Chipotle-Style Barbacoa Beef

In my quest to make Chipotle-style burritos at home, I decided to make Barbacoa beef.
Another thanks to Gina of Skinny Taste for her recipe of Chipotle's Barbacoa beef on behalf of my husband's stomach.  I did modify the recipe in terms of ingredients and directions, but used her recipe as the base.  I rarely make beef (personal preference) as it is generally less lean and heart healthy than my usual vegetarian, fish, or chicken dishes.  However, when you do want to make beef, here is a handy wallet card of the lean cuts of beef.  Feel free to serve this with my cilantro-corn salsa and cilantro-lime rice for a tasty meal.  I hope you enjoy the barbacoa beef in your own burritos, as a sandwich, over rice, or by itself!

Ingredients:
1 lb Beef (round roast--eye, bottom, or top), trimmed of fat
1/2 tsp. Black Pepper

1 Tbsp. Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

2 Tbsp. Minced Garlic

2 Tbsp. Minced Onion
1 Tbsp. Lime Juice
2 tsp. Chili Powder
2 tsp. Ground Cumin
1 tsp. Oregano
1 Bay Leaf
1/3 Cup Water

Directions:
1.  Trim fat from meat and cut into 4 inch pieces.  Put in crockpot/slow-cooker.
2.  Pour/place all of the ingredients in slow-cooker.  Turn heat to low and cook for 6-8 hours, or until meat is cooked through.  Remove bay leaf.
3.  Use two forks to pull the meat apart (shred it) once cooked through.  Cover and let cook for another 15-20 minutes. Serve immediately.

Enjoy as a spicy sandwich or for the meat in a Chipotle-inspired burrito.

Skinny Sweet Potato Skins

I've recently become a huge fan of Pinterest (and all other things that distract me from working on my dissertation--ha, funny, but also not funny).  While browsing food for inspiration, I came across these Healthy Sweet Potato Skins thanks to Pinch of Yum and just HAD to try them.  I love potatoes and this is a way to try a classic taste in a healthy way.  Feel free to serve these as a meal themselves (and even top with turkey bacon) or as a side dish paired with chicken or fish.  They would also make a great party appetizer.


Ingredients:
3 Sweet Potatoes
1 Tbsp. Extra-Virgin Olive Oil, plus more to spread on cooked skins
2 Tbsp. Minced Onion
1 Bag (6 oz) Baby Spinach, Fresh (rinsed and dried)
1/4 Cup (2 oz.) Light or Non-Fat Sour Cream
1/4 Cup (2 oz.) Light or Non-Fat Cream Cheese (I used whipped)
1 Cup Chickpeas/Garbanzo Beans
1/4 Shredded Mozzarella Cheese or Mexi-blend (Light or Non-fat)
Sea Salt and Black Pepper, to taste

Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Stab (not to sound too violent) each potato multiple times with a fork.  Wrap each potato in foil.  Bake at 350 for 45-60 minutes, or until they are tender.
2.  Cut potatoes in half and let cool for 5-10 minutes.  Meanwhile, heat olive oil and onion over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes.  Add in spinach and heat for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until spinach is cooked and starts to look wilted.  Remove from heat and set aside.

3.  Scoop out most of the sweet potato "meat" from the potato (leave a thin layer left).  Mix sweet potato "meat" with the sour cream and cream cheese until well-combined and mashed.  Add in the chickpeas, spinach, and sea salt and pepper (optional) (Also, watch out for baby hands, see photo at right).
4.  Spread a little bit of olive oil on the skins of the potatoes and Bake for another 5 minutes.  Remove from oven and fill each potato skin with the sweet potato mixture.  Top with Mozzarella cheese.

5.  Bake again for 10-15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and filling is heated.


Enjoy!

Spinach & Artichoke Dip

This spinach and artichoke dip was inspired by my desire to replicate Panera Bread's Turkey Artichoke Panini.  In doing so, I could have purchased an artichoke spread in the store, or I could make my own.  Soo...here we have an awesome Spinach and Artichoke dip.  It's easy to make, totally delicious, and made as healthy as you can get it.  It's also really versatile.  It makes for a great game day snack served with fresh vegetables, pita chips, bread pieces, or tortilla chips.  You can also serve it as a sauce over cooked pasta, or as a spread for sandwiches, like my Turkey Artichoke Panini.

