Go-to meals: Orange Beef

I’m tired. It’s been a long day and I don’t really feel like cooking. Truth be told, I would have loved a quick stop at Subway. Since it’s Biggest Loser night, why not have a turkey veggie with the rest of the cast?

I believe the greatest changes come in inches. Millimeters, really. One of the best things I can do for myself is keep on hand a handful of quick healthy dinner recipes. I actually have recipe cards and magazine copies of a few meals that are no-brainers. They take very little time. They are good! They make enough for leftovers. And most of them don’t require fancy ingredients. This is one of the absolute NECESSITIES to trying to keep tight control over my ever-changing blood sugar. I don’t have to have a zillion of these. What I do have is one for the major ethnic flavors. I have one for Italian, Tex-Mex, soup & salad, Chinese, etc. Most of these can be made with little prep, usually just thawing my protein source.

Having good food ready and handy makes a huge difference. I know the craving for cheetoes can’t be fixed with a turkey apple frittata with cheddar….but maybe instead of the whole bag AFTER dinner, a small handful will end the craving.

Now, on to tonight. I had some sirloin tip blade steak thawing in the fridge and decided to go with a stir fry. And I made my favorite one.

Orange Beef and Broccoli.

What’s great about this is that it’s quick! From start to finish was about 25 minutes. It was good, real food and I know it had more nutritional value than something from a drive through.

1. Start the rice. Bring broth or water to a boil, pour in brown rice, turn off heat, put a lid on and let it hang out until all the rest is finished. Add scallions (or green onions, as I call them)

2. Cut steak into strips, cook on med-high heat. Set aside

3. Stir fry broccoli and mushrooms. Any veggies could be added.

4. While that is cooking, make sauce. 1/3 cup each of broth and orange marmalade, 2 Tablespoons of low sodium soy sauce. A note on the marmalade: I use Polaner’s All Fruit with just the orange juice added. I don’t like added sugar or splenda. Check the labels!!

5. Add sauce to meat and veggies.