Sweet Potato Souffle

Ingredients:

3 cups cooked and mashed sweet potatoes
3/4 cup white sugar
1/3 cup butter, softened
2 1/3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup milk

Topping:

1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup melted butter
Directions:

Preheat oven to 350º. Combine the mashed sweet potatoes with the white sugar, softened butter, beaten eggs, vanilla and milk. Spoon into a 2-quart oven proof baking dish. Combine the flour, brown sugar, chopped pecans and melted butter. Sprinkle over the top of the sweet potatoes. Bake for 30-35 minutes.

Source: Allrecipes

Mom's Christmas Salad

Ingredients:
1 cup chopped pecans
6 TBS balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
1 1/2 tsp sesame oil
2 avocados
3 quarts bite size pieces, rinsed, romaine lettuce
2 cups thinly sliced mushrooms
1 cup thinly sliced red onion
1 can sliced black olives, drained
1/2 lb feta cheese, crumbled
1/2 cup slivered fresh basil leaves
salt & pepper

Directions:
In a frying pan over medium high heat, stir or shake pecans frequently until toasted, about 3 minutes. Pour into a large bowl; add vinegar, olive oil, and sesame oil. Pit and peel avocados; cut into 1/2 inch chunks and add to bowl. Add lettuce, mushrooms, red onion, olives, cheese and basil. Mix and add salt and pepper to taste.

Source: Mom

Grilled Asparagus and Shiitake Tacos

Ingredients:
3 TBS Canola Oil
4 Garlic Cloves, crushed with press
1 tsp ground chipotle chile
1/2 tsp salt
8 oz shiitake mushrooms, stems discarded
1 bunch green onions, trimmed
8 corn tortillas, warmed
1 cup homemade guacamole
Lime wedges
Cilantro sprigs
Hot sauce, for serving

Directions:
Heat grill on medium. In a large baking dish, combine oil, garlic, chipotle, and salt. Add asparagus, shiitakes, and green onions; toss to coat. Grill asparagus until tender and lightly charred, turning occasionally; 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer vegetables to cutting board. Cut asparagus and green onions into 2" lengths and slice shiitakes. Serve with corn tortillas, guacamole, lime wedges, cilantro, and hot sauce.

Notes: We just cook the asparagus and shiitake mushrooms in butter and salt, and we cut before we cook. The original recipe is good, but this way is easier, and tastes so much better! We heat up the tortillas on a cast iron skillet with butter. The green onions we just chop up and serve raw. The homemade guacamole we just use avocados mixed with Herdes salsa, lime, and salt. Also, we smoke chicken tenderloins and chop them up before serving.

Source: Good Housekeeping

Aloha Mango Chicken Salad with Creamy Mango Passion Vinaigrette

Ingredients:

Salad:

1 head romain lettuce
1 mango, diced
1/3 cup gorgonzola cheese, crumbled
1 red pepper, diced
1/4 red onion, diced
4 chicken breasts, cooked, diced
1 cup tortilla strips

Creamy Mango-Passion Vinaigrette:

2 TBS Dijon mustard
1/2 mango, cut into bite size pieces
1/2 lime, juice only
2 TBS rice wine vinegar
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 garlic clove

1 tsp chili paste or chili garlic sauce

3 tsp honey

1/4 cup olive oil

Salt and Pepper, to taste

Directions: For the salad, combine the first 6 ingredients in a large bowl. For the dressing, combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Toss dressing with salad. Top with tortillas. Serve immediately. 

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Serves 3-4 • 30 minutes

Ingredients:

1/4 cup unsalted butter

1/2 cup diced onion

1 cup shredded carrots

2 1/2 to 3 cups broccoli florets, chopped small

1 1/2 cups chicken broth

1 cup milk

1 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup flour

1 1/2 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

pinch of crushed red pepper flakes

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Directions: In a large pot over medium-high heat, melt butter. Add in onions, carrots and broccoli. Cook to soften, about 5 minutes.

Slowly add in broth, milk, and cream. Sprinkle with flour and add salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Continue stirring and heating over medium heat until thickened. This will take about 10-15 minutes.

Once thick, add cheese and stir until melted and smooth. 

Notes: Last time I made it, it was too thick. I almost think it would taste better without the flour.

Source: Shugary Sweets

Moroccan Stew

Ingredients:

1 TBS olive oil
1 small onion
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/4 tsp cinnamon
3 whole cloves
2 bay leaves
2 cups chicken broth/stock
4 skinless, boneless chicken thighs
1  14.5-oz can tomatoes
1 carrot, sliced
1 cup green beans
1 cup squash (butternut, acorn, zucchini)
1 can chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
1/3 cup raisins
(couscous/rice)

Directions: Heat oil and sauté onion for 2 minutes. Add garlic, turmeric, cinnamon, cloves, and bay leaves and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add chicken broth, chicken thighs, and tomatoes and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer with pot covered for 20 minutes.

Add carrots, green beans, squash, and chickpeas. Cook covered for another 10 minutes. Break up or shred chicken pieces. Add raisins and simmer 10 minutes more. Add salt to taste. Serve over couscous or rice.

Source: Stefani Omerza

Layered Spinach Salad

Ingredients:

Spinach
Bacon, cooked and chopped
Sliced almonds
Poppy seed dressing (one with the peach on it)
Feta cheese, crumbled
Hard boiled eggs, crumbled
Apples, sliced
Optional, marinated cooked cubed chicken

Directions: Layer ingredients in a large bowl. Serve immediately, or leave out dressing until ready to serve.

Notes: Martha Stewart has fail proof boiled egg directions here. I prefer Whole Foods ingredients in this salad. I've had it both ways, and there is a HUGE difference. If anything, at least get the spinach from there!!! I omit the chicken because I usually don't eat this as the main course.

Source: Mom

Green Bean and Artichoke Casserole

Celtic Sea Salt

Pepper

1 lb green beans, cut and steamed

4 tbs. butter

3 tbs. whole wheat flour

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 cups raw milk

1 jar (14 oz) artichoke hearts

Cayenne Pepper

6 slices homemade bread (we used 2)

Preheat oven to 425. In a large saucepan heat butter until barely melted and pour half of it in a bowl and set aside. Add garlic and flour to the saucepan and cook for 1 minute, don't let it brown. Gradually add milk and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until it thickens, about 3 minutes. Stir in green beans and artichoke hearts and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Season with salt and pepper. Pour into a 2 quart baking dish.

Toss bread crumbs in bowl with butter and put on top of casserole. Bake 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.

Source: Martha Stewart