Swiss Cheese Onion Soup

I have been eating a lot of soup lately.  Cream soups are my comfort food for cold wintry days!  Please note the cook times 30-40 minutes to prepare.

Swiss Cheese Onion Soup

• 1/4 cup butter
• 3 cups thinly-sliced onions
• 1 1/2 cups chicken broth(or you can use beef, or veggie)
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 3/4 cups milk
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
• Buttered bread

Melt butter in large saucepan.

Cook onions over medium heat for about 10 minutes. 

Stir in chicken broth. Bring to boil. Cover and simmer 15 minutes.

Whisk flour and milk in a measuring cup. 

Stir milk mix into onion mixture.  Cook on medium heat until soup comes to a boil and thickens.

While cooking cut bread into the shape of the bowl and butter.  (Save crusts in freezer to use for bread crumbs when needed)

Remove from heat. Stir in 3/4 cup of the cheese until melted. 

Ladle into oven-proof soup bowls. 

Top with bread butter side up.  sprinkle with with remaining cheese. 

Broil until bread is toasted!

Yummy!

Dilly Chick Wraps

Dilly Chicks is my "on no what to make for lunch?" concoction.

Dilly Chick Wraps

1 cup chickpea sprouts
2tbls mayonnaise
1 dill pickle
2 handfuls shredded cheese
A few lettuce leaves
2 whole wheat wraps

Use a food processor to mix chickpeas, mayo, and a dill pickle.
Spread chickpea mix on a wrap.
Sprinkle shredded cheese on top.
Lay lettuce.
Roll it up!
YUM!

Quick Quesadilla's

Quick Quesadilla's

Sometimes during the holiday you will find you are to busy to make a whole healthy meal.  That is why I always relies on this quick and healthy recipe!  It one of our family favorites!

I always use what ever I have in the fridge!  

• tomato diced
• green onion sliced
• soft cooked black beans(can substitute w/chickpea's, or leftover chicken or beef)
• frozen corn
• jalapeno pepper, diced real small, no seeds.(this gives it some kick...just enough that kids will still like it)
• shredded marble cheddar cheese

Arrange ingredients in separate bowl and let you family members load up there own tortilla's!  When they are done, fold in half, and bake till cheese is melted and tortilla crisp!

So simple! So yummy!  No extra seasoning required!

Eat it with a side of salad and Enjoy!

I hope you have fun with creating your own quesadilla!  
Let me know, what do you like in yours!

"RAW" Taco Salad

I found this yummy recipe here

http://www.fitmomsfitkidsclub.com/2010/08/daddy-does-it-raw-week-3-menu/

I am always looking for new yummy recipes and when I found this one I just had to try it out!  This was a hit with the family!  We all enjoyed it.  The kids liked the nut(meat) mixture scooped into lettuce leaves drizzled with the cashew cream.  I made up a huge garden salad and added the nut(meat) mixture to the top, also drizzled with cashew cream.  It was so filling and yummy!  Another "RAW" recipe our family will make again and again!

Taco Mixture - Process 1 cup of sunflower seeds (soaked for 1 hour), 1/2 cup of cashews, 1 clove of garlic, 2 tablespoons of onions, 2 tablespoons of cumin, 1 tablespoon of cajun seasoning, a dash of sea salt. 

Cashew Sour Cream 

In a food processor or high powered blender 1 cup cashews (soaked), 1 cup water, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder.  Blend until the ingredients are a thick and smooth cream (add more water if needed) it should look like sour cream.

Stuffed Tomato for One a "Raw" Recipe

I am starting to add "raw" recipes to our meal plans!  This is a tasty easy recipe that only requires a food processor!  Perfect if you are making lunch for one.  Of course you can double/quadruple the recipe if making for more than one.  I did have more mix that didn't fit into the tomato, you can save for later or share with a friend...perhaps put it in to a lettuce leaf!

Stuffed Tomato for One

Ingredients

• 1 tomato cut in half,
• 1/4 cup of soaked sunflower seeds (soak 1 hr in water, then drain), 
• 1/4 teaspoon of mustard powder, 
• half a stalk celery, 
• finger sized carrot, 
• 1 green onion, 
• 1 small clove of garlic, 
• a squirt of lemon juice to taste, 
• Optional - Add your favorite spices. (dill, cilantro, curry, paprika, etc).

