Char's Tortellini Soup (6 servings)

I made this for dinner tonight and shocked that Jack had 2 bowls! I definitely enjoyed it with couple of changes.

Ingredients

4 1/2 cups chicken broth
1. 9 oz. Pkg refrigerated cheese tortellini
1 15 oz can cannelloni beans, rinsed and drained
1 Cup chopped fresh tomatoes
1/3 to 1/2 cup shredded fresh basil. (I used 1 tbsp dried basil)
1 to 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar. ( I used 1/2 tbsp)
I/4 tsp salt
1/8 to 1/4 tsp pepper
1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese or to taste

Directions

In a large saucepan, bring broth to a boil. Add tortellini ; cook until tender about 6 minutes. stir in beans, tomato & basil. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered for 5 minutes. Add the vinegar, salt & pepper. Serve with cheese.

I added 2 tbsp of finely chopped fresh spinach too.

Janelle's Energy bites

Here is a new recipe both Konnie and I like.  It's called "energy bites" or something like that.  
I don't keep candy in the house, but these are perfect when I crave some chocolate.

Ingredients and directions:

Mix:  1 c. oatmeal
        1/2 c. chocolate chips
        2/3 c. coconut
        1/2 c. flaxseed (ground or unground

Add: 1-2 t. vanilla.  Mix to combine.

Then add 1/2 c. peanut butter and1/3 c. honey.  Mix.  Put in refrigerator for at least half an hour.  

Then roll into small balls (about half an inch). Store in air tight container in refrigerator.

Janelle's Cool Summer Salad

Ingredients
2 Persian cucumbers (they're small and seedless)
Cherry or grape tomatoes 
1 yellow  tomato (for color)
Sugar snap peas (blanch 1-2 min. )
Fresh dill (opt.)

Directions:

Combine all ingredients. Note: Dressing called for was a lemon vinaigrette , but wasn't very flavorful.  I used Garlic Expressions salad dressing and it was delicious.  This salad is also beautiful!

Cold Pea & Herb Soup

Ingredients and instructions:

 Purée in a blender: 

 One lb. frozen green peas, thawed 

 One med. avacado 

 Two c. cold water

1/4 c. lemon juice (I used bottled) 

 Two cloves garlic, pressed 

 Salt and pepper 

 When blended you can top with minced dill and scallions and more pepper. 

Joanne Roasted Acorn Squash

Got this recipe and a nice acorn squash from my trainer - had never bought one. It was outstanding!!  

Ingredients

1 acorn squash, cut in half lengthwise

1 Tb. Coconut oil

1 Tb. Raw honey

1/2 tsp. sea salt (optional)

1/4 c. Walnuts, lightly toasted

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 deg. F

2. Place squash cut side down on a rimmed baking sheet or shallow baking dish.

3. Add 1/4" water to the baking dish. 

4. Bake for 45 minutes or until peel is soft to touch.

5. Remove from oven and carefully turn over. Remove squash from peel and add coconut oil, honey, and sea salt. 

6. Top with toasted walnuts to serve.

7. To cook squash in microwave, place squash flesh side down in a microwave dish. Add 1/2" of water and microwave 8-12 minutes. Check often, as each microwave will vary on cooking time. 

8. Optionally top dish with dried fruit, other nuts, and cinnamon.

Pinterest inspired chicken taco filling

I read multiple chicken filling crockpot recipes that I decided to combine what I liked. I was not disappointed. Is it perfect. No. Is it good? Yes! Was it easy? Yes!! Note: I forgot to take a picture of the chicken for the ingredients, and of the final food before I put it away. 

Ingredients:

1lb. Boneless chicken breasts

1 jar salsa, I used medium red gold

I can black beans, drained

Taco seasoning to taste

Chicken broth or water if needed

Directions:

1. Add salsa, beans, and taco seasoning to crockpot. Mix to combine. Add broth or water if your salsa isn't wet enough.

2. Add chicken. Turn on low for 8 hours. 

3. Shred chicken. 

4. Serve as chicken taco filling, burrito filling, chimichanga filling.

Janelle's Chicken (or Porkchop)

This is such an easy and tasty chicken for an evening where you are short on time.

Ingredients:
Chicken or Pork
Wondra Flour
Panko Crumbs
Salt
Pepper
Tony's Chachere seasoning
Olive Oil
Butter

Directions:
1. Pound the breasts thin and dredged them in Wondra flour and Panko crumbs mixed together with salt, freshly ground pepper and Tony's. 
2. Melt butter and olive oil in the frying pan and get the pan pretty hot before adding the chicken.  
3. Cook 2-4 min. on each side. 

Note: Sometimes I just use Wondra, sometimes just Panko. 

Easy roast beef (for sandwiches)

I made this roast this week. Adam and I really liked this and  it was so easy. We really liked it with the ciabatta rolls. 

Ingredients:

Beef round roast (any size for your family)

1 pkg. au jus

1 pkg. Italian dressing seasoning

Water

Ciabatta rolls

Cheese (Swiss, provolone or your favorite), optional

Directions:

1. Combine roast, 2 seasoning packages and enough water to cover at least 3/4 of the roast in crockpot. Set on low for 8 hrs.

2. Place shredded meat on roll with cheese. Dip into juices left in crockpot.

Note: make sure you have plenty of water so it is not too salty. You can always reduce on stovetop if it is too runny.