A foodie's quest to turn up the heat through strength and conditioning with whole food and a hungry mind.

Showing posts with label drew's salsa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label drew's salsa. Show all posts

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Drew's Salsa Baked Cornbread and Goat “Cheez-its”


Remember my WIAW and Drew’s Salsa Review post the other day? I make sure to live up to my promises and bring to you two tasty recipes packed with whole grain, protein, Drew’s Organic Salsa, and tangy goat cheese.



Do any of these ingredients appeal to you? They should! Okay, my opinion is a little biased, but still. Drew’s makes six different kinds of organic salsa, so there’s at least one that everyone will love. The varieties they offer are Organic Black Bean, Cilantro & Corn Medium Salsa, Organic Thick & Chunky Mild Salsa, Organic Thick & Chunky Medium Salsa, Organic Thick & Chunky Hot Salsa, Organic Double Fire Roasted Medium Salsa, and Organic Chipotle Lime Medium Salsa.


Which one sounds best to you? Having tried them all, there’s not one bad salsa at all, but the Double Fire Roasted salsa sounds and is amazing! I used goat cheese along with the salsa just because we had to finish it off, but cheddar would be great too. Since I’m not the biggest fan of most block cheeses, I would use low fat cottage cheese for a slightly leaner and higher protein product next time.


That being said, goat cheese adds an extra depth of tangy flavor when mixed with the liquid spice from Drew’s. It’s been pretty busy at work (I got promoted…yay!) and home, so I’ll cut today’s post short. Please try one or both of these healthy recipes A.S.A.P. and report back to me with your results.

Criticism, the constructive kind, not just rudeness, is always welcome and helps adjust recipes as needed.


Enjoy, the weekend is fast approaching!



Drew's Salsa Baked Cornbread
by RC Liley
Ingredients
  • 1 Cup Whole Grain Spelt Flour
  • 1/2 Cup Rolled Oats
  • 1/2 Cup Unflavored Protein Powder
  • 1 1/2 Cups Arrowhead Mills Corn Puffs (or use 3/4 whole grain corn meal)
  • 1/2 Cup Milk of choice
  • 1/2 Cup Drew's Organic Salsa
  • 4 oz Goat Cheese
  • 1/4 Cup Chicken Broth
  • 2 Egg whites or 2 Flax/Chia Eggs
  • 1 T each of Cumin and Garlic Powder
  • 1/4 t Cayenne
  • 1 T Baking Powder
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees farenheit
Add all ingredients to the bowl of your food processor and blend to combine well.
Pour batter into glass baking dish sprayed with non-stick spray
Bake for 45 - 50 min (test for doneness by inserting a fork or knife in the middle; should come out clean)
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Salsa Baked Goat "Cheez-its"
by RC Liley
Prep Time: 15
Cook Time: 20 - 25
Ingredients
  • 1 cup whole grain spelt flour
  • 3/4 cup unflavored protein powder
  • 1/2 cup oat bran
  • 4 tablespoons low-fat cottage cheese
  • 4 ounces creamy goat cheese (chevre); you could use all cottage cheese for a lower fat and easier option
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, but highly recommended)
  • 1/2 tablespoon cumin
  • 1/2 cup Drew’s Salsa; any flavor will work
Instructions
Combine flour, oat bran, cheeses, salt, and cayenne in the work bowl of your food processor.
Pulse until crumbly and then add in salsa a little at a time, until dough comes together. (You may need to add more)
Wrap dough in plastic wrap and quick chill in freezer for 5 – 10 minutes or in fridge overnight.
Preheat oven to 350ยบ. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or nonstick silicone mats. Set aside.
Place dough between floured parchment paper or a silicone mat; it can be sticky. With a floured rolling pin, roll to 1/8-inch thickness.
Using a pizza cutter, cut into 2-inch squares or whatever size you like. Poke holes with a fork or toothpick in each one to help keep them from being to “puffy”. Slide parchment paper or mats onto baking sheets.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until crackers turn a light brown and are crisp. Remove one to let cool and check to see if it’s crispy. If they are not crisp, bake a few minutes longer.
Remove from oven and let cool completely. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days (they won’t last that long!).
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Tuesday, July 10, 2012

WIAW #19 Adding Spice With Fun Fitness and Drew's Salsa




Last week I mentioned how I've been working to change up my exercise routine to be more focused on strength.  I've been challenging myself with heavy compound lifts like bench, squat, row, and dead lift, but Kelley has been doing the Supreme 90 videos my mom got me for my birthday, and I decided to try them too.

