You know I’ve been to Costco when you start to see recipes with pesto and goat cheese popping up frequently on the blog. I can’t help it. There are a few staples from Costco that I can’t be without and their pesto and goat cheese are two of them.

I have to admit, since trying the pesto from Costco I really haven’t made any at home – it’s that good (for store bought!) and you just can’t beat the convenience or price.

These Roasted Red Peppers with Pesto and Goat Cheese were inspired by my neighbor who made for us once and brought some over for me to try. He actually cooked his on the grill and wow, they were amazing. I could not wait to make them for myself. I wanted to try them on the grill, but honestly this past week here in Florida has been so brutally hot and muggy that the thought of standing over a grill “testing” a recipe just didn’t appeal to me. Roasting them up in my oven worked just as well, and I got to enjoy the a/c while doing it.

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My sister in law sent me a pin of this recipe that she made and loved recently and I couldn’t get it out of my mind, it looked like my kind of soup. Of course, I don’t usually have the ingredients I need to make recipes when I’m ready to make them – let’s just say that I’m a natural and determined improviser when I’m hungry or in the mood to cook.

This Beef and Tomato Vegetable Soup is the perfect example of using whatever ingredients you have on hand to make something delicious and good for you too.

Cooking with Swiss Chard

I have been swooning over all the pretty Swiss chard I’ve been seeing in the grocery store and decided to add it to this soup. Swiss chard reminds me of my grandpa, he introduced it to me from his garden – he grew a ton of it every summer. I love how versatile it is, I tend to treat it like I do spinach or kale by adding it to soups like this or simply sautéing it as a side dish.

To prepare swiss card, simply fold longways and cut away the leafy part away from the stem. From there you can roll up the large chard leaves and slice into ribbons. Chop the stems separately. (Check out this post for a visual graphic on how to prepare swiss chard!)

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Click here to pin this Smoked Sausage and White Bean Soup with Spinach recipe!

Soup is one of my go-to foods when I feel that I need to reset and recharge my eating habits. It’s filling, it’s healthy (if you make it healthy, of course) and it’s usually really easy to pull together any day of the week.

One of my favorite soups to make is this Smoked Chicken Sausage and White Bean Soup with Spinach.

This soup is filled with staple ingredients that I almost always have in my pantry and fridge. Beans and basic veggies like carrots, celery and onions are really essential ingredients to almost all of my soups so I try to always have them on hand. I love using this chicken apple sausage and usually have a few packages in the freezer (it takes no time at all to defrost!).

It really does make for a perfect weeknight soup and leftovers are great for lunch the next day.

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This post was last published in November, 2015. It is still one of my favorite soups that can be made with lean ground beef and all the veggies in your fridge (specifically zucchini, green beans and carrots). Although we are still experiencing 90+ degree weather in Florida, I crave this light, yet hearty, soup all the time. It’s perfect for light lunches and dinners – it’s nice to make ahead so that you have something to quickly reheat when you are short on time.

Click here to PIN this Italian Vegetable Beef Soup recipe!

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Are you all turkey’ed out or what? I know I am. I had a few good leftover turkey recipes swirling in my head over the weekend (my daughter wanted me to make a turkey pasta salad, mmm), but honestly, I just didn’t get around to any creative leftover creations. We had a lot of turkey paninis and just straight up Thanksgiving plate reruns. It’s all good.

Moving on from turkey…I’m bringing up this Italian Vegetable Beef recipe from the archives. I originally posted this recipe back in December of 2009. Crazy how long ago that was! I remember I made this soup to take to my daughter’s preschool teacher who had just had surgery. When she got back to school, she told me her and her daughters loved the soup so much and wanted more. Yea, a compliment like that pretty much always makes my day. 🙂 Since then, I have made this soup quite a few times. It’s a great change from my typical chicken based soups, the lean beef (or bison) makes it a little extra hearty but still easy on the calories.

I’m sure most of you will agree that a bowl of good homemade soup is total comfort.  Soup has a way of warming up the body while nourishing it with so many health benefits at the same time.  I’m more of a broth base soup person, so I’m not really referring to the heavier creamy soups…not that those are bad, but they just don’t make me feel the same as a soup filled with lots of herbs and vegetables in broth.

Whenever I find that I have lots of vegetables in the veggie drawer that need to be used up, I usually make soup.  This particular day I had a nice variety of veggies….zucchini, squash, carrots and green beans. 

Add some dried herbs, lean ground beef and chicken broth and you’ve got Italian Vegetable Beef Soup.

Healthy Italian Vegetable Soup

1. In large stock pot, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat and add zucchini, squash, carrots, garlic and onions. Cook for about 8 minutes until vegetables start to soften.
2. Add seasonings, tomatoes and chicken broth to pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer.
3. Add green beans and cooked ground beef.
4. Simmer soup for about 20 minutes.
5. Taste for salt and pepper. Serve with Parmesan cheese and cooked pasta if you like.

