5 Minute Black Bean + Salsa Tacos

Hello everybody! SO sorry to have been away from my blog for so long. Good news is you'll be seeing a lot more recipes popping up on Noms McGee from now on. Like this one... Black Bean & Salsa Tacos!

So,  part of the reason why I haven't been making too many recipes is because I started this thing called grad school which consumes most of my life. But, it has provided me with inspiration to create healthy meals in minutes.... yes, minutes! As a grad student, I come home hungry, or hangry is probably a better word. The only thing on my mind riding the bus home is what can I whip up that will feed me asap! Well, this recipe did just the trick and now it is has become a weeknight staple. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do!

Ingredients:
6 corn tortillas
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 can tomato paste
1 cup plain yogurt
1 cup prepared salsa
1 small avocado

Directions:
1. Warm tortillas in a pan for 2 minutes on each side.
2. In a bowl, mash the drained beans and mix with tomato paste.
3. Spoon black bean mash onto center of tortillas. (approximately 2 tbsp)
4. Top each tortilla with a tablespoon of salsa, yogurt, and avocado.

Enjoy!



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Maple Roasted Delicata Squash

Squash is such a cozy food isn't it? Now that we've entered November nothing sounds better than coming home from a long day of work and filling my belly with something warm. Well, one day this little delicate squash was sitting on my kitchen counter just waiting for me to throw it in the oven. In just 15 minutes, I had a delicious side and I was oh so cozy. I paired this recipe with kale and walnuts. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Maple Roasted Delicata Squash

Ingredients:
1 delicata squash
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp cinnamon
salt & pepper to taste
1/4 cup raisins (optional)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Wash squash and slice in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds. Slice each half into 1-inch segments. Mix squash, oil, syrup, cinnamon, salt and pepper in a bowl then scatter onto a baking sheet. Place in the oven for 15-20 minutes. Top with raisins or dried cranberries.

{Recipe ReDux} Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats

This month's Recipe ReDux theme, "Spooky Spices" made me realize I really need to stock my spice cabinet. Since I moved to Portland and started the dietetic internship, my meals have been quite spiceless. Sure, my veggies and quinoa have tons of flavor on their own, but I guess it's time to turn up the heat.

This recipe for Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats is super quick to throw together after a busy day and makes for a delicious breakfast the next morning. The funny thing is, I never cared very much for pumpkin flavored things. Now, I'm going pumpkin crazy. It is so delicious! I especially love pumpkin pie which is why I decided to toss it into my morning mix.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup old fashioned oats

1 cup vanilla soymilk

1/4 cup pumpkin puree

1/8 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice

small dash of salt
2 tbsp raisins

Directions:
Combine ingredients in a jar and stir. Cover and place in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning top with granola or raisins! 

An InLinkz Link-up

{Recipe ReDux} Baked Rotini in a Pumpkin Sauce with Parmesan + Pecans

By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by the National Pasta Association and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.

I'm 75% Italian which ultimately means pasta is my favorite meal of all time. The options are endless with pasta which is why we should celebrate National Pasta Month! You can have it with a marinara sauce, pesto sauce, vodka sauce, or garlic and oil. You can have it with veggies, meat, beans, or eggs. You can have penne, rotini, linguini, or fettuccine. Pasta is the perfect foundation for a healthy meal.

I especially love buying whole wheat pasta. It's an affordable way to incorporate whole grains into your diet plus, it's guaranteed to be satiating. As a college student, I often come home in dire need of a quick fix for dinner. This recipe couldn't be any easier to throw together and it enhances the flavors of fall! 

Ingredients:
1/4 cup olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 can pumpkin puree
1/8 cup reduced fat milk
1/4 cup pecans
2 leaves of sage, chopped

1 box whole grain rotini
salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:
1. In a large saucepan, sauté garlic and onion in olive oil. Cook until garlic is brown and onion is translucent. Add the pumpkin and milk. Stir. 
2. Stir in sage, pecans, salt and pepper. Cook for 10 minutes. 
3. While the sauce is cooking, bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. 
4. Combine the pasta and sauce in a baking pan. Place in the oven for 20 minutes.

Voila!

As the first and only recipe challenge founded by registered dietitians, The Recipe ReDux aims to inspire the food lover in every healthy eater and inspire the healthy eater in every food lover. Thank you for visiting. Hope you enjoy!

An InLinkz Link-up

Strawberry Yogurt Cake

Yesterday, I celebrated my birthday with wonderful people and delicious food. This reminded me of how powerful a meal can be when spent with the right people. As part of my dietetic internship application, I wrote about food's role in bringing people together, bonding, and celebrating. Well, this recipe is meant to do just that. I strongly encourage you to share a slice of this Strawberry Yogurt Cake with someone you love.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
dash of salt
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsp maple syrup
1 egg
1 cup vanilla Greek yogurt
1 cup fresh berries
1/4 cup hemp seeds

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs. Add to flour mix.
4. Stir in olive oil, maple syrup, yogurt, berries, and seeds. Mix.
5. Pour into a greased cake pan.
6. Bake for 40 minutes.

I like a to smear a little bit of jam on top and serve with fresh berries for breakfast.

Whole Wheat Linguini with Poached Egg

I love to cook, but I especially love to cook something that's quick. Well, this pasta recipe just worked its way to the top of my list as it cooks in less than a half an hour. If that's not satisfying enough, the added bonus is that it's hearty, healthy, and absolutely delicious! The addition of the eggs adds a punch of flavor to this traditional pesto dish.

1 cup whole wheat linguini
1 cup mushrooms, chopped
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
homemade pesto
4 eggs, (1 egg per serving) poached
parmesan cheese

Place a pot of water over medium heat. Bring to a boil. In the meantime, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and onion and let brown. Then, add the mushrooms and cook until tender. When pasta is cooked, strain and pour in a bowl. Add the mushrooms and pesto. Mix. Divide pasta equally and top with parmesan cheese and a poached egg.

Enjoy!

{Recipe ReDux} Banana Bread Bars

School has officially started.

It's been a great first week, but I'm so happy that it's Friday! The first week is always tough. After a whole summer of sleeping in, waking up at 5 AM just doesn't feel natural. For me, breakfast is usually at 6, but by the time 9 rolls around, I'm hungry again! In order to stay sane, I pack some snacks. I love this month's Recipe ReDux theme, because bars, bites, and brown bag snacks are so important for us, kids to stay alert throughout the school day.

This recipe for Banana Bread Bars has only 4 wholesome ingredients making it very easy to pop in the oven on a Sunday night. It kind of resembles a Larabar which happens to be one my favorite on-the-go snacks.

Ingredients;
3 very ripe bananas
3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup applesauce
1 tbsp cinnamon

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, mash the bananas.  Fold the flour into the mashed bananas. Then, add the applesauce and cinnamon. Mix well and place into a small greased pan. Bake for 30 minutes.

An InLinkz Link-up