Cauliflower Crust Pizza

FB Source: Sherry Kirkpatrick Patterson

Ingredients:
2 cups grated cauliflower
1/2 cup shredded light mozzarella cheese
2 eggs
1 tsp oregano
2 tsp basil
2 tsp parsley
Dash of Italian seasoning
1 green pepper
1 yellow or green onion
1 tomato
Bunch of fresh basil
Garlic powder, to taste

Directions:

1. Chop pepper, onion, tomato, and any other toppings you like. Set aside. 
2. Shred ½ cup light mozzarella (for topping) 
3. Use a cheese grater or processor fitted with an S blade to grate the cauliflower tops only. 
4. Add to bowl with the mozzarella, spices and eggs. 
5. Spray a round or rectangular metal pan with cooking oil before spreading the dough evenly. Bake at 450° F for 12-15 minutes. 
6. Remove the dough from the oven and sprinkle chopped green pepper, onion, tomato, fresh basil, Italian seasoning as well as the remaining mozzarella cheese on top. 
7. Return the pizza to the oven and bake until the cheese has melted and the crust is crispy. 

***Low carb crust that tastes so much better than bread pizza crust** 

Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Pasta

FB Source: Susan Parker

Ingredients:
1/2 - 3/4 lb cooked fettuccine
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 lb peeled, deveined raw large shrimp
1 Tbsp plus 2 tsp *Essence seasoning (recipe below - I think you can buy this, too.)
1 1/2 smoked turkey sausages, sliced and quartered (I use Butterball)
1/2 cup diced green pepper
1/2 cup diced yellow onion
1 Tbsp minced garlic
1/2 cup chicken stock
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan

*Essence Creole Seasoning
2 1/2 Tbsp paprika
2 Tbsp salt
2 Tbsp garlic powder
1 Tbsp black pepper
1 Tbsp onion powder
1 Tbsp cayenne pepper
1 Tbsp dried oregano
1 Tbsp dried thyme

Directions:

1. Heat 1 Tbsp of olive oil over medium high heat in a large saute pan. Season the shrimp with 2 teaspoons of the Essence. Place the shrimp in the pan and saute until almost done. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside. 
2. Place the remaining Tbsp of olive oil in the saute pan and onions and bell peppers. Saute, stirring occasionally, until the onions are translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the sausage and cook another minute.
3. Add the garlic to the pan and saute for 30 seconds. 
4. Add the chicken stock to the pan and scrape with a spoon to remove any browned bits that have formed in the bottom of the pan, about 30 seconds. 
5. Add the thyme, 1 Tbsp of Essence and 1/2 tsp salt and cook for 2 minutes. 
6. Add the heavy cream to the pan and cook an additional 2 minutes. 
7. Return the shrimp to the pan and pasta to the pan. Continue to cook the sauce and pasta, stirring occasionally, for about 3-5 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the basil and Parmesan.

Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Emeril Lagasse

Chicken Pot Pie Cupcakes

ORIGINAL Source: Sunny Slide Up

Ingredients:
2 cups of cooked chicken breasts diced
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup frozen mixed veggies
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 tablespoon of dried thyme
1/2 tablespoon of dried basil
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic salt
2 (10 oz) cans Pillsbury biscuits

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400.
2. In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, frozen veggies, cheese, herbs and spices.
3. Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin and place the Pillsbury biscuits into each cup, pressing into the bottom and up the sides.
4. Evenly spoon the pot pie mixture into each biscuit cup. Slide into the oven and bake for about 15 minutes. Check at the 12 minute mark.
5. Let rest for about 3 minutes and dig in!

Zucchini Lasagna - Gluten Free

FB Source: High Protein Foods

Ingredients:
1 lb 93% lean beef
3 cloves garlic
1/2 onion
1 tsp olive oil
salt and pepper
28 oz can crushed tomatoes
2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
3 medium zucchini, sliced 1/8" thick
15 oz part-skim ricotta
16 oz part-skin mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/4 cup Parmigiano Reggiano
1 large egg

Directions:

1. In a medium sauce pan, brown meat and season with salt. When cooked drain in colander to remove any fat.
2. Add olive oil to the pan and saute garlic and onions about 2 minutes. Return the meat to the pan, add tomatoes, basil, salt and pepper. Simmer on low for at least 30-40 minutes, covered. Do not add extra water, the sauce should be thick.
3. Preheat oven to 350°.
4. In a medium bowl mix ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese and egg. Stir well.
5. In a 9x12 casserole spread some sauce on the bottom and layer the zucchini to cover. Then place some of the ricotta cheese mixture, then top with the mozzarella cheese and repeat the process until all your ingredients are used up. Top with sauce and mozzarella and cover with foil.
6. Bake 45 minutes covered at 375°, then uncovered 15 minutes. Let stand about 5 - 10 minutes before serving.

