Archives

Appetizers & Sides, Salads

Fruity Almond Couscous Salad

Leave a comment

This super healthy Fruity Almond Couscous Salad Salad is the perfect summer side dish. 

It has hints of sweetness but is by no means overpowering because the yogurt and almonds help to balance all those sweet fruits out just right. 

Also couscous can be served on its own as a main dish if desired as well.  Sometimes I will shred the leftover meat from a rotisserie chicken over top which goes really well with this type of salad.

Today I’m using instant couscous, which has been pre-steamed and dried. It saves a whole lot of time and is just as healthy for you as the ladder.

Did you know that Couscous is a staple food throughout the North Africa? And has only gained popularity throughout Europe and the West over the past century.

Yup it’s true and prior to becoming a global food group couscous took days to prepare by hand by large groups of woman.

Properly cooked couscous should be light and fluffy and should not be gritty.

In order to achieve this fluffiness one must boil some water or stock and then pour just the right amount over the couscous.

This allows it to fluff up perfectly then you can finish that fluffing with a fork. 

Today I  made mine fruity, by adding canned oranges, apples and dried cranberries. Feel free to chop up a “fresh orange” instead of the canned variety if you wish.

I just love this simple couscous salad and i’m sure you will too.

If you want to make it a little lighter feel free to omit the mayo and just add plain yogurt, which will make it a even less sweeter taste. 

This salad can be enjoyed pretty much any time of year, however I am sure this particular salad will be perfect for those long summer nights out on the back patio! I can picture it now 🙂 Can’t you?

Looking for a Awesome drink recipe to serve with this salad? Try my “Raspberry sweet tea” that is made with agave nectar or honey.


I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, I appreciate every single one of you! If you made this recipe i’d love to hear how it turned out. Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!

 

Appetizers & Sides, Quick and easy recipes, Salads, Vegetarian

Chickpea Avocado Feta Salad

Leave a comment

This Chickpea Avocado Feta Salad is the perfect Summer Salad.

Spring has finally arrived and this is a time where my family starts to think about eating more high protein low carb foods to help the body get into shape. 

This stuff tends to go the moment I make it, so you may want to double it up if your having guests over.

Now I am not on any specific diet, I just like to add more protein vs carbs into it around the warmer months.

So if your looking to slim down a bit as well this summer, then you are going to love this salad. 

This salad is packed with good for you fiber, fats and protein. I was never a huge salad fan, that is not to say I don’t eat salad.

I’m just saying I never ordered it much or requested extras while at any type of gathering.

The reason for that is because most salads i’ve tried are not always that healthy and tend to be covered with some kind of unhealthy bottled dressing.

Today, however I love salad and that is because I learned how to make different and filling varieties such as with this Chickpea, Avocado & Feta Salad. 

Which has lead to my love of salad forevermore, and creating different kinds of salad that are not only healthy but also filling feels so good.

By adding proteins and fresh ingredients you can now have a meal in a salad which I love to do often.

This salad is one of those hearty, healthy salads, that is packed with just enough protein and healthy fats to make it a meal or great side if you like. Filling, Healthy and Delicious I hope you enjoy!

What are some of your favorite summer time salads? 

Looking for more Summertime salads? Try these popular recipes below. 

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this recipe i’d love to hear about it! Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!

This post may contain affiliate links. This means if you click on a link and make a purchase, even if it isn’t the item I mentioned, I receive a small percentage (at no extra cost to you). This helps support this blog, and makes it possible for me to bring you new recipes! I only share links to items I personally use or would recommend, and I have no outside incentive to promote a particular item or product all opinions are my own.

Dinner ideas, Quick and easy recipes, Skip the takeout

Beef Vermicelli

2 Comments

These Beef Vermicelli noodles are super simple to make and are packed full of flavors from Thai food that you have come to expect and love.

Because everyone thinks i’m some kind of highly skilled Asian chef, when really im just following some basic steps to obtain this lovely dish. 

This recipe is very easy to prepare and has red and yellow peppers along with bok choy in it among some other very important ingredients. 

I used to order this often from my local Vietnamese restaurant, now I make it myself.

Today you can find many different types of ways to prepare this popular dish, this is my take on this delicious recipe.

I hope you give it a try and let me know what you and your family think. 

Some people like to make this dish with shrimp, chicken or pork. 

And others like it purely vegetarian, which is good also. So do what works best for you, after all it’s your meal. 

You will want to start marinating the beef first and while its marinating you can then soak the vermicelli noodles.

Also preparing the vegetables around this time is perfect too. Since the actually cooking part takes less than 15 minutes.

