Sausage & Sweet Potato Soup

1 lb. Italian sausage, casings removed (chicken if possible)

2 onions, diced

2 sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch pieces

kale, chopped and big stems removed

1 T Italian seasoning

5-6 cups chicken broth

Sautee onions in stock pot with a little olive oil, 4-5 minutes.  Add sausage and cook, breaking up, until browned and cooked through, 4-6 minutes.  Add sweet potatoes, broth, and seasoning to stock pot.  Cover and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and simmer 7 minutes.

Uncover pot at stir in kale (as much as you like).  Simmer until kale is wilted and sweet potatoes are tender, 5-7 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper.

Serve.

Sausage Egg Roll (Skillet dinner)

Skillet Sausage Egg Roll 

 

1 lb ground pork or Italian sausage (mild) 

1 head green cabbage (outer layer removed), about 6 cups shredded (or use coleslaw cabbage)

4 cloves garlic, pressed 

1 Tbsp fresh ginger, minced 

1 Tbsp soy sauce 

2 green onions, chopped 

1 Tbsp sesame oil duck sauce, for garnish, optional 

 

Preheat large skillet over medium heat. Add in pork sausage, and cook thoroughly, crumbling with a wooden spoon. (I drained the excess fat out of the skillet; that's optional) Add in shredded cabbage (or 6 cups of shredded coleslaw mix), garlic, ginger, and soy sauce. Cook for several minutes (about 5) until cabbage has softened, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and add green onions and sesame oil. Stir and serve in bowls. Drizzle with duck sauce or sesame oil, if desired! ENJOY.

Crockpot Marinara Sauce

EVOO 

1 onion

2 lg carrots, peeled and grated

4 (or more) cloves minced garlic

1 can (6 oz) tomato paste

1/2 c. red wine

28 oz can crushed tomatoes

15 oz can tomato sauce

3 T Italian seasoning

1 tsp sugar

1-2 bay leaves

dash of crushed red pepper

salt, pepper to taste

Saute onion and garlic in EVOO until tender, seasoning with garlic, salt, and pepper (to taste).  Spoon in tomato paste, stir frequently until paste begins to caramelize (2-3 minutes).  Lower heat to simmer and add wine, scraping up any bits stuck to the bottom of the pan.

Add mixture to crockpot.  Add the rest of the ingredients.  Cook on low 4-8 hours.  Remove bay leaves prior to serving.

Crockpot Tuscan Chicken

3 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts

6 cloves garlic, minced

one onion, diced

14 oz can artichoke hearts, drained and quartered

8 oz jar sundried tomatoes, packed in oil

8 oz spinach

salt and pepper, to taste

Place chicken in slow cooker and season with salt and pepper.  Add garlic, onion, sundried tomatoes in oil, and drained artichokes.  Cook on high for 2.5-3 hours or low 3.5-4 hours.

Add the spinach on top and wilt (5-10 min).  Mix together and serve.

Eggnog Pie

1 sm package instant vanilla pudding

2 c. eggnog

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

8 oz thawed Cool Whip

graham cracker crust

Mix the first four ingredients.  Fold in Cool Whip.  Pour into prepared pie shell.  Refrigerator 4+ hours and serve cold.

Sweet Potato Salad

For the salad:

4 medium-large or 6 small sweet potatoes

1 small red onion

1/3 c. dried cranberries

1/4 c. feta crumbles

1/4 c. chopped fresh parsley

olive oil, cinnamon, salt, and pepper to taste

For the dressing:

3 TBS olive oil

1 TBS apple cider vinegar

1 TBS dijon mustard

1 TBS honey

1 garlic clove, minced or pressed

1 tsp dried oregano

1/4 tsp. cumin [could substitute curry?]

salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 450.  Peel and dice sweet potatoes.  Add to lightly oiled baking sheet.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper (optional cinnamon) to taste.  Bake for 20 minutes.  Cool.

Meanwhile, make the dressing by mixing all of the dressing ingredients together.  Dice red onion.

When sweet potatoes are cooled, add onion, cranberries, feta, parsley, and dressing.  Mix well.  Serve cold.

Crockpot Green Chili Chicken

3 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2 lbs)

2 (4.5 oz) cans green chilis

1 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

8 oz cream cheese

Place chicken in crockpot and add spices.  Pour chilis on top.  Cover and cook on low in crockpot for 4.5 hours. 

After 4.5 hours, shred chicken with fork and then add cubed cream cheese.  Continue to cook for 30 minutes to soften cream cheese.  Stir to mix well.  Serve hot over rice, in tacos, etc.!

Cranberry Brie Bites

1 can crescent roll dough

8 oz. brie

can of cranberry sauce (with or without whole cranberries)

rosemary, fresh or dried

optional: pecans

Preheat over to 375, and grease 24 mini muffin tins.

On lightly floured surface, roll out crescent rolls and pinch seams.  Cut into 24 squares (as evenly sized as possible).  Place a square in each muffin cup, pushing the bottom down.

