Sazón, which means seasoning in Spanish, is a staple in Latin cooking. When added to soups, stews, and rice dishes it brings a beautiful yellow color.

Sure, I could have gone to my local market headed down the International Foods isle and found the familiar yellow and orange box of Sazon packets.

However in this case, I had all the necessary ingredients already on hand!

Including Achiote (Annatto Seeds).

When I set out to make Arroz Con Pollo last week there were a few key ingredients I needed to purchase. Annatto Seed was one of them. This classic Latin Chicken & Rice recipe begins with an Achiote Oil that is infused with these vibrant seeds.

How beautiful is this isle of dried peppers and whole spices?! If you’ve seen an isle similar to this at your local Hispanic Market, there’s a good chance you can find Annatto Seed. It’s also readily available online.

I have a coffee grinder dedicated to spices. If it can turn whole cinnamon sticks or nutmeg seeds into powder, it can definitely handle annatto seeds.

Sazon Seasoning contains: garlic powder, oregano, coriander, cumin, ground annatto seeds, and salt. Note the store bought version will likely contain MSG, not something I’m a fan of. You can also control the sodium levels when you make homemade blends.

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

Print

Homemade Sazon Seasoning Blend

Sazon, which means seasoning in Spanish, is a staple in Latin cooking. When added to soups, stews, and rice dishes it brings a beautiful yellow color.

Course Spices

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Ingredients

• 1 Tablespoon ground coriander
• 1 Tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 Tablespoon ground annatto seed
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

• Combine all ingredients. Store in a jar with a tight fitting lid.

The post Homemade Sazon Seasoning Blend appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

If you need a go-to summer time pasta salad that everyone will love….

Look no further. This is the one!

Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad has been the one dish I know I can put together quickly. It transports easily, please everyone and I always wish I had made a double batch!

There’s something so addicting about the submarine dressing. It’s tangy and herby. The traditional Italian flavors keep them coming back for more.

I start with a batch of homemade Submarine Dressing. This go-to dressing is packed with oil, vinegar and herbs. It delivers that classic Italian sub flavor to this pasta salad.

If time permits, I marinate the mozzarella pearls (you could easily cube up fresh mozzarella for this) for a couple hours to boost them with herby flavor too.

For this Father’s Day weekend, if you’re looking for a hearty pasta salad that dads and kids alike will love, give this one a try!

What’s in your go-to pasta salad? I’d love for you to comment below.

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

Print

Italian Tortellini Salad

If you need a go-to summer time pasta salad that everyone will love….look no further. This Italian Tortellini Salad is bursting with fun flavors like fresh basil, mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni.

Course Pasta, Side Dish

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Marinate Mozzarella (optional) 2 hours hours

Servings 8

Author Libby with Lemony Thyme

Ingredients

• 1 20 ounce package fresh cheese tortellini can sub frozen
• 1 8 ounce package mozzarella pearls or cubed fresh mozzarella
• 6 ounces sliced pepperoni cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 6 ounce can small pitted black ripe olives
• 10 ounces cherry tomatoes halved
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves torn
• 1 recipe submarine dressing recipe link in post

Instructions

• Prepare tortellini according to package instructions. Allow to cool before preparing salad. Prepare Submarine Dressing (recipe link in post). Place mozzarella in a jar and cover with dressing, allow to marinate for 1-2 hours (optional). Toss cooled tortellini with remaining ingredients. Chill or serve at room temperature.

This Italian Pasta Salad is equally delicious made with bowtie (or your favorite) pasta!!

The post Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad My Go-To Family Favorite appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

Flavor wow!

I have a confession.

I’m beginning to love chicken wings almost as much as I do meatballs! And that’s a lot!

There are so many incredible flavor profiles to play with, all satisfyingly delicious.

I do believe I’m talking myself into a new personal challenge… although I need to keep it manageable.

After all, March Meatball Madness pushed me right to my limit. And 30-Days of Grilled Cheese Sandwiches was pretty hard to beat.

Let’s go with 5 New Chicken Wing Recipes over the next five weeks.

