Chicken Pinwheels

Chicken Pinwheels (or rolls -- I couldn't decide)

The recipe is for one serving but I actually cooked 4 of these for the whole family.  I called it pinwheels because I have kids -- kids like pinwheels. 

Make sure everything is cut thinly to make it easier to roll.  You'll need a sharp knife to cut the tomatoes cleanly .  As far as asparagus, I used 4 spears but the grocery sold this really thin asparagus so if you fee, you need less because you have the thicker kind, please use less.


You actually still have 1 more condiment left so drizzling it with more parmesan cheese halfway to baking it, is acceptable.  I chose to skip it and opted for a Laughing Cow Cheese.

Medifast Lean and Green Recipe
1/2 tbsp Olive Oil
1/4 tsp garlic, minced
6 oz Boneless Chicken Breast
salt and pepper to taste
1 tbsp Parmesan Cheese
1/2 tomato, cut in VERY thin slices.
4 asparagus spears

1. Preheat oven 375 degrees.
2. Cut the chicken across in half so you have a thinner chicken.  Put it between two saran wraps and pound it until you have less than half an inch and flat chicken.  Remember that you will be rolling it so make sure the chicken is not too thick.
3. Heat oil in medium-high heat.  Add garlic.
4. Season chicken with salt and pepper and place on skillet to cook for about 2 minutes.  Just enough to lightly brown it.  Cook one side only.
5. Remove from skillet and spread parmesan cheese on top on the uncooked side.
6. Spread tomatoes and asparagus evenly.  Roll and place in baking pan.
7. Bake for about 12 minutes (or chicken is 170 degrees)
8. (optional) Cut crosswise to make pinwheels.

This is how it looks on the baking pan.  Just keep them
packed so they don't unroll.  

Is that a wedge of Laughing Cow cheese I see?  Why yes!
Tip:  Laughing Cow is so yummy inside the chicken.  Try
it if you're okay with the calories.

Beef stir-fry with Asparagus

We are at the tail end of Asparagus season I believe which explains why it's everywhere nowadays.  I picked up some when I saw it on sale at Sprouts today.  They had such a beautiful, huge display that it made me want to buy some.  Besides, my fastest dinner nowadays always involves frozen salmon and we all know asparagus is the perfect side dish to salmon.

But today, I wanted to have some beef because I haven't shared any beef recipes yet. 

For those cooking for your entire family, serve this with rice for those not in the Medifast plan.

To those with aversion to asparagus, you can try cauliflower or brocolli florets instead.

This recipe meets the less than 3 condiments recommended by Medifast.

Medifast Lean and Green Recipe

Ingredients:

1/4 lb boneless beef such as flank steak, tri-tip or sirloin thinly sliced	(1/4 lb is only 4 oz.  Remember that you are allowed up to 5 ozs.  so feel free to add a bit more)
1 tsp fish sauce	Condiment #1 - 1/3
1 tsp water
1 tsp tamari sauce (or soy sauce)	Condiment #2
1/6 tsp black pepper	Condiment #1 - 1/3
1/4 tsp sweet leaf	Condiment #1 - 1/8
1/2 cup asparagus	Green (1 serving)
1 tsp olive oil	Healthy Fat (1 serving)
1 tsp chopped garlic	Condiment #3
1 tsp water
1 tsp thinly sliced green onions	Condiment #1 1/24

In a medium bowl, combine the beef with 1/2 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp water, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1/2 tsp black pepper and sweet leaf.  Toss and mix well.   Allow to marinate for 15 to 20 minutes while you prepare the remaining ingredients.

Trim the asparagus by cutting off 1/3 of the flat end.  Then cut the rest diagonally into 2-inch lengths.  Set aside.

In a large skillet, heat oil over high heat.   Do not allow to heat up so much that smoke is starting to form.  Add garlic, toss well adn then scatter the beef in the pan.  Cook briefly on one side then toss once to sear the other side.  Add the asparagus and toss well.  Add the remaining 1/2 tbsp of fish sauce, 2-1/2 tbsp of water and the green onion.  Cook, tossing once or twice while the aparagus is shiny and tender but not soft. 

Serve.