Turkey Chili

2 lbs ground turkey meat
1 1/2 cups chopped onion
1 cup chopped green pepper
3 cloves garlic
1 large can diced tomatoes
2 cups water
1 can tomato paste
8 teaspoons low sodium beef bouillon
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons oregano leaves
1/2 cup dry lentils
2 cans low sodium kidney beans, drained and rinsed

In a large kettle, brown turkey and pour off fat.
Add onion, pepper and garlic.
Cook and stir until tender.
Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer for 1 1/2 hours.

Serve with cheese.

Preserving Fresh Basil

Take 2 cups of fresh basil and put it into a food processor. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil.

Process until well blended.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Drop spoonfuls of the basil mixture onto the sheet
and freeze for an hour or until frozen.

Store these little basil pods in a plastic bag in the freezer for up to two months.

Add them to any sauce or soup.

Sugar-Crusted Blueberry Muffins

2 cups all purpose wheat flour

3/4 cup sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

half stick of butter, melted

1/4 cup apple sauce

3/4 cup 1% milk

1 large egg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cup fresh blueberries

Heat oven to 400.

Coat muffin tin with non stick spray.

Combine 1 3/4 cups flour, 1/2 cup sugar, baking powder and salt into a bowl. Add the butter and mix.

In a second bowl, whisk together the milk, egg and the vanilla.

Add the milk mixture to the flour mixture and stir until combined.

Toss the berries with the remaining flour and fold that mixture into the batter.

Fill muffin cups 3/4 full and sprinkle with the remaining sugar.

Bake for 17-20 minutes or until done.

Star Sugar Cookies

2 sticks unsalted butter (room temperature)

3/4 cups sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extra

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Heat oven to 350.

Beat butter and sugar in a bowl with an electric mixer.

Add egg and beat until fluffy. Add vanilla.

In a separate bowl combine flour, salt and baking soda. 

Slowly add it to the butter mixture.

Create a flat disk and wrap in saran wrap. 

Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Roll out dough on a floured surface. 

Cut into star shapes using a cookie cutter and place on parchment lined baking sheet.

Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.

Icing

1 cups confectioners' sugar

1 tablespoon corn syrup

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 tablespoon water

Whisk all in a bowl.

If necessary, thin with water (should be a little thicker than honey). 

Melissa and Jimmy's BBQ Chicken Pizza

There aren't measurements on this one because we basically made the recipe up. So use whatever amount you desire!

Pizza Dough
Your Favorite Barbeque Sauce (we used a smoky one)
Pesto
Precooked breast of chicken
Tomatoes
Red Onions
Lime
Shredded Pizza Cheese
Blue Cheese (crumbled)
Avocado cut into slices

Cook sliced red onion over a medium heat until caramelized then squeeze with
lime juice.

Cut chicken into small pieces and add to onion lime mixture. Set aside.

Roll out the dough on a well floured surface.
Pinch the outer end to form the crust.

Spread BBQ sauce in the middle of the pizza and spread pesto around the perimeter.
Sprinkle with cheese then add chicken and onion mixture and tomatoes.
Sprinkle another layer of cheese and the crumbled blue cheese.

Cook at 450 until crust is crispy.

Let cool and add avocado slices.

Chocolate Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

2 1/2 cups of flour

1 1/4 cups cocoa powder

2 1/2 cups sugar

1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

2 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/4 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs

1 1/4 cups milk

1/2 cup oil or applesauce 

1 1/2 vanilla extract

1 1/4 cups warm water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Line 2 muffin pans with liners.

Sift together all the dry ingredients in a bowl.

Then add the remaining ingredients.

Beat on low speed until smooth and fully combined.

Divide batter among cups and bake for 20-25 minutes 

or until done.

Frosting

1 stick of butter

1 package of cream cheese (8 oz.)

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 cups of confectionary sugar

Beat all ingredients using a mixer until well combined.

Once cupcakes cool, frost!

 

Heart Shaped Pasta Salad

1 bag heart shaped pasta* (or pasta of your choice)

1 container cherry tomatoes

1 can black olives

1/2 bottle light italian dressing

1 cup crumbled feta

3 tablespoons of salad supreme seasoning

Cook pasta al dente.

Rinse with cold water and strain.

Add all ingredients in order.

Toss and serve at room temperature.

*found at Bertucci's store