Who is ready for a new Recipe? How about TWO! It's your lucky day.

Hello my Lovelies and Gents,

As I mentioned, I have not been a big fan of 2024. There has been a lot of loss, high emotions, anxiety, and chaos. I know that things are too hectic when I'm eating out a lot or buying prepackaged meals. I feel better when I eat healthy homemade meals. Cooking is a giant stress reliever for me. I have not done a lot of food prep this past month and it has shown. I did make some pita and gingerbread cookies. I did make some pita and gingerbread cookies. That was therapeutic.

Since cooking is so good for my soul, I want to share some of my new favorites. The past few months I have made new recipes that I'm absolutely obsessed with. I would love to share them with you

My friend Jen introduced me to Julia's Album. I have loved every recipe that I have made from it. 

My newest favorite is the Mediterranean Lemon Rice with Chickpeas, Spinach, Tomatoes, and Feta. There is another recipe that adds chicken, but since I don't eat meat I didn't make that one. And I'm going to say that I don't think it needs a meat ingredient. I'm going on vacation in a couple of days and as soon as I get home I will be making this again. It is mouthwatering. It is flavorful. It is filling. It's my new favorite. 

I will say when I made it the first time it, there seemed to be a higher ratio of rice to veggies than in the recipe. So I added more the second time I made it.

What will you need: 

For the Lemon Rice-
           *1 cup uncooked Jasmine rice
           *1.5 cups chicken broth******I used vegetable broth
           *1 tbsp olive oil
           *8 oz grape tomatoes sliced in half
           *5 cloves garlic, minced *****I eyeball it from a minced jar
           *1 tsp dried oregano*****again I eyeball it
           *1/4 tsp salt
           *5 oz fresh spinach chopped*****I used baby spinach
           *3 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
           *15 oz canned chickpeas*****rinsed and drained (I used two cans the  second time)

For the Feta Mix- 
            *6 oz of feta cheese diced into small cubes*****I used the Mediterranean crumbles
            *1 tbsp evoo (extra virgin olive oil)
            *1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
            *1/2 tsp dried oregano******I eyeballed it
            *2 tbsp chopped fresh oregano (Optional)*****I didn't use any

Kitchen Items you will need-
    *Strainer
    *measuring cups
    *measuring spoons
    *Large skillet
    *Medium Saucepan

Prepare and Cook the Rice-
    *Put the rice in the strainer and run cold water over it. Keep rinsing until the excess is clear. 
    *Bring to a boil, simmer and cook 20 minutes.
    *Stir until liquid is absorbed in rice and remove from heat. 

    *Add rice and broth to medium saucepan. 

Make Lemon Rice Mixture-

    *In a large skillet combine Half of the grape tomatoes (I used all as I prefer cooked tomatoes to raw), garlic, salt, oregano, and olive oil. Cook for about two minutes. 

    *add spinach and cook until it wilts. 

    *add cooked rice and drained Chickpeas.

    *add lemon juice and remaining tomatoes.

Make the feta mixture-

    *mix feta, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp oregano, and 2 tbsp fresh            oregano if you have it (I will try that next time and report back)

    *mix half of it with the Lemon rice and heat. 

    *add the remaining half when ready to serve.

****I have read that it's freezable for 30 days. I'm all over this.  She also suggests adding more vegetables and I like that. Artichokes. Sun-dried tomatoes. Zucchini. Oh it's ON!

Okay, so you all know that I love a good soup. I'm officially an old lady. Nothing excites me like a new pair of sweatpants and a cup of homemade soup. 

I found this next recipe on Pinterest from Vegan Cocotte: Orzo Vegetable Soup Recipe

I am very self-aware that every time I make a new soup recipe I say that it's my new favorite. I really mean it this time. It's hearty and it's delicious. 

Kitchen items you will need

    *Dutch oven or Large pot

    *measuring cup

    *measuring spoons

    *strainer

Ingredients

    *1 tbsp olive oil

    *1 medium onion, diced*****I do not like to cut onions so I use frozen chopped onions

    *1 medium carrot*****l love carrots and added more

    *2-3 celery stalks

    *2 large garlic cloves*****again I used minced garlic from a jar

    *1/4 tsp red chili peppers*****I didn't have any so I skipped this

    *1/2 tsp dried thyme

    *1 tsp dried oregano

    *1 tsp dried basil

    *1 can chickpeas

    *1 can cannellini beans

    *3/4 cup orzo

    *6 cups vegetable stock*****I only had vegetable broth and used that. Boxed             Broth/Stock is 4 cups. I only had one so I added some water. 

    *Juice of 1/2 lemon

    *Salt & Pepper

    *Kale

Making the soup

    *In a Dutch oven/Large Pot mix in the olive oil, onion, carrot, and celery.  Cook for 6-7 minutes over medium heat.    

    *Stir in garlic, red chili flakes, dried thyme, oregano, and basil.*****I added extra oregano. 

    *Rinse chickpeas and cannellini beans in a strainer then add to pot. 

    *Pour in Vegetable Stock. 

    *Bring to a boil then lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. 

    *Stir in lemon juice and kale for 1-2 minutes. 

 

Serve :-)

It's recommended to eat within 5 days. And because of the orzo, it's not recommended to freeze. 

I really enjoy it as a summer soup. It's hot when I make it, but on days when you don't want something heavy in your belly, it's great for a soup and salad night. 

I hope you enjoy these. Let me know if you make them and tell me how you like them. 

I appreciate you.

Jennie
xoxo

****Please note****

If you feel like you are alone on your journey and you just need some encouragement I am here for you! Shoot me an email and I will do my best to check in on you or give you the words of support you need several times a week. The journey is so much easier if you have support.

jhendersonfit@gmail.com 

Check out my Facebook Page for Confessions (there are before and work-in-progress pictures):

http://www.facebook.com/ConfessionsOfAFormerFatGir

yeah, sorry, I messed up and the "l" is missing....I need an assistant :-)

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