Teriyaki burger

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Summer means BBQ, which means lots of burgers. You will never catch me complaining about burgers. A recent trip to the supermarket scored a pineapple for cheap, and I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it: grill it on the BBQ, then smash it on a burger! I love grilled pineapple on burgers, and I don’t think it should be saved for chicken burgers. I know that might sound like I’ve lost my mind (maybe I have, but stick with me a moment), grilled pineapple can work with beef burgers as long as you bring a little something special to the party, teriyaki sauce. 

Make your own

If you are like me and you try to avoid mass-produced processed foods, the best option is to make your own. When you make your own, you control which ingredients you use and how much or how sweet you want it to be. Once you have a go at making your own and realise how easy it is, you will never go back to store-bought again. I try my best to stay away from soy and sugar, but it’s hard to avoid when it comes to teriyaki sauce, which is why I make my own. As a bonus to these kick-ass burgers, here is my teriyaki sauce recipe, which is super easy to make.

Back to the burgers

A long time ago, I had to get creative to get two small boys to eat vegetables without it turning into a war of wills. Very finely chopped vegetables are easy to sneak into burgers, and even when discovered, there is very little chance the burger will go uneaten. Nowadays, I don’t need to hide vegetables; I can openly include them and enjoy every bite. For this recipe, the carrot and spring onion not only add some flavour and texture but also a nice pop of colour and help balance the sweetness of the pineapple. 

Teriyaki burger recipe

Ingredients

  • 900g minced beef
  • 1 carrot, grated
  • 3 spring onions, chopped
  • 1 tsp. ginger
  • 1 tsp. coconut aminos
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
  • 8 pineapple slices

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine the beef mince, carrot, spring onions, ginger, garlic powder and coconut aminos.

Try not to overwork the meat, mix it enough to bring it all together and spread the flavours.

Divide the meat into eight portions and shape them into burger patties.

Place the burgers on a lined baking tray.

Spread a little of the teriyaki sauce over each burger.

Cover the burgers and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.

Cook your burgers over high heat, either on a BBQ or in a griddle pan.

Add a little of the teriyaki sauce to each side while cooking. 

Depending on the thickness of your burgers, it should take about 5 minutes per side.

While the burgers are cooking, start grilling the pineapple; it should take 3 minutes on each side, or until it begins to caramelise. If you are cooking on a BBQ, the pineapple may cook more quickly. Keep it away from direct heat so it doesn’t burn.

Serve the burgers on a lettuce bun with a grilled pineapple slice.

“Teriyaki

  • Rating: ★★★★★
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“These



Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats

Ingredients

  • 900g minced beef
  • 1 carrot, grated
  • 3 spring onions, chopped
  • 1 tsp. ginger
  • 1 tsp. coconut aminos
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
  • 8 pineapple slices

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, combine the beef mince, carrot, spring onions, ginger, garlic powder and coconut aminos.
  2. Try not to overwork the meat, mix it enough to bring it all together and spread the flavours.
  3. Divide the meat into eight portions and shape them into burger patties.
  4. Place the burgers on a lined baking tray.
  5. Spread a little of the teriyaki sauce over each burger.
  6. Cover the burgers and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.
  7. Cook your burgers over high heat, either on a BBQ or in a griddle pan.
  8. Add a little of the teriyaki sauce to each side while cooking.
  9. Depending on the thickness of your burgers, it should take about 5 minutes per side.
  10. While the burgers are cooking, start grilling the pineapple; it should take 3 minutes on each side, or until it begins to caramelise. If you are cooking on a BBQ, the pineapple may cook more quickly. Keep it away from direct heat so it doesn’t burn.
  11. Serve the burgers on a lettuce bun with a grilled pineapple slice.

Nutrition

Per Serving:187 calories; 4.6g fat; 15.2g carbohydrates; 22.5g protein

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Baking tray
  • Beeswax wrap
  • BBQ or Griddle pan
  • Sauce brush
  • Spatula
  • Tongs 

Nutritional disclaimer

Nutrition information is provided as an estimate based on the ingredients used and available in my area (New Zealand). The nutritional information is here to help you understand the recipe; I use MyFitnessPal to generate my estimates. For more accurate nutritional information, please use a nutritional calculator with the ingredients in your area.

Reuben bowl

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Starting the year with a bowl

Last Christmas, I spent some quality time with friends playing Unstable Unicorns, Settlers of Catan and Exploding Kittens. To go with all of the fun games, there were a lot of drinks and good food to keep us going. One of my favourite dishes was the trusty Reuben bowl. It is always a crowd pleaser, and on long, hot summer days, it is perfect for grazing between fun activities.

Switching up the traditional Reuben

I’m a big fan of the Reuben sandwich, the combination of pastrami, sauerkraut and dressing is always a winner in my book. While I love the traditional flavours, I swear there is something wrong with my brain; it always looks for ways to adapt recipes to make them more interesting or change them up in some way. This recipe is an excellent example of my brain doing what it does best. My corned beef has a great crust and flavour, thanks to the seared outside and brine. It is a worthy replacement for pastrami and is much easier to get than brisket. To switch out sauerkraut was easy. I know from experience that corned beef and cabbage go together perfectly, so that was a no-brainer. The challenge was finding a flavour that could replace the tang of the sauerkraut without overpowering the corned beef. It took a few tries before I landed on sesame seed oil; it may appear to be an odd flavour to go with, but trust me, it works. The sesame seed oil adds a rich, nutty flavour to the cabbage that complements the other flavours without being overpowering. While this recipe doesn’t look anything like the traditional Reuben, I promise that if you give it a try, you won’t be disappointed.

