We, like many of you, enjoy Black-eyed peas or beans, collard greens cooked with ham, and golden cornbread on New Year’s Day. These are after-all good luck foods and lord knows we need all the luck we can get these days.

When I peered into my refrigerator this morning, various bins & containers stared back at me, as if to say “pick me, pick me.” This is a classic eat out of the fridge/pantry recipe. It’s intended to be adapted to ingredients already on hand.

Soup Ingredients & Variations

• Veggies & aromatics – as with most of my soups, I began with diced onion, carrot and garlic. If I had celery I would have added that as well.
• Greens – next came leftover collard greens from New Year’s Day. I also included fresh spinach. Kale or cabbage would have been great additions as well.
• Beans – I chose a can of white beans, but black eyed peas, pintos or your favorite bean works!
• Ham (optional) – our collards had small chunks of ham. You could use ham or bacon or omit for a vegetarian version.
• Broth – I had homemade veggie stock in the freezer. You could use vegetable or chicken broth.
• Seasoning – a little soy sauce (or coconut aminos for GF version) and apple cider vinegar gave this broth a nice umami finish.
• Rustic croutons – I had a nice hunk of Fire Roasted Cheddar Golden Cornbread begging to be included, so I cubed it up and toasted in the oven for about 10 minutes.

Building the Soup

• If serving with rustic cornbread croutons, lay cornbread cubes on a baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees F. for 10 minutes, turning over midway through cooking.
• In a heavy pot or dutch oven, sauté diced onion and carrots in a little olive oil until just tender.
• Stir in a clove or two of garlic and cook an additional minute.
• Add in chopped collard greens (or kale or cabbage), cubed ham (if using), and veggie broth.
• Simmer until collards are tender.
• Add beans and heat through.
• Season with apple cider vinegar and soy sauce (or coconut aminos).
• Finish with a couple handfuls of fresh spinach.
• Serve in big bowls topped with cornbread croutons

Beneficial Heart Healthy Ingredients

• This soup is packed with heart healthy leafy greens which provide our bodies with minerals and vitamins. They’re also high in nitrates which are shown to open blood vessels, encouraging healthy blood flow.
• Beans are also a heart healthy choice, as studies show they can help to reduce cholesterol. If using canned beans look for low sodium or at minimum rinse before adding to your soups.
• Lastly, when making soup from scratch you are able to control the amount of sodium. Homemade Chicken Broth or Vegetable Broth are not only economical, but they are a great alternative to boxed or canned broths which tend to have high sodium levels and often contain msg.

As for this incredibly flavorful and satisfying Rustic White Bean & Greens Heart Healthy Soup, I’m serving up big bowls full for lunch! But it also makes a delicious Meatless Monday Meal (omit ham).

And for January, also known as National Soup Month – I hope delicious soups grace your tables all month long. Wishing you heart health and happiness in the New Year!

Looking for soup recipe inspiration? Check out our 50+ Homemade Soup Recipes Roundup!

Don’t forget to follow us @LemonyThyme on Instagram and Facebook! And check out our latest TikTok videos and Pinterest boards too!

All my best,
xo Libby

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Rustic White Bean & Greens Heart Healthy Soup

As for this incredibly flavorful and satisfying Rustic White Bean & Greens Heart Healthy Soup, I'm serving up big bowls full for lunch!

Course Soup

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Author Libby with Lemony Thyme

Ingredients

For the White Bean & Greens Soup

• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• 2 carrots diced
• 1 small onion diced
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 2 cups collard greens, kale and/or cabbage chopped
• 1/2 cup cooked ham (optional) diced
• 1 can white beans, pinto beans, black eyed peas, or favorite beans rinsed and drained
• 4 cups low sodium chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 Tablespoon coconut aminos (or soy sauce) or to taste
• 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar or to taste
• 2 cups fresh spinach leaves optional

For the Cornbread Croutons

• 1 cup cubed cornbread

Instructions

For the Soup

• In a 2 or 3 quart heavy pot or dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced carrot and onion and sauté until just tender, about 7-10 minutes. Add garlic and cook an additional minute.
• Add collard greens (or kale or cabbage) and saute another 10 minutes or until just tender. Add ham (if using), rinsed beans and broth. Bring to a gentle simmer. Add coconut aminos (or soy) and apple cider vinegar, adjust to taste. Finish by adding fresh spinach just before serving.
• Serve in big bowls topped with cornbread croutons (optional).

