Nel VanAmen – Page 6 – Stark Personal Trainer Gym in Newport Beach and Irvine, California

lamb chop dinner, featuring perfect diamond shaped grill marks

Grilled Lamb Chops

February 13, 2018

Want to impress your valentine on Valentine’s day. Make lamb for your lamb chop! Really easy, tender and juicy and easy! If get the New Zealand grass fed lamb it is lower in fat and much healthier. This is an easy recipe that is elegant and decadent. A sure way to win over your Valentine.

pork sits on a slicing board, topped with cilantro, limes and garlic sitting off to the side

Cilantro Pork Stir Fry

January 30, 2018

This dish is packed with flavor and is a nice alternative to roasted pork tenderloin. I use pork tenderloin but any tender piece of pork will work. Cilantro goes really well with pork and the lime brightens the dish up. This recipe is from the ” The Paleo Cookbook” and will not disappoint.

zucchini boats sit on a sheet pan, filled with meat, tomatoes, and herbs

Venison Zucchini Boats

January 23, 2018

This is a unique take on a traditional stuffed zucchini. You can also substitute any one pound of ground meat, if you do not like venison. You can even use ground boar. You can find both venison and boar at Sprout’s or other speciality butcher shops and grocery stores. In addition, this filling can be used with bell peppers if you do not like zucchini. To help keep you on track with portion control, weigh the protein filling by placing the hollowed out zucchini on the scale and hitting zero. Then fill boats to desired portion before placing them in the baking dish.

zoodles topped with a meaty tomato sauce

Quick Versatile Bolognese Sauce With Zoodles

January 9, 2018

Bolognese means “In The Style of Bologna,” the Italian city in northern Italy known for cuisines that makes liberal use of meats. This is a rich meat sauce that is versatile because you can use ground beef, bison, turkey or ground chicken and it will still be delicious. Also, if you need more carbohydrates that day serve it over GF pasta or rice rather than zucchini noodles (zoodles). Omit red pepper flakes if you are adverse to heat from spice. You can add little fresh basil which is typically not part of bolognese but it adds a little freshness and if you love basil as I do- Just go for it!

Jicama Home Fries

December 13, 2017

These little gems that are brown and crisp on the outside with a warm tender goodness on the inside. They are good with eggs in the morning or next to a burger. Season with plenty of salt and a touch of paprika. These fries transform the Mexican potato into an all-American classic. Note: Jicama needs to cook in slow cooker for about 8-12 hours before frying.

steaming chicken curry sits in a white bowl, ready to be enjoyed!

Thai Chicken Curry

December 1, 2017

This is an easy Thai Chicken Curry dish that is spicy, savory and sweet. It really hits all the senses. The coconut milk along with the sweet potatoes offset the spice of the curry and the chilis. This is one of my client’s favorite dishes and is requested over and over again. Nutritious and delicious!!!

a classic apple pie missing a slice reveals layers of sweet apple filling

Apple Pie – Gluten Free

October 4, 2019

Oh my it is gluten free pie! This crust really is perfect for just about any pie or any occasion- thick... Read More

delicious looking stuffing with gluten free bread, covered in herbs and spices, with chunks of turkey sausage

Turkey Stuffing

November 7, 2017

It is time to stuff your turkey and this recipe is not only full of flavor but gluten free. It can be used to stuff a whole bird or used in a turkey roulade. It is one my favorite GF stuffing recipes and it will impress your guest with the flavor and texture.

delicious looking piece of medium rare elk, topped with a cherry sauce and garnished with mint leaves

Elk Tenderloin With A Cherry Sauce

October 19, 2017

It is Elk hunting season and what better way to celebrate but with a tender piece of elk tenderloin. It is tender, flavorful and little less gamey than some of the other wild animals. It is also great for those individuals that have a food sensitivity towards beef but love beef. You can order from the Butchery in Costa Mesa in one pound portions if you have not been hunting. If you are an adventurous foodie and like wild game this is a deliciously elegant dish.

A big bowl of meaty chili, topped with red onion, tomato chunks, and scallions

Bean-less Bison Chili

October 4, 2017

Football and Fall is a great time to enjoy a bowl of chili! This is a delicious meat-based chili (bean free) that you can use bison instead of ground beef if you have a food sensitivity towards beef. It is rich in flavor and will put a smile on anyones face that enjoys a little spice. You can adjust the heat by decreasing chili powder or if you like a little more heat add a pinch of cayenne.

By: Nel VanAmen