Reuben bowl recipe

Ingredients

  • 1kg corned beef, cooked
  • 1 head cabbage, cut into strips
  • 3 tbsp. Sesame oil
  • salt and pepper
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 250g mozzarella cheese
  • 3/4 cup thousand Island dressing

Instructions

Cook your corned beef, you can check out my recipe for corned beef.

Take a large pot and place it over a medium heat.

Heat a little of the sesame oil and sauté the cabbage in batches with some of the garlic.

Take care not to burn the garlic while the cabbage is cooking.

Season the cabbage as it is cooking.

Place the sautéed cabbage in a large bowl and sprinkle over half of the cheese.

Spread the corned beef on top of the cabbage and top with the remaining cheese.

Drizzle with dressing, then serve.

“Reuben

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“Another



Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats

Ingredients

  • 1kg corned beef, cooked
  • 1 head cabbage, cut into strips
  • 3 tbsp. Sesame oil
  • salt and pepper
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 250g mozzarella cheese
  • 3/4 cup thousand Island dressing

Directions

  1. Take a large pot and place it over a medium heat.
  2. Heat a little of the sesame oil and sauté the cabbage in batches with some of the garlic.
  3. Take care not to burn the garlic while the cabbage is cooking.
  4. Season the cabbage as it is cooking.
  5. Place the sautéed cabbage in a large bowl and sprinkle over half of the cheese.
  6. Spread the corned beef on top of the cabbage and top with the remaining cheese.
  7. Drizzle with dressing, then serve.

Nutrition

Per Serving: 424 calories; 19g fat; 20g carbohydrates; 26g protein

Equipment

  • Knife
  • Chopping board
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Kitchen scale
  • Large pan
  • Tongs

Nutritional disclaimer

Nutrition information is provided as an estimate based on the ingredients used and available in my area (New Zealand). The nutritional information is here to help you understand the recipe; I use MyFitnessPal to generate my estimates. For more accurate nutritional information, please use a nutritional calculator with the ingredients in your area.

Jalapeno burgers

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Who doesn’t want to have simple and tasty meals?

Maintaining a clean eating lifestyle is all about keeping things simple; if it is complicated, you make it harder for yourself. My focus recently has been on creating recipes that can be prepared and cooked quickly on a busy weeknight.

We all struggle to make healthy and tasty meals while keeping on top of everything else in life. This recipe is healthy, delicious and easy to make. You can cook on a single tray in the oven, and it is cooked in under 30 minutes. The preparation takes no more than 20 minutes, involving all the slicing, dicing, and mixing.  Each meal is portioned to feed four adults.

Jalapeno burgers

Takeaway alternative

We all love a naughty takeaway, but we can all live without the extra calories and the expanding waistlines. You don’t need to live without your takeaway; swap it out for a delicious and healthier fakeaway. These burgers have quickly become one of my favourite burgers to make. During the many months of COVID lockdown here in Auckland, these burgers were my go-to cheat meal. Even with lockdowns a distant memory, I still break these burgers out when I’m craving something naughty but don’t want all the processed crap that comes from real takeout. The best thing about these burgers is the cheese-filled open top; the filling delivers a light cheese crust with a beautifully creamy and spicy filling. 

Jalapeno burger recipe

Jalapeno burger ingredients

Ingredients 

  • 1 jalapeno pepper 
  • 1 tbsp. yoghurt 
  • 4 tbsp. mozzarella cheese, grated
  • 30g Goat cheese
  • 180g minced beef
  • 1 garlic clove, minced 
  • 1/2 tbsp. Cumin
  • 1/2 tsp chilli flakes 
  • Sea salt 
  • Ground pepper 

Slice jalapeño in half, remove the seeds and finely chop them.

Chopped jalapeno

In a bowl, mix together the yogurt, mozzarella, goat cheese, and jalapeño. 

Cheese

Take a small muffin tray and divide the cheese mix between 6 cups of the muffin tray.

Place the muffin tray in the freezer for 15 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C / 360 degrees F

Line a baking tray with baking paper or a silicone liner

Baking tray and silicone liner

While the cheese is chilling, start on the burger mix.

Take a large mixing bowl and add the meat, garlic, cumin, sea salt, and ground pepper. 

Beef mince
Beef mince

Mix the meat well and divide it into six portions.

Burger mix divided

Remove the muffin tray from the freezer and remove the cheese mix from the tray.

Take one portion of meat and flatten it out into a pattie.

Add a cheese portion to the centre of the pattie and bring the meat up around the cheese gently.

You should have enough meat to cover most of the cheese; leave a small opening at the top of the burger.

Bake at 180 degrees C / 360 degrees F for 20 minutes.

The outside of the burger should be brown, and the cheese is bubbling out the top.

Jalapeno burgers fresh from the oven

Serve on a bed of lettuce or between two quick rounds.