For the Cornbread Croutons

• Preheat oven to 400° F. Cut cornbread into 1-inch cubes. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway through cooking time.

The post Rustic White Bean & Greens Heart Healthy Soup appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

You know the kind even your manly man will eat. But packed full of nutrients without extra calories. 

Because let’s face it, most of us don’t need empty calories and are perfectly happy as long as we’re satisfied.  This chili is definitely satisfying.

Building the Chili Flavor

The sweet potato is the star ingredient as it balances the chili seasonings so well. 

Because I was making this chili to share the love with one my work family members, I kept the heat out of it and instead focused on flavor.  Chili powder, ground oregano, garlic powder, and cumin will never let you down.

I also fire roasted the corn and poblano peppers, adding a little smoky flavor to the chili.

If you want to stretch this Turkey & Sweet Potato Southwest Chili a little farther, double the quantity of veggies & diced tomatoes and season accordingly.  In addition to the sweet potatoes, I added carrots, onions, red bell & poblano peppers, zucchini, corn, diced tomatoes and black beans.

I hope you’ll give this dish a try and as always I welcome and enjoy your feedback.

Recipe inspiration.  My Healthy Choices lunch buddy shared a new favorite dish, which was baked sweet potato topped with taco seasoned ground turkey and salsa.  It was delicious and has been lingering in my mind ever since.

We are so ready for chili season and have a collection of recipes for your enjoyment.

Don’t forget to follow us @LemonyThyme on Instagram and Facebook! And check out our latest TikTok videos and Pinterest boards too!

All my best,
xo Libby

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Turkey & Sweet Potato Southwest Chili

My motivation for this Heart Healthy Turkey & Sweet Potato Southwest Chili was to deliver a flavor packed hearty chili.

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Author Libby with Lemony Thyme

Ingredients

• 1 lb. lean ground turkey cooked and drained
• 2 small sweet potatoes peeled & cubed (about 2 cups)
• 2 Tbl. olive oil divided
• 1 carrot peeled and sliced
• 1 med. onion diced
• 1 red bell pepper optional
• 1 poblano pepper fire roasted, skins removed
• 1 zucchini diced
• 2 ears corn on the cob or 1 cup frozen
• 1 28- ounce diced tomatoes
• 1 4.5- ounce can diced mild green chiles
• 1 14- ounce can black beans drained & rinsed
• 2 Tbl. chili powder
• 1 Tbl. dried oregano
• 1 Tbl. garlic powder
• 1 Tbl. cumin
• 1 tsp. salt
• cayenne pepper optional

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Spread diced sweet potatoes on a cooking spray coated baking sheet. Bake for 15 -20 minutes or until just tender.
• Meanwhile in a Dutch oven, add 1 Tbl. olive oil and brown ground turkey. Remove from pan and reserve. Add additional 1 Tbl. of olive oil and diced onion and carrot to pot. Saute until onion is tender. Add in remaining veggies and tomatoes, chiles, black beans and seasoning and bring to a gentle simmer; cook for 10 minutes.
• Add cooked sweet potatoes and ground turkey to the pot; heat through. Adjust seasoning to taste.
• Serve with favorite toppings, such as shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, cilantro.

Notes

Seasoning chili should be done according to taste. Adding gradually as the dish builds is how we arrive at the right balance.

The post Heart Healthy Turkey & Sweet Potato Southwest Chili appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

If you’re like me, you are hanging on to every bit of summer. I wanted to make a coleslaw recipe that sings of summer. Bright, cheerful, and refreshing.

I also wanted to make a Jerk Turkey Burger and knew this would pair perfectly.

It’s a Win-Win!

You need a rainbow of colors for this Caribbean inspired coleslaw! With that comes a wonderful variety of textures and bright flavors.