Preserving Fresh Herbs

FB Source: Modern Pioneer

7-Day Diet Weight Loss Soup (Wonder Soup)

Source: Sandra Caraway

Ingredients:
½ head of cabbage, chopped
1 cup celery, diced
1 cup white or yellow onion, diced
1 cup carrots, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups chicken broth
14 oz can diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon basil
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
and cayenne pepper
Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Heat 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add celery, onions, bell peppers, and carrots.Saute until slightly tender.
2. Stir in garlic.
3. Pour in chicken broth.
4. Stir in tomatoes and cabbage.
5. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat.
6. Cook until cabbage is tender.
7. Stir in oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, black pepper and salt (if using)
8. Taste broth and adjust seasoning if needed.

Lasagna Soup

Source: Easy Recipes, Healthy Eating Ideas

Ingredients:
For the soup:
2 tsp. olive oil
1-1/2 lbs. Italian sausage
3 c. chopped onions
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
2 T. tomato paste
1 28-oz. can fire roasted diced tomatoes
2 bay leaves
6 c. chicken stock
8 oz. mafalda or fusilli pasta
1/2 c. finely chopped fresh basil leaves
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

For the cheesy yum:
8 oz. ricotta
1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp. salt
pinch of freshly ground pepper

Additional cheesy yum:
2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add sausage, breaking up into bite sized pieces, and brown for about 5 minutes. Add onions and cook until softened, about 6 minutes. Add garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute. Add tomato paste and stir well to incorporate. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the tomato paste turns a rusty brown color.
2. Add diced tomatoes, bay leaves, and chicken stock. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Add uncooked pasta and cook until al dente. Do not over cook or let soup simmer for a long period of time at this point, as the pasta will get mushy and absorb all the soup broth. You may even want to consider cooking the noodles separately, and then adding some to individual bowls before ladling the soup over them. This would be an especially smart move if you are anticipating any leftovers. Right before serving, stir in the basil and season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
3. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the cheesy yum. In a small bowl, combine the ricotta, Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
4. To serve, place a dollop of the cheesy yum in each soup bowl, sprinkle some of the mozzarella on top and ladle the hot soup over the cheese.

Rigatoni Pasta Pie

Noturavrage Granny

Ingredients:
1 lb rigatoni pasta
1 lb ground beef (I used ground sirloin)
2 garlic cloves (minced)
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
1 small jar of spaghetti sauce
cooking spray
salt
1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups grated mozzarella cheese
4 oz cream cheese
15 oz ricotta cheese
2 eggs
1 tsp basil
1 tsp oregano
1 cup onion
spring form pan

Directions:

1. Boil the noodles according to the directions on the box. Stop cooking when they're still very firm and avoid stirring so they do not fall apart. Once done, drain and run cold water over so they are cool enough to handle. You can add a little bit of oil if they start to stick.
2. Brown the ground beef and drain excess grease. Add chopped onion and garlic. After about 5 minutes add cream cheese and stir until melted. Add spaghetti sauce next. 
3. Use a small mixing bowl to mix the ricotta, Parmesan, basil, oregano and 2 eggs until smooth. Set aside.
4. Spray the bottom of the spring form pan with cooking spray to avoid sticking. Tightly pack pasta into pan, standing each piece on end.
5. Put a zip lock bag inside a tall glass and fill the bag with the cheese mixture. Close the bag and snip the corner of the bag and pipe a small amount into each noodle.
6. After piping, pour the red sauce over the whole top and push down as much as possible.
7. Top with 2 cups of mozzarella cheese. (Recipe calls for 2 cups but you could use low fat or skim to cut calories.)
8. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes and then broil until the cheese turns bubbly.