Jalapeno burger

  • Rating: ★★★★★
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“An



Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats 

Ingredients

  • 1 Jalapeno pepper 
  • 1 tbsp. yoghurt 
  • 4 tbsp. mozzarella cheese, grated
  • 30g Goat cheese
  • 500g minced beef
  • 1 garlic clove, minced 
  • 1/2 tbsp. Cumin
  • 1/2 tsp chilli flakes 
  • Sea salt 
  • Ground pepper
    • 


Directions

  1. Slice jalapeño in half, remove the seeds and finely chop them.
  2. In a bowl, mix together the yogurt, mozzarella, goat cheese, and jalapeño. 
  3. Take a small muffin tray and divide the cheese mix between 6 cups of the muffin tray.
  4. Place the muffin tray in the freezer for 15 minutes.
  5. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C / 360 degrees F
  6. Line a baking tray with baking paper or a silicone liner
  7. While the cheese is chilling, start on the burger mix.
  8. Take a large mixing bowl and add the meat, garlic, cumin, sea salt, and ground pepper. 
  9. Mix the meat well and divide it into six portions.
  10. Remove the muffin tray from the freezer and remove the cheese mix from the tray.
  11. Take one portion of meat and flatten it out into a pattie.
  12. Add a cheese portion to the centre of the pattie and bring the meat up around the cheese gently.
  13. You should have enough meat to cover most of the cheese; leave a small opening at the top of the burger.
  14. Bake at 180 degrees C / 360 degrees F for 20 minutes.
  15. The outside of the burger should be brown, and the cheese is bubbling out the top.
  16. Serve on a bed of lettuce or between two quick rounds.

Nutrition

Per Serving: 158 calories; 8 g fat; 1 g carbohydrates; 19 g protein

Equipment

  • Knife
  • Chopping board
  • Fork
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Measuring spoons
  • Kitchen scale
  • Silicone muffin pan
  • Spoon
  • Baking tray
  • Baking paper or silicone liner

Nutritional disclaimer

Nutrition information is provided as an estimate based on the ingredients used and available in my area (New Zealand). The nutritional information is here to help you understand the recipe; I use MyFitnessPal to generate my estimates. For more accurate nutritional information, please use a nutritional calculator with the ingredients in your area.

Pasta free lasagne

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Revisiting family favourites

I’ve been revisiting recipes that have been some of my old-school recipes and favourites that were staples when I got started eating clean. I first posted this recipe in 2015; at that time, my step kids were fussy, vegetables had to be hidden and disguised, and there was no potential for intense flavours or spice. 

As the kids grew, my recipes changed organically to meet their palates and preferences. I’ve updated this recipe because of that, but fear not; the original recipe suitable for kids and less developed palates is at the bottom of the post.

Hot lasagne fresh from the oven
Hot lasagne fresh from the oven

Clean eating take of a classic

This was one of the first meals I made with a pasta alternative; much like replacing pasta with zoodles/coodles. I was always game to sneak some extra vegetables into the family meals, but this is one of the few meals I don’t need to hide the vegetables at all. The popular opinion of the kids back then was that this lasagne was better than one made with traditional pasta. I can’t say I disagree. As times have changed and this lasagne recipe is no longer entirely consumed in one sitting, it has become one of my favourite freezer meals. I can either make it in bulk and portion it out to enjoy some comfort food when needed or have a tray in the freezer for when I have company over. 

Secret to success

The secret to a good lasagna is the depth of flavour. Flavour isn’t instant; it takes time and some effort. When I’m making lasagna, I tend to make the meat sauce the day before to let the herbs get to know the meat and sauce, mingle, and start the flavour party. The longer you leave the meat and herbs to party, the better your lasagna will taste. 

Pasta free lasagne recipe

Lasagne ingredients
Lasagne ingredients

Ingredients

  • 500g minced beef
  • 1 onion finely diced
  • 2 celery sticks, finely chopped
  • 1 can tomatoes, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tsp. basil
  • 1 tsp. oregano
  • 1 tbsp. red chilli flakes
  • 1 tbsp. coconut oil
  • 4 carrots cut into ribbons
  • 2 cups cheese, grated 
  • 250g cottage cheese

Instructions

Add the coconut oil to a stockpot over medium heat.

Add the onion and cook until the onion starts to soften.

Add the onion to a stockpot and cook until the onion starts to soften
Add the onion to a stockpot and cook until the onion starts to soften

Add the garlic, basil, chilli and oregano to the pan.

Add the garlic, basil and oregano to the pan
Add the garlic, basil and oregano to the pan
Cook until the onion is softening
Cook until the onion is softening

Add the beef mince to the pan and cook the beef until it browns.

Add the beef mince to the pan
Add the beef mince to the pan
Cook the beef until it browns
Cook the beef until it browns

Add the chopped tomatoes to the pan along with the chopped celery.

Add the celery
Add the celery
Add the chopped tomatoes to the pan
Add the chopped tomatoes to the pan 

Simmer the mixture for 10 minutes, then turn off the heat.

Simmer the mixture for 10 minutes then turn off the heat
Simmer the mixture for 10 minutes then turn off the heat

While the meat and sauce are simmering, take a baking dish and ensure you have enough carrot ribbons to build your lasagne layers.

When the meat simmers, you can start to layer the lasagne.

Start with a carrot ribbons layer at the baking dish’s bottom.

