Spinach Ricotta Bites

I found this recipe on Weelicious YEARS ago and I still make it regularly. It's one of my favorite breakfasts and snacks. My daughter will eat them too, which is a huge win. I get 24 minis but you can also make it in a regular muffin tin and have larger servings, just adjust cooking time accordingly.

Spinach Ricotta Bites

2 Tbsp Butter
1 Small Yellow Onion, chopped
1 Garlic Clove, minced
2 Large Eggs, Beaten
1 Cup Ricotta Cheese
1/2 Cup Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
1/2 Cup Parmesan Cheese, Grated
1 10 Oz Pkg Frozen Chopped Spinach, defrosted and drained, or you can cook fresh spinach in with the butter and onions and then drain it
1/4 Tsp Salt

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Melt the butter in a sauté pan over medium heat and cook the onions for 4 minutes until tender.
3. Add the garlic and cook an additional minute then set aside to cool.
4. Whisk eggs in a bowl and stir in ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.
5. Once combined, stir in spinach, salt and cooled onion and garlic mixture.
6. Pour the mixture into lightly greased mini muffin cups.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the filling is set and golden on top.
8. Serve.

Barbacoa Salad

Leftover barbacoa is delicious on a salad! Like a taco salad only with a different flavor. Love it!

Barbacoa-style Shredded Beef

Start with a chuck roast. Anywhere between 2-4 lbs is fine. I usually go for bigger because I like leftovers to make more meals. Cut it in half and trim most of the visible fat. Place in slow cooker or instant pot.

In food processor or vitamix, puree the following:

1/2 Onion
1/4 cup Lime Juice

1/4 cup Tomato Paste
4 cloves Garlic
1 1/2 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
2 tsp Cumin
2 tsp Salt
1 tsp Oregano
1 tsp Cloves or Allspice

Pour the puree over the roast in the slow cooker. Pour about a cup of Beef Broth on top, and drop a few Bay Leaves.

Cook on low for 7 hours. When it's done, shred it with two forks and put it back into the amazing sauce in the slow cooker that was created during cooking. Keep on low for another couple of hours to really soak up the flavor of the sauce. 

Here is my husband's version of the barbacoa salad, all neatly organized. I just throw mine in the bowl. Ha.

Italian Brussels Sprouts

I heard about doing this years ago and it's been a favorite ever since I first tried it. I never make it much, since I'm the only one in my family who likes brussels sprouts, but since my parents live close by now and we share a lot of meals together, I make it more often. They love it too.

Italian Brussels Sprouts

Steam brussels sprouts until they are tender but not mushy. You can use fresh or frozen brussels sprouts.

When done, toss in italian dressing and parmesan cheese. Easy!

The Most Amazing Salad Ever

O.M.G. I just had the best salad of my life. I'm not generally a huge salad fan. I like a diverse salad bar and a yummy dressing, but I don't rave over salads.

Granted, this is my first meal off of a 4-day juice fast, but the other people I shared this salad with also said it was the best salad they had ever had, so maybe I'm not crazy. Maybe.

The key is prepping lots of veggies to go in, and a yummy homemade dressing. I'll post that soon but for now, here are my pretty salad pics. Homemade ranch is also great to use if you already make that. :)

I just chopped some romaine and added baby spinach, and then each of us put whatever veggies we wanted. Yum!

I highly recommend a Spirooli slicer / spiralizer for veggies like carrots and cucumber. It's great for zucchini too which I would have added if I'd had any.

Spiralized Carrots! Diced Tomatoes!

 

Spiralized Cucumber!

Chopped yellow bell pepper, orange bell pepper, thinly sliced red onion!

Creamy Coleslaw

We aren't big coleslaw fans but occasionally a restaurant will have some that I just LOVE.  This is my first attempt to recreate one of those. This was really good, and next I'll be making it even more tropical. Check back for that!

Creamy Coleslaw

3 Tbsp Mayo
2 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
8-10 drops Liquid Stevia or some other sweetener if you like
1/4 tsp Celery Salt
1/2 - 1 tsp Poppy Seeds
1 small can Mandarin Oranges, chopped
1 large head Cabbage, shredded

Mix all ingredients except cabbage together, and then toss with cabbage.  I recommend starting with half of the dressing, and then adding and mixing, so you don't end up with too much dressing.

Kale and Carmelized Onions

I'm not usually a huge fan of cooked greens.  I can handle a little raw kale in a salad if there is enough other lettuce and dressing.  I like dehydrated kale chips, but so far that has been the extent of my enjoyment of this particular green.  Until now.  This recipe is so.good.

Kale and Carmelized Onions

Thinly slice a sweet onion and cook with olive oil on medium heat until it starts to brown.  Add a drizzle of honey and chopped kale.  Cook until kale is done, about 5-10 minutes.  Sprinkle with salt to taste and serve.