Author: Jenn Mandell

Integrative nutrition and wellness consultant. I work with clients to help them develop sustainable wellness plans that promote better health and longevity.
Dinner, Holiday and Special Occasion

Make Ahead Turkey Gravy

by Jenn Mandell1 Comment on Make Ahead Turkey Gravy
Make Ahead Turkey Gravy

Don’t leave all the cooking until Thanksgiving. This gravy recipe is so flavorful and easy. No giblets required.

In 15 minutes you can have delicious turkey gravy. Make it a couple of days ahead of time to make Thanksgiving day easier. I prefer this to making gravy with turkey drippings because it is less greasy and so flavorful. Make sure you use a good quality turkey or chicken bone broth. Adding a bouquet garni of thyme, rosemary, sage and bay leaf creates a delicious balance of herbs in the gravy. To make the bouquet garni you will wrap the herbs in a double layer of cheesecloth and tie with cooking twine. After the gravy has thickened, remove from heat and add the bouquet garni to the gravy. Let steep for 10 minutes and then remove from gravy and discard.

This gravy can also be made with chicken broth and used throughout the year, not just on Thanksgiving.

I hope you enjoy!!

xo Jenn

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Make ahead Turkey Gravy

Delicious gravy made in 15 minutes
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Sauces and Dips
Cuisine: American
Keyword: gravy, Sauce
Servings: 8

Equipment

  • cheese cloth
  • cooking twine

Ingredients

  • ½ cup butter unsalted
  • ½ cup all purpose flour
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • â…“ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 sprig thyme
  • 3 leaves sage
  • 1 dried bay leaf
  • 1 tsp fresh rosemary

Instructions

  • Make a bouquet garni by wrapping sage, thyme, bay leaf and rosemary in a double layer of cheesecloth and tie with cooking twine. Set aside
  • Melt butter in a sauce pan and whisk in flour. Continue to cook until light brown or longer if you want a darker gravy.
  • Add Turkey broth and stir until thickened, about 5 minutes
  • Turn off heat and add Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper and bouquet garni
  • Let stand for 10 minutes then remove the bouquet garni and discard
  • Serve or store in refrigerator for up to 5 days
snacks, Uncategorized, Recipes, Dinner

Delicious Turkey Chili with Beans and Spices

by Jenn Mandell2 Comments on Delicious Turkey Chili with Beans and Spices
Delicious Turkey Chili with Beans and Spices

Replace red meat with turkey in this tasty, healthy recipe

Two bowls of turkey chili topped with avocado, sour cream, and shredded cheese, alongside a bowl of sliced cucumbers and a container of shredded cheddar cheese.

This turkey and bean chili will spice up your game day or any day of the week. Make it ahead and warm turkey chili up whenever you crave a warm satisfying meal. Serve it over tortilla chips and top wth cheddar cheese, sour cream and guacamole for delicious nachos.

Turkey chili is a great, simple dish that you can make ahead of time. The recipe comes together very easily and then you just let it simmer on the stove.The addition of two different kind of beans makes turkey chili more interesting and flavorful. I especially like to make this dish on Sunday afternoons when we are gathered around watching football. Chili always reminds me of Fall and cozy days at home.

You can adjust the seasonings to suit your level of spiciness. One thing to note is the type of chili powder you are using. Dark chili powder is smokier and uses dark colored peppers like ancho or chipotle. Light chili powder will be more mild. I like to use dark chili powder in this recipe because chili requires a depth of spiciness. If you only have light chili powder add an extra tablespoon to achieve more spice.

Turkey chili will keep for 5 days in the refrigerator or 2 months in the freezer. You can serve turkey chili with whole wheat or flour tortilla or over rice. I like to top turkey chili with fresh grated sharp cheddar cheese, avocado and sour cream. You can also add chopped cilantro if you like.

Please let me know if you tried this recipe. xo, Jenn

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Turkey and Bean Chili

A Healthy and Spicy Chili Recipe
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Course: dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Keyword: beans, chili, healthy recipe, Turkey
Servings: 6
Calories: 297kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp light olive oil
  • 1 lb ground turkey white meat
  • 1½ cup onion chopped
  • 3 tbsp dark chili powder or 4 tbsp of light
  • 2 tbsp cumin
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 can 28 ounce diced tomatoes
  • 1 can 15.5 ounce red kidney beans
  • 1 can 15.5 ounce pinto beans
  • 1½ cups chicken broth

Instructions

  • Heat oil in pot, add chopped onion and sauté for 3 or 4 minutes until translucent
  • Add ground turkey to pot, break up meat with a wooden spoon and you brown meat
  • Add can of diced tomatoes and stir
  • Add both cans of beans
  • Add garlic powder, dark chili powder, cumin, oregano and salt
  • Stir in chicken broth
  • Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour stirring occasionally
  • Serve topped with avocado, sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese

Nutrition

Serving: 1person | Calories: 297kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 1002mg | Potassium: 932mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1312IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 123mg | Iron: 5mg
Recipes, Dessert, Holiday and Special Occasion

Delicious Fall Pear Tart Recipe

by Jenn Mandell3 Comments on Delicious Fall Pear Tart Recipe
Delicious Fall Pear Tart Recipe

Perfect dessert for Fall

This pear tart comes together so quickly and is absolutely delicious and healthy. Whenever I make it at home you can smell the warm scent of the cinnamon and pears throughout the house. It smells like Fall and tantalizes your senses waiting to take a bite. The homemade graham cracker crust is easy to make and is so much better than a store bought crust. It is easy to make this pear tart a few hours ahead of time then pop it back in the oven to reheat and serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Any pears will do but it is better if they are not overly ripe. The pears should be slightly firm. I prefer to use Bartlett pears. There is no need to peel them, it tastes great with the skin on.