You can mix and match the ingredients you include in this slaw. I knew I wanted to include mango to give it the Caribbean vibe. I also wanted the crunch that shredded carrots deliver.

The Caribbean Coleslaw Ingredients

• Green cabbage
• Purple cabbage
• Red bell pepper
• Mango
• Shredded carrots
• Jalapeno

For the Citrus Dressing I used mayonnaise as my base. You could certainly go with a more tangy vinegar based dressing. The fresh orange juice really adds the citrus pop.

The Citrus Dressing Ingredients

• Mayonnaise
• Apple cider vinegar
• Orange juice
• Dash of hot sauce
• Salt & pepper

This citrus dressing is light with bright bursts of orange flavor. You can adjust the hot sauce to give it a little kick.

This is meant to be a quick & easy slaw. Nothing fancy, but really pretty with the rainbow of colors.

The Method

• Shred or fine dice ingredients
• Toss with dressing
• Serve

Because sometimes simple is all you need!

Whether you’re topping your Jerk Turkey Burger or Pulled Pork Sandwich, a good coleslaw recipe can be a game-changer!

Here are some of our other coleslaw recipes you might enjoy!

• Apple Fennel Slaw {with Orange Cumin Dressing}
• Classic Coleslaw
• Sesame Brussels Sprout Slaw

Are there recipes that remind you of a favorite vacation that you’d like to see us recreate? I’d love for you to comment below. Your feedback is so important to me (and keeps the recipe love fresh).

Don’t forget to follow us @LemonyThyme on Instagram and Facebook! And check out our latest TikTok videos and Pinterest boards too!

All my best,
xo Libby

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Colorful Caribbean Coleslaw with Citrus Dressing

Colorful Caribbean Coleslaw with Citrus Dressing is bursting with bright tropical flavors.

Course Side Dish

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Author Libby with Lemony Thyme

Ingredients

For the Coleslaw

• 1 cup shredded green cabbage
• 1 cup shredded purple cabbage
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1/2 cup julienned red pepper
• 1/2 cup diced mango
• 1 small jalapeno, diced

For the Dressing

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 Tablespoons orange juice
• 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 2 dashes hot sauce
• salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

• Combine all coleslaw ingredients in a bowl. Mix dressing ingredients in a small bowl then pour desired amount over coleslaw.

The post Colorful Caribbean Coleslaw with Citrus Dressing appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

My favorite.

I’m not sure if it’s all the delicious salad ingredients or the dressing I love more.

But I’m hooked!

To begin, give your chicken a nice soak in this easy Asian Marinade.

Chicken thighs will take on flavor within 30 minutes. You want to marinate chicken breasts 5-6 hours, but any amount of time is better than no marinade at all.

After marinating the chicken, you can pan sear or oven roast the chicken. Always allow the chicken 5-10 minutes resting time before slicing. This allows the juices time to redistribute.

Your Asian Chicken Salad should include a variety of colorful veggies. I like purple cabbage, shredded carrots and lettuce as the base.

Sliced scallions, fresh cilantro, and edamame are key.

And don’t forget mandarin oranges, a signature ingredient.

Sliced almonds or roasted cashews are a wonderful addition. Crispy wonton strips bring a crave-worthy crunch factor.

The marinated chicken is super tender and juicy and full of flavor. The Asian Marinade brings a subtle heat that’s balanced by the other savory ingredients.

Asian Vinaigrette makes this salad. It’s bursting with sesame, soy and ginger flavors, and just a touch of sweetness from honey.

You can easily make this salad a day in advance. You’ll just wait to slice the chicken and add the crispy wonton strips and dressing. A great lunch option is to stuff your favorite wrap with this delicious salad!

Don’t forget to follow us @LemonyThyme on Instagram and Facebook! And check out our latest TikTok videos and Pinterest boards too!

All my best,
xo Libby

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Asian Chicken Salad

A rainbow of colorful & healthy ingredients, delightful textures, and savory Asian flavors makes this Asian Chicken Salad an all-time favorites.

