sugar and extra chocolate chips on top of each muffin for a little sparkle and crunch (optional).
8. Bake at 400 for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into middle of muffin comes out clean.

Weight Watchers Freestyle SP: 13 points for one muffin. Points were calculated using the Recipe Builder on the Weight Watcher’s app.

Note: Nutrition information may not be exact. Ingredients were estimated and entered using verywellfit.com’s Nutrition Calculator.
Party Favorites, Under 10 WW SmartPoints

Baked Beef Empanadas

by aspoonfulofsimpleblog1 Comment on Baked Beef Empanadas

When there is endless college basketball on, you need to have some finger foods ready to go! Check out these awesome (and easy) baked empanadas.  Cut some calories with these delicious snacks that will be gone in seconds.

Ingredients

12 empanada wrappers (I used GOYA)

2 lbs ground beef

1 medium onion

4 tbsp sofrito (I used GOYA)

GOYA Adobo seasoning, to taste

Olive oil

1 egg, whisked, for egg wash

Directions

1 . Coat large skillet with olive oil.  Saute onions and add in ground beef.  Make sure all ground beef is thoroughly cooked through and browned on all sides.

2.  Add in 4 tbsp of sofrito seasoning to coat beef and let simmer.
3.  Generously sprinkle GOYA Adobo seasoning on all of meat and mix in thoroughly.  Add more or less to taste.

4.  Once meat is cooked and seasoned, take an empanada wrapper and fill one half with beef mixture.  Fold it over and press and seal with a fork.
5.  Crack and whisk one egg.  With a pastry brush, coat both sides of each empanada with the egg wash to help it crisp up in the oven.
6.  Baked on an ungreased baking sheet at 375 F for 15-20 minutes, or until empanada wrappers look cooked and crispy.
7.  Serve and enjoy!! 

These seriously went so fast.  Next time, I will definitely make two batches!!

Baked Beef Empanadas

  • Servings: 12
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Print

Ingredients
12 empanada wrappers (I used GOYA)
2 lbs ground beef
1 medium onion
4 tbsp sofrito (I used GOYA)
GOYA Adobo seasoning, to taste
Olive oil
1 egg, whisked, for egg wash

Directions
1 . Coat large skillet with olive oil. Saute onions and add in ground beef. Make sure all ground beef is thoroughly cooked through and browned on all sides.
2. Add in 4 tbsp of sofrito seasoning to coat beef and let simmer.
3. Generously sprinkle GOYA Adobo seasoning on all of meat and mix in thoroughly. Add more or less to taste.
4. Once meat is cooked and seasoned, take an empanada wrapper and fill one half with beef mixture. Fold it over and press and seal with a fork.
5. Crack and whisk one egg. With a pastry brush, coat both sides of each empanada with the egg wash to help it crisp up in the oven.
6. Baked on an ungreased baking sheet at 375 F for 15-20 minutes, or until empanada wrappers look cooked and crispy.
7. Serve and enjoy!!

Weight Watcher Freestyle SP: 8 per empanada. Points were calculated using the Recipe Builder on the Weight Watchers app.

Note: Nutrition information may not be exact. Ingredients were estimated and entered using verywellfit.com’s Nutrition Calculator.
My First Post

Welcome to A Spoonful of Simple!

by aspoonfulofsimpleblogLeave a Comment on Welcome to A Spoonful of Simple!

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog! As a near 30-year old woman, I’ve realized that I need to start getting my act together when it comes to cooking, meal prepping, and keeping myself healthy. A lover of all things fried, baked, and covered in pizza sauce and cheese, I recently started to rethink my lifestyle and how I can make it work in the long run without sacrificing the many foods I love from my local takeout spots.

Question: But how do you find the time to prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner for each night?

Answer: You don’t. You find shortcuts!

And that is my goal. Let’s keep this simple and take the journey, together, to finding simple ways to bring high quality food to your family, friends, and most importantly, YOURSELF.

Let’s do this thing!

Marisa