It’s light, refreshing and so delish! If you’re hosting this weekend for Easter serve your guests this tasty drink!
Ingredients
• Cucumber (Chunks Seeded and Skinned)
• Basil Leaves
• 2 ounces Vodka
• 1/2 ounce Lime Juice
• 1/2 cup Simple Syrup
Instructions
1. Place chunks of cucumber (skinned and seeded), torn basil leaves and 1/2 oz of simple syrup in a cocktail shaker and muddle to release juice from cucumbers.
2. Add 2 oz. Vodka, 1/2 oz. lime juice and handful of ice to cocktail shaker, cover with lid and shake.
3. Pour into martini glass, garnish with basil and cucumber slice and serve.
What could be better than an easy and savory soup that’s chock full of vitamins and nutrients? It’s low in fat and high in fiber and protein too. Sometimes I modify this recipe and toss in a handful of cherry tomatoes while cutting in half the amount of crushed tomatoes. I make up a large batch and store it in the fridge for a quick but satisfying meal during the week. It also freezes well.
Ingredients
¼ cup olive oil
1 onion, chopped in 1/2 inch dice
2 carrots, diced
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil (or 1 T fresh)
2 cups dry lentils (I like red)
8 cups water
1 (14.5 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
½ cup spinach, rinsed and thinly sliced
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
salt to taste (maybe 1/4 tsp or so)
ground black pepper to taste
Directions
Step 1. Heat oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, and celery; cook and stir until onion is tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, bay leaf, oregano, and basil; cook for 2 minutes.
Step 2. Stir in lentils*, and add water and tomatoes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer until lentils are tender, at least one hour.
Step 3. When ready to serve, stir in spinach and cook until it wilts. Stir in vinegar and season with salt and pepper; taste and adjust as needed.
* Don’t forget to rinse the lentils well before placing in the pot as this removes some of the indigestible sugars that can cause you to feel bloated and gassy and also removes any dirt or debris.
1 lb. thin-sliced boneless chicken breast (or chicken tenders)
1 egg, beaten
shredded parmesan cheese (enough to coat the chicken)
1-2 tomatoes, medium diced
½ brown onion, sliced
Italian seasoning (2-3 shakes)
2 cloves of garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste
fresh basil, chopped
2 Tablespoons olive oil
Wash and dry the fresh produce. Core and dice tomato. Cut out and discard the stem, ribs and seeds of the bell pepper; medium dice. Peel and dice the onion. Pick the basil leaves off the stems; discard the stems.
1 dry pint (basket) of cherry tomatoes
1 carton of fresh mozzarella cheese (small balls or you can cut up larger ones)
10-20 fresh basil leaves (depending on size)
good quality extra virgin olive oil
good quality balsamic vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
toothpicks
6-8 eggs (I use 6 jumbo)
4 tbsp. sun dried tomatoes (not packed in oil)
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup freshly chopped basil
1 cup artichoke hearts (optional)
1 tsp. olive oil
Salt and Pepper to taste
3 medium zucchinis
1 lb. lean ground pork
12 oz. marinara sauce
1 Tablespoon Sriracha hot chili sauce
1 Tablespoon fennel seeds
2 teaspoons fresh garlic, minced (or garlic powder)
2 teaspoons onion powder
1 teaspoon seasoned salt (I like Seven Seas)
1 teaspoon black pepper
8 oz mozzarella or Monterey jack cheese, grated
1/2 cup freshly grated Asiago or Romano cheese
3 Roma tomatoes, sliced thin ( I used yellow cherry tomatoes)
fresh basil, chopped
extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
Don't Forget the Secret Ingredient 