Ingredients:
1 Jar (6-8 oz) Marinated Artichoke Hearts, Drained and Chopped
1/2 (10-15 oz) Bag (or Box) Frozen Chopped Spinach, Thawed and Drained
1 (8 oz) Package Light or Non-fat Cream Cheese
1/2 Cup Grated Italian Blend Cheese (Romano/Parmesan/Asiago/Provolone)
1/2 Cup Light or Non-Fat Sour Cream
2 tsp. Minced Onion
2 tsp. Garlic Powder

Directions:
1.  Spray crockpot with nonstick cooking spray.  Combine all ingredients into crockpot.
2.  Turn to low and heat for 30-60 minutes, or until hot.

Serve and Enjoy!

Carrot & Sweet Potato Soup

So lately I've been making a lot of baby food and spending less time being innovative in the kitchen for the adult meals.  Last week, I was making some plums, carrots, and sweet potatoes for Maxwell to eat and had more than enough potatoes and carrots left over.  Thus, I decided to make a Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup for an adult dinner!  You can follow either set of instructions (pureeing carrots and potatoes first, or later on).
Very healthy meal, loaded with beta-carotene, vitamins A, B6, K, C and dietary fiber.

Ingredients:
1 lb Fresh Carrots (peeled, cut into roughly 1" pieces) (Organic, preferably)
2 Sweet Potatoes/Yams (Organic, preferably)
2 Tbsp. Butter (again, Organic, you get it, I know...)
1/4 Cup Minced Onion (or Chopped Fresh Onion)
2 Tbsp. Minced Garlic
1/2 Cup Dry White Wine
4 Cups Water
1 Bouillon Cube (Vegetable or Chicken) (or 2 tsp. Granulated Bouillon)
Sea Salt, to taste
Black Pepper, to taste

Directions:
1.  Peel the sweet potatoes and cut into 1" cubes (roughly, precision not needed).
2.  Cook butter, onion, garlic, carrots, and potatoes in a large stockpot over medium heat for 5-7 minutes.  Pour in the wine and cook 2-3 minutes, or until it is reduced about 50%.
3.  Add water and bouillon and bring to a boil (turn heat to medium-high).
4.  Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until carrots and potatoes are tender.
5.  Remove from heat and puree. You can do this with a regular blender, immersion blender, Baby Bullet in my case (it was a great gift!), or whatever (even a masher).  I actually use my immersion blender A LOT too. You will have to blend in batches, most likely.
Now skip to the bottom....

Alternative Directions (Puree first):
(if for some reason you want pureed carrots or sweet potatoes alone for another dish/baby food)
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2.  Take peeled, cut up carrots and put in saucepan with 2 cups water.  Cook over medium-high heat for about 10 minutes, or until carrots are tender and break easily with a fork.
3.  Meanwhile, poke sweet potatoes with a fork multiple times.  Then wrap sweet potatoes in foil and bake in preheated oven for 45-55 minutes (depends on size of potatoes), or until potatoes are tender.
4.  Puree the carrots however you want.  You can do this with a regular blender, immersion blender, Baby Bullet in my case (it was a great gift!), or whatever (even a masher).  I actually use my immersion blender A LOT too.
5.  Using a fork, scrape off the skins of the semi-cooled sweet potatoes.  Puree them with your preferred device and remaining 2 cups water.
6.  Cook butter, onion, and garlic in a large stockpot over medium heat for 3-5 minutes.  Pour in the wine and cook 2-3 minutes, or until it is reduced about 50%.
7.  Add in carrot and potato purees and bouillon.  Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring well.
8.  Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.

Feel free to vary it by stirring in different herbs (thyme or basil or ginger) and/or adding some light cream to it.  Top with croutons.  Season with the sea salt and black pepper, to taste.

Serve immediately and enjoy!

