Tasty Tuesday: Italian beef and Lentil Stew

Thank you Weight Watchers USA for today’s recipe……

Last week, I took the plunge!  I signed back up for WW Online.  I know going to meetings can be overwhelming for me and it is hard to focus BUT I wanted to get off the few pounds which crept back on over the last year or so.  I am determined to get back to my goal weight.  It will help with the walking issues I am having with MS and I will feel better about ME!  So, watch for some YUMMy recipes to come your way….

The weather is getting colder and I am a soup/stew nut!  I could eat it for lunch and dinner   every day…. Slow-simmer soup is a cold-weather comfort food and makes the house smell so GOOD! This one takes just 20 minutes of prep and your slow cooker does the rest.  The result is a flavorful soup with tender pieces of beef. For the lentils, opt for green or brown lentils. They hold their shape better and add more texture than red lentils, which dissolve as they cook (ideal for a smoother soup). Dry lentils don’t need to soak like dried beans do before adding them to the soup.   It is a good idea to rinse them and remove any debris. You can substitute 2 cups of fresh green beans, cut into 2-inch lengths, for the zucchini, and 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley for the basil.

Total Time:  7 hr 20 min     Prep:  20 min     Cook: 7 hr     Serves:  6

Ingredients

• 1 small, chopped uncooked onion(s)
• 1 medium clove(s), minced garlic clove(s)
• 1 large, diced uncooked zucchini
• uncooked lean beef round: 16 oz, cut into 1-inch chunks, or 1 pound
• ½ tsp, crushed dried oregano
• 14½ oz, undrained canned diced tomatoes
• 1 Tbsp canned tomato paste
• ¾ cup(s) dry lentils
• 4 cup(s) canned beef broth
• 1 tsp table salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ cup(s), fresh, slivered basil

Instructions

1. Place all ingredients except basil in 5- to 6-quart slow cooker; stir well. Cook on Low until beef is very tender, 6−7 hours.
2. Stir in basil and cook 5 minutes longer.
3. Serving size: 1½ cups

Headed to a tailgate party.  What better way to warm up then with a cup of soup!  Thirty One’s Market Thermal is the perfect way to keep things HOT….The Fresh Market Thermal is a stylish, portable thermal that’s large enough to hold two 9″x13″ casserole dishes. A must-have for family picnics, tailgating, trips to the beach, days on the boat, potlucks, grocery shopping or weekend camping. Its water-resistant Leak Lock^® thermal lining means you can add ice to this cooler bag to keep food and drinks cold. Need more room? The sides unsnap and expand to give you more space inside. Long handles allow you to carry it over your shoulder when you need to be hands-free. The Fresh Market Thermal also features a zipper closure for securing contents and an exterior front pocket to hold other important items.

Have a blessed day!

Tasty Tuesday: Slow Cooker Boneless Turkey Breast

I have been looking for some new basic recipes.  Since being on the Wahl’s Program I am eating more fruits, veggies and meat (organic, grass fed) and I am bored with the basics.  LOL.  With hubby working swing shift, I only cook twice a week so I want to make things I can freeze for him but I can also have for me during the week.  Having things I can add to my salad is a big help.  This recipe makes having lots of meals quick and easy.  I found it on Facebook and can’t remember who shared it but thank you!

Prep:  10 minutes     Cook:  8 hours

 

Ingredients

• 1 (10 pound) boneless turkey breast
• 2 (1 ounce) packages dry onion soup mix
• 3/4 cup water
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons onion powder
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 1 tablespoon seasoned salt 
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano

Directions

1. Place turkey breast into a large slow cooker. Whisk onion soup mix and water in a bowl and pour the mixture over the turkey breast, spreading it out to evenly cover the meat.
2. Stir garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, seasoned salt, basil, and oregano in a bowl until thoroughly combined; sprinkle the seasonings over the turkey breast.
3. Cook on Low until turkey is very tender and the seasonings have flavored the meat, 8 to 9 hours. An instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast should read at least 165 degrees F (75 degrees C).

Tip:  Try using a Reynolds® slow cooker liner in your slow cooker for easier cleanup.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving: 468 calories; 2.6 g fat; 5.5 g carbohydrates; 99.7 g protein; 273 mg cholesterol; 815 mg sodium. Full nutrition

 

 

Lots of leftovers?  Isn’t that the reason we cook in the crockpot when there is only two people?  LOL.  Thirty One’s Lunch Buddy Thermal is a perfect size for the light luncher or the kids.  This roomy, insulated cooler bag is perfectly sized and styled for packing lunch and snacks for you or the kids, with a water-resistant thermal lining, zipper closure, large front pocket and mesh side bottle pocket. Personalize your lunch bag with an embroidered name, monogram or Icon-It design for school, work or travel. Just a heads up too…. this is on the retirement list which means it will be gone at the end of August.  Be sure to grab yours now!

Have a blessed day!

Southwest-Style Slow-Cooker Pork Chops

Thank you Pillsbury.com for today’s recipe….I know crockpot season may almost be over at least for me since I really only use it during the winter month BUT this looked too good to pass up. It’s not the same old pork chops! Tender chops slow-cooked with flavorful creamy mashed pinto beans make a tasty dinner for four.

