Refreshing Fare at Mr. Mesero

We all have those places we think of when we want to go catch up with friends, discuss life's setbacks or celebrate life's successes.  It's usually a place that conjures up any mix of comfort, nostalgia, joy, or excitement.  For me, for whatever reason, Mr. Mesero has become one of those places.  Small and unsuspecting, it's like that modest house on the block that you catch sight of by chance, almost missing it.  One of those houses that, while fairly simple on the outside, is so well decorated and put together on the inside that the minute you walk through the door you want to move right in and call it your own.  After my first visit I was hooked.  On any given Friday afternoon, if you can't find me, I'll be here... sipping a Meserita and enjoying fresh menu selections with friends while laughing, chatting, dreaming, or planning our next adventure.

On this particular visit, I corralled a group of friends for Friday drinks and dinner.  Mr. Mesero doesn't have actual "happy hour" specials, but trust me, it's well worth the slightly higher bill.  We were able to snag a table on the patio and were quickly greeted by the waiter I have had on my last 3 visits.  He, with his smile and friendly, cheerful demeanor, is another reason I'm happy to become a regular.  The company, the service and the atmosphere created another memorable experience complete with laughs, reflections and new adventures for the future.  The weather was perfect, the drinks delicious, the service spectacular, and the food fantastic.  A wonderful way to unwind, catch up with friends, and kick-start the weekend.

Menu Mentions:
The menu offers a nice variety, from the typical menu items but with a twist (think Nachos with black beans, cheese, brisket, avocado slices, red jalapeños, and crema, or, Queso with spinach, cheese, artichokes, and roasted poblanos), to a variety of unique salads, to enchiladas and tacos, to a double meat double cheeseburger with fries, to a section devoted to steak.  I love that they have options for certain sides too.  For example, you get to be choosy about your rice (green, red, white, and more) or your beans (refried black, refried pinto, pinto beans from the stovetop... take your pick!).  The menu is not only fresh and unique, but also accommodating to different tastes and preferences, which makes it a GREAT pick for those of us trying to eat a little lighter and healthier when eating out.

Personally, I don't think you can go wrong with anything on their menu.  However, I'll tell you some of my favorites that I ordered...
I love the shrimp ceviche and so ordered it for the whole table.  With big pieces of shrimp, hearty slices of avocado and tomato, and hints of cilantro and lime throughout, it is a dish I wanted everyone to try in hopes they would love it as much as I do (and they did - Big Hit!).  TIP--- this is also great as a main dish.  Enjoy the salsas with some chips or a side of corn tortillas and then enjoy this light and healthy but fully satisfying appetizer as your entree.  You'll probably even have some to take home!

Another favorite is the TRES under the COMBINACIONES, which includes two tomatillo enchiladas with red rice and black refried beans (although you can, of course, substitute a different rice or different beans).  YUM.  Great for splitting, full of flavor and incredibly fresh, I started to remember why this is one of the only places I order enchiladas.  The tomatillo sauce does not overwhelm the dish, but acts as a perfect compliment.  It is light, fresh and full of flavor like it was made to order (maybe it was?  Next time I will ask!).  Even the crema drizzled on top is just the right touch to add a subtle depth and yet pronounced richness to the dish.  The chicken in the corn tortillas is tender and juicy.  Together, these ingredients intermingle to create a deliciously satisfying meal that leaves you brainstorming your return visit.

If you're looking to lighten up your Mexican meal, you could certainly do it here and not trade one ounce of flavor or satisfaction.  You definitely don't want to miss out on Mr. Mesero.




Nutrition Notes:

Vitamin E... avocado ... an antioxidant that helps promote a healthy immune system.

Vitamin A... tomatoes ... promotes good vision and strong & healthy skin, teeth and tissues in the body.

Vitamin K... avocados ... an important factor in helping our blood clot.  Be careful about consuming too much if you are taking any type of blood thinners as it will inhibit the impact of the medication.

Vitamin C... avocados, tomatoes, tomatillos, and onion ... antioxidant that promotes healthy joints, skin, hair and a healthy immune system by helping the body build collagen and protecting against infection and cell damage.

