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Lasagna Soup

Recipe Source: Modified from a Betty Crocker recipe.

Originally called ‘Cheesy Lasagna Soup‘

Ingredients:

1 pound lean ground beef
1 medium onion, sliced
2 large green bell peppers, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 cups water
1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes with Italian herbs, undrained
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
2 cups uncooked pasta (4 ounces)
1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, crumbled
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 cups shredded cheese of your choice (6 ounces)

Directions:

Cook beef, onion, bell peppers and garlic in Dutch oven over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is brown and onion is tender; drain.

Stir in water, diced tomatoes and tomato paste. Stir in pasta, brown sugar, Italian seasoning and pepper. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.

Top with cheese and serve.

Ricotash

This recipe was originally based on a friend’s arroz con pollo recipe, it has since evolved into a pseudo-succotash and chicken mixture served over steamed rice, which became affectionately referred to as “Ricotash”

Note: Adjust the measurements as needed. This recipe as-is serves 3-4.

Ingredients:

1 cup of each:
tomato sauce
sweet whole kernel corn (drained if from a can)
kidney beans (drained if from a can)
uncooked rice

1 1/2 to 2 cups cooked chicken

Adjust the following to taste:
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp Cajun or Creole seasoning (low salt preferred!)

Directions:

First get your rice going. I use a rice cooker and leave it to cook while I cook my chicken.

In a small saucepan mix tomato sauce, chicken, corn, and beans. Next, add your spices. Mix thoroughly and simmer about 10-15 minutes over medium/low heat.

Serve sauce mix over rice.

Note: unfortunately I didn’t take pictures the last time I made this, but I do have a picture of leftovers.

Thai Style Chicken

This recipe is one of my daughter’s favorites, and is a great (and easy!) way to break up the monotony of every day dishes — not to mention introducing new types of food to your family.

Ingredients:

1/3 cup peanut butter (shown with creamy, use chunky if desired)
3 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons honey
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon chili powder
dash cayenne pepper (optional)
2 cups uncooked pasta
2 boneless chicken breasts

Directions:

Take two cups of your favorite pasta and cook according to package instructions. I made mine with thin spaghetti. While that’s cooking, chop the chicken breasts into bite size pieces and cook until meat is no longer pink in the middle and the juices run clear.

To mix up the sauce, combine the peanut butter, water, soy sauce, lemon juice, honey, garlic, chili powder, and cayenne pepper (optional) in a medium sized bowl. I found it easiest to mix with a small wire whisk to combine the peanut butter and wet ingredients first, then use a rubber spatula to scrape the sides of the bowl and fold in dry ingredients.

When the chicken is done, toss in with peanut butter mixture until well mixed. Drain pasta, toss in olive oil (if desired).

Serve in a bowl with pasta topped by chicken and peanut butter mixture.

Suggestions:

I think next time I may make this with chunky peanut butter to add a bit of texture to the sauce. My daughter suggested topping with cashews — which I would have done if I had any.

I ran across a similar recipe earlier tonight that added crushed pineapple (drained), so I’ll keep that in mind for future alterations to this recipe!

Jules’ Homemade Tomato Soup

Recipe Source: Everydaymommy.net

Ingredients:

2 cans (28oz) whole tomatoes or homegrowns
1-2 cans (14oz) beef or chicken broth
1 small yellow onion, finely diced
1-2 tbsp olive oil
1 cup Half & half
1/2 stick butter
1/2 tsp sugar
House seasoning to taste *

Directions:

In large soup pot saute diced onion in olive oil over medium heat till tender. Season with house seasoning to taste.

Blend the whole tomatoes in a blender until just smooth, only a few seconds. You’ll want a slightly lumpy consistency. Pour tomatoes into soup pot. Add broth to pot to a pleasing consistency. If you prefer a thicker soup add 1 can broth. If a thinner soup add 2 cans broth. Season again with house seasoning to taste. Simmer 10 minutes to allow flavors to combine.

Add half & half, sugar and butter. Stir well as butter melts. Simmer another 20 minutes. Serve with grilled cheddar cheese on rye bread. Yum!

* House seasoning is equal parts kosher salt, black pepper and garlic powder.

Hummus Dip

Recipe Source: FitSugar.com

Ingredients:

1 can of garbanzo beans (chick peas)
2 cloves of garlic, minced (you can always use more)
1 – 2 tbsp tahini (it’s made out of ground up sesame seeds)
Juice from 1/3 of a lemon
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Place all of the ingredients in a blender for a few minutes, or until the mixture is creamy and smooth.

Serve in a bowl with fresh vegetables and sliced pita bread. Or even better, try it with homemade pita chips. This would also be a great snack to have while watching the Super Bowl.

Fit’s Tips:

This is a basic recipe, so play around with it – add your own special ingredients like grated carrots or artichoke hearts.

