Sweet potato lentil kale soup

 Very tasty and easy/ nice fall soup. Found the recipe here: https://theheartysoul.com/ginger-sweet-potato-and-coconut-milk-stew/

Go to link for directions. Below are the ingredients 

• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 medium level onion, diced
• ½ – 1 teaspoon dried chili flakes
• ½ teaspoon ground coriander
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
• 2-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and minced
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• Sea salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• 2 medium sweet potatoes, diced into 2-inch cubes (you can peel if you’d like)
• ½ cup brown lentils
• 4 cups vegetable stock

Add at end

• 13.5 ounce (400 ml) can full-fat coconut milk
• Small bunch chopped Kale

Banana oat pancakes vegan

I like this one better: https://nannykimsrecipes.blogspot.com/2019/06/gf-oil-free-banana-blueberry-oat.html?m=1

 Not the best picture, but I wanted to save this vegan pancake recipe. I would eliminate the maple syrup in the recipe for my taste as it was a bit too sweet for me. These were a bit tricky to flip on the first batch as the photo demonstrates 🤣. Go to this link if you want more details https://healthiersteps.com/recipe/vegan-banana-oatmeal-pancakes/

 

Bisquick chocolate chip bars

 Easy and tasty

2 and 1/2 cups bisquick baking mix

1 & 1/2 cups sugar

2 large eggs

1/2 cup oil (canola)

2 tablespoons of vanilla (yes tablespoons 😀)

1 cup chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS 

Grease 13 by 9 inch pan. Preheat oven to 350 F.

Mix all ingredients except the chips. Spread dough in pan and then sprinkle chips evenly over batter .Bake 25-30 minutes. My husband actually mixed half the chips in when stirring the dough and added the rest of the chips on top as the recipe described. He cooked it about 37 minutes in the glass pan. 

Pans and ovens can vary so use your own judgment 😁

Impossible chicken pot pie

Easy and yummy- I used gf bisquick BUT need to add a bit of oil to the bisquick mix if using gf— needed to add about two tablespoons of melted butter to the bisquick for using the gf version.

 

Oat apple bread

Yummy. Very moist. Go here for the details: https://thebakermama.com/recipes/healthy-flourless-fresh-apple-bread/

 Here is what I use:

3 medium apples

1/4 cups maple syrup, 

2 cups oats 

2 flax seed eggs (6 tablespoons of water mixed with 2 tablespoons flax seed sit til thickened)

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Optional: raisins and chopped walnuts

Note: I use the Vitamix for making the oat flour. I use the food processor for mixing the apples, vanilla, maple syrup, and flaxseed eggs.  Then I combine the dry ingredients with the wet.Note- I changed it a bit by putting mine in an 8  “ loaf pan instead of the 9. It took mine about 34  or 35 minutes to cook at 350. She said to blend it in a blender— mine isn’t powerful enough— The first time:I did a bit of it in a blender then dumped it into a large bowl and proceeded to chop snd mix with my pastry chopper thing 😅She said to leave in pan to cool and refrigerate left overs. I dumped mine out and it was fine. The SWEETNESS of the apples will affect the loaf> But the second time I did part in blender and part in food processor. Below are the original ingredients.and the bottom photo is how it comes out when mixed in the processor.

• 3 medium apples (about 1.25pounds)
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 cups old-fashioned or quick-cooking oats
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Note: I use the Vitamix for making the oat flour. I use the food processor for mixing the apples, vanilla, maple syrup, and flaxseed eggs.  Then I combine the dry ingredients with the wet. 

If vegan use 6 tablespoons water with 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed for the eggs. Use maple syrup instead of honey. below is how it looks when you process in food processor.

Sausage white bean kale soup for crockpot

 https://thecozyapron.com/sausage-soup/

Got the idea at the above link, but made it in the crockpot.

Here are the ingredients I used:

• 1 (14 ounce) package of beef smoked sausage, sliced into bite-size circles
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Pinch or two black pepper (I omit since sausage adds the heat)
• ½ teaspoon ground white pepper(I omit)
• 4 cloves garlic, pressed through garlic press
• 3 small russet potatoes, peeled and diced (about ½” cubes)
• 6 cups chicken stock or broth
• 2 (15 ounce) cans organic navy beans, drained and rinsed well
• 2 cups roughly chopped kale
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley

Note: I sautéed the sausage and added it to the broth in the crockpot. Then I sautéed the onions for a bit and added the potatoes and garlic sautéing a bit more. I placed these in the crockpot with the Italian seasoning and cooked 6 hours on low in my 5 quart crockpot. Then I added the beans after the 6th hour cooking another 30 minutes and then added the kale cooking another 10 minutes.