Course Salad Entree

Cuisine Asian

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Author Libby with Lemony Thyme

Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• Asian Marinade See recipe link post

For the Salad

• 3 hearts of romaine chopped
• 1-2 cups purple cabbage thinly sliced
• 1 cup carrots shredded
• 1 cup cooked edamame
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
• 2 scallions thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 1/2 cup crispy wonton strips
• 1 cup mandarin orange segments
• 1/2 – 3/4 cup Asian Vinaigrette See recipe link in post
• 1 Tablespoon sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions

For the Chicken

• Combine marinade ingredients in a zipper top bag or bowl. Add chicken and turn to coat well. Refrigerate chicken breasts for 5-6 hours (preferred) or chicken thights from 30 minutes – 2 hours.
• Remove chicken from marinade and grill, pan sear, or oven bake until cooked through. Allow to rest 5-10 minutes before slicing. Serve on top of Asian Salad.

For the Salad

• In a large bowl, add all salad ingredients including sliced cooked chicken. Toss with Asian Vinaigrette, garnish with sesame seeds and serve in individual bowls or plates.

The post Asian Chicken Salad with Asian Vinaigrette appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

In Hawaii the plate lunch is their most popular dish. Yes, the poke bowl is a close competitor, but every road side stand, food truck, and hole-in-the-wall restaurant offers a plate lunch.

Classically your ‘plate’ will include a protein, then they add two scoops of white rice and a generous serving of this macaroni salad.

It’s a carb lovers dream!

Elbow macaroni, finely shredded carrot, a little shredded white onion, and thinly sliced green onion all tossed in a mayonnaise dressing.

This Hawaiian Style Macaroni Salad is Simply Delicious. It’s creamy, simple and satisfying!

The dressing is where the flavor builds by combining mayonnaise with milk, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, salt & pepper.

It’s ever so slightly sweet with a gentle tang. It’s just really good macaroni salad that pairs perfectly with our Kalua Pork Meatball Sliders!

I’ll leave you with a couple of my favorite Hawaii pictures to get you in the mood :).

• A killer hike in Waimea Canyon State Park.
• Wailua Falls – made famous in the opening scene of Fantasy Island
• Hawaiian Gold Tree
• The view from the top of Diamond Head State Park
• Nā Pali Coast (from a helicopter)

Are there recipes that remind you of a favorite vacation that you’d like to see us recreate? I’d love for you to comment below. Your feedback is so important to me (and keeps the recipe love fresh).

Don’t forget to follow us @LemonyThyme on Instagram and Facebook! And check out our latest TikTok videos and Pinterest boards too!

All my best,
xo Libby

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Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

Hawaiian Macaroni Salad is simple and satisfying with a delicious mayonnaise dressing. You can easily double this recipe.

Course Side Dish

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 12 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Author Libby with Lemony Thyme

Ingredients

For the Salad Dressing

• 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the Macaroni Salad

• 1/2 pound elbow macaroni
• 1/2 cup carrot finely grated
• 1 Tablespoon onion grated
• 2 scallion thinly sliced

Instructions

For the Salad Dressing

• Whisk together dressing ingredients. Makes 2 cups.

For the Macaroni Salad

• Prepare the pasta accoring to package instructions, drain and allow to cool to room temperature. Toss cooked macaroni with shredded carrot, onion, and green onion. Pour 1 1/2 cups of dressing over pasta mixture and stir to fully coat. Reserve 1/2 cup of dressing to add just before serving as pasta will absorb some as it sits.

The post Hawaiian Style Macaroni Salad is Simply Delicious appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

If you’re craving a low-carb or vegetarian alternative to traditional fried rice, this is the recipe for you.

A little sesame oil and soy sauce and you’ve got the flavor profile down.

I always add carrots, onion and green peas but sometimes I also add zucchini, broccoli, mushrooms, shrimp, or even bacon.

I keep bags of Cauliflower Rice in my freezer. It’s such a versatile ingredient that cooks very quickly. However you can easily make Cauliflower Rice from a head of fresh cauliflower.

