Friday, July 9, 2010

Two Veggie Friendly Recipes

Thank goodness for a four day week, right? I hope yours is treating you well. Thank you all for the camera recommendations. Not being able to see what I’m photographing has been somewhat hilarious. I will let you  know what I end up purchasing. Also, thank you for the group fitness questions- keep them coming! I will have a group fitness specific post soon.

I made two meals this week that I wanted to share with you. They’re not culinary works of art, but they’re great, easy weeknight meals.

First up, Vegetable Pasta Salad (with or without Shrimp).

Ingredients:

  • Chopped vegetables (whatever you have on hand- I used peppers, green beans, carrots & artichokes)
  • Olive Oil
  • Everyday seasoning mix (I used TJs- thank you Cookie!)

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  • Pasta (desired quantity- I made 1.5 servings that I split up for the two of us)
  • 1 lemon
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Shrimp or other protein (if desired)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix vegetables with desired amount of olive oil. Place on non-stick cookie sheet and top with everyday seasoning mix. Place in oven for ~25 minutes (or until well roasted). You may want to open the oven once and give the sheet a little shake to move the vegetables around.

Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions. Remove with slotted spoon to colander. Keep water boiling and add shrimp (cleaned and deveined). Cook for ~4 minutes until cooked through.

Mix pasta, vegetables, shrimp (if desired), a little more olive oil and cheese. Serve. I had a veggies only version (picture did not turn out!)  and Josh had a shrimp & veggie bowl:

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We also had a side of fresh summer fruit from a local fruit stand.

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Meal #2. I actually made this meal a day ahead of time. When I have to teach, I often prep my meals when I get home from work or a day ahead of time. Cook when you have the TIME! This meal was a clean out the cupboard/freezer meal.

Vegetable, Bean & Grain Soup

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 onion, chopped
  • 1 15-oz can vegetable broth
  • 1 15-oz can tomato sauce
  • 1 15-oz can pinto beans
  • 1 15-oz can black beans
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 1-2 tablespoons diced chilies (or chopped jalapenos)
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • Cooked grain (brown rice, cous cous, etc)

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Directions:

Place all ingredients except grain into slow cooker. Cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for ~6 hours. Add cooked grain, serve. Topping options: cheese, sour cream, Greek yogurt, jalapenos, etc.

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What are you up to this weekend? Today, I am working, teaching Body Pump, going to brunch with my friend Jill and we have a graduation party tonight. On Saturday, I am teaching Body Step and we have the Body Pump launch. After, I am going to brunch(two brunches in one weekend!!) with the parents & Josh. Sunday is open and I am hoping to meet Lindsay for a walk or coffee :).

42 comments:

Jessica @ How Sweet said...

I love that seasoning from TJ's! I love all of their grinder ones. So good. Have a wonderful weekend!

Jenna said...

We have a going away dinner for my best friend who is moving to Chicago tomorrow. :( Then taking the puppers to the dog park and starting to pack up our place. Enjoy your weekend!

Christina said...

the soup looks yummy! so colorful. hope you have a great weekend!

Beth @ DiningAndDishing said...

I have a blogger meet-up planned for the weekend with a blogger who is new to the area. We're going to Founding Farmers which is all farm-to-table and very blog appropriate!

Enjoy your plans too lady :).

Amanda- The Nutritionist Reviews said...

That shrimp pasta looks great! My husband and I are going to Chicago for our one year anniversary tomorrow and I wanted a shrimp dish to pack for the train ride there. I think I will be making this for sure! Thanks for posting it : )

Naomi(Onefitfoodie) said...

YUM! i am loving these veg friendly recipes!! if it wasnt so darn hot I would make that second one ASAP! I love the produce in the summer time its so fresh and tastes so different than it does any other time of year!!!

Stacey said...

The soup look so healthy and delicious. I agree with you about prepping ahead of time so when your busy dinners ready to go.

Anonymous said...

The soup looks fabu - but I just can't eat soup in the summer!!!!! It's too hot here...and where you are. :)

Have a great weekend - I'm heading to the beach. weeeeeeeeeeee.

Kelsey Ann said...

they both look SO GOOD! the soupy stew chili would be my favorite im sure! i mean DANG! how amazingly yummy and flavorful!

happy fiday <3

Melissa @ For the Love of Health said...

I must say your photos are pretty damn good for not being able to see them! haha :-)
Have a fantastic weekend!!

We Are Not Martha said...

That soup looks awesome! Wait, so does the pasta :) It's quite definitely lunch time here because that post just made me sooo hungry!

Happy weekend :)

Sues

Jessie (Bites and Pieces) said...

I just made a pasta salad last night. Great minds think alike! :)
That soup looks delicious and hearty. Have a great weekend!

Lindsay @ http://pancakesnpajamas.blogspot.com/ said...

Cooking when you have time is such a great idea. It beats throwing something together at the last minute. Have fun at your graduation partay tonight. Yay for meeting up with Lindsay on Sunday! :)

Kim @ Kim and Mikey said...

