Gina Homolka's Blog, page 221
January 24, 2016
Beef, Tomato and Acini di Pepe Soup (Instant Pot, Slow Cooker + Stove Top)
My family DEVOURED this delicious bowl of soup made with ground beef, tomatoes, and tiny pasta. It's warm and comforting, like a great big hug on a cold winter day.
I was snowed in yesterday, which meant soup day. It also gave me an opportunity to make this AMAZING soup that's been on my mind since I tried something similar from a small deli who called it Grandma's Soup. I loved how the bits of meat tasted almost like meatballs, without having to do the extra work.
Tommy and my oldest Karina topped theirs with shredded mozzarella and grated Pecorino Romano with a slice of crusty toasted bread (they called it pizza soup). I had mine topped with grated Pecorino Romano, which is completely optional but SO worth it! Madison who's six complained about the chunks of tomatoes (kids!) so if you have picky kids using crushed tomatoes would work too.
I decided to do this in my Instant Pot (a multi-cooker that does the job of a slow cooker, electric pressure cooker, rice cooker, steamer, yogurt maker, sauté/browning pan, and warming pot all in one) because I love the saute feature and how quick it cooks, but you can also make this on the stove, conventional pressure cooker or slow cooker – I've included directions below for all!
Click Here To See The Full Recipe...
January 23, 2016
Skinnytaste Dinner Plan (Week 14)
Happy Saturday, week 14 of sharing my weekly dinner plans!
Above is a sample week of The Skinnytaste Meal Planner, a 52-week meal planner, food tracker and exercise tracker in one. I've included the Smart Points next to the recipes since I am currently on Weight Watchers. By the way if you have The Skinnytaste Cookbook, and if you are on Weight Watchers, I have all the Smart Points listed here for your convenience.
If you're new here you can see the older plans below. Meal planning is a great way to get organized before heading to the supermarket to get ready for the week! My breakfast is usually something quick like eggs with fruit, a smoothie or avocado toast. We're a family of four, so if a recipe serves more, it's either packed up for everyone's lunch or eaten the next day as leftovers. If you would like to see some of the previous week's dinner plans, click here.
Skinnytaste Dinner Plan (Week 14)
Monday: Dad's Creamy Cauliflower Soup (2 SP)
with Garlic Parmesan Fries (6 SP)
Tuesday: Beef Tacos (using this recipe with beef instead of turkey....)
Wednesday: Turkey Meatball and Spaghetti Soup (5 SP)
Thursday: Parmesan Crust Turkey Cutlets (4 SP)
Sauteed Baby Zucchini (2SP)
Friday: Healthy Baked Fish Sticks with Lemon Caper Sauce (6SP)
House Salad with Love from The Skinnytaste Cookbook (3 SP)
Saturday: Dinner Out! :)
Sunday: Filipino Adobo Chicken (6SP) (MY FAVORITE!)
with Brown Rice
Click Here To See The Full Recipe...
January 19, 2016
16 Bean Soup with Ham and Kale
Winter has finally arrived, and there's nothing quite like a pot of soup simmering all day to warm you up. This soup is hearty and delicious, and loaded with fiber. One bowl will fill you up, and leftovers are perfect to freeze for future meals.
Made with a 16 bean soup mix (if yours comes with a flavor packet you'll want to discard it) plus smoked ham, vegetables, fresh herbs and kale. You'll want to soak the beans overnight, then discard the water the next day before cooking.
I'm sure this could be made in the pressure cooker, to speed it up. If I converted this for the pressure cooker I would use less water. Hope you enjoy!
Click Here To See The Full Recipe...
January 17, 2016
Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) Easy Salsa Shredded Chicken
This is the EASIEST Instant Pot (a multi-cooker that does the job of a slow cooker, electric pressure cooker, rice cooker, steamer, yogurt maker, sauté/browning pan, and warming pot all in one) recipe EVER! Just TWO ingredients: salsa and chicken plus some spices makes a delicious juicy chicken that can be used in tacos, over rice, salads and more!
You can also make this in your slow cooker, see directions below for both!
Click Here To See The Full Recipe...
January 16, 2016
Skinnytaste Dinner Plan (Week 13)
Happy Saturday, this is week 13 of sharing my weekly dinner plans, hopefully they will inspire your dinner choices for the week. I was sharing these every Sunday but since many of you shop on Saturdays I decided to change it to Saturdays moving forward.
I've also included a sample week of The Skinnytaste Meal Planner, a 52-week meal planner, food tracker and exercise tracker in one. I've included the Smart Points next to the recipes since I am currently on Weight Watchers. By the way if you have The Skinnytaste Cookbook, and if you are on Weight Watchers, I have all the Smart Points listed here for your convenience.
If you're new here you can see the older plans below. Meal planning is a great way to get organized before heading to the supermarket to get ready for the week! My breakfast is usually something quick like eggs with fruit, a smoothie or avocado toast. We're a family of four, so if a recipe serves more, it's either packed up for everyone's lunch or eaten the next day as leftovers. If you would like to see some of the previous week's dinner plans, click here.
