Sausage, Mushrooms, and Feta Baked with Eggs

How about turkey breakfast sausage, sauteed mushrooms, and Feta, with a few eggs holding it together?

(For Phase One Fridays I feature Phase One Recipes from the past that have been my personal favorites.  This is one of the recipes I got infatuated with after I discovered my now-favorite turkey breakfast sausage, and I loved this combination.)

I love eggs for breakfast, especially things like egg muffins and breakfast casseroles that keep in the fridge and are easy to pop into the microwave for a quick breakfast.  Technically this recipe is probably a breakfast casserole, but I didn't call it that because my breakfast casseroles are mostly eggs, baked with other ingredients mixed in.  This dish is turkey breakfast sausage, sauteed mushrooms, and Feta cheese baked with just a little egg to hold it together, so that the emphasis is on the other ingredients and not so much on the eggs.  (And if you want to see why I updated the photo in 2011, scroll down past the step-by-step photos to see the original picture!)

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Mediterranean Shrimp over Spinach (Low-Carb, Paleo)

This Mediterranean Shrimp over Spinach is easy, quick, and delicious!

Shrimp is such a delicious and diet-friendly food that every so often I splurge on a big bag of frozen shrimp from Costco, and then I have fun deciding what to make with it.  Last week when I was cooking with Jake we started out with a different recipe in mind, and halfway through we took a complete detour and ended up with this Mediterranean Shrimp over Spinach.  Both of us loved this dish that's low-carb and gluten-free and if you use stock instead of the shrimp bouillon, it can even be Paleo!

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Things I'm Thinking About on Tuesday (2-25-2014)

If you need more fun in your life, I highly recommend getting a Mini!

In December I promised to start sharing things I'm thinking about, and then in January I got distracted by Daily Phase One Recipes and now it's been two months since I've shared one of these posts.   Happily it was a good two months with lots of holiday celebrating at Chez Kalyn, and the best present ever arrived on December 31 when I got my new Mini Cooper!  I've never cared much about cars, and for years I loved my Toyotas, but when I moved I needed a car that could get up the hill in the snow.  I picked the AWD Mini Cooper Countryman that's slightly bigger than the regular Mini (and thankfully not quite so low to the ground), and this is hands-down the most fun car I've ever owned!  And I've had the personal license plate for a while, but I think it looks even better on this car.  (If you live in Utah and are considering a Mini I had great service from Tyson Call at Mini of Murray.  And I'm sure some of you are wondering, so just for the record, Tyson and Mini of Murray have no idea that I'm giving them a little shout-out here.)

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Roasted Cabbage with Lime and Sriracha

My love affair with cabbage continues with this Roasted Cabbage with Lime and Sriracha!

I've been a cabbage fan for a long time, but I think the beginnings of my love affair with cabbage probably were stirred by a bacon and cabbage salad my mom used to make.  I'd clean my plate when we had that for dinner, and not just because of the bacon either!  As an adult I've continued to love cabbage both raw and cooked, not only for the flavor but also because it's such an inexpensive, nutritious, and diet-friendly ingredient.   I've posted a lot of favorite recipes featuring cabbage through the years, and this Roasted Cabbage with Lime and Sriracha is definitely a riff on my Roasted Cabbage with Lemon, a recipe that's been hugely popular on the blog.  If you like lime and Sriracha Sauce, take a chance on the cabbage and I bet you'll like this one as much as I did!

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Recipe for Florida Butter Bean (or Lima Bean) Soup with Ham and Cabbage

Butter Bean Soup with Ham and Cabbage can be made with dried or canned beans.

(Updated with better photos, plus instructions for using either dried or canned beans, February 2014.)  If you're someone who might be inclined to turn up your nose at the mention of lima beans, stay with me for a minute here.   I first made this soup with Florida Butter Beans, (a type of heirloom baby lima bean, also known as Calico Pole Beans) that I bought in San Francisco from Rancho Gordo Beans.  The Florida Butter Beans are creamy and delicious, and if you can find those (or something similar) I highly recommend making this soup starting with dried beans that you've soaked overnight.  But when I decided this recipe *must* have an updated photo, I decided to try it with canned butter beans from the supermarket, and I was happily surprised at how good it was that way too.  If you still can't wrap your mind around the idea of butter beans or lima beans, try the soup with a different type of white bean!