This one is off the chain!! OMG!!! (Photo is by "Mom's off her Meds again") If mom cooks like this off her meds then let's conspire to throw those meds away and invite mom OVER! 

Spaghetti Squash Casserole

Mike Ames

Ingredients:

1 spaghetti squash, halved lengthwise and seeds removed
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 teaspoon dried basil
2 plum tomatoes, chopped
1 cup (8 ounces) 1% cottage cheese
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons seasoned dry bread crumbs

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400
2. Coat a 13" x 9" baking dish and a baking sheet with nonstick spray. Place the squash, cut side down, on the sheet. Bake for 30 minutes, or until tender when pierced with a sharp knife. With a fork, scrape the squash strands into a large bowl.
3. Meanwhile, warm the oil in a medium skillet set over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and basil. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, or until the onion is soft. Add the tomatoes. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the mixture is dry.
4. To the bowl with the squash, add the cottage cheese, mozzarella, parsley, salt, and the onion mixture. Stir to mix. Pour into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with the Parmesan and bread crumbs.
5. Bake for 30 minutes, or until bubbly and heated through.

*Squash A Country Garden Cookbook

CALORIES 157.7 CAL
FAT 5.4 G
SATURATED FAT 1.8 G
SODIUM 493.8 MG
CARBOHYDRATES 18.1 G
TOTAL SUGARS 7 G
DIETARY FIBER 3.3 G
PROTEIN 10.7 G

Creamy White Chicken Alfredo Lasagna

Alishia Willardson

Ingredients:
2 cups shredded cooked chicken breasts 
1 can (14 oz.) artichoke hearts, drained, chopped
1 pkg. (8 oz.) Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, divided
1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
1/2 cup chopped drained oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
2 pkg. (8 oz. each) Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup milk
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 cup tightly packed fresh basil, chopped, divided
12 lasagna noodles, cooked

Directions:

1. HEAT oven to 350°F.
2. COMBINE chicken, artichokes, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan and tomatoes. Beat cream cheese, milk and garlic powder with mixer until well blended; stir in 2 Tbsp. basil. Mix half with the chicken mixture. 
3. SPREAD half the remaining cream cheese mixture onto bottom of 13x9-inch baking dish; cover with 3 noodles and 1/3 of the chicken mixture. Repeat layers of noodles and chicken mixture twice. Top with remaining noodles, cream cheese mixture and mozzarella; cover. 
4. BAKE 25 min. or until heated through. Sprinkle with remaining basil. Let stand 5 min. before cutting to serve. 

Gluten free: GF noodles.

Original recipe from tasteofhome.com

Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken

Easy Recipes, Healthy Eating Ideas

Ingredients:
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
2 tsp dried minced onion
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 24 ounces) or breasts
sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley

Directions:

1. Combine the first five dry spices in a small bowl and spread over chicken on both sides. Set aside.
2. Pour olive oil and garlic on the bottom of the slow cooker. Place chicken on top. Pour balsamic vinegar over the chicken.
3. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours.
4. Sprinkle with fresh parsley on top to serve.

By Metabolic Cooking Book: http://tiny.cc/Metabolic

Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken

What The Hell Am I Making For Dinner?

Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken

Ingredients

1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons dried minced onion
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 24 ounces) or breasts
sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley

Directions

Combine the first five dry spices in a small bowl and spread over chicken on both sides. Set aside. Pour olive oil and garlic on the bottom of the crock pot. Place chicken on top. Pour balsamic vinegar over the chicken. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours. Sprinkle with fresh parsley on top to serve.

Nutrition Info

Servings: 8* Calories per serving: 133* Fat: 5g* Cholesterol: 70mg* Sodium: 222mg* Carbs: 4g* Fiber: 0g* Sugars: 3g* Protein: 17g* Points+: 6*

CYK

Baked Margherita Spaghetti Squash

Dail Stuart

Baked Margarita Spaghetti Squash - Not only is it healthy, but its gluten free as well!