I start in a large skillet with a little sesame oil over medium-high heat. Sauté the onion and carrots until just tender then pour in the cauliflower rice and spread into an even layer. I let that cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes, then stir and repeat until the cauliflower is nice and hot. Add the frozen peas and soy sauce, then create a well in the middle with a touch more sesame oil.

Scramble the eggs until cooked through then stir them into the rice. If you like nice pieces of egg in your fried rice be sure to cook the egg all the way before stirring into the rice, otherwise it will just coat the rice. Season with salt, pepper and additional soy sauce to taste.

This fried rice pairs perfectly with Asian Salmon Meatballs and makes a great lunch bowl too. I promise you that Cauliflower Fried Rice packs all the flavor of your favorite takeout version.

Don’t forget to follow us @LemonyThyme on Instagram and Facebook! And check out our latest TikTok videos and Pinterest boards too!

All my best,
xo Libby

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Cauliflower Fried Rice

If you're craving a low-carb or vegetarian alternative to traditional fried rice, this is the recipe for you.

Course Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine Asian

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Author Libby with Lemony Thyme

Ingredients

• 2 Tablespoons + 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 bag frozen cauliflower rice
• 1/3 cup onion diced
• 1/3 cup carrot shredded or fine diced
• 1/3 cup frozen peas
• 2 Tablespoons coconut aminos or soy sauce
• 2 eggs beaten
• salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

• In a large skillet add sesame oil over medium-high heat. Sauté the onion and carrots until just tender then pour in the cauliflower rice and spread into an even layer. Cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes, then stir and repeat until the cauliflower is nice and hot.
• Add the frozen peas and soy sauce, then create a well in the middle with a teaspoon more sesame oil. Pour in beaten eggs and allow to set before scrambling. Keeps eggs in well until cooked through, then stir into rice. Season with salt, pepper and additional soy sauce to taste.

The post Cauliflower Fried Rice appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

I would request it for my birthday dinners, when a celebration was in order, or when I just craved Mom’s home cooking. 

The fresh herbs in this classic comfort food recipe make it sing…Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme; Remember me to one who lives there, she once was a true love of mine. 

Mom called her version *Chinese Pie which was slightly different than this Shepherd’s Pie recipe (creamed corn in place of carrot, onion, zucchini, peas), but had all the comfort that only a casserole (or maybe a fresh from the oven chocolate chip cookie) can bring.

Another similar dish to the Irish Shepherd’s Pie is Cottage Pie, one made with lamb and one with beef, although the variations are many.

The Method

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 
• In a large skillet sauté mushrooms until golden brown on both sides and reserve
• Meanwhile boil potatoes until tender, drain, and mash with butter, buttermilk, sage, salt & pepper
• If using fresh English peas simmer those as well

• Brown the meat and drain fat
• Add garlic, tomato paste, fresh herbs and Worcestershire, stir to combine
• Add wine and allow to mostly cook off before dusting with flour (or arrowroot for gluten free)
• Stir in broth and simmer until sauce begins to thicken
• Return sautéed mushrooms to pan to combine
• Season with salt and pepper to taste

• Pour browned meat and mushrooms into 2 quart buttered casserole dish. Reserve.

• Top meat/mushroom layer with sautéed vegetables. Reserve.

• Spread mashed potatoes over veggie layer
• Make a criss-cross pattern with a fork
• Dot with butter pieces 
• Bake until edges start to become golden brown 40 – 45 minutes  
• Finish under broiler for nice brown peaks
• Let stand for at least 5 minutes before serving

This Shepherd’s Pie is rich and hearty and just as comfortable as I remember. Hope you love it like we do!

*I just had to know where the name Chinese Pie came from so I did a little culinary digging. Apparently Chinese Pie, also known as Paté Chinois, originated in Canada and is a staple French-Canadian dish. During the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway in the late 19th century workers were fed rations of beef, potatoes and corn. Many of the workers of primarily Asian origin would combine their rations, creating a family-style dish to be shared. This serving style took off with the French-Canadian workers as well who dubbed the dish Paté Chinois (or Chinese Pie in French). And now you know ~ the rest of the story.

