Tag Archives: jalapeno

Southwest Pork Soup

May 20, 2013 admin Leave a comment

Tender pork, spicy broth – the flavor is just fantastic ! If you don’t enjoy spice, just remove the jalapeno and you will still end up with a great tasting pork soup.

4 servings
325 calories per serving

Pam
1 c onion, chopped
2/3 c green bell pepper, chopped
1 c chopped mushrooms
1 T minced garlic
1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced
1 lb. pork tenderloin in bite sized pieces
2 c chicken broth
2 c beef broth
1 c water
2 t chili powder
1 t ground cumin
1/2 t salt
1/4 t pepper
15 oz. kidney beans, rinsed and drained
14 oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained
2 T cilantro, chopped
1 c avocado, diced

Heat a non stick soup pot then spray with Pam. Add onion and cook 5-6 minutes adding a bit of hot water if necessary to keep onions moist. Add pepper, mushrooms, garlic and jalapenos and cook another 3 minutes then add pork and cook another 10 minutes. Add broth, water, spices, beans and tomatoes and bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes. Stir in cilantro just before serving. Spoon into bowls and top with avocado pieces.

Appetizers, Dessert, Fruit, Snacks

Fruit Salsa

October 18, 2012 admin 1 Comment

Try serving this with Cinnamon Tortilla Crisps. This has such a flavor explosion already then you add the kick from the jalapeno and this is a dessert or snack that is near perfection ! Be sure to chop everything very small and very uniform – that is part of what makes this as special as it is.

Makes 3 cups
1 T = 44 calories

1 c finely chopped strawberries
1 orange, peeled and finely chopped
3 small kiwi, peeled and finely chopped
8 oz. crushed pineapple, drained
¼ c finely chopped yellow bell pepper
1 T lime juice
1 fresh jalapeno, seeded and finely chopped

Combine all ingredients and cover and chill at least 6 hours.

Dinner, Kid Friendly, Sides, Vegetables

Corn Salsa

November 21, 2011 admin Leave a comment

This can be eaten as a side, or use in smaller portions as a salsa over the top of broiled fish or chicken. Very savory, very easy to put together and very healthy !

4 servings
58 calories per serving

4 small tomatoes, chopped
1 c corn kernels (frozen and thawed or fresh)
¼ c chopped cilantro
1 jalapeno or ¼ of a green bell pepper, chopped finely
¼ c fat free zesty Italian dressing
Squirt of lime

Mix all together and chill at least 1 hour.

Dinner, Salads, Sides, Vegetables

Jalapeno Tomatoes

October 17, 2011 admin Leave a comment

Spicy and savory side dish that is perfect next to Mexican inspired meals. The cumin really makes this a different tasting salad.

8 servings
58 calories per serving

4 c halved cherry or grape tomatoes (plus any other sliced garden tomatoes you have)
1/3 c sliced scallions
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 jalapeno pepper seeded and sliced thinly
1/3 c white balsamic vinegar
1 T brown sugar
1 T oil
2 t minced ginger
1 t ground cumin
Salt and pepper to taste

Mix the tomatoes, scallions, garlic and jalapeno. Mix the rest of the ingredients to make a dressing then pour over the tomatoes and chill for at least 1 hour.

Dinner, Fish

Tilapia with Melon Salsa

August 19, 2011 admin Leave a comment

The melon salsa is sweet but has a bite (onions + jalapenos) and is a perfect accompaniment to a simply broiled tilapia fillet.

4 servings
268 calories per serving

2/3 c honeydew melon, in very small cubes
2/3 c cantaloupe, in very small cubes
1/3 c English cucumber, peeled and diced small
1/3 c red onion, diced small
3 T chopped mint
1 t grated lemon zest
2 T lime juice
4 t oil
1 ½ t minced jalapeno peppers
¾ t agave nectar (or honey)
Salt and pepper to taste
4 6 oz. tilapia fillets
Pam

Preheat broiler. Mix first 10 ingredients and set aside. Spray baking sheet with Pam and sprinkle tilapia with salt and pepper and broil 3 minutes per side or until done. Serve with melon salsa.

