Beef Taco Salad with Tomato Dressing

Ingredients
For the Meat:
3/4 pound lean ground beef (90 percent lean or higher)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (15.5-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, plus more to taste
1/3 cup water

For the dressing:
4 medium tomatoes, diced
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For the salad:
2 hearts romaine lettuce, chopped
1/2 cup grated Cheddar
2 ounces baked corn tortilla chips (about 32 chips)

Directions
To prepare the meat, heat a large skillet over a medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook until no longer pink, stirring occasionally and breaking the meat up with the spoon. Add the garlic and beans and cook for 2 minutes more. Add the chili powder, cayenne and water and stir until well combined and some but not all of the liquid has been absorbed. Remove from the heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly. Meat mixture may be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
To make the tomato dressing, in a medium bowl, combine tomatoes (with their juices), oil, lime juice, salt and pepper. Dressing may be prepared up to 2 days ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Place 2 cups of lettuce on each plate or in a lunch container. Top each serving with 1 cup of the beef mixture then sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of cheese. If making to-go, pack 3/4 cup of the tomato mixture in a separate sealable container and put about 8 chips in a separate bag. Right before eating, pour a portion of the tomato mixture with the liquid on top of each salad, and crush tortilla chips on top.

Calories 430; Total Fat 22 g; (Sat Fat 8 g, Mono Fat 10 g, Poly Fat 2 g) ; Protein 29 g; Carb 36 g; Fiber 9 g; Cholesterol 70 mg; Sodium 770 mg
Excellent source of: Protein, Fiber, Vitamin A, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Phosphorus, Potassium, Selenium, Zinc
Good source of: Riboflavin, Vitamin K, Manganese

Sun Dried Tomato Basil and Pasta

Sun Dried Tomato and Basil Pasta

Ingredients:
12 ounces penne pasta
1 (8.5-ounce) jar sun-dried tomatoes packed in olive oil
2 garlic cloves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup (packed) fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan

Directions
Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
Meanwhile, blend the sun-dried tomatoes and their oil, garlic, salt and pepper, to taste, and basil in a food processor and blend until the tomatoes are finely chopped. Transfer the tomato mixture to a large bowl. Stir in the Parmesan.
Add the pasta to the pesto and toss to coat, adding enough reserved cooking liquid to moisten. Season the pasta, to taste, with salt and pepper and serve.

Low Fat Sloppy Joe's

Sloppy Joe (Kids love this!)
Serves: 4

Ingredients:
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 large onion Diced
1 1/2 lb ground turkey
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2C. Ketchup
1/4C. yellow mustard
1/4tsp. cayenne pepper
1 Tbsp. Brown Sugar
2 Tbsp. Tomato Paste
1 Tbsp. Apple Cider vinegar
5 whole wheat hamburger buns

Set a heavy-based pot over medium high heat and add a 3 count of olive oil. Add onions and saute for 2-3 minutes until translucent. Add ground turkey, season well with salt and pepper, and brown well all over, breaking it up with a wooden spoon-about 7- 10 min. Add ketchup, mustard, cayenne, brown sugar, and tomato paste. Reduce heat and simmer for 10-12 minutes. Finish with a splash of vinegar and season it once more before serving on whole wheat buns.

Low-Fat Crock Pot Chicken

• 4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 can diet Pepsi or Coke
• 1 Cup ketchup
• 1 envelope onion soup (opt)

Combine all ingredients except chicken, and dump into the crock pot. Add the chicken and cook for 6 hours on high or 8 to 9 hours on low.

THEME FOR MARCH

This month's theme is:
LOW-FAT!

As always, continue to post any new recipes from the other month's themes at anytime and don't forget to vote for April's theme.