Clean Eating Zucchini Ravioli

Can I just say that I LOVE recipes that incorporate veggies in place of pasta or rice! Because I DO! It's the best way to get more greens in and an excellent way to balance carbs. 

Personally,  I try to have most of my complex carbs earlier in the day when I need the most energy and then eat more lean protein sources and veggies for dinner.  I'm not perfect with this by any means- but I try my best. I typically workout earlier in the day, so if you workout at night, you may want to plan to have a complex carb as part of your post workout recovery meal.

Anyways- this zucchini ravioli right here is a DREAM! It is SO delicious and I know you are just going to love it! I made it for the first time impressed myself with the fancy factor that this delivers. My husband devoured it and I absolutely cannot wait to make this again. Please enjoy and if you make it- let me know how it works out for you!

INGREDIENTS: 

• 3 medium zucchini- peeled with into thin ribbons
• 1 cup part- skim ricotta
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (divided into 2- 1/2 cups)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 tsp each of onion and garlic powder and oregano
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
• 3/4-1 cup no salt tomato sauce (depending how much you like)

DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 350. After you wash and peel the zucchini into ribbons. Take the middle part that is leftover after you start to see that you can no longer peel an even ribbon and finely dice leftover zucchini. Sauté the diced zucchini 1 tbsp EVOO, a little salt and pepper for about 3-4 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Mix together the ricotta, 1/2 cup shredded cheese, spices, chopped basil and diced zucchini for your filling. Lay two zucchini ribbons flat side by side and then another 2 on top in the middle, forming a cross and scoop filling into the middle. Alternate folding up sides to make a ravioli and place folded side down in a sprayed casserole pan. Repeat this (this made 8 for me- serving 2-3 per person). 

Top with tomato sauce and remaining other 1/2 cup of cheese. Cook for about 20-25 minutes and then broil on high for about 3-4 minutes until bubbly and golden brown. Top with some more fresh chopped basil and ENJOY!!

Cran-Apple Granola Bites

Are you a snack person? The type of person that could literally eat snacks for meals all day long and perfectly ok with it? Love little bites or appetizers? Meee too! We are going to get along together just fine :)

I'm always in search for those types of snacks that won't leave me hungry in 30 minutes wondering when the next meal is. I try to avoid a case of the #hangrys at all costs! I have to say this snack...really hits the spot! So I have to tell you, my fave juice when I was little was cran-apple juice. SUPER high in sugar though and not on the list of things I drink these days, BUT this little snack does the trick and brings me back down memory lane.

I aim to eat 5-6 times a day with 2-3 of those times being snacks. This snack is perfect for a post workout meal- it has a good amount of fiber to keep you satisfied until your next meal which is key! Plus these little apple bites just look so cute! Something about it when you make a meal and not only does it taste good but it also looks good too!

Cran-Apple Granola Bites



 

Ingredients

• 1/2 Medium Granny Smith Apple
• 2 tsp peanut or almond butter
• 2 tbsp. granola (I used Kind granola- Honey Oat & Coconut)
• 1 tsp craisins
• a pinch of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice

Instructions

 

• Cut the apple into discs (should just be half the apple for 1 serving size (save the other half of the apple in a storage bag for later and put in fridge with a squeeze of lemon juice to keep fresh!)
• Measure out 2 tsp of nut butter and spread on the apple discs
• Sprinkle granola on top
• Garnish with a few craisins and enjoy!

Until next time friends Xo,

Katie