The Little Things Newsletter #450 – Life, laughter, and lots of great food!

Web Admin 0 72 Article rating: No rating

Welcome to the weekend, my friends! We woke up in a winter wonderland yesterday and (YAY!) it snowed again last night. I’m loving my view as I sip my coffee and write the newsletter this morning. Our forecast is chilly with a few snowy days scattered throughout January, so I’m grinning happily as I look at the calendar today. 

Over the past six years since we moved to Ohio, we haven’t seen nearly the amount of snow that I anticipated, so this is a fun gift. I plan to bundle up and enjoy a snowy walk later today.

ON OUR MENU THIS WEEK: Classic Pork Carnitas. This is a meal universally loved by pretty much everyone I know, so I’m making a huge batch today to share with friends. We’ll serve the carnitas as street tacos and likely use whatever meat is leftover in a breakfast skillet in a day or two. 

I’ll be making my Grandma’s German Pancakes with Orange Sauce for brunch after church tomorrow. We have a bowl of oranges on the counter and after I use a few for the carnitas, the rest will be perfect for a batch of orange sauce.

As it often is, Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese are back on the menu. This is a much-loved lunch or dinner for the whole family when the weather gets chilly. 

All the ingredients we love in classic Chinese egg rolls come together in this Egg Roll Stir Fry recipe. Once you’ve served up these irresistible bowls of deconstructed egg rolls, your family is likely to ask for this meal again and again.

These Sweet and Sour Meatballs with bell pepper and pineapple are one of the easiest crockpot meals to make. I serve this over steamed rice and it is a dinner that my boys devour every time.

I have a ham shank tucked into the back of the freezer and it’s destined for the crockpot this week. Tender chunks of ham meld with earthy green beans and hearty potatoes in this super simple Crockpot Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes recipe.

Crunchy toasted Brioche topped with jam and almonds creates an irresistible pastry called Bostock. As simple as it sounds (and is to make) once you’ve tasted it, I’m willing to bet that you’ll be telling everyone about it.

What I’m CRAVING: The weather outside may be cold and snowy, but I start craving ALLL the vegetables and Read more

Favorite Easy Vegetable Stir Fry

Web Admin 0 100 Article rating: No rating

Favorite Easy Vegetable Stir Fry

a photo of bright and colorful stir fry vegetables in a large cast iron skillet

Craving a tasty and healthy meal but don’t have a lot of time? Look no further! Learn how to whip up a delicious vegetable stir fry in under 30 minutes with this easy and flavorful recipe.

I lived on stir fry in college.

Didn’t we all?

And actually, why was that? To be honest, we didn’t eat a lot of stir fry growing up and I have never lived or experienced anything to do with Asia outside of a restaurant here and there, and even then, it wasn’t even stir fry I ordered!

With our oldest off to college for her very first semester I’ve found myself reflecting on my young adult years a lot and at times even being a little envious of the time of life she is stepping into. It’s the best, hardest, strangest few years and I wouldn’t trade them or my stir fry for anything.

Now that I’m a little more grown up I’ve taken the veggies and sauce, and even a side of my FAMOUS Teriyaki Chicken Quesadilla (also a college must have) and raised the bar a little. It’s still easy, still quick, but now it’s even more flavorful!

What is Stir Fry?

Stir fry is a Chinese cooking technique where you stir-fry small bites of meat and/or vegetables in a wok or skillet over high heat with a little bit of oil. It usually include a light sauce of some kind for added flavor.

What Do You Need for Vegetable Stir Fry?

Grab your grocery cart and head to the produce section for this recipe! We are grabbing almost one of every vegetable there (ok, not really, but I love veggies so the more the merrier!). Here is what you will need:

  • Peanut Oil: vegetable oil is a great alternative
  • Vegetables: Red Bell Pepper, Yellow Bell Pepper, Sugar Snap Peas, Carrots, Zucchini, Mushrooms, Broccoli and Baby Corn
  • Sauce: Low Sodium Soy Sauce, Garlic, Fresh Ginger (1/2 teaspoon ground), Brown Sugar, Toasted Sesame Oil, Chicken Broth and Cornabys EZ Gel (see notes for cornstarch)
  • Garnishes: Green Onions and Sesame Seeds

The measurements for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.

