Classic Italian Tomato Sauce

This authentic marinara sauce is full of rich tomato flavor and savory Italian spices.

Classic Italian Tomato Sauce
Yield: 8-10 servings

Ingredients

• 2-3 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced (about 1 Tbsp)
• 2 (28 oz) cans diced tomatoes
• 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
• 1 Tbsp sugar
• 2 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground black pepper

Directions

1. Heat large pot over medium heat. Add oil and then onion. Saute for 10 minutes, or until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes longer.
2. Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper; stir to combine.
3. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for at least 20-30 minutes. If time permits, simmer on low for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally, to allow sauce to thicken and flavors to develop.
4. Serve sauce over pasta.

Recipe adapted from Modern Honey.

Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili

According to my husband, this is the best chili he's ever eaten! That's a pretty strong testimony speaking to how awesome this recipe is, don't you think? After all, he did grow up in the land of soup, stew, and chili (aka Minnesota), so he has a lot of basis for comparison. ;)

Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili
Yield: 4-6 main dish servings

Ingredients
1 cup lentils, raw
15 oz can chili with beans
15 oz can white beans, drained and rinsed
15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
8 oz can tomato sauce
15 oz can vegetable broth (about 2 cups)
2 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp cumin
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

Directions
1. Add all ingredients to slow cooker and stir until well combined.
2. Cook on high 4-5 hours or low 8-10 hours. (If possible, uncover and stir every few hours throughout cooking time.)
3. Top individual servings with shredded cheese and/or sour cream.

Recipe adapted from Super Healthy Kids.

Herbed Chicken

If you have children (or a picky spouse!), you know how challenging it can be to find a meal that everyone at the table will eat. So I was fairly pessimistic when I first tried this recipe a few years ago figuring at least one of my kids would dislike it (I already had one of them in mind!). Boy was I wrong! Not only did Jared and I love this dish as adults, but all three of my children ate it without a fight (win!). This recipe is a staple in our rotation of dinners and hopefully you can add it to your repertoire, too!

Herbed Chicken
Crock Pot Recipe

Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 lbs, fresh or frozen)
10.5 oz can gluten free cream of chicken soup (see note below)
1/4 cup gluten free soy sauce
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1/4 cup water
1/2 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 Tbsp brown sugar

Directions
1. Arrange chicken in slow cooker.
2. Layer remaining ingredients on top of chicken.
3. Cover. Cook on low 6-8 hours.
4. Shred chicken with two forks and stir to coat in sauce.
5. Serve over cooked rice with a side of steamed broccoli.

Note
If you've checked out my Green Bean Casserole post, then you may recall that I was pleasantly surprised (okay, shocked) the day that I discovered Walmart's Great Value brand made gluten free cream of mushroom soup. I thought I was forever doomed to have to throw out all of my recipes that called for a can of condensed cream-of-whatever soup! Well color me surprised when I went to a different Walmart in town (I think we have at least 6 locations scattered around Sioux Falls) and I discovered gluten free cream of chicken soup! (I may have bought every can on the shelf... literally.)

Recipe adapted from "Herbed Chicken" found on page 163 of Fix-It and Forget-It Christmas Cookbook: 600 Slow Cooker Holiday Recipes by Phyllis Pellman Good.

Meet my friend, Captain Mike

Although I spent a majority of my childhood in the suburbs of Chicago, for a brief time my family lived in Louisiana. Boy, do they know how to cook in New Orleans! That's when my mom discovered this gem called Captain Mike's. This flavorful seasoning blend is the perfect addition to any savory dish.

I prefer the "no salt" blend so that I can just add my own. The ingredients are granulated onion and garlic, cayenne pepper, white pepper, black pepper, sweet basil, bay leaf, oregano, and thyme.

Once you try it, Captain Mike's will become a new staple in your spice cabinet!