Simple Savory Salads

Hello and Happy Wednesday!

I don’t just eat salads to be healthy or lose weight. I actually love them. Many of us are trying to be more healthy when a new year starts. For that simple reason I’m bringing you three simple but delicious salads to meal prep and have at the ready all week long. Honestly, for my life to run as smooth as possible I have to meal prep. Being able to throw a delicious salad in a bowl when I have a minute to eat is ideal.

First up, Green Goddess goodness! This recipe comes together very quickly. The longest part is the dressing but let me tell you it’s worth it. Here’s my version of this delicious salad.

Note: depending on your diet, feel free to add a protein to this salad, too. I recently added avocado and a tuna steak and it was basically one of the best things I’ve eaten in a long time.

This next salad is an absolute staple in my life. I usually always have it made and in the fridge and ready to pull out for a side, snack, or a meal. I don’t have a completed photo of it shockingly but you get the idea. It’s truly a perfect addition to a healthy diet. You also don’t need to stick to these exact measurements. I think mine is different every single time I make it. So keep tasting to ensure you have the perfect bite.

Often times I feel like a roasted salad gets pushed to the side when it should be front and center! This gorgeous salad comes together very quickly once you roast your veggies. What do you roast you ask?…

I hit those with olive oil and roasted everything on 375 for about an hour or so. Keep an eye on it though because the squash will be done first, then Brussels sprouts, and finally the beets. Also everyone likes a different level of roasted so again, keep tasting to make sure it’s to your desired texture.

While those veggies are getting nice and tender grab like a whole big bag of kale, rinse it, drizzle with olive oil and MASSAGE IT TO DEATH. Do not skip the kale massage. Seriously. Can’t stress this enough. It makes the kale so delicious. After the massage, before your veggies add in:

• 1/3 cup dried cranberries

• 1/2 nuts like walnuts or pecans

  note: I used a pack of candied pecans, walnuts, and cranberries. There is more sugar in this but I feel it really added to the salad in the end.

  Now, lets make the dressing:

You may have to mess with now much water goes into it to get the consistency you want but always taste it to make sure before you dress the salad.

After those veggies are done, add it to your salad, and dress. This is a salad I’ll have on rotation for a loooooong time. It surly isn’t boring and packs a healthy punch, too.

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you try one of these and if you do let me know! If you don’t follow me on Insta I’m @thefastfashionista!

Have a happy, healthy day!

Fast Fall Focaccia

Happy Wednesday Friends!

One thing I love to do, when I have a rare spade minute that is, is to make bread for the Kilgore Crew. This is my simple and fast focaccia bread recipe.

what you do:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

• Grab your favorite baking sheet and put down some parchment paper.

• Combine all ingredients in a mixer and beat on high for about a minute or two and scoop the mixture out on to the pan (it will be sticky).

• Drizzle the dough with olive oil, and sprinkle a flaky salt and some herbs.

• For the topping that’s up to you! Since I didn’t have a ton of time, I used orange bell peppers to make my pumpkins and added some red onion because well, they needed used. I also added some dried rosemary, oregano, and a bit of garlic salt.

• I let this bake for about 50 minutes but keep an eye on it because it got a little more done that I perfer but it was still delish!

This makes a great addition to any weeknight dinner or to even take as a hostess gift. It’s a lot of punch with not much effort.

I hope you are enjoy this fabulous Fall!

It’s Starting to get Chili…

Hello, hello!

It’s Fall this week!! And I’ve been loving these chilly days so I thought it was a great time for a super quick weeknight recipe! Chili! It’s very easy and just about everyone will like it.

When this time of year hit’s I immediately make chili. But this one is new for me. Usually I go right for the usual red sauce recipe (which is always a great go-to). This is another savory pumpkin recipe was just what the chilly day called for. This recipe is from “Skinny Taste Fast & Slow” by Gina Homolka. These are my absolute favorite cookbooks (I’ve linked them on Amazon).

The only different thing I did with this recipe as opposed to the one in her cookbook is that I didn’t do mine in the slow cooker, I made mine on the stovetop and let it cook for a while.

what you do:

If you aren’t using a crockpot, then simply add in your oil, onion and garlic and let simmer until your kitchen smells really fantastic. Then, brown your meat. Throw everything else in after that. I let mine cook for about an hour and a half.

If you are using a crockpot, do the same thing with oil, onion, garlic and meat. Then throw everything else in. Cook on high for four hours or low for eight.

To finish, top with grated Parmesan and fresh sage.

This recipe is the perfect way to enjoy some pumpkin flavors on a chilly (almost) Fall day!

Enjoy your Wednesday! I hope something delicious is in store for you today!