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Dinner ideas, Pasta, Soups & Stews

Tortellini Kale Sausage Soup

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This Tortellini Kale Sausage Soup is one of those soups that you will want to make a big old pot of and enjoy over a few days. 

Believe it or not but this soup even tastes better the second day, it’s absolutely delicious! 

I have always loved Italian type soups and have been testing out a few of these tortellini sausage recipes over the past year. And decided to finally share my favorite version of it with you today! Mine is pretty similar to allot of those Italian Tortellini soup recipes you will find out there.

However mine has a few differences such as mine will use kale instead of spinach and celery instead of the carrots.

Not to sure why almost all Italian tortellini soups call for carrots these days, but to me that is so wrong. Oh and mine also has a fair amount of parmesan cheese and absolutely “no cream”.

The tomatoes and cheese will make it creamy enough!

I like to use canned tomatoes because it really helps to make this soup super creamy without all the extra fat. I do not recommend using chunked canned tomatoes as some other recipes will have you.

Unless you want a stew not a soup!

Also if you are planning to enjoy this soup over a couple of days, then you will want to add one more cup of chicken stock since the tortellini tends to soak it up overnight. 

I really like to use “spicy italian sausage” for this recipe. Trust me you won’t even notice the spice, however if you cannot get your hands on it.

Then I would recommend adding in a pinch of red pepper flakes.

You do want a little kick added to those crushed tomatoes, it really helps to pick up the flavor.

So that is about it along with some onions, celery and extra spices you too can be enjoying one of the best bowls of Tortellini Kale Sausage Soup.

Also you can use “Passata Sauce” in replace of the stewed canned tomatoes if you desire. Both products work very well for this soup, so it’s totally up to you!

So if your craving a soup to warm you up, but also want a hearty meal. Then this Parmesan Tortellini Kale Sausage Soup will hit the spot!

Notes: Also keep in mind, as with all my recipes. If you want to make more or less of this soup, simple adjust the serving size in the ingredients section above and the servings will automatically adjust for you. This soup can store in the fridge for up to 3 days and or freeze for up to 3 months.

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this, I want to see! Follow Canadian Cooking Adventures Instagram, snap a photo, and tag and hashtag it with @canadiancookingadventures and #canadiancookingadventures. 

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Date Night, Dinner ideas, Pasta, Quick and easy recipes, Vegetarian

Mushroom Ravioli Recipe

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This Mushroom Ravioli Recipe comes in a brown mushroom spinach cream sauce and is absolutely delicious! 

Mushroom Ravioli Recipe

Looking for more Ravioli recipes? Try my Lobster Ravioli

If you are one of those people who has never tried fresh Ravioli.

Then you in for a surprise because this Mushroom ravioli tastes nothing like the canned stuff. 

However, it is not made from scratch to save time. Rather it is the fresh packaged stuff that you can find in almost any grocer. 

HOW TO MAKE MUSHROOM RAVIOLI 

  • To make this dish all you will need is one large cooking pot and a bunch of  mushrooms and spinach.
  • Since ravioli pasta is not starchy at all this will cook fully all together in that creamy sauce.
  • It is then simmered in a savory goat cheese and tomato sauce that is made with passata tomato puree and goat cheese. 
  • You can always substitute the goat cheese if desired for plain or herbed cream cheese.

Let’s face it most of us had our first taste of Ravioli from a can, sorry Chef Boyardee but you are a bad representation for ravioli!

I think when we where kids it was okay.

But as adults we want healthier and have more refined tastes. Am I right? 

So here is a recipe for Ravioli made the real way! 

WHAT IS MUSHROOM RAVIOLI 

It is an Italian dish that is cooked on the stovetop and served with parmesan cheese. 

WHY IS RAVIOLI GOOD FOR YOU

Most ravioli are good for you because they are a light carb that can be made with vegetables to create a well rounded dish.

Plus eating Ravioli from a can is like having your first tomato or egg from a can.

And we all know it just doesn’t taste the same. 

Ravioli for Adults!

HOW TO MAKE MUSHROOM SPINACH RAVIOLI

  • Start with fresh spinach!

  • Then add 2 tbsp of olive oil to a medium sized saucepan along with half a chopped white onion and sliced mushrooms.
  • Saute along with the spices till tender, then pour in the cream and simmer for one minute before adding in the pasta sauce.
  • Simmer the sauce for 5 minutes before adding in the herbed goat cheese, once melted add in the fresh spinach.
  • Allow the spinach to wilt fully before adding in the Ravioli.
  • Simmer till the Ravioli is cooked and fork tender, remove from the heat allow the pasta to sit for a few minutes. Serve and enjoy!

