Spicy Tomato Soup

Here I go with the tomatoes again! If you want to know why I use them so much go here!

A friend of mine is having a baby soon so I decided to make her some freezer meals. The problem was she is allergic to almost everything ( poor thing). So I had to develop some yummy, healthy, gluten free, egg free, dairy free, almond free and corn free meals.  Holy moly!

Here is one full of veggies and protein:

3 cloves of garlic
Olive oil
1/4 chopped Onion
1 carrot shredded
1 can Rotel
1 26.5 oz can of Spaghetti Sauce
1 can diced tomatoes
1 tsp sea salt, more to taste
2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp sugar
4 Cups water
1 Cup Kale
1 Cup Zucchini, pureed or chopped
1 Cup Great Northern Beans
1/2 tsp parsley
1/4 tsp oregano
1 tsp basil
1 TB paprika
Dash of red pepper flakes, more if you want it spicy

In a large pot heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic, onion, carrot, salt and pepper.  Cook for about two minutes then add Rotel, spaghetti sauce and diced tomatoes, vinegar, sugar, water, kale,  zucchini and spices. Let them come to a boil, puree and then add beans until heated through. This is the fast version.
There are many options for this soup.  You can put it in the crock pot and let it cook all day. Serve it chunky. Add some pasta. Or even puree the beans with it so it is smooth. 
I like to let it simmer for at least an hour before serving it, gives the flavors time to marry!

Fast and Easy Ghoulash

Ghoulash has always been a favorite meal in our family.  Lately as much as I love cooking, I've been trying to make some of our favorite meals easier.  I made the ghoulash into a one pan meal also!  Here is how:

1/2 pound ground beef
6 oz elbow macaroni
1 can diced tomatoes
1/4 onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 bag frozen vegetables
2 cans water
2 Tbsp Italian Seasoning
salt
pepper

Cook ground beef with the onion and garlic until browned.  Drain the grease then add tomatoes.  I use the tomato can and fill it twice with water, add that, then the italian seasoning and salt and pepper.  Bring it to a boil, then add macaroni.  When it is almost done add the vegetables. 

This took me abut 20 minutes.  It serves 3-4 people, and tastes even better the day after!

Spicy Sausage and Rice

I have been really enjoying spicy food lately and this meal definitely satisfied that craving tonight!  The best part about this meal is that you can use pork, beef or chicken instead of the sausage, or pasta or quinoa instead of rice.  There are so many possiblities.

2 cloves of garlic, minced
1/4 cup of onion (I chop and freeze mine)
8 oz of sausage cut into quarter sized pieces
1/4 jalapeno diced, you can add more or less depending on your preference.  I'm a wimp:)
14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes
1 1/2 cans of water or chicken broth
1 cup uncooked rice
1 tbsp olive oil
dash of salt
dash of pepper

Heat the oil in a large skillet on medium.  When it is warm add the garlic, onion, jalapeno, salt and pepper.  Let them cook for about 2 minutes, then add sausage and cook until it is browned.  Then add the can of diced tomatoes.  I usually fill the can with water one and a half times and add it to the pan but you can also add chicken broth for a little more flavor.  Just remember to add two cups of liquid to every cup of rice.  Bring the water and tomatoes to a boil then add rice and cover.

This dish is yummy but it is not a fast dish.  It will probably take about 45 minutes for the rice to cook unless you use minute rice.  I promise it is worth it and after you add everything to the pan you don't have to do much except wait for the rice.  I usually make this dish with pork chops.  If you have never let your pork chops cook this way, you are missing out!

* The above picture is of the pork chops!

Tomato Beef Stroganoff

Last night I really wanted pasta and brown gravy, don't ask me why.  So I thought I would make Beef Stroganoff, and then I was disappointed when I learned I didn't have any cream of mushroom.  So I started looking at what I have and I had tomato soup, Hey why not?? So here is this delicious dish that tastes even better the next day:)

Stew Beef
Linguine
Brown Gravy
Can of tomato soup
Vegetables
Garlic
Onion

Cook linguine. I automatically add olive oil, garlic and onion to most of my dishes.  That's just my thing and it always starts a dish off with flavor.  So that's what I did and then I added the beef and browned it.  When it was brown I added a cup of water.  I could have added beef broth but the gravy already added enough salt and I didnt want too much sodium in there.  I then added my packet of brown gravy, you could make your own but that's what I had on hand.  I mixed it all up and let it come to a boil.  Then I added the soup amd vegetables.  When the vegetables were nice and hot I mixed in the noodles and let them cook together for about 5 minutes to let the flavors mingle.  Very simple and keep in mind you can substitute any part of this dish and make it your own!

Sausage and Green Bean Saffrito

I don't know about you but One Skillet Meals are so appealing! One skillet....you mean only one pan to wash?? Amazing! I have to admit sometimes you have no choice but to use 2 pans for pasta or rice but we will pretend like that doesn't happen!
My grandma (Nana) taught me a recipe from Puerto rico where she is from and it starts with Saffrito. Its a mixture of garlic, onion, green or red pepper and cilantro. You put it in a food processor, blender, whatever it is that you have. It comes out looking like a black mess but its deliciously tasty. She told me to freeze it in blocks and use it whenever I had a recipe that needed some flavor.
So here is what I made tonight:
Sausage and green bean saffrito
Saffrito
Smoked sausage (beef, pork, turkey)
Green Beans (I used fresh but frozen are ok too)
Olive Oil
Basmati Rice ( Or any kind you like)
Cook the Rice. Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the saffrito until it isn't frozen anymore. Chop the sausage in to quarter sized pieces and throw them in the skillet. If using fresh green beans trim the ends. When the sausage is slightly brown throw the green beans in for just a couple minutes. Then add the cooked rice to it and mix around so the saffrito covers everything. Cook on low till its warm and serve. This took 20 minutes! That's my kind of meal!

Sausage, Red Beans and Rice

I discovered Cajun food many years ago and although I experimented with many different meals this one has always been a favorite! I learned in New Orleans they always add bell pepper, onion and celery to their dishes, it is called the holy trinity.
Sausage (Beef, Pork, Turkey)
Rice- whatever you prefer
Red Beans
Onion
Garlic
Celery
Green Bell Pepper
Oil
Cajun Seasoning
Cook Rice. Dice onion, garlic, celery and pepper. Heat oil in a pan on medium heat, when its hot add the onion, garlic, celery and pepper. Cut the sausage into quarter sized pieces and add to the pan. Stir often until the onion is soft and the sausage is brown. Add the rice and a few shakes of the cajun seasoning, serve when warm.