Skinnytaste Dinner Plan (Week 12)
Monday: Spinach Stracciatella Soup with Orzo (4 SP)
with 1 ounce whole wheat crusty bread (2 SP)
Tuesday: No-Bean Turkey and Sweet Potato Chili (5 SP)
with baked chips
Wednesday: Blackened Salmon with Mango Salsa (4 SP)
with quinoa (plain salmon for Madison)
Thursday: Crock Pot Kalua Pork (6SP )
Lettuce Wraps
Friday: Leftover Kalua Pork (6 SP)
over 3/4 cup brown rice with hot sauce and 1 oz avocado (6 SP)
Saturday: Dinner Out! :)
Sunday: Pork Chops with Mushrooms and Shallots (6SP)
House Salad with Love from The Skinnytaste Cookbook (3 SP)
Click Here To See The Full Recipe...
January 13, 2016
Chicken Sausage and Peppers Macaroni Casserole
Chicken sausage, bell peppers, onions and mushrooms simmered in a marinara sauce then baked in the casserole with whole wheat macaroni topped with mozzarella.
I love a baked pasta dish that doesn't require having to cook the pasta, why dirty an extra pot? Instead, you pour the sauce over the macaroni and the pasta cooks in the sauce, right in the oven. Although this takes about 55 minutes to bake after you assemble, it's unassisted cook time so you can go about relaxing while dinner's in the oven.
If you've been following me for a while, you probably know I swear by DeLallo's whole wheat pasta, it's the only whole wheat pasta I like and you can't even tell it's whole wheat in this dish (I swear). This dish was inspired by the Easy Macaroni Casserole I shared with turkey and veggies. Every time I make it I think, I bet this would be great with sausage and peppers and I was right!
You could easily halve this recipe in a 9 x 9 baking dish to serve four. Leftovers can also be frozen.
Click Here To See The Full Recipe...
January 12, 2016
Open-Faced Omelet with Avocado and Pico de Gallo
I'm pretty obsessed with making open-faced omelets and make them all the time topped with whatever I have on hand (you may remember this tomato and feta omelet). Since I always have avocados on hand, and I had some leftover pico de gallo from this recipe, I've been whipping this up all week!
This takes under 5 minutes, and it's so easy you don't even half to flip the omelet, it just slides off the pan and onto your plate. Tell me, what would you top your omelet with? I could use some new ideas!
Click Here To See The Full Recipe...
January 11, 2016
Sesame Orange Broccoli
Looking for something different to do with broccoli, then this easy side dish is for you. Perfect side with salmon, cod, chicken or steak. You could even make this a meal by sauteed this with strips of beef or chicken before making the broccoli!
Click Here To See The Full Recipe...
January 10, 2016
Skinnytaste Dinner Plan (Week 12)
Happy Sunday, this is week 12 of sharing my weekly dinner plans, hopefully the will inspire your dinner choiches for the week. If you're new here you can see the older plans below. Meal planning is a great way to get organized before heading to the supermarket to get ready for the week!
I've also included a sample week of The Skinnytaste Meal Planner which is a 52-week meal planner, food tracker and exercise tracker in one. I've included the Smart Points next to the recipes since I am currently on WW.
My breakfast is usually something quick like eggs with fruit, a smoothie or avocado toast. We're a family of four, so if a recipe serves more, it's either packed up for everyone's lunch or eaten the next day as leftovers. If you would like to see some of the previous weeks dinner plans, here they are:
Dinner Plan Week 1
Dinner Plan Week 2
Dinner Plan Week 3
Dinner Plan Week 4
Dinner Plan Week 5
Dinner Plan Week 6
Dinner Plan Week 7
Dinner Plan Week 8
Dinner Plan Week 9
Dinner Plan Week 10
Dinner Plan Week 11
Skinnytaste Dinner Plan (Week 12)
Monday: Vegetarian Pumpkin Chili
Taco Tuesday: Instant Pot Pork Carnitas
with tortillas and haas avocado (8SP total)
Wednesday: Cheeseburger Casserole (5 SP)
Thursday: Leftovers
Friday: Asian Glazed Drumsticks (7 SP)
with Cauliflower Fried Rice (2 SP)
Saturday: Night Out
Sunday: Garlic Lover's Roast Beef (2 SP)
with Baked Potatoes (5 SP)
and Easy Broccolini (1 SP)
And ONE more thing!
I'm teaming up with Andie Mitchell, author of the NYT bestselling memoir, It Was Me All Along, and blogger at AndieMitchell.com to help you reach all of your weight loss and health goals this year!
From now through February 15th, if you buy BOTH of our books: It Was Me All Along in paperback and The Skinnytaste Meal Planner and share a photo of the two books on social media, tagging Gina @skinnytaste and Andie @andiemmitchell, along with the hashtag #AndieGina2016
You'll be added to a private Facebook group, led by the two of us, where we can motivate and support each other with daily posts and interaction! You'll also be entered to win one of 2 Skype dates with the us!
Click Here To See The Full Recipe...
January 9, 2016
Instant Pot Pork Carnitas (Mexican Pulled Pork)
Delicious Mexican beef made in the Instant Pot (pressure cooker) for tacos, burrito bowls, taco salads and more (also great with cilantro lime rice)!
Since posting this Instant Pot Chicken and Lentil Soup Recipe a few weeks ago I'm getting tons of requests for more Instant Pot (a multi-cooker that does the job of a slow cooker, electric pressure cooker, rice cooker, steamer, yogurt maker, sauté/browning pan, and warming pot all in one) recipes so I'm making a commitment to make at least one new recipe a week.
To get to know my machine better, I'm starting with recipes I already know work. I haven't made my Slow Cooker Mexican Pork Carnitas in a while and they are going on this week's meal plan so I tested it out and it turned out juicy and tender, in 50 minutes. This is freezer-friendly
Click Here To See The Full Recipe...
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