Minestrone Soup Crock Pot

A hearty and comforting minestrone soup made with Italian herbs, beans, pasta, and vegetables that is cooked slowly in a crock pot.

Ingredients:

• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can 14 oz diced tomatoes
• 1 can 15 oz kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can 15 oz cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 cup small pasta such as ditalini or elbow
• 2 cups chopped spinach or kale
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese optional, for serving

Instructions:

Put minced garlic, diced tomatoes, kidney beans, cannellini beans, vegetable broth, dried oregano, dried basil, and dried thyme in a slow cooker

Then add the onion, carrots, celery, and beans

Put the lid on and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours, until the vegetables are soft

Add the pasta and chopped spinach or kale about 30 minutes before you serve

Keep cooking with the lid on until the pasta is soft

Add pepper and salt to taste

If you want, you can sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top of the hot dish

Chickpea Salad Sandwich Burger

A tasty and healthy alternative to burgers made with a flavorful chickpea salad and whole wheat buns. Great for a quick and healthy meal!

Ingredients:

• 2 cans 15 ounces each chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup red bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 4 whole wheat burger buns
• Lettuce leaves
• Tomato slices
• Red onion rings
• Pickles optional
• Cheese slices optional

Instructions:

Put the chickpeas in a large bowl and use a fork or potato masher to mash them up

You want to leave some chunks for texture

Chop up some red onion, celery, red bell pepper, and fresh parsley and mix them in with the mashed chickpeas

Add the Dijon mustard, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to a different small bowl and mix them together

Put the dressing on top of the chickpea mix and mix it in well

Put the chickpea salad in the fridge for at least 30 minutes with the lid on to let the flavors mix

Set your grill or griddle on the stove to medium-high heat to get it ready

On the grill, toast the whole wheat burger buns until they are just barely browned

On the bottom half of each bun, put a lettuce leaf

This is how you make the Chickpea Salad Sandwich Burger

Place a large amount of the chickpea salad mixture on top

Add red onion rings, tomato slices, and any extra toppings you want, like pickles or cheese slices

To finish the burger, put the top half of the bun on top of the toppings

Enjoy your Chickpea Salad Sandwich Burgers with your favorite sides

Blueberry Buttermilk Tart

This Blueberry Buttermilk Tart combines the tangy flavor of buttermilk with the sweetness of fresh blueberries, all nestled in a buttery crust. It's a delightful dessert that's perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and diced
• 1/4 cup ice water
• 1 cup fresh blueberries
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375F 190C

In a food processor, pulse together flour and salt

Add diced butter and pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs

While pulsing, gradually add ice water until dough comes together

Press dough into a 9-inch tart pan, covering the bottom and up the sides

Trim excess dough

In a bowl, toss blueberries with 1/4 cup flour until coated

Spread them over the tart crust

In another bowl, whisk together sugar, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract until smooth

Pour the buttermilk mixture over the blueberries

Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown

Allow the tart to cool before slicing and serving

Fruit Salad with Lemon Honey Dressing

This Fruit Salad with Lemon Honey Dressing is a refreshing and healthy way to enjoy a variety of fresh fruits. The zesty lemon and sweet honey dressing enhances the natural flavors of the fruits, making it a delightful summer treat.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups mixed fruits strawberries, blueberries, grapes, kiwi, and pineapple
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon fresh mint leaves chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

Wash the fruits and cut them up into small pieces

Put honey, mint leaves, lemon juice, and vanilla extract in a small bowl

Use a whisk to mix them all together

Put the different kinds of fruit in a big salad bowl

Add the lemon honey dressing to the fruits and toss them gently to coat

Put the fruit salad in the fridge for 30 minutes before you serve it

If you want, you can add more mint leaves as a garnish

Enjoy it cold!

Quick 2-Ingredient Crock Pot Pork Verde

With just two ingredients, you can make a tasty and tender pork dish! This easy and quick Crock Pot Pork Verde is great for busy days when you want a tasty meal with little work.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs pork shoulder, cubed
• 16 oz salsa verde

Instructions:

Place the cubed pork shoulder in the Crock Pot

Pour the salsa verde over the pork, ensuring it's evenly distributed

Cover and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or until the pork is tender and easily shredded

Once cooked, use two forks to shred the pork directly in the Crock Pot, allowing it to absorb the flavorful salsa verde

Serve the shredded pork verde in tacos, burritos, or as desired

Enjoy the quick and delicious 2-ingredient Crock Pot Pork Verde!

Coffee-Crusted Steak

This Coffee-Crusted Steak recipe infuses rich coffee flavor into succulent beef steaks, creating a tantalizing blend of savory and aromatic spices. The coffee rub caramelizes during cooking, forming a flavorful crust on the outside while keeping the inside tender and juicy.