Some recipes call for carrots and celery in a similar soup and this would be a good addition. I used some chicken apple sausage.

Crockpot chicken with noodles

Really enjoyed this
 

INGREDIENTS 

4 cups chicken broth 

6 boneless skinless chicken thighs 

Thyme and Rosemary dried sprinkled over top

Sliced sweet potatoes ( did 2 medium ones)

Sliced summer squash ( used a half of one)

Petite garden peas (about a cup frozen)

Noodles (tinkyada brown rice fusilli) I probably used 3/4 to a cup of dry noodles.

DIRECTIONS 

Place chicken, broth, seasonings, sweet potatoes and squash in crockpot and cook 3 and 1/2 hours on high then add the pasta ,cooking another 1/2 hour then add frozen peas and cook another  20 minutes to a 1/2  hour. Total cooking time 4 and 1/2 hours. 

Zucchini blueberry oat cake

 Nice way to use up zucchini 😆.Delicious. Here is the link https://thenaturalnurturer.com/zucchini-blueberry-baked-oatmeal/

I put 1/2 teaspoon less of the cinnamon as I don’t tolerate a lot, unfortunately. Here are the ingredients given:

Ingredients

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon (me 1)
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk of choice
• ⅓ cup maple syrup or honey
• 2 eggs, room temperature can sub flax eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 ½ cup blueberries
• 1 cup grated zucchini (squeeze some of liquid out)
• 1 ½ tablespoons oil divided.

Go to link for directions https://thenaturalnurturer.com/wprm_print/13006

Girl Scout casserole (mom’s)

 Fast for camping. My Mom used to make this 60 years ago 🤪

Ingredients 

1 pound of ground beef ( or vegan crumbles) I use less

1 Can vegetable soup (can use family size if making more— I used a regular sized gf by Amy’s)

I medium onion

Mashed potatoes (can use instant for camping)- amounts to your liking 

Optional: I added some fresh zucchini squash, some extra frozen peas and corn. I also sprinkled some dry beef bullion for flavor.

Directions 

In iron skillet sauté onion, chopped zucchini squash, meat or meat substitute. Sprinkle with dry beef bullion if using. When done to your liking— (squash tender crisp for me) add vegetable soup and any additional frozen veggies you might want. Heat until just warmed.

Serve over mashed potatoes.

Zucchini spinach breakfast muffins

 I found this here https://katsdeliciouskitchen.wordpress.com/2017/05/13/zucchini-spinach-feta-muffins/

These are kind of between a quiche and a muffin.!The recipe calls for feta cheese but I will try cheddar next time as the feta is a bit too salty.  But we like them.

They only made 9 muffins for me in my regular muffin tin. The recipe said 14, but must be a different size than mine?

Ingredients 

• 1 cup of grated zucchini
• 1 cup of chopped spinach
• 1 1/4 cup oat flour
• 1 1/2  tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 2 Eggs
• 3 tbsp of olive oil (or oil of choice)
• 1/2 cup of milk 
• 100 gr feta (me- next time try cheddar or a combo)
• 1/4 tsp of pink salt For salting the zucchini to let it sweat for 30 min. 

Go to link for directions 

Salsa ,quick

 I needed some quick mild salsa for myself and wanted to remind myself—

2 plum tomatoes chopped (same as Roma)

Spices to taste: garlic powder, onion powder, coriander powder, cumin, salt

Refried pinto beans

 I used the recipe for canned pinto beans. I did add some water to make it more creamy and some onion powder and garlic powder in addition to the seasonings in the recipe which can be found here

https://www.loveandlemons.com/refried-beans/

Go to link for directions

• Go to link for directions 

  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil (me olive oil)
  • 1/2 white onion, chopped
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder( me- cannot have)
  • 2 cans pinto beans, including liquid
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt (me- to taste)
  • Freshly ground black pepper (me cannot have)
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice, more to taste (me can’t always have)
  • Onion powder and garlic powder to taste (my addition)
  • Water ( my add

Fig salad

 Really nice salad especially with maple roasted pecans- recipe and directions found here:  https://www.feastingathome.com/fig-arugula-salad/print/37322/

Ingredients for 4-8 servings

• 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup toasted pecans (or make these maple glazed pecans)
• 5 ounces baby arugula (about 6–7 cups)
• 6–8 figs, stems removed, quartered
• 10–15 basil leaves, torn
• 1/2 cup firm goat cheese, crumbled (use the kind in a log, or  try gorgonzola) I used feta

Fig Salad Dressing: 

1. 3 tablespoons  olive oil
2. 2 1/2 tablespoons  balsamic vinegar -I used white rice vinegar 
3. 1–2 teaspoons maple syrup
4. 1/2 teaspoon salt
5. 1/2 teaspoon pepper -I omit
6. 1/4 teaspoon vanilla (optional) love it

Note: when I used chopped pecan pieces it only took 5 minutes in the 350

Go to link for directions 

Egg salad

 A lower fat version which uses low-fat cottage cheese instead of mayonnaise.

