Nourished not Famished

Real-life healthy changes, made simple and delicious.

avocado oil

Decadent Five Layer Dip That’s Healthy Enough For Dinner

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the dip that’s a dinner, too
click here to jump to recipe

Yup, you can have your dip and your health, too. It’s easy to dismiss dip as party food only, to be enjoyed without the goal of actually eating healthy. Well, this dip recipe (that’s honestly more of a meal than a dip) is your game changer. It’s easy to assemble, is chock full of vegetables, protein, and slow carbs, AND includes all of those 5-Layer-Dip essentials: avocado, cheese, and a bit of sour cream. Yes, your favorite game-day appetizer can be your Tuesday night dinner! And let’s not forget that you can always dump any leftovers into a container and pack it for lunch tomorrow.

And, no, I didn’t resort to anything gross like lowfat cheese and fake meat in a misguided attempt to make this healthy. Uh uh. No way. I would never do that to you guys. You deserve better. Instead, I made a few tweaks that shifted this into “healthy enough for everyday”, while still giving you the full fiesta experience that a proper five layer dip should provide.

  • The bottom layer is your basic refried beans. Refried beans are essential to a five layer dip, and are a great source of slow-acting, satiating carbohydrate (that also happens to include a bit of protein, too). Beans are considered the world’s #1 longevity food, so there’s that, too. Wowsers, right? To keep things easy, I use canned refried beans. I used fat-free because the other types of refried beans (labeled “traditional”, etc.) are often made with low quality fats that are more harmful than healthful. This is where the avocado layer comes in . . .
  • The dip is topped with a generous layer of avocado, which is an excellent source of heart-healthy, anti-inflammatory monounsaturated fat. But wait, there’s more: avocado also is a rich source of potassium, fiber, vitamin K, folate, vitamin C, and more.
  • I added a cup of cauliflower rice (store-bought, straight from the freezer) to the ground turkey. This does not change the texture and taste of the meat layer of this dip. It does, however, painlessly add yet another serving of vegetables to your day. Winning!
  • Instead of chips, I’ve included some healthier options for scooping up. A few options are red pepper strips, homemade corn tortilla chips (which results in chips made with a healthier fat such as avocado oil), or even Ezekiel sprouted grain tortillas you can oven bake for a sturdy chip. Of course, if you (or your loved ones) have a “from my cold dead hands” relationship with classic store-bought tortilla chips, I’m not going to get in your way. This is a no judgment zone.
  • I included some cheese and sour cream in this dip, because, hey, did you even five layer dip if it didn’t include those? I aimed to include enough to satisfy without going overboard. In case you were wondering, yes, a bit of dairy now and then is fine for you, provided you aren’t lactose intolerant. Ideally, opt for grass-fed sources of dairy if possible (but don’t sweat it if that’s not an option). Of course, if you’re lactose intolerant, feel free to subtitute with your favorite dairy-free stand-ins.

I am a big fan of any shortcut that makes a real-food lifestyle easier. Feel free to use store-bought taco seasoning when you make this, but please check the ingredient label for any funny business. You don’t need weird fillers and mystery ingredients in your food. Or you can use what you probably already have in your spice rack, and make my recipe for Taco Seasoning. Keep things easy by passing off the spice recipe to someone else in your household. Hey, if you’re making this incredible five layer dip for them, it’s the least they can do.

If dips are an essential part of your eating life, check out my recipes for 5-Minute Hummus and also Buffalo Chicken Hummus Dip.

