Lazy Lasagna (Crock-Pot Ravioli)

Well.... I thought it couldn't get any easier than my Crock-Pot lasagna recipe....which is one of my most popular recipes pinned on Pinterest....it looks like this may be even simpler by eliminating the step of adding ricotta, because it is already in the ravioli...brilliant right?....I used frozen ravioli, but you could also use the refrigerated kind....I also used my home made meat sauce, I highly recommend using a great quality sauce or one you really like...this would also be great for a large crowd...I used 2 bags of frozen cheese stuffed ravioli and it made a nice amount....you can easily feed 6 or more....next time I am even going to try it with gluten free ravioli!...well here is how I assembled this...Enjoy!

What you'll need

2 bags frozen ravioli (cheese stuffed)

Pasta sauce

Shredded Mozzarella

Parmesan cheese

Pre heat Crock-Pot to low

How to assemble

Add sauce to bottom of Crock-Pot

Add a layer of ravioli

Add more sauce

Add Mozzarella and sprinkle with parmesan

Keep layering ending with Mozzarella and parmesan

Cook on low for 3-4 hours

Cucumber - Lemon water (detoxifier)

Ok so it's Monday and I always have good intentions of starting a detox to undo everything I did to my body on the weekend!.. So on this day I decided to add cucumber to my lemon water..we all know the benefits of 🍋 lemons which help your body fight infection and cleanse your kidneys not to mention reducing inflammation and bloating...so why add cucumber?.... Cucumber can soothe your skin from the inside out maintaining a healthy complexion and even aid with acne..it can also help lower your blood pressure and it can also curb your appetite!...So why wouldn't you add it....I found another use for my zucchini spiralizer and took one small cucumber and siralized it into my lemon water...I let it marinate for about an hour before drinking....Enjoy!

Lentil Crock-Pot chili

I always love to make a pot of chili in the Fall....And I usually have all of the ingredients on hand to make it....except for the beef sometimes... good part about making it with lentils is I would always have on hand to make this in a pinch.....Now if you like you could also add Quinoa along with the lentils....you could also add green or red pepper if you choose to....and feel free to season as you like if you have a favorite chili recipe....here is what I did.... Enjoy!!

Ingredients

1 medium onion diced

3 carrots finely diced

2 cloves garlic minced

Green or red pepper diced(optional)

Salt and pepper

Saute the onion, carrot till soft...add garlic, salt and pepper

Add to preheated to high Crock-Pot

Then add the rest of the ingredients

1 can corn

1can black beans

2 cans kidney beans

1 can petite diced tomatoes

1 1/2 cups of lentils ( if you would like to add Quinoa add 1 cup lentils and 1/2 cup of Quinoa)

5 cups chicken broth

1 Tablespoon of cumin

3  Tablespoons of chili powder

Salt and pepper to taste

Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 

Easy Taco Pie (gluten free)

I was just thinking about this recipe I used to make when my kids were little...( I used Bisquick for a lot of things back then).....It was this Taco Pie...now that my kids are grown I still have Taco Tuesday every week if they can make it....I was trying to think of other things I could make and thought of this recipe, now that Bisquick makes a gluten free version I thought I would try it again.....I am sure you could use other g- free mixes like Pamela's for this also.....Well this was a big hit, my son in-law loved it, so I am sure I will be making it again!....I didn't add the green chilies this time but may try next time to see how they like it...Well here is what I did...Enjoy!!

