BEEF AND BARLEY SOUP

Beef and Barley soup is the quintessential fall/winter hearty soup. There are so many nutrients and vegetables in this soup that will pick you up if you are felling sick.  The beef and broth will also warm you right up on a cold day and give you the energy to continue on. My mom always made this soup when I was sick because she knows it was my favorite and I guess its only right to pay that forward. When I asked me mom to send me the recipe I was not really surprised to see it was a Barefoot Contessa recipe. Of course it is, she is queen - all hail the Contessa! Ill post the original link below. ENJOY!

INGREDIENTS:

1 TBSP of Olive Oil
2 Lbs of Stewing Beef
2TSP of Salt (divided into 1 TSP portions)
2 TSP Pepper (divided into 1 TSP portions)
2 Cups of Leek (clean and chopped white bit - green bit is no good)
2 Cups of Carrots (peeled and chopped)
1 Large Spanish or Yellow Onion (chopped)
1 Cup of Celery (copped)
3 Bay Leaves
2 Stings of Thyme
8 Cups of Beef Broth
1 Cup of Uncooked Barley (rinsed)

DIRECTIONS:

In a large pot heat up your oil on medium heat. Once ready throw in your stewing beef. Add 1 TSP of salt and pepper. Allow to cook for about 10 minutes stirring periodically. You want the beef to be browned on all sides and to let out the fat and juices.

Once the beef is browned remove the beef and set aside but leave the juices!! We are going to use the juice to cook the vegetables so once the beef is out throw in the leeks, carrots, celery, and onion! Let that cook releasing the water from the vegetables and cooking them down for 10 minutes. They will also absorb some of the oils/fats left behind from the meat - YUM!

Once the vegetables are cooked down you can add your meat back in as well as your 2 springs of thyme, bay leaves, and beef broth. You can also add in your remaining salt and pepper at this time. Bring to a boil before lowering to a simmer and covering. You will need to let the soup continue to cook on a simmer for an hour.

In the meantime, we are going to cook the barley so bring four cups of water in a separate pot to a boil and throw in your barley and reduce to a simmer. Let the barley simmer UNCOVERED for 30 minutes before you drain and set it aside.

When the 60 minutes are up for the soup throw in the barley and continue to cook for 15-20 minutes. Depending on how you like your soup you may want to add some salt and pepper before serving. Also, I like to remove the thyme and bay leaves so that they don’t get in people’s bowls.

Original Recipe -> http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/rich-beef-barley-soup-recipe.html

I hope you enjoyed this recipe as much as I do. If you have any comments please leave them below and I'll be happy to answer them as soon as I can! Happy cooking!!!

TOMATO, ONION AND GOAT CHEESE OMELETTE

Today's breakfast is very simple and easy to make. The great thing about omelets is that they have so much variety and you can use whatever you have at hand to fill it. I used tomato because of their high antioxidant properties and how they are packed with vitamin A and C. Onions are also really good for you as they boost your immune system,  regulate blood sugar levels as well as reduce inflammation. If you dont have these items, dont worry just fill it with whatever you have following the same guild lines. Enjoy

INGREDIENTS:

1 TSP of Butter or butter alternative
2 Eggs (whisked)
Salt and Pepper (as desired)
1 Tomato (Chopped)
1 Small Onion (chopped) I used a red onion but it doesn't really matter what kind of onion
2 TBSP of Goat Cheese

DIRECTIONS:

Butter your pan on medium heat.

Add desired salt and pepper to whisked eggs and throw your eggs into the pan.

Allow your eggs to cook slowly pulling in the edges to allow liquid on top to fall to the bottom and cook. You can also flip the entire egg base like a pancake at some point if you have those skills... i dont lol i'm way to clumsy

Once it starts to cook through place the remaining ingredient (tomato, onion and goat cheese) on one half of the omelette and flip the other side over it. Continue to allow to cook. Flip entire omelette over so other side can cook. One ready plate and serve!

I hope you enjoyed this recipe as much as I do. If you have any comments please leave them below and I'll be happy to answer them as soon as I can! Happy cooking!!!

SPANISH SHRIMP WITH YELLOW RICE

I was looking for some healthy meals online and came across this one of Spanish shrimp and yellow rice. I love Spanish dishes and flavors and you can probably tell from my paella recipe but this is a lot simpler and a great way to incorporate seafood into your diet. You can obviously switch up the shrimp for a piece of fish if you want more protein or are allergic to shell fish. I switched up the original recipe (I will post the link below) a little bit so here is what I did.

