Sweet Potato and Bell Pepper Pasta

Whether you’re cooking for a hot vegetarian or just want to give your guts a meat break, this simple, delicious recipe will do the trick.
By Jon Luman

A burger from a fast food joint or a steak off of your Foreman are fine once in awhile, but if you’re cooking for a woman who happens to be a vegetarian — or if you’re planning to live past 50 — you need to change it up. But you don’t have to give anything up; you can still love what you’re eating and feel satisfied at the end. This easy-to-make guy recipe for sweet potato and bell pepper pasta takes you about 30 minutes start to finish. It’s loaded with fiber and vitamin C, and contains 12 grams of protein. Serve with a garden salad as a starter and you’ve got yourself a meatless meal that’ll leave you and your lady friend looking forward to dessert! God we hate ourselves for writing that.

Prep time: 10-12 minutes
Cooking time: 17-20 minutes

Ingredients
8 ounces whole-wheat angel hair pasta
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups of sliced sweet potato
1 large bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 cup diced plum tomatoes
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
3/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese

How to cook it
1. Boil a large pot of water and drop in the pasta. Cook 4 to 5 minutes.
2. Place 1 tablespoon of oil and garlic in a large skillet and cook over medium heat for 2 to 5 minutes. Stir occasionally.
3. Add sweet potato, pepper, tomatoes, and water to skillet, and stir occasionally for 5-7 minutes.
4. Remove from the heat and cover to keep it warm.
5. Drain the pasta, but keep about 1/2 cup of the cooking water in the pot before returning the pasta to the pot.
6. Add the vegetable mixture, the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil, parsley, tarragon, lemon juice, sea salt, and cheese; toss to combine.
7. Add the reserved pasta water, 2 tablespoons at a time, to achieve the desired consistency.

http://www.modernman.com/guy-recipes-sweet-potato-and-bell-pepper-pasta/

Protein Packed Tuna Salad Pita

Ingredients
2 whole-wheat pitas
1 can tuna canned in water without salt
Lemon juice from 2 wedges
2 tsps olive oil
1/2 small onion diced (purple or red onion adds color)
1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
1 tbsp chopped parsley
Salt and pepper

Directions
Open can of tuna, drain it, and place in a bowl.
Stir in lemon juice and olive oil.
Add bell pepper, onion, and parsley.
Salt and pepper to taste.
Pop into the pita and eat!

This recipe is based on a can of tuna, which usually yields about two pita sandwiches in my house. If you're only making one serving, you can save the rest for a snack. When grocery shopping, pick the canned tuna in water instead of oil. If you want to add some more color and pucker to the mix, throw in some diced black olives and capers.

http://www.fitsugar.com/Healthy-Delicious-Tuna-Salad-Recipe-10880858

Pork Beef and Black Bean Chili

Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound ground pork
1 pound ground beef
1 pound chuck steak, fat trimmed, cut into 1-inch cubes
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups water
2 tablespoons ground cumin
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 6-ounce cans tomato paste
2 teaspoons sugar
3 cups diced fresh tomatoes
3 cups diced onions
3 cups diced red bell peppers
3 cups canned black beans, drained, rinsed (from three 15-ounce cans)
1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 3/4 cups (about) beef broth
Grated cheddar cheese

Preparation
Heat olive oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add ground pork and ground beef and sauté until brown, about 3 minutes. Add cubed beef and garlic and sauté 5 minutes. Add 2 cups water; bring to boil. Add cumin, chili powder, oregano, salt, and cayenne pepper. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 10 minutes. Add tomato paste and sugar and simmer 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, onions, and peppers and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes. Add black beans and cilantro to chili. Add beef broth 3/4 cup at a time, until thinned to desired consistency. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Refrigerate uncovered until cold, then cover and keep refrigerated.) Bring chili to simmer. Ladle hot chili into bowls; top with grated cheddar cheese and serve.

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Pork-Beef-and-Black-Bean-Chili-107280

Easy Meatloaf

Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
1 egg lightly beaten
8 oz's canned diced tomatoes with juice
1/2 cup quick cooking oats (minute quaker instant oatmeal)

Topping (probably want to double):
1/3 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon prepared mustard

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 deg F.
Mix all meatloaf ingredients well and place in a baking dish. Shape into a loaf.
Topping:
Mix ingredients for topping and spread on loaf. Bake for 1 hour. (probably 75-80 minutes actually. just check).

http://caloriecount.about.com/meatloaf-recipe-r281514