Category: Family Recipes

This aromatic dish fills the house with warmth!  The arugula turns brighter green as it cooks and creates a dish that is both beautiful and incredibly delicious.  One pot sausage, white beans & arugula will definitely have your family requesting seconds….so be sure to make enough!

If there are any leftovers, it is one of those amazing recipes that tastes even better the second day…bonus!

One Pot Sausage, White Beans & Arugula ~

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 medium onion, sliced or diced
• 2 lb. kielbasa, sliced
• 1 bunch green onions, diced
• 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 15-ounce cans white kidney beans
• 32 ounce chicken broth
• 3-4 tsp. Italian seasoning
• 3 cups arugula

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in pan over medium-low heat.  Add sliced onions and let simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.  Add minced garlic cloves and cook through.
2. Toss sliced kielbasa in pan with onions and garlic.  Cook, stirring occasionally until kielbasa is browned.
3. Add both cans of white kidney beans.
4. Season with Italian seasoning.
5. Add 2 cups chicken broth and bring to boil.
6. *Optional – lightly smash about 1/4 of the beans to give your dish a bit of a thicker consistency.
7. Reduce heat to medium-low.
8. Mix in arugula.
9. Cook through until arugula starts to wilt.
10. If needed, add more chicken broth to keep a somewhat “soupy” consistency.

Notes:

Kale can be substituted for arugula…or any green that you wish if either of these are hard to find.  Both add nutritional value, however, arugula has a spicier flavor.

Many meats can be substituted for kielbasa.  I have fixed it with chunks of Italian sausage and it is very flavorful as well.  Substitute to your family’s liking.

While this is not a soup, it does have a slightly soupy consistency.  Bread is a great side dish to “sop” up the extra juices.

Adding 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. dried chile flakes gives it a very tasty spicier flavor.

Arugula ~

Arugula is a member of the bitter green flavor, thus does have a slightly bitter flavor.  However, if you were to compare it to collard greens, it is much milder.  It also has a spicier taste than most of the other greens.  It is widely used in salads, thus can be eaten raw or cooked.

Arugula is low in sugar, carbs and calories, making it a great choice to add to any menu.  It is high in Vitamins A, K & C, Potassium, Calcium and Folate.  It is always good to find a food that is so versatile, healthy and delicious!

Extra Recipes ~

One only has to search arugula recipes to find a plethura of great ideas!  Here are some I have either already made and loved or have on my “To Try” recipe list:

This Arugula Frittata by Theclevermeal.com  looks absolutely amazing.  Another wonderful thing about this one is it can be served for breakfast, brunch, lunch or even dinner (I just love having breakfast for dinner….don’t you?)  It also serves as a great vegetarian dish!

If you haven’t run across Sugar Maple Farmhouse, you really need to do so!  Wow!  Her blog is packed with some amazing recipes!  This Roasted Asparagus & Arugula Salad by Sugarmaplefarmhouse.com is a perfect example of what all she has to offer.  Be sure to check out this great recipe and more!

Meat & Veggies In One ~

I have always enjoyed meals that combine the meat and veggies in one dish.  We grew up eating a lot of casseroles when I was a kid.  However, my husband is not a fan of some of the old fashioned casseroles that I am so fond of.  Meals like this one pot sausage, white beans & arugula is basically the new way of doing a casserole in my mind.  Crazy thinking?  Maybe!  But I love it!

Maybe you saw one of my earlier posts on Veggie Filled Stuffed Peppers?  Another meal that combines all ingredients in one but not quite a casserole!  Be sure to check it out….it’s a little different take than the traditional stuffed peppers you may be thinking of.  Be sure to check out my Stir Fry Chicken & Veggies too!

Serving In Style ~

As always, I love to use fun dishware to serve up these fun recipes.  After all,  you put your love and time into creating wonderful foods….why not enjoy them in beautiful dishware as well?   I am a huge fan of Antique Farmhouse.  Have you checked out their website?  Everything I have purchased from them has been wonderful…big fan!   Here a few of their serving items:

As you search through salad ideas, many “specialty” salads are more seasonal.  Then you get lucky and find that one “specialty” salad that just seems to be good for all seasons and all holidays.  THIS is that salad!  Have you tried classic broccoli salad?  If not, let me tell you that this is one of the MOST requested salads at our friends and family get togethers.

This salad can be made ahead….BONUS!  I remember going to end of season sports banquets and I always looked forward to this side.  Yes, I have loved it for a very long time!  It is a delicious mixture of only a few ingredients that is topped with a creamy dressing that completes it perfectly.  I just described to you an easy salad that is also yummy…it’s perfect!

