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Spicy Lentil Soup

I have discovered that I REALLY enjoy eating lentils. They are cheap, yummy and good for you. This soup has a slight kick to it, which I really like.

• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 6 cups water
• 1 cup lentils, rinsed and drained
• 1 15-oz can garbanzo beans (chickpeas)
• 1 15-oz can red kidney beans
• 1 15-oz can diced tomatoes
• ½ cup diced carrots
• 1 ½ tsp ground cardamom
• ½ tsp ground cayenne pepper
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin

1. Sauté onions, garlic and ginger in olive oil until tender, about 5 minutes
2. Add the rest of the ingredients and bring to a boil for about 5 minutes. Let simmer for about an hour to an hour and a half (until lentils are tender).
3. Puree half the soup in blender and return to pot.

Spicy Oven Baked Spare Ribs

Heath's grandma gave us spare ribs as part of our Christmas gift. I haven’t eaten spare ribs since I was 10 years old! I had no idea what to do with them. I would have cooked them on the grill, but it is -20 degrees outside with 6 feet of snow on the ground! I found this recipe on cooks.com, but have adapted it to make it my own. The ribs were sticky and slightly sweet and I thought that they were just delicious! Heath, Caitlyn and I really enjoyed them. Josiah…being the picky and temperamental eater that he is…would not touch them. His loss…

• 4 lbs spareribs
• 1 cup vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/3 cup barbecue sauce
• 1 teaspoon powdered mustard
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• Hot sauce (to taste)
• Garlic (to taste)

Cook spareribs in a shallow roasting pan at 300⁰F for about an hour. Boil remaining ingredients in small saucepan for 15 minutes. After the ribs have cooked for an hour, set oven to broil and baste ribs with sauce. Broil for about 15-20 minutes, continually basting with sauce so they don’t dry out.

Crock Pot BBQ Pork Chops with Oven Wedges

Pork Chops:
2-4 Pork Chops
Salt
Pepper
Paprika
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup white vinegar
1/3 cup bottled barbecue sauce
1 ½ teaspoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon hot sauce

Heat oil in skillet. Sprinkle salt, pepper and paprika over each side of pork chop. Sear each side of pork chop, about 1-2 minutes per side, to seal in flavor. Place in crock pot. Mix together apple cider vinegar through hot sauce. Pour over pork chops. Cook on low about 4 hours.

Oven Wedges
2-4 sweet potatoes or white potatoes (or combination)
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup flour
¼ cup parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste

Peel and cut potatoes into large wedges. Cover bottom of baking dish with thin layer olive oil. Mix together flour, cheese, salt and pepper and gently push each side of cut potato wedge into flour mixture. Place in baking dish. Bake at 425⁰F for about an hour, turning halfway through cooking time.

The Best Granola...ever!

My friend, Marcia, introduced me to this granola and it is now our family favorite. We eat it in place of cereal and even Caitlyn can eat it with her hands. It involves “soaking grains” which I am very new to and have only done a few times.

Basically, soaking grains helps to improve their digestibility. Grains contain phytic acid on the outer layer of the bran and this can actually inhibit digestion and block absorption of minerals. This can lead to uncomfortable bloating. Enzymes and other friendly bacteria that are found in yogurt and other acid mediums can “predigest” the grain for us, making it easier for our stomachs to digest. We are able to absorb more of the minerals and do not suffer from abdominal discomfort. The soaking process also neutralizes enzyme inhibitors found in seeds and grains, making certain nutrients more accessible.