Cut cold brie into 24 pieces (with rind left on).  Add a piece of brie to each muffin cup.

Spoon cranberry sauce onto each cup.  Optional: add a pecan onto each cup.

Add a sprig of fresh rosemary to each cup, or crush dried rosemary then sprinkle on top. 

Bake for approximately 15 minutes.  Serve warm.

Keep in refrigerator 3-5 days if any are left!

{Original recipe HERE}

Zesty Italian Good Seasoning Mix

 Find the original post and usage suggestions HERE.

White Chicken Chili

1 1/2 lbs. boneless chicken breasts
1 jar green salsa verde
2 cans cannellini beans

2 cans chicken broth

1 tsp salt

1 tsp garlic powder

1 T cumin

pepper

cilantro

8 oz. cream cheese (optional)

Place chicken in the bottom of the crockpot.  Sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cumin.  Pour the jar of salsa verde over the chicken.  Add drained beans and broth.  Cook for 4 hours on high or 6-7 hours on low.

Take out chicken and shred.  Add back to crock pot and add cubed cream cheese if using.  Stir and let melt.

Optional: Serve with tortilla chips, shredded cheese, jalapenos, sour cream, etc.

(From Tammy Aaron, UCES)

Creamy Summer Chopped Salad

Plain Greek yogurt and mayonnaise, 1/2 c. total

1/2 c. crumbled feta cheese

1 T chopped fresh dill (plus more for garnish, if desired)

1 T chopped fresh chives (plus more for garnish, if desired)

1 T lemon juice

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1 large English cucumber, diced

1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered depending on size

1 bunch radishes, diced

1/2 red onion, finely diced

Make ahead and chill for more flavor.

Combine the first seven ingredients in a serving bowl.  Add the diced vegetables and combine.

*This makes great leftovers, if there's any left.

Grilled Portobello Mushrooms

4 large portobello mushrooms

1/4 c. balsamic vinegar

2 T. olive oil

2 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp sriracha

salt and pepper to taste

Gently wipe off mushroom caps and remove stems.

Mix everything else in a small bowl.  Spoon marinade over the mushrooms (or add everything to a ziploc) and marinate 10-15 minutes.

Grill, gill side up, for five minutes (pouring on any remaining marinade).  Flip and grill for another 4-5 minutes.

The Pioneer Woman's Italian Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner (with a Dyer Dining Twist)

My twist on the Pioneer Woman's Italian Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner was delicious (and I have at least two others who agree), so I am sure her original recipe is amazing.  Here's my (somewhat leaner) version:

1 c. olive oil
1/4 c. balsamic vinegar
1 tsp. parsley, 1 tsp. basil [could sub 2 tsp Italian seasoning) 
1/2 tsp. salt, 1/2 pepper
5 cloves garlic, minced or smashed
8 boneless skinless chicken thighs
at least one bag fresh green beans (4 servings), ends trimmed
at least one carton (but two might be better) of grape tomatoes

Combine all of the ingredients up to and including the garlic in a large bowl.  Whisk well.  Add 8 chicken thighs and approximately 1 cup of marinade to a resealable plastic bag and marinate.  [Even just an hour adds a lot of flavor!]

Add the veggies to the rest of the marinade and stir to combine.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.  Line one or two cookie sheets with aluminum foil and spray generously.  Place chicken thighs (not touching) on the sheets and discard marinade.  Use a slotted spoon to add the veggies to the sheet, trying not to overlap the veggies and chicken as much as possible.  Discard marinade.

Bake for 35 minutes.  Be sure that the tomatoes are bursting and that the chicken is cooked through.

Serve with a side salad and/or crusty French bread.

Here's a quick picture of pan #1 of 2:

Tortellini Spinach Soup

8 c. low sodium chicken broth

2 (14.5 oz) cans Italian-style diced tomatoes (undrained)

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp garlic

1/2 tsp basil

pepper to taste

1 pkg (18-20 oz) three-cheese tortellini (or whatever tortellini/ravioli you prefer)

1 (11 oz.) bag/box fresh spinach

1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened and cut into 1" cubes

Optional:

grated parmesan cheese

crusty bread

Combine the first seven ingredients (broth, tomatoes, and spices into soup pot and bring to a simmer.  Add tortellini or ravioli and cook according to package directions (approximately 10 minutes).  Then, add cream cheese and spinach, stirring to melt/combine the cream cheese and wilt the spinach.   Stir until well combined and spinach has wilted. Serve with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese and crusty bread.

Queso Taco Soup

Queso Taco Soup 6 servings 1 lb ground beef ½ small onion, chopped 6 oz cream cheese, softened 2-10 oz cans of Rotel ½ c heavy whipping cream 2 ½ c beef broth 1 tsp garlic powder 1 packet Taco seasoning S&P Brown ground beef and onions together, then drain. In a large saucepan, add beef and softened cream cheese on low/medium heat. Stir together to mix well before adding any other ingredients. Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer on low for 30 minutes. Add S&P to taste. Serve with grated cheese, sour cream, jalapenos, and/or guacamole.