Mix :

2 mashed boiled eggs

1/3 cup cottage cheese 

I teaspoon mustard of your choice

Salt and dried dill to taste

Depending on the size of your eggs you can of course change up the amounts.

Chocolate peanut butter oat cookies

 Yummy— takes oat banana cookies to a new level

Ingredients 

2-3 ripe bananas depending on size

2 or more cups oats- I used rolled oats- add as much to get to  right consistency 

1/4 cup cocoa powder 

1/4 cup smooth peanut butter

1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce 

1 teaspoon vanilla 

Optional: raisins or chocolate chips— coconut flakes!!

directions 

Heat oven to 350F. Mash bananas and then add the rest of ingredients. I place mine on a baking sheet with silicone. Cook 10-12 minutes or until desired doneness. The size of your cookies will affect cooking times.

Cottage cheese cheesecake

Not bad at all as a little alternative 😀 I really like this— and it is healthy enough to have for breakfast 😅

3/4 cup cottage cheese
2/3 cup low fat plain yogurt ( I used Greek yogurt)
1 tbsp cornstarch 
2 tbsp brown sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 egg
1 egg white

1 teaspoon vanilla ( you can sub juice from 1/2 a lemon for a different taste)

1 1/2 – 2 cups blueberries  (or other fruit

Directions

 line a 7″ or 8” round cake pan with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350F.
Mix cottage cheese in food processor with
 the yogurt, flour, sugar, vanilla  ,salt and eggs until well combined. Mix in the blueberries.
Pour batter into prepared tin and bake 30-40 minutes, until just set.
Let cool at least 30 minutes. Serve hot or chilled.

 Note: I used frozen berries and the 8” pan which took 40 minutes. It could take shorter if berries are not frozen. It would be nicer in a 7 inch round pan , but who owns one that size 🤓.

Another recipe below:

A second recipe in this photo also cooked in an 7. &1/2 to about 8 inch glass pan: greased pan

2eggs

16 ounces of cottage cheese( used full fat high protein one)

1/2 cup Greek yogurt ( I used homemade Dr. William Davis’s)

2teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooked as above until edges started browning— took a longer time.

Chocolate syrup

Easy for when you need chocolate syrup 🤪

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup cold water
• 1/4teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• 1 teaspoon  pure vanilla extract (or to taste)
• 
  

• a medium saucepan, whisk together the cocoa powder and sugar until blended. Add the water and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt, and whisk over medium heat until boiling, stirring constantly.
• Continue boiling until mixture thickens, about 3 minutes. The mixture will still be fairly thin (it thickens to a syrup-like consistency once cool). Taste and stir in additional salt until dissolved, up to 1/4 teaspoon, if desired.
• Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla. Cool. Taste again. If it's not sweet enough for you, add a bit more sugar and stir in the warm syrup until dissolved.
• Store syrup in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator. The syrup should keep, refrigerated, for at least a month.
  
  
  Found recipe here , but altered it a tad 

 https://www.kitchentreaty.com/homemade-chocolate-syrup/

Cottage cheese Alfredo

 Easy, tasty, and lower in fat than some recipes. Found the recipe here:  https://40aprons.com/cottage-cheese-alfredo/

Ingredients

For sauce:

• ▢ 1 cup milk use skim for low-fat -I used drinkable coconut milk
• ▢ ½ cup cottage cheese use low-fat cottage cheese to make this recipe low-fat
• ▢ 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon salt (I omitted)
• ▢ ⅛ teaspoon pepper( I omitted)
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon garlic powder or more to taste
• ▢ ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese or Romano cheese
• ▢ dried basil to taste
• ▢ dried oregano to taste
• ————————
• Pasta of choice 
• Chicken strips cooked if desired

Go to the link for all the details. Basically you blend the ingredients apart from the meat and pasta—then heat the sauce in a pan. You can place the cooked pasta in the sauce and let it absorb the sauce for a few minutes and then serve with chicken or whatever.