High Protein – Grit Cooking- A Southern Girls Taste

Naan. So fun to say, so fun to eat. Oh, so easy to make. With this being a small process it takes a bit of pre- planning but a great addition to date night help. Jason was a great help rolling out the dough as I black skillet baked the Naan. Easy ingredients.

2.5 c flour
1 packet yeast
1/2 c warm water
2 T olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c plain greek yogurt
1 tsp sugar

Mix warm water , sugar , and yeast, let stand for 10 minutes to activate the yeast.

Separate bowl mix dry ingredients and mound on a work area , creating a center well.

Add your wet ingredients and work into a smooth dough. Here is where I struggled and improvised. I cant kneed dough anymore after an injury so I depend on my kitchen aide. Tried the board method and it was a countertop disaster! Solution!

Dumped all into the mixer. Dough hook to the rescue! Mixed well to a smooth dough. About 2 minutes. Lightly oil dough and cover with towel. Cover and place in a warm area to rest and rise 1 hour. After 1 hour cut into 8 even pieces. Roll out to 1/4 inch thickness or so rounds while skillet warms to med heat. Lightly oil pan with olive oil and bake dough one at a time flipping as they cook. About 2-3 min each side.

Stack loaves and after all are done place back in plate covered skillet, off the heat, to stay warm for dinner. Even better next day.

Be creative. Add garlic powder or herbs to enhance your dough. serve with hummus or use for hero wraps. Small pizza crusts with lots of toppings is another option. Enjoy.

Entrees, Garden, High Protein, Traditions

Mediterranean Lamb Bowls

July 4, 2022November 30, 2022 Gritcooking- A Southern Girls Taste

Summer fresh herbs and veggies from the garden add an extra fresh element to this easy and tasty bowl. I discovered a ground lamb package in the freezer and wanted lighter than a Shepards pie. Fresh picked cherry tomato, mint, parsley, cucumber, all bring flavors of Greek cuisine. You could make this with ground pork or chicken – seasoning heavy will be key straying from the earthiness of lamb.

1 pound ground lamb
1 cup chopped sweet onlion
Med chopped cucumber seeded
Two cloves garlic minced
Fresh parsley broadleaf
Fresh mint
hummus (store bought original)
1/2 c craisins or golden raisins
Turmeric rice
Olive oil
Feta cheese crumbled
Greek olives
Paprika 2 tsp
Pepper flakes optional
Garlic powder 2 tsp
Salt and pepper
2 tsp all spice
Warm pita bread
Tziziki sauce optional ( I make sour cream chopped garlic, minced cucumber, lemon salt and pepper)

Prep veggies. Chop onion and cucumber. Wash cherry tomatoes and quarter. clean parsley rough chop as well as mint.

Easy rice. 1 cup jasmine in the rice cooker with two cups water and dash of salt. Once cooked add olive oil and two tsp ground turmeric and tablespoon butter. Easy. Rice is done.

Brown your lamb with 1/2 c onion, garlic and dried seasonings and bay leaf. Drain well in fine strainer on paper towel. Lamb has a-lot of fat. Bring back to pan and add your craisins, fresh chopped mint and parsley. Keep warm for bowls. (Salt and pepper to taste) always taste your cooking as you go.

Assembly time! I add a big dollop of hummus center on a bed or rice and then assemble your ingredients. Warm your pitas (simple toaster) and drizzle with oil paprika and fresh chopped herbs. Delish!

Entrees, Garden, High Protein, Poultry, Vegetable

Zucchini boats w Italian Chicken Sausage

August 23, 2020 Gritcooking- A Southern Girls Taste

What a simple lowfat option for those large zucchini’s coming from the garden this time of year. Trying to keep my eating more lowfat and clean Im forced to avoid my favorite fried zucs.this was so easy and delicious! Its also lowfat!

Large zucchini
Italian chicken sausage 98 percent ff
Chopped 1/4 cup each onion, red bell, green bell, cored center of zuc, two. Garlic cloved
Tsp garlic powder
1 egg
1/2 cup italian seasoned breadcrumbs
Two springs fresh basil stemmed and chopped
1/2 tsp black pepper
Jared marinara sauce
Parm and or mozzarella shreaded

Cut ends and then lenghtwise zucchini

Pending size half to fit baking dish

Carefully core out soft centers fine chopping half for meatloaf mixture.

Mis meat, chopped veggies, seasonings , egg breadcrumbs together and form into loafs on sectioned squash. The sausage already is heavy seasoned and simply delicious!

Arrange over 1 cup sauce in cooking dish.

Sprinkle w parmasean optional

Bake 400 degrees 40 minutes

Cover with mozzarella and bake 5 more minutes to melt.

Served over whole wheat basil pasta

Angel hair wholewheat pasta is so delicious and a bit lighter than the white flour version . I cook according to the box and then toss w olive oil, crushed chopped fresh basil and salt and pepper

Simple delicious!!

Entrees, High Protein, Poultry

Lil’ Chicken on the BBQ with sweet espresso glaze

July 17, 2020July 17, 2020 Gritcooking- A Southern Girls Taste

What a fun twist to just chicken…. make up cute little Cornish game hens on the BBQ. My oldest sister taught me the fun of the tiny chicken that packs a great flavor and easy to prep. They come in all sizes… tonight I had two rather large birds so I cleaned and halved them for four good servings.

These have been in the freezer for a while so I thawed in the fridge overnight and cleaned and split with cooking shears down the breast bone. Toss in some olive oil and garlic grilling seasonings and black pepper. Allow to sit at room temp for 20 minutes. I sear all sides on a HOT grill and then turn grill down to med (375-400 degrees) for 30 minutes. Leaving the skin side up to roast. as they roast slathering with sauce periodically. The espresso BBQ saucecreates a sweet glossy glaze, Light foil half way to 165 degrees.

Summertime I like to do as much cooking outside to keep the house cool from the summer heat. So adding a skillet of yellow potatoes with peppers and onion make a nice dancing partner on the plate for this evening meal. This one I even throw together after a long work day. Easy clean up.