Soup day, sick day

I have tons of photos on my camera that either need to be downloaded or deleted!

I just have to find the time to do that.

I do cook most days.

I don’t like to starve my family. They get grumpy and make hotdogs!

I also have been fighting off an itchy scratchy throat,

and my nose is not wanting to back down in the stop-up category.

So far each day they both subside and I’m okay but the morning time is killer.

I think I’m in need of some soup~and a blanket~and a good movie.

If you are struggling to stay healthy this week try one of these three recipes to warm the body and soul!

Chicken Noodle Soup (this is not my photo unfortunately and I can’t remember where I found it, but it is perfect!)

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Hot Tortilla Soup (this is my picture unfortunately and I wish it did it better justice! Oh how I love this soup!)

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Vegetable beef soup or you can leave out the beef and just have vegetable soup :) or in my case a lot of noodle soup!

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I can’t help it, I’m a pasta kinda girl!

Thank you for being fellow readers and followers and I hope one of these soups hits the spot for you!

Have an awesome day!

Bruschetta Fresca

Anytime I make an Italian meal I feel inclined to add Brushetta Fresca to it.

I don’t know why. It just happens.

Maybe it is because I love cheese and tomatoes, not always together but I do love them!

It is really easy to make and if you use part skim milk mozzarella it’s even healthy too!

You will need:

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• 1 Bakery baguette
• 8 oz Part skim milk mozzarella cheese
• 4–6 fresh basil leaves ( I’ve also use dried basil)
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups fresh diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions:

1. Place oven rack 6 inches from heat source; then preheat on broil.
2. Slice bread into 1/2-inch-thick slices; place on baking sheet.
3. Cut cheese into small, bite-size pieces.
4. Dice your tomato
5. Slice basil into thin strips.
6. Combine in medium bowl, garlic, vinegar, and olive oil. Stir in cheese, tomatoes, seasoned salt, and pepper.
7. Broil bread 1 minute on each side until lightly toasted. (Watch closely to prevent over-browning.) Top with tomato mixture; sprinkle with basil and serve.

Serve with your next Italian meal or just because you love cheese and tomatoes!

Greek Style pork chops

I made this over the weekend and wanted to share with you all!

My husband says best meal in a while!

I highly doubt that because I’m a little bias on my cooking abilities but at least he was being nice right!?!

If it’s nice outside where you live tonight, take out some pork chops, marinate them in this recipe, fire up the grill and prepare to have a great Greek style dinner!

I found this recipe in a magazine and for the life of me, I can’t remember which one it was but it’s so good.

You will need:

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• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 3 boneless pork chops
• Cooking spray

Directions:

1. Combine the vinegar, oregano, olive oil, and garlic in a zip lock bag. Add the pork to the bag and seal. Marinate the meat for 20 minutes at room temperature, turning after 10 minutes.
2. After your grill is ready, cook them on the grill until done. I’m sure you could cook this in a skillet on the stove but the grill gives it so much more flavor or you could even use an indoor grill it that is your thing too.

I also have tzaziki sauce that I am going to use as a dipping sauce.

I also plan on serving it with my favorite tomato cucumber salad! YUM

Have a great week!

Eat your green vegetables

I don’t know about you guys but my taste buds have been evolving over a number of years. Things that I wouldn’t even look at as a kid are now so wonderful to me. It makes me think back to the days when my parents used to say “Girl, you don’t know what your missing!” and now I get it.

Right now of course my favorite green vegetable is asparagus, although I did overhear someone talking about white asparagus?? so I will have to try some of this “white” asparagus. I am always cooking my asparagus with balsamic butter sauce recipe and I love green cabbage for any occasion but I also made a great broccoli recipe that some of you might enjoy.

Roasted Broccoli with smashed garlic ( from Skinny Taste)

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You will need:

• 1 1/2 lbs of broccoli (frozen or fresh) cut into cutlets
• 5-6 cloves of garlic, smashed
• 2 TBS of Olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450.
2. Combine broccoli, smashed garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper in a roasting pan and cook for about 20 minutes. The broccoli should be a little brown and tender.

That is it! Serve with your favorite meal!