Broccoli and Cauliflower Stew

This soup turned into an unload the fridge stew! I had 1/2 a head of broccoli, a whole head of cauliflower, 3 carrots, 1/2 smaller zucchini, 1/2 onion, and a can of tomatoes.

With the right seasonings and the tender meat those vegetables were turned into a delicious stew that my boys enjoyed!

The Ingredients:
1 lb stew meat
1/2 head of broccoli
1 head of cauliflower
3 carrots, chopped
1/2 zucchini, diced
1/2 onion, minced
a can of diced tomatoes
3 cups chicken broth
a 1/2 can of tomato sauce
garlic powder
pepper
chili powder
nutmeg

The Directions:
In a large pot start browning the stew meat. Once all the sides are browned add the onion, garlic powder and nutmeg and continue to cook. After 5 minutes add the tomatoes, tomato sauce and chicken broth. Bring to a boil and let boil for 5 minutes. Add all the vegetables and seasonings. If the liquid does not cover all the vegetables add more broth or add more water. Boil until vegetables are tender. Then serve and ENJOY!

Salmon Chowder

This soup was really tasty but please do not smell the soup before eating!  Hubby and I were both nervous to try the soup because of the EXTREME fish smell but really were glad that we decided to give it a try. It tasted WONDERFUL!!! 

The Ingredients:

1 lb turkey bacon, diced (Regular bacon would do, but I don't eat PIG!)

1 lb of salmon fillets (skin and bones removed)

1 ½ cups leeks, sliced

2 cups carrots, diced into small pieces

3 cups chicken stock

1 13.5 oz can full fat coconut milk

1 tablespoon fresh or dried dill

black pepper to taste

The Directions:

In a large soup pot, cook the diced turkey bacon until browned and crispy.  Add the leeks and continue to saute until the leeks are tender.  Add the carrots and cook for another 3-4 minutes.  Add the chicken stock, coconut milk, dill, and black pepper and bring to a simmer.  Add the salmon filets to the soup, make sure they are covered with the soup, and let simmer until the filets are easy to break apart.  Stir well, breaking apart the salmon and cook until all the pieces of salmon are tender.  


Part of: Monday Mania

Day after Thanksgiving Turkey Bone Soup

My mother-in-law made a delicious day after Thanksgiving soup with the left over bones and some turkey! 

I love using the bones from chicken, beef or turkey to create a delicious soup! There is just so much flavor left and the broth is WONDERFUL!!!! There are many ways this soup can be made and it all depends on you and your families preferences.

The Ingredients:
Turkey bones
water to cover bones
leftover turkey
celery chunks
carrots
onion
pea, carrot, green bean mixed bag
seasonings - chicken bouillon cube, soup base, salt, pepper, basil (whatever you want!)

*you can add rice or noodles
** you can add more vegetables

The Directions:
Add bones to a large soup pot. Cover bones with water and add onion and celery chunks. Add seasonings and cover and let cook on low for several hours. Take bones out and pick off all the extra meat from the bones. Cut the celery into smaller pieces. Add turkey pieces back to pot along with all the other ingredients. Boil until the carrots are tender.

ENJOY!!!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

I often state that I love soups!!! I think a new reason is because you can enjoy leftovers all week! :) A few weeks ago a friend of mine brought my family and I dinner while I was on my strict bed rest. She made a delicious Chicken Tortilla Soup. We enjoyed it so much and are so grateful for wonderful friends!!! 

I have been wanting some more! I came up with this little mixture that was amazing! Feel free to leave out or add more ingredients! This was our treat night dinner!!!! 

 I love that you can add as much vegetable as you want in this soup and it will still be so delicious!!!!

The Ingredients:

4 - 5 chicken breast

taco seasoning packet (chill powder, garlic, cumin and a little sea salt)

1 green bell pepper, diced

1 red bell pepper, diced

1/2 yellow onion, diced

1 medium zucchini, cut into little pieces

*if you want to add a can of black beans or corn feel free too!

