Viral Taco, Sweet Potato and Cottage Cheese Protein Bowls! This is my version of the viral, high protein food trend. Super delicious, packed with flavor and protein and so filling! It’s low carb too!
Hello friends! It’s been a long while since I posted a new recipe. I can’t believe we are almost in April. Where has the time gone?! Our weekends are filled with volleyball tournaments. . actually my life is now all about club volleyball. Even though it’s taking up like 75% of my time, I’m so happy for my daughter that she’s on a great team, is getting better, and is learning all about the joy, and stress of being on a team.
Fortunately, we also have a great parent group which makes the whole experience really fun. Soon, we will go on Spring Break to Naples, FL (our first time visiting!) and then Madeline starts her national team volleyball club season. I have a feeling volleyball is here to stay. . through high school maybe. . we’ll see.
Viral Taco, Sweet Potato and Cottage Cheese Protein Bowls
All the craze lately, I feel like, is high protein foods. Protein rich, low carb and muscle building foods. Protein provides the building blocks (amino acids) for muscles, bones, skin, and other tissues. It is essential for muscle growth, repair after injuries, and maintaining overall body structure. In my older age, I’ve been trying to eat more protein and I definitely see and feel a difference.
I was getting leaner, and eating protein made me feel fuller for longer. It was a win win. That is until I became sick of chicken, salmon, tuna and any kind of meat. Ha! I was just eating too much of it and I was also not eating it in exciting and new ways. I was stuck with salads and just eating ungodly amounts of chicken breast.
I quickly realized I can get protein from eggs, cottage cheese and yogurt. Now I am just trying to balance what I eat, my portions and I allow myself sweet treats when I want them.
When I saw this viral taco bowl going around TikTok, I knew I had to try it! I’m not even sure who came up with this. If you know, please let me know! Well, I had to come up with my own spin. . here it is! I think the original bowl needed more heat and I think foods always need to balance sweet and spicy with a little acidity so adding the kimchi and my pickled red onions just made sense to me. I hope you try this! Enjoy!
Viral Taco, Sweet Potato and Cottage Cheese Protein Bowls
Ingredients
For the sweet potatoes:
- 3 small to medium sized sweet potatoes scrubbed clean and cubed*
- 1 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin
- salt and pepper to taste
For the ground turkey mixture:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin
- 1 lb. lean ground turkey or ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning**
- 1 to 2 tablespoons water
For the "taco" bowls:
- 1/2 head romaine lettuce chopped
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 2 large ripe avocados cubed
- kimchi
- pickled red onions***
- hot honey
Instructions
For the sweet potatoes:
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread all the sweet potato cubes in an even layer onto the baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Roast in the oven for about 35 minutes, tossing the sweet potatoes halfway through baking. If wanting them a little crispy, raise the temperature to 425 and roast for another 10 minutes (45 minutes total). Remove from oven and set aside.
For the ground turkey mixture:
- Using a large pan over medium high heat, heat the olive oil. After a minute to two, add the ground turkey in and cook until all browned. Add the taco seasoning packet (or just half of it) and add a tablespoon or 2 of water. Mix together and taste. Remove from heat and set aside.
For the "taco" bowls:
- To assemble the bowls: add some chopped romaine lettuce into your bowl. Add/arrange some seasoned ground turkey and some roasted sweet potatoes on top. Add a 1/2 cup of cottage cheese, cubed avocado, kimchi and some pickled red onions. Drizzle everything with hot honey. Repeat and make the rest of the bowls.
- Mix together and enjoy!
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