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Slow Cooker Cannellini Bean Stew with Tomatoes, Italian Sausage, and Kale

Turkey Italian Sausage, Tomatoes, Cannellini Beans, and Kale turn into a delicious stew in the slow cooker!

(For Phase One Fridays I feature Phase One Recipes from the past that have been my personal favorites.  This Slow Cooker Cannellini Bean Stew with Tomatoes, Italian Sausage, and Kale has some of my favorite flavors, and I love adding the kale near the end of the cooking time so it's still a little chewy in the stew.)

My friend Lydia and I have both become quite infatuated with experiments in our slow cookers, and the experimental part in this Slow Cooker Cannellini Bean Stew with Tomatoes, Italian Sausage, and Kale was adding the kale to the slow cooker after the other ingredients had cooked for a few hours.  I was really thrilled with how the raw kale softened perfectly in the slow cooker with just a little more cooking time, and the slightly chewy kale was one of my favorite parts of this dish!

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Sumac-Rubbed Salmon Roasted in Olive Oil

Sumac-Rubbed Salmon Roasted in Olive Oil is easy to make and loaded with flavor!

Possibly this will be the blog post that will get you to try the middle eastern spice called Sumac (soo-mack) and if so, you can thank me later for bringing this wonderful new flavor into your life.  I recently saw it mentioned in one of those magazine articles about new food trends for 2014, and I wondered what took them so long.  I've been using Sumac for years now in things like Fattoush, Mediterranean Salad Dressing, Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes, and Cauliflower Rice, and if you've been reading my blog for a while you've probably realized how much I love this flavor.  Sumac tastes a bit like lemon, which might be why the idea popped into my head to try it rubbed on salmon, and oh my, was that idea ever a winner!

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Kalyn's Kitchen Picks: Good Foods Tableside Chunky Guacamole Single-Serve Cups

These single-serving containers of Good Foods Tableside Chunky Guacamole are great for a snack.

I saw this Good Foods Tableside Chunky Guacamole three or four times at Costco before I ever picked it up and looked at the nutritional information.  But once I bought a package and took it home, I quickly fell in love with these little single-serving tubs of guacamole that are perfect for a snack or when you're making a recipe that could benefit from just a dollop of guacamole.   Of course, there's nothing like homemade guacamole, and I love my recipe for Cilantro-Lover's Perfect Guacamole with Red Onions, Lime, and Chiles.  But this is amazingly good for pre-made guacamole, and I love the convenience and staying power in the fridge.   And since it's only 80 calories and has built in portion control, this is a product I'm happy to recommend as one of my Kalyn's Kitchen Picks.

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Cheesy Vegetarian Brown Rice Casserole with Broccoli and Mushrooms

I devoured this Cheesy vegetarian casserole with brown rice, broccoli, and mushrooms.

It took me a couple of dump-in-the-trash attempts to get this Cheesy Vegetarian Brown Rice Casserole with Broccoli and Mushrooms to come out the way I wanted it, but immediately after I finished taking that photo I sat down at the island in my kitchen and devoured the little plate of casserole, so I think experimenting with the recipe turned out to be worth it.  The version that worked out has a few steps that might seem labor intensive, like cooling the rice, reducing the broth, and cooking the mushrooms, onions, and broccoli separately before they get combined into the casserole. Nobody likes a simple recipe more than me, but I do think it's those little touches that helped me get the result I wanted, so I hope people will trust me on the extra steps.  And the recipe makes a generous 8 servings (or 10 side dish servings) so you'll have some to stockpile in the freezer for another day when you don't want to cook!

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Recipe for Easy Stir Fry with Pork and Veggies

This Stir Fry with Pork and Veggies is ultra easy.  If you don't do pork, substitute chicken or tofu.

