Pork Chops

I'm not sure what to calls these, except good.  I'm not really a pork chop person, but we devoured these at my house.  It was really good served over rice.  Broccoli and sweet peas would be an excellent addition to this meal.  Don't be afraid of the long list of ingredients because most are seasonings that we all have in our cupboards.  This recipe called for soy sauce, but we are soy free here and unable to use it.  If you are making this and can use soy sauce it calls for 3/8 C.  You could then subtract the vinegar, 2 bullion cubes, molasses, ginger, 1/2 C + 1 Tbsp water....

1 1/2 lbs pork chops
1 Tbsp oil
2 tsp oil
3/4 C + 3 Tbsp water
3 beef bullion cubes
1 1/2 tsp balsamic vinegar
3/4 tsp dark molasses
1/8 tsp ginger
pinch of pepper
1/4 tsp garlic salt
4 Tbsp brown sugar
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
2 Tbsp water
2 Tbsp flour

Heat 1 Tbsp oil in pan and brown pork chops on both sides.
Combine 2 tsp oil, water, bullion, vinegar, molasses, ginger, pepper, garlic, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes and pour over pork chops.
Cover and simmer for 30 minutes, flipping pork chops half way through.  Watch the liquid level and add 1-2 Tbsp water if needed.
In pan, stir in flour dissolved in water.
Cook until thickened and serve over rice, if desired.

Lasagna Soup

We have all been very sick at my house and soup has been calling my name.  I wanted something a bit different and decided on this recipe.  We loved it!  Jamie told me to make sure and keep this one on the regular dinner list.

1 lb Italian sausage
2 C chopped onion
1 C diced carrot
2 C mushrooms (optional, didn't have any so didn't add it)
2 Tbsp minced garlic
4 C water
6 chicken bouillon cubes
1 can Italian style diced tomatoes
1 (10 3/4 oz) can tomato sauce
1 C small pasta shells
2 C freshly chopped spinach
1 - 2 C shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 C shredded Parmesan cheese for garnish

Brown sausage in large saucepan over med-high heat.
Add onions and carrots and saute until onions are transparent.
Stir in mushrooms and garlic and saute for an additional 3 min.
Add water, bouillon, tomatoes, and tomato sauce and bring to boil.  Simmer until carrots are tender.
Add pasta and cook according to package directions.
Stir in spinach and cook until wilted.
Place 1/4 C cheese in bottom of each bowl and top with soup.  Garnish with Parmesan cheese.

Spinach, Cream Cheese, and Turkey Enchiladas

I finally found a healthier, yummier, soy free version of enchiladas!  I'm not a beef person right now, so the fact that they have turkey instead makes them even better.  My kids were whining about the spinach, until they tried them and then they were singing my praises.

1 - 1.5 lbs ground turkey
1 chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1 (10 oz) package frozen spinach, thawed and drained
2 C chunky salsa
1 (8 oz) can diced tomatoes
12 flour tortillas
1 C Mexican blend cheese
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese

Cook ground turkey, onion, and garlic over medium heat until turkey is no longer pink.
Add spinach and 1 C of salsa to turkey meat.  Cook for 5 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.  Remove from heat and add cream cheese.  Mix until melted.
Place 1/3 C meat mix in the middle of a flour tortilla, roll and place in greased 13x9 inch pan.
Bake for 20 minutes in a 350* oven.  Remove from oven and top with 1 C salsa mixed with diced tomatoes.  Sprinkle with cheese and return to oven for 5 minutes.

Microwave Caramel Popcorn

The kids and I were craving caramel popcorn, but I had no time to make it before we headed out for our camping trip.  Once we got there though, it was on.  We are in love with this simple and cheap popcorn.  I was hesitant because I didn't want my caramel popcorn to have a marshmallow taste, but it doesn't add that taste at all.

1 bag of microwave popcorn
1/4 C butter
1/2 C brown sugar
3/4 C miniature marshmallows

Pop the popcorn and put in a bowl.
Place butter, brown sugar, and marshmallows in microwave proof bowl, microwave for 2 minutes.
Stir well and pour over popcorn
*We didn't have mini marshmallows in the trailer, so we used 5-6 regular sized marshmallows.  Just make sure and really watch them because they tend to expand and hop out of your bowl.  I had to stir the sauce every 30 seconds or so just to try to keep them contained.

Southwest Bake

3/4 C brown or long grain white rice, uncooked
1 1/2 C water
1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
1 can diced green chilies
1 (11 oz) can mexicorn or corn, drained
1 C salsa
1 C sour cream
1 C shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 C chopped onion
1 can black olives, sliced and drained
1 C shredded cheddar or mexican blend cheese

Cook rice with water.
Meanwhile, combine remaining ingredients (to last cheese) and add rice once it is cooked.
Bake, uncovered, at 350* for 40 minutes.  Sprinkle cheese over top and bake 10 minutes longer.
This can be served in bowls as a casserole, in tortillas, or even with a side of chips.

Taco Bell Quesadillas

I love Taco Bell Quesadillas. I know, they are so unhealthy for you, but they are so yummy.  I found this recipe that is pretty similar, not quite, but it did the trick to save me from my craving.  Do not be afraid of the jalapenos.  After tasting them, I could have easily gotten my kids to eat them because they were so mild.

1/4 C canola mayonnaise
2 tsp minced jalapenos
2 tsp jalapeno juice (from minced jalapenos)
3/4 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp paprika
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1/8 tsp garlic powder
1 dash salt
shredded cheddar cheese
shredded monterey jack cheese
tortillas
cooked chicken tenderloins

Combine ingredients down to the salt and stir until smooth.
Taking one tortilla at a time, lay tortilla into hot skillet and sprinkle with 1/4 C of each shredded cheese on 1/2 of the tortilla.
Arrange about 1/4 C chicken slices over tortilla on the same half covered with cheese.
On the emtpy half, spread about 1 Tbsp of sauce.
Fold over, and press gently with spatula.
Cook until cheese is melted and each side of tortilla is golden.

What ingredients should you look for when going soy free?

I just realized that I had wanted to write a list of ingredients that you should be avoiding if you are allergic to soy, but have yet to do so.  Here is a list that I've been compiling of ingredients that mean "contains soy":

• hydrolized soy protein
• miso
• shoyo sauce
• soy flour
• soy grits
• soy nuts
• soy milk
• soy sprouts
• soy protein concentrate
• soy protein isolate
• soy sauce
• tempeh
• textured vegetable protein (TVP)
• tofu
• soy lecithin
• soy meal
• edamame
• tamari
• vegetable oil
• vegetable shortening
• hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP)
• brominated vegetable oil 

I have found that the brominated vegetable oil can be found in your citrus flavored carbonated drinks (Orange Shasta, Mountain Dew, Fresca, Fanta), so be very careful when grabbing that drink!

Soy lecithin of course is found in chocolate (I'll give you a moment to cry over that one).  I have only been able to find Nestle Chocolatier Bittersweet Bar, 4 Ounces and they sell dark chocolate ones as well that are our favorite.