 

 

INGREDIENTS

 

1 pound lean ground beef

1 small onion (optional)

1 package g-free Taco seasoning

small can green chilies (optional)

2 Eggs

1 Cup Milk

1/2 Cup Baking mix (Bisquick or Pamela's)

 

3/4 Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese

 

*Top with*

 

shredded lettuce

chopped tomatoes

sliced black olives

 

*Garnish with*

 

Sour cream

Salsa

 

 

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 400

 

1. Spray 9 inch Pie Plate...Cook  beef and onion until browned...stir in seasoning (drain if needed)....Spoon into pie plate add chilies if using

 

 

2. In a small bowl whisk eggs, milk and baking mix until smooth

Pour into pie plate

 

Bake 25 minutes then top with cheese and continue baking until melted

 

let stand 5 minutes before topping with lettuce, tomatoes and olives

Garnish with salsa and or sour cream

 

Here are the mixes that can be used

 

 

 

Hearty Cabbage-Veggie Soup

I have posted a cabbage soup recipe before, but this one is a little different.....I pretty much included everything but the kitchen sink!....I made this a little heartier.... And in this recipe I made a massive amount because I was distributing to some ailing family members so you could definitely cut this in half if you don't need this much....or you could make this much and eat it all week or distribute to friends or family who would appreciate some!....I also used Swiss chard because I love it, but you could substitute with spinach if you like....Here is what I did....Enjoy!

 

 

INGREDIENTS

 

6 Carrots (diced)

6 Celery Ribs (diced)

2 Sweet Potatoes (diced)

1 large onion (diced)

1 head of Broccoli (small florets)

1 head Cauliflower (small pieces)

3 Zucchini (diced with skin on)

1 bunch Swiss Chard (chopped)

1 head Cabbage (chopped)

2 cans Petite diced tomatoes

2 cans Kidney beans

2 -32 oz. boxes Chicken Broth

1 Knorr  chicken bouillon cube + 2 cups water (I added for extra flavor, but not necessary)

2 - 32 oz. Jars Pasta Sauce (garden veggie or tomato basil)

salt and pepper to taste

 

DIRECTIONS

 

Add the carrots, onion , celery and sweet potatoes to pot with olive oil

Saute about 10 minutes and then add all of the rest of the ingredients

Bring to a boil and then simmer until veggies are tender

 

 

 

Low Carb Keto/Gluten Free Bagel's

I can't even remember the last time I ate a bagel with cream cheese.....It had always been one of my favorite things too.....so when I saw that you could actually make a bagel out of cheese and almond flour I had to give it a try!....I have to say I was kind of skeptical, but when the first batch I made turned out really good, (the next day it was good toasted with cream cheese on it) I made another batch the next day and decided to make them Everything bagels which I also loved...I could pretty much put that seasoning on a piece of cardboard and wouldn't mind eating it!...I also decide to try making some bagel stix out of some of the dough and I love the way those turned out too...so the choice is yours...with this recipe I made 4 of each. after baking you can keep in a container with a lid or a large Ziploc. For the next day you can slice and toast in the toaster or even pop in the microwave to reheat a few second to enjoy it warm again...Or how about even making a pizza bagel out of it....All I know is I think I will be making these a lot now....Other topping options could be whatever you want...like just toasted sesame or kosher salt or dried onion or garlic alone or just poppy seed!...Have fun with it and finally get to enjoy a guilt free bagel.....Here is what I did...Enjoy!!

 

 

BAGEL INGREDIENTS

 

1 1/2 Cups Almond Flour + extra for kneading

1 Tablespoon Baking Powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 Eggs (beaten)

1 Bag(2 cups) Shredded Mozzarella

3 ounces Cream Cheese

(melted butter for topping)

 

EVERYTHING SEASONING

 

1/2 Tablespoon Dried Minced Onion

1 Tablespoon Poppy Seeds

1 Tablespoon Kosher Salt

1 Tablespoon Dried Minced Garlic

2 Tablespoons Toasted Sesame Seeds

1 teaspoon Crushed Black Pepper

 

 

DIRECTIONS

 

Preheat oven to 425 degrees

 

In a bowl mix together the almond flour, baking powder and salt and set aside

In a another bowl beat the 2 eggs and set aside

 

Add the mozzarella and cream cheese to a large glass bowl

 

  Microwave for a total of 2 minutes...stirring after 1 minute

Stir until combined

Then add the flour mixture and the beaten eggs

Mix with hands until incorporated adding more almond flour if sticky

continue kneading until you have a nice dough ball that bounces back

Roll into a long even log and then divide into six pieces

Take a piece and roll into a log then form into a circle/bagel shape and pinch ends together