With the holidays right around the corner, it is the perfect addition to your Christmas Eve or Christmas Day menu.  As mentioned earlier, it can be made ahead and these are the best recipes when there is so many other things going on as well that makes it hard to spend all day in the kitchen.

Ingredients ~

For Salad ~

2 large bunches broccoli, cut into bite sized pieces

1/2 cup to 1 cup raisins (I go with the larger amount)

12-18 strips bacon, cooked crisp

1 small onion, diced

1 cup or more of sunflower seeds

For Dressing ~

1 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup sugar

2 Tbsp. vinegar

* I double the dressing recipe because we like it covered in dressing.

* You can use white vinegar or apple cider vinegar…both work fine!

Instructions ~

Break or cut broccoli florets into bite-sized pieces.  You can chop stems and add them in as well.

Fry bacon until crisp.  Crumble when cooled.  *You can buy the premade bacon and toss in microwave for 1 to 2 minutes for a quick prep on the bacon.

Mix broccoli, raisins and finely-chopped onion and toss.

In separate bowl, mix mayonnaise, sugar and vinegar together until well combined and sugar crystals have dissolved.  Pour over broccoli mixture and refrigerate.  It is best if it marinates at least 2 hours.

*** I add the bacon when serving.  This keeps the bacon from getting soft.  This is not a necessary step, it is just how we prefer it.

Occasions for Classic Broccoli Salad ~

As mentioned earlier, this is the perfect salad for Christmas.  The green color adds to the festive look on your table.  Also, since it can be made ahead, it makes meal prep that much easier for the busy Christmas season.

It’s a perfect salad for Valentine’s Day by switching up the raisins for dried cranberries.  I like to bring in the color of the holiday into foods that I serve for that extra fun touch.

Definitely a great dish for Easter…just because salads are always good with Easter ham and all the other yummy sides that go with your Easter meal.

For all of the summer holidays….again it is a big hit.  It is crowd approved and nice that you can make ahead, throw it in a cooler to keep it chilled and have it ready to serve!  Seriously, it is a PERFECT salad for any time of the year!  This Iced sald serving bowl is perfect for all of the occasions too!  The stainless steel serving bowl sits in a larger acrylic bowl that holds the ice and keeps your salad chilled for hours!

*WHEN YOU MAKE A PURCHASE THROUGH MY LINKS I MAY EARN COMMISSIONS FROM AMAZON OR OTHER RETAILERS.  YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT MY EDITORIAL AND AFFILIATE POLICY HERE!  THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING MY SMALL BUSINESS!

Do I Need to Blanch the Broccoli? ~

No!  Cut the broccoli pieces from fresh broccoli…no extra work needed here!  The broccoli will soften a bit on its own as it marinates in the dressing.  Of course, you can blanch it if you wish, but there is really no need.

Healthier Substitutions ~

You can substitute greek yogurt for mayonnaise to make the salad a bit healthier.  You can also use mayonnaise with olive oil in it to save a few calories without changing the creaminess of the dressing.

Using pre-cooked bacon has less fat and calories than pan-fried bacon.  As mentioned above, I use this a lot and it does not alter the tast.  DO NOT use the little bacon bits that you find in a jar….please!

As many salads go, this is one that is not necessarily high on the “healthy” list.  However, it is an easy way to get broccoli and raisins (or dried cranberries) in your diet for those more finicky!

Other Salad Recipes Using Same Dressing ~

This dressing is a common dressing for many of what I call the “old-time salad recipes.”  Another family favorite of ours is made by mixing bite-sized pieces of Longhorn Colby Cheese, bacon pieces, diced onion, broccoli florets, cauliflower pieces and diced green onion topped with this creamy dressing!  Give it a try too!

This Classic Pea Salad by Bellyfull.net is another delcious salad recipe that uses the same dressing.  As Amy from BellyFull states in her post linked here, it is another old fashioned recipe that receives great accolades every time she serves it!

Do you already make this salad and maybe have some variations?  I would love to hear about them!  If you haven’t made it, be sure to make it soon….your family will be thankful you did!

Year ‘Round Meals to Pair with Classic Broccoli Salad ~

Have you tried making the hamburger bowls yet?  If not, check out this fun way and unique way to serve hamburgers…Hamburger Bowls!

This salad would also complement these amazing Poor Man Smoked Burnt Ends!

Enjoy!