Steps for Making Stir Fry Vegetables

Stir fry is one of those meals that I fall back on when I need to get dinner on the table in a hurry. It takes less than 30 minutes to get this veggie-packed recipe on the table. Here are the basic steps:

  1. Sauté: Start by heating oil in a cast iron skillet (or wok) and then add all the vegetables that need a little longer to cook. Sauté the vegetables until they start browning.
  2. Add: Toss in the remaining vegetables and sauté a little longer until everything is tender.
  3. Sauce: Whisk all of the ingredients for the stir fry sauce together in a small bowl then pour it over the vegetables. Let the vegetables simmer until the sauce thickens.
  4. Garni

Healthy Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Cookies

Web Admin 0 102 Article rating: No rating

Healthy Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Cookies

a photo of two healthy breakfast cookies stacked on each other full of raisins and pepitas

Healthy breakfast ideas are always something I’m looking for! These healthy apple cinnamon breakfast cookies are a family favorite and so perfect for grabbing as you walk out the door.

They are high in fiber, low in fat and sugar and full of flavor! And who doesn’t want cookies for breakfast?!

I’ve had this breakfast cookie recipe in a photocopied hand-out for years. When my husband & I started riding the bus at 6:15 every morning, I started looking for fast and healthy breakfast recipes. I pulled this one out, made some changes to lower the fat and raise the fiber and this is what I got. In addition to a healthier recipe, the cookies turned out to be more moist and tastier than ever!

I feel like there are a few breakfasts that I love, but I know aren’t good for me (hello french toast and killer breakfast sandwiches!) and they won’t keep me satisfied in a healthy way which means I’ll be making poor decisions all day. I try to choose better breakfast choices all week, like these breakfast cookies and then save pancakes for Saturday morning. One day a week doesn’t kill ya, especially if you’re still smart about what you eat for your other meals.

What Do I Need to Make Healthy Breakfast Cookies?

These cookies are packed with healthy ingredients and loads of flavor. Here is what you will need:

  • Whole Wheat Flour
  • Oat Flour
  • Baking Powder
  • Salt
  • Cinnamon
  • Cardamom
  • Apple Butter
  • Brown Sugar
  • Egg
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Apple
  • Oatmeal
  • Pepitas
  • Raisins

The measurements for each ingredients can be found in the recipe card below.

How to Make Healthy Breakfast Cookies

These breakfast cookies come together quickly, and if you limit yourself to two a day (so hard!), then you’ve got breakfast for the whole week! Here are the basic steps:

  1. Preheat the oven.
  2. Combine all the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
  3. Add all the wet ingredients.
  4. Fold in all the chunky ingredients.
  5. Spoon the dough onto a greased baking sheet (or line it with parchment paper) and smash them down a little.
  6. Bake and cool.

More detailed instructions can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.

Is Whole Wheat Flour Better Than All Purpose?

Whole wheat flour is rich in vitamins B-1, B-3, and B-5, and contains riboflavin and folate.

Whole wheat flour also has more iron, calcium, protein, and other nutrients than white flour.

Is Apple Butter the Same as Applesauce?

Applesauce is lighter and has more water content than apple butter.

The BEST Chicken Tortilla Soup I Ever Made

Web Admin 0 126 Article rating: No rating

The BEST Chicken Tortilla Soup I Ever Made

An aerial photo of a white bowl of chicken tortilla soup topped with sour cream, a lime wedge, and tortilla strips.

I’ve made seemingly every Chicken Tortilla Soup recipe, but this is the first one I’ve been really excited about! Ready in under 1 hour and SO EASY!

Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

I know, you’re probably thinking that once you’ve had one tortilla chicken soup, you’ve had them all. There’s not much to them, right? I guarantee you that train of thought ends here! This tortilla soup is phenomenal!

It all starts with a flavorful base of all kinds of veggies that is smooth and oh so tasty. Then we add just the right amount of spice, all your favorite chunky tortilla soup essentials and top it with crunchy tortilla strips, slices of avocado, and more cheese!