I’m imagining you nodding along in approval, a few high fives, my husband doing the Tiger fist pump, my sister doing the happy dance.

It’s gonna be great!!

And it’s going to begin with these Crispy Greek Chicken Wings {with Lemon, Garlic & Feta}.

There are two things I love about these wings. The classic mediterranean flavors are to die for and that they are baked to perfection, not fried!

The Marinade

They begin with a simple marinade of lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper and olive oil.

Let’s talk about oregano for a minute.

I have several favorite fresh herbs, the Simon & Garfunkel (as I affectionately call my top 4), closely followed by oregano.

I wanted to include the two above pictures to show how easy it is to dry your own herbs. In less than two weeks freshly picked oregano stems become these wonderfully brittle bouquets. And while I do love it fresh, dried oregano packs so much flavor and is perfect in marinades, dressings, and savory dishes.

If interested, you can find my Fresh Herb How-To for tips on growing, harvesting, using, storing, freezing and drying.

The Method

After a couple of hours in the marinade (or overnight for maximum flavor), the wings are baked at 400 degrees F. until deep golden brown and crispy – about an hour.

At this point the wings are absolutely amazing! However drizzle them with Greek dressing and a sprinkle of feta cheese… It’ll take them over the top.

Serious flavor happiness.

These Crispy Greek Chicken Wings {with Lemon, Garlic & Feta} are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and bursting with bright flavors.

Make them for your next family gathering or keep them all to yourself! Either way they are sure to bring happiness your way.

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

Print

Crispy Greek Chicken Wings {with Lemon, Garlic and Feta}

These Crispy Greek Chicken Wings {with Lemon, Garlic & Feta} are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and bursting with bright flavors. Make them for your next family gathering or keep them all to yourself! Either way they are sure to bring happiness your way.

Course Entree or Appetizer

Cuisine Greek

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour

Marinade Time 2 hours hours

Servings 4

Author Libby with Lemony Thyme

Ingredients

• 4 pounds chicken wings flats & drumettes separated

For the Marinade

• 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 lemons juice & zest
• 8 cloves garlic fine chopped
• 2 Tablespoon dried oregano
• 2 Tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoon salt

To Serve

• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
• 1/2 cup reserved marinade see above

Instructions

For the Marinade

• Combine all marinade ingredients. Place chicken wings in a bowl. Pour half of marinade over chicken and toss to coat well. Cover bowl and place in refrigerator for 2-12 hours. Reserve remaining marinade to use as dressing when serving.

Prepare Chicken

• Preheat oven to 400° F. Line two large baking sheets with aluminum foil and place rack in each. Arrange marinated chicken wings on racks. Bake until deep golden and crispy, about an hour, rotating pans from top to bottom rack once or twice during cooking.

To Serve

• Arrange cooked chicken wings on a platter. Generously drizzle with reserved marinade, chopped fresh parsley and crumbled feta cheese. Enjoy!

Notes

Marinade Time – minimum of 2 hours or overnight for maximum flavor.
   Servings – 4 Entree servings, 8 Appetizer servings.

The post Crispy Greek Chicken Wings {with Lemon, Garlic & Feta} appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

Or in our case you can make it two days in a row because it’s that good!!

We’re definitely on a salad kick right now and I’m loving it.

And my body is pretty stoked too!

The keys to a great chopped salad are 1) fresh ingredients, 2) a variety of colors and textures, and 3) a dressing that compliments but doesn’t overpower.

Make it your own with your favorite Mediterranean ingredients – you could easily add or sub Kalamata olives, roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, hearts of palm, capers….

The perfect dressing for this Mediterranean Chopped Salad is our Lemon Herb Vinaigrette.

I chose fresh oregano and parsley as our herbs and added a teaspoon of dried oregano as well. The fresh lemon juice and red wine vinegar add a gentle one-two punch.

Our Mediterranean Chopped Salad was a hit at my sister’s birthday celebration dinner.

We paired it with gorgeous grilled ribeye steaks and au gratin potatoes. We brought the Steakhouse dinner in-house and it couldn’t have been better.

I mentioned making this salad two days in a row.

Truth.

