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Vegetable Soup

A new year calls for Vegetable soup to help keep all those New Years resolutions. I love this soup because it’s so healthy, versatile, and keeps in the freezer. I made a huge pot and plan to eat it for most lunches over the next couple of weeks and we just had it for dinner last night. Anything goes for this soup so don’t be exact, throw in any fresh ingredients you have around. Heat EVOO in a large pot. Add diced onions, garlic, and leeks- stir until softened Add carrots, celery, zucchini, and bagged cabbage- stir until cooked through Add fresh tomatoes and 3-4 cans of fire roasted diced tomatoes- continue cooking Add 2 cartons of your favorite stock and your favorite herbs. I added basil, thyme, bay leaf, garlic powder, onion salt, and s&p. Simmer for 2-3 hours My favorite part about this soup is the add-ins. Today we did kielbasa, parmesan, basil, and red pepper flakes. Other favorite add-ins are pasta, brown rice, chicken, beans, beef, anything goes! Keeping you healthy and happy in 2015.

Flank Steak with Mango and Pineapple Salsa

Taking dinner to a dear friend who has spent the last two weeks at the hospital with her baby. Hoping this flank steak fills up her hungry family! In a large ziplock bag add: Flank Steak 1/2 bottle of sesame soyaki sauce 3-4 gloves of chopped garlic 4 green onions, chopped Marinate the meat for at least 2-3 hours. Pull it out of the fridge so it gets to room temperature before you put it on the grill or Traeger. Grill on high (425) with the Traeger for about 6 minutes on one side and 2-3 on the other for medium rare. The best part about this recipe is the salsa that is homemade by.. Trader Joes and tastes amazing on steak. Have the salsa at room temperature and mix with a little red pepper for some kick and green onions to garnish the top. THAT WAS TOO EASY!

Brussel Sprouts with Pistachios and Lemon

This is one of my favorite Brussels Sprout recipes and I only wish I had pistachios instead of Marcona almonds last night. Quarter Brussels sprouts and toss in Evoo, garlic, and S&P. Lay out on a cookie sheet and roast for 10-15 min on 450. Add lemon juice (1 whole lemon) and almonds or pistachios and broil for another couple of minutes. Take out of oven and add lemon zest and more S&P if needed. I like to serve this as a side dish or on brown rice with grilled chicken and a little extra evoo and lemon juice on top.

Bruschetta Chicken Salad with Brie Croutons

Dinner last night was based on having Brie cheese that needed to be put to use before it went bad. It’s also a salad take on one of my favorite dips (that I’ve posted before). I raided the kitchen and was pretty happy with the end result! Mix of butter lettuce and arugula Sliced leftover grilled chicken beast Instead of dressing I made a bruschetta topping of tomatoes, garlic, green onion, EVOO, balsamic glaze, and s&p. Sourdough Brie cheese “croutons”. Broil your favorite bread with sliced brie cheese. Top with kosher salt and cut into squares. Top with julienned basil, more balsamic glaze, and toasted pine nuts.

Creamed Spinach Burger

This is a healthier take on CREAMED SPINACH but you’re welcome to do a full fat version too. In 2 Tb EVOO sauté 2-3 chopped garlic cloves and 1/2 diced sweet yellow onion. After 5-7 minutes add 2 containers frozen spinach (thawed and drained). Cook through. Add a 1/3 C low fat cream cheese, dash of fresh nutmeg, and a healthy shake of S&P. Once cooked through add 3/4 (about..) 2% milk and simmer until liquid is cooked through. Add 1/2 C grated parmesan at the very end of cooking. Add more S&P if needed. BURGER- I used 96% extra lean ground beef. To raw meat I added 1/4 C Worcestershire sauce and S&p. Cook in a skillet until medium rare (it will keep cooking). Add 1/2-1 C of beef broth to the pan the burgers were cooked in and deglaze and reduce drippings and broth. TOAST good white bread and lightly butter. Add burger, creamed spinach and top with Trader Joes Fried Onion pieces.

Tortillas with Avocado and Cumin Salt

I came up with this snack in bed this morning and ate a couple by 10:00 AM because I couldn’t wait to try. I’m going to use it as the base to Carne Asada tacos tonight but I think they’re Devine all by themselves. The best part- Cumin citrus salt 1 part sea salt 1 part Cumin 1/2 part chili pepper flakes 1/2 part or less lemon zest Toast or blister corn tortillas Add smashed avocado and feta cheese. Top with cumin citrus salt and a squeeze of lemon juice. I’m excited to add Carne Asada to them tonight (if there are any left).

Hash Brown waffles and Soft Boiled Eggs

Last nights leftovers were better then the real thing. Soft boiled eggs a favorite Hash Brown waffles- store brought shredded hash browns put on a greased waffle iron (so easy)! Carne Asada off the Traeger Leftover salad fixings – Trader Joes frozen corn, TJ’s frozen onions and peppers black eyed peas edamame (I added this to lettuce with other things the night before but add chicken and you have a full meal) Grilled asparagus on a HIMALAYAN SALT BLOCK (more info on that later)

Fish Tacos

So simple. So healthy. So delicious! I am adding more fish tacos to my dinner menu when I get home. Grilled Mahi Mahi (almost undercooked) Grilled corn or flour tortilla Thinly shredded cabbage Pico de Gallo (Red onion, Roma tomatoes, cilantro, jalapeño, lime juice)

Baked Fried Chicken

This “Fried Chicken” is finger lickin’ good and not bad for your waist line! My husband and I ate boneless skinless chicken breasts and the kids love the drumsticks and thighs or “chicken bones” as my 7 year old likes to call them. Marinate chicken (your favorite kind) in buttermilk and a dash of hot sauce for an hour. I add 2 eggs directly to the buttermilk mixture and mix it around to coat the chicken. Meanwhile in a large plastic bag add 1/2 corn flakes and 1/2 potato chips (I used reduced fat kettle chips). Crush until you achieve your desired consistency. Add seasoned salt and pepper to dry mix but remember your potato chips are salty too. Dredge chicken in cornflake mixture until coated on both sides. Lay on greased cookie sheet. Add a dash of cayenne on top of the chicken for those who like it hot. Drizzle a little EVOO on top of each piece of chicken which will help crisp the top. Bake at 400 degrees for ? Sorry, I didn’t time it. ~20-30 minutes…

Filet Mignon Piadine

Store-bought pizza dough, I think Whole Foods has the best one. Slather with EVOO and put directly on the grill or Traeger. Romaine and Red leaf lettuce Traeger grilled green onions and asparagus cut up TJ frozen corn heated through tomatoes Grated Parmesan Grilled Filet – coat with EVOO and your favorite rub. I like seasoned salt and pepper. Let sit to room temperature then grill until medium rare. Let sit for 10 minutes and slice thinly. / I used my red wine vinaigrette dressing that’s in a previous post.