Healthy Recipe Friday!

Stocking your spice rack. It's essential to home cooking and the more spices you have at your disposal the more dishes you can create without creating a HUGE shopping list.

I've always loved to cook, and I've amassed a huge spice collection as a side effect of this love of cooking.  But not everyone knows what spices to buy and when you're looking at $2-$5 per jar at the grocery store it can seem really expensive!  Just head to Bulk Barn and buy your spices there and pick up spice shakers from the dollar store. That way you've saved some $$ but you still can create awesome dishes! Or you can start by purchasing the spice from the grocery store but instead of re-buying it when you run out, just fill it with spices from the Bulk Barn, whatever helps you save the most money! You can even get creative and print cute labels from your home printer (that's the graphic designer coming out.. I did that with mine haha). Here's a list of essentials, call it your "must haves". It's not ALL the spices in the world, but it's the ones I've come across most often and certainly what I'd consider to be a well stocked spice rack.

Allspice (ground)
Basil
Bay Leaves
Cayenne Pepper
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
Chili Powder
Cinnamon
Corriander (seeds & powder)
Cumin
Curry
Dill
Fennel Seed
Garlic Powder
Herbs De Province
Dried Mustard
Nutmeg
Oregano
Paprika
Rosemary
Sage
Savory
Tarragon
Thyme
Tumeric (be careful, it stains! but it's essential)

With those spices you're well on your way to creating any dish from anywhere in the world! You'll be fully stocked and ready to take on any recipe! Plus you get the added bonus of making your own seasoning blends instead of buying the pre-made, salt filled, store bought variety :)

Here's another awesome recipe for you to try this weekend. It's so yummy and so worth eating vs store bought pizza - it's not greasy and no guilt PLUS it's super filling! Serve with a light salad on the side and you've got yourself a super easy meal!

Pie Caramba (from Eat, Shrink & Be Merry)
Mexican pizza

8oz extra-lean ground beef (I've used extra-lean turkey and it tastes just as good)
1/3 cup minced onions
1 tsp minced garlic (something else you should keep on hand all the time)
1/2 cup diced grape tomatoes
1/4 cup grated carrot
1/4 cup diced bell pepper (choose any colour)
1/4 cup frozen corn
1/4 cup canned black beans rinsed and drained (measure out 1/4 cup portions and freeze for future use so you don't have to waste the whole can)
1 tbsp minced fresh cilantro (I've never put this in, I'm not a cilantro fan, but add it in if you like it)
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp each salt and fresh ground pepper
1/2 pizza sauce (buy a low cal variety like Blue Menu)
1 12" pre-baked thin crust pizza shell (they have awesome ones in the bakery section at Loblaws)
1 cup packed shredded light old cheddar cheese
2 tbsp minced green onion
            Light sour cream, salsa & guacamole (optional and not included in calorie count)


• Preheat oven to 425F

• Spray a large, non stick skillet with cooking spray. Add beef, onion and garlic. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until beef is no longer pink. Add tomatoes, carrots, bell pepper, corn and beans. Cook and stir for 2 more minutes. Add cilantro, chili powder, cumin, salt & pepper. Cook 1 more minute and remove from heat.

• Spread pizza sauce evenly over crust. Top with half the cheese. Spoon beef mixture evenly over pizza. Top with remaining cheese followed by the green onion.

• Place pizza directly on middle oven rack and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until cheese is completely melted and crust is lightly browned.

Makes 1 pizza, 8 slices
186 calories/slice (without any of the dipping sauces)