OhYaGood

Whole Food Lover + Recipe Hacker

Tuscan Tuna Salad

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Did I mention I’m doing Whole30? Probably not since it’s more like the Whole26. Don’t judge. I haven’t had the will power to stick with it because of a family Christmas celebration, Leo’s birthday and a little happy hour. I know. I’m weak but I’m glad to have still do it partially. My joints feel better, I’m not as tired and huge bonus, my clothes fit better. Who knows, maybe I’ll just stick with this way of eating giving myself a break here and there.

I’ve noticed these COLD winter months can be really hard to get excited about salads or just fresh produce in general. I have a natural desire for carbs and heavy, warm foods. Maybe that’s why I gravitate towards a salad that’s mostly protein and room temperature, like this tuna salad. This one is packed with lots of flavor and keeps me full all afternoon with 27 grams of protein. AND it’s Whole30 approved.

Tuscan Tuna Salad
 
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Recipe type: Salad
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 1-2
Ingredients
  • 1 4oz can of tuna in water
  • a handful of cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
  • 2 tablespoons olive tapenade, I like Trader Joes
  • 2 tablespoons capers
  • ¼ cup diced cucumber
  • ¼ cup diced sweet pepper
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • a squeeze of lemon juice
  • a dash of red wine vinegar
  • salt and pepper
  • fresh basil
Instructions
  1. Mix all ingredients together and serve
  2. Garnish with fresh basil

 

Pistachio Pesto

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Pesto_Shrimp

I’ve been working on a good pesto for a while and I think this one hits the nail on the head. Typically pesto has parmesan so I had to find a replacement that could give it a nutty flavor paired with the garlic and herbs. This is what I came up with. Just to note, I don’t digest garlic very well so I use it sparingly. If you are a garlic lover, by all means add more. I paired the shrimp with my monster noodles and some roasted tomatoes I stuck in the oven till they wilted a bit. Sure was tasty.

Pistachio Pesto
 
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Recipe type: Sauce
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • 2 T packed basil leaves
  • 2 T flat parsley
  • 1 T lemon juice
  • 3 T pistachios
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • splash of white wine vinegar
Instructions
  1. Place olive oil, basil, parsley, lemon juice, pistachios, garlic into food processor and pulse till it resembles a pulp. Add more olive oil if a thinner pesto is preferred.
  2. Pesto can be tossed with shrimp, zucchini noodles and roasted tomatoes

 

Green Salad with Chicken and Mustard Vinaigrette

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Chicken Field Green Salad with Mustard VinaigretteIt’s been too long since I’ve posted anything green. The holidays kind of got the best of me and to be honest, I’ve been in a bit of a funk ever since. I was certain all this uber clean eating and less alcohol would take care of it but I think this deep freeze is to blame. The next few days are supposed to be better (like 15 degrees instead of -15 degrees for all you non-northerners). Hopefully a little child’s play like sledding or skating will take care of these blahs. That and finishing up the maddening documentary, Making a Murder. I go to bed pissed off almost every night we watch it. When does New Girl start? Ok, I’ll stop my whining now.

I’ve been hesitant to post salad recipes because they are a no brainer in my world. I make them often so I’ve had a lot of practice however, I’ve been told to keep giving ideas. If you want to substitute things like pears for the beets or pecans for the pistachios, that would also make a lovely combination. Remember the formula, something sweet or tangy, something salty, something crunchy and of course, the greens.

Chicken Field Green Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette
 
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Recipe type: Salad
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 1
Ingredients
  • SALAD
  • 3½ cups field greens or green mix of any variety
  • 1 cooked chicken thigh or small breast, sliced
  • 1 large already cooked beet, diced (jarred or steamed work too)
  • ¼ cup shelled pistachios, salted
  • VINAIGRETTE
  • 1 Tablespoon oil of choice, I used Pistachio
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard, I used stone ground
  • 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
Instructions
  1. Whisk all vinaigrette ingredients together
  2. Toss salad ingredients together with vinaigrette

 

Pizza Soup

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Pizza_SoupThis recipe might break the internet. Pizza Soup seems so wrong but I can attest, it is sooooo right. Oddly enough, it is derived from a recipe my Grandma used to make. However, don’t picture the kind of Grandma that spent hours in the kitchen perfecting beautiful, delicious dinners. No, my Grandpa was that person, but after he passed away, my Grandma was forced to get creative in the kitchen. I’m not sure where the recipe came from. She may have developed it on her own but she gave it to me typed on an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of computer paper. Again, not the old tatter recipe card you might imagine.