Prep:  10 minutes     Cook time: 4 hours & 10 minutes     Servings:  4

Ingredients

4 – bone-in center-cut pork loin chops, 3/4 inch thick (about 2 lb)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon Old El Paso™ taco seasoning mix

1/2 cup salsa

1 cup frozen whole kernel corn

2 cans (15 oz each) pinto beans, drained, rinsed

Chopped fresh cilantro, if desired

Directions

1. Heat 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle pork chops with 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and 1/2 teaspoon of the seasoning. Cook pork chops in skillet 4 to 6 minutes, turning once, until brown.
2. In 3- to 4 1/2- quart slow cooker, mix remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, remaining 1/2 teaspoon seasoning, the salsa, corn and beans until well blended. Top with pork chops, overlapping as necessary, pressing gently into bean mixture.
3. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 4 to 5 hours.
4. Remove pork chops to serving platter. Cover to keep warm. With fork or potato masher, mash beans slightly until slightly thickened. Serve pork chops over beans. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro.

Additional Tips

• Browning the pork chops before placing them in the slow cooker adds flavor to this dish.
• Substitute black beans or red beans for pinto beans in this recipe.

Nutrition Facts:  Calories 360, Total Fat 11g, Saturated Fat 3 1/2g, Cholesterol 85 mg Sodium 1110mg, Potassium 760mg, Total Carbohydrate 32g, Dietary Fiber 7g, Sugars 9g, Protein 33g.  Daily Exchanges: 1 1/2 Starch; 0 Fruit; 1/2 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 4 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 0 Fat;

Since I am the Queen of leftovers – LOL.  I love when there are 4 servings because it ensures I have a meal or two to freeze for hubby’s dinner.  Since he works the swing shift, he uses Thirty One’s Picnic Thermal.  It holds his dinner, snacks  and LOTS of other stuff. We actually weighed it one day and it was 35 pounds! So whether you are headed to the beach, campground or family picnic with your favorite foods. The Picnic Thermal Tote has a Leak Lock^® thermal lining to hold ice when you need to keep things cool for a longer time. A removable, adjustable shoulder strap makes it easy to carry when you have your hands full, and the zip-around closure ensures everything stays put while you’re transporting it from the car.

Share your favorite recipe with us, and if I publish it….YOU will get a FREE gift from me.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Tasty Tuesday: Chicken Cabbage Stir-Fry

I wish I could remember where I saw or got this recipe from so I could give them credit!  It is so YUMMY!  I’m wondering how it would work in the crock pot, so I might just give it a try.  We have an insta pot too but I have never used it.  Is this a recipe you could do in it?  What do you think?

Ingredients:

3 chicken breast halves
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
3 cups green cabbage, shredded
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1⁄2 teaspoon ground ginger
1⁄4 teaspoon garlic powder
1⁄2 cup water
1 tablespoon Soy sauce, low sodium (I use gluten free)

Directions:

1. Cut chicken breasts into strips.
2. Heat oil in a frying pan.
3. Add chicken strips and stir fry over medium-high heat, turning constantly until done.
4. Add cabbage and sauté 2 minutes until cabbage is crisp-tender.
5. Mix cornstarch and seasonings; add water and soy sauce, and mix until smooth.
6. Stir sauce into chicken/cabbage mixture.
7. Cook until sauce has thickened and chicken is coated, about 1 minute.
8. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes:
• Add bell peppers or carrots for color.
• Try with broccoli.

Got leftovers?  We always do since I can’t seem to get the hang of cooking for just two people.  You would think I was from a BIG family.  LOL.

Grab a Lunch Break Thermal from Thirty One before they are gone!  Yes, this AWESOME thermals are being retired at the end of the month.  The Lunch Break Thermal is the stylish way to take your lunch to work or wherever you and your family go. Great for school, the pool, sporting events, day trips, flights and dozens of other places. Extended handles allow you to tote this cooler bag over your shoulder so you can stay hands-free. An interior thermal lining keeps your food cool or warm, while an exterior pocket gives you a useful place to put your cell phone, keys or wallet. Makes a great gift for teachers, neighbors, friends and anyone else who loves to lunch!

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Tasty Tuesday: Slow-Cook Fake Baked Beans

Thank you Hungry Girl for another AMAZING recipe…

Nutrition Values: 1/10th of recipe (about 3/4 cup): 178 calories, 0.5g total fat (0g sat fat), 432mg sodium, 37g carbs, 8.5g fiber, 13g sugars, 8g protein.

Freestyle™ SmartPoints® value 2*      MAKES 10 SERVINGS

Prep: 20 minutes     Cook: 3 – 4 hours on high or 7 – 8 hours on low

Ingredients:

One 6-oz. can tomato paste
1/4 cup molasses
2 tbsp. cider vinegar
1 tbsp. yellow mustard
1 tsp. chopped garlic
1/2 tsp. salt
One 15-oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
One 15-oz. can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
One 15-oz. can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
3 cups finely chopped onion
2 cups finely chopped red bell pepper
1 cup finely chopped Fuji or Gala apple

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, combine tomato paste, molasses, vinegar, mustard, garlic, and salt. Mix until smooth and uniform.
2. Place all remaining ingredients in a slow cooker. Add tomato mixture, and stir to coat.
3. Cover and cook on high for 3 – 4 hours or on low for 7 – 8 hours.
4. Stir well before serving.

Do you know the perfect way to carry a crockpot full of yumminess to a picnic?  With Thirty One’s Fresh Market Thermal.

The Fresh Market Thermal is a stylish, portable thermal large enough to hold two 9″x13″ casserole dishes (and a crock pot). A must-have for family picnics, tailgating, trips to the beach, days on the boat, potlucks, grocery shopping or weekend camping. Its water-resistant Leak Lock thermal lining means you can add ice to this cooler bag to keep food and drinks cold. Need more room? The sides unsnap and expand to give you more space inside. Long handles allow you to carry it over your shoulder when you need to be hands-free. The Fresh Market Thermal also features a zipper closure for securing contents and an exterior front pocket to hold other important items.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!