Mediterranean Mahi Mahi

Fresh white fish paired with a light tomato, olive, and artichoke sauce.  The Italian herbs oregano and basil pair well with the orange and lemon to really bring a lot of fresh flavor to the fish.  I was inspired by a recipe in Bon Appetit, and modified it to my own liking.  I added Artichokes, used Black Olives instead of Green, and added in lemon juice to give it more flavor and moisture.  Not only is this Mediterranean dish heart-healthy, using olive oil, tomatoes, olives, and artichokes over white fish, but it is absolutely delicious also.  When we ate it, we both agreed it tasted so decadent (yet it was so so healthy).

Ingredients:
2 Tbsp. Olive Oil
1/3 Cup Minced Onion
1 Cup Dry White (or Rose) Wine
1 (14 ounce) Can of Stewed or Diced Tomatoes
2 tsp. Garlic Powder
2 tsp. Dried Oregano (or 2 Tbsp. Fresh)
1 tsp. Dried Parsley (or 1 Tbsp. Fresh)
2 tsp. Dried Basil (or 2 Tbsp. Fresh)
4 4-5 oz. Mahi Mahi Fillets
1 Small Can Sliced Black Olives
1 Can Quartered Artichoke Hearts
2 tsp. Dried Oregano (or 2 Tbsp. Fresh)
2 tsp. Fresh Orange Zest
2 tsp. Lemon Juice

Directions.
1. Heat oil in large skillet over medium high heat.  Add in minced onion and cook about 3-4 minutes.  

2. Pour in wine and boil about 3 minutes, or until it's reduced to 3/4 Cup. 
3.  Stir in the tomatoes with juice and bring to a boil.  
4.  Sprinkle salt and pepper on the fish.  Place fillets on top of tomato mixture.  Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until fish is opaque and cooked through.
5.  Transfer fish to plate and cover with foil to keep warm.
6.  Add black olives, artichokes, orange peel, lemon juice, oregano, and basil to tomato sauce.  Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook about 7-8 minutes, or until thick and reduced.  
7.  Place a Mahi Mahi fillet on a plate and cover with 1/4 of the sauce.  Serve with Italian bread and a side of (or on a bed of, as I did) steamed spinach.  Or, for more substance, serve over cooked brown rice or wheat pasta.


Enjoy!

Chili-Roasted Salmon with Cilantro Cream Sauce

Happy Cinco de Mayo!  Considering that May 5th is the day before my birthday, I always especially enjoyed the festivities of Cinco de Mayo because (as a child) it felt like a big huge birthday celebration for me.  :)  This Mexican-inspired recipe is absolutely delicious and provides a ton of healthy heart-brain-eye-healthy omega-3s (among a number of other nutrients).  I adapted this recipe slightly from one I found in Fitness Magazine.  Enjoy!  

Ingredients:

4 Tablespoons Lime Juice
2 Teaspoons Minced Garlic
2 Teaspoons Chili Powder
2 Teaspoons Ground Cumin
3 Teaspoons Olive Oil
4 4-Ounce Salmon Fillets (Wild-Caught, Skinless)
3 cups Frozen Corn Kernels, Thawed
1 Bell Pepper, Sliced (I used Green, could use Red)

3 Tablespoons Minced Onion (or Sliced Red Onion)
Sea Salt
Black Pepper
1/3 Cup Sour Cream (light, organic)
2 Tablespoons Chopped Fresh Cilantro (or 2 Teaspoons Dried Cilantro)

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line 2 large baking sheets with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray. In a small dish, mix together half the lime juice with garlic, chili powder, cumin, and 1 teaspoon olive oil. Add salmon and coat in sauce.  Set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, toss together corn, bell pepper, onion, and remaining olive oil. Spread corn mixture on one of the baking sheets.  

3. Remove salmon from marinade and place on second baking sheet. 

4.  Drizzle remaining chili-salmon marinade over corn mixture. Season salmon and corn with sea salt and black pepper.  

5.  Place both baking sheets in the oven and roast for 10-12 minutes, until fish is just cooked through and vegetables are tender (stir corn mixture once if desired).
6. Combine sour cream, cilantro, and remaining lime juice. Place one salmon fillet and 1/4 of the corn mixture on a plate. Drizzle cilantro cream sauce over fish.