We devoured it the first night, so I made Mediterranean Chopped Salad again and served it with grilled chicken and shrimp for a light dinner. So delicious!

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

Print

Mediterranean Chopped Salad

Whether you enjoy this salad as a side to a bigger meal or top it with chicken or shrimp and call it dinner, the flavors will keep them coming back for more!

Course Salad

Cuisine Meiterranean

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Ingredients

For the Mediterranean Chopped Salad

• 4 cups iceburg lettuce chopped
• 2 hearts of romaine chopped
• 1 cup castelvetrano or kalamata olives sliced
• 1 16 ounce can chickpeas rinsed and drained
• 1 small red onion fine diced
• 2 persian cucumbers diced
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved
• 8 ounces feta cheese diced or crumbled
• 1 cup roasted beets diced

For the Lemon Herb Vinaigrette

• 8 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1 cup fresh oregano and parsley leaves stems discarded
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 clove garlic

Instructions

For the Mediterranean Chopped Salad

• Place chopped lettuce in the base of a large salad bowl. Top with remaining ingredients. Drizzle with Lemon Herb Dressing and toss.

For the Lemon Herb Vinaigrette

• Combine all ingredients in a glass jar with lid and shake vigorously. Store in refrigerator for up to two weeks.

The post Chopped Mediterranean Salad with Lemon Herb Vinaigrette appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

The simple spice blend delivers bold balanced flavor.

The Spice Rub Ingredients

The rub consists of equal parts: salt, granulated garlic, dried oregano & thyme, ground cumin & coriander.

Just a few ingredients deliver maximum flavor in this recipe.

The Cooking Method

You’ll sear the Spice-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin on all sides in a hot cast-iron or oven-proof skillet. The tenderloin is then finished in the oven for another 5 minutes or so.

As with all meat you’re roasting, searing, or grilling – allow it to rest before slicing.

That’s it. So simple and ready to be served in less than 30 minutes.

The Quick & Easy Results

This spice blend delivers a beautifully seasoned savory pork tenderloin, but not spicy hot. You can almost identify each of the spices yet they are so savory and balanced.

I like to serve Spice-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin over a bed of arugula & herbs, a touch of lemon zest and our favorite Fresh Herb Vinaigrette.

This dish is a great no-fuss weeknight meal that could easily be served for Sunday dinner.

However, I love it best the next day. It’s great in sandwiches too. The pork remains juicy and the flavors are just as bold and wonderful, making it a great meal-prep lunch box option.

We’ve also used this same spice blend on chicken thighs and whole roast chicken.

Winner winner!

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

Print

Spice-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin

This spice blend delivers a beautifully seasoned savory pork tenderloin, but not spicy hot. I like to serve Spice-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin over a bed of arugula & herbs, a touch of lemon zest and our favorite Fresh Herb Vinaigrette.

Course Main Course

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Author Libby with Lemony Thyme

Ingredients

For Spice-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin

• 1 1 lb. pork tenderloin
• 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil

For Arugula & Herb Salad

• 6 cups baby arugula (about 16 ounces)
• 1 cup fresh herb leaves (such as parsley, basil, cilantro, dill)
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon zest
• 1 cup Fresh Herb Vinaigrette Recipe link in post

Instructions

For Spice-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin

• Preheat oven to 450° F. Combine the seasonings and rub liberally into pork tenderloin, coating all sides. Heat olive oil in a cast-iron or oven-proof skillet over high heat, sear pork tenderloin on all sides until nicely browned, about 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer to oven and roast until pork reaches an internal temperature of 145° F, about 5 minutes. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before thinly slicing.

For Arugula & Herb Salad

• On a serving platter or large salad bowl, make a bed of fresh arugula and herbs, then sprinkle with lemon zest. Place thinly sliced pork tenderloin on top and spoon fresh herb vinaigrette over pork and greens.

The post Quick & Easy Spice-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

But that’s just the beginning of this flavor journey.

Fire roasted tomatoes, fresh lime juice, chili powder, cumin and oregano elevate the creamy black beans, making this hearty chili a super flavorful vegetarian meal.

