Sausage Lentil Soup

I really wish mother nature would make up her mind. This hint of spring here and there, but then back to winter is so annoying. I am so over winter and ready for spring. The only benefit of these colds days we are still having means I can try out another soup. I guess soup season is not quite over yet.

I do not think I have ever used lentils before. In fact, I do not think I have ever eaten lentils before. I had no expectations as to what they would taste like, but I was willing to try them in the soup. Turns out, they make for a delicious and filling soup.

Sausage Lentil Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 pound dry green lentils
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound ground Italian sausage
• 1 cup diced yellow onion
• 1 1/2 cups diced celery, about 4 stalks
• 1 1/2 cups diced carrots, about 2-3 large
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic, about 2 large cloves
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 6-9 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 2-14.5 ounce cans diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Place the lentils into a large bowl and cover with boiling water. Allow them to sit for 15 minutes and then drain.
2. Meanwhile, in a large pot, over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add in the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. With a slotted spoon, remove the sausage and set aside.
3. To the pot, add in the onions, celery, carrots, garlic and all of the seasonings. Cook, stirring often for 15 minutes.
4. Pour in 6 cups chicken broth, canned tomatoes, drained lentils. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat low and simmer for 1 1/2 hours or until the lentils are cooked through and tender, stirring occasionally.
5. While the soup is simmering, add in more chicken broth as needed to get your desired consistency.
6. Top each serving with some parmesan cheese.

Enjoy!!!

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 442
Total Fat		24g
Saturated Fat		7.5g
Trans Fat		0g
Polyunsaturated Fat		0.2g
Monounsaturated Fat		4.5g
Cholesterol		46.7mg
Sodium		1515.8mg
Total Carbohydrates		35.9g
Dietary Fiber		7.9g
Sugars		6.2g
Protein		25.1g
Calcium		34.2%
Iron		87.6%
Potassium		324mg
Vitamin A		93.6%
Vitamin C		16.2%
*Nutritional information will vary depending on the brands you use.

*Adapted from My Baking Addiction.

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Make Again Monday: Pimento Grilled Cheese with Andouille Sausage

Whenever I make this sandwich I always use one of my homemade pimento cheeses, Pepper Jack Pimento Cheese or Pimento Cheese. I try to make the pimento cheese the night before I want to make the sandwich, so it is one less thing I have to do when I want to make lunch, although there has been a time or two where I made the pimento cheese and then immediately made the sandwich. 

 

To see the recipe and original post click here.

Enjoy!!!

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Everything Bagel Pretzels

My family really enjoys anything that contains everything bagel seasoning. They have been known to sprinkle it on vegetables. I love to spread a bagel with cream cheese and then some everything bagel seasoning. It has the best flavor and makes everything it is on delicious.

One of my daughters made these addictive pretzels. They were so good we could not stop eating them. Anytime someone went into the kitchen they were grabbing a handful of them.

Everything Bagel Pretzels

Ingredients:

• 5 cups pretzels
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 3 tablespoons everything bagel seasoning

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325º F. 
2. Place the pretzels into a large bowl and pour the melted butter over top. Stir to coat the pretzels well in butter.
3. Sprinkle the seasoning over top and stir to coat.
4. Spread the pretzels out onto a baking sheet in an even layer.
5. Bake for 10 minutes or until the butter has been absorbed into the pretzels.
6. Allow to cool completely before storing in an air tight container.

Enjoy!!!

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 112
Total Fat		6g
Saturated Fat		3.2g
Trans Fat		0g
Polyunsaturated Fat		0.3g
Monounsaturated Fat		0.2g
Cholesterol		13.3mg
Sodium		303.1mg
Total Carbohydrates		12.8g
Dietary Fiber		0.7g
Sugars		0.3g
Protein		1.7g
Calcium		1.6%
Iron		5%
Potassium		9.7mg
Vitamin A		0%
Vitamin C		0.2%
*Nutritional information will vary depending on the brands you use.

*Adapted from Money Wise Moms.

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Roasted Cauliflower with Creamy Parmesan Dipping Sauce

I've said it before and it still stands true, roasted vegetables are the best. I love the flavor roasting give veggies and the little bit of crispiness they get. I have been relying on frozen veggies, cause they are easy and I do not have to worry about them going bad. However, after making this cauliflower I need to get away from frozen veggies and make some more delicious ones.

This cauliflower is easy to prepare and tastes delicious, especially with the creamy dipping sauce. Even my one daughter that does not like cauliflower liked this cauliflower. It might have been the creamy and yummy sauce to dip them in, but I will take the win, a veggie everyone liked.

Roasted Cauliflower with Creamy Parmesan Dipping Sauce

Ingredients:

Cauliflower

• 1 head cauliflower
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• black pepper, to taste

Creamy Parmesan Dipping Sauce

• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375º F. Line a baking sheet with a silat or aluminum foil.
2. Wash the cauliflower and cut it into 1-2 inch florets. 
3. Place the cauliflower into a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Coat the cauliflower in the oil.
4. Sprinkle the cauliflower with the smoked paprika and black pepper and stir to coat.
5. Spread the cauliflower onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until roasted to your liking.
6. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir together the sour cream and parmesan cheese. Set aside until ready to serve the cauliflower.

Enjoy!!!

