Kat's Ham & Bean Soup

SOURCE: I based this on another recipe I was told about but tweaked it to make it my own.
Servings: LOTS
Prep Time: 20-30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes but it can simmer for hours
Scott's Rating:
Katherine's Rating: 10 out of 10

Ingredients:

• 3 slices of bacon, chopped
• 1 ham steak, chopped
• 2 cups sliced Conecuh sausage
• 1/2 small onion, chopped
• 1 clove minced garlic
• 6 cans navy beans, drained
• 32 oz. chicken broth
• 1 cup instant mashed potatoes
• 1 huge heaping teaspoon butter

Directions:

• Saute bacon, ham, sausage, onion, and garlic in a large pot.
• Add beans and chicken broth to the pot and cook for at least 30 minutes.
• Add the mashed potatoes (add more if you want it thicker) and add the butter.
  
• Cook until sauce has thickened.

Tips:

• The soup is great just by itself but I have also served it over rice which is yummy!
• Make some fresh made corn bread or beer bread to go with it... Wow is all I can say.
  

Katherine's Stir Fry

SOURCE: I made this one up myself!

Servings: 1
Prep Time: 5-10 min.
Cook Time: 10-15 min. total
Scott's Rating: NA (he didn't try it)
Katherine's Rating: 9 out of 10

Ingredients:

• 1 skinless, boneless chicken breast cut into bite size pieces
• Nonstick Cooking Spray
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1 green onion, chopped
• 2 Tbsp Low Sodium Soy Sauce
• 1 tsp Minced Garlic
• Garlic Powder
  
• Seasoning Salt
  
• 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
  

Directions:

• Steam broccoli until bright green (almost done)
  
• Spray skillet with Nonstick Cooking Spray and cook chicken on medium high heat seasoning with minced garlic. Set aside.
• Heat olive oil on medium high heat. Add green onion and mushrooms. Saute until soft.
  
• Add chicken, broccoli and soy sauce to skillet and stir.
• Season as needed with a little garlic powder and seasoning salt. But be careful of the salt since the soy sauce itself can be quite salty.
  

Serving: 1

MY REVIEW OF THIS RECIPE
This was a fantastic dish. The flavors were great but even better, I could triple this dish and serve it over rice for my family. I have always loved stir fry so am surprised it took me until now to try it! It was relatively simple though I'm not a big fan of cutting up chicken. I may buy the chicken tenderloins next time so I don't have to cut as much.

My only advice on this is to be careful with the salt. Remember, you can always add a little after it's all done but you can't take away!

Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

SOURCE: Based off of a recipe I found on www.mymedifast.com

Servings: 1
Prep Time: 5-10 min.
Cook Time: 10-15 min. total
Scott's Rating: NA (he doesn't like mushrooms)
Katherine's Rating: 10 out of 10

Ingredients:

• 2 Small Portobello mushroom caps
• 6 oz. 97% fat free ground turkey
• 1 Tbsp Roasted Garlic Oil
• 1/2 cup diced green pepper
• 1 diced green onion
• Spices to taste (garlic seasoning, italian seasoning, seasoning salt)
• 1 Laughing Cow Cheese Wedge
  Nonstick cooking spray

Directions:

• Clean mushroom cap by removing the stem and cleaning the gills.
  
• Lightly spray both top and bottom with nonstick spray.
  
• Put in oven on broil for about 5 minutes.
• Heat oil in skillet.
  
• Add green pepper and onion and saute until tender. Remove from heat.
  
• Add turkey to pan and brown. Add spices to meat during cooking.
  
• Add cooked veggies to meat (limit to 1/2 cup total).
  
• Add cheese wedge, stir until melted.
  
• Pour meat mixture over mushroom caps.
• Put in hot oven to heat through.
  

Serving: 1

MY REVIEW OF THIS RECIPE
This was an excellent dish! I absolutely loved it. This will be something I will probably make every 1-2 weeks as a treat. I can't wait to have it again but since I had it last night, I suppose it'll have to wait at least a week. Can't wait!!

