Mushroom & Basil Turkey Muffins – Simple & Healthy!

Plain ground turkey meat is not all that appetizing. What makes it so delicious is the seasonings, flavors, and salt that you can add to it! But what do you do if you’re like me and you’re trying to keep your salt to a minimum and your diet as clean as possible (without going stir crazy)? So I’ve been following a very strict “plan” and am ready to experiment just how strict I can stay while still adding loads of flavor. Below is the ingredients & cooking instructions for my delicious mushroom and basil turkey muffins! Before you scroll down, keep in mind this was during one of my cooking binges. Anyone else go on cooking binges? I was bored, in general and with my diet, so all of the sudden I cooked up everything I just bought at the grocery store into three GREAT dishes, this one included, that I will be sharing with you all! When I go on these cooking “binges”, I typically just eye everything. I have become very good at eye-ing ingredients, so don’t be worried – you can trust me.

Mushroom & Basil Turkey Muffins!

Approx. 1 pound Ground Turkey Meat
2 cups cut up Mushrooms
Mrs. Dash Italian Medley Seasoning
Lemon Juice
Basil

Combine all ingredients into a bowl (or your meat container, I honestly just didn’t want to do dishes). This is where eye-ing your ingredients comes in handy. Do you want the flavor overloaded with Basil? Go ahead, girl, sprinkle as much as you want! The same goes for the lemon juice and italian medley seasoning. (I know I said “girl” but, dudes can make this recipe too, in case you were wondering)

Mush (professional cooking terms) your ingredients together until everything looks portioned. This is a good time to decide if you need to add more basil, lemon juice, or Mrs. Dash.

Portion your “mush” into muffin tins. Mine fit perfectly into six muffin cups! (Don’t forget to use Pam!)
Cook on 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes! Cooking time may vary, as my oven is pretty strong.

To make sure they are done, place your fork in them, if they slide right out and are nice and firm – they are finished! If not, put them in for another 5 minutes.

Makes 3 Servings
Serving Size: 4 oz (two muffins)
Approx. 170 Calories, 9 g Fat, 1 Carb, 23 g Protein

You really can’t go wrong with this recipe! If you prefer ground beef, go for it! These muffins are great on-the-go and portioned perfectly! For all of you heavy lifters, all six of these muffins may be your whole dinner. For some, two muffins is just enough! I ate my portion with 1/2 cup Brown Rice and 2 cups of broccoli. Hash tag eat clean, hash tag meat for dayz.

Yours Truly,

Stef

 

Paleo Pesto Meatloaf

So we all know that ground turkey meat and turkey burgers are many first-time dieters first step towards greatness. When I started dieting, I lived off turkey burgers. Almost every day was a plain turkey burger, or ground turkey with veggies. That’s boring. I do not want to eat that every day. So when I get bored I try to make the most delicious and nutritious meal possible. Here’s another simple-as-pie tip from me to spice up your ground turkey.

I found these amazing mini-meatloaf tins to make my meatloaf in. I used 14 oz of ground turkey meat and mixed it with about 1/3 cup of my homemade pesto. I did my meatloaf in layers, to ensure it had the best flavor. I put a layer of meat on the bottom, then placed a thin layer of pesto. I continued that process until the meatloaf pan was filled, and placed another smaller layer of pesto on the top. I cooked this on 375 degrees for about twenty minutes. I checked my meatloaf, then kept it in for another 15 minutes. (This may vary depending on the quality of your oven.)

There we go! Completely paleo. Try not to eat the whole thing…unless your diet calls for 14 oz of ground meat. Otherwise, go for it. I’ve made this with ground beef before, and it is just as delicious. The flavor of the turkey meat is a little more plain, therefore the pesto is more potent. That was my goal, I love pesto. I paired my meatloaf with some sweet potato fries. I have to make those in servings, as I go, because I have a hard time not eating the whole tray of sweet potato fries… Not afraid to admit that. Five minutes later they will absolutely be gone. Sweet potato’s are by far my favorite carb source. Here are my two favorite ways to eat them.

Fries! Yum. Lather them with olive oil and salt. Add garlic, or any other spices. If you’re a cheese eater, add parmesan cheese. Do your thing. I put mine in the oven differently every time, it depends how you cut them. I believe these were on 350 for about 20 minutes.

A very well done sweet potato with cinnamon and cashew butter. If you’ve never tried this you’re in for a treat. Perfect combination of carbs and fats, and the cashew butter melts right on. I’m waiting for the moment I try it with peanut butter… we’ll see.