Ingredients:
1 large spaghetti squash
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 large Roma tomato, finely chopped
2 tbsp. finely chopped fresh basil
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 tsp. each salt & pepper
1 tsp. garlic powder

Steps:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Using a large knife or a cleaver, slice the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise down the middle. Use a spoon to remove the seeds and center strings. Drizzle the two halves with olive oil and then sprinkle with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Place the squash, open side down on a cookie sheet and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven, check to see if the squash is soft and easily comes up with a fork into a spaghetti like texture. If it’s too hard to remove, cook for another 10 minutes. Remove from the oven, scrape and fluff the stringy squash with a fork. Leave the squash in the skin. Turn the oven up to broil. Add the tomatoes and fresh basil into the squash, stir and top with the mozzarella cheese. Place in the broiler for 3-4 minutes, until the cheese is melted and slightly browned. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving the squash.

Blow Your Mind Tomato Basil Pasta

Christopher John Hopkins

Blow your MIND Tomato Basil Pasta! - No Straining, just Stirring

Pasta, Tomatoes, Veggie Broth, Olive Oil, and Seasonings (details below)

Throw it all in the pot, INCLUDING the uncooked Pasta, and cook! - Bring it to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. The starch leaches out of the pasta and makes a rich, warm sauce for the noodles. The other ingredients cook right along with the pasta
Ingredients

12 ounces pasta (I used Linguine)
1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes with liquid ( I used zesty red pepper flavor)
1 large sweet onion, cut in julienne strips
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves
2 large sprigs basil, chopped
4 1/2 cups vegetable broth (regular broth and NOT low sodium)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Parmesan cheese for garnish

Directions

Place pasta, tomatoes, onion, garlic, basil, in a large stock pot. Pour in vegetable broth. Sprinkle on top the pepper flakes and oregano. Drizzle top with oil.

Cover pot and bring to a boil. Reduce to a low simmer and keep covered and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes or so. Cook until almost all liquid has evaporated – I left about an inch of liquid in the bottom of the pot – but you can reduce as desired .

Season to taste with salt and pepper , stirring pasta several times to distribute the liquid in the bottom of the pot. Serve garnished with Parmesan cheese. 

Spring Cleanse

Sue Austin

SPRING CLEANSE ~ YOUR BODY ~ Yes another post about water lol.

But if you really want to cleanse then DRINK, DRINK, DRINK. Here are 8 home made vitamin water recipes to help you keep the water flowing!

As a rule, you should try to avoid as much as possible industrial food and beverages

1) The classical : lemon/cucumber:
Mix in a pitcher: 10 cups of water + 1 cucumber and a lemon, thinly sliced + 1/4 cup fresh finely chopped basil leaf + 1/3 of finely chopped fresh mint leaves. Leave in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

2) The granite : Strawberry/Lime or Raspberry/Lime
Mix in a pitcher : 10 cups of water + 6 strawberries / 0r Raspberries and one thinly sliced lime + 12 finely chopped fresh mint leaves. Leave in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

3) The digestive : Fennel/citrus
First: infuse 1 to 3 grams of dried and crushed fennel in 150 ml of boiling water for 5-10 minutes. Allow to cool.
Mix in a pitcher: 10 cups of water + lemon juice (put the leftover lemon in the mix) + a small thinly sliced orange + 12 fresh chopped mint leaves + the infusion of fennel seeds. Leave in refrigerator overnight before serving.

4) The antiOX : Blackberry/Sage
Note that a part from the berries, sage leafs is the herb that has the highest antioxidant content.
Mix in a pitcher : 10 cups of water + 1 cup of blackberries that have been very slightly crushed + 3-4 sage leaves. Leave in refrigerator overnight before serving.

5) WATERmelon : watermelon/Rosemary
Mix in a pitcher : 10 cups of water + 1 cup of watermelon cut into cubes + 2 rosemary stems. Leave in refrigerator overnight before serving.

6) The exotic : Pineapple/Mint
Mix in a pitcher : 10 cups of water + 1 cup of pineapple cut into cubes + 12 fresh mint leaves finely chopped. Leave in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

7) The traditional : Apple/cinnamon
Mix in a pitcher : 10 cups of water + 1 cup of apple cut into cubes + 2 cinnamon sticks + 2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Leave in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

8.) The zingibir : Ginger/tea
In advance: heat 1 teaspoon of ginger in two cups of tea, let it cool down.

Mix in a pitcher: 10 cups of water with two cups of the ginger tea + 4-5 pieces of fresh ginger cut into cubes. Leave in the refrigerator overnight before serving.