Mushroom, Red Pepper and Zucchini mix

2 large zucchini
3 Red bell peppers
1-2 bags Cremini mushrooms
2 TBSP coconut oil

1/2 cup fresh basil
1 lemon juiced
sea salt

Cut vegetables into large pieces.  Heat coconut oil in deep skillet. Add all vegetables and sauté 8 min or until slightly tender.  Remove from heat and add basil, lemon juice and sprinkle lightly with sea salt.

Coconut Chicken

Serves 8

12+ chicken tenderloins (or chicken of your choice, cook accordingly)
2 eggs beaten

Mix:
1 cup Almond flour
1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1/4 tsp sea salt

3 TBSP coconut oil

Heat coconut oil in large non-stick skillet.  Dip chicken in egg then flour mixture.  Fry 4-5 min each side, for thicker chicken cook longer.

Tamale Pie

  

Serves 12+

Filling:
2 onions
4 garlic cloves
3 TBSP olive oil
1 1/2 tsp Cumin
2 cans black beans
1 can kidney beans
1 can pinto beans
(or 4 cups worth of any beans you like)
4+ TBSP tomato paste
2 cans olives cut in half
1 green pepper
5 celery stocks
1 pkg mushrooms
1 lge zucchini
1 bag baby spinach
1-2 lbs ground beef
1 can corn (optional, I do not)

Saute onion and garlic 5 min.  Add cumin.  Mash beans and add to onion and garlic.  Add tomato paste and rest of veggies and beef.

Corn Meal: (this is optional if you are on a low carb diet, I make half with half w/out)
6 cups boiling water
3 cups corn meal
1 tsp salt

Boil water and SLOWLY add cornmeal and salt stirring constantly until thick.   Grease 2 lge deep dishes and spread cornmeal on bottom.  Pour bean mixture over top.  Bake 350.  30 min.  Cover top with cheese (optional).  Bake additional 10 min. 

Veggie Heaven

Serves 8+

2 TBSP olive oil
2 Yellow onion
4 garlic
4 zucchini
4 yellow squash
3 sweet potato (I use sweet because regular potatoes are way too starchy, up to you)
4 tomato
1 1/2 tsp thyme
1 lb lean beef cooked (optional)
salt and pepper
Italian cheese

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Finely dice the onion and mince the garlic. Saute both in a skillet with olive oil until softened (about five minutes).

While the onion and garlic are sauteing, thinly slice the rest of the vegetables.

Spray the inside of a baking dish with non-stick spray. Layer beef and softened onion and garlic in the bottom of the dish. Place the thinly sliced vegetables in the baking dish vertically, in an alternating pattern. Sprinkle generously with salt, pepper, and thyme.

Cover the dish with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove the foil, top with cheese and bake for another 15 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown.

 

 

Ratatouille Protein Style (2 versions)

PRETTY VERSION:

SAUCE:
2 red bell peppers
1 yellow onion
4 tomatoes seeded
4 garlic cloves
1/2 tsp marjoram, thyme, basil
1 bay leaf

Boil until looks like a nice sauce.

FIXINS'
1 lb lean ground beef cooked (optional)
4+ zucchini
4+ yellow squash
Japanese eggplant (1 large eggplant)
4+ roma/plum tomatoes seeded

Slice all veggies 1/4" thick or as desired.  Place cooked ground beef as a layer on bottom of dish.  Pour sauce over top.  Arrange by alternating veggies UPRIGHT. Cover with parchment paper.  Bake 350 until tender. 

BIG POT VERSION:
*** to keep each individual veggies flavor, you can cook them separately then mix together before serving.

1 yellow onion sliced
4 garlic cloves
1 bay leaf
1 large eggplant 1/2" pieces
4 zucchini cut in half and then in 1/2" pieces
4 yellow squash cut the same
1 red, yellow, orange bell peppers cut into chunks
4 plum tomatoes BIG chunks
1/2 tsp marjoram, thyme
1 lb lean beef cooked (optional)
1 tsp salt
1/2 c. fresh basil
1/2 tsp. pepper

In a large pot add 3 TBSP olive oil, onion, garlic, bay leaf and eggplant.  Cook 8 min.  Add zucchini, squash, peppers, tomatoes, marjoram and thyme.  Cook another 7 min or until tender.  Stir in salt, basil and pepper.

