Keto Ground Beef Casserole

 This is another favorite at our house. It is super simple to put together and perfect for a quick weeknight meal. Enjoy!

Ingredients: 

1 lb. extra lean ground beef

3 oz. chive and onion cream cheesse

1/2 c. beef stock

1/2 c. heavy cream

2 tsp. coconut aminos (this is an excellent alternative to soy sauce)

1 tsp. garlic powder

2 cans green beans, drained

3/4 c. shredded cheddar

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

1 tsp. onion powder

Instructions: 

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Step 2: Brown ground beef seasoned with salt, onion powder, and garlic powder. Drain then return to pan.

Step 3: Add cream cheese and stir until melted.

Step 4: Add beef stock, heavy cream, coconut aminos, and pepper.

Step 5: Bring to a boil and cook on medium heat until mixture begins to thicken.

Step 6: Reduce heat and simmer. Once mixture thickens pour into casserole dish.

Step 7: Add green beans on top, then sprinkle cheese on top of green beans.

Step 8: Bake for 25 minutes.

Fish and Vegetable Packets

 This recipe is SO tasty, so simple to make, and a very healthy option for those who are trying to make better choices with their diet. The seasoning mix is actually one that I like to keep on hand in a shaker because I use it even when just roasting sheet pan veggies in the oven. It is very versatile and comprised of ingredients that most of us have in our pantries. Try it and let me know what you think!

Ingredients:

White fish such as tilapia or pollock, cut into individual pieces (as many as you need for your family)

Vegetables of your choice, chopped into bite-sized pieces (I usually use broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots)

Extra virgin olive oil

Seasoning mix:     1 Tbsp. onion powder

                             2 Tbsp. garlic powder

                            1/2 tsp. smoked paprika

                            1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning

                            1/4 tsp. cumin

                            1/8 tsp. salt

Instructions:

Step 1: Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Step 2: Lightly spray individual squares of aluminum foil with cooking spray.

Step 3: Lightly sprinkle seasoning mix onto foil.

Step 4: Place fish and vegetables onto each piece of foil.

Step 5: Generously sprinkle seasoning mix onto fish and vegetables.

Step 6: Drizzle with olive oil.

Step 7: Fold foil into packets.

Step 8: Bake for 20 minutes or until fish is done.

Cranberry Salad

This recipe was given to me by my sweet Aunt Linda. I have it in her handwriting and it will always be a treasure to me. She used to make it every year for our family Christmas gathering and it was one of the dishes I looked forward to the most! I love pretty much anything that has cranberries in it and this is at the top of my list of favorite cranberry dishes. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

16-oz. package of whole cranberries

2 c. sugar, divided

1 c. chopped pecans

3 c. red grapes, halved

2 c. mini marshmallows

1 tsp. vanilla

1 pint whipping cream

Instructions:

Step 1: Grind cranberries in a food processor. Sprinkle with 1 cup sugar; let it sit overnight.

Step 2: Add pecans, grapes, and marshmallows.

Step 3: Whip cream with vanilla and 1 cup sugar. Add to cranberry mixture.

Step 4: Chill before serving.

Chicken Salad

 There are SO many recipes for chicken salad out there and I truly like most of them. But one day I decided to experiment with ingredients I had on hand and made this recipe that I still enjoy now. Super simple and super tasty! My favorite way to enjoy it is on a butter croissant but you can serve it however you prefer.

Ingredients:

2 c. cooked chicken breast, shredded (I have even used canned chicken breast for this)

1/4 tsp. turmeric

Mrs. Dash seasoning - to taste

1 rib celery, finely chopped

2-3 Tbsp. chopped pecans or slivered almonds

Briana's Poppyseed Salad Dressing - to taste (I usually find this particular brand at Walmart but I'm sure it is available in other stores as well)

Mix all ingredients together and it's ready to go! 

Chicken Casserole

For those of you who love the flavors of a good Thanksgiving turkey and dressing dinner, this is something you can make anytime you have that particular craving but don't want to go through all the work of preparing that meal. It is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner (especially if you cook the chicken ahead of time) and is sure to please the palate. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, boiled (reserve broth)

1 stick butter

1 can cream of mushroom soup 

1 bag cornbread stuffing (14 oz.)

1 can cream of chicken soup

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees, then grease a 13x9-inch casserole dish.

Step 2: Cut boiled chicken into bite-size pieces.

Step 3: Put stuffing in a large bowl. Melt butter; pour over stuffing and set aside.

Step 4: Mix 1 cup chicken broth with cream of mushroom soup. In a separate bowl mix 1 cup chicken broth with cream of chicken soup.

Step 5: Layer the following in greased dish:  1/3 of stuffing

                                                                         Mushroom soup mixture

                                                                        1/3 of stuffing

                                                                        Chicken

                                                                        Chicken soup mixture

                                                                        1/3 of stuffing

Step 6: Bake for 45 minutes to an hour.

Cabbage Casserole

 You can't be truly Southern at heart without having a few casserole dishes in your recipe box, right? This one is so tasty! I made it on Christmas day to go along with our ham and oh my lands, I could have just had this as my meal and would have been quite satisfied. With Easter coming up next month you might consider adding this to your menu. Let me know what you think!

Ingredients:

1 small head green cabbage

1 medium sweet onion, chopped

1 stick butter

Salt and pepper to taste

1 can cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soup (I prefer cream of chicken but mushroom soup is a great alternative for those who don't eat meat)

1/3 c. mayonnaise

FOR TOPPING:

3 Tbsp. melted butter

1/2 c. shredded cheddar

About 30 Ritz crackers, crushed 

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Step 2: Coarsely chop cabbage. Melt butter in large skillet and add cabbage and onion.

Step 3: Cook 8-10 minutes until it is partially cooked down. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 4: Transfer mixture to greased 2-quart casserole dish.

Step 5: In a small bowl combine soup and mayonnaise. Spread mixture over cabbage.

Step 6: Combine topping ingredients in a small bowl. Sprinkle over casserole.

Step 7: Bake for 30 minutes or until topping is nicely browned.

Broccoli and Cheddar Soup

 This is a favorite recipe at our house... well, a favorite recipe of my husband's since I don't particularly love cheese LOL. But he truly loves this recipe and I enjoy making it for him from time to time when he just wants a light meal. Try it out and let me know what you think!

Ingredients: 

1 Tbsp. plus 4 Tbsp. butter, divided

1 med. yellow onion, diced small

1 clove garlic, crushed

1/4 c. flour

2 c. chicken stock

2 c. heavy cream

3 c. broccoli florets, 1 c. stems, chopped into bite-size pieces

2 large carrots, sliced into 1/16" rounds

Salt

Pepper

1/2 tsp. smoked paprika

1/2 tsp. mustard powder

1/8 tsp. cayenne

8-oz. grated sharp cheddar (it works best to grate your own cheese when possible; Pre-shredded bagged cheese has a coating on the cheese to keep it from sticking together, but it also prevents it from melting as well as freshly grated cheese).

Directions:

Step 1: Saute onion and 1 Tbsp. butter in a small saucepan until onion is translucent. Add garlic; cook 30 seconds and remove from heat.

Step 2: In a large heavy bottom pot melt 4 Tbsp. butter, then add flour. Cook over medium heat 3-5 minutes, whisking constantly, until thickened.

Step 3: Slowly add stock, whisking constantly. Add cream, whisking constantly. Simmer on low for 15-20 minutes until reduced and thickened.

Step 4: Add broccoli, carrots, onion, and garlic. Add seasonings. Simmer 20-25 minutes.

Step 5: Add cheese; stir until melted and incorporated fully.

Serve and enjoy!