Notes: You may substitute the goat cheese with plain or herbed cream cheese if desired. Thanks to the passata tomato sauce and cream addition. 

WHAT IS PASSATA SAUCE

According to Wikipedia. “Tomato passata” is the base for all Italian tomato sauces.

It is uncooked tomato puree without seeds or skins which is seasoned liberally with salt, bottled and preserved to be used in sauce dishes throughout the year. Essentially, it is tomato sauce in its rawest form.

That being said, it’s one of my favorite tomato ingredients. And we will cook it down some prior to adding any ravioli pasta too it.  

IS SPINACH RAVIOLI HEALTHY

Yes, however most pasta recipes do have high carbs and calories. When comparing to canned ravioli this recipe is defiantly healthy as we are using fresh ingredient such as spinach and mushrooms!

WHAT GOES WITH MUSHROOM RAVIOLI

A glass of white wine or white grape juice!

Other Ravioli Dishes that you will love

Other pasta Dishes you will love

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this recipe i’d love to hear about it! hank 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!

Salads, Vegetarian

Roasted Beet Feta Salad

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This healthy Roasted Beet Feta Salad is made with fresh Beets, spinach, walnuts and comes with a warm honey beet salad dressing recipe.

Roasted beet salad has always been a crowd pleasure in our home. And I’m more than certain it will be in yours too!

Looking for some more popular salad recipes that are just as good as this Roasted Beet Feta Salad? Then you will want to try my Best Bean Salad and my Chicken Pea Pasta.

IS BEET SALAD HEALTHY

Yes very, beets contain lots of nutrients such as fiber folate (vitamin B9), manganese, potassium, iron, and vitamin C.

Also make sure that you don’t throw out the beet greens!!

The stems and leafs are even edible so nothing has to go to waist here!

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT BEETS

They are super nutritious for you because they are very low in cholesterol and saturated fat.

WHAT DRESSING FOR BEET SALAD

BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE DRESSING

  1. Pour your Balsamic Vinegar into a bowl.
  2. Then warm up the honey in the microwave for a few seconds. Preferably use natural honey (most European markets sell the real stuff)
  3. Next smash in the roasted garlic into the honey and pour into a small bowl.
  4. Mix/Whisk well adding a pinch of salt & pepper.
  5. Pour over your finished salad.

HOW TO ROAST BEETS

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Then wrap the beets with the skin on in aluminum foil and place on the medium shelve in oven.
  • Do the same for the garlic, roast it in it’s skin.
  • Then bake for 40-45 minutes till fork tender.

HOW TO PREPARE BEET SALAD

  • Once they have baked remove the foil with an oven mitt (be careful there hot) and let it cool slightly enough so you can peel off the skin.
  • Peel off the beets in a clean sink, this way there will be little mess.
  • Tossing the skins once it is all done! 
  • Slice into 1/4-inch thick slices, and chop in quarters.
  • Top with toasted walnuts, feta cheese, salad mix and your pre – made dressing.
  • Serve warm and enjoy!

HOW TO TOAST WALNUTS

  • Toast the walnuts in a pan with a little olive oil till browned and fragrant for a couple mins. 
  • You can also toast them in the oven if you prefer.

Are you ready for a BURST OF FLAVORS!

ARE ROASTING BEETS GOOD FOR YOU

Raw is best, however if your roasting them in tinfoil you are still preserving the nutrients. Vs boiling them away!

Plus roasting beets brings out their flavor! When choosing beets to roast, look for the small to medium ones as they will roast quicker. 

CAN ROASTED BEETS BE FROZEN

Defiantly, and they taste just as good once thawed. Just do not reheat them as they become to mushy for this salad. 

ROASTED BEET FETA SALAD

Contains just a few fresh simple ingredients of freshly roasted beets, feta cheese, fresh spinach and chopped walnuts.

Then is served with a lovely balsamic dressing that your sure to love.

MAKING A BEET SALAD GREAT FOR DIABETICS 

Beets also contain a very good source of nutrients such as dietary fiber, folate, vitamin B and cooper, iron and magnesium, potassium and manganese and vitamin C. 

If that is not a reason to eat more beets, than I don’t know what is!

The best time of year to find fresh beets is end summer!

So if you have a local farmers market, be sure to check them out for some fresh beets.

CAN I USED FROZEN BEETS FOR BEET SALAD

Yes, you will want to start with raw beets and place them in the oven on a baking sheet or in tinfoil.

  • Baking them till fork tender, which ruffly takes 40 mins at 400f.
  • Then let them cool down before, slicing and freezing in appropriate freezer bags. 
  • Then once your ready to use them. Make sure to allow them to fully defrost on the counter or in the fridge for 24 hours.

