Tag Archives: Entertaining

Heart-Healthy Red Lentil and Vegetable Soup

12 Nov

IMG_2588

This satisfying red lentil and vegetable soup is quick and easy to make, is gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and is so fresh and healthy. A neighbor shared this recipe with me a few years ago, and it has become a staple meal Around My Home this time of year.

INGREDIENTS

–1 Tbs olive oil

–4 medium carrots, peeled and chopped

–1 medium onion, chopped

–1 tsp ground cumin

–1 can diced tomatoes in juice

–2 cups vegetable broth

–2 cups water

–1 cup red lentils (usually available in bulk). Tip: red lentils cook faster than any other color.

–1/4 tsp salt

–1/8 tsp black pepper

–5 oz. fresh baby spinach

DIRECTIONS

Heat oil in 4 quart sauce pan. Sauté carrots and onions on medium heat for ~6-7 minutes until soft. Stir in cumin and cook for 1 minute. Add tomatoes, broth, water, lentils, salt, and pepper and stir thoroughly. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to simmer and cover for ~8-10 minutes until lentils are soft. Turn off heat. Stir in spinach a little at a time. Makes ~4-6 servings. Consider serving with cornbread muffins and hard parmesan cheese.

I hope you enjoy this heart-healthy and satisfying meal around your home this season!

Advertisement

Roasted Garlic Potato Slices – Better Than Fries (Almost)!

3 Feb

Roasted Garlic Potato Slices

I had more yukon gold potatoes than I knew what to do with after making faux veal stew (I used turkey tenderloin in place of veal). I figured it couldn’t hurt to try roasted potato slices, since I frequently roast asparagus as a side dish, and make my own fresh pasta sauce with roasted tomatoes.

During dinner, Hubsters exclaimed: “I hope you’re planning to blog about these – they’re amazing!”

And my 3 year-old emphatically stated that we should have garlic potato slices for dinner every night.

What’s the magic ingredient?

Continue reading

Holiday Recipe Roundup: One Main Dish, Three Easy Sides, and a Gluten-Free Dessert

25 Nov

I’m definitely a last-minute grocery shopper that hits the store the day before Thanksgiving. I like everything to be super fresh – that’s my excuse, anyway.

If you’re a last-minute shopper, too, and you need some ideas fast for delicious holiday fare, then this post is for you!

I’ve rounded up five of my favorite recipes that are always crowd-pleasing hits and super easy to prepare:

DESSERT FIRST

Gluten-Free Almond Pear Bread – I made this (amazing) dessert bread last year after my son decided he really didn’t want to eat the two dozen fresh pears he begged me to purchase at Costco.

This bread was so delicious that I ended up making several batches for friends and neighbors. I promise you can’t tell it’s gluten free.

Click on the photo below or here for the full recipe.

(Amazing) Gluten Free Almond Pear Bread

(Amazing) Gluten Free Almond Pear Bread

ONE MAIN DISH

Aunt Pat’s Chicken – this dish makes the kitchen smell amazing, allows you to mingle with your guests, and is perfect for entertaining any day of the year.

Click on the photo below or here for the full recipe.

Aunt Pat's Chicken

THREE EASY SIDES

Sweet Potatoes – super fast twist on a traditional classic. Click on the photo below or here for the full recipe.

Super Fast Sweet Potatoes

Super Fast Sweet Potatoes

Perfect Asparagus Every Time – add a little green to your holiday. Click on the photo below or here for the full recipe.

Perfect Asparagus Every Time

Perfect Asparagus Every Time

The Only Salad You’ll Ever Need to Make – this salad is a big hit – every time. I’m often asked,  “would you mind bringing that salad that you make?” when invited to a dinner gathering.

Click on the photo below or here for the full recipe.

The simple toss of a few ingredients in a light olive oil dressing will cause your guests to rave!

The simple toss of a few ingredients in a light olive oil dressing will cause your guests to rave!

What are some of your go-to recipes this holiday season? I read every comment and love hearing from you!

Thanks for stopping by today,

Hold The Crust, Please – Quick and Easy Baked Apple Slices!

21 Oct

During a dinner party last weekend with some friends, I threw together this quick and easy apple dessertIt was a big hit – and a great way to enjoy fruit that’s in season!

Baked sliced apples with vanilla yogurt - yummmmm!

Mmmmm…close to apple pie a la mode, but without the guilt!

With just a few simple ingredients, you can make this delicious and (mostly) healthy treat around your home in no time.

DIRECTIONS: 

Makes ~6 servings

–Cut up 5 apples into slices (I used organic Gala apples)

–Place apple slices in an 8 x 8 baking dish

–Melt 2 tablespoons of butter and pour over apple slices

–Sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon (to your liking)

–Sprinkle with pecans (if desired)

–Cover loosely with foil and bake at 375 for 30 minutes

Baked Sliced Apples - AroundMiCasa

Apple Pie without the crust!