Enjoy!

Nutrition facts per serving: 444 calories, 33g protein, 22g carbohydrate, 25g fat (5.9g saturated), 3g fiber

Healthy Tomato Pasta Sauce

I'll admit it, I usually just buy pre-made pasta sauce.  However, I wanted to try to make my own, to make it healthier with a variety of organic veggies and reduced sodium (store-bought always have so much sodium).  I adapted a recipe from Jamie Oliver below.  This recipe makes quite a bit of sauce (13-14 cups worth), so have some freezer bags on hand to freeze some (or store in the refrigerator if eating within the month).  This sauce makes for a quick and easy (and healthy) meal topped over whole-wheat pasta with fresh Parmesan cheese on top.  Or, you can use this sauce as a pizza sauce or as a base for Lasagna, Chicken Cacciatore, soup, or a number of other meals.  Feel free to change up the recipe a bit, by adding in some fresh mushrooms, zucchini, or whatever else you think sounds good!  Hope you like it!

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp. Olive Oil

2 Celery Stalks, Chopped

2 Red Bell Peppers, Chopped
2 Carrots, Grated
3 Tbsp. Minced Onion
3 Tbsp. Minced Garlic
1 Small Butternut Squash, peeled, seeds scooped, and grated or cubed
2 - 28 oz Cans Plum Tomatoes (or use 1 1/2 lbs Fresh Tomatoes + 1 Cup Water)
2 Cups Water
1/4 Cup Dry Red Wine
2 Tbsp. Dried Oregano (or 1/4 Cup Fresh)

2 Tbsp. Dried Basil (or 1/4 Cup Fresh)

Sea Salt
Black Pepper

Directions:
1.  In large stockpot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.  Stir in celery, red pepper, and carrots.  Add onion and garlic and heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2.  Add butternut squash to pan.  Stir in tomatoes, water, and wine.  Bring to a boil.

3.  Reduce heat to low and stir in the oregano and basil. Simmer for 40-45 minutes.
4.  Cool then use immersion blender (or regular blender, working in batches) to blend the sauce until smooth.
5.  Season to taste with sea salt and pepper.



Enjoy over whole-wheat pasta for a healthy meal!

Pea Panzanella

I had to try this recipe out after having a wonderful Pea Panzanella at a friend's house.  Panzanella is basically an Italian dish involving stale bread and usually tomatoes, olive oil, and other herbs and ingredients.  However, the pea version doesn't have tomatoes, but certainly makes use of a number of green vegetables instead.  It's really a wonderful springtime dish and I guess the recent warm weather has me thinking spring (despite the fact it is February).

This Pea Panzanella is adapted slightly from Michael Chiarello's recipe of the Food Network.  It has a great, fresh taste and is loaded with healthy ingredients: peas, olive oil, spring greens, and fresh herbs.  I hope you like it as much as we did.  It's a great dish to serve at a party or just for something different (and vegetarian) for an everyday side dish or main entrée.

Ingredients:
Panzanella Bread:

• 1/2 Cup Butter (1 stick)
• 3 Tbsp. Minced Garlic
• 1/3 Cup Minced Onion
• 3 Tbsp. Fresh Marjoram, Chopped (or 3 tsp. dried)
• 1 Loaf Italian or French Bread (a day old is best), Cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 2/3 Cup Grated Parmesan and Pecorino Romano Cheese Blend
• 5 Tbsp. Fresh Basil, Chopped (or 5 tsp. dried)
• 2 Tbsp. Fresh Green Onion, Chopped (or 3 tsp. dried)
• Sea Salt
• Black Pepper

Dressing:

• 1 1/2 Cups Frozen Peas
• 1/2 Cup Milk
• 2 Tbsp. Butter
• 1/2 Cup Chicken Broth (use Sodium-Free if you can)
• 1/4 Cup Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 tsp. Lemon Juice

Combined Salad:

• 1 1/2 Cups Cooked Peas
• 1/2 Cup Grated Parmesan and Pecorino Romano Cheese Blend
• 5 Cups Spring Lettuce Greens
• 3 Tbsp. Lemon Juice
• 1 Tbsp. Olive Oil

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Panzanella Cubes:
1.  In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter.  Once well-melted, add in the garlic and minced onion; stir for 2 minutes.  Add in the marjoram and stir well.
2.  Place bread cubes in a large bowl.  Pour butter mixture over the bread and toss or stir quickly to evenly coat the bread.  Stir in the cheese, basil, and green onions.  Add a couple pinches of salt and pepper if you desire.
3.  Place the bread mixture in a single layer on a baking sheet.  Bake until the bread is lightly browned, about 7-8 minutes (outer bit of bread pieces will be crunchy and middles should still be soft).

Dressing:
1.  In a saucepan, over low heat, cook the frozen peas in the milk and butter for about 4-5 minutes.
2.  Puree the milk-pea mixture in a blender or a food processor.  Slowly add in the chicken broth, olive oil, and lemon juice.  Puree until smooth.  Cool over an ice bath or in refrigerator.

Combining the Salad:
1.  In a large bowl, combine the bread cubes and the pea puree.  Stir well to coat the cubes.  Stir in the cooked peas and cheese.
2.  Use a ring from a 10-inch spring-form pan upside down on a large plate.  Fill it with the bread mixture, pressing it down lightly into place.  Refrigerate for 30-45 minutes, then remove the ring.
3.  Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, toss the spring greens with lemon juice and olive oil.  Sprinkle the greens on top of the panzanella.  Add grated Parmesan/Pecorino Romano cheese on top.  Serve immediately.

Enjoy!

Guacamole

Superbowl Time!  A great anytime, or game-time, snack or appetizer is guacamole.  Guacamole is loaded with healthy fats and nutrients.  The primary ingredient are avocados, which contain healthy fats, dietary fiber, potassium, and vitamins K, B6, and C. Eating them has been shown to reduce your risk of breast and prostate cancer, heart disease and high cholesterol, and improve your eye health.  And of course, we can't forget the health benefits of tomatoes and the other ingredients in this quick and easy recipe.  I served it with multi grain tortilla chips and some red and green bell pepper strips.  Yum.

Ingredients:
3 Ripe Avocados, Peeled and Pitted (I used Organic Haas Avocados)
4 tsp. Lime Juice
1/4 Cup Onion (Fresh Red Onion is best, but I used Dried Minced--given my personal fresh onion aversion)
1 1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder
4 Tbsp. Fresh Cilantro (or 4 tsp. Dried Cilantro)
1 tsp. Black Pepper
1 tsp. Sea Salt
Optional: 7 shakes/dashes of Tabasco or other Hot Sauce for extra flavor and just a bit of spice (I definitely used it)
2 Roma Tomatoes, Diced

Directions:
1.  In large bowl, place Avocados and lime juice.  Combine well using a masher.
2.  Add in the onion, garlic, cilantro, pepper, salt (and Tabasco if you prefer).  Continue to combine with the masher.
3.  Fold in the diced tomatoes and stir well.
4.  Let sit for 45 minutes to an hour and serve!

Enjoy!

Storing Tip:  If you want, you can make this dip a day ahead of time and store in the refrigerator.  The acidic lime juice in the guacamole should keep the avocados from browning.  This way, it can be a make-ahead dip to relieve you of doing all your cooking in one day.