If making a bagel stick take a piece and divide into 2 and make a log shape

I made 4 bagels and 4 sticks out of my 6 pieces, your choice

 

Place bagels on a parchment lined baking sheet and brush with melted butter then press your seasoning/topping on

 

Bake for 12-14 minutes until golden...mine took 12 minutes

 

Eat warm or slice, toast and top with cream cheese if you like

Store in a container with a lid or a Ziploc

You can also reheat the next day in the microwave for a few seconds to soften

ENJOY!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Banana Power Cookies

When you have ripe bananas you have to do something with them, so I decided to try make some cookies, while also making them healthy!....I did add gluten free oats to these but if you wanted to make these Paleo you could omit the oats and replace with more Almond flour and use nut butter of your choice.....These cookies also have coconut, walnuts and I used Enjoy Life brand mini chocolate chips....I also decided at the last minute to add some flax meal to make them more fiber rich.....They turned out really good and would also make a great breakfast on the go snack....Here is the recipe I came up with....Enjoy!

 

 

INGREDIENTS

 

3 ripe bananas (mashed)

2 eggs

3 Tablespoons Honey

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 Tablespoons peanut butter

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups Almond flour

1/2 cup oats

2 Tablespoons Flax meal

1/2 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup walnuts

1/2 cup coconut flakes

 

Directions

Preheat oven to 350

 

Place bananas in mixing bowl and mash.

Add the eggs, honey, vanilla and peanut butter and mix well

Add the rest of the ingredients and stir

Add by rounded scoops onto baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes

When cool you can place in a tub and refrigerate to last longer

 

 

*****NOTE*****

Here are the chocolate chips I use

 

Avocado Tuna Salad

 I have added Avocado to a lot of my recipes, like my egg salad, it is one of my favorite things....So I thought I would try it in my tuna salad, and this may be one of my new favorites!...This was such a light and fresh lunch when I served it in a crunchy romaine leaf and I only used minimal olive oil and fresh squeezed lemon to dress it along with salt and pepper. I also sprinkled some dehydrated cilantro on top, you could also use fresh if you have it on hand......Here is what I did...Enjoy!

 

INGREDIENTS

 

1 can Albacore Tuna

1 Avocado (diced)

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

1/2 Lemon (juice)

1/4 teaspoon salt(I  use pink Himalayan)

pinch of pepper

 

cilantro (optional to garnish)

Romaine leaves

 

DIRECTIONS

 

Add all ingredients except cilantro to a bowl and gently toss to coat

Add to romaine leaf and sprinkle with cilantro

 

 

Creamy Citrus Vinaigrette

Every time I go to one my favorite restaurants in Florida, I always order the same thing...and I am not sick of it yet!.....This time after I came home I wanted to try and recreate the salad, which theirs has coconut shrimp, toasted sliced almonds ,mandarin oranges and sprinkles of coconut flakes....They also serve it with a citrus dressing.....This is what I came up with, I thought it turned out pretty close.....I made my salad with grilled shrimp along with the almonds, oranges and coconut flakes with chopped romaine lettuce,....But you can add whatever you like!
Here is how I made the vinaigrette.....Enjoy!

Vinaigrette Ingredients

 

1/2 Cup Orange Juice or more( I squeezed 2 mandarin oranges, mine were juicy, you may need more to get  a 1/2cup)

1 lime (juiced)

1/2 Cup Olive oil

3 Tablespoons Honey

1/4 Cup White Balsamic Vinegar

1/3 Cup Mayonnaise

1/4 teaspoon salt

 

 

Add all ingredients to your Bullet or blender and blend until incorporated

 

NOTE**I added an extra orange that I squeezed so it was a little more than 1/2 cup

Garlic-Parmesan Kale Chips

When I am trying to eat healthy the hardest thing always is what to snack on....Plantain Chips are one of my favorites. But when I came across the Kale at the Market I decided to make Kale Chips out of them.....They are so simple to prepare, and for being so healthy for you they can be pretty tasty......You can add what you like to them to season them but for these I added garlic powder and parmesan cheese, along with pink Himalayan sea salt and boy were they good...I could have eaten the whole bowl....When my hubby came home from work and tried them he practically did eat the bowl!..Here are the basics of how I prepared them, You can try them with different seasonings in the future if you like...Here is what I did....Enjoy!