When serving this chili, don’t skimp on the toppings. Sour cream, sliced avocado, radish and jalapeño, fresh cilantro and lime all bring nice bright flavors.

Vegetarian Black Bean Chili is a delicious and satisfying meal. It’s perfect for when the weather starts to turn towards fall and the leaves remind us that Winter is coming.

I love all kinds of soups, stews and chilis. I rounded them up HERE for your viewing pleasure. Are you a black bean fan? Our Black Bean Puree is amazing, if I might say so myself!

Have you got a favorite cool weather go-to comfort food? I’d love for you to comment below.

Enjoy!!

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

Print

Black Bean Chili

Black Bean Chili begins like many of our soup and chili recipes….with a medley of carrots, onions and celery. But that's just the beginning of this flavor journey.

Course Main Course

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Author Libby with Lemony Thyme

Ingredients

For the Chili

• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 2 carrots peeled and diced
• 2 celery stalks diced
• 1 yellow onion diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 2 Tablespoons chili powder
• 2 Tablespoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground oregano
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 3 15-ounce cans black beans drained and rinsed
• 1 15-ounce can fire roasted diced tomatoes
• juice of 1 lime
• salt & pepper to taste

For Serving

• 1 lime cut into wedges
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 avocado diced
• 1 handful fresh cilantro
• radish & jalapenos sliced

Instructions

For the Chili

• In a large pot or dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Add the diced carrots, celery and onion and saute until just tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in the garlic for 1 minutes then add the spices and stir to coat vegetables. Add the broth, black beans and tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Cook for 20 minutes. Remove 3 cups of soup mixture to a blender and puree, then return to soup pot. Season with salt, pepper and lime juice to taste.

For Serving

• Serve in bowls and top with a dollop of sour cream, diced avocado, fresh cilantro, sliced radish and jalapeno and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

The post Vegetarian Black Bean Chili appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

I hope the picture above does this dish justice. 

It was amazing. 

I’m not one to go crazy with personal horn tooting but this was a huge success. 

I have shared it with 13 people as of noontime today.  The responses were unanimous.  “Oh my.”  “Can I have one more bite.”  “Yum!”  “Is this recipe on Lemony Thyme?”

I’ve been making lasagna for nearly 30 years. 

In the early days my choice of ingredients weren’t necessarily classic (breakfast sausage links do not belong in lasagna) but the process hasn’t changed. 

So for my friend Sherry, who stands firm that any recipe with more than 5-ingredients, just isn’t happening in her kitchen….I’m going to break this down into Steps. 

You’ve got this girl.

Even as a veteran lasagna maker, I approach each one as a process….with clearly defined steps.  Here are my Farmers Market Roasted Veggie Lasagna Steps.

Step #1 ~ Gather all Ingredients

Gather all ingredients.  Don’t skip this step.  Cooking is so much easier when you have everything you need at hand.

Step #2 ~ Roast Veggies

Roast Veggies.  Slice and dice a good variety of veggies. 

We used zucchini, eggplant, summer squash, and broccoli.  That’s what the Farmers Market gave us.  Please use what’s fresh and local. 

You’ll want about 8 cups of veggies (cutting them thinly or bite-sized), tossed lightly with olive oil, shredded parmesan cheese, fresh herb sprigs, garlic & herb seasoning, salt & pepper. 

I prepped the veggies in two batches (a gallon Ziploc bag is a great way to toss), then spread them onto two shallow baking sheets and baked them for about 30 minutes, until tender.  Reserve. 

I also sautéed 2 cups of fresh spinach with some minced garlic, then pressed it dry between paper towels.  You could use thawed frozen spinach as well.

Note to Sherry:  Don’t stress over this step.  Can be done a day ahead.  Choose your veggies, your favorites.  The additional ingredients are conveniently limited to five.  You definitely have this!!

Step #3 ~ Cook Noodles

Cook your noodles.  While your veggies are roasting, bring a big pot of salted water to boil (big pot 2-3 gallon), add lasagna noodles and boil until al dente. 

You don’t want to over cook the noodles as they will finish cooking in the lasagna.  Drain and rinse cooked noodles under cold water.  

