The Sleek Scientist - Brain Food

The Sleek Scientist

Strawberry-Spinach-Kale-Salad

4/27/2015

Kale smoothies are for people who hate themselves.
Okay, not really, but I prefer to just eat my kale because I think it makes the smoothies grainy.

I cook for myself and experiment with recipes every single day. I never post on here because, honestly, I doubt anyone is looking for recipes from me when there's millions of internet recipes and cook books. I don't even consider myself a good cook.
This salad was particularly delicious, though, so I thought I'd share.

Let's be honest, I do not measure things out, but I'll tell you what I used:

Trader Joe's Raw Kale
Raw Spinach
Trader Joe's Thin Sliced Chicken Breast (Simply fried-up in a pan...I need a george foreman...)
Sliced Strawberries
Archer's Cinnamon Glazed Pecans (Chopped)
Trader Joe's Goat Cheese
Trader Joe's Fat-free Balsamic Vinaigrette

Delicious and relatively satiating.

French Onion Soup

10/22/2014

On a rainy day like today I just want to be lazy and eat soup. I experimented with my own French Onion Recipe and I think it turned out fantastic!
Ingredients:

2 sliced Large Yellow Onions
1 tbsp Butter (I always use Smart Balance)
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp Sugar
3 minced Garlic Cloves
3.5 cups Chicken Broth
1.5 tsp dried Thyme
1 tsp dried basil
Extras: Salt, Pepper, Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

I started by slightly browning the onions in a covered pan with the butter and sugar. I left them so they were still a bit white and crunchy. I added these, and the rest of the ingredients into my sprayed crockpot (of course, who knew that was coming?). I added an extra tsp of butter, a pinch of salt, pepper, and sugar. Stirred it all up, and cooked on low for 7 hours.

This looks slightly scary. I really need my new iPhone.
After it was done I topped it with shredded mozzarella.

Chili

10/15/2014

Guess what? More crock pot recipes!
Chili seemed like a good idea for a football gathering, so I made my own rendition in my crock pot.
Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 onion chopped
1 - 28 oz can diced tomatoes
2 - 16 oz cans chili beans
1 can (20oz) tomato sauce
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 green pepper chopped
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
Shaved cheddar cheese

I browned the beef in a pan, and basically threw all the other ingredients in the crockpot in no particular order. I mixed it up really well, and let cook on low for about 8 hours. I served with corn bread and added shaved cheddar on top of each chili bowl. Everyone loved it and took left overs! It made enough for 7-8 people I'd say.

This was before it was cooked...but you can see it really filled up the pot!

Creamy Mushroom Chicken

10/15/2014

I did more crock-pot experimenting today....

Ingredients:
4 chicken breast tenderloins
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup white mushrooms
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 tbs butter
1/4 cup flour
1 cup white wine
Salt
Pepper
Dried Basil
Dried Thyme

I sprayed my crockpot and lined the bottom with the chicken. Then I sprinkled the flour, salt, pepper, and herbs on top. On that I placed the can of soup, wine, broth, and mushrooms. I mixed in a bit of butter.
I left the crockpot on low for about 5 hours. It tasted great served with a side of mashed potatoes!

Teriyaki Chicken

9/24/2014

I promise I eat more than just chicken, but I bought a lot of it and that's what was on my crockpot menu this week!
I also love Asian food. That goes far beyond sushi and egg-drop soup. My boyfriend is Korean; he has exposed me to a whole new world of foods I never imagined. Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese... I think I've tried it all. Cooking it is a different story. I had an attempt at making the simplest of dishes tonight--Chicken Teriyaki.

Ingredients-
Raw Chicken Breasts/Thighs
Half an Onion
A handful of Green String Beans
2 Cloves of Garlic
Teriyaki Sauce

Prep-
I sprayed the crockpot and lined the bottom with the string beans, chopped onion, and garlic. I cut (with a cooking scissor) the chicken into bite-sized pieces and placed them onto. I then poured enough Teriyaki sauce to cover all the chicken and vegetables. I let this cook on low for about 6-7 hours.

Before!!

For a side I tossed the rest of the string beans in a pan with some olive-oil and garlic and fried them until crispy.

The final product was good! It saved me from potentially being MSG'ed so that's a huge plus.

AFTER!

