Shrimp with Cilantro Lime Cauliflower

I was very skeptical to try this recipe but was pleasantly surprised with how it turned out! I wasn't a big fan of the paprika shrimp but my hubby loved it! For this recipe you will need to "rice" the cauliflower. You can do this by pulsing it in a food processor or by using a boxed cheese grater (use the large holes ). I used the grater method and it was fast and easy! I simply cut the core out of my cauliflower and then cut my cauliflower into quarters. Don't grate too much of the core parts, use more of the florets.

1 small-medium head of cauliflower,  riced
1 pound of large cooked shrimp, peeled and tails removed
1/2 yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
3 tablespoons of lime juice
Salt and pepper to taste

For the shrimp:
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon of salt

In a large zip lock bag or medium bowl combine the shrimp seasonings and then toss the shrimp to coat. Heat a small amount of olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the shrimp and toss for 1-2 minutes to warm. Remove from pan. Add a little more olive oil and heat up again. Sauté onion until translucent. Add garlic and cook for 60 seconds. Add cauliflower and mix well. Cook the cauliflower for about 10 minutes over medium high heat, turning once or twice. Add cilantro, lime juice and season with salt and pepper. Toss the shrimp in and serve!

I added a few more squeezes of lime juice to my plate while the hubby opted to top his with Sriracha. This was a delicious, clean eating meal. Low on calories and low carb. Delicious!

Pasta E Fagioli Soup

This soup is a favorite!! I like to saute my veggies for a few minutes with the meat as it is finishing cooking but that's optional. This will make a ton of food. Be sure you are using a large crock pot. Feel free to freeze half after its cooled!

2  lbs ground beef or ground turkey
1   onion, chopped
3   carrots, chopped
4  stalks celery, chopped
2 (28 ounce) cans diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (16 ounce) can red kidney beans, drained
1 (16 ounce) can white kidney beans, drained
3 (10 ounce) cans beef stock
3  teaspoons oregano
1/2  teaspoon pepper
5  teaspoons parsley
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
1 (20 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
8  ounces rotini pasta

DIRECTIONS

Brown beef in a skillet.
Drain fat from beef and add to crock pot with everything except pasta.
Cook on low for 8 hours.
During last 30 minutes add pasta. Top with parm and serve!

Parmesan Crusted Chicken (lightened up)

Parmesan crusted chicken is a favorite of ours. However, it's full of mayo which is not good for you. So, I've lightened it up! This definitely has a different taste but is yummy in it's own way!

3-4 chicken breasts
2/3 cup of plain Greek yogurt
1/3 cup of parmesan cheese
1/8 teaspoon of black pepper
3/4 teaspoon of season salt
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder

Preheat over to 425. Trim your chicken breasts and use a meat mallet to make them uniform in thickness (about 1/2 an inch). Please in a 9x13 dish). Mix up the other ingredients. Spread evenly over chicken. Cook for 25 minutes.

If you are needing to make more chicken, it is very easy to bump up to 1 cup Greek yogurt and 1/2 cup of parmesan. Just sprinkle a little more of each seasoning to compensate.

Enjoy!

Cheeseburger Soup

I found this recipe online, bought everything to make it, then went back for the recipe and the blog is gone! So, I winged it. It is pretty darn good! Just like  a burger without the bun, and all warm and comforting,  perfect for that "burger fix" in winter!

1 pound hamburger
1/2 of an onion, chopped
3 cuos beef broth
4 tablespoons of tomato paste
1.5 tablespoons of yellow mustard
3 tablespoons of worschteshire
8 Oz of velveeta, diced
1/2 a head of iceberg lettuce, chopped
3/4 cup  (give or take ) of cherry tomatoes, halved
Bacon, nice and crispy and crumbled
1/4 cup of pickle slices, chopped

Brown hamburger with onion, drain and set aside. In a large pot, mix broth, tomato paste,  mustard, worschteshire,and Velveeta. Hest over medium until cheese is melted and it is bubbling. Add lettuce and cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Let cool slightly and add tomatoes,  pickles and bacon. Serve and enjoy!!!

Asian Beef

I found this recipe on Pinterest. I of course made  a few changes. Dinner was awesome! The sauce in this dish is the perfect mix of sweet and tangy. In order to slice your beef super thin, wrap your meat tightly in saran wrap and place in the freezer for 30 minutes, remove and slice immediately.

1 pound of beef (any sort of steak will do, I used a petite sirloin)
10 Oz mushrooms, sliced about 1/4 inch thick 8 Oz snow peas

1/2 cup of soy sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil
6 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon ginger  (grated or pureee)
2 1/2 tablespoons of brown sugar
2 teaspoons rice vinegar

Mix the lower set of ingredients in a bowl and microwave for a minute and a half. This gently cooks the garlic so it's not as sharp of a flavor. In a large pan, heat a tablespoon of oil until HOT and add veggies. Saute until mushrooms are done and peas are crisp-tender. Remove from pan and add another tablespoon of oil. Heat over medium high. Very carefully put half of your meat in the pan,  be sure to lay your slices flat and not touching. You want to really brown them. Cook 3 minutes or so on each side. Remove the first batch of meat and cook the second. Return meat and veggies to pan and pour the sauce over. Stir well and remove from heat. Serve over brown or white rice.

Enjoy!

Tomato Breakfast Muffins

These are a favorite of mine so I just had to share! I'm amazed at how well tomato and hard boiled egg blend together, the juicy tomato offsets the dry egg yoke. So delicious! You could find a gluten free or whole grain option to replace the sourdough English muffin.

1 sourdough English muffin
1 hard boiled egg,  sliced into 6 slices
Tomato slices
Teaspoon of butter or margarine
Sprinkle of shredded cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Toast muffin and spread just enough butter to moisten it. Layer tomato and egg, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Top with cheese and put in the oven on BROIL until cheese melts.

Enjoy!

Chili Mac and Cheese Soup

I love, love,  love finding a dish the whole family loves (and has seconds of). This was the perfect, hearty, warm fall meal! I found this recipe online and then made and few changes to it. I will point out that it turned out very thick, like chili which is what our family likes. If you want more of a soup,  I recommend adding about 1.5 cups of water or chicken broth.

1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 onion, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced
4 1/2 cups of chicken broth
1 can petite diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can white kidney beans,  undrained
1 can red kidney beans, undrained
1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
2 teaspoons of chili powder
Salt and pepper to taste
12 Oz elbow macaroni
1 1/2 cups  shredded cheese (Monterey jack, cheddar,  whatever suits your fancy)

Brown ground beef with the onion and garlic. Drain and return to pot. Add chicken broth, tomatoes,  beans and seasonings. Bring to a boil. I highly recommend letting it simmer at this point  (I let mine simmer for about an hour, covered) However, you can just skip the simmering and add your pasta now. If you simmer, bring it back up to a boil before adding pasta. Boil with pasta over medium to medium high heat, stirring frequently, until pasta is cooked. If it is too thick for your liking,  you can add some water or chicken broth now. Add the cheese and stir until melted.

That's it! Feel free to garnish with  a little extra cheese if you desire. Enjoy!