Don’t forget to follow us @LemonyThyme on Instagram and Facebook! And check out our latest TikTok videos and Pinterest boards too!

All my best,
xo Libby

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Shepherd’s Pie

This Shepherd's Pie is rich and hearty and just as comfortable as I remember. The fresh herbs in this classic comfort food recipe make it sing.

Course Main Course

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Author Libby with Lemony Thyme

Ingredients

For the Meat & Mushroom Layer

• 8 ounces sliced mushrooms
• 1 Tablespoon butter & olive oil
• 2 lbs. ground beef and/or ground lamb
• 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
• 2 Tablespoons fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, parsley, sage) minced
• 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 cup red wine
• 1 Tablespoon flour or arrow root (for GF Version)
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

For the Vegetable Layer

• 1 Tbl. olive oil
• 1 medium onion diced, about 1 cup
• 2-3 carrots diced, about 1 cup
• 2 small zucchini julienned, about 1 cup
• 1 cup fresh or frozen English peas

For the Potato Layer

• 3 lbs. potatoes or cauliflower for a low-carb alternative
• 5 Tbl. butter divided
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 tsp. fresh sage minced optional
• salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

For the Meat & Mushroom Layer

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In a large skillet, add 1 tablespoon butter & 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add mushrooms in single layer and cook until golden brown on both sides. Remove from skillet and reserve.
• Brown meat over medium high heat, drain fat, then add tomato paste, garlic, fresh herbs, and Worcestershire. Stir to combine and cook 1-2 minutes. Stir in wine and allow to mostly cook off before dusting with flour (arrowroot for gluten free version). Stir to incorporate, then add broth and stir until sauce begins to thicken. Return browned mushrooms to the pan. Season with salt & pepper to taste. Pour meat/mushrooms into 2 quart buttered casserole dish.

For the Vegetable Layer

• In skillet saute onion & carrot until just tender, then add zucchini continue cooking for 3-4 minutes. Stir in frozen peas (or cooked fresh peas). Season with salt & pepper to taste. Pour veggies over browned meat/musrooms in casserole dish.

For the Potato Layer

• Boil potatoes until tender, drain, then add 4 Tablespoons butter, buttermilk, 1/2 tsp. fresh sage, salt & pepper and mash. Spoon potatoes on top of meat/vegetable layers.
• Take a fork and scratch a pattern into top of mashed potatoes. Dot with remaining Tablespoon butter. Bake until golden 40 – 45 minutes. Finish under broiler for nice brown peaks. Let stand for at least 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

If you’re looking for a low-carb option, use cauliflower mash instead of mashed potatoes.

The post Shepherd’s Pie – A Classic Comfort Food appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

When I looked into the eyes of my beautiful new fridge I saw shelves and drawers overflowing with ingredients that begged for a chance to play nicely together.

The result of nonstop cooking for a week straight.

Have you seen our March Meatball Madness posts??!

When I studied the contents it became blatantly obvious that my fridge and my well-being needed a big pot of soup!

I’m going to make this a relatively wordless Wednesday post. After all we are just making soup! Even if this Spring Thyme Green Minestrone soup is extra special in my humble opinion. The recipe below is more of a guide, there is plenty of room for making this your own between the fresh veggie choices, the type of herbs and seasonings, the beans and pasta, even what you swirl into your bowl.

Fresh Basil Pesto and/or grated parmesan cheese swirled into this veggie packed soup is delicious and boosts the green factor.

This Spring Thyme Green Minestrone soup is packed with nutrients making this a healthy choice for any meal. It also makes a giant batch so it’s the perfect way to Share the Love with your friends and neighbors.

Don’t forget to follow us @LemonyThyme on Instagram and Facebook! And check out our latest TikTok videos and Pinterest boards too!

All my best,
xo Libby

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Spring Thyme Green Minestrone

This Spring Thyme Minestrone Soup is packed with nutrients making this a healthy choice for any meal. It also makes a giant batch so it's the perfect way to Share the Love with your friends and neighbors.

