ML Interest Tag: tomato-sauce

Slow Cooker Lentil Sausage Soup

by Erin Lem

It doesn’t get more simple than a one step recipe. Created by food bloggers Diane and Dave of Homemade Food Junkie, this hearty and healthy soup dish is high-fiber, dairy-free and gluten-free. The secret ingredient that makes this slow cooker recipe so fab? Kale. While normal greens don’t usually fare well in soups and stews, Diane points out that kale holds up well and adds great color and texture to this dinner.

Serves: 10

Ingredients:
one 12 0z. package spicy chicken sausage sliced into 1/2 inch rounds
1 Cup lentils any color
2 to 3 large carrots-sliced into 1/4 inch rounds
several garlic shallots or chives-minced
2 celery ribs sliced small
several leaves of kale, any variety, torn or cut into small pieces
1 14 oz. can garbanzo beans
1 14 oz. can kidney beans
1 14 oz. can Italian stewed tomatoes
1 14 oz. can tomato sauce
2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce

Method:
Put all prepared ingredients into the crock pot and cook on high for 4 hours or low 6 to 8 hours.

“Like” this recipe if you plan to make it this winter, and then tell us how yours turned out in the Comments below.

For more great recipes be sure to check out Diane and Dave’s food blog, Homemade Food Junkie by clicking here.

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Birthday Party Food Ideas That Aren’t Pizza

by Samantha Lande

Kids are the biggest birthday party animals out there. And what do you get at birthday parties? Pizza, pizza … and more pizza. Nothing against ‘za (it’s so quick and easy!), but for a choice less ordinary, go with one of our picks. Flip through this album for six choices, from bao buns to mini meatloafs, that are a welcome change from cheese and tomato sauce.

Mini Meatloafs

We know meatloaf may not sound like your typical party food, but the Meatloaf Bakery takes this homestyle food and makes it fun and super kid friendly. Order mini meatloaf cupcakes (called "loafies") or get them on a stick, loafer pop style. Each mini meatloaf is “frosted” with potatoes and varieties range from turkey to burger to classic meatloaf. They can even make the loafies look like hot dogs (like in this picture!). All come with dipping sauces which are always a hit with the littles.

The Meatloaf Bakery, 2464 N. Clark St., Lincoln Park (773-698-6667 or online at themeatloafbakery.com)

What will you serve at your kid’s next birthday party? Let us know in the Comments below!

— Samantha Lande

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Pizza Stuffed Peppers

by Erin Lem

Alexa of Simple Roots Wellness (and mom to three girls) knows that creating healthy alternatives to favorite foods is a must. She offers up this recipe for pizza stuffed peppers that features all of the great flavors of pizza without the unhealthy components. Scroll down for the low down on how to make this dinnertime eat and then check out Simple Roots Wellness for more great meal inspiration.

Seres 4-6

Ingredients:
1 Tbsp coconut oil (butter)
1 yellow onion
2-3 cloves, garlic minced
2 cups mushrooms, chopped (optional)
1 lb ground beef
1 lb Italian sausage
2 tomatoes, peeled and chopped
1 cup tomato sauce
2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
Salt & pepper, to taste
8 peppers
Mozzarella cheese

Method:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Chop onion and mushrooms.

3. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once hot add onion and mushrooms. Saute until tender.
Add garlic and saute until fragrant or 1-2 minutes. Remove from pan and set-aside.

4. In same skillet cook beef and sausage until done. Remove and place in bowl with onion and mushroom mixture.

5. Add peeled and chopped tomatoes, tomato sauce and spices. Mix thoroughly. Prepare peppers but washing, cutting top off and removing seeds.

6. Fill peppers with meat and onion mixture and place in oven.

7. Bake for 30 minutes, remove and add mozzarella cheese continue baking 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove and enjoy!

This recipe and photo come courtesy of Alexa over at Simple Roots Wellness. Alexa, a mom of three, blogs about healthy versions of recipes you know and love. Check out Healthy Roots Wellness to find more great recipes for your family.

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Shoogies NYC: Homemade Baby Food Delivered to Your Door

by writerredri

In the age of infant yoga and sign language, baby-proofing consultants, and preschool advisers, prepping your own baby food is just par for the course. But sometimes there simply aren’t enough hours in a day to do it all. And that’s where Shoogies NYC comes into play. Founded by Shari Pessah, a passionate and knowledgable foodie and aunt of two, the service delivers homemade organic baby food right to your door. It’s the best of both worlds: You get to spend more time with your baby and less in the kitchen, and they get tasty, creative, and nutritionally-sound first eats without having to worry about preservatives. Here’s everything you need to know about Shoogies.

OK, Let’s Get Started. How Does It Work?

Parents get to select from a varied menu of baby-ready purees and toddler-friendly foods on the Shoogies website. Go a la carte by picking and choosing what might suit your baby best, or try an age-specific intro pack to get a pre-selected sampling of Shoogies eats. Then choose a delivery window when you know you’ll be home to accept in, and that’s it. Orders arrive tucked inside insulated (and reusable) coolers, and food can be refrigerated, frozen, or of course, eaten immediately.

This Sounds Really Expensive: True or False?

It’s not cheap, but it’s all organic, and everything’s included. Orders must hit a minimum of $35, with meals ranging between $4.59-$6.59. Purees arrive in 6-ounce containers, and should last for at least two feedings. Delivery is $5 in Manhattan and Brooklyn, and $10 on Long Island.

What’s on the Menu?

This is where Shoogies truly won us over. A trial run for our one-year-old tester consisted of a spinach grilled cheese, broccoli pita pizza and alphabet pasta with tomato sauce (to name a few). Infant purees range from single-ingredient fruits and veggies like apple, butternut squash and zucchini to combos for older babies including a broccoli-cauliflower blend, or apple-brown rice-sweet potato mix. All meals are nut-free and vegetarian, and no added sugar or salt is used.

Intrigued? Would you try a baby food delivery service for your early eater? We’d love to hear what you think of Shoogies if you decide to give it a try!

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