Yam and Russet Potato Soup

Thick and creamy yet super smooth, this soup doesn't even need a thickening agent... just mash half of the potatoes with a potato masher, leaving some of the diced pieces whole for some hearty texture. Adding one sweet potato gives this soup a sweet earthy taste that is so flavorful, it's hard to stop at one bowl. If you're looking for something super low in calories, keep on scrolling through this wonderful food blog, you'll definitely come across a dish that's delicious and healthy. But keep this recipe handy for those days you just want something a bit more substantial and filling!

Ingredients:

- 5 Russet potatoes (peeled and diced)

- 1 Large sweet potato (peeled and diced)

- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth

- 2 green onions, (dice but the white and green parts are used separately)

- 1 1/2 Tbs Miso paste (soybean paste) OR 1 tsp salt

- 1/2 tsp. pepper

- 1/2 tsp. seasoning salt

- 1/2 to 3/4 cup half and half

- 3 Tbs butter

- diced green onions or scallions for garnish (optional)

- sour cream (optional)

- shredded cheese (optional)

In a large soup pan or dutch oven, add a little of the chicken stock to cover the bottom of the pan. Add white parts of the green onions and the miso paste. Saute' for a few minutes. Add pepper, seasoning salt, and all potatoes. Boil until potatoes are tender. With a potato masher, mash some of the potatoes until the soup is creamy. Add the half and half and butter and heat thoroughly. Spoon soup into a bowl, add a sprinkle of shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and a few scallions on top if desired. Enjoy! 

"A scale can never measure your worth!" - Anonymous 

Fried Cauliflower Rice with Pork and Scallops

 

One of our favorite networks to watch on TV is the Food Network Channel. From Chopped, to Worst Cooks in America, to Beat Bobby Flay, and now Amy Schumer Learns to Cook (with her husband, Chris Fischer, who is a chef). We love everything about this show! The comedy, the recipes, the cocktails, and how they beautifully display each recipe on a piece of cardboard at the beginning. HA! 

This recipe is courtesy of Chris Fischer and Amy Schumer! The only thing I did differently was used cauliflower rice instead of white rice. Fantastic! I plan to make more of their recipes real soon!

Ingredients:

- 1/2 cup ground pork or sausage

- salt to taste

- 1 bunch scallions, diced (I used two green onions - white and green parts)

- 2 Tbs olive oil

- 1/4 pound fresh scallops, chopped

- 2 cups riced cauliflower

- 2 eggs

- 1 Tbs soy sauce

- 1 cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground pork and season with a little salt. Cook until pork is no longer pink (about 5 minutes). Add the scallions and olive oil and cook for a minute. Add the scallops, toss well, and cook for 90 seconds. Add the rice. Crack the eggs over the rice. Increase the heat to high and cook for another 3 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat, drizzle with soy sauce, stir in cilantro, and serve. Enjoy! 

"If there's no struggle, there's no strength." - Anonymous

Fennel and Celery Salad with Parmesan

One of our favorite networks to watch on TV is the Food Network Channel. From Chopped, to Worst Cooks in America, to Beat Bobby Flay, and now Amy Schumer Learns to Cook (with her husband, Chris Fischer, who is a chef). We love everything about this show! The comedy, the recipes, the cocktails, and how they beautifully display each recipe on a piece of cardboard at the beginning. HA! 

This recipe is courtesy of Chris Fischer and Amy Schumer! I plan to make more of their recipes real soon! Next up... Fried Rice with Pork and Scallops! Yummo! 

Ingredients:

- 1 fennel bulb, very thinly sliced

- 5 celery stalks, very thinly sliced

- 1 Tbs lemon juice

- 2 Tbs olive oil (we used 3 and that was perfect)

- kosher salt (or your favorite seasonings)

- 3 Tbs grated parmesan cheese

Combine all ingredients and enjoy! Isn't that easy? I believe they added the cheese after they put the fennel/celery mixture on individual plates. Mixed right in works too. Also, in the same lazy manner, instead of taking awhile to thinly slice the fennel bulb and celery, I chopped them roughly and then used my Pampered Chef food chopper to finish the job. Worked great! 

"Sometimes cutting corners works well. Except if you're driving." - Me 

Crab Meat Deviled Eggs with Old Bay and Tarragon

                        

A seaside twist on some already amazing deviled eggs! 

Ingredients:

- 6 hard-cooked eggs, peeled

- 1/4 cup mayonnaise

- 1 Tbs mustard

- 1/2 to 1 tsp. Old Bay Seasoning

- 1 Tbs sweet pickle juice

- 3 oz. fresh crab meat

- cilantro (optional)

- paprika (optional)

Slice eggs in half. Remove yolks and mash with a fork or potato masher. In a small bowl, combine all of the ingredients except for cilantro and paprika. After combined, spoon or pipe mixture back into egg-white halves. Place a little piece of crab meat and cilantro on top and sprinkle with paprika. Serve immediately or refrigerate. Enjoy! 

"There's a beautiful world right outside your door. What are you waiting for?" - Anonymous 

Cheesy Tuna Melts with Artichokes

Ok, the picture might not do these tuna melts justice, but believe me... these are fantastic! A slightly different twist on a regular tuna melt, these melts, brightened with the flavor of lemon and artichokes, are good for any time of the day!

Ingredients:

- 1, 12 oz. can light water-packed tuna, drained

- 2/3 cup coarsely chopped water-packed artichoke hearts, rinsed and drained

- 1/4 cup mayonnaise

- 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or Mexican blend), divided

- 1/4 tsp. pepper

- 1/4 tsp. dried oregano

- Juice from 1/2 of a fresh lemon

- Sourdough bread, English muffins, or bread of choice

Toast bread or English muffins. While bread is toasting, combine tuna, artichokes, mayo, 1/2 cup of the shredded cheese, pepper, oregano, and lemon juice. Spread on toast and sprinkle with more shredded cheese. Put under a broiler until cheese is melted. Or if you have a toaster oven, place back in toaster until cheese is completed melted. Enjoy! 

"Happiness is letting go of what you think your life is supposed 

to look like." - Anonymous