Italian Stuffed Peppers

SOURCE: Time Savor Gourmet

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cook Time: 25-30 min.
Scott's Rating: 6 out of 10
Katherine's Rating: 7 out of 10

READ REVIEW - I made changes to this recipe

Instructions as given on Time Savor Gourmet:
Ingredients:

• 4 small bell peppers, about 1/2 cup equivalent each
• 1 1/2 lb. lean ground beef
• 1 cup mushrooms, diced
• 1 cup zucchini, diced
• 1 T Time Savor Gourmet Tuscan Fantasy
• 1 T Time Savor Gourmet Viva Italiano
  

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Wash and dry the peppers.
• Cut the top 1/2" off the pepper horizontally to create a cup. Remove the seeds and rinse.
• Set peppers in a 9 x 9 baking dish.
• In a large bowl, combine remaining ingredients.
• Divide the mixture equally into four parts and stuff into the peppers.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes, until meat is thoroughly cooked.
  

Serving: 1/4 of this recipe is 2 green options

MY REVIEW OF THIS RECIPE
I've made this recipe twice. The first time I didn't like it too much... it was rather dry and without a lot of flavor. So following the recipe above, I would only give it maybe a 5... possibly even a 4. The second time I made it, I replaced the zucchini with petite diced tomatoes and I added a tablespoon of TSG Garlic Gusto seasoning. This made it much better though I still had to add a good bit of salt to the finished product.

Low Carb Home Fries

Servings: 1
Prep Time: 5 min.
Cook Time: 15 min.
Scott's Rating: 6 out of 10
Katherine's Rating: 10 out of 10

Ingredients:

• 1 cup thinly sliced radishes
• 1 chopped scallion
• non-stick cooking spray
• seasoning salt
• garlic

Directions:

• Cook radishes and onion in a pan with the non-stick cooking spray until they are translucent and brown around the edges.

Serving: 2 green

MY REVIEW OF THIS RECIPE
I had my hopes up that this would taste more like potatoes than it did... not that it was bad, it was actually pretty good. But potatoes they weren't. That being said, it kind of satisfied that texture thing I've been missing by not having carbs. They were very similar to potatoes cooked the same way. A couple of warnings/suggestions: 1. Be careful not to use too much non-stick spray. You don't want them soggy. 2. Don't cook them too high. I cooked them on medium high but I think they'd have done better at a little lower temperature... I was just hungry so in a hurry for them. :) I really did like these enough that I will have them again. Scott tried a bite and says he'd eat them if I made enough for the family next time.

Roasted Garlic & Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

SOURCE: Time Savor Gourmet

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 5 min.
Cook Time: 30 min.
Scott's Rating: 6 out of 10
Katherine's Rating: 7 out of 10

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lb. boneless chicken breasts
• 4 tsp Time Savor Gourmet Roasted Garlic Oil
• 2 T Time Savor Gourmet Tuscan Fantasy Seasoning
• 1/4 cup Sun Dried tomatoes, minced (not in oil)
  

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place chicken in an oven-safe baking dish.
• In a small dish, combine oil, seasoning and tomatoes.
• Drizzle mixture over chicken.
• Season with salt & pepper to taste.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes, until chicken is thoroughly cooked.
  

Servings: 4

MY REVIEW OF THIS RECIPE
Well, I liked this recipe but with one complaint. The Tuscan Fantasy Seasoning has a kick! I don't mind a little spice but wow. The flavor was okay but the spices really kind of overwhelmed it. I will make it again sometime soon but will have to use a different spice. I have an Italian seasoning that I love so may try it.

Pan Seared Pork Loin with Portobello Mushroom Sauce

SOURCE: Time Savor Gourmet

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 min.
Cook Time: 20 min.
Scott's Rating: 7 out of 10
Katherine's Rating: 7 out of 10

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 lb. Pork tenderloin
  
• 2 T Time Savor Gourmet Rockin' Ranch Seasoning
  
• Fresh cracked peppercorn
  
• 1 1/2 cup Portobello mushrooms, sliced into think strips
  
• 1 cup chicken broth
  
• Nonstick cooking broth
  

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Season pork tenderloin with Rockin Ranch and peppercorns.
• Spray a large oven safe skillet with nonstick cooking spray.
  
• Heat over high heat and cook the pork for 1 minute on each side, until it is browned, but not thoroughly cooked.
  
• Put the pork on a plate and set aside.
• Place the pan back over high heat. Spray the pan with cooking spray.
• Add mushrooms and saute for one minute. Add the broth and reduce the heat to simmer.
• Let it simmer for 5 minutes, until the liquid is reduced by half.
• Place the pork back in the pan with the mushrooms. Put in the oven for 10-15 minutes, until pork has reached an internal temperature of 160 degrees.
• Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing thin.
  