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Italian Vegetable Beef Soup

• Author: Aggies Kitchen
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings
• Category: Soup
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian

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Break out the vegetables for this light and savory Italian Vegetable Beef Soup recipe. It’s loaded with great vegetables like zucchini, squash and carrots. Healthy (and easy) comfort food!

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Ingredients

• 2 tb olive oil
• 2 zucchinis, quarter chopped
• 2 squash, quarter chopped
• 2–3 carrots, chopped
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1–2 cups green beans, cut in 1 inch pieces
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• good pinch of salt and pepper
• 1 32oz can of Italian diced tomatoes, with juices
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 – 1.25  lb lean ground beef or bison, cooked and crumbled
• Parmesan cheese, optional

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Instructions

1. In large stock pot, heat 2 tb olive oil and add zucchini, squash, carrots, garlic and onions. Cook for about 8 minutes until starting to soften. Add seasonings, tomatoes and chicken broth to pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer. Add green beans and cooked ground beef. Simmer soup for about 20 minutes. Taste for salt and pepper. Serve with Parmesan cheese and cooked pasta if you like.

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Notes

Note:  amounts of vegetables can be varied.  Use what you have on hand.

Healthy Soup Recipes

Soup is one of my go to meals when I’m trying to trim some pounds or just generally feel healthier. Some soups I tend to make often are  Slow Cooker Italian Sausage and Kale Soup with Sweet Potatoes, Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup, Italian Tomato and Lentil Soup and Healthy Chicken Tortilla Soup. I’m ready to try this Beef Taco Quinoa Soup and Fall Vegetable Quinoa Soup!

Follow Aggie’s Kitchen’s board Soup, Stew and Chili Recipes on Pinterest.

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This recipe was created in partnership with Genova Seafood.

Click Here to Pin this Kale Salad recipe!

This Lemony Tuna and White Bean Kale Salad with Avocado has been my go-to salad the last couple of weeks. I’ve made it for quick lunches and I’ve also packed leftovers to take with me to my daughter’s volleyball tournament over the weekend. You know I felt so much better eating this salad in the bleachers instead of concession stand food!

There is a lot of quality protein in this kale salad. Tuna, specifically this Genova Yellowfin Tuna, is one of my favorite proteins to salads each week. I have partnered up with Genova for this recipe but I discovered this tuna a few years back when my grocery store had it on sale (this is the salad I first made with this tuna!). I picked up a few cans back then and I have been hooked on its rich, savory taste ever since. You can find where Genova is sold near you here.

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If you are following a keto diet, this is a great keto salmon recipe to try, it is naturally low carb and high in good fat!

I’m slowly easing back into post-holiday life now that my kids are back in school. I hit the gym for a good hour-long cardio session this morning and am determined to drink a gazillion ounces of water today. I didn’t gain a million pounds over the holidays like I thought I would, but I did hit a level of feeling sluggish that I am not comfortable with, and I can attribute that to less sleep, less exercise and more of everything else if you know what I mean.

Like this salmon salad recipe? Pin It Here!

Instead of tuna salad for lunch this week, I put together this healthy salad with leftover cooked salmon and a few simple ingredients I had in the fridge. I have been obsessed with salmon salad ever since I had it in Oregon a couple of months ago – it was one of the best salmon salad recipes I’ve ever tasted.

This salad is so delicious and a nice change from your average tuna sandwich. It’s a great low carb recipe filled with protein and healthy fats too.

I like to cook up extra salmon whenever I am making it for dinner so I can use the leftovers on salad, or in a salmon salad like this one. Cooking salmon is easy and takes no time at all. You can bake your salmon or broil it, I typically broil it when I just use a rub (like this salmon with sweet and spicy rub I make often).

How to cook salmon:

1. Preheat your broiler.
2. Place salmon filets on lightly greased aluminum foil lined broiler pan or baking sheet. Pat salmon filets dry with a paper towel, then sprinkle liberally with your favorite lemon pepper seasoning, salt and pepper. Drizzle a little olive oil over each salmon filet. Place under broiler and cook for 8-10 minutes or until salmon is turns lighter pink and flakes with a fork (cooking time for fish always depends on how thick your fish is). Set aside.

What do you put in salmon salad?

• 1/2 lb cooked salmon, flaked
• 1 heaping teaspoon light mayo (more if you like mayo)
• squeeze of lemon
• big pinch of salt and pepper (or lemon pepper if you prefer)
• 1 celery stalk, chopped small
• 1 tablespoon green onion, chopped

So good!

What else can you make with leftover cooked salmon besides salmon salad?

Try these Cajun Baked Salmon Cakes,  Salmon & Avocado Stuffed Lettuce Wraps or this Farfalle with Salmon, Lemon and Peas.