***LEFTOVERS CAN BE USED AS A PIZZA TOPPING***

Almond Flour Pankcakes

1 1/2 cups Almond Meal
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp + cinnamon
3 eggs room temperature
5 TBSP coconut milk
2 TBSP honey
1 tsp vanilla

Mix all the dry together then add the liquid.  Set aside 5 min.  Heat skillet with coconut oil.

Authentic Irish Stew

4+ cups beef broth or chicken broth
2 tsp marjoram
2 tsp parsley
1 1 /2 tsp salt
1 tsp garlic powder (or 2 cloves fresh)
3/4 tsp pepper
1 pkg lamb bits
Leeks
Carrots (big pieces)
Green beans
Potatoes
Bag of kale

Stir all together and cook on low 3 hours.  Crockpot.

Chicken Saltimbocca and Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce

8-10 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves THIN cut
4 tablespoons butter
4 garlic gloves minced

Heat up butter and garlic on stove till garlic is soft.  Place chicken in butter/garlic and cook just to seal in the juice.  Your chicken should be white all over.  About 3 min each side.  Place on a cookie sheet with parchment paper or sprayed.  I added SOME of the butter/garlic that was left in the pan to the top of each chicken. 

Start Sauce while chicken is cooking IF you are making pasta to go with it.

2 garlic cloves, minced
4 tbsp. butter
2 c. heavy cream/milk
1 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 c. Parmesan cheese, grated
1 TBSP lemon juice

In a saucepan over medium heat melt butter and cook garlic 4 min. Add cream or milk, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Cook to heat through. Add thickener if needed.  Add to cooked and drained pasta.
Set aside until pasta and chicken is cooked. Before serving add Parmesan cheese and the lemon juice. Adjust seasonings as desired. Cover and set aside keeping warm.

Finish CHICKEN (this only takes a few minutes to prepare)

Pre-heat oven 300

Salt
Basil Leaves
Prosciutto
Mozzarella thinly sliced strips

Sprinkle a little salt on top of chicken.  Place a few basil leaves on each piece of chicken, strips of prosciutto and finally your strips of mozzarella. Bake for 15 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked.

Vegetable Roast

3-4 lb rump/arm roast (I just got the Trader Joes Roast it was almost 3lbs)
2 cups Carrots diced small
4-6 White Potatoes diced small
2 Yellow Onions diced small
3 Garlic Cloves chopped
1 green/red bell pepper or 1 Anaheim chile diced small
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

1 1/2 tsp Brown gravy mix
3 TBSP flour
1/4 c. cold water

 Place roast in crock pot, mix the flour, water and brown gravy mix into a thick sauce like paste.  Pour over the meat.  Sprinkle the salt, pepper and garlic over the top of meat and sauce.  Place carrots, potatoes, bell pepper and onion around and on top of meat.

Cook in crock pot over LOW heat for 10 hours.  Once meat is tender about 8 hours, you can shred the meat and stir.  Continue to cook remaining time.

There is NO water or broth in this.  That is OKAY.  The fat from the meat and fluid from the veggies will make this PERFECT!

.

Foil Baked Salmon

8 Alaskan wild caught salmon 
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
Large can diced tomatoes
2 yellow onions
2 lemons for juice
Spinach
Organic butter
2 teaspoon dried oregano
2 teaspoon dried thyme

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Sprinkle salmon with olive oil, salt and pepper. (I put all the salmon in a big bowl and mixed it) In a small bowl stir the tomatoes, lemon juice, oregano, thyme, and more salt and pepper. 

