Pastrami-Spiced Duck Breast "Reuben" – Prepare to Open Face

I first tasted pastrami-spiced, smoked duck breast about 15 years ago, and ever since I’ve wondered how it would be used in a classic Reuben sandwich. I never got around to actually trying it, but this is close, and I’m going to say, way, way better.

This was one of the more delicious and interesting duck breast preparations I’ve had in a very long time. The pastrami spices are perfect with the duck meat, and the crisp, cheesy rye was a worthy base.  The quick slaw and mustard dressing helped balance the richness, and like I said in the video, the final results were stunning.

The key here, as it is with any duck breast recipe, is to not overcooked meat. I like to go about five or six minutes on the skin side, until nice and crusty, and then turn it over and continue until the breast springs back under your touch. Obviously, the cooking times I mention in the video will depend on how large the breasts are. Mine were about 5 ounces, which I found to be the perfect size for this.

If you’re using a thermometer, you’ll want to shoot for about 135–140 internal temperature. This will give you gorgeous, pink, juicy meat, that will rival the finest steak. If you can get past the idea of eating a sandwich with a fork and knife, I really hope you give this amazing pastrami-spiced duck breast Reuben a try soon.  Enjoy!

Ingredients for two portions:

2 duck breast, boneless, skin-on (mine were 5-oz each)

For the rub:

1 tbsp olive oil or more as needed

1 tbsp ground black pepper

2 tsp ground coriander

1 tsp smoked paprika

1 tsp kosher salt

1/2 tsp dry mustard

pinch cayenne

For the Reuben:

2 slices rye bread

1/4 cup grated Swiss cheese

1 tablespoon reserved duck fat

2 cups chopped Green cabbage

2-3 tablespoons Russian or Thousand Islands dressing

2 tablespoons mustard dressing (see recipe below)

Mustard dressing:

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

1/4 cup sherry vinegar

1/2 cup olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

Bananas Foster – America’s Favorite Flaming Dessert

When you think show-stopping, special occasion desserts, you usually don’t think “simple and fast,” but that’s the case with Bananas Foster. This delicious New Orleans classic only has a few ingredients, and takes just minutes to make. Except for the folks that burn their houses down, everybody loves this recipe.

Speaking of which, the best way to avoid that kind of thing is to make sure you have the flame turned off when you add the banana liqueur and the rum. Once in, you have a chance to stand back a little, and you should be fine to flambé. By the way, if you’re using an electric stove, simply use a long fireplace lighter to ignite.

As I mention in the video, try to find the largest bananas you can for this. We definitely want them to get nice and tender in the rum sauce, but we don’t want them falling apart. Along the same lines, only cook the bananas for about 30 to 60 seconds per side before adding the booze.

That may not seem like much, but by the time the sauce comes together, they’ll be perfect. Another great tip, especially for larger groups, is to scoop the ice cream ahead of time, and keep your bowls in the freezer. You want to spoon over bananas Foster piping hot, and don’t want it cooling down while you’re scooping ice cream for six people.

Of course, in New Orleans they prepare this tableside, which can be a challenge at home, so you’ll have to settle for turning down the lights, and gathering all your guests around the stove to watch the show. I hope you give this great American desert to try soon. Enjoy!

Ingredients for two portions:

2 bananas, peeled, cut in four pieces each

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

3 tablespoons packed brown sugar

1 ounce Banana liqueur (mine was 17% alcohol)

2 ounces rum

2 pinches cinnamon

2 scoops vanilla ice cream

Clean Eating Weight Loss Meal Plan 63

Breakfast

Scrambled Eggs, with All-Natural Colby Jack Cheese and Real Butter, Over Whole Wheat Toast

Simple, clean and full of energy to start the day with.

Mid Morning Snack

Simply Protein Crunch Snack Pack (with Banana, Caramel and Cashew Nut)

This snack is consists of all-natural ingredients and has no added sugar. It has plenty of nutrients and a whole lot of taste--and is the perfect snack to hold you off til' lunch.

Find it at Simply Protein Crunch Snack.

Enjoy!

Lunch

Baby Kale Salad with Baked All-Natural Chicken Breast, Craisins and Almonds, in Organic Honey Dijon Dressing

This is an awesome combo! Sweet and crunchy. You've gotta try it.

I used Brianna's Honey Mustard Dijon Dressing, by the way. It's made with real honey and tastes awesome!

Afternoon Snack

Whole Wheat Cracker with Organic Cream Cheese

Though simple, this snack is filling and tasty.

I know I've recommended Greek yogurt cream cheese before--and I still do--but the Organic Valley Pasteurized Cream Cheese tastes better. 

I like that it uses little ingredients--and all of them are organic. This brand of cream cheese is sold at most grocery stores, or you can find it here.

As far as whole wheat crackers go, Carr's Whole Wheat Crackers is, by far, one of my favorites. They're my go-to.

Dinner

Coconut Curry Chicken (find recipe here)

If you're a curry lover like me, you'll love this sweet, creamy dish. The recipe's easy-to-do; and the flavor's great. I hope you enjoy it.

Again, find recipe at easy healthy recipe - coconut curry chicken.

Thanks again for visiting!

I hope you enjoyed today's Clean Eating Weight Loss Meal Plan.

Don't forget to visit www.cleaneatingrecipesblog.com for more easy healthy recipes for the clean eating diet plan.

By the way, I found this awesome clean eating recipe for baked chicken on youtube (see below). I'm trying it. Hope you do too.

Have a wonderful day!

Celery Root Puree – Come for the Flavor, Stay for the Low Carbs

As promised, here’s the celery root purée seen underneath our recently posted crispy pork belly video. To be honest, I’m not a huge root vegetable guy, but celeriac, as it’s called in certain parts, is something I really enjoy. Plus, I’m a sucker for ugly produce.

