Easy and Healthy Cinco de Mayo Recipes

Cinco de Mayo is coming! If you’re scrambling to find the perfect Cinco de Mayo recipes to celebrate the occasion, look no further. For delicious dishes that won’t overwhelm your waistline, check out these easy to follow authentic recipes from Steve Lindner, go-to healthy chef and founder of Zone Manhattan and the team at bistroMD!  

The mouthwatering recipes below are “light”  versions of some of his favorite Cinco de Mayo recipes. With half the calories and sodium, you can indulge without the guilt! (And maybe this means you can drink a skinny margarita, too. I won’t tell your trainer if you don’t.)

Cinco de Mayo Recipes You Will Love

Better for you Chicken Burrito Bowl

This Cinco de Mayo Chicken Burrito Bowl is a healthy version of a Mexican favorite. Photo: BistroMD

Ingredients:

• For the Chicken:
  • 4, 4 oz. boneless skinless chicken breasts, shredded
  • Sea Salt, Black Pepper, Paprika and any other of your favorite spices to season (optional)
• Red Burrito Sauce:
  • ½ tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1/2 tablespoon corn oil
  • 1 yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon masa flour
  • 1/2 cup low sodium, chicken broth
  • ½ cup tomato sauce
  • ½ teaspoon granulated garlic
  • ½ jalapeno pepper, diced
  • 1 teaspoon lime juice
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • Pinch of Sea Salt

Bowl Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked brown rice
• 1 Lime, juiced
• 1 can (15 oz.) reduced sodium black beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 ears fresh corn OR 1 can (15 oz.) reduced sodium, organic corn kernels, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup bell pepper, any color(s), diced
• 1 cup fresh tomato, diced
• 1 tablespoon Cumin
• ¼ cup Fresh Cilantro, chopped
• 2 Garlic Cloves, chopped
• Jalapeno or other hot pepper, diced (optional)
• Garnish (optional)
• Reduced-fat Cheddar Cheese
• Chopped Cilantro

Directions:

Red Burrito Sauce:

1. In a medium skillet, heat the corn oil and unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and jalapeno and saute until onion becomes translucent, about 5 minutes.
2. Sprinkle the masa flour and whisk together. Allow to cook 2 minutes.
3. Gradually add the chicken broth; constantly whisk to ensure no clumps of flour.
4. Adjust heat to medium-low. Add tomato sauce, granulated garlic, lime juice, chili powder, paprika, oregano and pinch of sea salt. Stir together, cover, and allow to simmer for about 20 minutes.

Burrito Bowl:

1. While the sauce is simmering, add lime juice and fresh chopped cilantro to the cooked brown rice and blend together.
2. Add the blacked beans, corn, bell pepper, tomato, cumin, garlic and jalapeno to a medium sized bowl and mix.
3. Divide the rice into 4 portions. Divide the black bean and corn mixture into 4 portions.

Zone Manhattan’s Coconut Tres Leches 

Note: this is gluten free!

Ingredients:

• Boxed Cake Mix (or if making from scratch, see ingredients below)
• Coconut Milk
• Soy  Milk
• Half and Half 
• Coconut Flakes
• Ricotta – ½ C
• Tofu – ½ C
• Lemon
• Coconut Flakes (for topping)
• Champagne Mangos- 1
• Raspberries (for topping)

Directions:

1. Cut Cake into 2 ½ inch rings.
2. Combine coconut milk and soy milk and a touch of ½ and ½ add Splenda, lime zest and vanilla extract.
3. On serving plate, pour liquid over cake and let sit 20 min.  You want the liquid to soak into the cake.  Before serving add a little more liquid to fill the plate.
4. Combine ricotta and tofu in food processor.  Add vanilla and lime zest and Splenda puree smooth, and add around edge of cake.
5. Dice mango and sprinkle with a little lime zest and juice.  Spoon this into the middle of the cake.  Top with coconut flakes and raspberries.

*Cake (ingredients and directions)

• 2 C Soy Flour
• 1 c Canola Oil
• 13 Eggs
• 2 C Almond Flour
• .75  Tbsp. Baking Powder
• .75 Tbsp. Baking Soda
• ½ C Coconut Milk (unsweetened)
• ½ C Coconut Flakes
•  1 C bag Splenda
• 2 Tbls. Vanilla
• Zest of 1 lemons

Method: Cooking

1. Combine all dry ingredients in mixer.
2. Combine all wet ingredients and add into dry mixture. Blend until combined.
3. Fold in whipped egg whites.
4. Divide onto 8-inch nonstick pan sprayed with Pam. Bake for 12 minutes at 350. Check and continue at 2 minute intervals until knife in center comes away clean.

Other Yummy Recipes

• Easy chicken recipes with Perdue Farms
• Breakfast recipes
• “After school” shake anyone?