Start with a layer of carrot ribbons at the bottom of the baking dish.
Start with a layer of carrot ribbons at the bottom of the baking dish.

Next, add half the meat and sauce to create a layer in the baking dish.

Next add a half of the meat and sauce to create a layer in the baking dish.
Next add a half of the meat and sauce to create a layer in the baking dish.
Create a layer in the baking dish.
Create a layer in the baking dish.

Add another layer of carrot ribbons on top of the meat.

Add another layer of carrot ribbons on top of the meat.
Add another layer of carrot ribbons on top of the meat.

Next, add half of the cottage cheese and spread it across the dish, then top it with half the grated cheese.

Next add half of the cottage cheese
Next add half of the cottage cheese
Top with half the cheese
Top with half the cheese 

Top with half the cheese, and another layer of carrot ribbons.

Repeat the layers with meat, carrot ribbons, cottage cheese and grated cheese.

Repeat the layers with meat, carrot ribbons, cottage cheese and grated cheese.
Repeat the layers with meat, carrot ribbons, cottage cheese and grated cheese.

If you can leave the lasagna overnight before baking it, the longer you leave it, the better it will taste.

Bake the lasagne at 180 degrees C/ 350 degrees F for 30 minutes.

Remove the lasagne from the oven when the cheese is brown and bubbly.

Bake the lasagne at 180 degrees C/ 350 degrees F for 30 minutes
Bake the lasagne at 180 degrees C/ 350 degrees F for 30 minutes

Let the lasagne rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Let the lasagne rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving
Let the lasagne rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving

Pasta free lasagne

  • Servings: 8
  • Rating: ★★★★★
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Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats

Ingredients

  • 500g minced beef
  • 1 courgette diced
  • 1 onion finely diced
  • 1 red pepper diced
  • 1 can tomatoes
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tsp. basil
  • 1 tsp. oregano
  • 1 tbsp. Red chilli flakes
  • 1 tbsp. coconut oil
  • 2 courgettes cut into ribbons
  • 2 carrots cut into ribbons
  • 2 cups cheese, grated

Directions

  1. Add the coconut oil to a stockpot over medium heat.
  2. Add the onion and cook until the onion starts to soften.
  3. Add the garlic, basil, chilli and oregano to the pan.
  4. Add the beef mince to the pan and cook the beef until it browns.
  5. Add the chopped tomatoes to the pan along with the chopped celery.
  6. Simmer the mixture for 10 minutes, then turn off the heat.
  7. While the meat and sauce are simmering, take a baking dish and ensure you have enough carrot ribbons to build your lasagne layers.
  8. When the meat simmers, you can start to layer the lasagne.
  9. Start with a carrot ribbons layer at the baking dish’s bottom.
  10. Next, add half the meat and sauce to create a layer in the baking dish.
  11. Add another layer of carrot ribbons on top of the meat.
  12. Next, add half of the cottage cheese and spread it across the dish, then top it with half the grated cheese.
  13. Top with half the cheese, and another layer of carrot ribbons.
  14. Repeat the layers with meat, carrot ribbons, cottage cheese and grated cheese.
  15. If you can leave the lasagna overnight before baking it, the longer you leave it, the better it will taste.
  16. Bake the lasagne at 180 degrees C/ 350 degrees F for 30 minutes.
  17. Remove the lasagne from the oven when the cheese is brown and bubbly.
  18. Let the lasagne rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Nutrition

Per Serving: 350 calories; 25.7 g fat; 8.2 g carbohydrates; 21.7 g protein

Equipment

  • Stockpot
  • Wooden spoon
  • Vegetable peeler
  • Knife
  • Grater
  • Chopping board
  • Baking dish

Nutritional disclaimer

Nutrition information is provided as an estimate based on the ingredients used and available in my area (New Zealand). The nutritional information is here to help you understand the recipe; I use MyFitnessPal to generate my estimates. For more accurate nutritional information, please use a nutritional calculator with the ingredients in your area.

Pasta free lasagne – kid friendly recipe

Ingredients

  • 500g minced beef
  • 1 courgette diced
  • 1 onion finely diced
  • 1 red pepper diced
  • 1 can tomatoes 
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tsp. basil
  • 1 tsp. oregano
  • 1 tbsp. coconut oil
  • 2 courgettes cut into ribbons
  • 2 carrots cut into ribbons
  • 2 cups cheese, grated 

Instructions

  1. In a stockpot heat the coconut oil, garlic, onion basil and oregano over a medium heat, cook until the onion is soft.
  2. Add the beef mince and cook off until browned. 
  3. Pour in the tomatoes along with the diced vegetables to the meat and cook for 10 minutes. 
  4. In a baking dish create a layer of carrot ribbons to cover the bottom add a layer of meat then cover with a layer of courgette ribbons, top with cheese. 
  5. Repeat until you reach the top of the baking dish, top the final layer with cheese.
  6. If you can leave the lasagne overnight before you bake it, the longer you leave it the better it will taste.
  7. Bake the lasagne at 180 degrees C/ 350 degrees F for 30 minutes.
  8. When the cheese is brown and bubbly remove the lasagne from the oven.
  9. Let the lasagne rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Beef and ale stew

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Winter is taking hold down here in the Southern hemisphere which means we are looking for comfort food. I am not a very interested in booze for drinking, but I don’t have anything against cooking with it. This stew is a true winter warmer and perfect for a wet and windy night in front of the fire.

