Asparagus Soup with Chicken Sausage

I've been very spoiled lately. Brady hasn't been traveling and he's been making dinner on nights that I get home later. It's been so nice! Brady made asparagus soup last week and it turned out great. I loved that the soup was rich and creamy yet it didn't have any butter or cream in it. It certainly doesn't look or feel like spring right now but this perfect spring soup has me hoping that it's right around the corner!

Asparagus Soup with Chicken Sausage

Prep/Cook Time: 30 minutes

2 T. olive oil
1 package of chicken sausage, cut into small cubes
3-4 green onions, thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 small red potatoes, peeled and cut into small cubes
4 c. chicken broth
salt and pepper
1 bunch asparagus, cut into 1/2 inch pices
6 oz. plain Fat Free Greek yogurt

In a large pot, heat the olive oil. Add the chicken sausage and cook until golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer the sausage to a plate and set aside. Add the green onions and garlic and cook until tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in the potatoes and broth and bring to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper and cook until the potatoes are almost tender, 8-10 minutes. Stir in the asparagus and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.

In small batches, puree the soup in a blender. Return the soup to the pot and stir in the yogurt and chicken sausage and season again with salt and pepper. Serve with a little grated cheese and warm bread.

Pasta with Eggplant and Garlic Thyme Breadcrumbs

Pasta always seems like an easy option for Friday night dinners during Lent. Brady came across this recipe for pasta with eggplant and garlic thyme breadcrumbs recently and we gave it a try last weekend. We eat tons of vegetables but I tend to forget about eggplant. I think it's partially due to the fact that eggplant requires a little prep work. I also try to avoid heavy groceries when it's just me doing the grocery shopping! This dish reminded me though how tasty eggplant is and that it's completely worth the extra 30 minutes to let it soak in salted water to get rid of any bitterness. Luckily, the rest of the steps in this recipe are simple and the end result is delicious!

Pasta with Eggplant and Garlic Thyme Breadcrumbs

Prep/Cook Time: 45 minutes

8 cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 c. tomato puree
1 clove garlic, minced
2 T. olive oil
12.5 ounces whole wheat rigatoni or fusilli pasta
1 eggplant
1 T. capers
1 T. black olives, halved
basil
salt and pepper
freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Garlic Thyme Breadcrumbs
6 T. breadcrumbs
3 T. olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp thyme

Preheat the broiler to HI.

Cut the eggplant into small cubes and put them in salted water for half an hour. After soaking, pat them dry and put them on a baking dish covered with a little cooking spray. Drizzle with a little olive oil and broil them for about 4-5 minutes, until golden and crisp. Set them aside.

Cook the pasta according to directions. Meanwhile, saute the garlic in a pan with 2 T. olive oil. Add the halved tomatoes, the tomato pure, a little salt and 3 T. of water. Let the sauce cook for 5 minutes on low. Add in the capers, olives and a little torn basil.  Add the baked eggplant cubes and mix well.

While the sauce is simmering and the pasta is cooking, combine the garlic thyme breadcrumb ingredients in a small bowl.

Before draining the pasta, put 2 T. pasta water in the tomato and eggplant sauce. Drain the remaining pasta water and then combine the pasta and eggplant sauce. Serve with grated cheese and the garlic thyme breadcrumbs on top. 

Pistachio Cranberry Goat Cheese Stuffed Pork Tenderloin

Last Sunday, Brady made a stuffed pork tenderloin for our pre-Oscars dinner. It was absolutely delicious. Brady loves pork tenderloin and I think everything tastes good with creamy goat cheese added to it so it was a win win. This is also a faux fancy recipe because the ingredient list is short, it doesn't take long to prepare, but the end result is something that you could easily serve to company and they would be impressed.

 Pistachio Cranberry Goat Cheese Stuffed Pork Tenderloin

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes

3/4 c. raw unsalted shelled pistachios
1/4 c. dried cranberries
1 clove garlic, minced
4 ounces goat cheese
salt and pepper
1 1/2 to 2 pound pork tenderloin
2 T. olive oil

Preheat oven to 350.

Toast 1/4 cup pistachios in a small skillet over medium high heat until slightly toasted, about 3 minutes. Side aside. Meanwhile, grind the remaining 1/2 c. pistachios in a food processor. Pour onto a plate and set aside.

Put the toasted pistachios into the food processor along with the cranberries and garlic. Pulse until the mixture is evenly grown. Add the goat cheese and pulse to combine.

Butterfly the pork tenderloin. Sprinkle the inside of the meat with salt and pepper. Spread the pistachio/cranberry/goat cheese mixture evening on the inside of the meat. Roll the tenderloin lengthwise and tie with butcher's string at about 2 inch intervals. Roll the tied tenderloin in the ground pistachios, pressing the pistachios onto the meat, until fully coated.

Heat the oil in an oven proof skillet. Place the tenderloin in the skillet and sear on all side 1-2 minutes or until browned. Place the skilled in the oven and cook for 15-20 minutes or until the inside of the pork is cooked through.

Remove from the oven, place the tenderloin on a cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Maple Sesame Salmon

I have posted multiple salmon recipes over the last couple of years but I had to add this recipe for Maple Sesame Salmon. The salmon was absolutely delicious. I was hesitant to broil the salmon, I have burnt numerous things due to broiling, but the salmon turned out perfect. This is hands down going to be my go-to salmon recipe for easy weeknight cooking.

Maple Sesame Salmon
*** adapted from Cupcakes and Kale Chips blog

2 salmon filets
2 T. olive oil
1/4 c. maple syrup
1 T. sesame oil
2 T. rice vinegar
2 T. soy sauce
sprinkle of crushed red pepper
sprinkle of sesame seeds
salt and pepper

In a small boil, combine the olive oil through crushed red pepper. Place the salmon in a large ziplock bag and pour the marinade over it. Put the bag in the fridge and let it marinate for at least one hour.

