Spiralized Root Vegetable Soup

Ingredients 

• 3 quarts low sodium chicken broth
• 1-2 carrots depending on size
• 1 turnip
• 1 parsnip 
• Brussel sprouts (thinly sliced)
• Bacon 
• Red onion 
• Oregano
• Thyme
• Bay leaf 
• Rotisserie chicken (optional)

Directions

1. Cook bacon in a soup pot, drain on a paper towel 
2. Discard all or most of the bacon grease. If discarding all the bacon grease, add olive oil instead
3. Cook the onion, add in garlic for a minute 
4. Add the bacon, bay leaf, oregano, thyme, and broth 
5. Bring soup to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes
6. Add in the vegetables and cook for 3 minutes 
7. Remove from heat for 5 minutes
8. Serve

Chipotle zucchini boats

Everyone who tried this recipe absolutely loved it!

Ingredients 

• 1 lb ground turkey 
• 1 lb ground beef 
• onion 
• garlic 
• poblano - diced
• zucchini 
• shredded cheese
• can of diced tomatoes - trader joes fire-roasted with green peppers
• chipotles in adobo sauce, chopped - as many as you want, 2 minimum 
• fresh cilantro, chopped 
• cumin
• oregano 
• smoked paprika 

optional 

• crema 

Directions

1. preheat to 400
2. halve and hollow zucchinis
3. spray with olive oil and bake at 400 for 20 min  
4. meanwhile, sautee the onions and poblano peppers with a little bit of olive oil 
5. once they are reasonably cooked down, add in the garlic - make sure it doesn't burn 
6. add in the ground meats
7. add in the chipotle peppers and diced tomatoes
8. season with salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, and smoked paprika 
9. fill zucchini boats with ground meat
10. sprinkle on cheese 
11. bake for 10 minutes at 400

Pesto Deviled Eggs

This is how you reinvent a classic

This is so easy its stupid. Deviled eggs are just one of those things where everyone has that one grandma, aunt, etc who makes THE BEST. Well, I'm not promising these are the best, per se, HOWEVER... they are unexpected! Different is huge when you're talking deviled eggs because most people usually use the same ingredients, and only differ in the quantities.

This reminds me of one mother's day when I was a teenager, we went to this great Italian place with daily menu changes. One of those places where the chef makes whatever inspires him that day. So, that particular day, he made basil mashed potatoes. Green mashed potatoes on my plate. At first I was totally weirded out, but then I took a bite, and my eyes rolled into the back of my head. Unfortunately for me, my father is a usual patron, and the chef was on his way to the table to personally ask how we were enjoying the food. Obviously, he saw the entire event transpire. My entire range of facial expressions from, 'wtf' to 'Holy Lord in heaven.' He was laughing and grinning ear to ear by the time he was standing next to me, and I - of course- was mortified. To add insult to my injury, he asked "How are those potatoes for you?" Anyways, so those are literally the most memorable mashed potatoes I've ever had. They might also be the best, but I don't know, mashed potatoes are just one of those dishes that are amazing each and every time - so it's hard to say which is best. The take home message here, is that I will forever REMEMBER those mashed potatoes, and their creator. A classic that is difficult to reinvent is forever ingrained in my memory... so much that it inspired these deviled eggs

This recipe will definitely stand out and people will love it 1) because it's delicious, and 2) this is not your average, run of the mill egg.  A deviled egg is something so common and classic that most people don't even think of changing the fundamental ingredients and flavors. IF ANYTHING this is memorable.   

Ingredients

• Hard boiled eggs
• Basil pesto, see recipe here for boss ass pesto
• Just enough mayo to soften the yolks up (if you're being health conscious)
  or just add tons of mayo till it tastes like heaven
• Dijon if you like mustard, I guess.... blegh! I don't know, its up to you. (blegh again!) It REALLY does not need it at all, and I'm not even sure if it will go with pesto...
• Garlic salt
• Celery salt

Directions

1. Make pesto, (see recipe) or use any on hand
2. Cut eggs in half, emptying yolks in a bowl
3. Combine ingredients with the yolks and mix with fork
4. Season to taste

Make it a party! Try my Guacamole Deviled Eggs! Aka - LIGHT deviled eggs! :)

Enjoy!