In the past, we gave you our favorite summer recipes. Now, the employees of Annapolis Athletic Club are back to share the recipes we have on rotation all winter long!
Breakfast
Lucas Humphries – “Instant” Oatmeal Jars – We all need a healthy, go-to breakfast for busy mornings. Leave it to Luke, who is frequently training clients before the sun rises, to provide the solution. These oatmeal jars can be prepped for a whole family in seconds and, depending on the toppings you choose, will keep for up to 10 days. A hearty breakfast doesn’t get easier than this.
Meredith Ferguson – Guilt-Free Chocolate Banana Kodiak Protein Pancakes – On slower weekend mornings, Meredith likes to doctor up Kodiak Power Cakes mix to create an indulgent pancake breakfast with plenty of protein. You can buy the mix almost anywhere, including Amazon. If you have pancakes left over, you can store them and heat in the toaster during the week.
Lunch
Alex Franyo – Broccoli and Bow Ties – The best lunch recipes are filling, easy to make in big batches, and keep well during transport. Alex loves this simple, elegant bow tie pasta dish, particularly with added shrimp or chicken. Keep a box of pasta and some broccoli on hand (frozen is fine) and you can throw this recipe together in a flash.
Snack
Eileen Proulx – Pumpkin Spice Power Balls – Eileen trusts this recipe so much that she will hand these power balls out to her personal training clients after a tough workout! They are made with whole ingredients and are a nice alternative to packaged protein bars. Keep them in your purse or gym bag and you’ll always be ready when hunger hits.
Salad
Nicole Johnston – Winter Brussel Sprout Slaw Salad – Salads are not just for summertime. Nicole’s favorite winter salad is a hit with any crowd. Use raw Brussel sprouts as the base and top with crispy bacon, toasted almonds, and cranberries. Finish with the tangy dressing and you will have a healthy meal that is fresh, seasonal, and absolutely delicious!
Soup
Tara De Leon – Black Bean Soup – Tara has a ton of recipes, and she has been perfecting her black bean soup recipe for years. Her soup is light, flavorful, and very filling. The key to a really good bowl of black bean soup is the garnishes, so go wild! Add toppings like avocado, jalapenos, scallions, or cilantro for fresh flavor.
Entree
Sheila Carroll – Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Sauce – Thought it was impossible to create a rich pasta sauce without sacrificing health? Think again! Sheila shared a unique, creamy pumpkin sauce with warming spices that will give you all the cozy seasonal vibes and won’t weigh you down. This sauce is delicious on top of spaghetti or spiralized vegetable noodles.
Debra Nathan – Mock Peking Duck – Mock Peking duck is a beautiful meal for a celebration or just a fun dinner at home. Debra has been using this recipe for decades–she learned it from her mother-in-law and it’s a family favorite. These proportions serve four, but can easily be adapted for a bigger crowd. If you are new to making crepes, follow this helpful, step-by-step guide.
Elizabeth Hartage – Zucchini Lasagna with Ground Beef – Replace the noodles in a standard lasagna recipe with slices of zucchini and add plenty of ground beef for a satisfying, low-carb dinner. You will not miss the noodles! Elizabeth’s favorite recipe includes a lot of useful tips for avoiding a watery lasagna–a common problem that occurs when zucchini is used as a pasta replacement.
Sides
Quentin West – Shrimp and Grits Dressing – Are you looking for a little side dish inspiration? Look no further than Quentin’s favorite shrimp and grits dressing. This dish blends an iconic southern recipe and a Thanksgiving classic to create a comforting and mouth-watering casserole. You may never make traditional dressing again!
Olivia Nathan – Best Damn Vegan Biscuits – That name says it all! Who knew that a vegan recipe could create flaky, buttery biscuits. If you don’t know Olivia personally, she is not a talented baker. These biscuits are so easy to throw together using very simple ingredients you can find at any grocery store. Stick them on the side of any meal and enjoy.
Slow Cooker
Joe Jenkins – Turkey Quinoa Chili with Sweet Potato – There is nothing like a hot bowl of hearty chili on a cold day. And nothing like a fresh, flavorful meal that requires almost no effort or prep work. Set this recipe to simmer on a Sunday afternoon and let your slow cooker do the work for you. The flavors just get better with time, so make plenty and eat leftovers throughout the week. You can also stretch out the recipe by serving the chili over baked potatoes.
Dessert
Anna Tapani – Grain Free Magic Cookie Bars – Dessert recipes are tough to find for those who opt for a paleo diet (avoiding dairy and grains). But Anna has you covered. She loves to bring these magic cookie bars to parties because no one will ever guess that this is a paleo recipe. If you like seven layer bars, you must give these a try!
We would love to hear if you make any of our favorite recipes, and what you’re cooking this winter. See you at the Club!
