Stir-Fried Bean Sprouts + Green Beans

This is a simple way to spice up any stir-fry. Serve with sliced beef, chicken or fish! Super delicious and tastes great! 

3/4 cup water

1/2 lb green beans, trimmed

2 Tbsp sesame oil

4 cloves garlic, chopped

1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced

1 Tbsp brown sugar

1 lb bean sprouts

1/3 cup raw cashews (optional)

Bring water to a boil in a large wok over high heat. Add green beans and cook until tender-crisp, about 2-3 minutes. Drain and place in ice-cold water.

Heat sesame oil over medium high heat in wok. Add garlic and onions and stir-fry for 3-5 minutes, until golden. 

Add green beans, brown sugar and bean sprouts and cook for 3 minutes, until bean sprouts are lightly softened. Stir in cashews, if using.

Yield: 4 servings

Healthy Homemade Granola

Healthy Homemade Granola

3 cups rolled oats (gluten-free or regular)

2 Tbsp brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

Pinch Kosher salt

1/4 cup grapeseed oil

1/3 cup maple syrup 

1 tsp vanilla

3/4 cup assorted nuts (almonds, walnuts or pecans)

1/2 cup assorted seeds (pumpkin, flax or sunflower)

3/4 cup assorted dried fruit (cranberries, raisins or sliced apricots)

1/3 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)

Preheat oven to 325 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 

In a medium bowl, combine oats with brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Mix to combine. Add oil, maple syrup and vanilla and stir well. 

Stir in nuts and seeds. 

Spread mixture evenly on baking sheet. Bake for about 30-40 minutes or until golden. Stir occasionally. 

Let cool. Add dried fruit and chocolate chips, if using.

Yield: about 5 cups.

Carrot + Beet Salad with Lemon-Ginger Dressing

It's always important to eat a balanced diet of a variety of veggies! This salad was inspired by one of the juices from my juice cleanse. Here are some interesting facts about some of the ingredients in the salad.......

Beets- fights inflammation

Carrots- lots of vitamins 

Spinach- has lots of calcium

Lemon- Immune-boosting

Ginger- Increases circulation

Carrot + Beet Salad with Lemon-Ginger Dressing

1 bunch red or rainbow beets, scrubbed and trimmed (about 4 medium)

4 cups shredded carrots

4 cups baby spinach

Dressing

1/4 cup olive oil

Juice of 1 lemon 

1 Tbsp minced fresh ginger
1/2 tsp Kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

Spray a large piece of heavy duty foil with nonstick spray. Place beets in center of foil and wrap tightly, pinching edges together. 

Bake for 1 1/2 hours or until tender. Carefully open the foil packet and let beets stand until cool enough to handle. Using paper towels, rub off and discard the skins. Half beets and thinly slice and place in a large bowl. 

Add carrots. 

Dressing: Combine ingredients for salad dressing in a glass jar, seal tightly and shake well. Drizzle dressing over beets and carrots. Cover and refrigerate until shortly before serving time. (Can be done up to a day in advance.)

Arrange a layer of spinach on a large serving platter or bowl. Top with beet mixture.

Yield: 4 servings. 

As promised.....here's the recipe to the Crunchy Chocolate Rounds...don't forget to check out the Coconut version at the bottom. 

Crunchy Chocolate Rounds

1 semi-sweet chocolate bar (14 oz/400 g), broken into 1-inch chunks 

2 cups pretzels (gluten-free or regular)

2 cups rice cereal (gluten-free or regular)

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Pour about 1 inch of water into a saucepan. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to simmer. 

Place chocolate in a large, dry, heatproof bowl. Place bowl over simmering water and slowly melt chocolate, stirring often.

Stir in pretzels and rice cereal. 

Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto prepared cookie sheets. 

Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes or until chocolate is set.

Yield: 12-15 Rounds.

Variation: Coconut Crunchy Chocolate Rounds. Sprinkle each round with shredded coconut before refrigerating. 

Daniella Silver Cooks

Hey guys,
Welcome to my first blogging experience! Im currently writing a cookbook with well-known author, Norene Gilletz. Stay tuned for some amazing recipes and great ideas :)