Place a big handful of spinach on a square of foil large enough to hold your salmon. Place about 2 tablespoons of chopped onion on top of spinach. Next place salmon on top of spinach and onion.  Add a small bit of butter to top of fish and then spoon the tomato mixture over the salmon.


Fold the sides of the foil over the fish and tomato mixture, covering completely and seal the packets closed.  Place the foil packets on a large baking sheet.

Bake until salmon is just cooked through. About 25-30 minutes.

Use a large metal spatula works well to transfer salmon to plate. Use the juices left in the foil and pour over the top of the fish and pasta.

HOMEMADE NOODLES:

2 cups semolina
1/2 tsp salt (opt) 
2 eggs 
2 TBSP water
2 TBSP olive oil 

Kneed dough WELL until stretchy.  Use your pasta maker to roll out dough and cut into desired noodles. Cook in boiling water for 5 min.

PINTO!

Sort, rinse and soak desired amount of pinto beans in a very large pot covered with water 4-5" above beans overnight. 

When you are ready to cook (plan on about 3 hours) Drain water and refill with fresh water 2" above beans.  Cover and bring to boil.  Lover heat to LOW and cook covered 3 hours or until beans are tender.

Add 1 large can green chilies.  (or fresh chilies cut with seeds removed)

Add 1 lb COOKED ground beef seasoned with:
1 tsp garlic salt (3 cloves minced)
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp. Pepper 
1 tsp parsley

Serve with cubed cheddar cheese on top (optional), tortillas or rolls.

Whole Grain Pancakes

Feeds 8 people. You can put them in a freezer bag and pop them in the toaster.

3 1/2 cups Whole Wheat flour
2 1/2 cup Oats
3 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup brown sugar (opt)
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup flax seed or flax flour
1/2 cup wheat germ 
2 tsp cinnamon
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
2 cups unsweetened applesauce
2 1/2 tsp. vanilla

Beat eggs, milk, applesauce, vanilla.  Add remaining ingredients.  Mix until smooth.  Add more flour/milk if needed. Should be easily spreadable.

Kimono Chicken - crock pot

8+ Organic, boneless/skinless chicken thighs  (or bone and skin on, up to you)
1 cup of soy sauce
1/2 cup of rice vinegar (I also added 1/2 cup white wine)
4 cloves of garlic crushed and minced
4-6 green onions chopped
5 Tbsp of brown sugar
1/2 tsp of fresh ground pepper
2 tbsp of parsley (fresh chopped if available)
Brown Rice

Directions:  Place your chicken thighs in a deep pan that also has a lid. Over medium heat pour in the soy sauce, and rice vinegar and then add the brown sugar, garlic, 2-3 chopped green onion, parsley and pepper.  Toss the chicken pieces around a little bit so that they are coated with the liquid.  Cover and allow the chicken to cook for about 45 minutes or until they are done.  As this is cooking you will notice that the liquid will start to caramelize nicely on the skin and in the pan.  If you notice that the liquid is cooking much faster than the chicken just lower your heat setting.  Do not cook this any higher than a medium temperature.  It should caramelize and not burn.  When the chicken is done remove, add a little extra chopped scallions and parsley to the top and serve. This recipe makes extra sauce to pour over the rice. 

Stromboli Bread and Whole Wheat Rosemary Ham and Swiss Bread

In a large mixing bowl let sit 5 min:
3/4 cup warm water
2 tsp active dry yeast
1-1/2 tbsp sugar (or honey)

Add:
1 cup whole wheat flour (2 cups ww flour)
2 cups all purpose flour (1 cup white flour)
3 TBSP melted butter
1/2 cup warm milk
1 tsp salt

Other ingredients you will need:
1 pkg of pepperoni or 10″ stick pepperoni, thinly sliced 
2 c shredded mozzarella cheese (6+ slices Swiss cheese)
2 pkg fresh mushrooms sliced and steamed or 1 can sliced mushrooms, drained
1 egg
1 tsp oregano (rosemary for the Ham and Swiss no Basil)
1 tsp basil

Mix until dough formed and kneed (or use bread maker on dough setting) until dough is NOT sticky to the touch.  You may need to add more flour. You do NOT need to let the dough rise. 