To me this vegetable mixture is perfect, peppers and bok choy works so well.

The only traditional ingredient I didn’t add here was thai basil which you can top this dish with at the end if you’d like.

You can always substitute Thai basil leaves for regular fresh basil leaves.

I didn’t have any on hand today so I used cilantro instead which works good too.

Also I like to use Garlic chili sauce, which gives it the right amount of heat vs cutting up fresh whole thai red chilies.

They are just to hot for me to handle, and I always end up with burning hands.

I like to add 2 tbsp of this Garlic chili sauce to my recipe, however for this one I used 1 tbsp in the ingredients section because I’m sure more people prefer a milder dish.

ENJOY!

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this recipe i’d love to hear about it! Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox every Month!

The best way to get ahold of me is through the comments! I absolutely love hearing from my readers, and I respond to each and every comment I receive.

Curries, Date Night, Dinner ideas, Instant Pot, Slow Cooker recipes

Jamaican Curry Goat with Potatoes

Leave a comment

This Jamaican Curry Goat is made with cubed goat meat,  potatoes, garlic and ginger, scotch bonnet peppers and curry spice.

Make some Homemade Green Scotch Bonnet Hot Sauce it goes so well in this dish. 

You can also use some pre-made Scotch Bonnet sauce instead if you choose. 

IS JAMAICAN CURRY GOAT HEALTHY

Yes, goat meat is a very lean meat almost like bison meat. Then with the addition of onions, tomatoes, and curry spices. This dish becomes everything you need to make a healthy meal. 

I will never forget my first bite of Jamaican food, it was at a local dinner in Ocho Rio, Jamaica.

The restaurant was situated in an tropical outdoor environment and the waiter came around to tell us the specials.

Every dish was very delicious looking so we ordered pretty much one of everything, we were hungry and wanted to try it all! 

Well let me tell you it was love at first taste, because it was de bess food eva.

In Jamaica this curry dish is very popular, I realize goat is an acquired taste and not easy to come by but I encourage you to try it for the sake of being a die hard foodie.

Mi luv Jamaican curry!

HOW TO COOK JAMAICAN CURRY GOAT IN THE SLOW COOKER

You can do this recipe in the pressure cooker or the slow cooker, today I’m making mine on the stove top. However, it is to prepare it in the slow cooker too. 

  • Start by setting your slow cooker to (simmer) while searing the goat meat, onions and tomatoes in curry sauce.
  • Once that has been done, simply place the lid on the slow cooker at set from 8-10 hours. 

Most Jamaican dishes are served up alongside some rice and peas along with a mango chutney.

Oh and you can’t forget an iced cold bottle of “Red Stripe Beer” Jamaica’s most popular beer.

So if you like curries as much as me then give this recipe a try, but make sure you are using the traditional ingredients of “Jamaican Curry” and “Scotch Bonnet peppers” otherwise you will change the flavor and you don’t want to do that.

IS JAMAICAN CURRY GOAT HEALTHY

Yes, goat meat is a very lean meat almost like bison meat. Then with the addition of onions, tomatoes, and curry spices. This dish becomes everything you need to make a healthy meal. 

Note:  It’s best to use boneless meat to prevent the bones from splintering if using pressure cooker.

Recipe: Inspired by my trip to Jamaica and by the lovely lady over at Immaculate Bites

LOOKING FOR MORE JAMAICAN RECIPES?

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this recipe i’d love to hear about it! Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!

Chicken, Dinner ideas, Meal Prep, Quick and easy recipes, Skip the takeout

Kung Pao Chicken with Brussel Sprouts

Leave a comment

This is my take on Kung Pao Chicken, traditionally peanuts are used in this dish and most definitely you can use those instead of the cashews.

Personally I much prefer cashews so that is why I have used them here. Kung Pao Chicken with Brussel Sprouts work so well together, and it’s a nice way to get in some extra fiber.

For this recipe today, I am using a skinless chicken breasts along with brussel sprouts, green onions and cashews.

You can use whatever vegetables you have on hand, such as red or green peppers, snow peas, broccoli etc.

If your wanting to serve more than 4 people, simply adjust the recipe with our easy to use serving adjuster.

An easy and healthy stir fry that anyone can make in under 30 minutes, the hardest part is washing and chopping the ingredients.

Serve over a bed of jasmine rice if desired I hope you enjoy this healthier version of Kung Pao.

MEAL PREP IDEA: Make enough to create a few meal preps bowls for the week ahead. Or have dinner for two with this recipe, and then create two meal prep bowls for the week ahead.

