Stuffed Pepper Soup Recipe

If you like stuffed bell peppers, you're going to love this Stuffed Pepper Soup!

I have a notebook on my desk where I jot down recipes ideas, both things I spot on the web and those that seemingly just pop into my head.  And sometimes an idea pops into my head and when I check online I notice that other people have had the same idea.  That's what happened with this recipe; I had Stuffed Pepper Soup down in my notebook, and when I decided to make it I found out just how many other people have made a soup inspired by stuffed peppers!  That didn't stop me from creating my version, which uses both hot turkey Italian sausage and lean ground beef, and has a "secret" ingredient to add flavor.  Jake and I both loved the soup, and when I gave my sister Pam some to take to work for her lunch she texted me in the middle of the day to say she loved it too.  If you like stuffed peppers at all, I promise you're going to love this soup!

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Ten Healthy and Amazing Thanksgiving Side Dishes (just in time for Canadian Thanksgiving!)

Happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian friends, and for those in the U.S., it's never too early to start planning the menu!

If you're in the U.S. you might have groaned when you saw the title of this post.  Of course I realize that Thanksgiving here is still many weeks away, but Canadian Thanksgiving is this coming Monday, and I thought it would be fun to spotlight a few of my favorite Thanksgiving side dishes in time for my friends in Canada and my Canadian friends in the U.S.  I'm also a little extra excited about Thanksgiving this year, because not only is it my favorite holiday, but in my new house I finally have enough room to host Thanksgiving dinner myself, and I'm looking forward to doing that this year!  For me Thanksgiving is all about the side dishes, and whether you're in the Canada, the U.S., or somewhere else in the world, these are some of my very favorites.  

Are you celebrating for Canadian Thanksgiving next Monday?  If so, let us know in the comments what side dishes are going to be on your menu.  

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Recipe for Greek Salad Spaghetti Squash Bowl

I'm not sure why I decided to combine Greek Salad and Spaghetti Squash, but this Greek Salad Spaghetti Squash Bowl was definitely a winner.

First, thanks to everyone who has given nice feedback about the makeover and new features for Kalyn's Kitchen.   I'm thrilled with the new design, especially the way it will make it easier for anyone who wants to find recipes that are Gluten-Free, Vegan, Meatless, Paleo, Low Carb, or things that Can Freeze.  I am so happy with the new design; thanks again to the fabulous Rand and Jennette!

People ask me all the time where I get recipe ideas, and while it's true I spend plenty of time looking at cookbooks and food magazines and cruising around other food blogs, sometimes an idea just pops into my head and I have no idea where it came from.  That's what happened with these Greek Salad Spaghetti Squash Bowls.  My sister Pam gave me a spaghetti squash and it hung out on the counter for at least a week while I wondered how to make it into some kind of interesting Meatless Monday dish.  Then one day I suddenly had the thought to top the cooked spaghetti squash with a Greek Salad mixture, including plenty of lemony vinaigrette that would drip down and flavor the squash.  I tried this out on my nephew Jake (who is NOT a fan of spaghetti squash) and he gobbled it up, so I think it's fair to say that this recipe is a winner!

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Kalyn's Kitchen Gets a Makeover (with a New Easier Way to Find Recipes for Every Kind of Diet)

Kalyn's Kitchen has changed a bit through the years, and repeat after me, "Change is Good!"

For a few months now I've been working with my brother Rand (the design guy) and the fabulous Jennette (web designer and coder extraordinaire) to create a new look for Kalyn's Kitchen. (Thanks guys!)  Rand and Jennette are two of the smartest and most talented people I know, and I'm excited to reveal the new design and explain how the new features can help you find the kind of recipes you're looking for on the site.

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Phase One Stuffed Peppers Recipe with Turkey Italian Sausage, Ground Beef, and Mozzarella

These Stuffed Peppers with Turkey Italian Sausage, Ground Beef, and Mozzarella are great for Phase One

(For Phase One Fridays I highlight Phase One recipes from the past that have been my personal favorites, and this recipe for Phase One Stuffed Peppers with Turkey Italian Sausage, Ground Beef, and Mozzarella is something I love to make and freeze individually for quick meals later.  This recipe was featured in January 2012 for a Month of Daily Phase One Recipes, and it's been a big hit ever since.)

If you watch the left sidebar where it shows the most visited recipes, you might have noticed that Stuffed Green Peppers with Brown Rice, Italian Sausage, and Parmesan are almost always there as one of the most-visited recipes.  Who knew stuffed peppers were so popular?  That recipe contains rice, but I also love this version of Phase One Stuffed Peppers and I recently made it again with Jake to update the photos.  We each enjoyed one, and then I had leftovers with my brother Mark, who also thought they were great.  This recipe makes six peppers, and this is the type of thing I'd make ahead and keep in the freezer to take for lunch when I was teaching school, so even if you're only cooking for one or two people I recommend making the whole recipe and freezing some. 

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Whole Wheat Sesame Noodles with Spicy Peanut Sauce

Use whole wheat spaghetti to make these Whole Wheat Sesame Noodles with Spicy Peanut Sauce.

(Updated October 2013 with better photos and step-by-step instructions.)  Back in 2008 I read on Madeline's blog Everything Rachel Ray about using whole wheat spaghetti to make spicy sesame noodles, and I knew I would love this dish.  Since then I've made it quite a few times, and I finally managed to take some better photos, although I decided that noodles are not all that photogenic.  This type of quick dinner is one of my favorite things to make with the wonderful Garofalo Organic Whole Wheat Spaghetti that I buy at Costco, and if you think whole wheat pasta isn't that exciting, I guarantee this whole wheat spaghetti from Italy will change your mind.

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South Beach Diet Phase One Recipes Round-up for September 2013 (Low-Glycemic Recipes)

Kalyn's favorite Phase One Recipes for September 2013 were Three Cheese Zucchini Frittata, Baby Kale Paleo Taco Salad, Sriracha Beef Cabbage Bowl, and Roasted Balsamic Zucchini and Mushrooms.

Another month has gone screaming by, and it's time for me to share the links I've collected all month for this round-up of low-glycemic recipes. (All the recipes here are suitable or easily adapted for the South Beach Diet Phase One, and many are also Low Carb, Gluten Free or Paleo.)  And I probably say this every month, but what a great-looking collection of healthy recipe ideas!  

It's been a busy month behind the scenes at Kalyn's Kitchen.  If you follow me on Facebook, you know I'm in the middle of having the blog re-designed.  I'm aiming for a new site that will feel very similar (with most functional elements located exactly where they are now) but the new look will also have expanded features (including a second row of tabs with categories to make it easier to find certain types of recipes.)  I'm getting excited, and it won't be long now, so keep an eye out for the new look!

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