Chicken Fajitas

9/24/2014

Mexican Food is my favorite. I made some pulled-chicken fajitas and it proved to myself that I am capable of more than margaritas and quesadillas.
Ingredients:
Raw Chicken Breasts/Thighs
1 can of Black Beans
A couple cloves of Garlic
1 Green Pepper
Half an Onion
Taco Mix
1 Cup of Chicken Broth

Extras: Tomatos, Lettuce, Guacamole, Sour Cream, Tortilla, Hot Sauce, Cayenne Pepper, Paprika

I sprayed the crock pot and lined the bottom with the chopped onion, peppers, and garlic. I layered the chicken breasts and thighs on, and on top of that placed the taco mix, black beans, and chicken broth. I sprinkled the extra spices on top. The broth isn't absolutely necessary, but it makes the chicken a bit more moist/easier to pull apart.
I left the crockpot on low for 8 hours or so. When I got back I used a wooden spoon to kind of moosh it all together. The chicken was so soft it basically "pulled" itself.
For a side I whipped together "Near East: Spanish Rice". I love that company's rice products. Cheap, easy, and tasty.
I placed the fajita mix in a tortilla, added some lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, and guac. I actually put Frank's Red Hot on everything, so that made an appearance.

Most Important Meal of the Day...If You Eat It

9/24/2014

I love eggs, waffles, home fries, breakfast sandwiches....love it all. That's not so wholesome, though. I'll post my home-fries recipe next time I make them.
I never used to eat breakfast, it was my New-Years Resolution to try to do so.
Typical day, instant oatmeal is my go-to. Wegman's has a variety pack; I like all except those with raisins.
For a quick, healthy breakfast I also throw this glob together:

Fresh honeydew, red grapes, a little bit of granola, and yogurt.
Filling, healthy, and delish!

Rosemary, Asparagus, Lemon Chicken

9/24/2014

My crockpot is everything. Most of my recipes are crock-pot recipes. This is as of recent. I just chop up all the ingredients, throw them in, keep the crock pot on low all day, come home from class and Voila!
dinner is served.
I don't have a photo, but Monday night I made Rosemary, Asparagus, Lemon Chicken.

Ingredients:
2 (small) Chicken Breasts
Rosemary (I used dried, fresh would probably be better but I couldn't get my hands on any!)
1 cup of chicken broth
Half a Lemon
Handful of Asparagus
3 Cloves of Garlic

I chopped up the garlic and asparagus, placed it on top the two whole chicken breast, sliced the lemons on top, and poured on the chicken broth. I sprinkled on a bunch of rosemary, and added some oregano as well.
Let cook on high for 4-5 hours.
I ate this with a side salad. Wasn't half bad! Easy, quick, and relatively healthy.

Must Love Foods

9/24/2014

Let's face it, when people think of my diet they probably wonder why I don't have a heart condition. I LOVE food. A lot...too much. My favorite foods include mac n cheese, mashed potatoes, Taco Bell crunch wraps, stuffing...you get the picture. I don't hold back when I go out. Which is why when I cook for myself (which I've been trying to do more of lately), I TRY to incorporate a bit more "health". I can hear my vegan/gluten free mother dying on the inside right now. I'm not a vegetarian, gluten is my favorite food, and I'm not sorry. I don't eat to look a certain way, buuuut I do like to feel a certain way.
I hate to admit it, but it's true. How you eat translates to how you feel. I'll put it this way: last Wednesday I ran 8.6 miles quite easily, I did a maintenance run of 6 miles on Friday...effortless. Then the weekend happened. I ate so much crap...fast food, wings, pizza...you name it. I wanted to try to run 9 miles Monday...HA. I ran about 5.5 and felt as if I was going to die the whole time. Food matters. Eating well makes you feel well, fuels your work outs, brightens your skin, and improves your overall being.
During the week I attempt to eat healthy. When I shop I buy a ton of fruits and veggies (my roommate joked that she always knew I went to the store because the kitchen looks like a farmer's market), organic chicken, whole wheat pastas/grains, and quick snacks like string cheese, almonds, hummus, etc. The only beverages I consume are coffee, water, and beer (Mostly water ;] ). I love Wegman's; their products are The-Bomb.Com and their store brand stuff is super inexpensive. What you buy is what you eat: shop healthy--eat healthy. As much as I'd like to live on cheese and bread for the rest of my life--because, let's face it, there are a million combos of cheese and some form of bread and they're all damn delicious--I know for my current and future health I have to balance my diet. Who knew, balancing it can be quite delicious!
The Sleek Scientist; Brain Food