(Updated with better photos and step-by-step instructions February 2014.)   For me this was one of those weeks where I was glad when it ended!  First of all I woke up sick on Monday and all week I've been coughing, congested, and feeling low energy.  Maybe that's the reason every new recipe idea I've tried has either been a complete flop or something that I know can be good but needs more work.  I'd say the cooking highlight of the week was re-doing the photos for this Stir Fry with Pork and Veggies that I first made back in 2007, and even though I was sick it tasted good too.  I used pork, but you could also make it with chicken, tofu, or just stir-fry the veggies.

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Recipe for Quick and Easy Pecan-Crusted Dijon Salmon

This salmon with a Dijon and pecan crust would make a lovely Valentine's Day dinner.

(For Phase One Fridays I feature Phase One Recipes from the past that have been my personal favorites, and this Quick and Easy Pecan-Crusted Dijon Salmon is perfect for a nice dinner on Valentine's Day.)

I probably don't need to remind you about Valentine's Day, do I?  Those who are celebrating by going out to dinner have hopefully made reservations, but if you're looking for something a bit special to cook at home I would highly recommend this delicious Pecan-Crusted Dijon Salmon.  Not only is it absolutely delicious, but this recipe is so easy that you won't have to spend much time in the kitchen.  (If salmon isn't your thing, there are a lot more ideas for Valentine's Day dinner at home with the Valentine's Day Recipes, including some low sugar chocolate treats.)

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White Bean and Ham Soup with Chard

Soak beans overnight to make this delicious White bean and Ham Soup with Chard; I promise it's worth it!

(Updated with better photos and step-by-step instructions, February 2014.)  All winter I've been making some of my favorite soup recipes from the past and updating photos for the blog, and this delicious White Bean and Ham Soup with Chard was first posted in February 2007 when my friend Alanna of a Veggie Venture was collecting soup recipes.  I made a couple of different soups for Alanna's month of soup, and since I have a weakness for soups that combine beans with greens, this is one I've made many times since.  If you don't have chard, any kind of greens will work, but I do think chard deserves more respect, and I love it in this soup.

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Low-Sugar or Sugar-Free Chocolate Treats for Your Valentine (many are gluten-free)

Valentine's Day is almost here, and I've got you covered with some low-sugar or sugar-free chocolate treats.

I don't think there's any doubt that holidays are more challenging for dieters or people who need to limit sugar than day-to-day eating, and holidays like Valentine's Day that are strongly associated with sugary treats can make even the most steadfast person lose their resolve.  Through the years I've tested a lot of low-sugar or sugar-free chocolate treats, but not many of them have been good enough to make it on to the blog.  Here's a collection of the chocolate treats that made the cut and many of them are also gluten-free as well.  I hope one of these can help you celebrate Valentine's Day without completely abandoning your diet; just click the link under the photo to see each recipe.

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Baked Sesame Tofu Sticks with Peanut Butter, Tahini, and Ginger Sauce (Vegan)

Baked Sesame Tofu Sticks with Peanut Butter, Tahini, and Ginger Sauce for a Meatless Monday dinner or snack.

Even in families who are committed to Meatless Monday meals, I'm guessing tofu can be a tough sell sometimes.  And the idea of convincing people who think they don't like tofu to try it as a snack might be even harder!  But don't give up on getting your family to enjoy tofu unless you've tried pressed and  baked tofu, because pressing out the water and baking the tofu makes it firmer and more chewy, and that should make it more appealing to people who don't like the texture of softer tofu.  And if you have a delicious peanut buttery sauce to dip those tofu sticks into, I think that makes it even better.  I tried three versions of these Baked Sesame Tofu Sticks with Peanut Butter, Tahini, and Ginger Sauce to get one I thought was just right.  The tofu sticks were delicious warm, and I even liked the leftovers that had been in the fridge for a few days!

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Baked Eggs in Canadian Bacon Cups

Baked Eggs in Canadian Bacon Cups is a fun idea for breakfast!

Recently I bought some of my favorite Canadian bacon for a very old recipe I'm planning to update with new photos.  Then I was hit with of those spontaneous creative cooking urges that pop into my mind, and next thing I knew I was making these Baked Eggs in Canadian Bacon Cups.   I thought this was such a fun breakfast idea, and Canadian bacon is low in fat so it makes a healthy breakfast that would be appealing to kids as well as nice to to serve for guests.  I ate mine with a piece of whole-wheat toast to dip into the egg yolk, but if you wanted a low-carb or gluten-free breakfast idea this would also be delicious without the toast.