When you are ready to cook the salmon, preheat the broiler. I used the low setting on my broiler. Cover the inside of a baking dish with foil and spray with cooking spray. Place the salmon on the baking dish, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and some sesame seeds. Broil the salmon for 10-12 minutes. I turned the broiler up to high for the last 2 minutes and the salmon came out perfectly.

Brussels Sprout Salad with Burrata

Paul Kahan is a well known chef in Chicago. He owns Blackbird, Avec, Publican and Big Star. Brady and I have been to a few of these restaurants over the years and our meals have always been outstanding. When I came across his recipe for a Brussels sprout salad I knew I had to give it a try. This salad is refreshing and a nice change from the typical lettuce salad. The fresh burrata gives the salad a bit of richness and makes it "fancy" enough to serve guests.

Brussels Sprout Salad with Burrata
 ** a Paul Kahan recipe

Serves 4
Prep Time: 30 minutes

1 pound brussels sprouts
1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, shaved
1 medium red onion, cut into ½ inch slices
2 Tablespoons of balsamic vinegar
Extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
burrata cheese
3 Tablespoons (or a bit more) of lemon vinaigrette

Lemon Vinaigrette

3 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon honey
1 tablespoon minced garlic
salt and pepper to taste

Heat a grill pan over medium heat. Drizzle with olive oil and place the onions on the grill pan. Season the onions with salt, and pepper. Grill the onions until tender, about 10 minutes. Remove the onions and put them in a bowl and pour over the balsamic vinegar. Cover the bowl and let sit for half an hour. After the time has passed, cut the onions into little squares and place them back in the bowl. Refrigerate until needed.

Combine all of the ingredients for the lemon vinaigrette in a small mixing bowl and set aside

Shave the brussels sprouts as thin as possible on a mandolin (or you can use a knife to slice them thinly). Place the brussels sprouts in a mixing bowl and add the lemon vinaigrette, parmesan cheese and red onion. Season with salt and pepper and let sit at room temperature for at least half an hour.

Just before you serve, cut the burrata into large pieces and place each piece in a bowl. Season it with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Spoon the brussels sprouts over the burrata and serve.

Kale and Farro Soup

Soup is one of my go-to weekday lunch options. I like to take the time to make a big pot of soup on Sunday and then portion the soup into individual containers. Early mornings always seem a little less chaotic when lunch is already packed. I am always looking for new soup recipes that are healthy yet filling. The below soup is delicious plus it's filled with nutrients- superfood kale, vitamin rich butternut squash, and farro which is high in protein.

Picture from TasteFood

Kale and Farro Soup
** adapted from TasteFood

Serves: 6
Prep/Cook Time: 30 minutes

1 T. olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 c. farro
6 c. chicken stock
2 c. butternut squash, peeled, seeds removed, and cubed
1 (15oz) can Italian plum tomatoes
1 bay leaf
2 tsp dried thyme
salt and pepper
2 to 3 cups coarsly chopped kale, stems removed
grated Parmesan, option

Heat oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Saute the onion and garlic until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the farro and stir to coat. Add the chicken stock, butternut squash, tomatoes, bay leaf, thyme, and salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, using the back of the spoon break up the tomatoes, and then simmer until the squash is tender, about 30 minutes. Stir in the kale leaves. Serve with grated Parmesan.

** If making this for weekday lunches, I would suggest adding in a little more stock or water. The farro seemed to absorb a lot of the liquid over the course of the week.

Roasted Pumpkin Risotto with Sweet Italian Sausage and Apples

I was not very good about posting recipes this fall while working on wedding plans. The below recipe was one that I made back in October or November but never got around to posting on the blog. This was an outstanding dish and perfect for fall/winter so I am happy to finally be sharing it. While you aren't going to be able to find sugar pumpkins in the grocery store this time of year, butternut or acorn squash would work just as well in it's place. The combination of the apples, sausage, and cheese go together perfectly and make this such a warm and comforting meal.

Picture from The Cozy Apron

Roasted Pumpkin Risotto with Sweet Italian Sausage and Apples
** adapted from The Cozy Apron

Serves 4
Prep/Cook Time:

1 small sugar pumpkin, peeled, seeded, and diced (or butternut squash)
2 golden delicious apples, peeled, corded and diced
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
2 T. olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
2 T. honey
3. T. butter
1 small onion, chopped
1 c. Arborio rice
1/2 c. white wine
4 c. chicken stock, very hot
2 sweet Italian sausage links, casings removed and browned
1/4 c. shredded Gruyere
1/4 c. Parmesan, grated
4 sage leaves, chopped

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, combine the pumpkin, apples, pumpkin pie spice, salt, pepper, honey, and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Spread the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and roast for about 25 minutes, stirring halfway through. Set aside.

Cook the Italian sausage in a small skillet until browned. Set aside. 

While the pumpkin is roasting, begin the risotto by preheating a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot add 2 tablespoons of butter and then add the chopped onion and cook for about 2 minutes. Add the rice and stir to coat all of the grains. Add the white wine and gently stir. Allow the wine to reduce until almost absorbed and then add 1/2 cup stock. Stir gently and allow the rice to absorb the stock. Once the stock is almost fully absorbed add another 1/2 cup stock; repeat this process until the rice is soft and creamy. This should take about 20 minutes.

To finish the risotto, turn off the heat and stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon butter, Gruyere, Parmesan, browned Italian sausage, and the pumpkin mixture. Stir in the chopped sage leaves. Serve immediately.