I know there are No-Boil noodles available, I’ve never used them and don’t judge those who do.

Can be made ahead.  Lay flat in single layer on parchment paper and reserve.

Step #4 ~ Make Sauce

Make your sauce.  While your noodles are cooking, start your sauce. 

When I’m making lasagna there are two things I don’t want to run out of.  Sauce and cheese. 

Make a big batch of sauce. 

If you have any leftover, you can freeze it or use it in almost any other comfort food dish. 

Because this is a Vegetable Lasagna, start off with a good amount of shredded carrots and onion (at least 3 cups worth). 

Sauté veggies in butter until tender, then dust with flour, stirring constantly.  Once fully incorporated and bubbly, slowly whisk in milk/cream, stirring constantly.  Sauce will thicken when it comes to a ‘gentle’ boil and as it cools. 

Remove from heat, add in parmesan cheese and whisk until melted.  Reserve.

Can be made ahead, just reheat slowly before assembling lasagna.

Step #5 ~ Prepare Cheeses

Prepare your cheeses.  In this case we used an herbed ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, and mozzarella cheese. 

The ricotta is beaten together with eggs, parmesan cheese, garlic & herb seasonings and dried basil. 

For the parm and mozzarella, I used two 8-ounce blocks and shredded them.  Each block yielded 3-4 cups of shredded cheese. 

Freshly shredded cheese vs. the prepackaged already shredded kind is much creamier and you get so much more for your $$.

Can be done ahead.  If you don’t have time to shred or shredding cheese is a deal breaker, buy the prepackaged kind.

Step #6 ~ Toast Your Breadcrumbs

Toasted breadcrumbs.  I love finishing this delicate lasagna with a layer of toasted panko breadcrumbs. 

It’s an easy step that adds a little something special to the dish.

Step #7 ~ Assembly

Assemble the layers.  All the heavy lifting has been done, now the fun begins.  I must admit I get a bit giddy over assembling all of these layers of goodness:

1. Sauce ~ Ladle just enough sauce to cover the bottom of your lasagna pan.

2. Noodles ~ Lay three noodles, side by side, on top of sauce.

3. Ricotta ~ Drop about 1/4th of ricotta mixture by spoonfuls over noodles.  Spread with fork.

4. Cheeses ~ Sprinkle about 1/4th of shredded cheeses over ricotta.

5. Veggies ~ Layer 1/3rd of roasted veggies over cheeses.

6. Sauce ~ Ladle about 2 cups of sauce over veggies.

7. Repeat ~ Continue at assembly step #2 above for three more layers.

8. Finish ~ Top final layer of noodles with remaining ricotta, sauce, grated cheeses and a generous sprinkling of toasted breadcrumbs.

Step #8 ~ Bake & Rest

Bake & Rest.  Resting your lasagna after you bake it is almost as important. 

Bake Farmers Market Roasted Veggie Lasagna at 350 degrees for one hour.  Allow to rest for 30 minutes before serving.

This Farmers Market Roasted Veggie Lasagna is layered with so much veggie love. This recipe makes a big batch.  Definitely enough to share with a dozen or so of your closest friends.  We call that {Share the Love} around here.

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, TikTok and Facebook!

All my best,
xo Libby

Print

Farmers Market Roasted Veggie Lasagna

This Farmers Market Roasted Veggie Lasagna is layered with so much veggie love. This recipe makes a big batch. 

Prep Time 1 hour hour

Cook Time 1 hour hour

Resting Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 2 hours hours

Servings 12

Author Libby with Lemony Thyme

Ingredients

For the roasted veggies…

• 2 sm.-med. zucchini thinly sliced lengthwise
• 2 sm.-med. summer squash thinly sliced
• 1 eggplant partially peeled and sliced into 1/4-thick rounds
• 3 cups fresh broccoli florets
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
• 6-8 sprigs of fresh herbs lemony thyme, oregano, thyme
• 1 Tbl. garlic & herb seasoning
• 1/2 tsp. salt & pepper
• 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
• 1 Tbl. olive oil
• 3 cloves minced garlic