Reheating them though can make them soggy!

So it is best you serve them with a hot dressing.

BEET SALAD WITH FETA CHEESE AND WALNUTS 

Is sure something special and can be served just about anytime of the year!

Once you start to learn to prepare and cook fresh beets.

You may find yourself loving everything about them.

Below you will find some recipes, that I think would go well right alongside this salad.

IS BEET SALAD KETO

Yes beets, walnuts and everything in this salad is keto

BEET SALAD FOR THANKSGIVING

This salad is defiantly a THANKSGIVING recipes and so are these 25 Recipes for Thanksgiving!

BEET SALAD WITH GOAT CHEESE

Yes omit the feta for goat cheese and it is just as tasty!

OTHER ROOT VEGETABLE RECIPES YOU MAY LIKE

MAIN COURSE RECIPES that go well with this salad

CAN DOGS EAT BEETS

Yes and they are very healthy, bake them or air fry them for a tasty treat.

LOOKING FOR MORE AMAZING RECIPES THAT CALL FOR BEETS? 

Beet Soup

 Air Fryer Beets

If you loved this recipe? Chances are you will also love some of my other salad recipes below.

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this, I want to see! Follow Canadian Cooking Adventures Instagram, snap a photo, and tag and hashtag it with @canadiancookingadventures and #canadiancookingadventures. 

Stay connected and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for all of my latest recipes

UPDATED: This post was originally published on May 4, 2018, but was published on June 29 , 2021

Appetizers & Sides, Quick and easy recipes, Vegetarian

Spicy Avocado Hummus

This Spicy Avocado Hummus has a little kick and that is from the Amazing Serrano Pepper. This recipe is a cross between they every day normal garlic hummus to Mexican guacamole!

Do you love Guacamole? 

Then you are sure to want to try this recipe. It is allot like guacamole with a more creamy thick base.

That comes from the tahini sauce and chickpeas.

IS AVOCADO HUMMUS HEALTHY

Yes this recipe is packed full of protein, healthy fats and fiber.

So you can make this more than a snack if you want. 

YOU are going to love how fresh it tastes.

WHAT TO EAT WITH AVOCADO HUMMUS

  • Tortilla chips
  • Pita Bread
  • Carrots
  • Broccoli
  • Peas
  • Cauliflower
  • You name it!

WILL AVOCADO HUMMUS TURN BROWN

Yes, unless you freeze it. You can expect the avocados to turn brown in less than a day!

CAN YOU FREEZE HUMMUS

Absolutely, I do it all the time. I will make a big batch and store some in the fridge for my family.

Which lasts us up to a week in an air tight container. 

Then I will section some off for the freezer, for movie nights, game nights and snacks. 

There is always hummus in our fridge or freezer.

HOW TO MAKE AVOCADO HUMMUS

  • Drain and rinse chickpeas, add to your blender or food processor with your avocado, olive oil, tahini, lime juice, cilantro and fresh garlic. Pulse for 1 minute or so until chickpeas and avocado are semi – smooth.
  • Next add in all your “dry spices” and pulse again until smooth this time, scraping down sides if needed and adding in more olive oil if you feel is needed.
  • Serve an hour or more after chilling in the fridge with your choice of tortilla chips ARRIBA!

Note: For best results chill it in an airtight container for up to 1 hour or more before serving. The longer it chills in the fridge the thicker it becomes and the flavors really set in. Also add the pit of one Avocado in the mixture helps to maintain its freshness.

WANT ANOTHER AWSOME HUMMUS RECIPE?

Try my Roasted Garlic Hummus!

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 every Month!

Dinner ideas, Instant Pot, Quick and easy recipes, Slow Cooker recipes

Quick Carnitas Recipe (Pressure Cooker)

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These Quick Carnitas Recipe is an inexpensive weeknight meal that can feed a crowd! 

I love making this recipe, you can either simmer it all day in your slow cooker or prepare it in less than 20 minutes in your pressure cooker. 

What kind of meat is use for Carnitas? 

Carnitas is the Mexican version of pulled pork. It’s traditionally made with pork shoulder or pork butt. This piece of meat contains more fat and helps it to stay juicy!

How to make Pork Carnitas in pressure cooker? 

You will start by searing the pork until it’s browned on all sides, then you will add all the ingredients listed here directly into the slow cooker.

Allowing it to cook throughout the day or you can cook it in under 20 minutes in the pressure cooker. 

Can’t get simpler than this, once it’s cooked you will take two forks and shred the pork on a cutting board before serving over rice or in a taco. 