Hallow out half of your tomato, throwing all tomato remains in food processor.

Process all ingredients.

Scoop mixture into tomato half.

Enjoy this very healthy lunch beside extra celery, and carrot sticks!

Yummy! 

Potato Chowder Recipe

Tonight I felt like comfort food!  This is pure comfort!  So creamy and tasty.  Perfect for a crisp autumn day.
Potato Chowder

Ingredients

• 2 bacon strips, diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 medium red potatoes,diced
• 1 carrot, diced
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 2 cups heavy cream (or use milk if watching your weight)
• 1 1/2 cup frozen corn
• Dash of pepper
• 2-1/2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons cold water
• 1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

1. In a large saucepan, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp; remove to paper towels. Drain, reserving 1 teaspoon drippings. 
2. In the drippings, saute onion until tender. 
3. Add the potato, carrot, broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the vegetables are almost tender.
4. Stir in the cream, corn and pepper. Cook 5 minutes longer. 
5. Combine the flour and cold water until smooth; gradually whisk into soup. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. 
6. Remove from the heat; stir in cheese until melted. Sprinkle with bacon.

Lavash Wraps!

When I saw these at the store I just had to have them!  They are gigantic!  Similar to a tortilla but thinner and bigger.  We filled ours with our favorite things!  Including...

• avocado
• tomato
• lettuce
• cheese
• mayo
• radish
• grilled peppers, onion, and mushrooms!
• BBQ sauce
• cooked chicken

Everyone made there own to their own liking.  A fun easy dinner when you just don't feel like cooking!

Best Sandwich Recipe!

I love radishes!  I am pretty sure I didn't when I was younger?  But I love them now!  The other day I was making a sandwich and I ran out of lettuce!  But I did however have some leftover salad from the night before.  So I used salad instead...I do this all the time, but this time the salad had radishes in it!  This was the best tasting sandwich ever!!!!!!  The radishes and avocado go so well together!  The chipotle sauce is a family favorite!  Of course I didn't get a pic of the sandwich...cause common who takes a pic of an everyday sandwich?  So here is the recipe with a pic of a similar sandwich...Enjoy!  I sure did!

Ingredients

• Leftover roast chicken(roast beef work great too!), sliced thin
• Leftover salad (with radishes!, carrot, lettuce, green onion)
• Cheese (Marble is what I had)
• Chipotle sauce (recipe below)
• Avocado, I like huge chunks on my sandwiches....but you can spread it out.
• Bread/Bun

Toast the bun with cheese, then assemble sandwich.  So Yummy!




Chipotle Sauce

• 3/4 Cup mayo
• 1tsp Dijon Mustard
• 1/4 Lime squeezed
• 1-3 tsp chipotle sauce (or you can mince 1 chipotle pepper)
• A little garlic powder to taste

Combine all ingredients add more or less to your own liking.

Share with Food Trip Friday.

Pizza Pockets!

Pizza Pockets

I was so surprised at how well these turned out!  I was disappointed when the pockets didn't stay sealed...but after tasting them it didn't matter.  These are so tasty!  The bread is soft and yummy!  I think I may try to add garlic to the dough next time.  So much fun for the kids to make there own too!

 Ingredients

• 4 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 tbls yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp honey
• 2 tbls olive oil
• 1 1/3 cups warm water

Mix dry ingredients together in a bowl.
Combine wet ingredients in a big measuring cup.
Add the wet to the dry...stir, then kneed.
Wash bowl with warm water and dry.
Let dough rest in warm covered bowl for 20 mins.
Separate into 8 balled pieces.  Keep them covered till ready to roll them out.
Roll each ball out and fill with fave pizza toppings!  Fold and close!
Bake in a preheated 350 oven for 15 mins.
Let cool and Enjoy!

Chickpea Taco's!