Happy Cooking ~

Mimi

Stir fry is such a versatile dish that you can easily cater to the tastebuds of whoever you are entertaining.  There are hardly any veggies or meat options that won’t pair well for this dish.  Chicken and beef seem to be the standard, however pork and seafood are both great options as well.  One of our favorites though is stir fry chicken & veggies.

The other awesome thing about stir fry is that you can make it as easy or intricate as you wish.  Easy would consist of frozen veggies and store bought sauces, which does indeed make a quick but wonderful meal.  However, this stir fry recipe is a little more on the time consuming side…and well worth the time put into it!

Prep Work ~

The prep is definitely what consumes most of your time when making this recipe.  However, you can do it in advance and store in the refrigerator if you wish.    The main thing you want to consider when prepping your veggies is that some vegetables cook through quicker than others.  Therefore, cut the thicker vegetables, such as carrots and celery a bit smaller.

I personally love that this recipe calls for sliced cabbage.  It is a vegetable that gets overlooked a lot (at least in our family) yet it is packed with so many wonderful nutrients.  In fact, we cook cabbage and potatoes every year as a New Year’s tradition and find ourselves saying, “I love cabbage, why don’t we cook it more throughout the year?”

Cooking Meat & Veggies Separately ~

Cooking the Chicken ~

It really does make a difference if you cook the meat separately from the veggies and add them together at the end.  Many recipes don’t call for this, but if you are taking the time to follow this recipe, don’t ignore this step!

I prefer to cook the meat first.  We prefer crispy edges on our meat, so you will see from the picture that it is cooked longer.  You can obviously cook it to your liking.  Obviously, the longer you cook it the crunchier it becomes.  If you prefer a chewier chicken, then cook less time making sure to cook it completely through.

While the meat is cooking you can prepare the delicious sauce.  Mix all the ingredients up in a small bowl and set aside for later!

Cooking the Veggies ~

Move the cooked chicken to a separate bowl and get ready for those vegetables!  I prefer to add the veggies that take a bit longer to cook in first.  Then just start layering all of the other veggies.  There is something about the beauty of a bunch of veggies all mixed together….doesn’t it make you feel healthy just looking at it?  Yum!  And let’s not forget about that wonderful aroma!

While those veggies are cooking, you need to cook your rice noodles in a separate pan.  Not all stir fry recipes call for noodles to be mixed in, but this is another reason I love this particular recipe so much!

Combining the Meat, Veggies, Noodles and Sauce ~

Once your veggies are cooked, you can add the meat back in and top them off with this yummy, yummy sauce.  Seriously, you are going to love this sauce!  In fact, we are typically very heavy seasoners, but only salt and pepper were used during the cooking process as the sauce brings out all the seasoning you will need.

Necessities for Good Stir Fry ~

*Some of the links below are affiliate links.  This means that as an Amazon affiliate, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize your purchase.

First off,  you need a good wok to cook in.  We own a couple of different ones (because we love stir fry that much!), however, the cast iron is our favorite.  They just seem to cook very evenly and retain heat very well!

However, not everyone likes cooking with cast iron….mostly because the clean up is a little more involved.  Therefore, we love ones like this as well.  I love that this one comes with so many important utensils that are used when cooking in a wok.   Not to mention that beautiful wooden lid!  Be sure to pay attention to size as well… there is a range of sizes available for you to find what suits your family best.

You will find through other cooking posts of mine that I use generic brands when possible.  I find it important to save money where you can, however, sometimes you just need a specific name brand condiment or spice that is perfect for your recipe.  This Sambal Oelek Chili Paste is one of those times.  This little jar packs flavor and heat.  Not the super hot heat (as I am not a spicy flavor girl as most of my family is), but a good flavorful heat.

Summing It Up ~

As you can see, there are several steps to this recipe:

• Prepping the chicken and veggies
• Cooking the chicken
• Making the sauce
• Cooking the veggies
• Preparing the noodles
• Mixing it all together and warming through

As mentioned at the beginning of this post, it is a more intricate recipe.  Not a hard recipe…..just more time consuming….AND OH SO WORTH THE TIME SPENT!  (*Tip:  Wash your dishes as you go because this does utilize several different bowls and pans.)  This chicken & veggie stir fry is an absolutely delicious meal that everyone is sure to enjoy!

Happy Cooking ~

Mimi

Scoop it, dip it, stuff it…yep, I’m talking pita bread here!  What a fun and versatile bread.  My personal favorite is stuffing it with lots of goodies, so what could be better than some hot oozy cheese!  Pita bread stuffed grilled cheese…BLT (actually BST (spinach) and/or Caprese Style.  You have got to read on for this delightful recipe that can be made for breakfast, lunch or dinner!

