Enchilada Casserole

Enchilada Cassarole
I love this recipe! I changed it up just a bit - I added vegetarian "beef" and subbed pinto beans for black...easy and delicious.

Chilaquiles Casserole

Burger & Fries

I'm all for "food classics" so to speak, but I like to make it (at least a little bit) healthy.Tonight, I'm having a veggie burger on a whole wheat bun with lots of spinach and the requisite burger accompaniment - french fries! I went for sweet potato fries, though, and even scored some with chipotle seasoning! Delicious...and healthy! Yum.

Macaroni & Cheese

Macaroni & Cheese

-1 blue box

Some days just seem to be made for childhood favorites. I try to be healthy, to make my favorite dish from scratch; on lazy days I buy the organic variety with whole wheat pasta. Some days, though, nothing but the original blue box will do. This is when I take a night off, enjoy the simple (almost non-existent) prep work and indulge in childhood bliss. While I do not recommend a diet solely of mac & cheese, I do recommend to enjoy the things you love in moderation.

Thoughts From A New Blogger

This is such a new forum to me! I know, I know...blogging has become an insanely popular and modern  way to communicate your thoughts with everyone or no one. Sooo...here I am. I have no grand desire to communicate with, well...anyone, really. I do, however, have a grand desire to help everyone live a healthy and fulfilling life, so long as their body gives them the opportunity to do so. Am I perfect? Hell. no! I still want to live a long and rewarding life, despite my own caveats. I'm here to share my journey...it is one of healthy foods, delicious foods, fresh foods, and the occasional junk foods, and how they all co-exist in perfect harmony. I am quite skeptical, I must admit. Regardless, I am here to eat! Eat well, that is - and be well, too. I am HOPE - and I hope that you will follow me on this journey of eating well, eating fresh, and eating delicious!

Chicken, Mushroom & Wild Rice Casserole; Fresh Raspberries with Vanilla Ice Cream and Dark Chocolate Sauce

Chicken, Mushroom, and Wild Rice Casserole
I recommend using 1 cup of rice - 1/2 cup is just not enough.
Chicken, Mushroom & Wild Rice Casserole

Fresh Raspberries with Vanilla Ice Cream and Dark Chocolate Sauce
Enough said!

Tomato Cheddar Soup; Tortellini with Wild Mushroom Sauce

Tomato Cheddar Soup

3 c vegetable broth
28 oz whole tomatoes in juice
1 c chopped celery
1 c chopped carrots
2 T butter
3/4 c chopped onions
2 T flour
2 c shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 t worcestershire sauce

-Bring the broth to a boil. Add the tomatoes, carrots, and celery. Simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.
-Meanwhile, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onions and cook for 3 minutes.
-Stir in flour until absorbed.
-Stir in broth mixture and bring to a boil.
-Puree, then return to pot and stir in cheese and worcestershire sauce, stirring until heated through.

Tortellini with Wild Mushroom Sauce

11/2 T olive oil
2 T minced shallots
3 c coarsely chopped wild mushrooms (portobello, shitake, and/or crimini)
1 1/2 c vegetable broth
1/2 c water
2 T marsala wine
1/4 t dried thyme
1/8 t salt
1/8 t pepper
2 T butter
3 T flour
3 T heavy cream
2 T grated parmesan
1/4 c chopped fresh parsley
24 oz fresh tortellini

-Heat oil over medium-high heat. Add shallots and cook for 30 seconds.
-Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring, for 4 minutes.
-Add the broth, water, marsala, thyme, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil.
-Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes.
-Meanwhile, melt the butter over medium-high heat and stir in flour until absorbed.
-Stir in the mushrooms and broth for 2 minutes, until boiling.
-Add the cream, parmesan, and parsley.