For the noodles…

• 12 uncooked lasagna noodles
• 1 Tbl. salt

For the sauce…

• 4 carrots grated
• 1 large onion finely diced
• 6 Tbl. butter
• 6 Tbl. flour
• 8 cups milk/cream or half & half
• 2 cup parmesan cheese grated
• pinch red pepper flakes optional

For the cheeses…

• 1 15 ounce container ricotta cheese
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese grated
• 1 tsp. garlic & herb seasoning
• 1 tsp. dried basil
• 8 ounce block mozzarella cheese freshly shredded (3-4 cups)
• 8 ounces parmesan cheese freshly shredded (3-4 cups)

For the toasted breadcrumbs…

• 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
• spray olive oil

Instructions

For the roasted veggies…

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut veggies thinly or bite-sized, toss lightly with about olive oil, parmesan cheese, fresh herb sprigs, garlic & herb seasoning, salt & pepper. Then spread onto two shallow baking sheets and bake for about 30 minutes, or until tender. Reserve. Can be done a day ahead.
• Sauté fresh spinach in olive oil with minced garlic, for 2-3 minutes. Cover and remove from heat until wilted. Press between paper towels to remove liquid. Reserve.

For the noodles…

• Bring a large pot of water to boil (2-3 gallons). Add salt, then add noodles one by one (do not break). Stir gently as they soften until all are completely covered with water. Return to a boil and cook 10-12 minutes or until al dente, stirring occasionally. Do not overcook as they will finish cooking in the lasagna.

For the sauce…

• Sauté carrots and onion in butter for 5-7 minutes over medium heat. Then dust with flour, stirring constantly. Once fully incorporated and bubbly, slowly whisk in milk/cream, stirring constantly. Sauce will thicken when it comes to a ‘gentle’ boil. Remove from heat, add in 1 cup parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes; whisk until melted. Reserve.

For the cheeses…

• In a small bowl whisk together ricotta, eggs, 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, garlic & herb seasoning and dried basil. Reserve.
• Shred mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Reserve.

For the toasted breadcrumbs…

• Spray shallow baking sheet with olive oil spray. Spread panko in thin layer, then spray lightly with olive oil spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 5-7 minutes or until just beginning to turn golden brown. Remove and reserve.

For the assembly…

• Ladle just enough sauce to cover the bottom of your lasagna pan.
• Lay three noodles, side by side, on top of sauce.
• Drop about 1/4th of ricotta mixture by spoonfuls over noodles. Spread with fork.
• Sprinkle about 1/4th of shredded cheeses over ricotta.
• Layer 1/3rd of roasted veggies over cheeses.
• Ladle about 2 cups of sauce over veggies.
• Continue at step #2 above for three more layers.
• Top final layer of noodles with remaining ricotta, sauce, grated cheeses and a generous sprinkling of toasted breadcrumbs.

Bake & rest…

• Bake at 350 degrees for one hour. Cover with foil part way through if crumbs begin to brown too much. Rest at least 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

Allow lasagna to rest for 30 minutes before serving.

The post Farmers Market Roasted Veggie Lasagna {Share the Love} appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

The next time you visit your local Farmers Market have this recipe in the back of your mind.  In fact if you arrive near the close of the market, which means the ‘prettiest’ veggies will have been picked over, you’ll often find farmers willing to let their remaining produce go at a reduced price.  Perfect for making a giant batch of Farmers Market Minestrone Soup which allows you to {Share the Love}.

When I make this beautiful soup I like to use a couple cooking methods to get to the end result.  I most always start my soups with a mirapoix (trio of diced onion, carrots, and celery) sauteed in a heavy bottom pot.  For this batch I also diced and sliced up an assortment of squash varieties and a few tomatoes and oven roasted them.

Roasting veggies allows them to begin to caramelize adding flavor and texture.  A wonderful combination in this tomato based soup.  Whether tomatoes are abundant at the market (the rain has pushed them back in our area) or whether you use canned tomatoes (preferably No-Salt Added), the end result will be amazing.

