Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Healthy Can Be Tasty - Greek Style Turkey Burgers


My philosophy to healthy eating all revolves around BALANCE!  It is so important that you have a good balance of protein, fat & carbohydrates so your body can be satisfied and get all the crucial nutrients that make up such a balanced diet, especially after a killer workout at Blast 900 or whatever your favorite workout routine might be.  Many people have the misconception that healthy eating may be boring and hard to maintain.  But guess what, I can prove to you that eating healthy can still be TASTY and with a few simple tips it can also be easy.  I am a big "foodie' at heart, but even I have realized how delicious healthy food with fresh ingredients can be. 

My goal is to research & share well balanced meals that meet my clients' parameters of calories, protein, carbs & fat.  I work very hard to come up with a variety of meals that fit these needs while keeping your menus new & exciting. 

In addition to providing these insights, I also have clients where I offer weekly meal delivery services tailored to your desires, cooking classes for you and your friends, and catering for private parties.  Are you next? 

What better way to accelerate your results and hard work of working out then coupling those behaviors with a sensible, well-balanced, delicious diet.  Not a diet where you deprive yourself of key nutrients (carbs and fat for example) or where you deprive your taste buds of delicious food.  But a diet developed with your goals and taste buds at the forefront. 

Can't wait to work together towards a healthy, happy You! 

Chef Lesley Palmer




Greek Style Turkey Burgers 
Serves – 4(1 burger & 1/3 cup salsa each)


Ingredients
1/3 cup fine dry whole wheat bread crumbs
1 egg white, lightly beaten
1 TBS of plain low-fat yogurt
1 tsp of fresh rosemary, chopped
½ tsp dried oregano
1 TBS crumbled feta cheese
1 pound of ground turkey or chicken breast
Assorted Greens (optional)
2 whole wheat pita bread rounds, halved & light toasted
1 recipe of Olive-Tomato Salsa
¼ cup of crumbled feta cheese

Olive - Tomato Salsa

Ingredients
1cup Tomato ( chopped, seeded )
¼ cup Cucumber (chopped, seeded )
¼ cup Kalamata Olives (chopped, pitted – or another type of ripe olive )
½ tsp Rosemary – fresh chopped
¼ tsp Oregano – dried



Directions

1.    In a bowl, combine bread crumbs, egg white, rosemary, oregano, the 1 TBS of feta cheese & 1/8 tsp black pepper. Add turkey; mix well. Shape turkey mixture into four 3/4 –inch-thick patties.



2.   Grill patties on the greased rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium heat 12 to 14 minutes or no longer pink(165degrees) *** turning once halfway through grilling.

3.   In small bowl stir together all ingredients & set to the side


4.  Divide assorted greens, if using, and pita halves among the four plates; top with burgers. Top burgers with Olive-Tomato Salsa and the 1/4cup feta cheese.

Per Serving – 275 calories, 6g total fat, 23g carbs, 26g protein 


 



Sunday, July 22, 2012

Watermelon Martini - Skinnygirl Style

Two things I love ...... Skinnygirl anything & watermelon. I thought, "why not marry the two and make a watermelon martini" that would be cool & refreshing on these hot summer days. Had a little dinner party with my cousin & his girlfriend who are about to leave town on an amazing adventure to Argentina... no better time then to give this recipe a shot.

So hope you enjoy this great refreshing summer cocktail .......



Ingredients & Utensils

Cucumber Flavored Vodka or Self-made Cucumber Infused Vodka - 2oz
Watermelon  - 4 x (1 inch cubes)
Simple Syrup  - 1 TBS
Lemon Juice - 1 TBS
Lime Juice - 1 squeeze
Martini Glass
Muddler
Shaker 
Knife
Cutting Board



Directions

1. First cut the watermelon into 1-inch cubes, place a few cubes in the freezer for garnish later.

2. To prepare the simple syrup - combine equal parts sugar & water in a sauce pan. Bring to a boil, stirring, until sugar has dissolved. Allow to cool.

3. Place two watermelon cubes in a shaker & muddle the watermelon.




5. Add to the shaker - cucumber vodka, simple syrup & lemon juice 




6. Fill shaker with ice & shake until chilled 




7. Pour the drink into the martini glass & finish off with a squeeze of a lime 


8.Get the watermelon popsicle cubes from the freezer & place on a bamboo skewer & garnish the drink. ENJOY!!!! 


Tuesday, July 17, 2012

RAO's Famous Lemon Chicken - Healthy TOO!

Well here goes...... This is my first blog post for Chef LP Healthy Meals! So my plan is to post tips, recipes & other little interesting tid-bits as frequently as I can. My name is Lesley Palmer (aka Chef LP) & I am a chef! I am a southern gal - born & raised in Atlanta, Georgia.

I currently specialize in healthy, well-balanced meals, and I often cook gluten free for myself & my husband too! I run a homemade meal delivery service called Chef LP Healthy Meals, so I am constantly looking out for fresh and tasty recipes that are good for you, too.


In addition to the blog here, I will be sharing alot of this tasty stuff on Facebook (search: Chef LP Healthy Meals) and Twitter (@lesleypalmer).


To kick things off with a bang, here is a really easy, and equally delicious recipe which is also caters to your healthy side:

RAO's Famous Lemon Chicken 


Ingredients

Whole Roaster Chicken - 2lbs
Lemon Juice - 1 cup
Olive Oil - 1/2 cup
Dried Oregano - 2 tsps
Red Wine Vinegar - 2 Tbs
Minced Garlic - 1 Tbs
Salt & Pepper To Taste

Directions

1. First you need to cut the chicken into halves & then into quarters.
2. Line a sheet pan with foil & set aside. In the mean time turn on the broiler to high.
3. Season both sides of the each piece of chicken with salt/pepper & then place skin side down on the baking sheet.
4. Place in the oven under the broiler for 6-8 minutes on each side. (your goal here is to get the skin side of the chicken charred)


5. When this is done, remove the chicken from the oven, cut all of the chicken into smaller pieces & place into a oven safe pan skin side down.
6. Mix together the lemon juice, olive oil, dried oregano, red wine vinegar, garlic & salt/pepper.


7. Pour the lemon mixture all over the chicken & return to the oven for 2-3 minutes - then flip the chicken and return to the oven for an additional 2-3 minutes


8. Remove from the oven & enjoy! It is so tender & has such a great lemon flavor that you will want it again & again. Plus any leftovers will be great for salads or sandwiches.