Lentil Tacos

1 cup finely chopped onion

1 garlic clove, minced

1 teaspoon canola oil

1 cup dried lentils, rinsed

1 tablespoon chili powder

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon dried oregano

2-1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth

1 cup salsa

12 taco shells

1-1/2 cups shredded lettuce

1 cup chopped fresh tomato

1-1/2 cups (6 ounces) shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese

6 tablespoons fat-free sour cream

Directions

• In a large nonstick skillet, saute the onion and garlic in oil until tender. Add the lentils, chili powder, cumin and oregano; cook and stir for 1 minute. Add broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes or until the lentils are tender.
• Uncover; cook for 6-8 minutes or until mixture is thickened. Mash lentils slightly. Stir in salsa.
• Spoon about 1/4 cup lentil mixture into each taco shell. Top with lettuce, tomato, cheese and sour cream. Yield: 6 servings.

Curry

1 TBS red curry paste
13.5 oz can of coconut milk
1 chicken breast
1 1/2 TBS fish sauce
2 TBS sugar
one can bamboo shoots
1/4 red pepper
1/4 green pepper
1/4 small onion
1/2 cup pineapple chunks

In a bowl, whisk together curry paste and coconut milk. Transfer to pan or wok and mix in chicken, fish sauce, sugar and bamboo shoots. Bring to a boil and cook for 15 minutes until chicken is cooked through.

Mix the red bell pepper, green pepper and onion into the sauce pan or wok. Continue cooking for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in pineapple, serve over cooked rice.

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My friend, Ashley, made this for me one night, and I could NOT get enough of it.  I made it myself tonight, and it turned out perfectly!  This is SO YUMMY!!!!!  You could definitely leave out the chicken and add other veggies.  You can find canned bamboo shoots in the Asian aisle, they are tasty!

Creamy Taco Mac

1 lb ground beef
1 small onion
1 tsp minced garlic
1 can diced tomatoes, drained
4 TB taco seasoning
3 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
10 oz dry rotini pasta
Cheddar cheese

Cook pasta according to directions.  Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water before draining.  Set aside.

Cook beef and onion.  When browned, add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.  Add tomatoes and taco seasoning and simmer for 5 minutes.  Add reserved pasta water, cream cheese, sour cream and cooked pasta.  Simmer until well combined.  Serve with cheddar on top and season with salt and pepper.

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This tasted so good!  It was better than I thought it would be.  We also added some corn in ours.  Yum!

Sloppy Joes

Brown 1 lb ground beef, drain fat. Add seasonings, an 8oz can tomato sauce and 1/2 c water. Serve on toasted hamburger buns.

1 T minced onion

1 t green pepper flakes ( usually don't use this)

1 t salt

1 t corn starch

1/2 t minced garlic

1/4 t dry mustard

1/4 t celery seed

1/4 t chili powder

Tofu Veggie Stir-Fry

1 pkg extra-firm tofu
Drain thoroughly by slicing into strips and placing on paper towels.  Put paper towels on top and set a cookie sheet on top.  Let sit for 15 minutes.  Change paper towels and repeat.  Cube when drained.
2 TB soy sauce
1 TB rice vinegar
1 tsp sesame oil
Combine in a small bowl with the tofu.  Let marinade for 5-10 minutes, while you prepare veggies. (Can also be covered and refridgerated for a few hours).
1-2 onions, sliced into wedges
1-2 carrots sliced
1-2 c sliced mushrooms
1 red pepper, diced
Handful of snowpeas and/or asparagus, washed
Several handfuls of fresh spinach
Heat oil in a large skillet.  Saute tofu (save marinade) over med-high heat until golden brown.  Set aside.  Saute onions and carrots until softened.  Add other veggies, except for spinach.  Saute until just softened.  Add marinade, tofu, spinach and saute just until spinach is heated through.  Add s&p.  Serve over brown rice and eat with chopsticks, if you dare!  Tastes great with melted swiss or provolone cheese on top. Can also season to taste with ginger. 

If you're not a tofu fan, TRY THIS!  Cube the tofu really small so it blends in more.  Then if you still don't like it, you can probably substitute chicken in this recipe.  Experiment, lots of possibilities with this healthy dish!!

PS...Not the most kid-friendly meal....BUT you might be surprised at what they'll eat!!  Cam will eat everything but the red peppers and spinach.  Both my kids love tofu!