Vitamin B12... chicken & shrimp ... helps the body make energy, keeping metabolism and energy levels up (vegan and vegetarian athletes and those whose small intestines cannot absorb B12 run the risk of B12 deficiency anemia and may benefit from supplementation, in which case an MD should be consulted).

Folate... avocados & black beans ... important for the assembly of DNA and other genetic material as well as cell division.

Lutein... avocado ... a carotenoid that may help slow the progression of macular degeneration.

Lycopene... tomatoes ... a carotenoid (precurser to vitamin A) can help prevent hardening of arteries and certain cancers.  Also helps prevent wrinkles of the skin by strengthening the elasticity of skin tissue.

Protein... chicken, beans, shrimp ... aids in the growth, maintenance and repair of cells (including cells damaged due to sickness or injury from surgery or sports / exercise).

Iron... chicken, beans, shrimp ... important for red blood cells to be able to transport oxygen to all of our tissues (such as skin & muscles)

Phosphorus... beans & shrimp... helps build bones & teeth, helps the body use and store energy, and helps regulate kidney and nerve function, muscle contractions and heartbeat.  Those with certain medical conditions such as kidney disease should talk to their doctor or a registered dietitian about their recommended daily intake.

Zinc... chicken & shrimp... aids in wound healing and repairing torn muscles.



Side Note:  Intro to Alliums

At dinner the other night I was asked if onions had anything good for you in them.  As I piped up, happy to share a fun nutrition fact, I realized, "here is another common question that I should share with readers".  And this is the perfect post because alliums make an appearance in my meal above.  So...

Components of the allium family include:  onions, garlic, leeks, chives & scallions.

They are not only necessary flavor components to almost any dish, but they also give your meal a nutritional boost.  Foods in the allium family have been found to lower the risk of certain cancers such as stomach and gastrointestinal (including oral, laryngeal, esophageal & colorectal).

So don't be shy when it comes to these small but mighty ingredients.  Start cooking by sautéing onions as your base, toss in a little garlic half-way through, and top the dish with a a sprinkle of chives or scallions.  Your dish will be full of flavor AND pack a punch!

Oscar Winning Party Peppers

I was invited to an Oscars party last week and, while I could have easily grabbed a fruit, veggie or cheese tray with a few dips, I decided to take it as a challenge.  What could I bring that (A) would not be super filling (because, of course, you always want a little bit of everything at these events), (B) would still be a substantial “main” item to balance out the chips and sweets but could still be enjoyed with other main dish items (think sliders, etc.), (C) would add a little nutritional value to our plates, and (D) would taste great.  Sounded like a lot to factor in but, as always, I was up for the challenge!

Based on my recipe goals and other recipes I knew of, I came up with these Mini Mediterranean Party Peppers.  Filled with lean ground turkey, diced veggies, and flavorful herbs and spices, they tasted great and were a party pleaser.  And, BONUS, any leftovers make a great contribution to lunch during the week or a quick and easy protein snack!

Here you go - My recipe for Mini Mediterranean Party Peppers….

Happy Fueling!

Taylor

Mini Mediterranean Stuffed Party Peppers

Serves 8; Serving Size: 3 peppers

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 pound extra lean ground turkey breast
• 5 oz. chopped frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry (1/2 of a 10 oz. pack)
• 1 small yellow squash, finely chopped (about .25 pounds or 1 cup)
• 1/2 small yellow onion (about an 8 oz. onion), diced
• 1/4 cup bulgur
• 1 egg,  lightly beaten
• 1 tsp. dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 pound bag of mini bell peppers (about 24 peppers), halved lengthwise, cores and ribs removed
• 1 can (14.5 oz) stewed tomatoes (preferably low-sodium), finely chopped
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Add the turkey, spinach, squash, onion, bulgur, egg, oregano, 1/2 of the chopped tomatoes, salt and dash of pepper to a medium bowl and mix to combine well.
3. Arrange the peppers, cut side up in a 9 x 13 - inch baking dish and fill each pepper half with the meat mixture. 
4. Top each pepper with a couple of tomatoes and sprinkle with the feta cheese.
5. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
6. Remove the foil and bake 8 minutes more.
7. Broil at 500 degrees for about 2 minutes more until the feta begins to turn a golden brown.