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 195
Total Fat		12.6g
Saturated Fat		6.8g
Trans Fat		0g
Polyunsaturated Fat		0.1g
Monounsaturated Fat		3g
Cholesterol		30mg
Sodium		298.5mg
Total Carbohydrates		12.1g
Dietary Fiber		4.5g
Sugars		5.1g
Protein		9.2g
Calcium		23%
Iron		5.8%
Potassium		688.7mg
Vitamin A		19.1%
Vitamin C		0%
*Nutritional information will vary depending on the brands you use.

*Adapted from Averie Cooks.

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Make Again Monday: Pickle Relish Deviled Eggs

My kids were excited when I said we were making deviled eggs, but then not happy when they found out they were not "normal" deviled eggs. However, once they took a bite they declared "oh, these are good".

To see the recipe and original post click here.

Enjoy!!! 

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Baked Pretzel Crusted Chicken Tenders with Mustard Cheese Sauce

 

Cooking with kids can be such an adventure. Well, actually cooking with a teenager and adult child can be such an adventure. One of them was in charge of crushing pretzels and even though I mentioned no big pieces, there were many big pieces. And of course she said it was fine and would be okay. The chicken was good and we all enjoyed the pretzel crust, but smaller pieces would have been a bit better. 

After storing the leftover chicken in the refrigerator the pretzel coating got soggy and reheating it in the microwave definitely did not help. When I make this again I am going to have to see if reheating it in the oven will help crisp it make up again.

What really made this chicken is the mustard cheese sauce. With just a few minutes and a handful of ingredients, this delicious sauce comes together easily. 

Baked Pretzel Crusted Chicken Tenders with Mustard Cheese Sauce

Ingredients:

Chicken Tenders

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups pretzel sticks, crushed
• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon water

Mustard Cheese Sauce

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
• 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400º F. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.
2. Cut the chicken into 1 1/2 inch strips.
3. Place the pretzels into a shallow dish.
4. In a small shallow, whisk together the eggs and water.
5. In another shallow dish, whisk together the flour, chili powder, garlic powder and black pepper.
6. Working with one chicken strip at a time, coat in the flour mixture and then the egg mixture. Finally place the chicken into the crushed pretzels, press down to help them stick. Place the chicken onto the prepared baking dish. Repeat until all chicken has been coated.
7. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the chicken is completely cooked.
8. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute whisking constantly. 
9. Slowly whisk in the milk and then the mustard. Continue to whisk constantly and allow the mixture to cook until slightly thickened. Add in the cheese, one handful at a time, continuing to whisk until completely melted. Season with black pepper.
10. Once the chicken is done, top individual servings with some of the sauce.

Enjoy!!!

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 425
Total Fat		14.4g
Saturated Fat		6.9g
Trans Fat		0g
Polyunsaturated Fat		0.2g
Monounsaturated Fat		0.1g
Cholesterol		203.7mg
Sodium		895.9mg
Total Carbohydrates		23.4g
Dietary Fiber		0.8g
Sugars		2.3g
Protein		48.1g
Calcium		33.4%
Iron		6.3%
Potassium		162.3mg
Vitamin A		8.1%
Vitamin C		0.8%
*Nutritional information will vary depending on the brands you use.

*Adapted from Creme De La Crumb and Taste & Tell.

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Dill Pickle Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese

 

Every time I make a sandwich using the bread my girls use for sandwiches, I think man this would taste good on sourdough bread. I love sourdough bread, but one of my girls does not so I do not have it in the house often. I think I need to keep a loaf in the freezer for when I want to make a delicious sandwich.

Sloppy joes are an easy and delicious sandwich, especially if made from scratch. I am not a fan of the canned stuffed, but homemade is definitely the way to go and easy to make. Add some dill pickles to the sloppy joe mix and it takes it to the next level. Combine that dilly sloppy joe mix with the classic grilled cheese and you have a filling and delicious sandwich.

Dill Pickle Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese

Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
• 1 1/2 teaspoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 cup diced dill pickles
• 8 slices bread
• 10 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

Directions:

1. In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil.
2. Add in the ground turkey and onions and cook until the turkey is completely cooked. Drain any liquid.
3. Stir in the ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, garlic powder, black pepper and diced pickles. Remove the skillet from the heat. 
4. Heat a griddle or skillet over medium heat.
5. Spread about 1/2 tablespoon of butter on each slice of bread. Place 4 slices of bread butter side down and top with 1/3 cup shredded cheese. Spoon on 1/2 cup of sloppy joe mix followed by an additional 1/3 cup shredded cheese. Place another slice of bread, butter side up on the top.
6. Place the sandwiches into the preheated griddle or skillet and cook until the cheese is melted and bread is toasted, about 1-3 minutes. Carefully flip the sandwich over and cook on the other side until the cheese is melted and bread is toasted, about 1-3 minutes.

Enjoy!!!

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 754
Total Fat		47.1g
Saturated Fat		25g
Trans Fat		6g
Polyunsaturated Fat		0g
Monounsaturated Fat		2g
Cholesterol		170.9mg
Sodium		1436.6mg
Total Carbohydrates		39.7g
Dietary Fiber		2.6g
Sugars		14g
Protein		48.5g
Calcium		56.5%
Iron		15.1%
Potassium		64.8mg
Vitamin A		0.1%
Vitamin C		2%
*Nutritional information will vary depending on the brands you use.

*Adapted from Kitchen Funny with My Three Sons.

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