There are so many variations to Minestrone Soup.  I wanted ours packed with nutrients and protein so I added red kidney beans and white beans.

I also cooked up some Ditalini pasta as an optional add.  When making a giant batch of soup that inevitably will be reheated a couple times (or frozen), I like to keep the pasta separate so it doesn’t go from dainty to daunting (not to mention sucking up all your glorious veggie broth).

We’ve decided starting each week with a pot of Farmers Market Minestrone Soup will not only keep us happy, but make for some very tasty (and healthy) lunches.

Print

Farmers Market Minestrone Soup {Share the Love}

Course Soup

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 8 -10

Author Libby with Lemony Thyme

Ingredients

• 4-5 assorted summer squash medium diced
• 2 Tbl. olive oil divided
• 1 large onion diced
• 3 carrots diced
• 3 celery ribs diced
• 3 garlic cloves minced
• 1 28- ounce can diced tomatoes no-salt added
• 1 28- ounce can crushed tomatoes
• or can use 5 lbs. fresh tomatoes skins and seeds removed
• 1-2 cups vegetable broth depending on desired thickness
• 1 Tbl. dried oregano
• 1 Tbl. dried basil
• 1-2 ears of fresh corn kernels or 1 cup frozen
• 1 14- ounce can red kidney beans rinsed and drained
• 1 14- ounce can Great Northern white beans rinsed and drained
• 6 oz. dried small pasta such as Ditalini
• freshly cracked pepper to taste
• Parmesan cheese grated for topping

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Coat shallow baking sheet with cooking spray.
• Toss diced squash and zucchini in 1 Tbl. olive oil and spread in a single layer on baking sheet and roast for 10 – 15, until just beginning to brown.
• Meanwhile cook pasta according to package instructions and set aside. In a Dutch oven or heavy bottom pot, add 1 Tbl. olive oil and saute onion, carrots, and celery over medium heat until just tender, about 5 minutes. Add in the garlic and stir until fragrant about 1 minute. Add in tomatoes, broth, oregano and basil. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer for about 5 minutes.
• When squash is lightly browned add to the soup, along with the canned beans. Adjust seasoning to taste and heat through, stirring occasionally.
• When ready to serve add about 1/2 cup of cooked warm pasta to the bottom of individual soup bowls. Top with hot Minestrone Soup. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.

The post Farmers Market Minestrone Soup {Share the Love} appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

Perhaps the dish I remember most from my childhood is Beefaroni.  Not the canned type, but Homemade Beefaroni, that I think we had every week.  It’s affordable, easy to prepare, family friendly, and so delicious.  For that reason I consider this a comfort food recipe.

I made One Pot Homemade Beefaroni on Sunday and have been enjoying it for lunch this week.  This recipe makes 12 servings so it’s a great family meal or pot luck dish to share.

The above step-by-step pictures basically illustrate just how easy this dish is to prepare. I must be honest and tell you that I have admired “One-Pot” dishes for months on Pinterest.  This was my first attempt.  I found the key to even cooking of the elbows was to stir a couple times during the simmering process, other than that….ONE POT people!! Bam!!

Print

One Pot Homemade Beefaroni

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Servings 12

Calories 193kcal

Author Libby with Lemony Thyme

Ingredients

• 1 Tbl. butter
• 8 ounces fresh mushrooms sliced
• 1 onion diced
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 1 lb. lean ground beef
• 1 28- ounce crushed tomatoes preferably no salt added
• 1 14.5- ounce can fire roasted diced tomatoes preferably no salt added
• 1 cup chicken or beef broth
• 1 tsp. dried basil
• 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
• salt & pepper to taste
• 5 ounces elbow macaroni
• grated parmesan cheese to serve

Instructions

• Melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add mushroom slices and cook 2-3 minutes, stirring once. Add diced onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes, until onions are tender. Add in garlic and ground beef. Use wooden spoon to break up beef; cook until meat is no longer pink. Drain off any liquid.
• Add tomatoes, broth and seasonings. Bring to a simmer. Stir in macaroni, making sure it is completely covered with sauce. Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until pasta is tender.
• Serve with a sprinkle of freshly grated parmesan cheese

Notes

Each serving = 5 WW Pts+

The post One Pot Homemade Beefaroni appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

I’ve been itching to make Chicken Cacciatore but sadly one key ingredient stood in the way.  Green bell peppers and I just can’t seem to get along.  Same goes for cucumbers.  Two ingredients you’ll rarely see included in a recipe on Lemony Thyme.  However, an Eat Out of the Fridge/Pantry produce drawer discovery changed everything.

