Carrot and Ginger Soup

Ingredients:

1/2 lb. carrots (washed, peeled and diced)

1/2 onion medium (diced)

1 tbsp. minced ginger

1 sprig thyme

Salt to taste

Pepper to taste

1.5 cups water

1 tbsp. butter

*note: these ingredients are enough for two

Prep:

get a medium sized saucepan and add the butter - heat till melted

add all ingredients except water

cook for two minutes (stir every now and then)

add water, cover and bring to boil

simmer uncovered till carrots are tender

remove from heat and remove thyme

blend soup till smooth and creamy

enjoy!

Spinach and Broccoli Dip - Inspired by my best friend Kim

Ingredients:

1 cup chopped frozen spinach

1 cup chopped frozen broccoli

3 oz cream cheese

2 oz sour cream

2 oz mayonnaise (best foods/hellmans is the best)

Salt (to taste)

1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes

3 handfuls shredded mozzarella

1 cup shreddeed parmesan

Prep:

Boil the spinach and broccoli in 1 cup of water until tender - drain and place in oven safe bowl

soften the cream cheese for 25 seconds in the microwave - add to spinach

add all the other ingredients

place in oven for 20 minutes - uncovered

cook till edges are brown and bubbly

enjoy!

Chicken Stuffed Jalapeno Peppers

Ingredients:

1 lb. jalapeno peppers

1lb. ground chicken

olive oil

salt (can use lawrys seasoning salt - as i did)

6 oz. cream cheese (or half pack of Philadelphia cream cheese)

1 Cup Parmesan Cheese

Prep:

wash the peppers

slice down lengthwise

de-seed the peppers

cook the ground chicken in olive oil and salt in a medium sauce pan

cook til brown and cooked through

no water should remain

Soften the cream cheese for 25 seconds in the microwave

Shred 1 cup of parmesan cheese

Mix the cream cheese, cooked chicken and parmesan cheese in a bowl

stuff the peppers with the mixture ;)

place in a glass baking dish

preheat oven to 400 degrees

put in oven for 30-40 minutes (uncovered)

the peppers will lose water and shrivel down in size

i like to cook the peppers until the have browned edges

enjoy!

Stuffed Peppers (using things lying around my kitchen)

Ingredients:

3 bell peppers (any color - i used green)

2 links of sausage (any kind - i used beef)

1 onion

couscous (i prefer isreali)

3 tsp blackbean sauce

a drizzle of honey

mozzarella cheese (to taste)

a drizzle of hot sauce

Preparation: 

prepare couscous in pot (follow directions on box)

put aside two bell peppers

take the third and chop it medium fine

chop the onion medium fine

chop the sausage into 1 cm squares

put everything together in a bowl

add the black bean sauce

add the honey

add the hot sauce

add the cheese

when the couscous is done, add to mixture

take the 2 bell peppers, slice it down length-wise, de-seed it and stuff it with the mixture

place the bell peppers in a oven safe glass pan (face up ;))

bake for 20 minutes at 350 in the oven

enjoy!

Oven Baked Cauliflower - (inspired by Jonathan Waxman)

Ingredients:

1 head of cauliflower florets
6 tablespoons melted butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 clove garlic
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan

A pinch of red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Preparation: 

toss all the ingredients together in a bowl

layer out onto a glass oven baking pan

bake for 30 minutes on 350 degrees in oven

enjoy!