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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 

Homemade Tomato Soup

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If you enjoy homemade tomato soup, I have an awesome recipe for you to try.  It does not cost much and any extra soup can be frozen for later consumption.  This recipe is a chunky version but you can make a less chunky version by simply allowing it to pulse in your food processor longer.

Ingredients

Homemade Tomato Soup
Homemade Tomato Soup (Chunky)

3-4 Lbs Roma Tomatoes
2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1-2 Teaspoons Salt
1 Teaspoon Black Pepper
5 Large Cloves Garlic (grated)
1 Tablespoon Basil (dry)
1 Tablespoon Oregano (dry)
1 Teaspoon Red Chili Flakes (optional)
1-2 Tablespoons Cilantro (fresh)
1 Teaspoon Onion Powder
1 1/2 Cups Water

Directions

Steam your tomatoes in a colander for 5 minutes.  Set aside and allow it to cool. Then gently peel off skin.  Removing the skin is important because if this step is avoided the skin will roll up into a “needle” and ruin your soup.
Place tomatoes in a saucepan and add spices.
Allow tomatoes and spices to simmer on low heat for 15 minutes.
Carefully, pour mixture into a food processor and pulse until tomatoes are broken down.
Return mixture to saucepan.
Slowly, add 1/2 of a cup of water at a time and gently stir.  Add more water, if you prefer a thinner soup. Taste to see if more salt is required.
Allow soup to simmer on low heat for 15-20 minutes.
Serve soup with garlic bread or French bread for a light afternoon lunch.
If you like a more creamier soup add a spoon of sour cream or heavy cream to each serving.

If you love tomatoes as much as I do, you might find yourself addicted to this healthy and simple homemade tomato soup. Enjoy!!

Posted by Eve

Eve’s Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

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My family really enjoys spaghetti night and anyone who knows Italian food understands that the tomato sauce is what makes the dish. This homemade spaghetti sauce recipe is great to use for just about any pasta dish, such as baked ziti, lasagna and even as a pizza sauce.  Double this recipe and make plenty so that you can freeze and thaw the rest on another night for a super easy dinner.  This recipe is best made with fresh ingredients, but it’s perfectly fine to use dried spices.

Ingredients:
Spaghetti Sauce29 ounce can of tomatoes (I like Tuttoroso brand)
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 of a small onion ( diced)
1/2 of a green pepper (diced)
3 garlic cloves ( grated)
1 lb of ground beef ( optional)
1 tablespoon of oregano
1/4 teaspoon dried red chile flakes
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 cup of water

Instructions
In a large sauce pan set on medium heat sauté diced onions cook till soft and place to the side
Add ground beef to pan and cook until meat is browned
Add can of tomato sauce and mash tomatoes with a potato masher
Add tomato paste
Bring to a simmer
Add onions and green pepper and grated garlic combine well
Add oregano, garlic, red pepper flakes, sugar, salt and pepper and water
Stir together
Set heat on low and simmer 45 minutes stirring occasionally
Serve over spaghetti or noodle of your choice.

This homemade spaghetti sauce is savory and delicious — so good that you might find it hard to resist grabbing a second helping. Enjoy!

Posted by Eve

Chocolate Brownies Made with Stevia & Coconut Oil

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This recipe is for chocolate brownies and is a little healthier than other brownies because I have simply replaced all of the white cane sugar with a plant based sugar called Stevia. I also have replaced the butter and opted to use coconut oil instead.

I have always enjoyed baking homemade cakes and pastries. With all of the new research emerging about how white sugar negatively affects your health, I decided to use a more healthy sugar to bake with. My  health research has also made me think about the ill affects of butter on the heart and circulation. That’s why I’ve decided to make these substitutions. To my surprise the taste is not impacted much — I do not miss the white sugar or butter. Here’s the recipe for delicious chocolate brownies made with Stevia & Coconut Oil:

Ingredients

Stevia Brownies1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 1/4 cup Stevia
1/2 cup flour
3/4 cups cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup coconut oil

Instructions

Preheat oven 325*

In a large bowl add
Softened coconut oil and cocoa powder, mix well
Then add
Stevia, mix well
Then add
Eggs
Flour
Salt
Baking powder
Vanilla extract, combine ingredients well
Then pour batter into a 8″ square baking pan, lightly greased for 30 minutes

Brownies are done when you stick a knife into the center and the knife is removed with no wet batter.  You can even add chocolate chips or nuts to brownie batter!!

Enjoy your chocolate Brownies Made With Stevia & Coconut Oil!

Posted by Eve