Chef LaLa on Dr. Oz

Mexican food is hot, spicy and full of flavor — but it can also be filled with fat. Chef LaLa has come up with a series of Mexican makeovers that focus on spices and vegetables to bulk up the meal without adding extra fat. The next time you’re in the mood for some Mexican, try these recipes for a healthy meal:

• Cheesy Chicken Taquitos
• Jicama Guacamole
• Spicey Mango Margarita

Zesty Meat Sauce on Pasta

© Chef LaLa, All rights reserved

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon Extra virgin Olive oil
• ½ pound Lean Ground Beef
• 1 bottle Chef LaLa Homemade Tomato Serrano Sauce
• 1 cup Water or Chicken Stock
• ½ pound dry pasta, cooked al dente
• 2 ounces cheese            

Preparation

1. In a medium sauté pan heat oil over medium-high heat. Add meat. Cook to brown for 5-7 minutes. Add 1 bottle Chef LaLa Tomato Serrano Sauce. Add 1 cup of water. Cover, lower heat, simmer for 5 minutes.
2. Follow cooking instructions for your favorite pasta. Top with meat sauce. Sprinkle on your favorite cheese. (queso fresco used in picture)

Tequila Lime Cilantro Shrimp Ceviche

© Chef LaLa

At one of our favorite little dive restaurants in Montebello (East L.A. adjacent ;) — my sisters and I love the Camarones Ahogados (drowned shrimp) — it is shrimp”cooked” in Lime juice, cilantro and and slices of Jalapenos — a ceviche of sorts. Ceviche is a dish that is cooked in acid, such as lemon and/or lime juice. If you use fresh shrimp, or other seafood, you should be fine. If you are even slightly concerned about freshness, you may be better off cooking them by a more traditional method.

I like to add ½ bottle of Chef LaLa Homemade Tequila Lime Marinade to 2 pounds of large raw shrimp, they are usually “cooked” (pink and opaque) in around 20–30 minutes.

Caprese Salad with Chipotle Flavored Oil

© Chef Lala

Finely chop 2 tablespoons of fresh basil and add to ¼ cup Chef LaLa Homemade Chipotle Oil. Heat oil on a low flame for 10 minutes in order to infuse basil flavor. Set aside to cool.

Meanwhile, slice fresh tomato and fresh mozzarella. Stack on a plate and drizzle with basil infused Chef LaLa Homemade Chipotle Oil. Top with sliced scallions.

Chipotle 3-minute Green Beans

© Chef Lala

The simplest things in life are the best! I took ½ pound of green beans, rinsed them and trimmed them. In a hot pan, I added 1 Tablespoon of Chef LaLa Homemade Chipotle Flavored Oil. Then I tossed the green beans for 3–5 minutes. Season with kosher salt.

YUM!

Chicken Chile Verde Tacos

© Chef Lala

One of the ways I keep healthy is by making several meals out of one main meal I cooked on the weekend — like a Roasted Chicken. Now if you don’t have the time to roast your own chicken, pick one up at the grocery store, It is a healthy quick alternative to fast food. 

I take 1 cup of water, 1 bottle of Chef LaLa Homemade Tomatillo – Jalapeño Green Sauce and 1/2 of cooked chicken sheredded and cook for 5–10 minutes on low until it simmers and heats through.  

Meanwhile I heat some corn tortillas on the stove until pliable. I fill them with chicken and done!

Servings: Depends on how fat your tacos are ;) — around 6–8 tacos.

Mushroom, Onion and Cherry Tomato Stir Fry

© Chef Lala

Ingredients

• CHEF LALA HOMEMADE Chipotle Flavored Oil
• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Cherry tomatos
• Parsley

Preparation

1. Stir fry mushrooms and onions in CHEF LALA HOMEMADE Chipotle Flavored Oil on medium heat.
2. Once onions are softened add cherry tomatoes, and cook for one minute more.
3. Sprinkle with chopped parsley, and serve as a side dish or over rice.