Then you will be ready to have a feast fit for a Mexican Queen or King.

I love the ingredients in this recipe, because everything tastes so fresh. Adding fresh lime juice along with a fresh orange juice really makes the flavors pop, so be sure not to skip them.

Also the addition of the the raw onions surprisingly work so well here too, trust me or I should say the Mexicans!

So be sure not to skip on those very important ingredients. Serve this up with some avocados and you will have one great meal tonight. I hope you enjoy, ARRIBA MEXICO!

Looking for an awesome recipe for Mexican Salsa?

LOOKING FOR MORE TACO RECIPES?

Be sure to try these tasty recipes below!

  1. Tilapia Fish Tacos
  2. Blackened tilapia fish-tacos
  3. Barbacoa beef recipe slow cooker
  4. Pulled Pork Carnitas (Mexican Tacos)

Notes: Make sure to broil the pork once it’s been shredded, this ensures the meat is crispy just like they serve in mexico. This shredded pork can be served in burritos, tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas and or over rice.


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!

★ Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below! ★

Christmas & Thanksgiving, Date Night, Dinner ideas, Easter

Roasted Leg of Lamb (Greek Kleftiko)

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You have not truly tried traditional Greek food, until you tried a Roasted Leg Of Lamb, also known as Lamb Kleftiko.

And you don’t have to wait till Easter to serve either, this recipe is so good you will be sure to crave it just as often as the Greeks do in Cypress.

If you follow this recipe to a tea, you will have the most juicy and tender leg of lamb you ever tasted. 

The size of your leg you make depends on how many you are cooking for.

A 6 pound leg of lamb will feed about 8 people so you can judge by this what weight you will need.

I am using 3 pound leg which will feed a family of three to four. 

HOW TO MAKE GREEK LAMB KLEFTIKO 

  1. If your lamb leg is frozen, start by defrosting it in the bottom of the fridge anywhere from 24-48 hours (if fresh skipped this step)
  2. Next prepare your marinade. In a bowl, mix your crushed garlic, rosemary, thyme, oregano, olive oil, and lemon juice.
  3. Lay your lamb out on the counter, and season on both sides generously with salt and pepper.
  4. Then take your knife and make slits all over the leg, front and back.
  5. Place the lamb now on a long piece of parchment paper and make a boat around it to hold in the marinade.
  6. Massage the marinade all over the lamb, making sure to get some of the marinade in the slits.
  7. Place the wrapped leg in the bottom of your roasting pan, and allow it to marinade overnight in the fridge.

HOW TO COOK LAMB KLEFTIKO 

  1. The next morning, take your lamb out and allow it to sit on the counter for 30 minutes prior to cooking.
  2. Open up the parchment paper, and pour in your “Chicken Stock” around the leg (try not to pour it all over the leg) rather around. As you don’t want to remove the seasonings.
  3. Now with a little bit of tinfoil cover the ends of the leg to ensure the parchment paper does not fold away.
  4. Preheat your oven to 425 f (convection ovens) or 450 for (standard ovens) for 30 minutes, then lower it to 325 f (conventional ovens) or 350 for (standard ovens) and allow it to bake for 3 1/2 hours.
  5. Once cooked, remove from the oven and open the paper to baste the lamb with the remaining juices.
  6. Place back in the oven for 30 more minutes uncovered till browned. (You may want to add a bit more liquid) totally up to you.
  7. Once done, remove the leg and drain the broth directly into a gravy holder.
  8. Allow it to rest 30 minutes before serving and serve with that delicious broth, adjust to taste.

Note: You can add potatoes into the parchment paper. I like to serve my lamb with pita bread, either are great ways to sop up that delicious gravy. Goes great with my Greek Tzatziki sauce too.

Serve with some warm pitas to mop up that amazing gravy!

You can also serve with mash potatoes and any vegetable of your liking.

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!

Appetizers & Sides, Quick and easy recipes, Vegetarian

Creamy Beetroot Hummus

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Once you try this homemade Creamy Beetroot hummus, you will be hooked. 

It’s absolutely delicious and very healthy for you. Not to mention it’s that much better tasting than the store bought kind, which is always to sweet. 

If that is not enough motivation enough for you to give it a Go, then check out the health benefits; Beets are high in immune-boosting vitamin C, fiber, and essential minerals like potassium (essential for healthy nerve and muscle function) and manganese (which is good for your bones, liver, kidneys, and pancreas). 

Beets also contain the B vitamin folate, which helps reduce the risk of birth defects. Not to mention with powerful phytonutrients that give beets their deep crimson color may help to ward off cancer. If that is not reason enough to prepare this then i don’t know what is!

