Overnight Oats

If you doing any sort of meal prep, want a yummy healthy breakfast, or always seem to be in a hurry in the morning let me suggest making Overnight Oats.  I know the recipe has circulated around social media but I thought I would blog it and make it more accessible.

Overnight Oats:

1 tbs chia seeds

1/3 cup rolled oats

3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk

1 tsp raw honey

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

2 tbs chopped pecans

Mixed berries to top

Shredded coconut to top

These ingredients are the ones used from the recipe I took it from but remember there's lots of variations on what to add or take out.  Skip the nuts if you don't like them or have an allergy, or like I did and substitute different types of nuts.  I used:

1 tbs chopped almonds

1 tbs chopped pistachios

Also the topping can be just about any fruit you want and there are so many variations that you can do. And when adding the milk you can use the milk of your choice.  The healthy choice is almond but others would make it equally delicious!

 

I mixed the dry ingredients (chia, almonds, pistahios and oats) in a bowl first

 

Then I added in the wet ingredients and mixed it all together.  If you are using a bowl, cover it in saran wrap and put in the fridge.  If you are using a jar, place the lid back on top.  Store in the fridge overnight.  In the morning, uncover and stir.

For my topping I thawed 4 frozen strawberries that I then smashed with a fork until it made a puree, I thawed about a 1/4 cup of frozen blueberries, sliced about a 1/4 fresh nectarine and sprinkled some unsweetened coconut on top.  Super easy and healthy.  Be creative with your toppings and add a bunch of colors. Simply Delicious.

 

Kale and Quinoa Minestrone

I was given this recipe by a close friend when a third party was asking me what kind of kale recipes I have.  Other than using kale in smoothies and kale chips I don't have any recipes that I love with kale.  So I chimed into my friend and she sent this amazing soup recipe.  I may have a new favorite soup to make on a cold day like today.  So many yummy fresh ingredients and the ingredients can be switched out for what you have on hand.

Kale and Quinoa Minestrone:

1 medium yellow onion chopped

2 stalks celery diced

3 medium carrots diced

2 tbsp olive oil

2 small zucchini diced

2 cups fresh green beans cut into 1 inch segments

1 red bell pepper diced

1 (32 oz) carton unsalted or low-sodium vegetable broth

1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes

3 cups water

3 1/2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

1 tsp dried rosemary crushed

3/4 tsp dried thyme

1 1/2 tsp granulated sugar

salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

3/4 cup dry quinoa

2 chicken breast cooked and chopped (omit for vegetarian)

1 (15 oz) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

1 (15 oz)  can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed

2 (heaping) cups chopped fresh kale, thick ribs removed

1 tbsp lemon juice

 

Heat the olive oil in a large stockpot over medium-high heat.  Add diced onion, carrots and celery and saute about 5 minutes, until softened.

 

Add in zucchini, green beans , red bell pepper and saute 3 minutes.

 

Add in vegetable broth, crushed tomatoes, water, parsley, rosemary, thyme, granulated sugar, season with salt and pepper to taste and bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and allow soup to gently boil, uncovered for about 20 minutes.

 

Add in dry quinoa then cover and cook 15-20 minutes longer.  This is where I also added in two chicken breasts that are already cooked and cut into chunks.

 

Then add cannellini beans, garbanzo beans, kale and lemon juice and cook, uncovered, until kale has wilted, about 5 minutes.

 

Such a great way to eat lots of vegetables and include kale into your diet.  This was the first time I have made it and the whole family liked it.  The vegetables can also be substituted for other ones or add other one's of your choice.  Leave the chicken out to make it vegetarian but if you don't mind the chicken I suggest adding it.  It was a great addition to the soup.  Simply Delicious.

Homemade Dressing and Killer Salad

WOW!!!  I wanted to create a dressing that is healthy and a salad that had a little bit of everything and that's exactly what I did.  Yum!!

Homemade Dressing:

1/8 cup white wine vinegar

1/8 cup fresh lime juice

1/2 cup grape seed oil

1/4 teaspoon mustard

1/4 cup cilantro

1/4 teaspoon salt

fresh ground pepper

A Little Bit of Everything Salad:

Handful fresh spinach

1/2 head of romaine lettuce

2 small beets (boiled, peeled and sliced)

1 small sweet potato (boiled, peeled and sliced)

1/2 cup English cucumber

1 small yellow pepper chopped

2 tablespoons pomegranate seeds

1/2 of a nectarine sliced

1 tablespoon cilantro 

1 chicken breast cooked in coconut oil

1 teaspoon blue cheese

 

For the dressing put all the ingredients in a blender and mix really well

 

For the salad I sliced everything into bigger pieces. 

 

The combination of ingredients for this salad went really well together and the dressing was a great compliment to it all.  I added just a small amount of blue cheese because I love blue cheese with beets and nectarines.  Feta cheese would also be a great choice.  Enjoy my salad creation! Simply Delicious

 

Healthy Raw Balls

This is a recipe is so good and so healthy!  I got it from my friend a few years ago and for some reason keep losing it but it's back and ready to be blogged!

The amount of each ingredient listed below is doubled.  I like to make extra!

Healthy Raw Balls:

3 cups plain oats

1 heaping scoop protein powder

1 cup unsweetened coconut

4 tbsp flax seeds

4 tbsp chia seeds

3 tsp cinnamon

1 cup natural peanut butter

 1 cup agave nectar

 2 tsp vanilla

1 cup chopped dried fruit 

*I do some with dried fruit and some with dark chocolate chunks*

 

When I make these I add all the dry ingredients, except the chopped dried fruit or chocolate, and mix together in a bowl.

 

After the dry ingredients are mixed together well I add the wet ingredients. Stir well.

