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Easy Homemade Coleslaw

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Coleslaw is an all-American side dish and a summer must-have.  I can’t imagine enjoying a cook out without having a spoonful of coleslaw on my plate. This recipe is sweet, creamy and tangy. The secret to great coleslaw is that the finer the cabbage is cut, the better the coleslaw will taste. So make sure you have either a really sharp knife (be careful when using) or a mandolin to shred your cabbage. This recipe for homemade coleslaw is best when prepared the day before, so that all of the flavors can marinate well into the cabbage.

Homemade Coleslaw

Ingredients

1 Large Head of Cabbage (finely shredded)
1 Large Carrot (peeled and shredded)
1/2 Cup Mayonnaise
3 Tablespoons White Vinegar
2 Tablespoons of White Sugar (or 1 tablespoon of your favorite sugar substitute)
1/2 Teaspoon Black Pepper

Instructions
In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar and black pepper. Mix well. Then, add the cabbage, a handful at a time, tossing it to coat the cabbage. Now, add the shredded carrot and mix well. Store in the refrigerator for at least two hours. For the best results refrigerate over night. Give the coleslaw a toss before serving.

Posted by Lorraine

Homemade Bolognese Sauce with Penne Pasta and Sour Cream

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This recipe for Homemade Bolognese Sauce with Penne Pasta is one of my all time favorites. This is not a loose type of sauce but rather a meaty, rich and super tasty meal. Many people use a combination of ground beef and pork, but I really enjoy using just ground beef. As for the pasta, you can use what ever pasta that you enjoy the best. I prefer penne because the hollow middle fills up with the thick meat sauce.

Ingredients

1 box of Penne Pasta (Cooked Al Dente)
2 Pounds of Ground Beef (80% meat, 20% fat)
2 Tablespoons Of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 6 Ounce Can Tomato Paste
3 8 Ounce Cans Of Tomato Sauce
1 Teaspoon Of Sugar
1 Small Onion Diced
1 Small Green Pepper Diced
2 Stalks Of Celery Diced
2 Medium Carrots Diced
3 Cloves Of Garlic Grated
1 Beef Bouillon Cube (dissolve cube in 2 tablespoons of very hot water)
2 Tablespoons Of Dried Oregano
1/2 Teaspoon of Dried Chili Flakes
1/4 Of Red Wine
1/2 Teaspoon Of Salt And Pepper ( to taste )

Instructions
In a large sauce pan on medium heat add the olive oil, diced onions, peppers, carrots and celery and sauté until soft. Remove from pan and set aside. In the same pan, on medium heat, brown the ground beef until done. Remember, not to mince the beef. You want the meat rather chunky. Drain excess oil and discard. Now add the sautéed vegetables to pan. Add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar and stir well. Bring mixture to a simmer, then set heat on low. Add the grated garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper and cook on low for 30 minutes. Remember to gently stir sauce during this time so that sauce does not stick to bottom of pan. After 30 minutes add red wine and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Serve meat sauce over pasta with a dollop of sour cream.

Make this delicious Homemade Bolognese Sauce with Penne Pasta for family dinner tonight!

Posted by Eve

Strawberry Yogurt Pops Made With Stevia

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When it’s oppressively hot outside, the last thing anyone wants is to have to count calories when consuming a delicious frozen treat. No worries when you make these delicious frozen Strawberry Yogurt Pops Made With Stevia — they’re made with just three ingredients.

Keep in mind that you don’t have to follow the recipe exactly — you can use different fruits such as blue berries, raspberries, mangoes, pineapple, etc. — whatever fruit you enjoy the most. Also, do not put any water in the mixture or it will form ice crystals and weaken the taste of the pop. Instead, if your mix is extremely thick add more yogurt to thin out. Taste your mix before placing it in molds to check for desired sweetness.

** You can find ice pop molds just about anywhere, at a really affordable price.

Strawberry Frozen Yogurt PopsIngredients
2 cups whole strawberries (or the fruit of your choice)
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
1/4 cup Stevia

Instructions
Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Fill ice pop molds with mixture.

Allow the mixture to freeze for about 3 hours.

Enjoy your Strawberry Yogurt Pops Made With Stevia!

Posted by Eve

Stuffed Green Peppers Recipe

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As a child, I was never a big fan of green peppers. Now as an adult, my taste buds have “come alive” and I’m open to new things. This recipe for Stuffed Green Peppers was conceived out of the boredom of traditional recipes that I have been consuming for years. Never did I expect my stuffed peppers to have such a heavenly and mouth watering taste! It’s great on its own since you have a few of the key food groups stuffed into one delicious entree.

Green Peppers Ready to Be Stuffed

Keep in mind that you can replace the ground beef in this recipe with ground turkey or chicken for a healthier choice. For added flavor you can also put Italian sausage into the mixture. Don’t worry — any leftovers of the mixture can be frozen for future use. This recipe will feed four adults, very well.