Preheat your oven to 375F.

Place dough on counter and roll into a large rectangle that will fit on your baking sheet. Beat the egg with the oregano and basil.  Brush half of the egg wash on the edges of the bread (optional).

Place a layer of pepperoni down the center of the bread (4-5 slices of pepperoni wide).
Place shredded cheese on top of pepperoni.
Evenly distribute the mushrooms on top of the cheese. Place another layer of pepperoni over the mushrooms if desired.

Pinch the sides and ends of the bread together to seal the pepperoni, cheese, and mushrooms inside.
Flip the bread over onto a GREASED baking sheet.  Brush the top with the remaining egg wash.

Bake 25 minutes.

You can also add black olives to this or any other pizza favorite.
Whole Wheat, Rosemary, Ham and Swiss with mushrooms

Roast Beef with Pepper Jack Cheese!

Mushroom and Asparagus Risotto

Feeds 8+

2 big bushels of asparagus, cut 2"
4 cups chicken broth
1 pkg of crimini mushrooms (optional)
4 TBSP olive oil
1 red onion chopped
4 garlic cloves finely chopped
1 box Aborio rice
1 cup white wine
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp pepper
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Warm the chicken broth very hot in a saucepan over medium low heat.  In a large saute pan, heat 2 TBSP olive oil over medium-high heat.  Saute onion and garlic.  Add the rice and cook stirring constantly 3-4 minutes.  Add wine and stir until the liquid is absorbed.  Add the broth 1/2 cup at a time.  Stirring occasionally and waiting until it is absorbed before adding more.  Once you add the last 1/2 cup, cover and remove from heat, start heating your asparagus. 

In another pan heat the 2 TBSP olive oil and add cut asparagus.  Saute just until bright green.  4-5 min.

Once broth is completely absorbed in the risotto, add the asparagus and season with salt and pepper.  Stir in Parmesan.  


 

Nutty Eggplant Pasta

When I first tasted this dish, I closed my eyes and pictured myself in the snowy mountains, warm and cozy by a fire in a cabin.  The cinnamon and cocoa add an amazing aroma, adding the walnuts to this delicious combo of seasonings bring it to an Earthy and natural flavor.  The eggplant gives it a slight kick, while the ricotta and romano keeps this dish a mild, yet savory essence.

Begin with boiling water to cook desired pasta style for this dish. 

3 white eggplant cut into large pieces
3 purple eggplant (hanzel and gretel)
1 large onion chopped

Spread over bottom of large deep baking dish.  Sprinkle cinnamon and cocoa over the top of veggies.  Drizzle with olive oil.

Bake 425 about 15 min.

While roasting do the following:

2 cups raw walnuts (chop large pieces).  Sprinkle over veggies and continue to bake another 10 min. 

In a large bowl mix together:

A handful of fresh italian parsley (chop)
1 cup grated pecorino romano
1 tub of whole milk ricotta cheese

Add this mixture to the cooked pasta.  By now the eggplant mixture should be roasted.  Add eggplant to pasta and cheese. 

Mix and Match Squash with Rice

1 onion chopped
1/4 c. butter
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup rice
2 tsp salt
2 yellow squash sliced
2 zucchini sliced
2 TBSP Lemon juice
1 green bell pepper chopped
1 TBSP chopped parsley
1 1/2 cups water


You can add chicken as well!!!

In a large high edge skillet cook onion in 2 TBSP butter.  Add the water and chicken broth to skillet then rice and 1 tsp salt.  Bring to boil.  Cover and cook over low heat until liquid is absorbed.  About 25 min.  Add squash and zucchini, bell peppers and remaining 1 tsp salt.  Cook until squash is tender.  About 5 min.  Add remaining butter and lemon juice.  Stir.  Sprinkle with parsley.  Serves 4-6.   