• Serve with mushroom sauce.

Servings: 4

MY REVIEW OF THIS RECIPE
I was so excited to try this recipe. I love pork tenderloin and had never cooked it so could not wait! I really did like the recipe but it wasn't as good as I had hoped. It may have been because it was my first time making it so I will probably try again. We had leftovers tonight since the kids didn't eat with us so we'll have it again tomorrow which I wouldn't do if it wasn't good. So though my rating isn't too high, I would still recommend it to others.

Dijon Chicken & Broccoli

SOURCE: Time Savor Gourmet

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cook Time: 20 min.
Scott's Rating: 7 out of 10
Katherine's Rating: 7 out of 10 (overall - the broccoli was a 10!!)

Ingredients:

• 4 tsp Time Savor Gourmet Roasted Garlic Oil (can substitute olive oil and fresh roasted garlic)
  
• 6 C broccoli florets, fresh
  
• 1 T Time Savor Gourmet Garlic Gusto Seasoning (complex blend but I figure any garlic seasoning other than salt could be substituted)
  
• 1.5 lbs. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
• 1 T Low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 T Dijon Mustard
• 1 C Low-sodium chicken broth
  
• Natural Sea Salt and Peppercorns to taste
  

Directions:

• Whisk together soy sauce, mustard and broth in a bowl, set aside.
• In a large frying pan, heat oil over medium high heat. Add broccoli and season with Garlic Gusto. Cook for approx. 1 minute, stirring broccoli to coat it in the oil and seasoning.
  
• Pour broccoli into a bowl and set aside.
• Place the pan back over the heat and add the chicken, browning it on each side for 4 minutes. Reduce heat to medium.
• Pour chicken broth mixture over the chicken.
• Add the broccoli and cover the pan.
• Let simmer for 5-7 minutes, until chicken is thoroughly cooked and broccoli is bright green & tender crisp - not overcooked.
  

MY REVIEW OF THIS RECIPE
Okay, well apparently I can't read today. I made a few mistakes on this one but overall, I don't think it mattered a whole lot. I really loved the broccoli in this recipe. The flavor was outstanding. But the chicken was a little bland even after I added the salt and pepper to taste. It wasn't bad at all... just nothing special. Next time I try it, I'm going to cut the chicken into strips first so more surface area will be exposed to the seasonings. Hopefully that'll help. Regardless, I'll make this again because of how much I enjoyed the broccoli!

Sauteed Veggies

Servings: 2-3
Prep Time: 5 min.
Cook Time: 10-15 min.
Scott's Rating: 8.5 out of 10
Katherine's Rating: 10 out of 10

Ingredients:

• 1 yellow squash, sliced
  
• 1 zucchini, sliced
  
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 2 green onions
  
• 1T Olive Oil
• 2T Favorite Seasonings (I used a combination of garlic salt and dry Italian seasonings)
  

Directions:

• Heat oil and seasonings in medium skillet
  
• Add onions and mushrooms. Cook for 2-3 minutes stiring to coat.
• Add the rest of the veggies and cook through until soft.
  

MY REVIEW OF THIS RECIPE
LOVED this recipe! The flavor was great... due to the mushrooms I think. You couldn't even tell it wasn't stir fried in butter... well it wasn't as greasy so maybe that gave it away but the flavor was fantastic. Even Scott who doesn't really like these kinds of veggies enjoyed it.

Southwestern Style Tilapia

SOURCE: Time Savor Gourmet

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 5 min.
Cook Time: 20-25 min.
Scott's Rating: 8 out of 10
Katherine's Rating: 9 out of 10

Ingredients:

• 4-6 Tilapia filets (about 1.75 lbs. total)
  
• 2T Time Savor Gourmet Southwestern Seasoning
  
• Fresh cilantro
• non-stick cooking spray
• natural Sea Salt and Tricolore Peppercorns to taste
  

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Spray a 9x12 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
• Add fish in a single layer to the dish.
• Spray lightly with non-stick cooking spray.
• Sprinkle with Southwestern Seasoning, salt and pepper.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes, until opaque and flaky, but NOT over done.

Serve with veggie stir fry cooked in Olive Oil and favorite spices (see separate recipe) and a small salad.