Both of those meals look totally delish! The weekend should be fairly simple - date tonight with the hubby (and baby) then dinner with my Aunt tomorrow.

stephanie @cookinfanatic said...

I was just thinking the other day how I totally need to make more summery pasta salads - love the shrimp in yours! TGIF is all I'm sayin' - this week has been the week from you know what!

Anonymous said...

I love the shrimp and pasta salad and wish I had some handy now.

Heather said...

My guess is you'll have some parfaits this weekend at brunch!! :)

Enjoy!

tam said...

Both dishes look uber scrummy! Ihave a busy weekend ahead lots of exercise and future sorting to be done! x x

homecookedem said...

That vegetable pasta salad looks great. I love the combo of veggies you put in it. Yum! And your soup looks really good too!! Veggie soup is one of my favorite ways to eat vegetables!!

Have a great weekend!! :)

Holly said...

Mmmmm - both of those look delicious! I was just trying to look up pasta salad recipes today. :-) Yours looks so good! There is just something about pasta salad that screams summer.

I'm going to be traveling for the next few weekends, so I'm just going to try and make the most out of my weekend at home! I hope you have a great one, Erica!

Maggie said...

Ooo yum :) Thanks for these recipes!

This weekend I am getting brunch with a few bloggers and trying to do last minute wedding planning :D

vanillasugarblog said...

greek yogurt? no kidding? geez why haven't i thought of that? sounds good to me!

Maria said...

Great veggie recipes! Love them! Have a fun weekend! We are going to the farmer's market, working on the house, going to a blog event, and a wedding. busy, busy!

Megan D said...

Your pasta looks scrumptious! I always eye that TJ's seasoning but never buy it. It's going on my list now!!

Lauren said...

I am looking for this at TJ's tomorrow!!! Wow, that soup looks outstanding! Love your veggie recipes always. :)

Have an amazing weekend sweet girl.

We are celebrating our anniversary with a Melting Pot dinner! Can't wait! :)

BroccoliHut said...

That soup sounds amazing--all my favorites in one bite!

Averie @ Averie Cooks said...

that soup/chili looks GREAT! Makes me wanna get a crockpot! Seriously dont have one and have always wondered if i i could/would use it, even if not for me, for scott for make-ahead stuff like this. I hate adding a jar of salsa or things w/ tons of salt in them into recipes and usually the slow cooker recipes are that way..but you have me inspired!

thanks for all the lovely comments this week, hon!

and have fun on your walk with lindsay..how fun, im jealz :)

lynn said...

i love pasta with lemon - the best!!!

Diana @ frontyardfoodie said...

Yummy!

This weekend I'm probably going to have to chill at home and take a walk because I'm getting a pregger headache! Yikes! I hope it goes away. Have an amazing weekend!

kelley said...

I hate that you don't have facebook, cause I'm lazy and that's how I "blasted" out my silly blog to everyone. Steve and I are just using it as a way to save our memories!(not close to as cool and informative as yours)! Thanks for the run info and the Nashville info, and I used your turkey, rice, beans, spinach recipe tonight!!! a new staple of mine, and my sister ate beans and tomatoes for the first time because of it yay!

K from ksgoodeats said...

I could careless if it's in the 90s with 93%+ humidity, I need that soup in my life. Thanks for the wonderful recipes!!

Hope you enjoy your brunch dates this weekend!! My weekend is pretty low key with the exception of belated bday drinks tonight :)

Julie said...

daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn! i KNEW i forgot something at TJs yesterday! i wanted to get that seasoning and it completely slipped my mind until i saw it here! next timeee. have you tried the 21 salute? suuuch a good seasoning :)

look at you brunchin it up this weekend! last weekend i was totally in the mood for brunch and nobody would come with me. i was like um erica would...

i've got my uncle's 50th surprise cocktail party tonight and then tomorrow hmmm lazy day i think! maaaaybe i'll do brunch! haha by myself. have fun at the grad party!!

She-Fit said...

I love veggie friendly recipes... these look so good. YUM!

Anonymous said...

Everything looks so healthy and tasty.This is a combination I like.

Alycia @ Fit n Fresh said...

Mmm I want that soup! And I don't really even like beans - definitely need to make that. Thanks for the recipe! (:

Natalie said...

mmm that soup looks awesome--I am definitely making that once the temps cool down! :)

hope you're having a great weekend!

Kerstin said...

Mm, that pasta looks so easy and tasty! Happy weekend!

Aggie said...

I'm in serious need of easy weeknight veggie meals. I've been in such a rut lately. It would be nice to have either of these in the fridge and on hand for dinner! they look delish!

CaSaundraLeigh said...

I've been on a soup kick lately--looks tasty, I'll have to try it out!

Chef Fresco said...

The pasta and shrimp look great! I/'m gonna have to check out that TJ seasoning!

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