Try making this tart for Thanksgiving or any day you want a delicious treat. Pears are perfect in Fall, so why not try this pear tart today.

pear tart
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Quick Pear Tart

Pear Tart with Graham Cracker Crust is Ready in Under an Hour
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: dessert, healthy recipe, Holiday, pear tart
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 259kcal

Equipment

  • 10 inch fluted tart pan

Ingredients

Crust

  • 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 7 tbsp unsalted butter melted
  • 2 tbsp light brown sugar packed

Filling

  • 3 pears cored and sliced
  • 4 tbsp light brown sugar packed
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • ¼ tsp cinnamon

Instructions

Crust

  • Mix graham cracker crumbs and brown sugar together in a bowl
  • Add melted butter and mix thoroughly
  • Press crumb mixture onto the bottom and sides of the tart pan
  • Bake at 350℉ for 10 minutes
  • Remove from oven and let cool while you prepare the filling

Filling

  • Mix brown sugar and flour together then use your fingers to incorporate the butter until the mixture becomes crumbly
  • Core the pears and slice
  • Arrange pears in an overlapping pattern on top of crust
  • Top with crumb mixture and bake at 375℉ in the middle of the oven for 35 minutes
  • Let cool for 10 minutes then slice and serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 259kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 109mg | Potassium: 123mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 410IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg
Salads and Appetizers, Lunch, Dinner

Quick and Easy Quinoa: Your Guide to Perfect Preparation

by Jenn Mandell1 Comment on Quick and Easy Quinoa: Your Guide to Perfect Preparation
Quick and Easy Quinoa: Your Guide to Perfect Preparation

This quinoa recipe is a crowd pleaser

Quinoa is considered healthier than rice because it is a complete protein and full of fiber and vitamins. Quinoa has a tender bite to it and is a very versatile grain. Quinoa is also very easy to prepare and stores well in the refrigerator. Quinoa makes a great side and is also perfect tossed into arugula salad with some fresh feta cheese sprinkled on top. I make quinoa using chicken broth but vegetable broth is also perfect if you would like to keep the quinoa vegetarian.

Follow these easy steps to make perfectly fluffy quinoa. Quinoa is simple to make and so versatile. Try adding more vegetables to this quinoa recipe to make it a hearty vegetarian meal. Perfect for lunch or dinner. I would love to hear your feedback on ways you have used this quinoa recipe.

fluffy quinoa
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Perfect Quinoa

Adding sun-dried tomatoes and capers to quinoa makes this recipe super delicious
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Course: dinner, lunch, Salad, Side Dish
Keyword: quinoa, rice and grains, Side Dishes
Servings: 4
Calories: 227kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped
  • 1/4 cup capers
  • 1 cup quinoa rinsed well
  • 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper

Instructions

  • Add olive oil to pot over medium heat
  • Add sun-dried tomatoes and capers and sauté for 1 minute
  • Stir in quinoa
  • Add chicken or vegetable broth and pepper
  • Bring to a boil and then simmer on low for 15 minutes uncovered
  • Stir halfway through
  • After 15 minutes most of the liquid should be absorbed.
  • Cover pot with a lid and turn off heat. Let stand for 5 minutes until all the liquid is absorbed.
  • Fluff with a fork and serve

Nutrition

Calories: 227kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 348mg | Potassium: 582mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 81IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 3mg
Recipes, Lunch, Dinner

20-Minute Healthy Shrimp Recipe with Feta

by Jenn Mandell1 Comment on 20-Minute Healthy Shrimp Recipe with Feta
20-Minute Healthy Shrimp Recipe with Feta

This Delicious Seafood Recipe Can be Ready In 20 Minutes or Less

Shrimp, Tomatoes, Corn, Spinach and Feta Cheese All Come Together With Garlic, Lemon and Red Pepper To make This Winning Combination. Healthy and Delicious

shrimp with tomatoes, corn and spinach
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Delicious Shrimp Medley

A simple shrimp dish pairs well with rice or pasta
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Course: dinner, lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: fish, seafood, shrimp
Servings: 2
Calories: 347kcal

Ingredients

  • 3/4 lb shrimp medium size (about 10)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 cup corn
  • 1/2 pint grape tomatoes
  • 2 cups baby spinach coarsely chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil coarsely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic thinly sliced
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes or to taste
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1/8 cup white wine
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup feta cheese crumbled

Instructions

  • Add olive oil to a pan over medium heat
  • Add peeled and cleaned shrimp and cook almost through. About 2 minutes
  • Remove shrimp from pan and set aside
  • Add whole tomatoes to pan and cook on medium heat until starting to blister
  • Add corn and stir for a minute or two
  • Add garlic, salt and red pepper flakes and sauté until garlic begins to brown
  • Add baby spinach and basil, wine, lemon juice and butter and sauté until spinach is wilted
  • Add shrimp back into pan to reheat and serve topped with crumbled feta

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 347kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 291mg | Sodium: 690mg | Potassium: 1048mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 4224IU | Vitamin C: 30mg | Calcium: 269mg | Iron: 3mg
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Wellness Tips

Air Chilled or Water Chilled Chicken

by Jenn MandellLeave a Comment on Air Chilled or Water Chilled Chicken

What’s the difference and why is one better?

Make sure the label says 100% air chilled. When chicken is water chilled it is thrown into water baths that contain chlorine and other chemicals. These chemicals are absorbed by the chicken. you do not want to consume these chemicals. Additionally, water chilled chicken adds weight to the chicken so you end up paying more for less meat. Chicken that has been water chilled is also more rubbery and less flavorful than air chilled. The choice is clear: Buy Air Chilled Chicken