 

INGREDIENTS

 

Kale Leaves

Olive oil

sea salt

garlic powder

parmesan cheese

 

 

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 300 - Bake for 15 - 20 minutes

 

Cut leaves away from middle stalk of Kale

Add leaves to a bowl and drizzle with enough olive oil to lightly coat and toss

Place leaves on a parchment lined baking sheet

Sprinkle leaves with salt, and garlic powder then sprinkle with parmesan cheese

Bake for 10 minutes then check and turn the leaves that are getting crispy

return to oven for 5 to 10 more minutes until  they are all crispy

Enjoy

This is what was left, but not for long!

 

 

 

 

Carissa's Pineapple upside down CupCakes (gluten free)

Well, I have to tell you when I first saw these Cupcakes being served  and my husband dove into one I was a little jealous!....There was no way I thought they would be Gluten free, but I am so glad I asked.....Yes! they were gluten free, so of course I had to try one...A friend of a friend Carissa had made them, so I started asking her questions of what she did, and she was very nice to let me know how she put them together.....I did not have her exact recipe but I will show you what I did..... they were scrumptious!  So Thank You to Carissa for this idea...I thought these would make a great Easter dessert also.....After making 12 cupcakes I had some batter left, so I filled a tiny loaf pan and a individual bundt pan to make some little upside down cakes to use it up..You can also make these with regular cake mix if you don't need them to be gluten free, still add the pineapple juice instead of water....Here is what I did.....Enjoy!

 

 

INGREDIENTS

 

1 Gluten free vanilla cake mix (I used Betty Crocker)

1 can sliced Pineapple in Pineapple juice (reserve juice)

2/3 Cup of the Pineapple juice to use in place of water for cake mix

Maraschino Cherries

1/2 stick Butter

1/3 Cup Brown Sugar

 

 

DIRECTIONS

 

1. Prepare Cake mix as directed on package (my mix called for 2/3 cup water which I replaced with the juice from the can of pineapple)..set aside

 

2. In a glass bowl add butter and brown sugar and microwave 30-40 seconds and stir

 

3. Spray your muffin tin  and place a spoonful of the brown sugar mixture in each spot...then take a slice of pineapple and cut in half, cut in half again and place one on each side of bottom of pan

 

 

4. Cut a cherry and place in middle of pineapple slices

 

5. Pour cake batter on top filling not all the way to top (about 3/4

 

 

6. Bake according to directions (mine took about 20 minutes)

 

 

7. When done, let cool slightly then place a cookie sheet on top of muffin tin and flip over,

they should remove easily

 

 

 

 

 

Clam Chowder Soup (gluten free)

Our family just loves Clam Chowder soup.....But I never really thought  about making it, until I saw a recipe for it and it looked quite simple. My next thought was how do I make it gluten free?.. and will it still taste good?.....So I thought I would give it a try, and I am so glad I did!...I will be making it all the time now. My husband even said it was better than our favorite place we would always get it at. Now if you don't need this to be gluten free just replace the gluten free flour with regular. And I have to tell you the longer this simmers the better it gets. I made it early in the day and then brought to a friends house for dinner ( my gluten free friend loved it)  refrigerating in between. So next time I make it I am thinking I can put it all together and then keep on low in the Slow Cooker....I will keep you posted on how that turns out. Well here is my version of it...If you are not a fan of clams you can add 2 cans of corn and have corn chowder....You can also add a can of corn to your clam chowder if you like...I may do that next time...Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

4 slices of bacon cut into 1/2 inch pieces

1 medium onion (chopped)