MY REVIEW OF THIS RECIPE
I really liked it! The fish wasn't dry which I was worried about nor was it spicy at all. Tilapia goes a long way... you feel like you're getting a lot of food which you kind of are! 7oz. of Tilapia is a lot! I bought the frozen filets which makes it easy, easy, easy. I did not use fresh cilantro or the salt and pepper seasonings just cause I didn't have any. Instead, I added a little splash of Tastefully Simple Italian Seasoning mix. Next time I make this, I will have the right seasonings though again, I won't use cilantro.

Picante Chicken

Servings: 2-3
Prep Time: 5 min.
Cook Time: 20-25 min.
Scott's Rating: 8 out of 10
Katherine's Rating: 9 out of 10

Ingredients:

• 1 pkg. skinless boneless chicken breasts (my pack had 3 pieces)
• 1 jar picante sauce (I used mild)
• seasonings of choice (I used garlic salt & Tastefully Simple Seasoning Salt)
  

Directions:

• Open jar of picante sauce and put into a large saucepan.
• Season chicken with favorite spices.
• Add chicken breasts to picante sauce and bring to a steady boil.
• Boil gently for 15 minutes then turn.
• Continue boiling for another 5-10 min. until the chicken is no longer pink inside and the juices run clear.

Serve with steamed broccoli.

MY REVIEW OF THIS RECIPE
I really liked it! The chicken was very moist and not dried out at all because it cooked in the sauce. Even Scott (who is SOOO picky) liked it! I served it with the steamed broccoli and buttered rice for my family and for myself, I just omitted the rice. This served my entire family of 5! I will definitely be cooking this one again. It was easy and yummy... a winning combination. :)

Kat's Sauteed Mushrooms & Onions

Servings: 2
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cook Time: 10 min.
Katherine's Rating: 6 out of 10

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup white mushrooms
• 1/4 cup chopped green onion
• minced garlic
• Italian Seasoning Blend (or spices of your choice)
• 1 Tbsp. Olive Oil

Directions:

• Heat oil in skillet
• Add spices, mushrooms, and onion
• Saute until onions and mushrooms are desired tenderness
• Serve over fish or chicken

MY RECIPE REVIEW
This is a great garnish for meats but it's also a really tasty side. It's very easy to do and quite tasty!

Kat's Grilled Chicken Salad

Servings: 1
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cook Time: 20-30 min.
Katherine's Rating: 9 out of 10

Ingredients:

• 7.5 oz. skinless, boneless chicken (should cook down to about 6 oz.)
• Favorite spices - I use Tastefully Simple Seasoning Salt and Tastefully Simple Italian Seasoning
• nonstick spray such as Pam
• 2 cups lettuce
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced cucumbers
• 2 Tbsp. Salad Dressing of your choice

Directions:

• Cut the chicken into strips or bite size pieces.
• Lightly spray cooking dish with nonstick spray.
• Place chicken in dish and spray lightly with nonstick spray.
• Sprinkle seasonings over chicken.
• Bake in a 350 degree oven until done (about 25 minutes).
• After the chicken has been cooked, assemble your salad using the lettuce and cucumbers.
• Top salad with chicken.
• Serve with dressing on the side.

MY RECIPE REVIEW
I love to make my chicken this way. It's great for salads but it's also great in any other dish! For non lean & green meals, you can use this chicken for burritos, tacos, sandwiches, etc.

Kat's Shrimp Stir Fry

Servings: 1
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cook Time: 10-15 min.
Katherine's Rating: 7 out of 10

Ingredients:

• 7 oz. shrimp (I used frozen pre-cooked - the weight is after cooking)
• green, yellow, and red peppers
• white mushrooms
• scallions
• Seasoning Salt
• Garlic
• 2 Tbsp light Italian Dressing
• 2 Tbsp light Honey Mustard Dressing

Directions:

• Chop 1 1/2 cups of vegetables (any combination of the ones above)
• Saute vegetables in the Italian Dressing until soft - add desired amount of seasonings for flavor
  
• Add shrimp to the pan and stir enough to heat through
• Serve with Honey Mustard Dressing
• Enjoy!

MY RECIPE REVIEW
I really liked this one. I kind of made it up... just based it off what I'd already tried and what I already knew I liked. :) Let me know if you like it!