leftovers all packed up for tomorrow’s lunch

Print Recipe
 Decadent Five Layer Dip that's Healthy Enough for Dinner
Have your dip and your health, too with this satisfying and nourishing Mexican Five Layer dip. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, an appetizer, or for a snack.
Course Appetizers, Main Dishes
Cuisine Mexican
Servings
generous entree portions (serves more if used as an appetizer)
Ingredients
Dip ingredients
Dipping options (Pick and choose. You do you.)
Course Appetizers, Main Dishes
Cuisine Mexican
Servings
generous entree portions (serves more if used as an appetizer)
Ingredients
Dip ingredients
Dipping options (Pick and choose. You do you.)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350F.
  2. Heat the avocado oil over medium heat in a medium skillet. Add ground turkey. Stir frequently until browned, continuously breaking up the meat into the smallest possible pieces. You might need to turn up the heat beyond medium for part of the cooking process.
  3. Add the taco seasoning to the meat, and stir to combine.
  4. Add the frozen riced cauliflower, and stir to combine. Heat the turkey mixture for about 2-3 more minutes. Set aside.
  5. Spread the refried beans into a 9x13 baking dish, smoothing out evenly with a spatula.
  6. Top the bean layer with the turkey mixture. Spread out the turkey mixture so that it's even distrubuted.
  7. Scatter the shredded cheese over the turkey layer.
  8. Bake in preheated oven for approximately five minutes, long enough to melt the cheese.
  9. Allow baked mixture to cool for a few minutes.
  10. Top with diced avocado, scallions, sour cream, and cilantro.
  11. Serve with your choice of sides (see dipping options above).

Creamy Butternut Squash Soup

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chili roasted butternut squash soup

Squash soup = the quintessential fall and winter soup

click here to jump to recipe

Though pumpkin takes centerstage throughout fall and winter, butternut squash really deserves some time in the spotlight, too. My husband is an avid gardener, and this recipe was inspired by some butternut squash I harvested from our front-yard garden. The fall’s gentle, temperatures here in coastal New England extend the growing season a tiny bit, so we’ll be enjoying a generous pile of squash this winter!

For this soup, I paired the squash with the warm, savory flavors of chili and cumin to balance the squash’s natural sweetness. The final swirl of coconut milk (or cream) gives it a velvety texture.

I am a fan of any recipe that helps me save time in the kitchen. This recipe can be a serious boost to your weekly meal prep if you double it. It freezes well, so it’s wonderful to stash it away for a busy night when you can just defrost it, heat it, and add it to a meal with a lovely protein and huge pile of veggies on the side for an easy, nourishing balanced meal. 

Time-saving tips!

  • Use the peeled, pre-cut squash available at most supermarkets. 
  • Use a handheld immersion blender for the pureeing/blending step. This one is a great option. 

 

Yes, there is a safe way to cut butternut squash.

If the thought of cutting hard butternut squash strikes fear in your heart, no worries! It can be done safely (and easily!), without losing a finger.

You see, I love a good deal when I see one, and I hate spending extra $ on pre-cut squash if it’s no big deal to do it on my own. It’s definitely cheaper to buy it whole, and in purchasing it whole, you get the benefit of extended shelf life compared to pre-cut squash.

Well, here’s the super easy, safe way around that. Instead of attempting to cut a rock-hard raw squash, try this sneaky tip:

instructions on cutting squash safely

This soup is full of comforting, nourishing flavors and textures. It’s warmly spiced without being too spicy, and comes together in just a few steps. And I just couldn’t resist throwing in a few pomegranate arils as a garnish. The tart sweetness totally complements the savory squash flavors. Cranberries or craisins would be a great garnish, too.

 

And if you’re in a soup kind of mood, also check out my super-easy recipe for Black Bean Soup.

helpful tools to make this recipe

Print Recipe
 Creamy Butternut Squash Soup
Course Soups & Stews
Servings
Ingredients
Course Soups & Stews
Servings
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. In a medium pot, heat oil on medium low heat. Add garlic and shallot, and cook until softened. Be careful not to brown the garlic (reduce heat if necessary).
  2. Add cumin, chili powder, and salt, and stir for one minute (until fragrant).
  3. Add cubed squash and approximately 4 cups of broth to pot.
  4. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer, covered, until the squash is tender, about 20 minutes.low for 5 minutes.
  5. Add coconut milk. Using an immersion blender, blend soup until smooth.* If too thick, add more broth as necessary.
  6. Garnish with pomegranate seeds or cranberries if desired.
Recipe Notes

*If you don't have an immersion blender, you can puree the soup in batches in your regular blender. IMPORTANT: Check your blender's directions on how to safely blend hot foods.

