Balanced Meal: Healthy Dinner and a Super Unhealthy Dessert

So, like practically every other girl in the United States, I have caught the Pinterest disease. Actually, it's a very persistent sickness... I've had it for over a year now, and I can't seem to shake it. I don't care who you are. At some point or another, you've probably found yourself wrapped up in the plethora of images linked to DIY projects, photography, fitness plans, motivational words and phrases, or delicious recipes. With the site's endless scrolling mechanism, it is oh, so easy to waste away hours of your day without even realizing it.

(Taking over the world, one pin at a time)

So, I admit it. I've got the disease.

In particular, I am addicted to the "Food & Drink" section of Pinterest. For someone who loves to cook, it is an absolute dream to have so many tasty recipes at your fingertips. Typically, I try to "pin" items that have a healthy flair to them (which can be difficult, when there are SO many jaw-dropping treats on there), but occasionally, I throw in something extra terrible for me, for those days when I just need some comfort food.

Yesterday was one of those days.

A chocolate dessert was a must. That I knew. But, to counterbalance this, I decided to make a healthy dinner.... which ended up being absolutely, ridiculously delicious.

I present to you: the recipe for Blackened Chicken with an Avocado Cream Sauce and Cilantro Lime Rice (original recipe can be found here. "Sarcastic Cooking" made quinoa instead of rice, but the grocery store near Bobby's house didn't have any, so I switched it to organic brown rice. Either will work!). I've had this recipe on my Pinterest "Eat Me" board for awhile now, and I am so glad I finally made it. The flavors balanced perfectly, and I will definitely be making this again.

(Don't be scared by the number of ingredients or amount of steps in the directions! This is super easy. Promise.)

Ingredients:

* 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
* 1/2 tsp paprika
* 1/4 tsp salt
* 1/4 tsp pepper
* 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (I didn't have this, so I used red pepper flakes instead to give it a little "kick". Next time, I will definitely use cayenne pepper, though. Not enough spice to it)
* 1/4 tsp onion powder
* 1/4 tsp cumin
* 1 tsp olive oil
* 2 cups low sodium chicken stock
* 1/2 cup water (if using rice instead of quinoa. If using quinoa, just stick to the chicken stock!)
* juice and zest from 1 lime
* dash of salt and peppa
* 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
* 1 avocado
* 2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt

Directions:

Combine all of the dry ingredients in a small bowl. Season both sides of the chicken with this mixture! Put the olive oil in a pan and heat on medium for a minute. Then, throw the chicken in and put the top on the pan. Let them cook for about 7 minutes on each side.

At the same time, put the chicken stock (and water, if making rice) in a pot. Cook on high until the stock and water come to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, pour the rice in, and leave with the lid on for about 30 minutes, or until all of the liquid has been absorbed. (If making quinoa, this will only take about 10 to 15 minutes, so watch it!).

After the chicken breasts are cooked all the way through, remove them from the heat, and let them sit for a few minutes before slicing them. Believe me, you want to wait. I almost burned the fingers on my left hand off. 

When the rice is done, add it to a large bowl. Throw in the lime zest, lime juice, salt & pepper, and chopped cilantro. Mix to combine. 

For the avocado sauce, just mash the avocado together with the Greek yogurt. If you want a "saucier" sauce, you can out these ingredients in a food processor. I like the chunks of avocado though, so I stuck with mashing.

That's it! Serve the blackened chicken over the rice, and serve the avocado sauce over the chicken. Healthy and beyond delicious. (Bobby went back for seconds, if that tells you anything). 

...And now is right about the time when things went from super healthy to super terrible for me. And it was the best decision I made yesterday. 

If you are an avid follower of the "Food & Drinks" section of Pinterest, you've probably seen this next recipe pop up over a half a million times. It's constantly there... beckoning you to break away from the healthy choices and indulge in its chocolate madness.

I present to you: Slutty Brownies. Yes. That's right. I didn't make the name up.. the original recipe comes from the blog, The Londoner, and I felt it wouldn't be right to change it. The whole thing is too good.

I must admit that before I went out for the ingredients yesterday afternoon, I thought to myself, "How can I make these healthy?" I spent about 10 minutes looking up alternatives to the Slutty Brownie recipe... but it didn't take long to quickly realize I was missing the whole point. These are meant to be unhealthy. Meant to be so chocolatey, your head should feel like it's exploding from the intense sugar rush. I decided I was crazy, and I put the healthy thoughts in my head to bed. 

Ingredients:

* 1 package chocolate chip cookie mix

* 1 package Oreos

* 1 package brownies

* oil

* butter

* eggs

* water

Directions:

Literally the easiest recipe in the world. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. First, make your cookie dough. Just follow the package instructions... and you will want to add a little more oil or water to the mixture, because it will be baking longer than usual. 

Smoosh the cookie dough into the bottom of a 9x9 pan. If you want to use parchment paper, go for it. I do that for an easy cleanup later. If not, make sure you grease it.

Next, place the Oreo cookies on top of the cookie dough.

Then, make the brownie mixture based on the package's instructions. Pour this on top of the Oreos, and place it in the oven.

Leave for about 30-45 minutes... I know that's a huge gap of time. But, The Londoner girl says hers take about 30 minutes. Mine, however, took 45 to completely bake all the way through. Just keep watching it, and you'll know it's done when a knife comes out clean!

Thanks for the cute plate, Paulie :)

Dundundun. There it is. In all its deliciousness. And if you love chocolate as much as I do (which might not be possible), you will be in heaven. Just a word to the wise, though: Don't eat any more than two in one sitting. I'm telling you, these babies are rich.

 

SORRY for such a long post! I just reallyyy wanted to share both of these today. They are both wonderful, and they both deserve a spotlight in the blog.

<3
Nat