Black Bean and Sausage Soup with Garlic Cilantro Rice

I love to make garlic cilantro rice with everything because it is so easy. Any soup or chili goes well served over this delicious rice. This soup is really delicious served over the garlic cilantro rice! While the soup is simmering in your crockpot or on the stove, cook the rice - it only takes about 20 minutes.

Black Bean and Sausage Soup

8 oz. sausage, sliced (I used kielbasa) if you use an already cooked sausage, it makes the recipe much easier - if you prefer another type of uncooked sausage, cook and drain the sausage before adding it to the crockpot

2 cans black beans
1 can beef or chicken broth
2 small carrots, diced
2 large tomatoes, chopped
1 large onion, chopped

1 T. chili powder
1 T. worcestershire sauce
1 t. cumin
1/2 t. salt
dash red pepper flakes

Add all ingredients to the crockpot and cook on high for 4 hours.

GARLIC CILANTRO RICE

1 to 2 T. olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 t. salt
1 c. rice
1 1/2 c. water
1/4 c. fresh cilantro, chopped

Saute the onion and garlic in the olive oil for a couple of minutes. Add the rice. Coat the rice in the oil and onions and garlic. Add the salt. Add the water. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat to low and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat and add the cilantro.

Cordon Bleu Chicken Casserole

I am not really a casserole fan - this might be my first casserole ever! However, I will definitely make this again - it was a big hit with the entire family.

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

1 lb. baby red potatoes, cut into 1-inch chunks
1 lb. chicken, cut into 1- inch chunks
2 heads of broccoli, chopped, or 1 bag (12 oz.) frozen broccoli florets
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup with herbs
8 ounce ham steak, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 c. shredded cheese (I used mexican blend)
1/2 c. milk
2 T. fresh parsley, chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped
4 slices swiss cheese

Preheat oven to 350.

Place potatoes in microwave safe bowl with 2 T. water. Cover bowl with waxed paper and microwave on high 3 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender.

Add chicken and all remaining ingredients (except swiss cheese) to potatoes and toss to mix well. Transfer mixture to 13 x 9 baking dish. Layer swiss cheese over the casserole. Bake casserole uncovered for 50 to 55 minutes until chicken is cooked through.

This recipe also works really well with leftover chicken. We had cooked a roaster chicken for Sunday dinner and had quite a bit leftover. I just pulled the rest of the chicken off and used it in the casserole. Very easy.

15 Minute Tomato Vegetable Soup

You will never believe how easy and delicious this tomato soup is! This should become a winter regular...

Zesty Tomato Soup

olive oil
2 carrots, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 medium onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 large jar marinara sauce (any flavor)
4 cups chicken broth
1 can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
dash of red pepper flakes

2 c. cooked pasta (I used leftover penne and cut it up into small pieces) OR toss uncooked pasta into the soup while it simmers

Saute carrots, celery, onion, and garlic in olive oil until onion is translucent. Add marinara sauce, beans, and chicken broth. Season with a dash of red pepper flakes. Cook over medium heat until boiling. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes over low.

Place a spoonful of pasta in a bowl and add the tomato soup over the top.

This is a great recipe if you have any leftover pasta already in the fridge. If you don't have any leftover pasta, you could also throw 1 c. dried pasta into the soup and it will cook while you simmer it. You could also throw in any other vegetables you might have in your crisper - zucchini would be a great addition.

Rice Crispy Chocolate Bars

A few simple additions really jazz up an easy dessert!

RICE CRISPY CHOCOLATE BARS

1 c. sugar
1 c. light corn syrup
1 c. peanut butter
6 c. rice crispies
1 c. chocolate chips
1 c. butterscotch chips

Combine sugar and corn syrup in a 3 qt. saucepan over low heat. Stir constantly until it comes to a boil. Remove from heat. Add the peanut butter. Mix well. Add the rice crispies. Mix well.

Spray a 13x9 pan with cooking spray. Spread rice crispy mixture evenly in the bottom. Set aside.

Melt chocolate and butterscotch chips in small saucepan. Stir constantly. When melted, spread evenly over rice crispy mixture. Let cool. Cut into bars!!! So easy!

To make this recipe gluten free, I bought a puffed rice cereal from Whole Foods. It was an easy swap and still delicious.