Freezer meal

Hands up if you are busy. Who is way too tired to get in the kitchen to cook at the end of the day? Definitely not me.

My days are filled with meetings, to-do lists, emails and telling people what to do, by the time I finish work the last thing I want to do is get stuck into cooking a meal and then cleaning up afterwards. I want to work out and spend some time with Jaime. That is why freezer meals are my favourite solutions to the challenge of a busy life. A few hours on the weekend, and you find yourself with a stack of options for dinner that can be thawed and cooked for a healthy, delicious meal for the family.

Beef and ale stew recipe

Ingredients

  • 3 bay leaves
  • 500g diced stewing beef
  • 500ml ale
  • 2 celery sticks chopped
  • 2 onions chopped
  • 2 carrots sliced
  • Olive oil
  • 1 tsp. tapioca flour
  • 1 can tomatoes

Beef and ale stew

  • Servings: 6
  • Rating: ★★★★★
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This winter warmer is an idea meal to keep you warm and full.



Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats

Ingredients

  • 3 bay leaves
  • 500g diced stewing beef
  • 500ml ale
  • 2 celery sticks chopped
  • 2 onions chopped
  • 2 carrots sliced
  • Olive oil
  • 1 tsp. tapioca flour
  • 1 can tomatoes

Directions

  1. Take a large stock pot and add the olive oil to the pot.
  2. Add the vegetables and bay leaves to the pot over a medium heat.
  3. Cook the vegetables for 10 minutes, try not to break up the bay leaves as the vegetables cook.
  4. Add the meat and flour to pot and stir well, make sure the meat and vegetables are coated in the flour.
  5. Add the ale to the pot and mix well.
  6. Add the can of tomatoes to the pot.
  7. Stir well and bring the liquid to a boil.
  8. Reduce the heat so that the liquid is gently simmering.
  9. Let the stew simmer for 3 hours, stir occasionally to make sure the stew doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot.
  10. Remove the bay leaves.
  11. Serve over cauliflower rice or cauliflower mash.

Nutrition

Per Serving: 197 calories; 5.5 g fat; 8.4 g carbohydrates; 18.3 g protein

Equipment

  • Knife
  • Chopping board
  • Scale
  • Measuring spoons 
  • Stock pot
  • Wooden spoon

Nutritional disclaimer

Nutrition information is provided as an estimate based on the ingredients used and available in my area (New Zealand). The nutritional information is here to help you understand the recipe; I use MyFitnessPal to generate my estimates. For more accurate nutritional information, please use a nutritional calculator with the ingredients in your area.

Sweet Potato Enchiladas

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Enchiladas are awesome!!

I think most people know that I love all Mexican food, enchiladas are one of my favourites. 

As much as I love them, I can’t do the corn tortilla option regularly. I am always looking for alternatives that let me enjoy my favourite meals. For this one, I decided to try thinly sliced sweet potato as the alternative to tortillas.

As alternatives go, this is great and not as filling as the traditional corn tortilla option.

Freezer meal

Hands up if you are busy. Who is way too tired to get in the kitchen to cook at the end of the day? Definitely not me.

My days are filled with meetings, to-do lists, emails and telling people what to do. By the time I finish work, the last thing I want to do is get stuck into cooking a meal and then cleaning up afterwards. I want to work out and spend some time with Jaime. That is why freezer meals are my favourite solutions to the challenge of a busy life. A few hours on the weekend, and you find yourself with a stack of options for dinner that can be thawed and cooked for a healthy, delicious meal for the family.

Sweet potato enchiladas recipe

Ingredients

  • 3 sweet potatoes, sliced thinly
  • 450g minced beef
  • 1/2 onion diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 50g green peppers diced
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1/4 tsp. chilli powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 3-4 tbsp. Coconut Oil
  • Enchilada sauce

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 170 degrees C/ 330 degrees F.

Use a mandolin to slice your sweet potatoes lengthwise thinly.

Using a knife means you don’t get even thickness, so I use a mandolin.

Using a large pan over medium heat, brush the inside with coconut oil.

When the pan is hot, add some of your sweet potatoes slices.

Cook your sliced sweet potatoes until they are soft, don’t let them get crispy. 

Work in batches to ensure they cook properly.

When cooked, remove excess oil with kitchen towel and chill while you prepare your meat.

In a frying pan, add a little oil, then the minced garlic and onion.

When the onion becomes translucent, add in your minced beef along with the peppers and spices.

Allow everything to cook, break up the minced beef and allow all of the flavours to mingle.

Add a spoonful of enchilada sauce to the bottom of a baking dish.

Build the enchiladas by taking three slices of sweet potato and overlap them to create a fan.

I like to place them on some kitchen paper.

Spoon some of the meat mix into the centre of the sweet potato. 

Fold the sweet potato around the meat and place the roll in the bottom of the baking dish.

Place the end of the roll on the bottom so that it doesn’t unravel.

Repeat with the remaining sweet potato and meat.

Place leftover meat around your enchiladas.

Pour your enchilada sauce on top.

Bake for 15 minutes.

Serve hot with some salsa and guacamole.

