Keeping it Real with Joy
3.26.2023
Italian Sausage, Kale and White Bean Soup
1.30.2023
Minestrone Soup with Farro
Although the rainy deluge in California seems to have paused, the weather has become cold for those of us who are spoiled by relatively slight changes in temperature. Soup is the perfect antidote for these chilly days! Minestrone usually includes small pasta, but this delicious soup calls for farro instead, which provides healthy fiber in addition to all the tasty vegetables.
Minestrone Soup with Farro
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
2 zucchini, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 15 ounce can cannellini beans
8.8 ounces quick cook farro (Trader Joe's carries the perfect size bag)
1 15 ounce can chopped tomatoes
8 cups chicken or vegetable broth
parmesan cheese and chopped basil for garnish
Heat oil in dutch oven over medium heat, saute onion for 5 minutes until a little soft. Add celery and carrots and saute for 3 more minutes then add garlic for one more minute. Add farro, beans tomatoes and stock. Bring to a boil, then lower to simmer. Cook for 15 minutes until farro is tender, then add zucchini and simmer for 5 more minutes until the zucchini is soft but not mushy.
Serve with parmesan and fresh basil. Enjoy!
Recipe inspiration here
12.04.2022
Smashed Balsamic Parmesan Mushrooms
We served these mushrooms as an appetizer along with crudite and Dip with a Zip before our Thanksgiving feast and they were a hit! They are relatively easy to make, have a unique taste and are a one bite tasty nugget! You'll be amazed how quickly they go.
11.27.2022
Swiss Chard, Mushroom and Herb Galette
Toss herbs with lemon juice and remaining 1 T oil and top galette.
11.20.2022
Hot and Sour Mushroom Soup
My favorite season is upon us... soup season! While this soup is one of my daughters' favorites, unfortunately they are not here to enjoy it. I love a flavorful soup that comes together quickly and doesn't require chopping and sautéing. And it makes your kitchen smell heavenly!
9.09.2022
Greek Chicken Skewer Appetizers
- Combine all ingredients in gallon ziplock bag. Add chicken pieces and marinate for at least 2 hours to overnight.
- Soak short bamboo skewers in water.
- Drain chicken from the marinade. Thread a piece of green bell pepper, then chicken, then yellow and red pepper. Grill over medium grill for 3-4 minutes per side or until cooked through.
- Enjoy!
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The skewers ready to be grilled |
9.06.2022
Meal for a Friend in Need
Greek Souvlaki Skewers
¼ cup olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon salt
1 ½ pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into bite-sized pieces
Prepare kabobs: Combine olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, oregano, and salt in a large resealable bag. Add chicken, coat with the marinade, squeeze out excess air and seal the bag; marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Soak wooden skewers in a bowl of cold water for about 15 minutes. Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate.
Remove chicken from marinade and thread onto the soaked skewers. Discard unused marinade.
Cook the skewers on the preheated grill, turning frequently until browned on all sides and chicken is no longer pink in the center, about 5 minutes per side. Serve with tzatziki sauce.
Greek-Style Lemon Potatoes With Garlic and Oregano
3 pounds baking potatoes, peeled and cut into 1½-inch cubes
1/3 cup olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
1½ teaspoons dried oregano, crumbled
1 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper
½ cup chicken stock
2 lemons freshly squeezed juice
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Place the potatoes in a single layer in a 9 x 13 " baking dish and pour the oil over them. Add the garlic, dried oregano, salt and pepper to taste and toss well to coat with the oil.
Bake the potatoes for 15 minutes. Add the stock, toss and bake for 10 minutes more. Add the lemon juice, toss and bake for 10 to 15 minutes more, or until the potatoes are cooked through. If you like, preheat the broiler and broil the potatoes for 2 to 3 minutes, or until golden brown.
recipe adapted from Epicurious
GREEK SALAD
1 hothouse cucumber
1 red pepper, large diced
1 yellow pepper, large diced
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halve
½ pound feta, diced
½ cup kalamata olives
For Vinaigrette
2 cloves garlic
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
½ cup good olive oil
Place cucumber, peppers and tomatoes in a large bowl. For the vinaigrette, whisk together garlic, oregano, mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper. Still whisking, add olive oil slowly to emulsify. Pour vinaigrette over vegetables. Add feta and olives and toss lightly. Set aside for 30 minutes to allow flavors to blend. Serve room temp.
recipe from Ina Garten
Chocolate Chip Cake Cookie Bars
1 box yellow cake mix
1/3 cup melted butter
2 large eggs, whisked
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 x 13" pan. Combine cake mix, butter, eggs and vanilla in large bowl. Add chocolate chips and mix until combined.
Scoop dough into pan, press down even with a piece of parchment paper. Dough is a bit stiff.
Bake for 20 minutes. Allow to cool in pan 15 minutes then slice into squares.
Dinner for New Parents Cindy and Rob Congrats on the arrival of baby Alex! August 9, 2022 |
CHICKEN SOUVLAKI SKEWERS
TZATZIKI SAUCE
NAAN (heat at 400 degrees for 2-3 minutes until warm)
GREEK SALAD
GREEK STYLE POTATOES WITH LEMON AND OREGANO
CHOCOLATE CHIP CAKE COOKIES
Enjoy chicken souvlaki skewers with tzatziki sauce, and greek salad with cut pieces of warmed naan and potatoes on the side.
You can also serve the chicken souvlaki skewers wrapped, like a sandwich. Spread some tzatziki sauce on the warmed naan and top with the chicken souvlaki, greek salad and potatoes and wrap. Enjoy!
I'm so thankful for dear girlfriends!
9.02.2022
Ham and Cheese Sliders / Roasted Vegetable Sliders
Ham and Cheese Sliders |
HAM AND CHEESE SLIDERS
1 package Hawaiian sweet rolls, sliced in half 12 count (I made 24 for a staff snack)
½-¾ pound cooked deli ham, thinly sliced
¾ pound Swiss cheese, thinly sliced
½ cup butter, melted
1 tbsp dijon mustard
2 tsp poppy seeds
2 tsp dried minced onion
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
¼ teaspoon salt
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9 x 13” baking sheet with foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
Using a large knife, slice rolls in half horizontally. Do not separate rolls- try to cut them in half as one big “sheet.”
Put the bottom layer of rolls in prepared pan, line with cheese, then ham, then another layer of cheese. Add top layer of rolls.
Make the sauce: melt butter in microwave safe bowl. Mix in mustard, poppy seeds, minced onion, Worcestershire sauce and salt. Pour sauce on top of rolls, spreading carefully to put over all the tops. If it spills over, that’s ok. Cover with aluminum foil and let rolls sit for 10 minutes.
Bake covered for 20 minutes, or until the cheese has melted. Take foil off and cook for a few more minutes.
Slice into individual sliders and serve warm or cold.
ROASTED VEGETABLE SLIDERS
9.01.2022
Figs!
8.28.2022
Mini Potato Appetizers
Ingredients
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Cut potatoes in half, put on rimmed baking sheet, toss with olive oil, salt and pepper. Arrange all the potatoes cut size down.
- Roast until lightly brown and easily release from baking sheet, about 25 minutes.
- Let cool and spoon a dollop of sour cream on each potato and top with a spinkle of bacon bits and green onions.
- Enjoy!