Side note.  The lemon really changes the flavor of this meal.  So be prepared.  The first bite is different but then you'll go... Mmmmmm that was so good! Have NOT tried this with brown rice.  I would use white rice until I have tried it with brown.  I KNOW it's good with white. :D

Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli - Crock Pot

8 boneless skinless chicken thigh
1 can cream of mushroom soup (**optional)
1 can cream of celery soup (optional)
**(if not using soup add 1 cup heavy cream and 2 cups chicken broth with mushrooms and 3 celery stocks cut into pieces)
2+ cups cheddar cheese
3 cloves garlic
2 tsp Parsley
3 cups cut broccoli (2 big heads of broccoli)
1 red onion chopped
1-2 pkg crimini mushrooms (or regular)
2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
2 cups brown rice (cooked and set aside)

Crock Pot on LOW (high for bigger pieces of chicken)

~add onion, mushrooms, soups, garlic, parsley and chicken. Salt and pepper top of chicken.

~ Cook for about 4 hours then ADD BROCCOLI. Cook until broccoli is tender.
~Add shredded cheddar cheese 15 min before serving.

~Cook rice and put the chicken cheddar broccoli on top.

Egg Salad

- 2 hard boiled eggs
- 1 tbs organic mayonnaise
- Dash of curry, sea salt and pepper
- 1/2 tbs chopped red onions
- 4 cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 tbs chopped cucumber
Instructions:
1. Mash up your eggs with the mayonnaise to your desired consistency.
2. Add the curry, salt and pepper and mix.
3. Stir in the onions and cucumbers.
4. Gently stir the tomatoes into the mix.
5. Enjoy your egg salad on a bed of lettuce

(2) Alfredo Sauces

#1

Now I know there are way more healthy versions of this, but this is the one I use right now until I get the recipe from a friend of mine.  If "healthy" isn't what you are concerned about then go for this one.


Melt in a pot:


4 TBSP butter
ADD:
4 TBSP Flour
WHISK WELL


ADD:
2 cups milk
1/2 tsp salt
3 garlic cloves
1 tsp oregano or fresh basil chopped
1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup sour cream (optional)


Now this covers about 3 adults food, I double mine to feed my family of 8.


#2 White Wine Alfredo Sauce

~Carton of heavy whipping cream
~White wine
~Garlic
~Extra Virgin Olive Oil
~1 cup Finely Grated Parmesan cheese
~salt & pepper

On Med heat in a large skillet add about 2 cloves of garlic, minced and about 2 pinches of salt and pepper with the olive oil until lightly browned. Careful not to burn. Then add the white wine (Add about enough to cover the bottom of the skillet) Quickly add the heavy cream and the cheese, stir occasionally so it doesn't burn.

(2) Amazing Fruit Dips

#1

2 TBSP real lemon juice
3 8oz yogurt (cherry, vanilla, cherry vanilla is best if you can find it)
1 large pkg instant vanilla pudding mix (or cheesecake)
8oz whipped topping (whip up yourself, much healthier) Whipping cream and sugar to desired sweetness

Mix all together


#2

2-3 blocks Philadelphia cream cheese (generic's are gross)
1 small lemon juiced
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup powdered sugar
1 jar march mallow creme
homemade whipped cream equivalent to a small container of cool whip

combine all together and enjoy!!

Easy Spanish Rice - with BROWN rice

Serves 6-8 adults.

2 cups uncooked rice -brown/white
(I used Trader Joes Brown Rice Medley and it was FABULOUS!!!)
1 chopped onion
4 TBSP olive oil
5 cups water
2 cloves garlic
1 8oz can tomato sauce (or small can of tomato paste)
1 chopped green bell pepper (or 1/2 cup freeze fried bell pepper mix)
1 chopped red bell pepper
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 lb. ground beef COOKED
cheddar cheese (of course this is a Basham recipe ;P)

Cook rice and onion in oil in a large high-side skillet over medium heat about 3 minutes.  Stirring occasionally until rice is golden brown.