Chickpea Taco's

Normally I would mash the chickpeas with seasonings to put inside the taco's but today I decided to try something new!  I was inspired by this recipe!  This was another hit with the kids, so will be made again!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked chickpeas
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 1 tbls taco seasoning
• 8 corn tortilla shells
• Tomato, diced
• Lettuce, shredded
• cheese, shredded 
• yogurt

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400F.
Mix the soy sauce, lemon juice, and taco seasoning together. Add the chickpeas and toss until well covered. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, until crunchy. Assemble tacos and ENJOY!

Turkey Grilled Pita

This is a great healthy lunch!  And such a fun use of leftover turkey!  The kids like to make there own with the toppings they like,  This recipe is what I had on mine!  You can assemble these and freeze too, for work lunches! 

Turkey Grilled Pita

• 1 whole wheat greek pita
• leftover cooked turkey
• tomato, diced
• green onion, sliced
• jalapeno pepper, diced
• mushrooms, sliced
• cheese, shredded
• dash of no salt seasoning, I use a garlic blend.

Assemble ingredients on the pita.  Grill open(like a pizza) in the oven till cheese is bubbly and pita is toasted! Fold and serve with a side of garden salad.

Are you on a QUEST searching for a QUICK dinner? How about QUESADILLA'S!

Today's Letter is Q! 

Quick Quesadilla's

This is a quick and healthy recipe I make that the whole family just loves!  I always use what ever I have in the fridge!  Today this is what I ate for lunch!

I used...

• 1 tomato diced
• 1 green onion sliced
• a handful of cooked black beans(can substitute w/chickpea's, or leftover chicken or beef)
• a handful frozen corn
• 1 part jalapeno pepper, diced real small, no seeds.(this gives it some kick...just enough that kids will still like it)
• shredded marble cheddar cheese

Put what you like in a tortilla, fold in half, bake till cheese is melted!

So simple! So yummy!  No extra seasoning required!

Eat it with a side of salad and Enjoy!
Also if you make some extra this recipe easily freezes for those days when you don't have time to cook!
I hope you have fun with creating your own quesadilla!  
Let me know what you like in yours!

Celery Salad

Celery Salad

• 4 chopped Celery Stalks
• 1 cup torn celery leaves
• 2 Tbls Lemon Juice
• 1 Tbls Olive Oil
• 1 tsp mustard
• 1tsp honey

Optional add ins

• raisins
• nuts
• seeds

In a large bowl whisk together all dressing ingredients, then add celery and leaves.
Enjoy!

Easy Healthy Bruschetta Bread

This is what I had for lunch today!   I make this recipe with what ever buns or bread I have handy!  Focaccia bread is my favorite!  I wanted to make this recipe healthier with leaving out all of the extra oils!   Some oils are healthy for you but once they are heated up all the goodness disappears! I always add oil after the food is cooked!  

This is so tasty I hope you will give it a try and let me know what you think!

Easy Healthy Bruschetta Bread

• Fresh tomato, diced
• Mushroom, diced
• Green onion, sliced thin
• Seasoning, I used a garlic blend with no salt added.
• Mozzarella cheese, small cubes
• Bun

Put all ingredients on a bun and slip into the oven.  Heat until bun is toast and cheese is melted...you do not want to cook the tomatoes.  Enjoy!

This is my comfort food.....Mmmmm!
Sharing with Ultimate Recipe Swap hosted by Life as a Mom.

Thai Peanut Noodles

Thai Peanut Noodles

This dish was so good!

My son said "Mom you cook the greatest dinners ever!"

Asked Kaitie if it was a keeper?  She nodded yes cause her mouth was full  :)

I think next time I am going to use bean sprouts instead of pasta...so I don't feel so guilty having seconds :)

Pkg of pasta
Mixed vegetables chopped up

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon honey
4 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
3 1/2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
4 tablespoons natural peanut butter


Cook your pasta by directions, add veggies in 3 min before pasta is done or stir fry them.
Make sauce.
Drain pasta and veggies.
Mix pasta and veggies with sauce and serve!
Enjoy!

Carrot Ribbon Salad

What do you do if you run out of lettuce and feel like a salad?  Peel carrots into some yummy carrot ribbons!

I just had to share my lunch with you today!  A super easy and quick salad you can whip up for one with the ingredients you have on hand!