Nutrition Facts (per serving):

Calories 112, Protein 11.4 g, Carb 11.9 g, Fat 2 g, Sugar 6.3 g, Sodium 129.8 mg,                   Cholesterol 44.3 mg, Potassium 195 mg

Trying something new with a "Taylored" recipe...

So, I initially told myself that this would only be a restaurant blog, dedicated to sharing tips and suggestions for ways to make healthier decisions while eating out when faced with eating out all of the time (whether you eat out frequently for work, or for social reasons, or you have a busy family that leaves you always on the go).  However, after one of my last Instagram posts, I started getting requests for the recipe and so I decided that, at this point, the blog is the best place to share these.  So here we go.

This is a Sun Dried Tomato and Dill Frittata created from my desire for one pot / one bowl / one dish meals that can be served again during the week.  Some days and evenings are so hectic that I don't have time to get home and cook three different things with multiple dishes and containers; I need one dish that covers most of my nutrient bases.  If I can get my vegetables, protein, and maybe grains/starch in one bowl, I'm in.  If it can be saved and reheated for lunch or dinner, I like it even better.  Simple, delicious, and versatile are the three ingredients to a successful weeknight or weekday meal in my book.  

So here it is - the recipe for my Sun Dried Tomato and Dill Frittata.  I hope you enjoy it!

Happy Fueling!
-Taylor

Sun Dried Tomato & Dill Frittata

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 whole eggs
• 4 egg whites
• 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/8 tsp. black pepper
• 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
• 8 small to medium baby bella mushrooms, sliced (about 1 cup)
• 1 small onion, diced (about 1 cup)
• 2 small to medium cloves of garlic, minced (or pressed in a garlic press)
• 1 small yellow squash, cut into slices about 1/4 inch thick & halved (~1/4 - 1/2 cup slices)
• 1 small zucchini squash, cut into slices about 1/4 inch thick & halved (~ 1/4 - 1/2 cup slices)
• 3/4 cup sun dried tomatoes, rehydrated and chopped
• 2 1/2 tbsp. canola oil
• 1/3 cup ricotta cheese (not part skim)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Whisk together the first 5 ingredients and set aside.
3. Heat the oil in a medium ovenproof skillet (about 10 - inch) over medium - high heat.
4. Add the onion; saute until begins to soften and then add the garlic and cook for about 2 more minutes.
5. Add the mushrooms, squash and zucchini and cook about 5 more minutes until they begin to soften and brown.
6. Add the sun dried tomatoes and cook about 2 minutes.
7. Cook until all vegetables are very tender.
8. Reduce the heat to low.  Stir in the egg mixture.
9. Gently stir half of the ricotta into the egg mixture, being careful not to scrape the bottom where the egg has already begun to set.
10. Dollop the remaining half of ricotta evenly over the top.
11. Cook until the frittata begins to set, about 5 minutes.
12. Place in the oven and bake about 10 - 15 minutes, or until the top of the egg mixture is set (no longer runny).
13. Slide the cooked frittata onto a plate, cut into wedges and enjoy!

NUTRITION NOTES:

Lycopene... tomatoes ... a powerful antioxidant that helps prevent hardening of the arteries and may protect against certain cancers.

Vitamin D... egg yolk & mushrooms ... fat - soluble vitamin (needs fat to be absorbed in the body).  Helps the body absorb calcium from food and supplements, aids in muscle movement, helps support a strong immune system, and, along with calcium, helps protect older adults from osteoporosis.

Protein ... eggs (most in the white) & ricotta cheese ... aids in the growth, maintenance & repair of cells (including cells damaged due to sickness or injury from surgery or sports / exercise).

Iron... eggs ... important for red blood cells to be able to transport oxygen to all of our tissues (such as skin and muscles).

Lutein & Zeaxanthin ... egg yolk ... carotenoids that can help slow the progression of macular degeneration.

Vitamin C ... onion and yellow & zucchini squash ... antioxidant that promotes healthy joints, skin, hair and a healthy immune system by helping the body build collagen and protecting against infection and cell damage.