Mission Minestrone

Okay, I've been slacking. So here is an oldie but a goodie, I just throw whatever veggies I have on hand in, makes it quick, easy and gets rid of my left over produce that I haven't used yet. So today's, for instance, has yellow squash, zucchini, cabbage, and collard greens. Never got any complaints about it either. Also its a great way to introduce veggies to the little ones, I also found if you like a thicker soup you can throw either the whole thing in the blender or just the beans/tomato mix, still tastes great!

MM mm Minestrone.

• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 3 carrots diced
• 3 stalks celery diced
• 1 whole onion diced
• 4 cloves garlic chopped
• 1 can beans
• another 2-3 cups of veggies (cauliflower, broccoli, green beans, spinach, zucchini, squash)
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 can or equivalent of tomato/vegetable sauce or juice
• 1/2 c small pasta
• 2 quarts broth (pork, veggie, beef, chicken)

Directions:

1. In a large pot heat up the olive oil and saute carrots, celery, onion. Cook until onion is translucent and add chopped garlic. Let cook for about 1 minute more.
2. Add can of beans, diced tomatoes, veggies, sauce, broth and pasta. Let cook for 30 minutes.
3. Serve with Parmesan cheese and crusty bread, enjoy!

Meal 2: Crabcakes and Easy Greek Salad

This is a little lighter fare, its still really good though, and its fast! Plus if you make extra crab cakes they can be easily frozen. I put ww points with these recipes. I calculated them myself soooo hopefully its accurate..its about as accurate as I can get.

Easy Feta Salad
whole thing=6 pt so divide into 6 servings and it is 1 pt
1 head romaine lettuce
1 cucumber, peeled and sliced
1 tomato, chopped
1/2 c red onion, sliced
2 tsp. feta cheese, crumbled
2 tbsp. olive oil
2 tbsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. salt

1. combine lettuce, tomato, cucumber, onion and feta into a bowl
2. whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, and salt
3. pour olive oil mixture over lettuce mixture and toss to coat

Crab Cakes
14 pts for 8 crab cakes, about 2 pts for 1 crab cake

2 cans crab meat, drained
3 stalks green onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
2 tbsp mayo (reduced fat)
1 tbsp mustard
1 tsp Cajun seasoning
1/2 c. crackers (reduced fat)
2/3 c. panko flakes

1. Turn on broiler in oven
2. Mix everything together into a bowl.
3. Form mixture into patties and put on greased cookie sheet
4. Put crab cakes into oven and cook both sides for 7 minutes.

See quick and easy and soo good, enjoy!

Fun Friday..don't wanna be stuck in the kitchen for hours.

Look yummy?! Well it tastes yummy, so why don't you get up and make it. Its REALLY easy, I promise.

Quick Mexican Chicken Stir-Fry

2 chicken breasts, cubed
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minces
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 jalapeno, chopped
1/4 c. spaghetti sauce (meatless)
1/4 c. white wine
1 tea lime juice
1 Tbsp. adobo seasoning
1 tea cumin
1 tea oregano

Put a little bit of EVOO into a skillet over medium-high heat, and put in all the vegetables in. Saute for about 1 minute then throw in the chicken. Let chicken cook until it all turns white. Then add everything else. Let cook for an additional 4-6 minutes. Serve over rice.

On another note I got my free Schwann's today and I can't wait to try it!