Stir in remaining ingredients (NOT the cheddar cheese) Heat to boiling, reduce heat and cover.  Simmer for about 45 minutes stirring occasionally until rice is tender! That's all she wrote folks! Serve and top with cheddar cheese!!!

Cheesy Egg Bake

 

16 eggs
2-3 cans chilies
2 pounds shredded cheese (Mexican blend is amazing, or cheddar)
1 can evaporated milk

1 tsp melted butter
2 TBSP flour

Mix eggs, chilies, cheese and evaporated milk.
Melt butter in a 11x14" dish.
Tilt to coat bottom of dish.Sprinkle with flour.
Pour in egg mixture.
Bake 350 for 1 hour.

Additional fixings:  diced tomatoes, mushrooms, bell peppers, bacon, ham, sausage, fresh baby spinach,  Parmesan cheese.  Serve with fruit on the side and some good for you toast :D

Feeds 8+ people

No Bake Cookies

2 cups sugar
1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup butter
1/6 tsp salt
3 TBSP Cocoa
1/4 cup peanut butter (optional)

Combine all above  ingredients in tall pot.  Bring to a boil on MEDIUM HIGH heat, stirring.  Once boiling turn down heat to MEDIUM LOW (#3) and continue to boil for 10 minutes stirring occasionally.

Add:

3 cups quick oats
1 cup coconut (optional, if not using coconut add another 1 cup oats)

Stir well... add:
1 tsp. vanilla
Mix.

Drop onto wax paper and allow to set.  I like to use the small or medium scoop from Pampered Chef.

Garden Bake

2 zucchini diced
2 yellow squash diced large pieces
1 onion chopped (I love red onions)
3 small tomatoes diced
2 large carrots chopped small
1 pkg Cremini mushrooms

1 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
6 eggs
3 cups milk
2 1/2 cups Bisquick (Trader Joe's Multi-Grain baking/pancake mix)
3/4 tsp pepper
1 1/2 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 400

Rub olive oil on a large 11x14 dish and add chopped squash/zucchini, onion, mushrooms and tomatoes.

Sprinkle top with Parmesan cheese.

In a separate bowl combine eggs, milk, Bisquick, pepper and salt.  Blend for 15 seconds.  Pour over top of veggies.


Bake for 45 min or golden on top AND knife inserted in center comes out clean.  (this is like a quiche so if there is a little sticky on the knife it is okay.
Cool about 5 minutes before serving.
Sprinkle cheddar cheese over top.

Pork Chops Marsala with Sweet Potatoes and Asparagus

6 to 8 organic boneless pork loin chops
Salt
Pepper
1/2 tsp thyme
3 garlic gloves minced
Olive Oil
REAL butter
1 package sliced cremini mushrooms (came in a sealed package)
1/2 white onion, chopped (could use a shallot too if preferred)
One bunch of asparagus
3 large sweet potatoes and 1 large yam
4 slices Prosciutto (meat section... yes, I didn't have a clue what this was, I thought it was cheese)
1/2 organic chicken broth
1/3 cup Marsala wine


Directions:
1.Sprinkle salt and pepper on pork chops.
2.Peel and cut potatoes into 2 inch chunks. Boil accordingly to make mashed potatoes.
3.Heat large skillet with about 2 tsp olive oil and brown chops evenly on both sides with center slightly pink. About six minutes turning over once. Remove from skillet and set aside.
4.Heat about 1 tsp olive oil to the same skillet. Add onions, mushrooms and thyme. Cook until mushrooms are brown and onions are soft. About 5 minutes.
5.While onion and mushroom mix is cooking add chopped Prosciutto and butter to a separate skillet. Cook about 2 minutes and add asparagus and garlic. Cook to your own preference.
6.Add broth and wine to mushroom mix and simmer on low about 5 minutes.
7.Drain potatoes and mash with 1 tbs butter, a bit of heavy whipping cream ( or milk) and salt.
8.Pour sauce over pork chops and serve with asparagus and sweet potato mix