Sweet potato enchiladas

  • Servings: “6
  • Rating: ★★★★★
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“



Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats 

Ingredients

– 3 sweet potatoes, sliced thinly – 450g minced beef – 1/2 onion diced – 2 garlic cloves, minced – 50g green peppers diced – 1/2 tsp. ground cumin – 1/4 tsp. chilli powder – Salt and pepper to taste – 3-4 tbsp. Coconut Oil – Enchilada sauce

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 170 degrees C/ 330 degrees F.
  2. Use a mandolin to slice your sweet potatoes lengthwise thinly.
  3. Using a knife means you don’t get even thickness, so I use a mandolin.
  4. Using a large pan over medium heat, brush the inside with coconut oil.
  5. When the pan is hot, add some of your sweet potatoes slices.
  6. Cook your sliced sweet potatoes until they are soft, don’t let them get crispy.
  7. Work in batches to ensure they cook properly.
  8. When cooked, remove excess oil with some kitchen towel and chill while you prepare your meat.
  9. In a frying pan, add a little oil, then the minced garlic and onion.
  10. When the onion becomes translucent, add in your minced beef along with the peppers and spices.
  11. Allow everything to cook, break up the minced beef and allow all of the flavours to mingle.
  12. Add a spoonful of enchilada sauce to the bottom of a baking dish.
  13. Build the enchiladas by taking three slices of sweet potato and overlap them to create a fan.
  14. I like to place them on some kitchen paper.
  15. Spoon some of the meat mix into the centre of the sweet potato.
  16. Fold the sweet potato around the meat and place the roll in the bottom of the baking dish.
  17. Place the end of the roll on the bottom so that it doesn’t unravel.
  18. Repeat with the remaining sweet potato and meat.
  19. Place leftover meat around your enchiladas.
  20. Pour your enchilada sauce on top.
  21. Bake for 15 minutes.
  22. Serve hot with some salsa and guacamole.

Nutrition

Per Serving: 321 calories; 22.3g fat; 14.5g carbohydrates; 15.9g protein

Equipment

  • Knife
  • Chopping board
  • Mandolin
  • Frying pan
  • Tongs
  • Wooden spoon
  • Baking dish 
  • Kitchen paper

Nutritional disclaimer

Nutrition information is provided as an estimate based on the ingredients used and available in my area (New Zealand). The nutritional information is here to help you understand the recipe; I use MyFitnessPal to generate my estimates. For more accurate nutritional information, please use a nutritional calculator with the ingredients in your area.

Cottage Pie

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Master the basics

Eating clean gets a lot easier once you have mastered a few essential recipes. This recipe is basic, not like basic unicorn basic, more like beard and flannel basic. Back to the point (which isn’t Unstable unicorns), having basic skills and recipes in your arsenal means you will never be left with only UberEats as your weeknight options. Once you master this recipe, the possibilities are endless. 

A fresh spin on a classic

The traditional cottage pie was a way to use leftover roasted meat from the Sunday dinner and topping the pie with mashed potato to make the leftovers go a little further. Obviously, the person who first came up with the cottage pie didn’t have a hungry family like mine to feed; having leftover meat does not happen in my house often. My version of cottage pie comes with a big helping of beef mince to keep my hungry boys happy.

Lower carbs big flavour

I wanted to make a lower-carb version of the traditional cottage pie by swapping out the mashed potatoes for mashed cauliflower. The cauliflower mash is a great way to reduce carbs without trading off on flavour. 

Cottage pie recipe

Ingredients

  • 750g minced beef
  • 2 tsp. oil
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 1 carrot, finely diced
  • 1 celery stick, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup tomato sauce
  • 2 tsp. Worcestershire
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • 1 tbsp. butter, melted
  • 1 head cauliflower
  • 2 cups vegetables to serve

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C/ 350 degrees F.

In a large frying pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat.

Add the onion, carrot and celery to the pan, cook for 5 to 7 minutes or until tender.

Make sure to stir the vegetables often.

Add the mince to the pan and cook for a further 5 minutes or until mince is browned, stir regularly to break up the mince.

Reduce heat to medium-low, add the sauces, and season to taste.

Cover the pan and simmer for 15 minutes.

Remove the mix from the heat and set to one side.

To make your mash topping, chop the cauliflower into chunks and place in a steamer*

Steam the cauliflower until it is tender, remove from the heat and allow it cool a little.

Use a food processor to blend down the cauliflower with the butter until you get a smooth consistency.

Spoon the meat mixture into a large baking dish and top with the cauliflower mash.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until piping hot and the mash is golden.