INGREDIENTS:

4 Cloves of Garlic (minced)
2 TBSP of Olive Oil
1.5 TSP of Smoked Paprika
1/2 TSP of Salt
1 Lbs of Shrimp (peeled and deveined)
1/2 Cup of Onion (chopped finely)
1.25 Cups of Spanish Yellow Rice
1/2 TSP of Turmeric
2.5 Cups of Water
1/2 Cup of Frozen Peas
1 TBSP of Fresh Parsley

DIRECTIONS:

First we are going to marinate the shrimp. Add half the olive oil, paprika and half the salt to a bowl and toss your shrimp in the mixture. Set aside in the fridge to marinate! The longer the better!

On medium heat add the remaining olive oil to your pan and once hot throw in your onions and saute until soft (about 3-4 minutes). Then throw in your garlic and continue to saute for 2 minutes till they soften.

Next add in your uncooked rice along with remaining salt and turmeric. Mix before adding in the water, cover and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for four minutes before removing from the heat and adding in the peas.

Warm up another skillet on medium heat and throw in your shrimp. Cook and flip until shrimp are cooked through (opaque) or pink. Remove from heat when ready and top the rice on a plate. Add parsley as garnish.

Original Recipe -> http://www.health.com/health/recipe/0,,10000001998494,00.html

I hope you enjoyed this recipe as much as I do. If you have any comments please leave them below and I'll be happy to answer them as soon as I can! Happy cooking!!!

QUINOA EGG 'FRIED RICE'

Fried rice is one of my favorite Asian dishes but I was looking for a healthier alternative for rice when I realized Quinoa would makes a great substitute for any rice dish. Quinoa is a very good complex carb which is made up of part protein, part carb making it take longer for your body to digest and therefore keeps you full longer. I have never made fried rice before so I looked up a couple recipes to help me and this is what I came up with. Enjoy

INGREDIENTS:

1 Cup Of Quinoa
2 Cups of Water
1.5 TBSP Teriyaki Sauce
2.5 TBSP of Soy Sauce
2/4 TBSP of Sesame Oil
1 TBSP of Olive Oil
1 Small Onion (Chopped)
2 Carrots (Peeled and Chopped)
2 Cloves of Garlic (Minced)
2 Green Onions (Chopped)
2 Eggs (whisked lightly)
1/2 Cup of Frozen Peas (thawed)
1/2 Cup of Frozen Corn (thawed)

DIRECTIONS:

Add the water to a pot and bring to a boil. Once boiling add in your quinoa, lower the heat to a simmer and cover for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes fluff the quinoa and remove from heat. Allow to cool.

In a bowl combine teriyaki sauce, soy sauce and sesame oil, mix and set aside.

Add your oil to a wok and allow to heat up on medium heat before throwing in your onions and carrots. Stir and let saute for two minutes.

Next add in your green onions and garlic - continue to saute.

Once the vegetables are nicely cooked add in your quinoa followed by the sauce mix. Stir until fully incorporated.

Next make a well/hole in the middle of the wok and add in your eggs. Allow to cook a little before scrambling.

Lastly add in your peas and corn. Mix till they are fully incorporated and warm through before plating and serving.

I hope you enjoyed this recipe as much as I do. If you have any comments please leave them below and I'll be happy to answer them as soon as I can! Happy cooking!!!

POUCHED EGGS WITH SMOKED SALMON ON PUMPERNICKEL

I loved eggs Benedict but I feel guilty about all the calories involved especially when on a diet. Choosing to opt out on Hollandaise sauce and switching the type of bread can save you so many calories its unbelievable. Pumpernickel bread is made with coarsely ground rye flour and therefore it has a much lower glycemic load then white bread. That means that when you eat pumpernickel your body which turns carbs in the bread to sugar doesn't have as much carbs to turn to sugar as regular bread which is great if you have diabetes. Salmon is a great source of Omega 3 as well as protein, B vitamins, vitamin D, magnesium and selenium which is essential for daily body functions. Lastly eggs are a great source of protein turning this breakfast into a super healthy option!

INGREDIENTS:

2 Eggs
1 Slice of Pumpernickel bread (Toasted)
50 Grams of Smoked Salmon
Fresh Fruit (optional) - I used cut up cantaloupe

DIRECTIONS:

In a small saute pan add water until half full, cover and bring to a boil.

Once boiling reduce heat to low and once water calms to a simmer crack and gentle drop eggs into the water *

Let eggs cook uncovered for 4-6 minutes depending on your desired level of yoke consistency.

Toast your pumpernickel, place on plate with smoked salmon on top. Garnish plate with your fruit. Once eggs are done add them to the toast on top of the smoked salmon

*its important the water is not boiling like crazy when you put the eggs in

I hope you enjoyed this recipe as much as I do. If you have any comments please leave them below and I'll be happy to answer them as soon as I can! Happy cooking!!!