–Serve in small bowls and top with vanilla yogurt for a healthy choice, or vanilla ice cream for a more decadent option. You can’t go wrong either way!

Note: I didn’t have any in my kitchen at the time, but I think raisins would make a great addition to this yummy combination!

Don’t you think apples are such a wonderful fall crop? What are some of your favorite apple recipes? I’d love to hear about them in the comments below!

 

Absolutely Fool-Proof Grilled Chicken!

28 Mar

Yummy toppingsSpring in Austin means it’s time to break out the grill!

Although I’ve been known to grill outdoors in 30 degree weather, I tend to do it more often when the temperatures begin to warm up in late March.

I’ve tried this recipe a few times now, just to make sure it’s consistent, and the chicken turns out moist, perfect, and delicious every time!

Continue reading

3 Grilled Chicken Recipes You’ll Love This Summer

9 May
Grilled Stuffed Chicken

Grilled Chicken Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Roasted Red Peppers

Following my grilled teriyaki salmon post a few weeks ago, I had a number of readers ask me to share some tips on how to grill chicken.

Detailed here are three of my favorite go-to grilled chicken recipes:

Grilled Teriyaki Chicken 

Citrus Grilled Chicken

Grilled Chicken Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Roasted Red Peppers

Any of these meals are perfect for summer entertaining or dining al fresco!

1. Grilled Teriyaki Chicken, Step-by-Step:

The easiest of the 3 recipes here (though they are all fairly simple), this teriyaki chicken is melt-in-your-mouth tasty and turns out perfectly every time!

The easiest of the 3 recipes here (though they are all fairly simple), this teriyaki chicken is melt-in-your-mouth tasty and turns out perfectly every time!

Instructions:

–Prepare chicken breasts by rinsing and patting dry with a paper towel.

Chicken Prep

–Flatten chicken with meat tenderizing tool and pierce several times with a fork. Flattening the chicken results in more even cooking and a tender taste. Piercing it with a fork before marinating results in more flavor.

Chicken Pounded

–Pour marinade into shallow glass pan and place chicken breasts one at a time in the pan, using a silicone brush to smother the chicken with your marinade.

Same marinade I used for my grilled salmon recipe a few weeks ago. Try their Very Very Teriyaki, too!

Same marinade I used for my grilled salmon recipe a few weeks ago. Try their Very Very Teriyaki, too!

–Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.

Drench chicken with marinade in a glass dish and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate several hours or overnight.

–Heat grill to ~400.

–Cook chicken on one side for ~5-7 minutes, flip and cook on remaining side for 3-5 minutes, depending on how well-done you like your chicken.

–Serve with steamed broccoli and brown rice, or pick your favorite sides!

2. Citrus Grilled Chicken, Step-by-Step:

Citrus Grilled Chicken

Instructions:

Continue reading

Dinner Tonight: Teriyaki Salmon on The Grill

5 Apr
Don't be afraid to cook fish! A simply seasoned salmon fillet on the grill is healthy, delicious, and super-easy!

Don’t be afraid! A simply seasoned salmon fillet on the grill is healthy, delicious, and super-easy.

We’ve invited family over for dinner tonight and we’ll be enjoying the salmon pictured here, a scrumptious salad, and some amazing grilled pears.

GRILLED SALMON RECIPE:

–Place salmon fillets (I prefer Wild) skin-side down on a piece of aluminum foil, large enough to wrap up the edges and create a “foil boat” for the fish.

–Smother the salmon with your marinade of choice, close up the foil boat at the top, and refrigerate for ~30 mins, or a maximum of 1 hour (unlike beef or poultry, fish begins to degrade if left in marinade for too long).

Try their Very Very Teriyaki, too!

Soy Vay makes some great-tasting marinades. Island Teriyaki is what I’m using tonight (pictured here). Try their Very Very Teriyaki, too!

–Pre heat grill to ~400

–Brush grill grates with canola oil

–Remove salmon from foil boats and brush the fish lightly with canola oil. Place on grill, skin-side up for ~3 mins

–While salmon is still on grill, brush the skin with oil and carefully flip the fillet(s)

–Cook skin side down for 5-7 mins depending on thickness of the fish. Salmon should be close to opaque all the way through once fully cooked and flake easily.

–Remove salmon from the grill and serve with The Only Salad You’ll Ever Need To Make.

The simple toss of a few ingredients in a light olive oil dressing will cause your guests to rave!

The simple toss of a few ingredients in a light olive oil dressing will cause your guests to rave!