Ingredients:

• 2 beef steaks such as ribeye or sirloin, about 1 inch thick
• 2 tablespoons finely ground coffee beans
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions:

In a small bowl, mix together the ground coffee, brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper

Rub the spice mixture onto both sides of the steaks, pressing it into the meat to adhere

Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat

Add the steaks to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes per side for medium-rare, or until desired doneness is reached

Remove the steaks from the skillet and let them rest for a few minutes before serving

Keto Spinach Cheese Hot Dip

A spicy spinach cheese dip that is rich and creamy and can be eaten on the keto diet. It's great for parties or as a savory snack.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups spinach, chopped
• 1 cup cream cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350F 175C

In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using

Mix until well combined

Fold in the chopped spinach until evenly distributed throughout the mixture

Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and spread it out evenly

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the dip is hot and bubbly

Serve hot with keto-friendly dippers like cucumber slices, celery sticks, or pork rinds

Crispy Garlic Herb Roasted Potatoes

These roasted potatoes with garlic and herbs are crispy and full of flavor. They are the perfect vegan side dish for any meal. They are simple to make and everyone at the table will love them.

Ingredients:

• 6 medium potatoes, washed and cubed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme
• 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Warm the oven up to 425F 220C

Put potatoes in a large bowl and add olive oil, minced garlic, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper

Toss the potatoes so that they are evenly covered

Lay the potatoes out in a single layer on a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper

Roast in an oven that has already been heated for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy

Flip the food over halfway through to make sure it cooks evenly

As a tasty side dish, serve hot

Gnocchi Bacon Arugula Pasta

This Gnocchi Bacon Arugula Pasta is a flavorful combination of pillowy gnocchi, crispy bacon, peppery arugula, and garlic, all tossed together in a savory Parmesan cheese sauce. It's a quick and easy pasta dish that's perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb gnocchi
• 6 slices bacon, chopped
• 2 cups arugula
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Red pepper flakes optional
• Olive oil for cooking

Instructions:

Follow the directions on the package to cook the gnocchi

Remove the water and set it aside

Boil chopped bacon in a big pan over medium-low heat until it gets crispy

Take the bacon out of the pan and pat it dry on paper towels

Leave the bacon grease in the pan

When you add minced garlic to the pan with bacon grease, cook for one to two minutes, until the garlic smells good

When you add the cooked gnocchi to the pan, toss it around to coat it with the garlic and bacon grease

Put the cooked bacon back into the pan and mix it all together

Put the arugula in the pan and cook it for one to two minutes, until it starts to wilt

You can add red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to taste

On top, grate the Parmesan cheese and mix everything together

Take it off the heat and serve right away

Have fun with your tasty Gnocchi Bacon Arugula Pasta!

Mexican Chicken Cornbread Casserole

A delicious twist on traditional cornbread casserole, this Mexican-inspired dish features tender shredded chicken, creamy corn, spicy green chilies, and gooey cheddar cheese, all topped with a golden cornbread crust. It's comforting, flavorful, and perfect for a hearty family meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb cooked chicken, shredded
• 1 can 14
• 75 oz cream-style corn
• 1 can 4
• 5 oz chopped green chilies, drained
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 box 8
• 5 oz corn muffin mix
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1/4 cup diced red bell pepper
• 1/4 cup diced onion
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Warm the oven up to 190C 375F

Shred the chicken and add it to a large bowl

Add the green chilies, cheddar cheese, sour cream, cilantro, red bell pepper, onion, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper

Spread the mix out evenly in a 9x13-inch baking dish that has been greased

Follow the directions on the package to make the corn muffin mix

Cover the chicken mixture in the baking dish with the cornbread batter that you have already made

The cornbread should be baked in a hot oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until it turns golden brown and is fully cooked

Let it cool down for a while before you serve it

Serve hot, and if you want, top with extra cilantro

Balsamic and Basil Berry Fruit Salad

This Balsamic and Basil Berry Fruit Salad is very refreshing. It has the sweetness of fresh mixed berries, the sour tang of balsamic vinegar, and the fresh, fragrant scent of basil. You can serve it as a side dish at summer parties or as a healthy snack any time of the year.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups mixed berries strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese optional
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans optional

Instructions:

Wash and prepare the mixed berries by rinsing them under cold water and patting them dry with paper towels

In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, honey, black pepper, and salt to make the dressing

In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed berries and chopped basil

Drizzle the balsamic dressing over the berries and gently toss to coat them evenly

If desired, sprinkle crumbled feta cheese and chopped pecans over the salad for added flavor and texture

Refrigerate the salad for at least 15 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld

Serve the Balsamic and Basil Berry Fruit Salad chilled and enjoy!

Sunburnt Margaritas

Sunburnt Margaritas add a delightful twist to the classic margarita by incorporating cranberry juice, giving it a beautiful sunset hue. The tartness of lime and sweetness of cranberry complement the tequila perfectly, making it a refreshing and vibrant cocktail for any occasion.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz tequila
• 1 oz triple sec
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 1 oz cranberry juice
• 1 tsp agave syrup
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

Put tequila, triple sec, lime juice, cranberry juice, and agave syrup in a cocktail shaker

Put ice cubes in the shaker

Give it a good shake until it's completely cold

Pour through a strainer into an ice-filled margarita glass

Put a lime wheel or wedge on top

Enjoy in a smart way!