Spice Mix Party + 3 New Recipes

Take a gander at what a few girlfriends and I made at a Spice Mix Party we threw last month:

I'm not sure if we created the idea of a Spice Mix Party, but it sure was fun!  It all started with the realization of two Maximized mommy friends, Rachel and Jess, that pre-made spice mixes are A) SO convenient to have in the pantry, B) so gosh darn expensive, and C) commercially loaded with chemicals and preservatives.  Rachel and Jess decided to organize the spice night as a way to make delicious healthy spice mixes in bulk for $$$cheap.  When they invited me to be a part, you know I was in!

Read Rachel's account of our Spice Mix Party here!  She also lists our recipe modifications.  We had a blast cooking and mixing herbs and spices.  It was a fun excuse to get together to chat, eat, and let the kiddos mingle, too!

Here's what we made:  Dry Onion Soup Mix, Ranch Dressing Mix, Italian Dressing Mix, Taco Seasoning, and Cream of 'Something' Soup.  (In our case, we did cream of mushroom soup.)

You can make the spice mixes on your own, and still save money by making them yourself!  I also love the fact that we used organic ingredients, because conventional herbs and spices are loaded with pesticides and herbicides that concentrate as the herbs are dried.  Total, we each spent about $35 on the organic spice mixes and soups!  We each took home 2+ cups worth of each seasoning mix and 6+ 'cans' of cream-of-something soup, plenty to make months worth of tasty recipes!

WHAT TO MAKE WITH YOUR MIXES

I have waited to post about our spice party, because I wanted to share what I have been making with these new seasoning mixes.   I will share my latest recipe creations with you TODAY AND TOMORROW, so be sure to come back!  There are some great 30 Minute and One Pot Wonder meals coming!

Slow Cooked Beef Tips
ADVANCED PLAN
Makes 6 Servings

2 lbs 100% grass fed beef tenderloin, stew meat, chuck roast or chuck eye, cubed
1 onion, sliced
2 cups organic mushrooms, sliced
1 1/2 cups homemade cream of mushroom soup
1/3 cup arrowroot powder, whisked into 3 Tbsp cold water
3 cups organic sodium-free beef stock
1/2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp fresh black pepper
1/4 tsp paprika
1/3 cup homemade dry onion soup mix
3 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.  Add cubed meat, onion, and mushroom to a 9 x 13 inch pan.  In a large bowl, whisk the remaining ingredients together.  Pour over the meat and toss to coat.  Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 300 degrees F for 3 hours.  Do not remove foil until 3 hours is reached. Serve over zucchini noodles, cauliflower rice, roasted veggies, smashed sweet potato or cauliflower mashed 'fotatoes.'  (Can be prepared in slow cooker on Low for 6 hours.)

Honey Glazed Italian Chicken
CORE PLAN
Makes 8 Servings

3 1/2 pounds skinless free-range chicken pieces (I like to use thighs and breasts, bone-in is fine)
2 Tbsp homemade Italian dressing mix
1/2 cup raw honey

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease a large baking pan and set aside (or cover with foil/parchment paper).  Rinse chicken and pat dry with paper towels.  Lay chicken pieces evenly onto baking sheet in one single layer.  Warm honey in a small saucepan over Low heat or using a hot water bath.  With a fork, stir in dry Italian mix.  Dip and press the chicken pieces into the honey mixture, coating front and back, and place each piece back down onto prepared pan.  Bake for 50-60 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.  Serve with steamed or roasted veggies.

Cheesy Chicken Ranch Casserole
ADVANCED PLAN
Makes 8 Servings

2 1/2 cups chopped frozen organic broccoli
1-2 cups frozen organic peas
6 Tbsp homemade ranch dressing mix
2 cans organic full-fat coconut milk
1 Tbsp arrowroot powder
2 cups shredded cooked free-range chicken
1/2 cup organic mozzarella cheese
1 cup raw cheddar cheese
sea salt & pepper, to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Blanch the frozen broccoli and peas in boiling water for 1-2 minutes, to remove ice crystals and slightly soften the outside.  Drain and shake as dry as possible.  Set aside.  In a large bowl, whisk together the coconut milk, cornstarch, and ranch dressing mix.  Stir in the shredded chicken, blanched broccoli, blanched peas, 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese, and sea salt/black pepper to taste. Transfer to a greased 3 quart casserole dish.  Layer the mozzarella cheese slices across the top and sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the top.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes, until heated through and cheese on top is browned.  We serve ours over wide cut zucchini noodles.  Brown rice pasta would also be tasty.

Four more delicious dinner recipes coming at you tomorrow!

Sweet Potato Chicken Casserole

It's summer, but does that mean we can't enjoy a good One Pot Wonder?  I didn't think so!  This is a super easy casserole that takes all of 15-20 minutes to mix up.  You can prepare it the night before, and pop in the oven in the evening when you get home from work.  This might also be a good crock pot recipe..  Just skip the pan cooking, dump everything into the crock pot for 6-8 hours.

We like to serve ours over fresh spinach leaves.  A quick supper that even the kids will eat!