 After it is mixed really well I separate it into portions to add the fruit or chocolate.  You may want to add those ingredients to the whole thing.  I separate mine so my kids will eat them easier.

 

 

Final step is to form them into balls.  The mixture is pretty sticky so I use two bigger spoons to form them into balls.  You can also put the mixing bowl in the fridge for a little bit.  I also put them in a container that takes more than one layer so I separate the layers with wax paper.  These are so delicious and healthy! Simply Delicious

 

 

 

Steak Fajitas

Super easy fajita recipe that I googled today.

Steak Fajitas:

1 pound skirt steak or thinly sliced sirloin

1 onion thinly sliced

1 green pepper thinly sliced

1 red pepper thinly sliced

1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro

2 limes juiced

flour tortillas/corn tortillas

 

 

Slice the meat into long strips and place in a bowl with the lime juice, chopped cilantro and some freshly ground black pepper.

 

Stir it together making sure the meat is coated with the lime juice and cilantro.  Cover it and refrigerate for 2-4 hours.

 

 Cook the meat with a little oil over medium heat at the same time that you cook the onions and peppers with some olive oil over medium heat.  

 

To assemble the fajitas I did it two different ways.  For the family I heated flour tortillas in a warm skillet and melted cheese on the tortilla.  They also had theirs with extra cheese and sour cream.  I heated corn tortillas for mine and didn't use any cheese or sour cream, instead I added avocado, cilantro and lime juice (pictured below).  Simply Delicious

Mom's Lasagna

My mom's lasagna recipe is to die for.  It is so delicious and easy!

Mom's Lasagna:

1 lb. ground beef

1 small onion, diced

1 28-oz can tomatoes

1 12-oz can tomato paste

1 tablespoon sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1/2 teaspoon oregano leaves

1/2 teaspoon thyme leaves

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper

1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

1 bay leaf

2/3 16-oz package lasagna noodles

2 eggs

1 15-oz container ricotta cheese

1 16-oz package mozzarella cheese, diced

*side note:  I use "oven-ready" noodles to omit the boiling of the pasta.  This is optional*

375 degrees for 45-55 minutes

 

Start by adding the hamburger and onion in a pot and cook on medium heat until cooked through.

 

After it is cooked, add: tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, oregano, thyme, crushed red pepper, bay leaf, garlic salt, and salt.  Mix all together.  Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to low; cover and simmer for 30 minutes.  Stir the mixture occasionally.

 

When the sauce is almost done.  Empty the ricotta container into a bowl and mix with the two eggs and dice the mozzarella.  If you are cooking lasagna noodles make sure the are cooked, drained and slightly cooled.

 

In a 9x13 pan place a single layer of noodles on the bottom.  Then put half the ricotta mixture, spread around.  Then place half the diced mozzarella.  Then spoon on half the sauce mixture and spread on top of the mozzarella. Then repeat the layers.

 

Bake at 375 degrees for 45-55 minutes.  I let it stand for about 5 minutes before I cut into it. 

 Enjoy this recipe from my childhood.  Simply Delicious

 

 

 

Swedish Meatballs over Egg Noodles

I used to make this and make the meatballs by hand and it got to where I didn't make them very often because of the time it took.  Now it's super easy since I use a bag of frozen pre-made meatballs.

 

Swedish Meatballs over Egg Noodles:

1/2 (20 oz bag) of frozen meatballs or roughly 6 meatballs a person

1 lb. bag egg noodles

4 oz of sliced mushrooms (optional)

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1 cup beef stock

3 tablespoons flour

1 teaspoon soy sauce

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 dried rosemary

*side note:  before starting the sauce I cooked the meatballs according to package in the oven.  When they were halfway through their cooking time I started the sauce.

 

In a pot whisk together the beef stock, whipping cream, soy sauce, flour, rosemary, and black pepper  until smooth.  Cook over low heat for about 10 minutes until thickened, stirring occasionally.

 

After the sauce thickens add the sliced mushrooms and the meatballs.  Continue to heat on low heat while the noodles are cooking.

 

 When I made this the other night I doubled the sauce recipe, including the meatballs.  It's really easy and is very delicious.  The kids also ate it like crazy. Simply Delicious

 

Bean and Ham Soup

This was the request of my 12 year old son to have on the menu this week.  It can be a lengthy process with boiling a ham bone and soaking beans but seriously I never have time for that.  So here's the shortcut version and still just as delicious!

Bean and Ham Soup:

1 hamsteak

4 cans Great Northern beans.  White beans and navy beans are also great

1 small onion chopped

2 small/medium carrots chopped

2 celery stalks chopped

1 bay leaf

1 teaspoon dried oregano, or dried thyme

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

 

 Cube the ham steak and place in a pot along with the rest of the ingredients. Include the juice from the canned beans.  I cut my vegetables into bigger chunks and the ham into about 1-1.5 inch cubes.

 

Stir all the ingredients together and add 3 cups of water.

 

Bring to a boil and then turn down heat and simmer for about 45 minutes.  If you want it less chunky add more water that the given amount.  Pair it with some dinner rolls and enjoy!  Simply Delicious

Sloppy Joes

My daughter wanted Sloppy Joes on the menu this week and I think we found a winner.  These were simple to make and delicious

Sloppy Joes:

1 pound ground hamburger

1/4 cup chopped green pepper

1/4 cup chopped onion

3/4 cup ketchup

1 teaspoon yellow mustard

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

salt and pepper to taste

 

 

 

Brown the hamburger in a skillet with the green pepper and onion on medium heat.  After it is cooked through, drain the grease.

 

Add the remaining ingredients, mix well, turn down the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes.

 

I paired ours with sweet potato fries.  The recipe for the fries is on my blog with the turkey burgers. To make it a little healthier just use the bottom part of the bun and eat it open-faced.  So easy and so delicious. Simply Delicious