Creamy Brocolli soup

Ingredients:
1 onion chopped
2 yellow squash chopped
3 carrots chopped
2 stalks celery chopped
About 8 cups fresh brocolly roughly chopped
Chopped fresh parsley (3 tbsp), if use dry then 1 tbsp 
Chopped Fresh sage (1 tsp.), if use dry (1/2 tsp.)
4 chicken boullion cubes
3 tbsp. Butter + 2 Tbsp Butter
1 cup white wine (1/2 cup and 1/2 cup)
4 tbsp. Flour
4 cups milk
2 tbsp. Minced garlic
2 cups sharp chedder shredded
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
In large stock or soup pot melt 3 tbsp. butter, add carrots, onions, celery and cook about 6 min until onions are tender.  Add broccoli and squash, saute on med-high for about 4 more min until veggies are tender.  Add 1/2 cup wine, boullion, herbs, and some pepper, simmer about 5 min on hi.  Add 8 cups of water, let simmer.

In the meantime, make a roux.  Melt 2 tbsp. Butter and saute the garlic on med. Heat.  Turn to high, Add flour, and remaining 1/2 cup wine, whisking to incorporate, once mixed, quickly add milk and whisk on medium to medium high until thick.  Add cheddar cheese. And stir to melt.  Turn off heat to roux/cheese sauce.

Add roux to simmering soup.  Stir until combine.

Serve hot.

Feel free to top with shredded cheese, croutons, or spring onions.  I usually take some bread, spread some butter or olive oil on both sides, add salt and pepper then broil it until crisp.  I break them up and use those as toppings.

Macaroni Salad

Ingredients:
1 package macaroni pasta cooked to al dente per instructions, cooled
3 stalks celery chopped
3 carrots chopped
1 red bell pepper chopped
4 green onions finely sliced
1 pint cherry tomatoes sliced in half (optional)
1 1/2 tsp. Salt
1/2 tsp. Pepper
1/2 cup mayo
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
1 1/2 tsp. Sugar
3 Tbsp. White wine vinegar (i use grapefruit)

Mix all ingredients together in large bowl.  Refrigerate 30 min to overnight before serving.  Serve cold.  Add more salt or pepper if needed, to taste.

Beef with Brocolli and Bell Peppers

Ingredients:
Preapred Rice (optional 1/4 cup coconut)

2 Tbsp corn starch
2 Tbsp. Water
2 Tbsp. Minced garlic
1 Tbsp. Minced fresh ginger (or 1 1/2 tsp. Ground ginger)
1/2 tsp. Garlic powder
1 lb lean cut steak (such as round steak) sliced thin

1 tsp. Olive oil
1 tsp. Seasame oil

1 tsp. Olive oil
1 tsp. Seasame oil
6 cups brocolli cut up into bite size bunches
1 onion cubed
1 bell pepper cut into large chunks

3 tbsp. Brown sugar
1 1/2 tbsp. Cornstarch
1/2 cup soy sauce

Directions:
Preapre rice.  I like to add 1/4 cup coconut while the rice cooks and a little salt.

In a medium bowl mix 2 tbsp. Corn starch, water, garlic, ginger, and garlic powder until combine.  Add sliced steak and mix to coat.  Set aside.

In large skillet heat 1 tsp olive oil and 1 tsp. Seasame oil on high.  Add steak and cook until done.  Place steak in clean bowl.

Add another 1 tsp olive oil and 1 tsp seasame oil and heat on high.  Add vegetables and cook until still crisp but onions are translucent (about 8-10 minutes).  While cooking stir together sauce - brown sugar, 1 1/2 tbsp. Corn starch and soy sauce.  When vegetables are about done add beef and stir to combine.  Add sauce and saute 1-2 minutes until sauce is warm and coats the beef and vegetables.

Serve immediately over rice.

Enjoy!

Works without the bell pepper too!

Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken Soup

Ingredients:

1 large chicken breast
1 Tbsp Taco Seasoning Mix
1 3/4 tsp. Ground Cumin

3/4 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. Ground Coriander
6 tsp. Chicken bouillon (or 6 cubes)
1 Sweet onion diced
1 bell pepper diced (any color)
1 tbsp. Minced garlic
1 can (14.5 ounce) diced tomatoes with garlic and onion
1 can corn drained
1 can dark red kidney beans (or beans or your choice)
8 cups water

Toppings: cheddar cheese, low-fat sour cream, cilantro, tortilla chips and sliced green onions.
Directions:
Place all ingredients is large crockpot.  Cook for 6-8 hours on high.  Chicken should easily shred with 2 forks.  If you have trouble, remove chicken from crockpot and place on a cutting board.  Let cool 10 minutes, then shred with 2 forks.  Serve hot.  Top with cheddar cheese, sour cream, fresh cilantro and or sliced green onion.  Eat with tortilla chips.