Black Eyed Peas Supper

6-8 servings 2 cans black eyed peas, with liquid 1 lb bulk sausage 1 c chopped green pepper (or celery or green onions) ½ c chopped onion 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 2 c canned tomatoes, with liquid 1 tsp black pepper 1 tsp oregano ½ tsp rosemary 2 c grated cheese Cook sausage in large frying pan, crumbling with a fork as it cooks. Drain fat from pan. Add green pepper, onion, and garlic. Cook 5 minutes, stirring vegetables into sausage. Add tomatoes and seasonings. Stir well. Pour in black eyed peas with the liquid in the cans. Cover and simmer slowly 15 minutes. Serve very hot with grated cheese sprinkled on top. (If this can be prepared ahead of time, the flavors have a better chance to blend. Reheat at mealtime and top with cheese when ready to serve.) This is a one-pan dinner, and is VERY good.

Ham & Cheese Sliders

1 stick butter, melted

1 Tbsp honey mustard or Dijon mustard

1 Tbsp minced dried onion

2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

12-count King's Hawaiian Rolls

12-16 oz sliced deli ham

8-12 slices Swiss cheese

If preparing to eat now, preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 9"x13" pan.

In a medium bowl, whisk together first four ingredients.

Slice rolls in half.  (Open the package and slice the entire package in half at once.)  Place the bottom half in the pan.  Layer ham on the bottom buns, and then cheese on top.  Place the top half of the rolls on top.

Drizzle the butter mixture over the sliders.

If baking now, bake for about 20 minutes.

If baking tomorrow, cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.  The next day, place pan in cold oven, set heat to 350, and bake for 20 minutes.  Remove foil and continue to bake 10-15 minutes.

Penne with Spicy Vodka Tomato Cream Sauce and Italian Sausage

Penne with Spicy Vodka Tomato Cream Sauce Servings: 8 Ingredients 1 pound uncooked penne pasta ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil 2 (3.5 ounce) links sweet Italian sausage 4 cloves garlic, minced ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes ¾ teaspoon salt ½ cup heavy whipping cream (3/4 c) 2 tablespoons vodka (1/4 c) ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley (spinach to taste) (onion powder to taste) Directions This spicy vodka pasta is a nice change from your typical tomato sauce. If you're worried about the alcohol, don't be! It cooks off and cannot be tasted. It simply helps to enhance the flavors. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain and set aside. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Remove casing from sausage and add to the skillet. Cook and stir until crumbly and brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Add garlic and red pepper flakes; cook and stir until garlic is golden brown. Add tomatoes and salt; bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Add cream and vodka; bring to boil. Add spinach when almost done boiling. Reduce heat to low and add pasta; toss for 1 minute. Stir in parsley (if used); serve warm. **Notes: Original recipe called for less vodka and heavy cream, but I did what is above. I also added onion powder to taste. Macey www.allrecipes.com/11815

Red Potato Dill Salad

Red Potato Dill Salad 12 servings Ingredients 3 pound small red potatoes 1 teaspoon kosher salt 2 tablespoons white vinegar 1/2 cup red onion, chopped 1/2 cup light (or not) mayonnaise 1/2 cup light (or not) sour cream or Greek yogurt 1 teaspoon garlic salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/4 cup chopped dill fresh dill, divided (can use dried dill) Instructions Place the potatoes in a large pot of salted water and boil them for 25 to 30 minutes, or until they easily slide off the tines of a fork and the skins begin to break away from the white potato, if cut. Drain the potatoes, then cut into halves and then into quarters and place in a large bowl Use a large whisk, fork or potato masher to gently smash the potatoes into irregular chunks, but not too fine. Drizzle the warm potatoes with the vinegar. Mix the mayonnaise with the sour cream or Greek yogurt in a small bowl with the garlic salt, freshly ground black pepper and half of the fresh chopped dill. Add the sauce to the potato mixture with the chopped onions and the remaining dill, and stir gently to combine. Cover and refrigerate for 2-4 hours or overnight. Sandy B

Ham and Cheese Roll Ups

Ham and Cheese Roll Ups 

10 minutes prep; 4-8 hours to chill (or overnight) 

32 roll ups 

8 oz cream cheese room temperature 

½ teaspoon garlic powder 

1 cup cheddar cheese shredded 

2 tablespoons dill pickle relish 

4 tortilla shells (8 inches in size) 

½ pound deli ham 

Instructions 

In a large bowl, using a handheld mixer, beat the cream cheese with the garlic powder until it is light and fluffy. Stir in the cheddar cheese and pickle relish. Divide the cream cheese mixture evenly among the tortilla shells. Make sure it is spread all the way to the edges of the tortillas. Then evenly divide the ham slices. Roll up the tortillas and wrap tightly with saran wrap. Refrigerate for 4 to 8 hours (or overnight). Remove from the refrigerator, take off the plastic wrap, and slice. Cut the edges off the rolls. Then slice in half, then in half again and again to make 8 total roll ups from each roll. Serve or store in an airtight container for up to two days.