By Dr. Kathleen Hartford, Author of Fit, Fun and Fabulous Food: Healthy Meals Your Body Will Love

This hot and spicy summer meal is a special treat for any night of the week, and oh-so-simple to prepare.  It’s sure to make the whole family happy. It’s not only tasty, but good for you!

Mojito Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken substitute
2 tablespoons wheat flour
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
1 large clove garlic, minced
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
¼ cup fresh lime juice
¼ cup white rum
3 tablespoons honey
Garnish: fresh lime slices and red chili peppers

Pound chicken between two pieces of plastic wrap to even thickness, if necessary. In large zippered plastic bag, combine flour, ground ginger, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add chicken, one piece at a time, seal bag and shake to coat with flour-spice mixture.

Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and brown on all sides until just cooked through, about 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer chicken to serving plate; keep warm.

Add fresh ginger, garlic and red pepper flakes to skillet; cook, stirring, about 30 seconds. Stir in lime juice, run and honey; boil 2 minutes or until slightly reduced. Spoon mojito sauce over chicken. Garnish if serving immediately.

Roasted Corn and Black Bean Salad

4 cobs corn, kernels cut from cob (or use frozen)
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
½ cup chopped red onion
2 jalapeno peppers seeded, finely chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
2 large avocados, peeled and cut in ½-inch pieces
2 large fresh tomatoes, diced

Dressing:
1 tablespoon kosher salt
¾ teaspoon ground cumin
6 tablespoons fresh lime juice
5 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons cider vinegar

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

In medium bowl, combine corn and oil, toss to coat. Spread corn in ungreased baking pan. Bake in oven 18 to 22 minutes or until corn begins to turn light golden brown, stirring every 5 to 10 minutes. Cool 10 minutes.

Meanwhile prepare dressing. Combine all ingredients in small jar with tight fitting lid and shake well until blended.

In large bowl, combine chopped cilantro, onion, tomatoes, jalapenos, bell pepper, garlic, beans, and corn. Mix well. Add dressing and mix again. Add avocados; toss gently to combine.

Serve immediately or refrigerate up to 24 hours. May be served over a bed of red leaf lettuce or as is.

Mexican Chocolate Tofu Pudding

¼ cup stevia to taste
1 pound silken tofu
8 ounces high-quality bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon chili powder, or more to taste
Chocolate shavings (optional)

In small pot, combine sugar with ¾ cup water; bring to boil; cook until stevia is dissolved, stirring occasionally. Cool slightly.

Put all ingredients except for chocolate shavings in blender; purée until completely smooth, stopping machine to scrape down sides if necessary. Divide among 4 to 6 ramekins; chill for at least 30 minutes. Garnish with chocolate shavings before serving.

The above is an excerpt from the book Fit, Fun and Fabulous Food: Healthy Meals Your Body Will Love by Dr. Kathleen A. Hartford. The above excerpt is a digitally scanned reproduction of text from print. Although this excerpt has been proofread, occasional errors may appear due to the scanning process. Please refer to the finished book for accuracy.

Copyright ©2010 Kathleen A. Hartford, DC, author of Fit, Fun and Fabulous Food: Healthy Meals Your Body Will Love

Dr. Kathleen A. Hartford has treated and nurtured thousands of individuals, showing them how to take responsibility of their long-term health with guidance on nutrition, exercise, and chiropractic methods. Visit www.fitfunandfabulous.com to learn about her 12-week plan to jumpstart anyone on the road to health and youthful vitality or to purchase Fit, Fun and Fabulous Food: Health Meals Your Body Will Love and the coordinating book Fit, Fun and Fabulous at Any Age.