15 Minute Beef Ramen

 2 Tsp Olive Oil

1 lb ground beef

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

3 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 cup tamari or soy sauce

1 1/2 cup chicken stock

2 tsp brown sugar

2 (3-oz) packages ramen, flavor packets can be discarded

9 oz slow mix (about 4 cups)

1 cup shredded carrots

Instructions

1. Heat large, high-sided skillet or heavy-bottom pan over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and ground beef, breaking apart meat into small chunks. Cook for 3 minutes until beginning to brown.

2. Add the salt and garlic, and cook until the meat is no longer pink, about 2-3 more minutes, stirring frequently.

3. Add soy, stock and sugar. Turn the heat to high and bring to a strong simmer.

4. Add the ramen noodles and cook 2-3 minutes or until noodles begin to soften but are not fully cooked, flipping the ramen several times to evenly coat the noodles in the broth.

5. Add the slaw and carrots, stirring to combine. Cook additional 2-3 minutes for the noodles to completely cook and the vegetables to soften. Serve immediately. 

Sheet Pan Chicken Shwarma

 This has become an instant family favorite. It's super easy, piling everything onto a cookie sheet. And it's really flavorful. The sauce is optional for serving, but we highly recommend using it.

Serves 8

Ingredients:

3 pounds chicken breast, cubed

2 small red onions, cut into 1 inch pieces

2 red bell peppers, cut into 1 inch pieces

4 carrots, peeled and cut into 1/4 inch pieces (about 1 c)

30 oz can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained

2 TBS evoo

3 tsp paprika

3 tsp cumin

1 tsp red pepper flakes, optional

1.5 tsp garlic powder

1.5 tsp onion powder

1.5 tsp oregano

1 tsp cinnamon

3 tsp kosher salt

White Sauce (optional, but highly recommended, for serving)

1 c yogurt

2 Tbs mayo

1 Tbs apple cider vinegar

1 tsp lemon juice

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp sugar

1/8 tsp black pepper

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425F/220C. Add chicken, veggies and chickpeas to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with oil and season with the spices and salt. Mix until evenly combined. Transfer to two rimmed cookie sheets and spread in an even layer.

Bake for 20 - 30 min until chicken is cooked through and veggies are tender. Broil for last 2 minute for an extra char if desired. Serve with white sauce drizzled on top, optional but recommended.

Easy Mediterranean Lamb Meatballs

 We use this for our Last Supper Celebration. We've tried several lamb recipes over the years, and this one has gotten high ratings from our family. Originally on healthyrecipesblogs.com

Makes 12 meatballs

1 pound ground lanb (85/15)

2 Tbs Greek yogurt

1 Tbs fresh garlic, minced

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp ground cumin

1/2 cup cilantro, chopped

2 Tbs olive oil for frying

Optional Sauce:

1/2 c greek yogurt

2 Tbs chopped dill

1 tsp minced fresh garlic

1/2 tsp salt

1. In medium bowl, combine all ingredients except the oil. Mix until well combined. Measure out 1 1/2 TBS size balls. Using wet hands can make it easier to shape the meatballs.

2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet that has a lid. Once the oil shimmers and becomes fragrant, add the meatballs in a single layer and cook them, turning them frequently until golden brown, about 5 min. If the oil becomes too hot, lower the temperature to medium. 

3. Add 1/4 c water to the bottom of the skillet. Cover with the lid and cook the meatballs until they are cooked through, about 2-3 more minutes. 

4. Using a slotted spoon, remove the meatballs from the skillet to a serving plate. Serve immediately.

5. You can serve as is, or you can make a quick yogurt sauce. Mix 1/2 c. plain greek yogurt with 2 TBS chopped dill, 1 tsp minced fresh garlic and 1/2 tsp salt.

*Note, instead of frying them, you can bake the meatballs at 400F for 15 minutes. Arrange them on a parchment lined baking sheet that has a rim. Spray the meatballs with olive oil before baking. 

Goi Ga (Vietnamese Shredded Chicken and Cabbage Salad)

 *original recipe is from thekitchn.com

This is a great, warm day salad. If you use a rotisserie chicken, then there's no cooking involved. It was delicious, and I served it with some fruit and some soft Turkish bread. This would also be a great dish to add to a potluck. You can make it the night before, and it won't be wilted the next day. Leftovers can last in the fridge for 3 days, and the flavor will intensify each day.

Ingredients for the Salad:

1 pound chicken breast (or use Rotisserie chicken as an even easier option)

1 tsp kosher salt

1/2 medium red onion

2 Tbs rice vinegar

1/2 medium green cabbage (about 1 1/2 pounds), thinly sliced

1-2 carrots julienned (or you can use 1 1/2 cups of pre-shredded carrots)

1/2 bunch fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped

1/2 to 3/4 cup fried shallots (Optional for topping. We didn't use them because we can't buy them here)

Ingredients for the Dressing:

1 clove garlic

1-2 medium limes

1/3 cup rice vinegar (I used white vinegar and it was good)

2 Tablespoons fish sauce (I subbed soy sauce)

2 Tablespoons sugar (can use honey or another sweetener of choice)

Instructions:

1- If you are using rotisserie chicken, skip to step #2. Place chicken on the bottom of a medium saucepan. Add enough water to cover the chicken, add the salt to the water, and then bring to a boil. Reduce heat to maintain a simmer, cover and cook until just cooked through, about 15 minutes. 

2- Thinly slice the red onion. Place in a small bowl, and add 2 Tbs rice vinegar. Toss to combine and let sit for 15 minutes.

3. Add the cabbage, carrots and cilantro to the largest bowl you can find, and mix it.

4. When the chicken is cooked, transfer to a clean plate and let cool. Make the dressing while the chicken cools. 

5. To make the dressings, mix 1 clove minced garlic, about 2 1/2 Tbs of lime juice, rice vinegar, fish sauce and sugar. Whisk to combine. 

6. To finish assembling the salad, shred the cooled chicken, and add it to the bowl. Drain the excess vinegar off of the onions, and add them to the bowl. Drizzle the dressing on the salad, and then mix to combine. Let the salad sit for 5-10 minutes to meld the flavors. Seas with more lime juice as needed, and serve at room temperature or cold.

Easy Blackened Chicken

 Blackened Chicken Seasoning

Seasoning Ingredients:

2 Tbsp paprika

2 Tbsp garlic powder

2 Tbsp onion powder

2 tsp thyme

2 tsp basil

2 tsp oregano

2 tsp chili powder

2 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

Mix all seasoning ingredients together. Cover 3-4 chicken breasts generously on both sides with seasoning. Grill the chicken in oil in a pan or on a grill, on medium heat, turning after 6 min. Cook until internal temperature reaches 165. You can serve hot or it is also good cold. Serve in wraps with ranch or blue cheese dressing, lettuce, tomato, etc. These are great to make ahead and serve cold on a busy day.