2 carrots, peeled into ribbons.
Toppings, I used a no salt, nut, seed, fruit mix.
(have some fun with this and add what you like and let me know!)
Dressing, I used very little of a poppy seed dressing.

Put it all into your fave bowl and enjoy!

For some reason I just love carrot ribbons!  I think they taste way better then chopped carrots! I often put carrot ribbons on top of garden salads to fancy them up!

Strawberry Spinach Salad with Honey Dijon Salad Dressing

A very yummy lunch I had today!  A folded flat bread sandwich with chicken, cheese, red peppers, mushrooms, green onion, with a little chipotle sauce to spice it up!

Today's salad was what I had on hand...I really need to go shopping!   You could add so much more to this salad!  You could add nuts, sprouts, any veggie you like!  Today I had...

Strawberry Spinach Salad

Fresh organic baby spinach, with strawberries sliced on top,  and some toasted sesame seeds!

Honey Dijon Salad Dressing
Honey
Dijon grainy mustard
white wine vinegar

Measure equal parts honey and mustard and add vinegar till the right consistency!
Very yummy!

Banana Curry Soup

This is another very easy and simple recipe that my kids love!  Just don't tell my daughter there is onion in it.  And 2 of the men who tried it couldn't figure out what the main ingredient was!  Tastes a lot like squash!
 

Ingredients:
4 Bananas ,sliced 
2 Garlic cloves, chopped
3 cups Vegetable stock
1 large Onion, chopped  
1.5 tsp Curry Powder

Directions:

1. Mix curry powder and vegetable stock in a pot.
2. Add onion, bananas and garlic to the pot.
3. Bring it to boil and then simmer for an hour stirring occasionally.
4. Put it all into a blender and mix until smooth.
5. Serve with naan bread and enjoy!

Healthy Nacho's!

If you love nacho's, and are trying reduce your sodium...This is the recipe for you!  Takes a little more work than pouring out a bag of salty tortilla chips!  But well worth the time!

1/2 Whole Wheat Pita - cut into triangles and toast in oven till crisp.  (if you can find...fresh corn tortilla's will work too!)
Veggies - optional, I like green onion, peppers, corn, mushrooms, etc.
Protein - optional, If you have any leftover chicken, beef or black beans.
Shredded Cheese - small handful sprinkle on toasted pita, bake till melted.

Serve with homemade salsa, and guacamole(Avocado and lime juice mixed together)
Remember portion control!  For a snack use half a pita, if you are going to make it a meal with all those optional yummy extra's use the whole pita.
Enjoy!

Submitted to Foodie Friday, Friday Favorites, Friday Food, and Grocery Cart Challenge.  Give them a visit for more yummy recipes!

Beef Stir Fry

So normally when I do a stir fry I just leave it plain...throw in the meat and veggies cook and eat..I know, it is so boring.  So this time I decided to spice it up for some fun!  It turned out so well I thought I would share what I did with all of you!  The kids loved it and were asking for seconds!  And instead of serving with rice I cooked up a huge quantity of bean sprouts! 

Ingredients



  steak or I used left over roast beef
  a couple shots of reduced sodium soy sauce
  a couple squirts of honey
  small spoonful of dijon mustard
  a few shakes or more of red pepper flakes
  garlic cloves, minced
  fresh ginger, minced
  medium onion, diced
  mushrooms, sliced
  red pepper, diced
  chopped broccoli 
  A whole lot of bean sprouts (you can use what ever veggies you have of course)
  can of sliced water chestnuts (so I had one in the back of the cupboard!  It needed using...No more canned chestnuts for us!)
  toasted sesame seeds

Directions
Whisk together soy sauce, honey, mustard and red pepper flakes. Add steak and stir until coated. Marinate, covered, at room temperature for 15 minutes. 
In a wok, saute garlic, ginger, onion, mushrooms, bell peppers, broccoli, and bean sprouts, stirring 5-7 minutes. Transfer to another dish.(or skip this step if using leftovers)
Using same wok saute steak, stirring, about 2 minutes. 
Stir in sauteed vegetables, water chestnuts and sesame seeds until heated through. 
Enjoy! 
Linking up with Slightly Indulgent Tuesday