Beach Club Pita

OK folks- time to get real.  We must eat more than bread and chocolate and cupcakes.

I know- it’s not fair.  But trust me- the bridesmaid dress I need to fit into in June will thank me.  And those skinny jeans I swore off will too. 

But you- you’re gorgeous.  Don’t you worry about a thing. 

Just bear with me while I nosh on yummy avocado, healthy sprouts, and lean turkey and sip on a smoothie the color of Oscar the Grouch (recipe coming soon).

Turkey Gyros

I came across a Greek Turkey meatball recipe and was so excited to try it.  I love gyros and haven't had one for years.  Plus I loved that it used ground turkey.  Unfortunately wasn't a great success.  The flavors were pretty bland and it texturally didn't work too well.  But it gave me the idea to more or less make a turkey meatloaf that I could shave and then make it into a gyro.  Granted, its nothing like Uncle Pete's Gyros (if you're from my hometown, you know what I'm talking about), but it made for a pretty decent, homemade second.  Cucumber (tzatziki) sauce recipe came from Skinny Taste.com

How Long Is This Gonna Take:
About 30-45 minutes


But Is It Good For Me:
Makes 4 gyros, 9 points+ each


What You'll Need:
For the Cucumber (Tzatziki) Sauce:
Should be made beforehand

For the Gyros:

What To Do:
1. For sauce, prepared about 1 hour before you plan to eat.  Mix all sauce ingredients together and chill for 1 hour.

 2. For gyros, preheat oven to 500F.  In a bowl, mix turkey, onion, garlic, parsley, thyme, and S&P. In a large skillet (make sure its one you can also use in the oven!), heat EVOO on medium heat.  While oil heats up, form turkey mixture into 4 thin loaves, about 1/4 inch thick.


3.  Cook loaves until brown, about 1-2 minutes on each side.  Then place skillet into the oven and bake for 6-8 minutes. (I used a meat thermometer to ensure the loaves were completed cooked).

4. Right before the loaves come out of the oven, microwave pitas for about 15-20 seconds.  Remove turkey loaves from the oven and thinly slice (I recommend a serrated knife).  Assemble your gyro and top with cucumber sauce.

Turkey Sausage and Pepper Rigatoni with Chopped Tomato Salad

I love this meal because its quick and simple, the tastes great! Since the pasta dish is a little lacking in veggies, a tomato salad makes a great side. Or you could mix it in with the pasta for a pseudo-raw sauce. Both of these recipes are from Healthy in a Hurry. I'm a little tired and out of witty color commentary, so I'll just get on with it...

How Long Is This Gonna Take:20-30 minutes, can't beat that :)
What You'll Need:
12 oz whole wheat rigatoni or penne
6 oz Italian turkey sausage, casings removed (I used 3 "sweet" turkey sausages)
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1-2 tsp pepper (it can get hot if you go over board, so start with 1 tsp and add if you want more)
2 tbsp EVOO, divided

4 large tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil (you can use dried, but the fresh is so much better for this)
1 tsp lemon juice

What To Do:1. Bring a large pot of water to boil. Cook pasta until just tender, 9-11 minutes. When draining, save 1/2 cup of cooking water.



2. Meanwhile, cook sausage in a nonstick skillet over med-low heat, breaking into small chucks until cooked through. Blot with paper towel.





3. While pasta and sausage cook, mix tomatoes, 1 tsbp EVOO, basil, and lemon juice in a small bowl. Season with S&P- salad done :)







4. In a large bowl, combine pasta, sausage, reserved water, 1 tbsp EVOO, cheese, and pepper.

5. Dinner = done!