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Salmon Salad Recipe

• Author: Aggies Kitchen
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 2 servings
• Category: Fish

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This Salmon Salad is a nice change from your everyday tuna. Bake up extra salmon at dinnertime & use up the leftovers to create this protein packed salad!

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Ingredients

• 1/2 lb cooked salmon, flaked
• 1 heaping teaspoon mayonnaise
• squeeze of lemon
• big pinch of salt and pepper (or lemon pepper if you prefer)
• 1 celery stalk, chopped small
• 1 tablespoon green onion, chopped

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Instructions

1. Add your leftover flaked salmon to a bowl. Season well with salt, pepper (or lemon pepper), mayo and a splash of fresh squeezed lemon. Add chopped celery and green onion and combine well.
2. Serve on whole grain bread or pita or over salad with crackers. Or just eat it on its own.

Love salmon? Check out my other salmon recipes:

Broiled Salmon with Sweet and Spicy Rub

Salmon and Veggie Stir Fry

Blackened Salmon with Citrus Salsa

Almond Crusted Honey Mandarin Salmon

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I’m a sucker for chicken salad and love having it for quick lunches and dinners, especially in the summer when cooking a hot meal for dinner isn’t always appealing.

This Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken Salad with Greek Yogurt was inspired by one of the coaches at my gym who got me craving chicken salad so bad at 6am recently that I immediately came home and made this for my parents who were coming over for lunch that day. I love people who can talk about food passionately in the early morning while pushing through burpees, squats, push ups, box jumps and all others forms of self inflicted torture in the spirit of fitness and health.

These are my kind of people.

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Next month, this blog turns 9 years old. I seriously can’t believe I’ve been sharing recipes online for that long. I’ve been digging around in my archives, looking at some of the food and recipes we’ve eaten over the years and to be honest, it makes me feel so nostalgic! I started a little project of remaking some of the recipes so I can update the photography and clean up the posts. One of the recipes I recently remade was from June of 2008, the first week I started blogging. I’ve made these Mini Honey Mustard Meatloaves with Roasted Potatoes so many times over the years and it’s one of my family’s favorites – not only did I add new photos to the post, but a video as well.

While I was revamping that post, I uncovered a slaw recipe from Cooking Light that I had made with it…and decided to change it up a bit. I love slaw salads of all kinds…some of my favorites include this Asian Almond Slaw Salad, this Mexican Slaw Salad with Black Beans and one of my lunch time go-tos this Broccoli Slaw Salad I make with gorgonzola, nuts and balsamic vinegar. Good stuff!!

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As much as I try, I don’t always leave the grocery store with everything on my list. There are things I forget, and there are things I add on. There are always things I add on. I have trouble walking through the produce section and not leaving with a good amount of extra produce that I have absolutely no official plans for, but couldn’t resist picking up and putting in my cart. Poblano peppers, I haven’t purchased them in forever and there was no way I was going home without them when I saw them the other day.

There were a few things I had in mind for these poblano peppers. I wanted to add them to this Summer White Chicken Chili. I also wanted to remake this Kicked Up Cucumber Salad from years ago.

Instead, the idea for stuffing them came into mind and I went with it. So glad, because these Stuffed Poblano Peppers turned out amazing and fed me some easy lunch for a couple days I made them for dinner. (more…)

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Since February, I’ve been working hard at the gym to transform my body. Sounds extreme, I know, but really I’m just focused on building muscle and losing fat so honestly it’s not just about weight loss but more about inches and how my clothes are feeling. I experienced my first “success” last weekend that caught me off guard when I begrudgingly put on a pair of jeans (I hate wearing jeans, they make me cranky) and they surprisingly fit very well. It was a bit of a shock to me because although I have lost 8 pounds on the scale since the beginning of the year (it goes up and down after each weekend, weekends are tough for me), I haven’t really noticed since I typically wear workout clothes or leggings most days. Wearing jeans comfortably has always been a goal of mine and I call this major progress!

One of the most important things I’m working on right now in addition to my gym workouts is nutrition. I’m dedicated to using My Fitness Pal every day to track what I’m eating. I’ve been doing this 50 days now and I have to say, it really has trained me to stop before mindlessly eating or making a food choice I know I’ll regret later. Do I still eat pizza with my family on Saturday night? Yes, but less. I also drink a beer and eat tacos with my husband at lunch on Sunday, but just one beer (and too many tacos) and I try to walk extra later so my Fitbit can tell me how many exercise calories I burned to make me feel a little better. Or I just lay around on the couch and work extra hard at the gym the next day. I’m living a good, balanced life right now and seeing changes in my body and myself when it comes to food and I do think it has to do with being so much more mindful than I was before. It is not extreme weight loss and body transformation, it’s slow and steady and habit forming and that’s encouraging.

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