Course Main Course

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 10

Author Libby with Lemony Thyme

Ingredients

Veggies

• 8-10 cups fresh veggies, diced or sliced such as: carrot, onion, celery, leek, fennel, shallot, jalapeno, spinach, kale, asparagus, zucchini, cabbage, broccoli
• 2-3 cloves garlic minced
• 8 cups vegetable broth
• 2 cans white beans, drained & rinsed such as: butter beans, great nothern beans, cannellini beans
• 1/2 cup fresh herbs, fine chopped such as: parsley, rosemary, thyme, basil, cilantro
• 2 Tablespoons freshly grated ginger
• 2 Tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 pound ditalini pasta cooked al dente and reserved
• 1/2 cup basil pesto optional, to swirl in soup for serving
• freshly grated parmesan cheese optional, to grate onto soup for serving

Instructions

• In a large stock pot or dutch oven, heat 2 Tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add in your 'hard' vegetables, like carrots, onion, celery, garlic, fennel, leeks, shallot, jalapeno. Saute until almost tender, about 10 minutes. Then add in your 'soft' vegetables, like spinach, kale, asparagus, zucchini, cabbage, broccoli. Continue to saute for another 5-7 minutes.
• Add vegetable broth, beans, and fresh herbs. Bring to a light simmer then add the ginger, lemon juice and seasonings. Adjust to taste. Simmer for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to mingle.
• Meanwhile prepare ditalini (or other favorite small pasta) al dente. Reserve.
• To serve. Place some cooked pasta in bowls. Ladle in hot soup. Swirl with basil pesto and freshly grated parmesan cheese. Enjoy! Don't forget to Share the Love!

The post Spring Thyme Green Minestrone appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

My kid first introduced me to Vietnamese fare. 

Pho.  Coffee.  Bakeries.  And Banh Mi.  Each worthy of their own post. 

Our Vietnamese Beef Pho post continues to be one of my favorites. 

Vietnamese Iced Coffee was incorporated into a great day spent with one of my favorite peeps, as we explored various iced coffees. 

Shelby and I set out on Chinese New Year a couple years back, we headed to Buford Highway, an Asian infusion corridor just outside the hustle and bustle that is Atlanta.

We celebrated with Dim Sum at Canton House.  Then began the slow crawl up the corridor, making our way to Asian Square.  Home to Shelby’s favorite Pho spot, Banh Mi joint, and Vietnamese Bakery.

The Pickles

A signature ingredient in a Banh Mi Sandwich is pickled carrot and daikon radish. 

I added thinly sliced jalapeno to the mix, with a quick refrigerator pickle marinade.  1/2 cup rice wine vinegar, 1 Tbl. sugar, 1/2 tsp. salt.  We went overnight, but in as little as 30 minutes you can infuse pickle flavor.

The Protein

The protein in Banh Mi Sandwiches varies greatly.  I’m not certain there are signature choices, instead a chance to make them your own.  For ours, think chicken burgers or better yet, kicked up chicken meatloaf.

Fresh ground chicken, scallion, red onion, cilantro, sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic powder, black pepper and kosher salt.  Form into patties or meatballs (we did both, Banh Mi Bites were like a party in your mouth).

The Fresh Herbs & Mayo

Fresh herbs elevate any dish, but in these sandwiches, they bring one more layer of freshness.  Cilantro is classic, however basil and mint pair perfectly as well.  Don’t be shy, pile on the herbs.

Then there is the spicy mayo.  I infused our mayo with soy sauce, sriracha hot sauce, sesame oil and fish sauce.  It had a mild kick and smooth finish.

On this day, I introduce the Vietnamese Banh Mi Chicken Sandwich to the pages of Lemony Thyme.  This savory sandwich has so much flavor with the juicy chicken, the punchy pickles and fresh herbs and the sweet and spicy mayo. I made a few extra Banh Mi Bites to hold us over while I pictured the sandwich.

Are there recipes that remind you of a favorite vacation that you’d like to see us recreate? I’d love for you to comment below. Your feedback is so important to me (and keeps the recipe love fresh).

Don’t forget to follow us @LemonyThyme on Instagram and Facebook! And check out our latest TikTok videos and Pinterest boards too!

