Butternut Squash Soup

This is the soup I make EVERY Christmas and give away as gifts. It's that good. The ingredients are in season during this chilly time, it stores well in the freezer and it is delicious. I buy cute glass jars and wrap them with bows. Everyone loves it. Including myself. Giving presents you make with your heart is makes me happy. And this soup, makes everyone happy!

The time it takes to make this soup is worth it. 

Healthy, Clean and DELISH!

Winter is the best time to make this soup. Butternut squash is in season and in every market. Remember to always buy organic when possible. You are worth it!

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 Tbs Coconut oil
• 2 Tbs Balsamic vinegar
• 2 Butternut squashes, about 3 lbs total. Cut in half and seeded.
• 1-2 large granny smith apples halves and cored
• 2 yellow onions, cut into quarters
• 6 cups chicken stock
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• Pink himalayan salt and cracked pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup half and half OR plain full fat yogurt
• 1.5 Tbs Grass-fed Butter
  
  DIRECTIONS:
• Preheat oven to 425 F. 
• Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil or a silicone matt.
• In a small bowl, mix oil and vinegar. Brush the cut sides of the squash, apples and onions with mixture.

Place squash and apples cut side down and the onions on baking sheet.

Bake, turning everything at least twice, until tender and light brown. About 30 minutes for the apples and 45-50 minutes for the veggies. 

Transfer everything to a cutting board and let it cool to the touch. 

Scoop out flesh from squash and discard the peel. Chop the apples and onions.

Transfer everything to a large sauce pan and add the chicken broth and nutmeg.

• Over medium-high heat, bring ingredients to a boil and reduce to simmer on medium-low. Simmer for about 30 minutes until VERY soft and tender.
• Remove from heat and let cool slightly. 
• Once cooled, place ingredients in a blender and puree the soup in batches until smooth. 
  
• Return puree to saucepan and stir in the half and half. 
• Season with pink salt and cracked pepper.
• Add grass-fed butter.
• Heat back up to on medium. 
  
  *This soup can be stored in the fridge for about 2 days and in the freezer for about 3 months. 

It's heavenly!

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Summer Corn Salad

Summertime is salad experimenting time for me. Why stick with the usual leafy salads? Which I love by the way! But sometimes you need to whoop it up. Corn is versatile, sweet and delicious. Is there really anyone who doesn't LOVE it? It's gotten such a bad rap over the years with being GMO. Just buy NON GMO organic and enjoy it! 

When I saw a recipe for a corn salad I thought to myself, THIS IS IT! I had to revise the recipe make to my own and add some zing and tastiness! I always need the tasty! 

The final recipe is light, refreshing and delicious. 

This is SOOO YUMMY!  I LOVE CORN!!! 

Makes 5-6 servings

Ingredients;

• 4 ears corn, husked and cleaned
• 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
• 2 tbs fresh basil, chopped
• 4 tsp olive oil
• 3 tsp red wine vinegar
• 4 oz crumbled feta cheese
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp pink himalayan salt

Taste the dressing as you make it. If you like MORE zing, add more vinegar, less zing add less. Make it how YOU like it. That is key. 

Directions;

• Place your grill on high. Grilling adds flavor. Or heat your oven to 350 degrees.
• Wrap each cleaned ear of corn in aluminum foil. The entire cob needs be covered with just one layer so it will steam the kernels.

• Grill or cook all wrapped ears for about five minutes per side, turning occasionally.
• Remove the corn from the grill or oven and let it cool.
• Stand the corn upright in a large bowl, and holding the top of the corn, use a sharp knife to cut off the kernels from top to bottom. Discard cobs. You will have about 2 1/2 cups corn kernels for the salad.

• Add the tomatoes, basil, olive oil, red wine vinegar, feta, pink salt, and pepper to the bowl of corn. Lightly toss.
• Serve slightly chilled.

The perfect side with grilled steak, chicken or fish. 

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Cucumber and Tomato Salad

Cucumber salad is one of my favorite dishes.... IN THE WORLD. For real. I could eat this daily. I do eat it at least once a week or more throughout the year. I have many different versions but this one is so nice and clean, refreshing. Pair it with a nice white wine.... Oh wait I'm not a sommelier and this blog isn't about wine... although I do love my wine too.  Hmmmmmmmm  Anyway, you wont go wrong with this yummy salad. 

Ingredients: Makes 2 servings

2 Tbsp Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar

2 tsp Balsamic Vinegar

4 tsp Fresh Lemon Juice

2 tsp Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

1 Large Cucumber, halved and sliced with  skin on preferably.

1 Cup Cherry Tomatoes, halved

1 Tbsp Chopped Red Onion (optional)

2 Tbsp Chopped Fresh Basil leaves

Dash of Pink Himalayan Salt per  taste (optional)

Dash of Lemon Pepper to taste (optional)

(Add some feta cheese for extra Yumminess!)

1. Combine apple cider vinegar and balsamic vinegars, lemon  juice and oil in small bowl; mix well and set aside.

2. Once you cut the cucumber, lay pieces on cutting board with a sprinkle of salt for 5 minutes. Then pat with a dry paper towel to soak the water that has been released. Then, Combine Cucumber, Red Onion, Tomatoes, Basil and seasoning in a larger bowl. Mix well.

3. Drizzle dressing over mixture; toss gently.