Lobster Creole

Recipe Source: Jennifer / allrecipes.com

Ingredients:

1/4 bunch fresh parsley
1 large yellow onion, diced
1 large green bell pepper, diced
4 cloves crushed garlic
1 (14.5 ounce) can stewed tomatoes
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
5 cups water
red pepper sauce to taste
2/3 cup sherry
1 (4 ounce) jar pimentos, julienned
1 cup frozen petite peas
4 raw lobster tail, quartered
2/3 pound fresh shrimp, shelled and deveined without tails

Directions:

Remove the stems from the parsley and discard. In a food processor combine the parsley leaves, yellow onion, green pepper, garlic and stewed tomatoes. Process just enough to chop the ingredients up. Should retain a chunky consistency

In a large pot over medium/low heat, combine olive oil and parsley mixture. Cook for about 6 to 7 minutes.

Stir in tomato paste until completely dissolved. Pour in 5 cups of water, red pepper sauce, sherry and red pimentos. Raise the heat to medium and simmer for about 15 minutes.

Add the petit poi, lobster tails and shrimp. Simmer for 10 minutes or until shrimp are pink all the way through.

Jules’ Sweet ‘n Smoky Chili

Recipe Source: Jules @ everydaymommy.net

“Our extended autumn-like weather came to an abrupt end yesterday when the temperatures dropped to below 20º and Kansas City was hit by a wave of sleet. The frozen ground is now covered with one to two inches of tiny ice pellets. When the weather is this bitter there’s only one thing to do. Make chili! I’m not sure if I’ve shared my chili recipe before, but here ’tis. I think everyone has their own way of making chili, and this is mine. To those of you in Texas, I apologize. This is yankee-style chili. But, it tastes darn good.”

Ingredients:

1 lb lean ground beef
1 lb ground pork
1 lg green bell pepper, diced
2 lg yellow onions, diced
3 cans chili beans (I prefer Brooks brand chili hot beans)
1 can beef broth
1 x-large can tomato juice (juice, not sauce – get the x-large can)
3-4 tbsp brown sugar
3-4 tbsp liquid smoke (I prefer Colgin brand liquid smoke)
Garlic powder
Kosher salt
Chili powder
Dash Cayenne pepper
1/2 stick butter

Directions:

In your largest pot saute the diced onion and diced bell pepper in about 2 tbsp olive oil till tender. Season with salt. Add beef and pork and brown completely. Drain excess fat. Season with garlic powder and salt. Add beans, beef broth, tomato juice, brown sugar and liquid smoke. Stir well and let simmer on low about 30 minutes. Liquids will reduce slightly and flavors will blend. Season to your taste with chili powder and cayenne pepper. Be careful with the cayenne as a little goes a long way. Stir well and taste for seasoning. When it is seasoned to your taste add (yes, this is the secret) the half stick of butter. Let it melt in the chili and stir well. Check seasoning before serving. The longer you allow the chili to simmer the more reduced the liquid will be and the more concentrated the flavors.

Serve with a bit of sharp cheddar cheese on top and crackers. Enjoy!

Garlic Butter Noodles

Recipe Source: My18andonly / myrecipe.org

Ingredients:

1 small bag of egg noodles, any size or shape
Water
Oregano
Salt
Garlic salt
1-2 sticks of butter or margarine

Directions:

Fill a pot with enough water to cook as many noodles as you are making. Set on the stove on high heat. Add to the water oregano, salt, and garlic salt to taste. DO NOT pour any in- sprinkle it in, otherwise your noodles will be VERY strong and spicy!

When water has come to a boil, add the noodles. DO NOT let them sit, or they may cook onto the bottom of the pan- keep watch and occasionally try one to see if it’s cooked yet. When the noodles are cooked, take them off the heat and strain out the water.

After the remainder of the water is gone, add the butter or margarine to the noodles and stir until completely melted. If needed, add more- it should look like an actual sauce on the noodles. Add a somewhat generous amount of garlic salt- you want it to taste strongly of garlic, NOT of salt! Adjust to your taste. Sprinkle with oregano and serve.

Tomato Pie

Recipe Source: Donna Walters, allrecipes.com

Ingredients:

1 (9 inch) deep dish pie crust
4 large tomatoes, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
3 green onions, thinly sliced
1/2 pound bacon – cooked, drained, and chopped
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1/4 cup mayonnaise

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

In alternating layers, fill pastry shell with tomatoes, basil, scallions, bacon, garlic powder, oregano, and red pepper. In a small bowl, mix cheese with mayonnaise. Spread mixture over top of pie. Cover loosely with aluminum foil.

Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove foil from top of pie and bake an additional 30 minutes. Serve warm or cold.

Makes 6 servings.

Buffalo Wing Sandwiches

Recipe Source: Bob Sassone / slashfood.com

Ingredients:

1 pkg (9 oz) southwestern chicken strips
1 cup butter, softened and divided
2 tbsp hot sauce
1/2 tsp chili powder
1 tbsp bbq sauce
6 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp parsley, minced and fresh
4 cups shredded lettuce
2 tbsp celery, chopped fine
2 tbsp blue cheese dressing (on the side)
salt and pepper
4 hoagie buns

Directions:

In large skillet, combine chicken, 1/2 c butter, hot sauce, bbq sauce and chili powder. Cook uncovered over low heat for five minutes or until heated through.

In a small bowl, combine garlic, parsley and remaining butter. Spread over cut sides of buns. Place on baking sheet and broil 8 inches from the heat for 3-5 minutes or until lightly browned.

Spoon chicken mixture onto bun bottoms; top with lettuce, celery, salt and pepper and dressing. Top with bun tops.