Eggplant Lasagna

Here's another fun and healthy recipe for the family to try from A Better Life Wellness Center.

Ingredients:

• 400g ground meat (chicken, beef, etc)
• 1 medium eggplant
• 1 medium zucchini
• 2 cans chopped tomato
• 1 tomato, chopped (optional)
• Other vegetables as desired, sliced (onion, mushroom, peppers)
• Olive oil
• Herbs to taste (Italian spices like oregano, basil, marjoram, thyme, garlic, salt, pepper)

Directions:

1. Slice the eggplant and zucchini into into thin noodle-like slices and set aside.
2. Cook the ground meat, adding salt and pepper to taste.
3. Add any additional vegetables that you've chosen to the ground meat.
4. Add the 2 cans of chopped tomatoes and stir.
5. Add fresh tomato (optional).
6.  Line the pan (non-stick or greased) with sliced zucchini. Sprinkle or spray with olive oil , sprinkle with salt if you desire.
7. Add a thin layer of sauce.
8. Add layer of sliced eggplant.
9. Add a thin layer of sauce, repeating alternating zucchini and eggplant until the pan is full or you are out of sauce.
10. Bake at 400 F for 30-40 minutes, checking for doneness at 30 minutes.

If you are in Maintenance, then you can try adding cheese to this recipe.

Mock Alfredo Pasta

Here's another fun and healthy recipe for the family to try from A Better Life Wellness Center.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 medium zucchini, shredded
• 1 package IP soup (any flavour)

Directions:

1. Microwave zucchini for 3 minutes.
2. Add one Ideal Protein soup packet and stir. If you want a thicker sauce, drain any water from the zucchini bowl before adding the packet.
3. Microwave for an additional minute.
4. Add spices as desired:

• Tomato soup: tabasco, chopped celery, basil, garlic 

• Chicken soup: rosemary, thyme, oregano or turmeric or saffron 

• Leek soup: basil, garlic, chopped peppers, mixed ground pepper 

• Broccoli & Cheese: chopped broccoli

• Mushroom soup: mushrooms of any variety, citrus pepper, lemon, thyme   

Zucchini Salsa

A roast Zucchini Salsa with Jalapenos, bursting with summer flavour from Closet Cooking.

Ingredients:

• 2 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise
• 1 handful cilantro, coarsely chopped
• 1 jalapeno, coarsely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup pepitas, toasted
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 lime, juice
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Brush the zucchini in oil, place it on a baking sheet with the cut side up and roast on the top shelf in a preheated 450F oven until tender, about 45 minutes.
2. Puree everything in a food processor to desired consistency.

Indian Spiced Soy Patties

A tasty falafel like recipe from Ideal Protein Lohja, Finland - also good for hiding veggies.

Ingredients:

• 1 package Ideal Protein Soy Patty
• 3 Egg whites, beaten
• 1/4 cup Cauliflower, chopped small
• 1/4 cup Broccoli, chopped small
• 1/8 cup Onions, chopped small
• 1/2 Celery stalk, chopped small
• 1-3 tsp Garam Masala or generic Curry blend
• 1 tsp Olive oil

Directions:

1. Beat egg whites (not stiff).
2. Add Ideal Protein Soy Patty package and mix.
3. Add in spices, adjusting amount to preferred level of spice.
4. Add in vegetables and mix thoroughly.
5. Heat pan and add olive oil. Spoon mixture into pan to make 4 patties.
6. Serve as patties or cut into strips and make lettuce wraps.