Italian Beef Sandwiches (crockpot)

These are a recent find. Delicious and easy crockpot recipe. Serves 6. Originally found on iowagirleats.com

3 lb roast with visible fat trimmed and cut into large chunks
1 envelope of Zesty Italian dressing mix
8 oz. pepperoncini pepper slices plus a splash of juice (Patrick and I loved the hot peppers, but the boys preferred the mild ones. We bought spicy peppers to throw on top of our sandwiches.)
8 oz. Giardiniera (chicago-style italian sandwich mix). I've never been able to find this so I leave it out.
14.5 oz. beef broth
provolone cheese slices
hoagie buns

Place all ingredients in a crockpot and cook on low for 9 hours or until meat shreds easily with a fork. Shred meat and put back in crock pot for 1 hour on low.

Split buns length-wise. Top with shredded meat, cheese and additional peppers if you want.

Breakfast Sandwiches

These are very easy and can be prepped ahead of time. Great for a special breakfast or to feed a lot of people for a brunch. We made them for our Easter sunrise service, and they were a huge hit.

1 pkg Hawaiian rolls (or other similar rolls)
2 c. shredded cheese.
7-8 eggs, scrambled
6-8 slices of bacon, cooked and diced (could also sub cooked, ground sausage)
2 T. melted butter

Preheat oven to 350.

Cut the rolls through the middle and arrange the bottom halves in a 9x11 pan. Layer cheese, scrambled eggs and diced cooked bacon. Add the top halves of the rolls. (At this point, you can cover and refrigerate overnight if needed).

Before cooking, spread melted butter on the tops of the rolls. Cover with foil. Bake at 350 for 10 min. covered. Then remove cover and bake an additional 2 minutes.

Date Energy Balls

Originally found on detoxinista. Perfect bite-sized energy boosters for all of us pregnant/nursing mommas. Vegan and Paleo.

2 c. walnuts or other nuts/seeds
1 c. shredded coconut
2 c. soft, pitted dates
2 T. coconut oil
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. vanilla

In food processor, process walnuts and coconut until crumbly. Add in dates, coconut oil, vanilla and sea salt and process until a sticky and uniform batter is formed. Make Tablespoon sized balls, and arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place in the freezer for at least an hour to set. Store in sealed container in fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for a longer shelf life.

Take-out Style Steak and Peppers

Super easy, quick and delicious. Tastes like Chinese take-out. The veggies are very flexible, so you can add others that you have or leave out any you don't have. The original recipe only calls for peppers and onions. I have added frozen broccoli and water chestnuts. Other veggies would be yummy too.

Serves 4-6

2 T oil
1 1/2 pounds flank steak, cut into thin strips (I use whatever steak we have in the freezer. I have also used stew meat that I had accidentally thawed, and that was just fine)
1 medium onion, sliced thin
2-3 large bell peppers, sliced thin
2 gloves garlic, minced
1/3 c soy sauce
1/3 c honey
1/3 c red wine vinegar (I used rice vinegar that I had on hand. Regular vinegar would probably be okay too)
1-3 t. corn starch or other thickener (optional if you want a thicker sauce)
Cooked rice


1. Heat oil over medium high heat in a large skillet. Add steak and brown on each side. Remove steak.

2. Add onions, peppers, garlic (and any other veggies you want to add) and cook until veggies are tender.

3. Add meat back to the pan. Add soy sauce, honey and vinegar, and cook 10 min or so, until heated through. Sprinkle the cornstarch into the pan and mix it in. Cook until sauce thickens. Serve over rice.

Slow Cooker Basil Chicken in Coconut Curry Sauce

Delicious!  Serve over rice or cauliflower rice. 

Yield: Serves 6-8

Ingredients

• 6 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs, skin removed* (about 2 and 1/2 pounds)
• You can just use chicken breasts too.
• salt and pepper
• 1 teaspoon oil
• 2 (13.5 ounce) cans coconut milk (lite coconut milk is great too)
• 2 tablespoons dried basil leaves
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 3/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 and 1/2 tablespoons yellow curry powder
• 1/2 or 3/4 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 large red onion, chopped
• 8 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 jalapenos, seeded and finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon COLD water
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated or minced
• 1/3 to 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

1. Remove the skin from the chicken using your fingers and a serrated knife. Salt and pepper each thigh.
2. Heat a large skillet to medium-high heat. Add 1 teaspoon oil (or you can use nonstick spray).
3. When the oil is hot, add 3 chicken thighs. Don't put them too close together, you want to avoid steaming.
4. Cook for about 2 minutes, until nicely browned on the bottom. Then flip the chicken over to brown the other side for about 1-2 minutes.
5. Remove the chicken to a plate.
6. Repeat searing process with the other 3 chicken thighs. If there is still enough grease in the pan then you don't need to add more oil.
7. Meanwhile, in a crock pot combine coconut milk, basil, 2 teaspoons salt, 3/4 teaspoon pepper, yellow curry, and chili powder (to taste). Stir to combine.
8. Add the chopped red onions, garlic, and jalapenos.
9. Add the browned chicken and stir to combine.
10. Cook on high for 4-5 hours, or on low for 6-8 hours.
11. Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and transfer to a plate or cutting board. Let cool for a couple minutes.
12. Add the ginger to the slow cooker.
13. In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and 1 tablespoon COLD water. Stir until it's not lumpy. Add this to the crock pot and stir.
14. Shred the chicken, removing the bones and any tough bits. It should just be falling apart.
15. Return the meat to the slow cooker and stir. Return the lid and cook for another 10 minutes.
16. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the cilantro.
17. Serve with rice, cauliflower rice, or naan.

Originally from http://thefoodcharlatan.com/

One Pan Mexican Quinoa

Yield: 4 Servings
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes
Total Time: 35 Minutes

Wonderfully light, healthy and nutritious. And it’s so easy to make – even the quinoa is cooked right in the pan!

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 jalapeno, minced
1 cup quinoa
1 cup vegetable broth
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (14.5 oz) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
1 cup corn kernels
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 avocado, halved, seeded, peeled and diced
Juice of 1 lime
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves


Directions:

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add garlic and jalapeno, and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in quinoa, vegetable broth, beans, tomatoes, corn, chili powder and cumin; season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat and simmer until quinoa is cooked through, about 20 minutes. Stir in avocado, lime juice and cilantro.
Serve immediately.

Summer Squash and Chicken Chowder

Courtesy of Cooking Light

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup chopped celery
6 garlic cloves, minced
1 pound yellow squash, cut into small pieces
1 large shallot, sliced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
5 thyme sprigs
2 cups unsalted chicken stock
1 cup prepared mashed potatoes
2/3 cup half-and-half
1 teaspoon sherry vinegar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
8 ounces shredded skinless, boneless rotisserie chicken breast
2 tablespoons 2% Greek yogurt
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Preparation

1. Heat a stockpot over medium-high heat. Add oil and next 4 ingredients; cook 2 minutes. Add herbs and stock; cover and cook 4 minutes.

2. Remove from heat; transfer two-thirds of mixture to a blender. Add potatoes and half-and-half. Remove center piece of lid; secure lid on blender. Cover opening with a towel; blend until smooth.

3. Return pureed soup to pan over medium heat. Stir in vinegar, salt, pepper, and chicken; cook 2 minutes. Top soup with yogurt.