Sweet Potato Chicken Casserole
Makes 4 Servings

1 Tbsp coconut oil
1 1/4 cups onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
4 boneless skinless free-range chicken breasts, chopped
1 Tbsp arrowroot powder
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp fresh black pepper
1 cup dry white wine (or vegetable stock)
1 cup sodium free organic vegetable stock
1/4 cup full fat organic coconut milk

1.)  Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Grease a 9x13 inch baking sheet with coconut oil.  Heat 1 Tablespoon of coconut oil in a large stainless steel or cast iron skillet over Medium heat.  Cook onion and garlic until golden.  Add sweet potatoes.  Cook 8-10 minutes until lightly browned, stirring occasionally.

2.)  Move vegetables to the edges of the pan.  Put chopped chicken into the center of skillet.  Cook chicken until seared on all sides.  Sprinkle chicken with arrowroot, sea salt, and pepper.  Gradually whisk in chicken stock a bit at a time until all is added to the skillet and arrowroot is dissolved.  Scrape any brown bits from the bottom of pan while whisking.  Stir in wine and coconut milk.

3.)  Scrap casserole mixture into oiled baking dish.  Bake for 1 hour until heated through and bubbly.

St. Patrick's Day Menu Planning

I don't know how many of you actually celebrate St. Patrick's day and have it carry over into your kitchens.  Dave and I don't really celebrate it much more than acknowledging the day.  But I wanted to give you a few menu items that are of Irish cuisine.  You may have tried these recipes  before (a few of my personal favorites!), or maybe this is a good excuse to give them a try!  Either way, have a great day and may luck find its way to you!  ;)

Chicken & Dumpling Soup (A)

Leek & Potato Soup (C)

Braised Cabbage & Apple with Bacon (A)

Shamrock Shake (A) -- A fantastic breakfast or dessert!

And a new recipe in honor of St. Patrick's Day.  Commonly made with corned beef (which we know better than to eat!), here is a delicious Beef Hash suitable for the Core Plan!  Makes a fabulous breakfast or meal anytime in the day!

Beef Hash
Makes 4 Servings

2 tsp coconut oil
1 large onion (I prefer to use red)
3 cups diced sweet potatoes, boiled or steamed til tender
1 cup grass-fed beef brisket, chopped
1/2 cup organic sodium-free vegetable stock
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped fine
4 free-range eggs
Sea salt and fresh pepper, to taste

1.)  In a large skillet, heat coconut oil over Medium-High heat.  Add onion and saute until it just starts to brown, about 5 to 8 minutes.  Add sweet potatoes and cook, stirring until they brown in spots and become crusty, about 8 minutes more.  Stir in uncooked beef and cook about 5 minutes more, stirring once.

2.)  Add broth and scrape up any browned bits from bottom of pan.  Simmer until liquid is absorbed, about 5 to 8 minutes.  Add parsley and season with sea salt and pepper to taste

3.)  Meanwhile, fill a separate large stainless steel skillet with 2 inches salted water and bring to a gentle simmer.  Break eggs, one at a time, into a small tea cup and slide into the simmering water. Poach eggs until set to desired firmness, 4 to 5 minutes.  Remove with slotted spoon to a dry plate.

4.)  Place hash on plates and top with poached egg.  Serve and enjoy!

Sweet Potato Chicken Burrito

This is a delicious new spin on the burrito, one of the recipes Dave and I concocted while formulating our gluten-free tortillas recipe.

I think it would have been fabulous to add a Tablespoon or two of fresh cilantro in with the avocado puree, but we didn't have any on hand.  Give it a try!  You might need to add a tad bit of water/olive oil to allow it to blend well in your blender.

Sweet Potato Chicken Burrito
Makes 8 Burritos

2 boneless free range chicken breasts
2 medium sweet potatoes
1/2 red onion, diced
1 jalapeno, seeded, veined and diced
1 Tbsp coconut oil
1 1/2 c black beans
1/2 Granny Smith apple, diced
2 tsp cumin powder
2 tsp garlic powder
1 Tbsp chili powder
1/4 tsp ground cayenne pepper (to taste)
1 Romaine heart, shredded
1 avocado, pureed smooth (like sour cream)
8 gluten free, grain free, sugar free tortillas

1.)  Peel and dice two sweet potatoes and steam or roast until tender.

2.)  Rinse, dry and cook the chicken (either grill, pan fry or bake).  Season it with a little garlic powder, sea salt and pepper.  Shred chicken when cooked thru.

2.)  In a separate skillet, add coconut oil over Medium heat and saute the onions and jalapeno until softened.  Add the black beans, diced apple, and seasonings.  Stir well to combine and cook until apples are soft. (May need to add a little more coconut oil, 1-2 teaspoons.)

4.)  Once the potatoes are done, gently stir them into the skillet being careful not to mash.  Fold in the chicken and heat the mixture thru.

5.)  Prepare the tortillas, topping the mixture with chopped Romain lettuce and avocado puree.  Wrap the burritos, folding the bottom edge up and rolling the left edge in and around to the right.  Serve and enjoy!