Dinner, Fish

Tilapia with Ginger Butter

May 16, 2011 admin Leave a comment

The fish was so simply done – the ginger butter was really the show stealer here. It made plain, ordinary fish into a delightful meal. I think it would be equally good on shrimp or chicken – and it makes cooking such a snap !

4 servings
202 calories per serving

1 ½ T chopped cilantro
1 ½ T butter, room temperature (you can use any butter substitute here that you wish)
1 t minced jalapeno pepper
½ t grated lime rind
¼ t grated ginger root
Salt to taste
4 6 oz. tilapia fillets
Pam

Mix cilantro, butter, pepper, lime, ginger and ¼ t salt. Chill until butter is firm.

Heat a skillet and spray with Pam. Salt and pepper both side of the fillets and sauté 3 minutes per side or until done. Plate and add butter pats to the top of each fillet.

Fish, Lunch, Sandwiches

Tuna Melt

May 11, 2011 admin Leave a comment

The jalapeno peppers really kick it up here and add some nice heat. If you don’t like spice, use pickles instead !

2 servings
180 calories per serving

6 oz. can tuna in water, drained
1/2 t onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste
12 slices pickled jalapeno
2 light English muffins (100 calories each), split
4 slices Kraft Free Singles cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix tuna with salt, pepper and onion powder and divide onto muffins. Top with peppers and cheese and bake 10 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.

Lunch, Mediterranean, Salads

Couscous Salad

October 14, 2010 admin Leave a comment

This salad uses Israeli couscous which is a bigger grain and is more like a piece of orzo in size than a piece of pastina. This makes for a heartier couscous suitable for all type of salads. This on is particularly good !

5 servings
346 calories per serving

2 T oil
1 c Israeli couscous
1 ½ c water
Kosher salt to taste
Pepper to taste
½ lb sliced mushrooms
4 scallions, sliced, greens and whites separated
1 ¼ c frozen corn, thawed
15/5 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 T lime juice
1 jalapeno, thinly sliced
1 avocado, sliced

Heat 1 T oil and add couscous. Stir until it begins to brown, about 4 minutes. Then add water and salt and bring to a boil. Lower heat, cover and simmer 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Heat 2 t oil in a skillet and cook mushrooms until brown, about 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper and move to a bowl. Add another teaspoon of oil to the pan and cool scallion whites with corn about 5 minutes, season with salt and pepper and add to the mushrooms. Add couscous, black beans, lime juice, jalapeno and scallion greens to the mushroom mix, season with salt and pepper and divide into bowls. Top with avocado slices.

Chicken, Dinner, Kid Friendly, Summer

Caribbean Chicken

September 28, 2010 admin Leave a comment

This recipe makes a nice mellow flavored meal full of Caribbean richness and warmth. Try serving with a tossed green salad and some rice.

4 servings
187 calories per serving

¼ c minced onion
1 T sugar
1 T finely chopped jalapeno pepper (seeds removed)
2 t cider vinegar
2 t soy sauce
½ t salt
½ t ground allspice (or a mix of ground cloves and ground nutmeg)
½ t thyme
½ t pepper
¼ t red pepper flakes
1 ½ lb. boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Pam

Combine all except chicken and Pam in a large bowl. Add chicken and toss well to coat. Heat a grill pan (or the BBQ grill in the backyard !) on medium high heat and spray with Pam. Cook 5 minutes per side or until done.

Dinner, Pork, Summer

Grilled Ham and Pineapple Salsa

May 3, 2010 admin Leave a comment

If you don’t have a grill, just pan fry or broil the ham. But whatever you do, don’t skip the pineapple salsa – it was just marvelous !

6 servings
140 calories per serving

Salsa:
8 oz. can crushed pineapple in juice
2 T orange marmalade
1 T chopped cilantro
2 t chopped jalapeno pepper
2 t lime juice
¼ t salt

Ham:
1 1 ½ lb. slice pre-cooked ham slice

Heat grill. Combine all salsa ingredients and set aside. Grill ham 10-15 minutes or until heated through – then top with salsa and serve immediately.