Wholesome Joes

Aleasha made these from a Pillsbury cookbook.  They have become a healthy, yummy staple for dinner. I change the recipe a little.

Ingredients:
1 lb. lean ground turkey or beef
1/3 C. chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1 8 oz. can tomato sauce
( I also add a can of diced tomatoes, some with peppers)
1/2 C. uncooked lentils
2/3 C. water
1/4 C. ketchup
(I also add about 2Tbsp. worcestershire sauce)
1 tsp. vinegar
1/2 tsp. celery salt
1/2 dry mustard (I have used reg. mustard)
1/4 tsp. pepper
6 whole wheat sandwich buns

In large skillet over medium-high heat, brown turkey with onion and garlic; drain well.  Stir in remaining ingredients except sandwich buns.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; cover and simmer 40-45 minutes or until lentils are tender.  Spoon onto bun.

BBQ Crock-pot Chicken

This recipe is easy, and has a lot of veggies in the mix that become hidden in the meat - love hidden vegetables!

from Full Belly Sisters blog

Ingredients
(serves 8-10)

• 1 large onion, quartered and sliced thin
• 2 large carrots, grated
• 2 celery stalks, grated
• 1 large zucchini, grated
• 1 large apple (with skin), grated
• 4-5 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 to 2 1/2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts

Sauce

• 1 cup barbecue sauce (homemade or bottled)
• 2T honey
• 2T spicy brown mustard
• 1T apple cider vinegar
• 1T worcestershire sauce
• salt, to taste

Directions:

1. Spray the crockpot with non-stick cooking spray
2. Line the bottom of the crockpot with onions, vegetables, apple, and garlic; place chicken on top of veggie mix
3. Mix sauce ingredients in a bowl then cover chicken with sauce
4. Cook on low for 5-7 hours (I like to boil the chicken first so it's shorter) then shred the meat using two forks
5. Serve with buns and toppings, delish!

Sloppy Joes

Stephen told me he loves Sloppy Joes, so I made a freezer meal for him while I was on tour. I think he liked them because they were gone when I got home.

Rachel Ray's Sloppy (Turkey) Joes:
2 Tbs. olive oil (2 turns of the pan)
1 package (1 1/3 lbs.) ground turkey or beef
1/2 red onion
1/2 red bell pepper
1 Tbs. Mrs. Dash
2 Tbs. brown sugar
1 Tbs. Worcestershire sauce
1 c. tomato sauce

1. Using the oil, begin to cook the meat
2. Cut onion and pepper to small pieces, add 1/2 onion and 1/2 pepper to skillet
3. In a small bowl combine: Mrs. Dash, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce. Pour into skillet, mix well.
4. Reduce heat to simmer, cook for 10 minutes

*Pioneer woman toasted the buns in butter on a skillet, that would be tasty!

Zupas Night!!

Aleasha and I unknowingly put together what I will call Zupas night, it was that good! We had soup and sandwiches, perfect for the rainy days that are never ending here in Provo...

Vegetable Sandwich
spread:
6 oz cream cheese
2 avocados
garlic salt
-beat the cream cheese and avocados, adding salt to taste
sandwiches:
-cut desired vegetables (peppers, cucumbers, onions, tomatoes, lettuce, etc.)
-toast choice of bread in oven
-build sandwich as desired!

Tomato Basil Soup
it's a soup, so play around with it!
You can make a pesto sauce from scratch, or get one from the store. I chose the lazy way

Ingredients:
1/4 c. butter
3/4 tsp dried oregano
2/3 c. chopped onion
2 celery stalks, diced
pesto sauce
3 cans tomatoes - diced, stewed, or sauce (no chunks!)
2 tsp sugar
1 1/3 c. heavy cream

Directions:

• In a large pot, melt butter then add oregano, onion and celery. Saute until the onions are transparent, then add the pesto sauce
• Add tomatoes and sugar. If your soup is a weird color, don't worry, it will turn red as the veggies cook
• Transfer soup to a crock pot, cook on low for 2-3 hours
• Once done cooking, puree the soup if desired, then cook for another hour in crock pot
• After 4 hours in the crock pot, stir in cream and serve!