5 ribs celery diced

4 carrots diced

1/3 cup gluten free flour

 salt and pepper

1 teaspoon ground thyme

juice of the 4 cans of clams

1 1/2 cups chicken stock (I used 1 Knorr boullion cube with 1 1/2 cups water)

2 potatoes diced

2 cups half and half or milk (I used half and half)

4 cans minced clams (drained)

can of corn optional

DIRECTIONS

1. In a colander with a bowl under it drain the 4 cans of clams reserving the juice and set aside

2. Slice your bacon then add to your Dutch oven cooking until almost crisp

3. Add the onion, celery and carrots cook until translucent

4. Add the flour,  salt, pepper and thyme and stir and cook a little more

5.Add the clam juice and chicken stock, then add the diced potatoes

6. Bring to a boil then you will need to simmer this until potatoes are soft

7. Then you will whisk in the cream, next add the clams and stir, simmer a little more. It is ready now or you can simmer until you are ready for it.

CLAM CHOWDER SOUP

Yield: 8

Author: Natalie Buscemi-Hindman

If you love Clam Chowder...why not make it yourself...My recipe is easy enough for anyone to make...Impress your family and friends...My family loves this soup!!

Ingredients:

• 4 Slices of bacon..cut into 1/2 inch or smaller pieces
• 1 Medium Onion chopped
• 4 Carrots diced
• 5 Ribs Celery diced
• 1/3 Cup Flour (gluten free if you like)
• salt and pepper
• 1 teaspoon ground Thyme
• Juice of 4 cans of minced clams
• 1 1/2 Cups Chicken Broth or stock (I used 1 Knorr chicken boullion cube with 1/2 cups hot water
• 2 Potatoes diced
• 2 Cups half and half or Milk (I use half and half)
• 4 cans of the clams you drained

Instructions:

1. In a colander with a bowl under it drain the 4 cans of clams reserving the juice and set aside
2. Slice your bacon and add to a dutch oven or large Pot and cook until almost crisp
3. Add the Onion, Celery and Carrots and cook until onions are translucent
4. Add the flour, salt and pepper and thyme and stir...cooking a little more
5. Add the clam juice and chicken broth then add the diced potatoes
6. Bring to boil then bring down to simmer until potatoes are soft and tender ..stirring often
7. You then whisk in the half and half next add your clams and stir...simmer a little more...It is ready to serve now or you can simmer until you are ready to use
8. This also works well if you make ahead and reheat the next day!

Created using The Recipes Generator

Cauliflower Mushroom Risotto

One thing you really miss when you are on a restricted diet is rice and pasta dishes!.....So what do you do?....Well you try and recreate your favorite dishes with things you can have...That is what I did here, This "risotto" is actually riced cauliflower which can be used for so many things......I used mushrooms  (I wanted to use fresh, but only had canned on hand)in this recipe but you can add whatever you like, maybe peas or asparagus. And I used regular milk, but you could use heavy cream or even almond milk.....This recipe is very flexible....You can use it as a side dish or even add some grilled shrimp or chicken for a meal...I will show you what I did.....Here we go......Enjoy!

 

 

INGREDIENTS

 

2 Tablespoons olive oil

2 Tablespoons butter

1 onion diced

1/2 cup mushrooms (your choice) or canned

2 cloves garlic minced

1 cauliflower riced

1/2 cup chicken broth

1/4 cup milk

1/2 cup grated parmesan

salt and pepper

 

 

DIRECTIONS

 

1. Rice your cauliflower and set aside

 

 

2. add olive oil and butter to fry pan then add onion and saute until translucent, add mushrooms

 

3. add garlic and stir and then add the cauliflower

 

 

 

4. add half of the chicken broth and cook for 6-8 minutes stirring

 

5. then add the milk and the rest of the broth and continue stirring until liquid is absorbed

 

6. continue to cook until cauliflower is tender and then add the parmesan cheese and salt and pepper to your taste and more cheese if you like