Hummus never tasted so good, serve with a warm pita and enjoy!

Make sure to peel your beets while there warm, otherwise there too hard to peel when there cold.
 
Also don’t throw out the beet greens as they are packed with nutrients that may strengthen your immune system, support brain and bone health, and more. Cook them up with some butter, salt and pepper and serve as a side dish to any meal. 
 

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!

 

 

Air Fryer, Chicken, Skip the takeout

Air Fryer Asian Chicken Drumsticks

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These Air Fryer Asian Chicken Drumsticks are sweet and sticky and are cooked to perfection in the air fryer.

CAN YOU PUT FOIL IN THE AIR FRYER

Iv’e been asked this question many times and the answer is yes.

I use it often when cooking sticky foods as the clean up after is that much easier. 

WHAT IS AIR FRYING

Air frying is a healthy alternative to deep frying food. And most air fryers have been marketed in a way to make you think that this cooking technique is best for those who make a lot of those at home.  

Well I am here to tell you that you do not need to just be a deep fried food lover to want to use this cooking method. RATHER if you love to bake food, then this is also a great alternative. And in most cases is much healthier than traditional baking methods. 

Because air frying mimics deep fried foods but uses little to no oil. And if your cooking something fatty, the fat will drip away and off the food.

So you can enjoy all the same deep – fried or baked foods that we have all come to know and love again but in a healthy way.

The air hot air is what cooks the food not the oil. If you have some frozen foods on hand, feel free to throw out any deep fryer you may have because the air fryer can now do the same job. 

But it is not only frozen food that can be cooked this way, pretty much any food you can think of can. 

If you like sweet and savory asian inspired chicken flavors, then you’re sure to want to add this recipe to your cookbook collection. 

I’m super excited to share my first Air Fryer recipe with you all today. I have been on the fence for the past year about buying an air fryer.

Mainly because I do not eat a lot of deep fried foods and also because I could not fathom spending $200 plus for ONE.  Air fryers promise that you can get that deep fried texture without all the grease.   

So recently when I came across the Gotham air fryer, that does the exact same thing as an air fryer.

And knew that I had to try it! So I’m now starting a Air Fryer collection of recipes on this blog because I have fallen in love with this NEW kitchen tool. 

CAN I USE ANY KIND OF AIR FRYER? 

YES! 

HOW TO COOK CHICKEN IN THE AIR FRYER?

  • If your using a Kitchen Top Air Fryer, follow your Air fryers cooking instructions for chicken drumsticks.
  • Then coat the Chicken in Olive Oil vs Cooking Oil = 3 tbsp per 6 legs is enough.
  • Marinated the chicken for 30 minutes before air frying.
  • Place the Chicken in or on the Air Fryer and allow it to do the Cooking.

NOTE: Each air fryer has different cooking instructions based on size and model. It is best to check with your units information in regards to cooking times and temps for chicken drumsticks

HOW TO COOK CHICKEN ON THE GOTHAM STEEL AIR FRYER? 

  • If your using the Gotham Steel Crisper I would advise to turn your oven to Conventional bake, which will make the chicken extra crispy. Otherwise if your oven does not have that setting you can simply place the crisper on the middle rack, which works well too.
  • Follow the same instructions above. 

If you have a table top Air Fryer all these recipes will work the same. Because Air Fryers all use the same type of cooking techniques. 

IS AIR FRYER CHICKEN HEALTHY? 

Yes, in comparison to other methods of cooking chicken it is. If you have never used an air fryer, now is the time. They are more affordable now than ever. Plus they are also a much healthier way to cook food, since the fat drains away and it is never deep fried.

Some people think that an Air Fryer is mostly for people who eat a lot of fried food. I admit I once was apart of that group, however I soon realised that if you like to bake foods too. Like I do, then the air fryer really cuts out a lot of the unnecessary fat.

Think of it, how do you typically bake chicken drumsticks or legs? If you are anything like me. You would place it on a pan in the oven and sometimes use a baking sheet to catch the grease. However with the air fryer it elevates the food and allows all that (FAT) to drip away. 

Plus if you use the Gotham Air Fryer it is super simple to clean, I am talking hard sticky food at the bottom of the tray slides right off. No scrubbing at all is needed, it could not be more simpular guys.

Another reason I like the Gotham Air Fryer is because it cooks more food than the typical table top Air Fryers. Because it has a lot of space on that tray !

IS AIR FRYER CHICKEN KETO?

Yes!

Wanting some more AWESOME Air Fryer recipes?

Stay tuned to this blog for more “Air Fryer“ inspired recipes to come!

★ Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below! ★