Ingredients

  • 4 Large Whole Green Peppers
  • 1lb Lean Ground Beef
  • 1 8oz Can Tomato Sauce
  • 1 Cup Cooked Brown Rice (white or wild rice can be used as well)
  • 2-3 Cloves Finely Chopped Garlic
  • 1 Medium Onion Finely Diced
  • 1 Teaspoon Salt
  • 1 Tablespoon Onion Powder
  • 1 Tablespoon Oregano

Directions
Cut off the tops of your greens peppers about 1/4 inch down from the top to create a bowl and a lid. Carefully, remove the seeds and the rib from the inside. Be careful not to tear your peppers. Place the peppers aside. Preheat oven to 350.

Now in a large skillet on medium heat, brown ground beef and drain excess oil. Place heat on medium low and add chopped onions, oregano, salt and onion powder. Cover with lid and allow to cook until onions become translucent (approximately 3-4 minutes). Next add your chopped garlic and combine well with the mixture. Now add your cooked rice and tomato sauce and mix well. Taste mixture to ensure no added salt is needed. If so, add a little at a time. Remove from heat.

Now, get a large casserole dish. Begin filling your peppers with the mixture and fill to the top. Place the lid back onto the pepper and place in dish. Pour 1/4 cup of water in the bottom of the dish. This will help ensure that the bottom of your peppers will not burn. Place dish in oven on the middle rack and allow to bake for 25 minutes until done.

* Sprinkle some shredded mozzarella cheese on top of your stuffed green peppers to make it a true Italian meal!

 

Posted by Eve

 

Images: Flickr/jeffreyww & Flickr/nate 

Boston Butt Pork With Homemade Gravy

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This recipe for Boston Butt Pork With Homemade Gravy is rather simple to make and tastes delicious. All that you need is a few key ingredients to make a home made meal that you, your guests and your family will enjoy. They will think that your spent hours in the kitchen when it’s more like a half an hour. You can also replace the pork with beef or chicken in this recipe if you wish. This will feed three people very well.

Ingredients
1-2 Pounds of Boston Butt ( cut into bite size pieces )
Boston Butt Pork with Homemade Gravy3 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3 Cloves of Fresh Garlic ( finely chopped )
1-2 Teaspoons of Salt
4 Tablespoons Flour
2-3 Teaspoons Onion Powder
1 Small Red Onion ( diced )
1 Small White Onion ( diced )
1-2 Tablespoons Rosemary
1/2 Large Green Pepper ( diced )

Gravy Mixture Ingredients
1-2 Tablespoons Flour
1/2 Chicken Bouillon ( beef OK )
1 Cup Warm Water

Instructions
In a large sauce pan add olive oil and place on medium high heat.
Add onions and green peppers to sauce pan
season with:

1 Tablespoon Rosemary
1 Teaspoon Salt
3 Cloves Finely Chopped Garlic (add last, to make sure garlic doesn’t burn)
Sautée until tender
Remove onions and green peppers and set aside
Season pork with remaining spices and coat meat with 2 Tablespoons of flour
Add: 2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil to sauce pan on medium high heat and allow oil to heat up for 1-2 minutes
Add: seasoned and floured meat to pan (spread out evenly in sauce pan)
Cook meat for 2-3 minutes on each side until browned
Return sautéed onions and green peppers to pan
Allow to cook on medium heat for 2-3 minutes ( to allow flavors to blend )

While flavors are combining make gravy mixture. In a large bowl add:
1 Cup of hot water
1/2 bouillon cube
2 Tablespoons Flour

Whisk until bouillon is disintegrated and combines with flour
Now, reduce heat to low and pour mix over meat and peppers
Mix gently until gravy thickens ( if too thick, add a little water slowly to thin out gravy )
Serve this over rice with a side salad.

Enjoy!!!!

Posted by Eve

Arabian Inspired Chicken with Garlic Sauce

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This recipe for Arabian Inspired Chicken with Garlic Sauce is savory and delicious. If you enjoy the wonderful flavors of the Middle East, this will surely please your taste buds. If you are looking for a dish that your friends and family will rave about, this is it! This recipe will feed approximately four adults.

Ingredients For Garlic Sauce

6-10 Cloves Garlic ( grated )
Juice of 1 Large Lemon
1Teaspoon Salt
1/2 Cup Olive Oil
1/4 Cup Fresh Cilantro (finely chopped)
1/2 Cup Greek Yogurt
Mix all ingredients together, taste for flavor and place in air tight container, refrigerate

Ingredients For Marinated Chicken

image1-2-024-6 Skinless Chicken Thighs (deboned and cut into cubes)
1 Medium Red Onion (diced)
2 1/2 Teaspoons of Cumin
1 1/2 Teaspoons Turmeric
1 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Pepper
1 Teaspoon Chili Powder
4 Cloves Garlic (grated)
2 Tablespoons Dry Parsley
3 Tablespoons Olive Oil

In a large bowl add oil and spices, mix well.
Add cubed chicken to bowl and blend with oil and spices.
Refrigerate for 2 hours (best results if marinated overnight).

In a large skillet on medium high heat, add marinated chicken, cook uncovered for 4 minutes on each side until done.

Serve this delicious Arabian Inspired Chicken with Garlic Sauce on top of spring mix lettuce with cucumbers and extra garlic sauce or serve on warm pita or flat bread.

Enjoy!

Posted by Eve