Split Pea & Ham Soup

A cold, icy day calls for soup-making!  I've actually never made split-pea soup before today, so this recipe is a new one I'm trying out (and of course I taste sampled before posting--it's awesome).  It's a modification of one from Better Homes and Gardens, one from Martha Stewart, and one from my father-in-law, Daryl.  I hope you enjoy it!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 Tbsp. Olive Oil
• 5-6 Medium Carrots, Chopped (about 2 Cups)
• 5-6 Stalks Celery, Chopped (about 2 Cups)
• 1/3 Cup Dried Minced Onion
• 4 Cups Water
• 4 Cups Chicken Broth (no-sodium)
• 1 lb Cooked Boneless Ham (I love Hormel's Natural Choice because it is nitrate-free!)
• 1 16-oz Bag Dry Split Peas, Rinsed and Drained
• 2 tsp. Dried Thyme
• 2 tsp. Dried Marjoram
• 2 tsp. Ground Black Pepper

Directions:
1.  In a large Dutch oven, or large stockpot, heat oil over medium heat.  Add carrots, celery, and onion.  Cook until vegetables are tender, about 5-7 minutes.
2.  Add water, broth, ham, and split peas.  Bring to a boil for a few minutes.  Stir in thyme, marjoram, and black pepper.
3.  Reduce heat to medium-low, Cover, and Cook for about 40-50 minutes, or until peas are soft.

Serve and Enjoy!  Season with a little sea salt and black pepper if you desire and eat with some wheat saltine crackers.  Yum.

For freezing, divide soup into two large freezer bags.  Once at room temperature, cool completely in the refrigerator.  Once cold, put soup into a second freezer bag (better safe than sorry with freezer burn) and be sure to label and date the soup (I include the date I made it and the "eat by" date).  Freeze up to 3 months.

To reheat, dip the bag into hot water for 5 minutes.  Then, put soup into stockpot.  Cook over medium heat for about 25 minutes, or until hot, stirring occasionally.  

Mexi-Turkey Chili

I like to make chili a few times in the fall and winter, and have a few variations I like to do.  This one is one of our favorite versions--I use healthier ground turkey instead of beef and add in some Mexi-flavors with the black beans and corn.  It's filling and delicious and even better, it can be a great weekday meal.  You can brown the turkey the night before, then put everything in the crock pot/slow cooker before you leave the next AM and it'll be ready for you by evening!


Ingredients:

1 Tbsp. Olive Oil (or use cooking spray)

1 Pound Lean Ground Turkey

1/4 Cup minced Onion (or use regular onion)

1 (10.75 ounce) Can Low-Sodium Tomato Soup

1 (14.5 ounce) Can No-Sodium Diced Tomatoes

1 (15 ounce) Can Tomato Sauce

1 (15 ounce) Can filled with water

2 (15 ounce) Cans kidney beans, drained (I used one light kidney and one dark kidney can)

1 (15 ounce) Can Black Beans, drained

12 oz Frozen Yellow Corn (I have substituted with white corn before)

2 1/2 Tbsp. Chili Powder

1 tsp. Red Pepper Flakes

1 Tbsp. Garlic Powder

1 Tbsp. Ground Cumin

3 tsp. Ground Black Pepper

 

Directions:

1. Heat the oil (or cooking spray) in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place turkey and minced onion in the skillet; cook until evenly brown; drain.

2. Coat the inside of a slow cooker/crock pot with cooking spray, and combine the turkey with all of the other ingredients (tomato soup, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce,  water kidney beans, black beans, and corn).  Season with chili powder, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, cumin, and black pepper.  Stir well to mix.

3. Cover, and cook 8 hours on Low or 4 hours on High.

4. Serve hot with cheddar cheese or jack-cheddar and crackers or tortilla chips.

For freezing, divide soup into two large freezer bags.  Once at room temperature, cool completely in the refrigerator.  Once cold, put soup into a second freezer bag (better safe than sorry with freezer burn) and be sure to label and date the soup (I include the date I made it and the "eat by" date).  Freeze up to 3 months.

To reheat, dip the bag into hot water for 5 minutes.  Then, put soup into stockpot.  Cook over medium heat for about 25 minutes, or until hot, stirring occasionally.

Nutritional Info Per Serving:

Approx 8 servings; 280 calories per serving; 8.7 g of fat (1.9 g sat fat); 42 mg cholesterol; 680 mg sodium; 32.9 g total carbs; 21.1 g protein;

21% Vit A; 43% Vit C; 9% Calcium; 43% Iron; 48% Niacin; 20% Vit B6; 24% Magnesium; 54% Folate

Love-Yourself Lentil Soup

Hearty soups, without hearty calories.  This quick-and-easy lentil soup is tasty and extremely healthy, with a variety of veggies and fiber, iron, folate, Vitamin B1, protein and potassium-rich lentils.  Health magazine named lentils as one of the five healthiest foods.  This is my first official recipe with lentils, so be prepared to get some more featuring this wonder-food!

