When I was recently speaking at the Mall of America, I brought a chef along with me to demonstrate how easy it is to cook a healthy dinner. Chef Theo Petron owns Dinnerwhere and he is dedicated to cooking healthy foods for people on the go or those that are looking to hire a chef for an event. Chef Theo has been spotted on many local news stations and is featured in a program called Cook What You Catch. Many people that were at the Mall of America presentation were excited to see that dinner doesn't have to be a grueling or time and labor-intensive ordeal. Here is one of the simple recipes that Chef Theo demonstrated.

Easy Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry (You may also substitute with chicken)

1 1/2 tablespoons               cornstarch

1/4 teaspoon                     salt

1/4 teaspoon                     black pepper

3/4 pound                         sirloin beef tips, sliced against the grain 1/8 inch thick

3 tablespoons                    vegetable oil (can be modified)

10 ounces                         fresh broccoli flowerets

3 cloves                           garlic - chopped

3 tablespoons                    low-sodium soy sauce

1/3 cup                            water

Toss together cornstarch, salt, pepper, and beef in a bowl until meat is coated.

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in wok over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then stir-fry beef until just cooked through, about 1 minute. Transfer with a slotted spoon to another bowl and keep warm, loosely covered with foil.

Add remaining tablespoon oil to wok along with broccoli and garlic and stir-fry over moderately high heat until broccoli is just tender and garlic is pale golden, about 2 minutes.

Add soy sauce and water and bring to a boil. Return meat to skillet and cook, stirring, until sauce is thickened, about 2 minutes.

ENJOY!

-Wendie Pett, Fitness and Wellness Coach, www.wendiepett.com