BLT or Caprese Style? ~

We took it a step further and offered options.  I prepared all of the ingredients ahead of time and displayed on cutting boards and in bowls.  With this method, each person got to personalize their pita bread stuffed grilled cheese.  Of course, you do not have to always do it this way, but it is definitely a fun option.

BLT (BLS for Spinach) ~

Ingredients ~

• Bacon, cooked and crumbled
• Cheese – mozzarella, pepper jack, provolone – shredded
• Spinach – chopped
• Onions – diced
• Tomatoes – chopped
• Seasonings
  • Garlic powder/salt
  • Everything But the Bagel
  • Onion Powder
  • Italian Seasoning
• Butter or Olive Oil

Directions ~

1. Brown bacon and crumble once cooled.
2. Chop spinach
3. Dice onion
4. Place all ingredients in separate dish or lay out on cutting board
5. Have each person choose their ingredients and put in medium size bowl.  Stir until well blended.
6. Slice pita bread so that it opens to a pocket.  *It is better to have ones that are NOT already split in the middle for easier grilling.
7. Stuff pita bread filling to the back and moving forward until stuffed plump.
8. Cover both sides of pita with butter or olive oil. *I buttered one side, added preferred spice and then placed on griddle.  I then buttered the other side while it was on the griddle.
9. Cook until desired doneness and serve!

*Notice the small bowl to the right.  This is the bowl we used to mix the individual ingredient choices.

You can offer choices of condiments for dipping as well.  Options such as ranch dressing or sour cream pair well with the BLT pita bread stuffed grilled cheese.

Most of the family chose this style but DEFINITELY used different ingredients.  Max had bacon and mozzarella only with no spices. Uncle Eli stuffed his with bacon, onion, spinach, mozzarella balls and pepper jack cheese.  He then seasoned the outside with the Everything But The Bagel seasoning.    Lauren chose bacon, spinach, tomatoes, mozarella and pepper jack cheese and then seasoned with garlic.

As you can see, each person’s individual tastes took a big part in making these a success!

Caprese Style ~

Ingredients ~

• Spinach – chopped
• Mozarella balls
• Mozarella – shredded
• Fresh Basil – chopped
• Tomatoes – chopped
• Balsamic reduction

Directions ~

1. Chop spinach.
2. Chop fresh basil.
3. Chop tomatoes.
4. Slice pita bread so that it opens to a pocket.  *It is better to have ones that are NOT already split in the middle for easier grilling.
5. Stuff pita bread filling to the back and moving forward until stuffed plump.
6. Cover both sides of pita with butter or olive oil. *I buttered one side, added preferred spice and then placed on griddle.  I then buttered the other side while it was on the griddle.
7. Cook until desired doneness and serve!

As you can see, the steps are the same.  Only the ingredients are different.  I drizzled mine with a balsamic reduction and it was FAB!  *I actually keep the Alessi brand of Balsamic Reduction on hand for many different recipes – delish!

I’m going to be honest here, we made these for dinner just last night!  The funny part is I made one again for brunch this morning!  I kid you not…I am obsessed!  They just add a different element from the traditional grilled cheese.

Now, I’m including links to some of the ingredients I mentioned.  You, of course, can get them at the store.  I am including these more for you to have a visual.

DISCLOSURE: This site contains product affiliate links for Amazon and other companies. We may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links.  Thank you for supporting my small business!

I seriously LOVE this sxxx…Alessi Balsamic Reduction! I have it in the fridge at all times.  In the summer, I love to throw together a quick spinach, mozzarella, tomato and fresh basil salad.  I also use it in a lot of appetizers!

If you have not yet tried Anything But the Bagel Seasoning, do yourself a favor and do so!  Try this test…pull up Pinterest, type in Anything But the Bagel Seasoning and look at the results.  One would think you would get a lot of results with just the seasoning…but NOOO…you get all kinds of recipes using the seasoning.  I’m telling you, this seasoning is awesome for so many things!

Did you love the cutting board in the pics as much as I do? Check out the link here for own charcuterie cutting/serving board!   This board is so versatile and fun!

This fun twist on grilled cheese sandwiches is sure to become a quick family favorite!  Do you make a different and fun grilled cheese sandwich?  Let me know about it….I would love to add it to my recipe book!  Speaking of recipe books, be sure to check out this amazing collection of everything gooey and cheesey… whether for yourself or as an awesome gift!

I would love to hear from you…put your thoughts in the comment box below!

Enjoy!

Mimi