Wow! I thought I could use heavy dumbbells like I do in the garage, but the fast pace of the videos requires a lower the weight.  Besides the annoying people (I swear, this one girl looks like a zombie with floppy arms), the videos are pretty effective.  I'm soaked after it's over (only 20 - 30 minutes), and the muscle groups worked are screaming at me for the pain they just endured.  So that's good, right? "Muscle confusion" at its finest!

Have you tried the Supreme 90 or similar work out videos?  Basically P90X for the budget-minded and you use more weights. Kelley and I do them together sometimes, and there's just enough room in our living room for the both us. Nothing like bonding with your spouse through pain-induced, sweaty workouts!

Speaking of pain-induced, I had the chance to try all 6 varieties of Drew's Organic Salsas, and whew, the hot one lives up to its name. No worries, though, I love the fiery pain engulfing my mouth and slowly warming my insides.  Me? Crazy? Nah? Plus, spicy food boosts your metabolism. Isn't that what we all want? Mine must be revving like a Ferrari engine by now!
Everything you'd want in a salsa and nothing you wouldn't...

Chips and salsa used to be my only use for salsa, but now I use it as salad dressing.  I used several Drew's varieties as dressing, but loved the Thick and Chunky Medium salsa the most.  It had enough heat without numbing my mouth with spice where I couldn't taste the rest of my food. Probably doesn't help when I add extra cayenne, though....oops!

Really, all 6 flavors are wonderful eaten with a spoon and nothing else. The organic medley of produce and spice creates delicious salsa that's fairly low in sodium and uses all natural ingredients. Fighting the urge to use all of the flavors to top my salad, I chose to "turn up the heat" by baking something with a spicy salsa bite.
Cap added for "dramatic" effect...not for consumption

We had a lot of chevre (goat cheese) left that wouldn't last long, so whatever I made would by very goat cheesy and spicy with Drew' Salsa. I opted to make a whole grain protein cornbread with Drew's Black Bean and Corn salsa and goat cheese. I love using protein powder to replace some flour; post workout baked goods are functional and delicious!

There was still a good chunk of chevre left, and being the good husband that I am, I chose to make one of Kelley's favorite goat cheese treats.....goat "cheez-its"! I used Drew's Thick and Chunky salsa and goat cheese to mix with whole spelt flour, protein powder, and a few other spices to create a hearty and spicy cracker dough.

The crackers magically disappeared within a few hours! I'd say Kelley loved them! They have just the right amount of tangy goat cheese and spice in a crunchy toasted square had us addicted. Guess I need more Drew's and goat cheese! Recipes, you ask? Of course, they'll be on a post soon; I promise!

But now, lets move on to my exercise and eats.  A bigger than big thanks to Jenn at Peas and Crayons for hosting this fun foodie event every Wednesday!

Happy WIAW, Everyone!!







[B] Spicy Carrot and Cauliflower Dip; iced black tea with vanilla rooibos; [S] Drew's Salsa and goat cheese crackers with green tea; [L] Medley of steamed veggies and Wild Planet Tuna topped with Drew's Salsa; Zevia to wash it all down; [Workout] Supreme 90 video and mowing the lawn with a reel mower [D] Huge salad with radishes and grilled chicken topped with, you guessed it, Drew's Salsa; [D2] Chocolate squash and rhubarb smoothie with pistachios, Peanut Butter and Co Crunchy PB, CHO plain Greek yogurt, and pistachios; then a cup of chocolate protein overnight oats

If you haven't tried them, look for Drew's Salsa or Salad Dressing next time you're at the store. I mentioned their delicious Smoked Tomato Dressing in this post and how after Kelley is done, I'll use the bottle to fill with liquid and good something on the stove.  It's the best way to squeeze every bit of flavor out of the tasty, all natural dressing.

I want to thank Angela at Drew's for her kindness and support in helping to provide these flavorful salsas...Thanks, Angela!!

Have you ever baked with salsa? - Yes, see above.
Do you have a certain workout routine for each week or keep it varied and play it by ear? - I have to have a plan or I'll go crazy!