Ranch – version 2
Whip out your blender, cut some veggies, and make yourself a nice fresh springtime snack to get you motivated to do whatever it is that you need to do. Snacking is good for the belly, the mouth, and the soul!!
Tag: healthy
Spinach [Parmesan Cheese] Balls
In my attempt to be healthy recently I have been on a GREEN kick (smoothies, and pancakes, and muffins, and all sorts of yummy stuff made with spinach). Well now St. Patrick’s Day is passed and Spring is here (although I currently have a snow …
Go Green!
GO GREEN… you hear it everywhere! Not only is going green good for the environment, it is good for your stomach and health too – and its not so bad for helping you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day either!
I have recently posted quite a few GREEN recipes:
Maybe it is my love of Dr. Seuss that makes me love all of these green things (but I did NOT like “greens” as a kid, and no I would not even eat them with a fox in a box or with a spoon in my room!). Or maybe it is the fact that I have become much more aware of my surroundings and the environment. Maybe it is the whole health factor that has helped me too! No matter what it is that has inspired all of this love of green (yes, money – I love that too)… the abundance of recent green can help you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day 2011 (my Car Bomb Cupcakes & Irish Potatoes aren’t too shabby of a way to enjoy the holiday either)
Ranch Dressing
Who doesn’t love ranch dressing!? When we were little kids, ok, well always, we love dipping our veggies (or chips or breadsticks, or whatever) it in! The only bad thing is all the preservatives and who really knows what goes into it. Here is your solution …
Spinach Pancakes
Now you wait just one minute before you stop reading (actually – you need to start reading in order to start, but don’t stop before you even start… if that even makes any sense). These are not pancakes like you would eat for breakfast… think instead …
Cream of Spinach Soup
Yes – another GREEN recipe! Now that I am over being sick (and just have an occasional gross cough) Rich’s body decided he wanted to catch what I had. He is pushing through it (and not taking it easy like he tried to force me to do) but like all of us when sick – pretty miserable. I decided to try to pump him full of vitamins and nutritious stuff and figured spinach was a perfect way to do it and since his throat is what is bugging him the most… Spinach Soup it was!
Recipe
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1 package frozen spinach
- 1 can evaporated milk (or cream or regular milk)
- 1 can cannellini beans
- dash of hot pepper flakes (to taste)
Soften up your onion and garlic with some oil for about 5 minutes. Then add your frozen spinach & chicken stock. Cook over medium heat until completely defrosted. Add the beans & milk (and hot pepper). Using a stick (immersion) blender (or your regular blender) turn this into a nice thick smooth soup. Taste & season.
Serve this soup with good crusty bread, or biscuits (I used the Pillsbury variety), or a nice salad/sandwich. This soup can also be a good base for adding lots of other items. Think: thickening with some flour, add more garlic & put over pasta OR use as a sauce for baking chicken, OR add some cheese and make a dip, OR add artichokes (to make soup or dip or whatever), OR just have fun – remember what I always say… cooking is an experiment and should be enjoyable, so get in the kitchen and have fun!