Eat as the Greeks do...

                         Chicken Souvlaki

Active Time: 30 min

Total Time: 1 hr 40 min

Serves 4

1 1/2 tsp finely grated lemon zest, plus 3Tbs lemon juice

2 garlic cloves, finely grated

1Tbs chopped fresh oregano

2Tbs extra virgin olive oil

Coarse salt & fresh pepper

1lb boneless, skinless chicken beast halves, cut into 2 inch cubes

1/4 English cucumber, chopped

1/2 cup fat-free Greek yogurt

3 plum tomatoes, quartered

1/2 small red onion, cut 3/4 inch thick, and separated into slices

4 whole wheat pitas (you can use Naan Bread too)

1. Whisk together lemon zest, 1Tbs plus 1 1/2 tsp lemon juice, half the garlic, the oregano, 1Tbs plus 1tsp oil, and 1/2 tsp salt. Add chicken and Ross to coat. Refrigerate, covered, for 45 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, stir together remaining lemon juice, garlic, the cucumber, and yogurt, and 1/4 tsp salt. Refrigerate, covered until ready to serve.

3. Heat grill to medium heat. Thread chicken, tomatoes, and onion onto skewers. Brush with remaining 2 tap oil, and season with pepper.

4. Grill skewers, turning, until browned on all sides & cooked through about 8 minutes per side. Grill pitas until charred, about 2 minutes per side.

5. Serve skewers with charred pita bread and cucumber yogurt sauce. Garnish with oregano leaves.

This meal is easy when it comes to preparing, it's refreshing during the hot summer months here in Arizona. When I make this meal I can picture myself in Greece looking out over the Mediterranean with a glass of wine enjoying the sunset. If you enjoy trying new dished you will fall in Love with this one.

Quinoa

Just some helpful tips on why Quinoa should be incorporated into you diet. Quinoa is an amino acid-rich (protein) seed that has a fluffy, creamy, slightly crunchy texture and a somewhat nutty flavor when cooking. Quinoa is very rich in manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, fiber, folate, and copper, all great ingredients that your body needs. 

 Health Benefits

• High in protein and contains all 9 essential amino acids
• Helps for Migraine Headaches- rich in magnesium which helps relax the blood vessels, preventing the constriction and rebound dilation characteristics of migraines.
• Helps Improve Cardiovascular Health

Rainbow Quinoa Stir-Fry

1 cup Rainbow Quinoa ( You can use the regular kind as well)
1 Tbs Olive Oil
2-3 Garlic Cloves, minced
White Onion, chopped
Broccoli
2-3 Carrots
Green Beans or Sugar Snap Peas (or both)
Corn
Bell Peppers
Avocado (add when serving)
Salt and Pepper

Directions:

Follow directions on the back of the package for cooking the Quinoa in a separate pot, since there is just myself and my sister 1 Cup of Quinoa makes enough for dinner and lunch the next day. Once cooked set aside.

In a large pan saute olive oil, onions, and minced garlic. Once cooked through add carrots, broccoli. Cook until soft, then add remaining vegetables. Add salt and pepper to taste. Once the vegetables are cooked to your liking add the Quinoa to the mixture, you may find you need to add more olive oil, salt and pepper. Once everything is mixed you may serve. Top the final dish with avocado. This dish is really great because you can add any vegetables that you like to or remove any that I have listed above to your liking. This is a simple, but very healthy dish and it's great for lunch the next day. If you are vegetarian this is a great meal to make as well. You may also add meat to this as well.

Enjoy!