  • Servings: “6
  • Rating: ★★★★★
  • Print

“A



Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats

Ingredients

  • 750g minced beef
  • 2 tsp. oil
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 1 carrot, finely diced
  • 1 celery stick, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup tomato sauce
  • 2 tsp. Worcestershire
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • 1 tbsp. butter, melted
  • 1 head cauliflower
  • 2 cups vegetables to serve

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C/ 350 degrees F.
  2. In a large frying pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat.
  3. Add the onion, carrot and celery to the pan, cook for 5 to 7 minutes or until tender.
  4. Make sure to stir the vegetables often.
  5. Add the mince to the pan and cook for a further 5 minutes or until mince is browned, stir regularly to break up the mince.
  6. Reduce heat to medium-low, add the sauces, and season to taste.
  7. Cover the pan and simmer for 15 minutes.
  8. Remove the mix from the heat and set to one side.
  9. To make your mash topping, chop the cauliflower into chunks and place in a steamer*
  10. Steam the cauliflower until it is tender, remove from the heat and allow it cool a little.
  11. Use a food processor to blend down the cauliflower with the butter until you get a smooth consistency.
  12. Spoon the meat mixture into a large baking dish and top with the cauliflower mash.
  13. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until piping hot and the mash is golden.
  14. *if you don’t have a steamer, you can use a colander over the top of a pan of boiling water

Nutrition

Per Serving:249 calories; 10.1 g fat; 1.1 g carbohydrates; 20.1 g protein

Equipment

  • Frying pan
  • Wooden spoon
  • Vegetable steamer
  • Tongs
  • Food processor
  • Spatula
  • Baking dish 

Nutritional disclaimer

Nutrition information is provided as an estimate based on the ingredients used and available in my area (New Zealand). The nutritional information is here to help you understand the recipe; I use MyFitnessPal to generate my estimates. For more accurate nutritional information, please use a nutritional calculator with the ingredients in your area.

Beef and snow pea stir-fry

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Last of the Snow peas

During the summer months, my mother in law has a little veg patch in her garden that keeps the family in spinach, silverbeet, cucumbers, beans, snow peas and spaghetti squash. Some years the haul from the garden is better than others, this year has been very dry, so we have had far less to eat from the garden. The snow peas have been small and kind of dry until recently, which is a shame because I do love them. last week we got a reasonable haul of snow peas to come home with, not wanting to waste the sweet crisp freshness of the snow peas I decided a tasty beef stir-fry would make the best use of the little green treats.

Beef and snow pea stir-fry recipe

Ingredients 

  • 1/2 cup coconut aminos
  • 1 tbsp. honey
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 tsp. ginger
  • 2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 300g snow peas
  • 4 tbsp. sunflower oil
  • 300g mushrooms sliced thinly
  • 500g beef, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups cooked cauliflower rice 

Whisk together the coconut aminos, honey, garlic cloves, ginger, and vinegar in a bowl, then set aside.

Heat a wok or large frying pan, add two tablespoons of sunflower oil. 

When you add the oil, it should be smoking hot.

Add the sliced mushrooms to the wok and cook them on high heat, occasionally stirring. 

When they start to brown, remove them from the pan and set them to one side.

Return the wok to the heat, add the remaining sunflower oil.

Add half of the beef to the pan.  

Stir the meat and cook it until it is browned. 

Remove the cooked meat from the pan and set it to one side.  

Repeat with the remainder of the meat.

Add all of the meat, mushrooms, and snow peas to the pan with the sauce.  

Stir everything together over a high heat for about two minutes.

Serve over the cooked cauliflower rice.

Beef and snow pea stir-fry 

  • Servings: “6
  • Rating: ★★★★★
  • Print

“A



Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup coconut aminos
  • 1 tbsp. honey
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 tsp. ginger
  • 2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 300g snow peas
  • 4 tbsp. sunflower oil
  • 300g mushrooms sliced thinly
  • 500g beef, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups cooked cauliflower rice

Directions

  1. In a bowl, whisk together the coconut aminos, honey, garlic cloves, ginger, and vinegar then set aside.
  2. Heat a wok or large frying pan, add two tablespoons of sunflower oil when you add the oil it should be smoking hot.
  3. Add the sliced mushrooms to the wok and cook them on a high heat, occasionally stirring, when they start to brown remove them from the pan and set them to one side.
  4. Return the wok to the heat, add the remaining sunflower oil.
  5. Add half of the beef to the pan.  
  6. Stir the meat and cook it until it is browned, remove the cooked meat from the pan and set to one side.  
  7. Repeat with the remainder of the meat.
  8. Add all of the meat, mushrooms, and snow peas to the pan with the sauce.  
  9. Stir everything together over a high heat for about two minutes.
  10. Serve over the cooked cauliflower rice.

Nutrition

Per Serving: 256 calories; 14 g fat; 17 g carbohydrates; 14 g protein

Equipment

  • Wok or large frying pan
  • Measuring cups
  • Scales
  • Measuring spoons
  • Knife
  • Chopping board
  • Spatula

Nutritional disclaimer

Nutrition information is provided as an estimate based on the ingredients used and available in my area (New Zealand). The nutritional information is here to help you understand the recipe; I use MyFitnessPal to generate my estimates. For more accurate nutritional information, please use a nutritional calculator with the ingredients in your area.

Reuben slaw

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I don’t want it hot

I’m a fan of the Reuben Sandwich, I love the flavours and would happily fall off the no grain wagon to snarf a grilled Reuben Sandwich. As I try my best not to fall off the wagon coming up with alternatives seems like the best approach. Sometimes it is too warm for a Reuben roast or a Reuben casserole; sometimes I want all the excellent flavour without spending hours in the kitchen or turning on the oven. Enter the Reuben slaw. This slaw brings together the peppery pastrami, creamy mayo and crisp cabbage with some mellow Swiss cheese. A few minutes of chopping and you have a perfect meaty bowl of slaw.