As I said, I am new to this process and will be experimenting and taking baby steps to soak more grains. If you would like to read more on this process, please visit - http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2008/04/whole-grains-grinding-soaking.html

This recipe is originally found on http://healthbeginswithmom.blogspot.com/2009/03/how-to-make-soaked-granola.html. Marcia has made a few of her own changes and I have adapted the recipe as well. Below is my version:

Mix together:

• 6 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup whole grain flour
• 1 cup sesame/sunflower/pumpkin seeds (or combination)
• 1 cup chopped nuts (preferably unsalted)

Add 1 cup plain yogurt or buttermilk. Mix together with hands to make sure all grains are evenly coated. Let soak, covered, at room temperature for at least 7 hours. After 7 hours, break up any clumps with fingertips, and add:

• 1 cup unsweetened, dried coconut

Gently heat the following together on the stovetop, until warmed and mixed together:

• 1 cup coconut oil
• 1 cup honey
• 1 Tbsp salt (use less if you used salted nuts)
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Mix dry ingredients and wet ingredients together until thoroughly mixed. Pour onto two cookie sheets. Bake at 215⁰F for 2 hours, stirring halfway through cooking time.
Remove from oven and add:

• 1-2 cups dried fruit

Let cool to room temperature and store in airtight container. Use as normal cereal and serve with milk or yogurt.

Enjoy!!

Crockpot Stacked Enchiladas

1 lb ground turkey
1 large onion
3 garlic cloves
1 10oz can enchilada sauce
1 16oz jar salsa
1-2 4oz can chopped green chili’s
1 cup sour cream
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups grated cheese, cheddar or Mexican
6 whole wheat tortillas

Cook meat, onions and garlic in a large saucepan over medium heat until browned. Add enchilada sauce, salsa, chili’s, sour cream, and black beans and mix until well combined. Let simmer for a few minutes.

Cover the bottom of your crock pot with a thin layer of sauce, followed by a layer of tortillas, another layer of sauce, and then cheese, and repeat in that fashion until all your ingredients have been added (about 4 layers). Finish with a layer of sauce and cheese.

Cook on low for 4 hours.

Recipe adapted from www.passionatehomemaking.com

Easy Mexican Chicken

Chicken breasts
Olive Oil
Chili powder
Salsa
Cheese
Tortilla chips/Fritos (crushed)

Pour olive oil on each side of chicken breast and spread chili powder on top. Top with salsa. Bake at 400 for about 30 min. Top with cheese and crushed chips. Cook additional 10 min.

Spinach Roll Ups

PERFECT appetizer for a party. Everyone enjoyed them at our New Year's Eve party.

1 sheet puff pastry
1 box spinach, thawed and drained
2 cups cheese
1 egg beaten with 1 Tbsp water

Brush thawed pastry with egg. Layer with spinach and cheese. Roll up and cut into 20 small pieces. Brush with left over egg mixture. Bake at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes. Serve warm.

Bacon Quiche

I wanted to make something special for breakfast on New Year's Day, but I did not want to be in the kitchen all morning. I made this the night before and we just heated it up for breakfast and added some fresh fruit to complete the meal. I made this recipe up off the top of my head. Next time I will add some mushrooms.

1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
6 eggs
½ cup milk
6 slices bacon, cooked and diced
1 cup cheese
1 Tbsp Italian seasoning

Lay the puff pastry into a pie plate and roll down edges. Beat eggs through Italian seasoning in medium bowl and pour into pastry. Bake at 375 for about 45 minutes. Let sit 10 minutes before serving. This is an easy dish to make the night ahead and serve for breakfast or brunch. Can be eaten cold and warm.

Whole Wheat Pumpkin Muffins

Josiah was begging me to make muffins yesterday. I didn't feel like looking for a recipe, so I decided to make one up myself. I am VERY happy with how these turned out...they are DELICIOUS! They went really fast as well. I will have to make them again:-)

2 ¼ cups whole wheat flour mix (equal parts whole wheat flour, white flour and wheat germ)
1 Tbsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
¼ cup coconut oil
¼ cup applesauce
½ cup milk
½ cup canned pumpkin
½ cup honey
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 egg

Preheat oven to 350. Prepare a muffin tin (recipe makes 12 muffins). Mix together dry ingredients. Add wet ingredients and mix together until just moistened (do NOT overmix). Bake at 375 for 18 – 20 minutes.