The soup is a great alternative to chili and tastes just like pizza for all of your dairy-free, gluten-free’ers like me who are deprived. The girls had a sprinkle of mozzarella on theirs for good measure and devoured it. It’s also Whole30 compliant if you use meat and canned items without sugar or additives. So without further or do, make this tonight, with some stinky garlic bread if you can. 😉

Pizza Soup
 
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Recipe type: Soup
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients
  • 2 cups italian sausage, I used a mild pork
  • 2½ cups water
  • 1 15 oz can pizza sauce, (Muir Glen is sugar-free)
  • 1 15 oz can diced tomatoes, (Muir Glen fire roasted is also sugar-free)
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 cup button mushrooms, diced
  • 1 bell pepper, diced (I used half green, half red)
  • 1 medium zucchini, diced
  • 2 oz or about 12 slices, cut up pepperoni (Applegate is sugar-free)
  • ½ tsp oregano
Instructions
  1. Brown the sausage over medium heat in a dutch oven or soup kettle for about 10 minutes.
  2. While that is cooking, prepare the veggies
  3. Remove the sausage and let the oil drain on a paper towel lined plate
  4. If the sausage had high fat content, remove some of the oil from the pan so there is only a coating to sauté the vegetables
  5. Add onion, mushrooms, peppers and zuchinni to the oil and cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes or onions are transluscent
  6. Add the water, pizza sauce, tomatoes, sausage, pepperoni and oregano and bring to a boil.
  7. Turn heat down to a simmer for 20 minutes and serve

 

Bolognese Sauce

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Bolognese_sauceThis recipe is not super veggie-sentric but I do try to add as many veggies to it to make it healthier. I also use my favorite jarred organic mushroom spaghetti sauce from Trader Joes which doesn’t have any cheese or soy added. What’s even more awesome is this recipe can be done in under 30 minutes. It’s my quick go to when I don’t have a plan which usually happens about once a week. It goes great with my Monster Noodles.

Bolognese Sauce
 
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Recipe type: Main Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 5
Ingredients
  • 1 lb of ground meat, I use beef or pork sausage
  • 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
  • ½ jar of tomato sauce or marinara
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 1 celery stalk, diced
  • 1 cup button mushroom, chopped
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh oregano or basil
  • ½ cup dry red wine
Instructions
  1. Place meat in a large skillet to brown over medium heat, about 10 minutes
  2. While meat is cooking, prep and cut veggies
  3. Add onion, carrots, celery and bay leaves and cook for another 5 minutes
  4. Add mushrooms and tomato paste and cook for another 5
  5. Add tomato sauce, wine and herbs and let simmer and cook down the liquid for 5-10 minutes or longer if preferred.

 

Sausage & Kale Soup

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sausage kale soupOh how funny the creative process can be. As you may have noticed, I took a little break from posting after Thanksgiving. I just wasn’t feeling it in the kitchen like I normally do. Most of my recipes were turing out mediocre and frankly, I was feeling lazy. Yesterday was a complete shift from that. I wasn’t really in the mood to cook what I had planned but I knew the rest of my family could use some good homemade soup to combat their colds. So, I opted for a quick soup recipe and ended up spending most of the night in the kitchen having fun with a few new creations. I have fond memories during my art school days staying up to the crack of dawn, working tirelessly on projects because you just. can’t. stop.

I made this soup for a new momma not too long ago and thought something was missing. Lo and behold, the addition of the egg. Just like in a hot bowl of ramen. There’s probably a more technical way to doing it but I found the microwave easy enough. Soup for breakfast anyone?

Sausage & Kale Soup
 
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Recipe type: Soup
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
  • ¾ lb sausage of your liking (I used italian pork links and removed the casing)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 large russet potatoes, diced (peeled if preferred)
  • 1 bunch kale, dino or lacinato, stems removed and coarsely chopped
  • ½ teaspoon dried rosemary or oregano
  • salt and pepper
  • chili fake (optional)
  • 4-6 large eggs
Instructions
  1. Add oil to a soup kettle or dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion and cook till softened.
  2. Add garlic and cook for another minute. Add sausage and bay leaves (Remove from casing if using links).
  3. Cook until brown, about 10 minutes.
  4. Add stock, water and potatoes and bring to a boil.
  5. Lower heat to a simmer and add kale, rosemary, salt and pepper, and chili flake, if using. Add more warm water if kale isn't mostly submerged.
  6. Cook for another 20-30 minutes, or until potatoes are soft and kale is tender.
  7. Scoop each serving into a microwave-safe bowl and carefully place an egg on top of the soup.
  8. Microwave each bowl on high for 1½-2 minutes or until the egg whites turn white and the egg is to your liking.