Guilt-Free and Easy-Peasy One-Pan Meals by Chef Mom Instructor Len Santos-Ding

With the rise of technology, people have grown more pre-occupied of so many modern things, forgetting the basic and most important of all -- -healthy but good food. Because we’re too busy and have less time to stay in the kitchen, we’ve grown so accustomed of eating fast or fried food. Len Santos-Ding, mom chef instructor believes that a deliciously healthy meal doesn’t have to be boring by incorporating real and whole ingredients that are not hard to prepare at all.

On my previous post about the Jeunesse Anion event filled with fun, food and fitness I mentioned that Chef Len prepared Guilt-Free and Easy-Peasy One-Pan Meals courtesy of Simply Cereal, Doña Elena Olive Oils, Clara Ole, and Al Dente Pasta. I promised to make a post solely dedicated for her recipes and here it is! Enjoy :)

Peanut Butter, Muesli and Fruit Parfait
Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• 6 tbsps blueberries
• 2 tbsps peanut butter
• 4 tbsps plain yogurt
• 1 sliced banana
• 1/2 cup Simply Cereal Apple & Cranberry Muesli

Directions:

1. Whisk together the peanut butter and yogurt.
2. In an individual serving bowl or water goblet, layer half of the bananas. Top with 3 Tbsps of blueberries. Top with half the yogurt mixture and sprinkle with 3 tbsps of muesli. Repeat to make 2 layers.
3. Keep it chilled until serving time.

One-Pot Cheesy Pesto and Vegetable Pasta

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ to 3 cups broth or water
• 120 g Doña Elena Al Dente Spaghetti, uncooked
• 1 small onion, julienned
• 1 cup (60 g) broccoli florets
• ½ cup (30 g) asparagus, cut into 2 inch pieces
• 4 cloves of garlic, sliced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half
• pinch of red pepper flakes
• ½ tsp sea salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tbsps Doña Elena Pure or Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• ½ cup (80 g) green peas
• ½ cup Clara Ole Cheesy Pesto Sauce
• 3 Tbsps grated parmesan cheese
• 1 cup greens (kale, arugula, malunggay leaves)

Optional: 100 g peeled shrimps

Directions:

1. In a large pot, add 2 ½ cups broth, spaghetti, onions, broccoli, asparagus, garlic, and cherry tomatoes. Season with red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Drzizle with Dona Elena Olive Oil and set over high heat.
2. Once it starts to boil, set the timer to 7 minutes. Toss once in a while using tongs.
3.  After 7 minutes, pasta should be almost cooked. If broth is drying out, add ½ cup more. Add peas and Clara Ole Cheesy Pesto. *You may add shrimps at this point if you wish.
4. Once it’s done, adjust seasoning if needed. Toss in greens such as malunggay leaves. Add grated parmesan cheese.

Golden Quinoa and Bokchoy Salad
Serves 3-4

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 tbsps Doña Elena Pure Olive Oil
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1/2-cup mushrooms, sliced
• 1 cup (170 g) uncooked quinoa
• 1/8 tsp cumin
• 1/8 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp turmeric
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cups water or vegetable stock
• 1/2 cup red and green bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 cup purple cabbage, julienned
• 1/2 cup chopped flat parsley
• 2 bundles bokchoy, sliced thinly
• 1/2 tsp grated dried shiitake mushroom

Citrus Dressing:

• juice and zest of 1 small lemon
• juice and zest of 1 orange
• 2 Tbsp Dona Elena Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1/4 cup mandarin oranges, drained

Directions:

1. Put quinoa in a fine mesh strainer. Rinse under running water until water runs clear.
2. Heat oil in a saucepot over medium heat. Saute garlic. Add mushrooms and cook for about a minute. Add quinoa. Add more oil if needed. Quinoa grains must be coated with oil so it will be fluffy when cooked. Let it simmer then cook for about 15 minutes.
3. Once cooked, add the bell peppers, purple cabbage, flat parsley and bokchoy. Grate some dried shiitake on top for added umami. Cover so vegetables will soften in the steam as you make the dressing.
4. To make the dressing, whisk together lemon juice, orange juice and olive oil. Or you may put the ingredients in a small bottle and shake well. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Pour over the salad while still hot. Add mandarin oranges. It may be served hot, room temperature or cold.

Remember: “If your body is not starved for nutrition, it doesn’t crave junk food,” So choose wisely and healthy!