Reuben slaw

Ingredients

  • 450g pastrami, finely sliced
  • 300g Swiss cheese, finely sliced
  • 1/2 head cabbage, finely sliced
  • 1/4 cup easy mayo

Reuben slaw

  • Servings: 8
  • Rating: ★★★★★
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Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats

Ingredients

  • 450g pastrami, finely sliced
  • 300g Swiss cheese, finely sliced
  • 1/2 head cabbage, finely sliced
  • 1/4 cup easy mayo

Directions

  1. Mix together all ingredients in a bowl.
  2. Chill for 2 hours before serving.

Nutrition

Per Serving: 254 calories; 18 g fat; 2 g carbohydrates; 16 g protein

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Spatula
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons

Nutritional disclaimer

Nutrition information is provided as an estimate based on the ingredients used and available in my area (New Zealand). The nutritional information is here to help you understand the recipe; I use MyFitnessPal to generate my estimates. For more accurate nutritional information, please use a nutritional calculator with the ingredients in your area.

One tray steak fajitas

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Simple meals don’t have to be boring  

I have been on a mission to make simple and tasty meals. I aim to create recipes that can be prepared and cooked quickly on a busy weeknight. We all struggle to make healthy and delicious meals while keeping on top of everything else in life. So this recipe is designed to be healthy, delicious and easy to make. You can cook this meal on a single tray in the oven. The preparation takes no more than 20 minutes and is portioned to feed four adults.  

One tray steak fajitas ready to eat
One tray steak fajitas ready to eat

Taking a break from tacos  

This recipe was born from a need to take a little break from tacos. Don’t get me wrong; I have nothing against tacos, I love them, but we have been eating a lot of tacos recently so I thought a little change would do us some good. Still wanting something Mexican and fresh, I thought fajitas would be a good option. The best part of this recipe is eating the rainbow; the mix of peppers always looks fantastic. I’m always happy when I can find a way to get a big portion of veggies with dinner. These steak fajitas are an excellent option for an easy weeknight meal and just as easy to make as tacos.   

One tray steak fajitas video

One tray steak fajitas  

One tray steak fajitas ingredients
One tray steak fajitas  ingredients

Ingredients   

  • 450g steaks  
  • 2 tsp chilli powder  
  • 1 tsp ground cumin  
  • 1 tsp garlic powder  
  • 1 tsp paprika  
  • 1/2 tsp salt  
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper  
  • 1/4 cup olive oil  
  • 1 tsp minced garlic  
  • 1 onion, thinly sliced   
  • 1 red pepper, thinly sliced  
  • 1 yellow pepper, thinly sliced  
  • 1 green pepper, thinly sliced  
In a bowl mix together the peppers.
In a bowl mix together the peppers.
In a bowl mix together the peppers.
In a bowl mix together the peppers.
In a bowl mix together the peppers.
In a bowl mix together the peppers.
Add the onions to the bowl.
Add the onions to the bowl.
Add the steak to the bowl.
Add the steak to the bowl.
Mix well
Mix well
Ready to spread out on the baking tray
Ready to spread out on the baking tray
Transfer the ingredients to the baking tray.
Transfer the ingredients to the baking tray.
Spread the ingredients out
Spread the ingredients out
Sprinkle over the seasoning and mix well
Sprinkle over the seasoning and mix well
Bake
Bake
One tray steak fajitas ready to eat
One tray steak fajitas ready to eat

One tray steak fajitas

  • Servings: 6
  • Rating: ★★★★★
  • Print

This one tray meal a great option for busy week nights or an action packed weekend.



Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats

Ingredients

  • 450g steaks  
  • 2 tsp chilli powder  
  • 1 tsp ground cumin  
  • 1 tsp garlic powder  
  • 1 tsp paprika  
  • 1/2 tsp salt  
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper  
  • 1/4 cup olive oil  
  • 1 tsp minced garlic  
  • 1 onion, thinly sliced   
  • 1 red pepper, thinly sliced  
  • 1 yellow pepper, thinly sliced  
  • 1 green pepper, thinly sliced  

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees C/ 400 degrees F.   
  2. In a bowl, combine the chilli, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper to make a fajita seasoning.   
  3. In a large bowl, mix together the steak, onions and peppers with the olive oil.   
  4. Sprinkle with the minced garlic and mix again.  
  5. Spread the meat and vegetables out on a baking tray lined with baking paper or a silicone liner.
  6. Sprinkle the fajita seasoning over the meat and vegetables.  
  7. Cover the tray with foil.  
  8. Bake for 20 minutes with the foil on the tray, remove the foil and bake for another 5 minutes.  Bake for 20 minutes with the foil on the tray, remove the foil and bake for another 5 minutes.  
  9. Remove the tray from the oven and let the meat rest for 5 minutes before slicing.  
  10. Serve.  

Nutrition

Per Serving: 266 calories; 19 g fat; 7 g carbohydrates; 16 g protein

Equipment  

  • Knife  
  • Chopping board  
  • Baking tray  
  • Baking paper or a silicone liner
  • Aluminium foil
  • Mixing bowl
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Scales

Nutritional disclaimer

Nutrition information is provided as an estimate based on the ingredients used and available in my area (New Zealand). The nutritional information is here to help you understand the recipe; I use MyFitnessPal to generate my estimates. For more accurate nutritional information, please use a nutritional calculator with the ingredients in your area.