The Italian Kitchen: Chicken Alfredo with Broccoli and Roasted Red Peppers aka Christmas Alfredo

This can be made low carb or with pasta. It was super easy and quick with some prepping ahead. I also used store bought sauce with some added spices. This would be a great Christmas dinner with all the white, red, and green. 

The ingredients:

4 TBSP butter divided

2 C broccoli chopped

1 jar roasted red peppers drained and cut

Half a Rotisserie chicken

1 jar alfredo sauce

Garlic powder

Pizza party seasoning

Crushed red pepper

Grated parmesan.

The recipe:

In a skillet, add 2 TBSP butter then add chopped veggies. 

Add chicken and seasonings and add rest of butter and mix to combine.

Add alfredo sauce and mix.

Top with grated parmesan and crushed red pepper, optional.

Note: to make this low carb I left out the noodles but this would be great on noodles or zoodles. I would suggest using fresh broccoli to get the great color. You can use red bell pepper instead of a jar of roasted red peppers.

To make this super quick shred your rotisserrie ahead of time and chop you veggies ahead. Although, the veggies did not take long. You can replace the butter with olive oil, I just like the flavor the butter adds. 

The Soup Kitchen: Spicy Pepper Soup

A twist on a taco Soup using three types of peppers. This is cheesy and spicy. This was very good! 

The ingredients:

1 lb ground pork

1 lb ground chicken

2- 8oz cream cheese

2 cans green chiles

Sweet mini peppers

Sliced jalapeños 

1 TBSP Adobe seasoning

1 TBSP black lime

2 tsp chili powder

4 C chicken broth

Cilantro

1/2 C shredded cheese for garnish

1 tsp Xanthum Gum

The recipe:

Brown meat in skillet with 1 TBSP adobo seasoning. 

In slow cooker, add cream cheese peppers, and remainder seasoning.

Drain cooked meat and add to slow cooker and mus well until combined.

Add the broth and cilantro and stir to combine.

Cook on Hi for 2 hours.

At 1 hour add xanthum hum to thicken. Add slowly stirring well to combine.

Top with shredded cheese.

The Low Carb Kitchen: Sausage and Peppers

This is a great meal to throw together quickly especially if you have already chopped the veggies.

The ingredients:

Kielbasa or andouille sausage sliced

Bell peppers any color in strips

Mini sweet peppers in slices

Butter

Seasoning of choice

The recipe:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Prep the meat and veggies.

Layer peppers in the bottom of a baking dish 

Top with meat

Add seasoning of choice. I used Berbere. Stir to mix.

Top with butter. I used a compound butter with Za'atar seasoning. 

Bake for approximately 30 minutes.

Notes: this is Keto frIendly but if not on keto you can add some grains like rice or quinoa or grits. I also used frozen peppers so if using fresh may need to adjust cook time.

The Starter Kitchen: Broccoli Cheese Bites

I was looking for broccoli recipes to make and I stumbled onto this snack. It would be good for a starter. You can eat plain or add a sauce if desired. It's like a veggie meatball. It's a great way go use up some broccoli if you need to. 

The ingredients:

2 C steamed broccoli finely chopped

1  C cheddar cheese

1/2 C parmesan cheese

1 tsp onion powder

2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp salt and pepper

1 C panko or breadcrumbs

2 eggs

The recipe:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Steam the broccoli and finely chopped.

In a bowl add shredded cheese, spices, and panko.

Add broccoli and eggs and mix until well combined like a meatloaf.

Spoon into balls and place on baking sheet with parchment.

Bake in oven for 10 minutes on each side.

The Breakfast Kitchen: Za'atar Breakast Casserole

I make at least one breakfast casserole a week. They are a great way to meal prep for breakfast. You can change it up with different ingredients and spices so it's not like eating the same thing all the time.

The ingredients:

8 eggs

1/2 C heavy cream

1- 2 TBSP Dijon mustard

1 tsp baking powder

Smoked paprika

Garlic powder

Za'atar seasoning

Salt and pepper

Crumbled bacon

Shredded smoked gouda

The recipe:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Cook and crumble your bacon and add to greased baking pan.

In a bowl, add eggs, mustard, heavy cream, baking powder, and seasonings and mix until combined.

Shred cheese into egg mixture.

Pour egg mixture over the bacon and spread cheese out to evenly cover.

Sprinkle some additional Za'atar on top.

Bake for 30 minutes.

Notes: Bake time is for a small baking dish approximately 7x10. If using a 9x13, add more eggs approximately a dozen and cooking time will need adjusted. Cook until set in middle, approximately 40 minutes.

I add some butter to the top when I am reheating.  

The Low Carb Kitchen: Rainbow Taco Skillet

This was low carb, tasty, and a great option for your Taco Tuesday. It is also very pretty with all the red, yellow, and green veggies! This is a great way to use up your veggies. If you are eating rice this would be great on some rice as well. 

The ingredients:

1 lb ground beef cooked and drained

3 TBSP taco seasoning

1 TBSP black lime seasoning

1/2 tsp chipotle powder

1 zucchini chopped

Cabbage

Sweet mini peppers sliced

Green bell pepper

Jalapeño pepper

3 TBSP water

Salt and pepper to taste

1/2 C shredded cheese (cheddar or pepperjack)

The recipe:

In a skillet, good the group beef with a bit of oil. 

While that's cooking, chop you veggies.

When beef is browned add the seasonings and mix.

Add the veggies and cook to desired softness.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Remove from heat and top with cheese.

Garnish with salsa, sour cream, guacamole, or cilantro.

Note: you can add other veggies as desired. Corn would be good here and you could also add some black beans if desired. 

The Soup Kitchen: Broccoli Cheese Soup

I will say I did not get this soup as thick as I would have liked it. However, the overall taste was not bad. I did chop the broccoli pretty fine as well. I feel this was better on day 2.

The ingredients:

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp garlic powder

2 celery stalks sliced

4 C broccoli florets

4 C bone broth

1 C heavy cream

1 C shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Salt and pepper to taste

Garnish: additional cheese, crushed red pepper flakes, herbs

The recipe:

Add seasonings, celery, broccoli, and bone broth to slow cooker and cook on low for 3 hours.

Then add heavy cream and cheese. Cook for an additional 30 min to 1 hr.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Garnish with cheese, herbs, etc.

Note: to thicken you can add some flour or cornstarch. You can also add carrots if desired.

Update: I was able to thicken the leftovers with Xanthum Gum. Heat soup on the stove then add 1 tsp and whisk until combined. I did in 1/4 tsp increments. I think it worked better than cornstarch! No need to make a slurry!