Pasta e Fagioli

One of my favorite soups ever is the Pasta e Fagioli at Olive Garden. And it isn't something that would be an avoid that, on the menu if I were out. However, I can't go to Olive Garden or any other Italian restaurant without eating two baskets of bread. It's my worst weakness. BREAD! Sigh.....

So, I played with the recipe at home. Guess what? This will taste exactly like you ordered it at Olive Garden, and better than that? You don't have to fight the crowds or the damn bread basket calling my your name!

Pasta e Fagioli

Ingredients:

2 links turkey mild Italian Sausage
2 Tbls Olive Oil
1 medium onion chopped
1 cup chopped carrots
1 cup chopped celery
2 Tbls dried oregano
2 cloves of garlic grated
2 15oz cans of low sodium chicken broth
1 Tbls red pepper flakes
1 can canneloni bean (white kidney beans)
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can tomato puree
2 Tblsp fresh parsley and basil

Directions:

Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot. Remove the casings from the Italian Sausage and add to the pot. Break up sausage and brown well. Add chopped onions, carrot, and celery and let cook until vegetables start to soften(about 5 minutes.) Add oregano and grate the garlic. Stir well. Add the beans and the chicken stock. Stir in tomatoes and puree. Add the red pepper flakes. Let the soup simmer for about 15 minutes. Add the pasta and fresh herbs and let the soup cook until the pasta is done. Remove from heat and serve.

Servings = 6

Calories 283, 6 grams fat, 19 grams protein, 30 grams carbs, 12 grams fiber
Note: I did not subtract out fiber or sugars to get net carbs.

Everyone in my family loves this! Hope you enjoy. ~Zgirl

Spicy Turkey Chili

I love Chili, and this recipe is fantastic! You won't miss the beef, I promise. What could be easier than a meal that takes 30 minutes or less?

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground turkey breast
1 medium onion chopped
2 Tblsp extra virgin olive oil
1 cup beef broth
1 can diced tomatoes
1 large can crushed tomatoes
1/4 c. chili powder
2 Tblsp cumin
2 Tblsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 can black beans
3-4 tsp favorite hot sauce or tobasco

In large soup pot saute onions in olive oil until transparent. Add turkey and brown. Once all the turkey is brown add chili powder, cayenne pepper, nutmeg and cumin. Make sure all of the onion/meat mixture is well coated. Add beef broth. Let the broth reduce by half. Add can of black bean and hot sauce. Mix in crushed and diced tomatoes. Let simmer for 20 minutes.

Makes 6 servings. 238 calories a serving, 22.8 grams carbs, 26 grams protein, 7 grams of fat, 8 grams fiber

Let me know if you have any questions! ~Zgirl

Feeling HOT HOT HOT - Caribbean Spicy Chicken

Happy Friday Bitches! Below is a recipe post from Daffy! I will post a couple of recipes late this evening or first thing in the morning as well so that you all have some recipes for your trips to the grocery store this weekend. Remember our tips! Don't go shopping hungry! And plan, plan, plan your menus! Love! ~Zgirl

Add some spice to your palate with this diabetic friendly, low calorie, low carb, high protein chicken dinner. Certainly heats up a boring chicken breast. Easy to prepare...even for the kitchen-challenged individual!

Caribbean Spicy Chicken


Serves: 4

Spice Mixture:

½ tsp curry powder

½ tsp ground cumin

½ tsp paprika

½ tsp ground cinnamon

½ tsp nutmeg


What You Need:

4 skinless boneless chicken breasts

1 tbsp olive oil

1 cup thinly sliced red bell pepper

½ cup sliced onion

2 garlic cloves finely sliced

1 cup canned stewed tomatoes

½ cup chopped fresh parsley (fresh is better, but dried works too)

½ tsp salt

½ tsp pepper


What to do:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

In small bowl combine all spices. Season chicken with salt and pepper and coat with spice mixture. In a non-stick skillet sauté chicken in hot oil over medium-high heat 4 minutes - turning once. Add red pepper, onion, garlic and cook 1 more minute.

Stir in remaining ingredients. Cover chicken with vegetables and bake 30-35 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. (if you don’t have an oven friendly skillet, after stirring in remaining ingredients and cooking an additional minute, transfer everything to an oven safe dish, cover chicken with vegetables and bake).


**Caribbean Spicy Chicken is great paired with a side of rice…white rice or brown rice…both are great!



Nutritional Information:


200 calories, 28g protein, 9g carbs, 6g fat, 2g fiber

got questions? email Daffy at batcrapcrayblog@gmail.com