I joked in the video that celery root tastes like celery, if celery actually tasted good, and for the most part this is true. The flavor is quite mild and pleasant, and the texture is somewhat similar to mashed potatoes. Considering this stuff is only about 5% starch, somewhat similar it’s pretty good.

This simple puree is a very versatile side dish, but the tasty root will also work sliced thin and layered in a gratin, either with or without the aforementioned potatoes. I hope you give this great fall and winter vegetable a try soon. Enjoy!

Ingredients for 6 portions:

1 large celery root, about 1 pound

1 lemon

salt to taste

2 tbsp butter

1/3 cup cream or milk, or as needed to adjust texture

cayenne to taste

Weight Loss Help with Healthy Snacks List (Clean Eating Meal Plan's Weekly Recommendations)

Need weight loss help?

Check out the healthy snacks list below! 

As much as I enjoy making my own clean eating and healthy snack foods, I get lazy. To keep myself on a clean eating diet, I constantly look for easy healthy snack foods that I can grab and go with. If you're lazy like me, or just extremely busy, you probably look for the same healthy snack ideas. Good thing more and more natural and organic diet foods and healthy snack bars have been introduced to the market. Below are some of my favorites. Not only are they easy and nutritious, they taste good too.

1. Navitas Naturals Organic Cacao Goji Superfood Power Snack (Get them here.)

Who doesn't like goji berries. 

These natural and healthy snack foods are gluten-free, vegan and delicious. Each bite is filled with sweetness; and each serving is filled with vitamins, minerals and fiber. They are the perfect healthy snack foods to grab-and-go with.

Get them at Navitas Natural Organic Cacao Goji Snack.

2. Pure Bar Organic Raw Fruit and Nut Bars (get them here)

Skip the candy bar; grab a Pure Bar.

These healthy snack bars are made with real fruits and nuts--and taste awesome! Made with 100% certified organic ingredients, Pure Bars are kosher, gluten-free and contain all-natural sugar from fruits and nuts.

If you need a quick pick-me-up, there healthy snack bars are one of the best choices out there. Find them at Pure Bar Organic Fruit & Nut Bars.

3. Nature's All Foods Freeze-Dried Mangoes (get them here)

Kids L-O-V-E these, because they're sweet and mess-free.

Adults love them too, because they're 100% natural and contain no added sugar. At only 36 calories per serving, they're the perfect way to enjoy mangoes all year round.

Find them at Freeze-Dried Mangoes.

4. Trader Joe's ORGANIC Dried Mango Slices (find them here)

Speaking of dried mangoes, these awesome, awesome healthy snack foods from Trader Joe's are one of my favorites. They also have no added sugar, and are great as an easy healthy snack.

Find them at Trader Joe's Just Mangoes.

5. Late July organic Snacks Mild Green Mojo Multigrain Tortilla Chips (from here)

When you feel like something crunchy, these delicious tortilla chips make a wonderful choice. Made with 100% whole multi grain, they're wholesome, filling and delicious. Though they come in various flavors--and all are delicious--"mild green mojo" is my favorite for its potent chilli-lime flavor.

I hope you like these as much as I do. Find them at Late July Organic Snacks.

6. Late July Organic Snacks How Sweet Potato it is Multigrain Tortilla Chips (find them here)

If not Green Mojito flavor, sweet potato is also a tasty choice. (I guess you can say that I'm a Late July fan.)

Get these healthy snack foods at Late July How Sweet Potato Multigrain Tortilla Chips.

7. Beecher's Just Jack Cheese (from this place)

If you haven't tried Beecher's cheese, you must. As one of Opera's favorites, Beecher's Handmade cheese are carefully-crafted premium cheese, made with only the best and purest ingredients. Beecher's award-winning products are world-renounced and one-of-a-kind.

This Just-Jack Cheese by Beecher's is truly tasty, with an unforgettably rich flavor that goes well with anything. For a quick and healthy snack idea, I'd slice the cheese, and pair each slice with organic whole grain crackers. They make a mouthwatering combo!

Find this amazing product at Beecher's Just Jack Cheese.

8. Bob's Red Mill Organic Rolled Oats (from here)

When the weather gets cold, I crave hot foods--and especially a steamy bowl of oatmeal. I like oatmeal's simplicity and wholesomeness, as well as how it brings back childhood memories.

Bob's Red Mill Organic Rolled Oats is quick, nutritious and delicious. I enjoy it plain, but like adding drizzles of real maple syrup and banana slices once in a while. It's one of the quickest and tastiest healthy snack foods, and I highly recommend it.

Find it at Bob's Red Mill Organic Rolled Oats.

9. Pure Organic Fruit and Veggie Strip in Strawberry Apple (get them here)

These fruit and veggie strips are sweet and fun--and much better than sugary fruit snacks. Each strip contains 2/3 of fruits and vegetables combined. They make a fantastic snack idea for kids who don't like veggies.

Actually, they make a fantastic idea for everyone.

Find them at Pure Organic Fruit and Veggies Strip.

10. Nature's Bakery Whole Wheat Fig Bars (get them here)

Sweet and moist, these healthy snack bars are a treat! Not only do they taste good, they're cholesterol-free, antioxidants-rich and full of other nutrients. I enjoy them as both snacks and breakfast. I also love them for traveling.

You can find them at Nature's Bakery Whole Wheat Fig Bars.

Thanks again for visiting Clean Eating and Weight Loss Meal Plans.

I hope you learned of new healthy snack foods today.

And please come back for more free daily meal plans!