Tip: This recipe requires a blender. Don’t have a blender or have one that’s not awesome? You guys, you HAVE TO get our favorite blender, the Blendtec!

What’s Needed for Homemade Chicken Tortilla Soup?

Here’s what you’ll need to make this Mexican tortilla soup recipe:

  • Olive oil
  • Vegetables: Carrot, Onion, Celery, Bell Pepper, Roma Tomatoes, Canned Fire Roasted Tomatoes, Canned Green Chiles
  • Garlic Powder
  • Taco Seasoning: You can buy a packet at the store or make it from scratch. If you make it yourself, you’ll need: Chili Powder, Ground Cumin, Smoked Paprika, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Fine Sea Salt, Black Pepper, Cornstarch, Cayenne Pepper, Coriander and Oregano
  • Monterey Jack Cheese
  • Black Beans
  • Avocado
  • Tortilla Chips
  • Chicken Broth: I like to use low sodium chicken broth just so I can control the salt in the recipe.
  • Water
  • Cooked Chicken Breasts
  • Corn
  • Fresh Cilantro
  • Crispy Tortilla Strips

The measurements for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.

How to Make Chicken Tortilla Soup

Let’s get into the details of what makes the base of this soup.

  1. We start by sautéing the vegetables.
  2. Once the veggies are tender, we add some garlic powder and taco seasoning along with fresh roma tomatoes, canned fire roasted tomatoes, and fire roasted green chiles. As those simmer together, the flavors meld and become glorious.
  3. Avocado and cheese are added, and everything is put in the blender and pureed to creamy perfection. That avocado in the base just puts it over the top! Black beans and tortilla chips are added and pulsed with the blender, leaving a few chunks.
  4. Everything in the blender is added back to the pan, and the rest of the ch

Mom’s Cheesy Ham and Potato Broccoli Casserole [+Video]

Web Admin 0 126 Article rating: No rating

Mom’s Cheesy Ham and Potato Broccoli Casserole [+Video]

a photo of a baked cheesy ham and potato broccoli casserole

Take your taste buds on a comforting journey with this delicious cheesy ham and potato broccoli casserole. It is creamy, cheesy, hearty and a totally comforting meal. Perfect for a family dinner or potluck!

My mom’s classic recipe that I hated for nearly my entire life, yes, even as an adult. I don’t know what has happened but in the last few years I’ve had such a craving for the classic recipes that I grew up on. Call it nostalgia, or maybe I’m just finally growing up and realizing what a gift it was that my mom made dinner literally every night and we always ate around a dinner table together.

This recipe is from her dear friend, Debbie, and I don’t remember a single year of my life that Mom didn’t make it, so it’s been around for a long time.

Ingredients for Ham Potato Broccoli Casserole

Grab your leftover ham and a few other ingredients, and let’s make this comforting casserole for dinner! Here is everything you’ll need:

  • New Potatoes: a little sweeter and less starchy than regular russet or yukon gold potatoes, we love the flavor and texture!
  • Broccoli: fresh or frozen broccoli florets work great
  • Butter: used to salute and onions and mushrooms
  • Onion: just a regular yellow onion
  • Baby Bella Mushrooms: can be substituted with white button mushrooms or omitted if desired
  • Salt and Pepper: adds flavor
  • Ham: adds flavor and protein
  • Cream Cheese: adds richness and creaminess
  • Cheddar Cheese: adds flavor and gooiness

The measurements for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card down at the end of the post.

Substitutions and Variations

I love to use leftover ham in this recipe, but any protein tastes great in this casserole. You could use rotisserie chicken, ground beef, bacon, sausage, etc.

Growing up, Mom usually skipped the mushrooms or only put them on half of the casserole in order to please her picky kids, but they are in fact her favorite part. Sautéed with onions in gobs of delicious butter, I mean, what isn’t to love?

You can also change up the vegetables in this casserole. Peas or green beans would be super yummy!

How to Make Ham Potato and Broccoli Casserole

  1. Prep: Butter or spray a 9×13 baking dish and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Parboil: Partially boil the potatoes for 8-10 minutes then drain and set aside. See section below for skipping this step.
  3. Steam: Place the broccoli in a saucepan and steam until bright green.
RSS
First1920212224262728Last