We had a Sprouts Farmers Market open last week half way between work and home.  Pass it every day.  Twice.  I was certain of one thing, that on their grand opening day, the seafood and the produce were never going to be fresher.  And so I went in.

I wish I had taken a close-up picture of the peppers.  All varieties looking so smooth and waxy.  I chose two beautiful poblano peppers and a bag full of jalapenos.  No plan for what to do with them, but they were the prettiest I had seen since our summer Farmers’ Market and they were coming home with me.

Over the course of the week, those glorious peppers inched their way to the back of the veggie drawer faster than me in a workout class.  It wasn’t until my weekend morning fridge cleaning that they were rediscovered, still looking fresh as can be.  What to do with all of these peppers?!

Pulled a pack of chicken thighs out of the freezer and we were on our way to Chicken Cacciatore, Southwest style.  While green bell peppers don’t agree with me (please tell me I’m not alone here), I LOVE smoky fire roasted poblano peppers and have come to enjoy the moderate heat from jalapenos.  They’re both green & peppers and replace green bell peppers in most of our recipes.

Recipe note: To remove the tough skin from the poblano peppers, simply char them, then let them steam in a covered bowl for a few minutes.  I use my gas stove and lay the peppers across the burners, turning them with metal tongs.  You can also use your gas grill or put them under the broiler.  The key is to get them nice and black as shown in the picture above.  Then put them in a bowl covered with plastic wrap until they are cool enough to handle.  Run them under water and gently loosen the blackened skin.  Most of it will just wash away.  Cut a slit the length of the peppers to remove the seeds. Dice and add to your recipe.

The series of photos above are my hope to encourage any hesitant cooks to enjoy our recipes.  After a two to three hour braise you can see how rich and concentrated the tomato sauce becomes.

While I envisioned Chicken Cacciatore as my next hearty comfort food dish, we were able to also enjoy it as a low-carb, calorie friendly meal.  This dish served over spaghetti squash makes it a Healthy Choices meal.  Don’t let the word healthy make you think boring.  Those glorious peppers along with aromatics and seasonings delivered punch and personality…and the most delicious tender chicken.

Print

Chicken Cacciatore {B is for Braising}

Cook Time 3 hours hours

Total Time 3 hours hours

Servings 4

Author Libby with Lemony Thyme

Ingredients

• 2 fire roasted poblano peppers skins and seeds removed, diced
• 4 chicken thighs
• 2 Tbl. avocado or other high heat oil
• salt & pepper
• 2 jalapeno peppers seeds removed, diced
• 1 large onion diced
• 3 garlic cloves minced
• 1/2 cup red wine
• 3 plum tomatoes diced
• 28- ounce diced tomatoes preferably no salt added
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 tsp. Mrs. Dash onion seasoning
• 1/2 tsp. oregano
• salt & pepper
• 1 medium spaghetti squash
• grated parmesan cheese to serve

Instructions

• Season chicken thighs with salt & pepper. Heat oil in a heavy bottom pan. Brown chicken on all sides. Remove from pan. Drain off fat.
• Sauté onion and peppers until tender; about 10 minutes. Add in garlic and sauté for an additional minute. Deglaze pan with red wine, scrapping up any browned bits. Add plum and canned tomatoes with juice, chicken broth, and seasonings.
• Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 2 – 3 hours.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut spaghetti squash in half, length-wise. Scoop out seeds. Rub insides with olive oil. Place cut-side down on a baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes or until a fork pierces the skin easily. Scrape flesh into a bowl. Season to taste. Serve with chicken cacciatore and a dusting of parmesan cheese

The post Chicken Cacciatore appeared first on Lemony Thyme.