Lasagna Soup

I've been eyeing this recipe for a long time now. It was the perfect soup for a cold winter day. I didn't have any fresh basil so I put in a couple frozen pesto cubes (which I always put in my red sauces anyway). Delish!

Ingredients:
1 1/2 lbs. Italian sausage
3 c. diced onion
1 bell pepper, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 t. dried oregano
1/2 t. red pepper flakes
1 can tomato paste
2 cans diced tomatoes
6 c. chicken stock
2 bay leaves
8 oz. pasta (elbow, rotini, anything smallish)
1/2 c. fresh basil (or a spoonful of pesto)
Pinch of black pepper

Cheesy yum:
1 c. ricotta cheese
1/2 c. parmesan cheese
Pinch of black pepper

Directions:
1. In a large pot, brown sausage. Then add onions & bell pepper and cook until tender.
2. Add garlic, oregano, red pepper, tomato paste, pepper, diced tomatoes, stock & bay leaves. Bring to a boil then simmer for 20 minutes.
3. Add the basil & pasta and cook until pasta is al dente (check the package for cooking time).
4. While pasta is cooking, mix together the cheesy yum. Add a dollop at the bottom of each bowl. Ladle with hot soup and stir to combine.

(Better than PF Chang's) Lettuce Wraps

I don't know about you, but I'm not a huge fan of PF Chang's. Every time I go they are super slow, and the food is not that good. It's either too salty or too flavorless. But that's my opinion. I know lots of people that love that place. To each his own I guess. Regardless of your stance, this knock-off from Iowa Girl Eats is fabulous.

Ingredients:
1 lb. ground turkey or chicken
1/2 large onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
8 oz. mushrooms, cleaned & chopped
2 large cloves garlic, minced
1 inch of fresh ginger, peeled & grated
1 T. sesame oil
1/4 c. soy sauce
1 T. water
1 T. peanut butter
1 T. honey or agave
2 T. rice vinegar
1 T. chili garlic sauce
Pinch of black pepper
1 bunch green onions
1 can sliced water chestnuts, drained & chopped
1/4 c. peanuts, chopped
Lettuce for wrapping

Directions:
1. In a large skillet cook the chicken/turkey until nearly done.
2. Add the onion & bell pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes.
3. Add the mushroom and garlic. Cook for an additional 2 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, combine the sesame oil, soy sauce, water, pb, honey, vinegar, chili sauce & pepper. Microwave for 30 seconds & stir until smooth. Add to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes.
5. Stur in the green onion and water chestnuts and cook for 1 minute until heated through.
6. Top with chopped peanuts & serve with cold lettuce leaves.

Strawberry Protein Pancake Roll-Ups

I slightly altered this recipe that I found on Pinterest. Let's be honest, I alter just about everything I make. I guess I'm just bad at "following a recipe." Oh well, as long as it turns out good in the end.

Batter:
1/2 c. Greek yogurt
1 scoop vanilla whey protein
1 t. baking powder
4 egg whites
1 c. oats
1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1/2 c. strawberries
1/4 c. milk

Filling:
2 c. strawberries
1/4 c. stevia or sugar
1 t. vanilla extract
1 c. Greek yogurt

Directions:
1. Put all the ingredients for the batter in a blender and blend until smooth.
2. Cook on a hot griddle.
3. Blend the strawberries with stevia and vanilla extract. Then combine with yogurt for your filling.
4. Divide filling between pancakes and roll up!

Sushi Salad

I came up with this salad the other night when I was making my family sushi. I didn't have any raw fish, because let's be honest, it's hard to find sushi-grade fish in Utah. It's a light, filling, rice-free alternative for dinner. I didn't really measure, just took a handful of this and that from the fillings I already had prepared for the sushi rolls. Just one note, everything is julienned, just as it would be if you were planning on rolling it up sushi style.

Ingredients:
Cucumber
Daikon Radish
Carrot
Green Onion
Imitation Crab
Avocado
Fried Egg
Nori (you can slice it or crumble it)
Sesame Seeds

Dressing:
Memmi sauce (it's like a mild & slightly sweet soy sauce)
1 clove garlic, minced
1 t. sesame oil
Pinch of black pepper
Wasabi, to taste