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Baked Chicken Strips Recipe with Mustard, Almond, and Parmesan

(For Phase One Fridays I feature Phase One Recipes from the past that have been my personal favorites.  These delicious Baked Chicken Strips with Mustard, Almond, and Parmesan were first posted in 2008 and I've made them quite a few times since then.  I'm reducing the cooking time from what was in the original recipe because now I like them slightly less done.) 

I'd recommend this recipe for someone who's starting the South Beach Diet but cooking for a family and trying to think of what the kids will eat that's also phase one! These chicken strips coated with almond meal (or almond flour) and Parmesan instead of bread crumbs are delicious, plus you can prep them the night before, marinate all day while you're at work, and cook them when you get home.

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Easy Taco Soup Recipe from A Pinch of Salt Lake

This Easy Taco Soup was a big hit when I made it this year for my annual New Year's Day soup party!

(Updated with better photos and step-by-step instructions, February 2014.)  There are some recipes that become favorites just because they're simple and use ingredients you usually have on hand, and this Easy Taco Soup that I first made years ago is a family-friendly soup I've made over and over for parties.  I adapted the recipe from A Pinch of Salt Lake, a classic old cookbook published by the Junior League of Salt Lake, and this year when I made this soup again for my annual New Year's Day Soup party, I decided it was time to update this post with better photos.  

Almost as fun is eating the soup is the story of how I got the cookbook years ago as a gift from a third-grade student named Nathan.  I'd always wanted the book, so when he showed up at school with it one day, I was quite excited.  In the honest way kids have he said, "My mom didn't think she'd ever use it."  Recently I saw Nathan's mom in the grocery store and she told me he's now 17, which shows how long I've been making this soup!

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Slow Cooker Turkey (or Chicken) Soup with Kale and Sweet Potatoes

This Slow Cooker Turkey Soup with Kale and Sweet Potatoes can also be made with leftover rotisserie chicken.

We just finished a month of Daily Phase One Recipes from January, and I've been waiting all that time to share this Slow Cooker Turkey (or Chicken) Soup with Kale and Sweet Potatoes that I made in December, since the sweet potatoes aren't phase one.  This soup was inspired by leftover turkey breast cooked in the slow cooker, but you can certainly use leftover rotisserie chicken to make this delicious soup.  The day I brainstormed this recipe I also had sweet potatoes and kale that I needed to use, two of my favorite soup ingredients.  I loved how this veggie-loaded soup turned out, and sweet potatoes and kale are two of The World's Healthiest Foods, so this is a soup that's loaded with nutrition.  I was home so I cooked my soup on high, but you can cook the broth and veggies all day on low, then turn your slow cooker to high and add the turkey and kale when you get home from work.

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South Beach Diet Phase One Low-Glycemic Recipes Round-up for January 2014

Kalyn's favorite Phase One Recipes from January 2014 were Low-Carb No-Egg Breakfast Bake with Turkey Breakfast Sausage and Cheese, Green Chile and Chicken Mock Enchilada Casserole, Turkey Picadillo Lettuce Wraps, and Vegan Spaghetti Squash and Black Bean Mexican Bowl.

It's Superbowl Sunday, undoubtedly one of the most indulgent food holidays of the entire year.  I realize most people are probably looking for Superbowl Recipes and here I am sharing my once-a-month round-up of South Beach Diet Phase One Recipes.  And although there are certainly some recipes here that would make fine Superbowl-watching food, the real reason the round-up is coming today is that after I finished posting Daily Phase One Recipes for the whole month of January (whew!) I just had to have a little break, even if it meant that the Phase One Round-up didn't come out on the first day of the month like it usually does.  Yesterday I puttered around the house, went to a movie with a friend and mostly forgot about my blogs for the day.  But the Superbowl only lasts one day and this round-up has some deliciously healthy recipes that I know you'll want to make over and over again, so I hope you'll take a look and pick something to try even if I'm a day late sharing it! 

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