Maple Mustard Rosemary Grilled Turkey Tenderloin

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grilled turkey tenderloin

When warm spring and summer temps hit, we want to be outside, chilling out,  and not spending hours in the kitchen, right? Grilling is a great way to keep things simple. No pans to clean, and you can churn out a delicious meal *fast*, and with little effort.

Don’t sweat it when it comes to grilling prep. Keep it simple! I made this mustard, maple, and rosemary grilled turkey tenderloin just flying by the seat of my pants – no real measuring, no fuss. Turkey tenderloins are very flavorful and tender, and perfect for when you feel like you just can’t take another chicken dinner.

picture of kale and blueberry salad with grilled turkeky tenderloin

Grilled maple mustard rosemary turkey tenderloin is a delicious protein addition to a summer salad!

And, FYI, marinating the meat has benefits beyond flavor and tenderness. When meats are grilled, the cooking process generates carcinogenic compounds known as HCAs (heterocyclic amines). Carcino-whut?? Hold on, there  – no need to freak out and toss out your grill!  It turns out that the antioxidant-rich herbs and spices (such as rosemary, thyme, oregano, sage, cumin, coriander seed, and turmeric) that are often found in marinades greatly decrease or *eliminate* these HCAs that are formed when you grill meats. So, sure, it’s totally fine to occasionally enjoy grilled foods. Just remember that marinating those foods has a strongly protective effect by preventing the formation of HCAs. As a matter of fact, rosemary is the superstar when it comes to reducing HCAs, so maybe you wanna give this recipe a try?

 

The marinade basics:

the basics you’ll need to make this marinade


The basic how-to:


the quick and dirty on how this easy recipe comes together (see details below)


Print Recipe
 Maple Mustard Rosemary Grilled Turkey Tenderloin
grilled turkey tenderloin
Course Main Dishes
Servings
Ingredients
Course Main Dishes
Servings
Ingredients
grilled turkey tenderloin
Instructions
  1. Combine oil, rosemary, maple syrup, mustard, and soy sauce. Pour over tenderloins and spread to coat evenly.
  2. Marinate tenderloins in refrigerator for at least two hours, if possible. If you don't have time to marinate that long, aim for 15-30 minutes if you can. It's still gonna taste great.
  3. Cook on the grill at medium heat, approximately 8 - 10 minutes per side. Be sure to cook until internal temp hits 165 degrees farenheit.
  4. Let the cooked turkey rest for a few minutes before slicing (and maybe you could take a few minutes of well-deserved rest, too?). This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the turkey so that it can retain the juices rather than flow out onto your cutting board. I know you're really hungry and want to eat right now, but you don't want dry turkey, do you?

One-Pan Garlic & Ginger Ground Pork Stir Fry

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As the week drags on, let’s admit it – getting dinner on the table becomes even *more* of a pain. Yes, the eating part is fun, but oh, lordy, the prepping sure ain’t no fun when you’re too tired for anything but fuzzy slippers and binge watching your Netflix faves. And you so badly want it to hurry up and be Friday already. That’s when I rely on fast dinners like this One Pan Garlic & Ginger Ground Pork Stir Fry to get me through.


Print Recipe


One-Pan Garlic & Ginger Ground Pork Stir Fry

Course Main Dishes, One Pan Dinners
Cuisine Asian

Servings


Ingredients

Course Main Dishes, One Pan Dinners
Cuisine Asian

Servings


Ingredients


Instructions
  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, and add ½ tsp avocado oil.

  2. Add pork to skillet, and cook until browned.

  3. Remove pork from pan, and place to the side in a bowl.

  4. Reduce heat to medium, add remaining 1/2 tsp of oil, and add garlic and ginger. Stir, and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant. Do not let garlic brown (reduce heat if necessary).

  5. Add remaining vegetables, and cook at medium to medium-high heat until softened a bit, but not mushy.

  6. Reduce heat to low, add cooked pork to pan and 1 cup of black beans. Stir gently.

  7. Remove pan from heat, drizzle with soy sauce and sesame oil, and then stir to combine. Serve over rice and enjoy!