All my best,
xo Libby

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Vietnamese Banh Mi Chicken Sandwich

This savory sandwich has so much flavor with the juicy chicken, the punchy pickles and fresh herbs and the sweet and spicy mayo.

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Author Libby with Lemony Thyme

Ingredients

For pickled veggies…

• 1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
• 1 Tbl. sugar
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 carrot julienned or spiralized
• 1 daikon radish julienned or spiralized
• 1 jalapeno thinly sliced

For chicken burger…

• 1 lb. ground chicken
• 1 scallion thinly sliced
• 1/3 cup fine diced red onion
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
• 1 Tbl. sesame oil
• 1 Tbl. soy sauce
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper

For spicy mayo…

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 Tbl. soy sauce
• 1 tsp. sriracha sauce
• 1 tsp. sesame oil
• 1 tsp. fish sauce optional

For Banh Mi Sandwich…

• 1 long baguette about 24-inches
• 2 cups fresh herbs cilantro, basil, mint

Instructions

For the pickled veggies…

• In a small glass bowl, whish together vinegar, sugar and salt. Add in prepared veggies and refrigerate a minimum of 30 minutes or up to two days ahead.

For the chicken burger…

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients until just combined. Do not overwork. Form into 4 patties or 1-inch meatballs. Place on parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until instant read thermometer inserted in the center reads 160 degrees. (Meatballs will require less cooking time, check after 15 minutes).

For the spicy mayo…

• While the burgers cook, combine mayonnaise ingredients in a small bowl and refrigerate.

To serve…

• Slice baguette into fourths, then cut each piece in half. Spread insides with spicy mayo. Layer fresh herbs and pickled veggies, then top with burger. Add additional herbs and pickled veggies.

The post Vietnamese Banh Mi Chicken Sandwich appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

With winter ragging across most of the country, I posed this question on Facebook:

What is your favorite soup?

I received a nice variety of responses, which included some of my favorite soups like Broccoli Cheddar and Italian Wedding and others that I had yet to recreate at home.

Nick described his beloved Steak & Potato Soup as “meaty and full of potatoes, carrots and mushrooms. The broth is rich but not too thick.” I’m fairly certain what he described was available in a can and included the word Chunky on the label :) I can work with that and so chunky this soup would be. A fine balance between a soup and a stew.

Soup will generally contain meat or vegetables that are typically brought to a boil in water or broth and served with a generous ratio of broth to meat/vegetables. Whereas a Stew has less liquid, is typically simmered for a longer period and is served with more meat/vegetables and less broth.

For the ‘steak’ you can use your favorite cut. I prefer beginning with tender beef that has some nice marbling. This is the star of the show so why scrimp and use a tough cut of meat?! I used Yukon Gold for the potatoes because I like how they hold together yet are nice and creamy. Fresh thyme is a must and caramelized mushrooms go perfectly in this hearty soup.

I pan brown the steak and mushrooms in batches because a nice sear really helps to build flavor. Remove the beef and mushrooms and reserve them until nearer the end of cooking.

Add onions, carrots and fresh thyme to the same pan and sauté until almost tender. Dust the veggies with flour or arrowroot (for GF), then deglaze the pan with red wine and tomato paste to incorporate all those yummy brown bits from the seared steak, all the while building layers of flavor.

Next comes the cubed potatoes, bay leaves and a nice rich beef stock or bone broth. Simmer soup until potatoes are just fork tender, then return the seared steak and mushrooms to the pot and heat through. Remove the thyme sprigs and bay leaves before serving.

Homemade Steak & Potato Soup got two thumbs up from my favorite taste-tester. This soup will satisfy your best eaters and is the perfect cold-weather blues buster!!

Making homemade soup reminds me of one of my favorite cooking quotes.

“Cooking is a caring and nurturing act. It’s kind of the ultimate gift for someone, to cook for them. It creates all this beautiful stuff, conversation, appreciation, romance. All the most important things in life you do around a dinner table.” ~ Curtis Stone.

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Wishing you a happy table. All my best, Libby

The post Steak & Potato Soup appeared first on Lemony Thyme.