Broccoli Soup

Easy and tasty!


1 TBSP olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cups chicken broth
1-2 bunches broccoli, chopped (approx 7 cups chopped)
1 large russet potato, peeled and diced
salt
pepper
cheddar cheese
bacon (optional)


Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft.


Add broth, broccoli, potato, 1 cup water, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper to the saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered until the vegetables are tender 18-20 minutes.


Puree soup with immersion blender or in blender. Top with cheddar cheese and bacon.

Power Muffins

Warning: these are healthy and yummy! Follow these instructions: Chop 2 cups of dates and place them in your blender. Add 2 cups of hot water. Blend into a liquidish mixture. Add 1 cup of oats and 2 tsp baking soda. Pulse in blender. Add 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1.5 tsp salt, 2 tsp vanilla, 1/4 cup buttermilk, 2 TBSP coconut oil, 2 eggs. Blend together. In separate bowl combine 1 cup flax meal, 1 cup almond meal, 1 cup oat bran, 2 TBSP pamelas baking mix flour. Mix wet and dry ingredients together. Add 1 cup chocolate chips (and walnuts if do desired). Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes.(check the muffins after 15 mins)

Turkey Black Bean Chili

3 TBSP Olive oil
1 medium onion, diced in tiny pieces
1 yellow, orange, or red bell pepper
6-8 jalapeño pepper rounds (found next to olives in grocery store)
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 lb ground turkey, cooked in skillet
1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
1 15 oz cans black beans (or a combo of kidney, pinto etc)
1 can tomato paste
2 TBSP chili powder
1.5 tsp sugar
2 tsp ground cumin
juice of one lime
shredded cheddar cheese
salt
cilantro
corn chips

Heat oil in frying pan over medium-high heat. Saute onion, bell pepper, jalapeño pepper rounds, and garlic , stirring often for 5-6 minutes.

Add turkey and cook, stirring often and breaking meat into small chunks until it is no longer pink.

Add turkey and onion mixture to crock pot along with the tomatoes, beans, tomato paste, chili powder, cuban and sugar. Cook on high 4 hours.

To serve, stir in lime juice. If you like, add salt to taste. Top with shredded cheese and chopped cilantro.


Adapted from a recipe by Kevin Nelson, executive chef at Terra Nova at Vail mountain lodge and spa. Published in Sunset Magazine 2010.