Ingredients:

• 3 Tbsp. Olive Oil
• 4 Medium Carrots, Sliced
• 2 Tbsp. Minced Onion
• 1 1/2 cups Dried Lentils
• 3 Stalks Celery, Diced
• 2 Potatoes, Diced
• 4 Garlic Cloves, Minced
• 5 Cups Chicken or Vegetable (sodium-free) Broth
• 1 Tomato, Diced
• 1 tsp. Cumin
• 1 tsp. Sea Salt
• 1 tsp. Black Pepper

Directions:
1. Put olive oil in Dutch Oven (or large stockpot) over medium-high heat.  Once heated, add onion and carrots.  Stir for 3-5 minutes.
2.  Add in the rest of the ingredients and bring to a boil.
3.  Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer for about 40-50 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.

Season with sea salt and black pepper and serve with crackers or crusty bread.  Enjoy!

For freezing, divide soup into two large freezer bags.  Once at room temperature, cool completely in the refrigerator.  Once cold, put soup into a second freezer bag (better safe than sorry with freezer burn) and be sure to label and date the soup (I include the date I made it and the "eat by" date).  Freeze up to 3 months.

To reheat, dip the bag into hot water for 5 minutes.  Then, put soup into stockpot.  Cook over medium heat for about 25 minutes, or until hot, stirring occasionally.

Turkey Taco Salad (and Turkey Tacos)

I love a great summer salad.  This salad is one of my favorites, because I can make it into a salad for me and my husband can have hard shell tacos.  Plus, it's got a lot of veggies, lean turkey meat (protein), and tastes really good.

Ingredients:
1 lb lean (99% fat-free) ground turkey meat
1 Package Whole-Grain Hard Shell Tacos
1 cup water
1 Head Iceburg or Romaine Lettuce
1 cup Mexican-style Organic Cheese (Nature's Promise is what I used)
2 cans Black Olives
2 Plum Tomatoes (organic if you can)
Taco Sauce
Salsa (again, I used organic)
Fat-free Organic Sour Cream (my preference)

Taco Seasoning:
1 Tbsp Chili Powder
1 tsp. Garlic Powder
1 tsp. Minced Onion
1/4 tsp. Red Pepper Flakes
1 tsp. Ground Cumin
1/2 tsp. Paprika
1 tsp. Black Pepper
1 tsp. Cornstarch

Directions:
1. Preheat Oven to 350 degrees.
2. Brown turkey in a skillet over medium-high heat.  Drain and return meat to pan.
3. Over medium-low heat, simmer the meat, the taco seasoning mix, and the 1 cup water.  Stir every few minutes, for about 15-20 minutes, or until the water has drained.  Meanwhile:
4. Cut up your lettuce.  **If making a salad, put enough lettuce on a plate for a salad.  If making tacos, place lettuce in a bowl.
5. Dice your tomatoes.  **If making a salad, sprinkle a handful of diced tomatoes on your salad.  If making tacos, place toms in a bowl.
6. Put olives on the salad (or in a bowl for tacos).
7.  Put 1/4 cup shredded cheese on the salad (or in a bowl for tacos).
8.  In last few minutes of the meat simmering, place 6 hardshell tacos on a baking sheet.  Bake for 3-4 minutes.  Remove from oven.
9.  Crunch up two hardshell tacos for each salad and sprinkle on top of salad.
10. Spoon some of seasoned meat mixture over salad (or in bottom of taco).
11. Top salad with a spoonful of sour cream and serve with Taco Sauce and Salsa.  If making tacos, put lettuce on top of the meat, then tomatoes, olives, cheese, and sour cream.  Finish with Taco Sauce and/or Salsa.

ENJOY!!