1 can diced tomato and green chili

1 box trader joes chicken broth

3 TBSP tomato paste

*corn or flour tortillas if you want to 

The Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix cumin, chili pepper, garlic powder, and salt. Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil on chicken breasts, then sprinkle a small amount of spice mix on both sides. Set aside the rest of the spice mix.

Place chicken breasts on a baking sheet. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until chicken is done. Use two forks to shred chicken. Set aside.

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a pot over medium high heat. Add onions, red pepper, green pepper, and minced garlic. Stir and begin cooking, then add the rest of the spice mix. Stir to combine, then add shredded chicken and zucchini and stir. 

Pour in Rotel, chicken stock, tomato paste, water, and black beans. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer for 45 minutes, uncovered.

Check seasonings, adding more if needed---add more chili powder if it needs more spice, and be sure not to undersalt. Turn off heat and allow to sit for 15 to 20 minutes before serving. 


** IF you are adding the tortilla strips add five minutes before serving, gently stir in tortilla strips. The soup is good with or without the strips!!! 

Ladle into bowls, then top with sour cream, diced red onion, diced avocado, pico de gallo, and grated cheese, if you have it! (The garnishes really make the soup delicious.)

I love that you can add and take away any ingredient you want and this soup will be so tasty and delicious!!! ENJOY!!!!

Part of : Hunk of Meat Monday, Monday Mania

Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Soup

Well friends, I am on modified bed rest. I am suppose to lay as much as I can or if I am up and playing with the boys, I also have to sit and relax. With that being said cooking is minimal. :( I think that is the hardest part for me. I enjoy cooking and baking so much this will be a huge challenge. 

I love fall!!! I love butternut squash!!! I just got a great big box of butternut squash/spaghetti squash from our CSA. I knew that this soup was something that I had to make and had to make quickly!!!! I love this soup and it is so easy and is very easy to do with just a few standing moments!!! :) 

I did use cream cheese in this soup but if you are doing dairy-free it would taste great with coconut milk or even almond milk. 

The Ingredients:
2 Butternut Squash
2 Sweet Potatoes
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup onion, chopped
1 block of cream cheese (if you are dairy-free add coconut milk)
1 - 2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp red mild curry paste (in a jar)
1 apple, chopped into tiny pieces

The Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut butternut squash in half and take out the seeds. Add 1 tsp of Olive Oil to each butternut squash. Add just a tiny sprinkle of sea salt. Put Butternut Squash in the oven for 10 - 15 minutes and then take out and flip to cut side down and cook for another 20 minutes or until the butternut squash peel is brown and soft. Take out and let cool.

In a pot add 1 TBSP Olive Oil (or Coconut Oil) and melt and add onions until they are just about clear. Once the squash is cooled scoop out the butternut squash and add to the onion. Add one block of cream cheese. Melt the cream cheese. Add chicken broth.

In the microwave cook the sweet potatoes. I have a button for potatoes! I am not sure how long they cooked! Don't forget to poke the sweet potatoes. Let cool and skin! Add apple pieces to microwave and cook for 30 seconds. Apples will soften and let cool.

Add the sweet potatoes to a mixer. I used my VitaMix. Pour butternut squash mixture over top and mix smooth! Pour back into soup pot and add cinnamon and red curry (in a jar). Mix well. Add apples and mix in!



Heat back up and serve!!!

DELICIOUS!!!! ENJOY!

Chili

I am ready for fall and winter. I love soups and stews and chilis! 

I gave in this week and make a batch of chili. I love my chili recipes because they never taste the same. I just love throwing things in and making new creations! 

The Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef browned
1 onion, cooked with the ground beef
1 clove of garlic, minced, cooked with the ground beef
1 green bell pepper, diced
3 carrots, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 cans diced tomatoes, drained

Seasonings
Nutmeg, Chili Powder, Paprika, Garlic Powder, Sunflower seed butter, Pepper and Sea Salt

The Directions:
Brown the meat with onions and garlic. Drain and season with seasonings of choice. Saute carrots, celery and bell peppers until al dente. Add everything together and add cans of tomatoes. Mix well and then taste and add more seasonings if needed.

Then, ENJOY!

Chicken and Carrot Soup

Poor 3 year old has MONO and Strep... Poor guy has a very swollen and red throat, tongue and hanging ball. Poor guy has been very selective on the foods and drinks he consumes. Poor guy has not eaten a lot in the past few days. And I do not blame him... He is so swollen any food would hurt going down. 

Last night I boiled chicken (all day) making it real soft for my sweet boy! I then added carrots and sweet potato spears and loaded it with basil and lots of oregano. I then boiled it again to make the carrots EXTRA tender for smooth eating. 

Poor guy was still in pain eating this simple and smooth and OVERCOOKED soup... Thankfully he ate some!

I had made a chicken roaster the other day. When it was time for clean up we placed the chicken (skin, bones and meat) into a container. I threw the whole chicken (skin, bones and meat) into a pot of boiling water. I added garlic and oregano and let the chicken warm up before discarding the bones and skin. I then cooked the chicken on low for 4 - 6 hours before adding carrots and sweet potato. I cooked the soup for another 1 - 2. I then added garlic powder and basil. 

I am hoping for a better eating day by my sweet 3 year old!!!! 

Chicken Loaded Vegetable soup

I am tired today. 3 year old has been battling a bug and has had a fever since Friday night. Each night since Friday he has been up in the middle of the night wanting me to cuddle and sing to him. He wants me to do this SEVERAL times each night... Poor guy just needs me! I am happy to do it but MAN am I tired.. 

This is going to be a quick post. I apologize. 

Chicken Soup

Carrots, Zucchini, Broccoli, Onion, Garlic and Chicken

The Directions:

Cook the chicken until tender. Add vegetables and seasoning with broth and basil, garlic, parsley and whatever else you want to add. 

Beef and vegetable soup

Hello SORE DAY! I have done a couple nights of videos this week and WOW am I sore!!!! I love feeling sore! I know that I worked hard and did my best at the workout. 

Today is Day 4 of my 30 day challenge to gain back control! I must admit that I quickly feel IMPROVED! It amazes me! Plus I feel great when I eat good and colorful!

 Eggs and Avocado

Strawberry, Spinach, Coconut, Almond Milk Smoothie

 The kids and I enjoyed leftovers!

I am so sorry for this terrible picture... I made soup the other night and SPACED taking a picture...

Beef and Vegetable Soup

The Ingredients:
Ground Beef
1 Zucchini
1 can tomatoes
1/2 red bell pepper
2 cups fresh spinach
2 cloves garlic
2 cups water

The Directions
Brown the meat. Drain the fat. Season the meat with Garlic Powder, Lemon Pepper, Basil, Nutmeg.

Add Spinach and cook down with the ground beef and garlic. Add can of tomatoes and water. Bring to boil. Add zucchini and bell pepper.

Once vegetables are tender serve and ENJOY!!!

This was a very quick and easy dinner! I just threw this together in 15 - 20 minutes.

Chicken Soup with vegetables

I am super excited for Spring/Summer. Last Summer, I built a garden box in our backyard and planted lots of great vegetables (organic and pesticide free, of course). I am eagerly looking forward to plating and growing again this summer. Hubby and I have been talking about expanding the garden box out, just a little more, to make room for more vegetables.

My 3 year old (then 2) enjoyed going out and looking for vegetables. I know he is going to love and appreciate the garden so much more this year. Especially knowing meals (vegetables) are coming from our hard work! 

Garden Vegetable Soup with Chicken

zucchini, yellow squash, tomatoes, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, carrots, celery and of course chicken. 

seasonings - thyme, rosemary and parsley. Homemade chicken broth.