To make the bowls, simply place jasmine rice on the bottom and top with the Kung Pao Chicken with Brussel Sprouts. Want more preps? Simply double up the recipe with my easy to use recipe adjuster above.


I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this recipe i’d love to hear about it! Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox every Month!

Dinner ideas, Quick and easy recipes

Farmer Sausage Recipe

2 Comments

This Farmer Sausage Recipe has Perogies (PIEROGI) and sauerkraut which comes in a creamy Dijon sauce.

Want another recipe that utilizes farmer sausage? Try my Farmers Sausage Mac and Cheese

This Farmers sausage recipe can be served up with sour cream and then you have yourself a true European meal. 

This dish is absolutely delicious and can be made in less than 30 minutes! 

Looking for another farmer sausage recipe, try my Farmers Sausage Eggs Benedict OR my Farmers Sausage with basil and baby tomatoes pizza. 

Oh for the love of good European food! 

Now, I’m not 100% sure if this is a German or Polish dish because based on my knowledge if it had the potatoes in it then it would for sure be German.

Perogies or perogies however you want to spell it are more Polish and Ukraine, right?

So I just can’t decide, maybe someone out there knows?

HOW TO COOK FARMERS SAUSAGE

  • Cooking farmers sausage is easy.
  • The best way to cook it is to slice it in half or pieces and fry it on both sides for roughly 5 minutes per side till well done. 

HOW LONG TO COOK FARMERS SAUSAGE

If you are frying it then cooking it for 6 minutes on either side till browned is perfect. If you are baking it roughly 15 minutes as it is naturally smoked prior.

My favorite farmers sausage of all time comes from Winkler’s Farmers Sausage in Winkler, Manitoba Canada.

If you get the chance to try it please do. 

CAN FARMERS SAUSGE BE STORED IN THE FRIDGE ONCE COOKED

Yes, whenever I make this I try to save some for the next day. 

Wouldn’t you want this two days in a row? 

I hope you enjoy!

LOOKING FOR OTHER PEROGIE RECIPES?

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

If you make this recipe, I would love to hear about it! You can leave a 5 star review in the comments below! Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!

 
 
Chicken, Date Night, Dinner ideas, Quick and easy recipes, Skip the takeout

Orange Chicken (tso’s)

Leave a comment

Orange Chicken has a combination between sour and sweet flavors. The rice vinegar gives it the tang, while the honey gives it the sweetness. 

Orange Chicken tso’s has some heat to it from the addition of the red chilies, typically we make the spicer version of this dish since we like a like a little heat. You probably have tried this before as its pretty popular in many Asian restaurants across North America.

Typically in the restaurants it’s made with boneless chicken breasts and mixed with onions, red peppers or other vegetables.  Today I’m making it with boneless chicken thighs, since this is what we have on hand. 

Keep in mind Orange Chicken tso’s is slightly spicier than regular Orange Chicken. If you prefer no spice to this dish, simply omit the chilies. 

 

Notes: You can use fresh oranges if you prefer that to orange juice in this recipe.

OR if you want to buy the Orange Sauce, which is not as healthy but just as good. I would recommend this brand, LEE KUM KEE it tastes most authentic!

 


I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this recipe id love to hear about it! You can post a review, picture below or via Instagram and let me know how it turned out. And by doing so you will be automatically entered into our seasonal CONTEST to win one of our great prizes. Winner will be notified via email within a week after the contest closes. Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!

PIN IT FOR LATER

 

Appetizers & Sides, Salads

Bacon & Ranch Potato Salad

Leave a comment

Who likes Potato Salad? How about a Creamy Ranch and Bacon Potato salad? Well then this recipe is for you! 

Not to mention is super simple to make.

I like to make this recipe for when I am having company. 

Because it sure goes a long way and typically can feed anywhere from 8 -10 people.

If you are having more people, simply double it up! It’s always sure to be a hit, and doesn’t cost much to make.

We sent our fur friend out to find the freshest potatoes for this recipe and he sure didn’t fail us.

When he came back with a box full of them.

Unfortunately he is allergic to onions. so he had to pass on this recipe.

However he did snack on some of the bacon of course. 

To make the salad you will want to pre- cook the bacon and potatoes, once your bacon and potatoes have cooked and cooled down.

Then you will add in remaining ingredients and allow it to set by chilling in your fridge before serving. We hope you enjoy!

Note: If you are planning to leave the house and want to take you salad with you. You can keep it cold by placing your potato salad into a pre chilled container.

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this recipe id love to hear about it! Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!