Jambalaya

1/2 lb smoked sausage
1/2 lb ground sausage
1/2-1 lb chicken
1 med. onion, chopped
1/2 cup bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup celery, chopped
2 Tbsp. minced garlic
1 1/2 cups white rice
1 1/2 Tbsp dried parsley flakes
1 1/2 Tbsp dried beef bullion granules
3/4 tsp dried thyme leaves
3/4 tsp ground black pepper
1/4 to 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
3 bay leaves

Brown all meat in large pot. Drain grease. Add vegetables and cook a few minutes until they become translucent. Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer about 25 minutes or until rice is tender.

Olive Garden Fettucini Alfredo

Also very unhealthy. But sooo good. Will update if I find a way to make it less unhealthy, but I have very little hope on this one! It's basically fat, fat, and fat served over carbs.

1/2 cup butter
2 Tbls. cream cheese
1 pint heavy cream
1 tsp garlic powder
salt to taste
black pepper to taste
2/3 cups grated Parmesan OR Romano cheese, preferably fresh
1 lb. fettuccine, prepared as directed

1. In a medium saucepan, melt butter
2. Add cream cheese and soften
3. Add heavy cream
4. Season with the garlic powder, salt and pepper
5. simmer for 15 - 20 minutes over low heat, stirring constantly
6. Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan
7. Serve over hot fettuccine noodles

Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana

So this is totally not healthy, but it's delicious. I'm going to try some more healthy substitutes/adjustments and I'll post the changes. Here it is as of now:

1 lb. Italian Sausage
2 large Russet Baking Potatoes sliced in half and then in 1/4 in. slices
1 large onion, chopped
1/2 can Oscar Meyer Real Bacon Bits
2 cloves garlic minced
2 cups Kale or Swiss Chard chopped
2 cans chicken broth
4 cups water
1 cup heavy whipping cream

Cook sausage in 300 degree oven for 30 minutes, drain on paper towels and cut into slices
Place onion, potatoes, chicken broth, water, and garlic in pot and cook on medium heat until potatoes are done. Add sausage, bacon bits, salt and pepper to taste, and simmer for another 10 minutes. Turn to low heat, add kale and cream. Heat through and serve. Yumm.

Edamole

16 oz shelled edamame
3-4 cloves garlic, crushed
1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce
1-2 tsp ground cumin, to taste
1 tsp hot chili sauce (optional/or to taste)
1/2-1 tsp salt (or to taste)
10 tbsp. water

Cook the edamame by boiling for 8 minutes. Drain and cool.

Put all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.

Great on sandwiches as well as with chips, crackers, or pita bread. Add a little more water if eating with chips as it is rather thick. I add 1/2 tsp. salt if eating with crackers and 1 tsp. salt if eating with pita bread

Bean and Kale Soup

Takes approximately 45 minutes
Serves 6

1 tbsp. oil (optional)
1 onion, coarsely chopped
8 cloves garlic, crushed
1 bunch kale, chopped
1/2 cup water
1 can red kidney beans, undrained
4-6 Roma tomatoes, coarsely chopped
1 bunch Italian parsley, chopped
2 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp pepper or to taste
2 cans chicken broth
2 cans white beans (great northern or cannellini (white kidney) work well), undrained

In a large pot, saute onions and garlic in oil (or use a little chicken broth instead of oil) until onions are somewhat translucent.

Add kale and 1/2 cup water, stir, cover, and steam until wilted, about 5 minutes.

Add kidney beans, tomatoes, parsley (I use kitchen scissors and cut the parsley directly into the pot), Italian seasoning, pepper and 1 1/2 cans broth and bring to a boil for a few minutes.

Meanwhile, put 2 cans white beans and 1/2 can broth in blender and puree until smooth. For a lighter soup, use one can beans and a little extra broth.

Pour blended beans into the pot, stir, cover and simmer about 15 minutes until kale is tender. Add a little water if you like your soup thinner.

Check salt ( I don't add any) and serve.

Tastes even better the next day. Makes a great lunch that is good for you!

Well, mostly healthy food, though I can't promise it all will be. The idea of this blog is mostly to make a cookbook for myself of healthy (and easy!) recipes I find and like and to share them with anyone who is interested. Of course some will just be healthier versions of recipes I like.