Tuna Apple Pasta Salad

It’s been one of those weeks where I haven’t gone food shopping and have limited ingredients on hand, so a pantry staple meal was a bit of a must. This tuna apple pasta salad is my absolute go-to. It’s the perfect lunch, dinner, or side and has been a favorite of mine for years! It’s made with five simple ingredients, three of which are pantry staples. The flavor combo may sound a bit weird, I know, but, trust me, it’s amazing!

Making this tuna apple pasta salad is always a bit of a comfort for me. I feel like pasta dishes are always a bit comforting, and this one specifically reminds me of my mom. She first made this for me when I was in high school after adapting it herself from some recipe she found. Since then, I’ve been making it for myself (and friends) on repeat with a few tweaks over the years. It’s super simple, and you can make a nice batch to last you for the week (although it will probably be gone in a day or two in my experience).

Here’s What You’ll Need:

• 8 oz cooked pasta of choice (I like to use chickpea pasta to make it GF)

• 2 cans tuna, drained

• 4 celery stalks, sliced

• 1-2 granny smith apples (depending on size), cubed

• 1/2 cup avocado oil mayo (or mayo of choice)

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Mix together the cooked pasta, tuna, celery, apple, mayo, and salt and pepper to taste.

2. That’s it! Enjoy!

Whether you’re enjoying this for lunch or making it as a side for a party, it’s sure to be a hit. Let me know what you think in the comments below!

Creamy Cashew Brussels Sprout Pasta

There’s nothing better than an easy-to-make meal with simple ingredients that still really brings the flavor! And this creamy cashew brussels sprouts pasta is just that. It’s so creamy and dreamy without the dairy, and it’s so quick and easy to make! The sauce itself is vegan and gluten free, and the entire meal can easily be made both. Not into brussels sprouts, switch them out for your favorite veggie or just enjoy the pasta and sauce on it’s own!

Here’s What You’ll Need:
(Makes 2 servings)

• 2 tbsp cashew butter

• 1/4 cup water

• 2 tsp nutritional yeast

• 2 servings of gluten free pasta (or pasta of choice), cooked

• 1 bundle of brussels sprouts, de-stemmed and sliced

• 1-2 cloves garlic, chopped

• Sea salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat up 1-2 tbsp avocado oil (or oil of choice) in a pan on the stove top over medium high heat. Once hot, add in the brussels sprouts and garlic, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 15-20 minutes until the brussels sprouts are softened and charred.

2. In a small bowl, mix together the cashew butter, water, nutritional yeast, sea salt, and black pepper until it creates a sauce (add more water as necessary).

3. Add the pasta into the brussels sprouts, and toss everything with the sauce.

4. Serve and enjoy!

Let me know what you think in the comments below!

Crispy Spicy Tofu and Roasted Brussels Sprouts Salad

Crispy tofu AND brussels sprouts?! Yes, please! That’s the best way to enjoy two of my favorite foods. Add in some heat, warm grains, and a delicious creamy dressing, and you have yourself the perfect cozy fall salad. This salad is a delicious mix of textures and flavors, and, trust me, it’s going to a be a favorite you’ll be making over and over again! It’s also super versatile and can be made gluten free or vegan depending on your grain and dressing choice. Let’s get to it!

Here’s What You’ll Need:

• 1 bunch of brussels sprouts, de-stemmed and sliced

• 7 oz tofu, pressed and cut into 1” cubes

• 4 tsp nutritional yeast, separated

• 1/4 cup hot sauce of choice

• 4 cups spinach (or salad greens of choice)

• 1/2 cup whole grain medley, wild rice, or grains of choice

• 1/4 cup Organic Girl White Cheddar Ranch Style Dressing (or dressing of choice)

Instructions:

1. Toss the brussels sprouts with enough avocado oil to coat them, sea salt, and pepper, and roast in the oven for 15-20 mins at 450 degrees until crispy.

2. In the meantime, toss the tofu with 2 tsp nutritional yeast.

3. Heat a pan with just enough avocado oil to coat the bottom over high heat. Once hot, turn down to medium high and add the tofu (it should sizzle immediately). Cook, rotating the tofu every 2-3 mins until all sides are crispy (~12-18 mins total).

4. In a bowl, mix together the hot sauce and 2 tsp nutritional yeast. Toss the tofu with the sauce until fully coated.

5. In 2 separate bowls, split the spinach, roasted Brussels sprouts, grains, and dressing. Toss together, and top with the spicy tofu.

6. Enjoy!

Let me know what you think in the comments below!

Lemon Butter Cod Over White Wine Parmesan Zoodles

I recently started using the meat and seafood subscription service Good Chop to get great quality proteins shipped straight to my door. I talk all about Good Chop, why I love it, and my experience with it in my blog post here which I highly encourage you to check out. I also have a great discount you can use to enjoy $100 off your flexible Good Chop subscription here!

In my recent box, I received Pacific Cod, which I thought would be perfect for an end of summer zoodle dish. This meal is light and refreshing and really is meant to highlight the amazing quality of the fish.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• ½ tbsp softened butter

• 1 tsp EVOO

• 4 cloves garlic, chopped and separated

• 1/2 tsp dried parsley

• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 3 pieces of cod

• 8 mushrooms, sliced

• 4 shishito peppers, de-stemmed and sliced

• 1/4 cup dry white wine

• 2 zucchinis, spiralized

• 1/4 cup shredded parmesan

Instructions:

1. Mix together the softened butter, EVOO, half of the garlic, dried parsley, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Spread the mixture over the cod, and bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 10-12 minutes.

2. In the meantime, heat up 1-2 tbsp EVOO in a pan on the stovetop. Once hot, add in the remaining garlic, mushrooms, and shishito peppers. Cook for 4-5 minutes until everything softens.

3. Add in the white wine and cook for 3-4 minutes until the alcohol burns off.

4. Add in the spiralized zucchinis, turn off the heat, and allow the zoodles to cook/soften for 2-3 minutes (without getting mushy). Sprinkle in the shredded parm over everything, and season with salt and pepper.

5. Split the zoodles between two bowls, and top with the baked cod.

6. Enjoy!

Filet Mignon Salad with Good Chop

I recently started using the meat and seafood subscription service Good Chop to get great quality proteins shipped straight to my door. I talk all about Good Chop, why I love it, and my experience with it in my blog post here which I highly encourage you to check out. I also have a great discount you can use to enjoy $100 off your flexible Good Chop subscription here!

In my recent box, I received filet mignon, which I thought would be perfect for a simple and delicious salad. This salad is super straightforward with minimal ingredients to really highlight the amazing quality of the meat.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 2 filet mignon

• 10 mushrooms, sliced

• 3-4 cups spring mix (or the greens of your choosing)

• 1/4 red onion, sliced or chopped

• 1/4 cup gorgonzola

• 1/2 tsp thyme

• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

• 2 tbsp EVOO

• 1-2 tbsp dijon mustard

• 1/8 tsp garlic powder

• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat up 1-2 tbsp of avocado oil in a pan on the stove top. Once hot, add in your filets and cook to desired doneness, flipping halfway through. Once cooked, let sit before slicing.

2. In the meantime, slice the mushrooms, and toss with 1-2 tbsp avocado oil, salt, pepper, and the thyme. Bake the mushrooms in a preheated 400 degree oven for 10-12 minutes.

3. Make your dressing – mix together the balsamic vinegar, EVOO, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and salt and pepper to taste in a bowl.

4. Assemble your salads – Add the greens of your choosing to a bowl, and top with sliced red onion, gorgonzola, the mushrooms, a drizzle of dressing, and your sliced fillet mignon.

5. Enjoy!