Taco Soup

Taco Soup – a perfect Sukkot meal

As the weather has gotten colder, like all of us, I’m making soups more often. And lately I’ve been obsessing over this Taco Soup! I got the recipe inspiration from Mayra Wendolyne of @low.carb.love on Instagram.

Once you make this soup, you’ll be craving it for a while, trust me. 😉 Not only is it delicious and super easy but it’s a super-filling meal with the boost of protein from the Beyond Meat.

If you don’t feel like lugging out your big soup pot, make it in your instant pot! Or, add all the ingredients to your slow cooker in the morning, set it on low for 7-8 hours (or high for 4-6 hours).

Not only is this a great addition to your soup rotation, but it’s perfect for the last days of Sukkot. Of course, if you’re making a meat meal, use parve cream cheese! If you do, just be aware that the soup will look like it’s separating, but just be patient, once it’s done cooking, stir it well and it’ll stay nice and creamy.

This soup also reheats nicely, and the endless toppings make it so fun for a taco soup bar!

Chag Sameach!

0 from 0 votes
Taco Soup
Course: Soup
Servings: 12 servings
Author: Rachel Katzman
Ingredients
Taco Soup
  • 3 Garlic cloves, minced
  • Olive oil
  • 1 16 oz. Package of Beyond Meat or Impossible Burger
  • 2-3 Celery stalks, chopped
  • 1 Small white onion, chopped
  • 2 Bell peppers (any color), chopped
  • 2-3 Carrots, peeled and diced
  • 1 Can Rotel Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies Use any variety - either mild or spicy
  • 16 oz Vegetable Broth I like the Imagine Soup brand, the low sodium - just eyeball about half the container (which is a total of 32 oz.)
  • 2 cups Water
  • 1 8 oz. Block of Cream Cheese Or use parve cream cheese if making a fleishig meal
  • Taco Seasoning
  • Salt
  • Pepper
Soup toppings
  • Shredded Cheddar Cheese or Parve
  • Sour Cream Or parve
  • Sliced Avocado
  • Pickled Jalapeno slices Optional
  • Handful of cilantro, chopped Optional
  • Tortilla chips You can use tortilla strips, or crush regular tortilla chips, or just add them whole.
  • 1 Lime, cut into wedges
Instructions
  1. In a medium soup pot, heat up a drizzle of olive oil and add the garlic on medium heat for about 1 minute (be careful not to burn the garlic - it happens fast, so keep an eye on it)

  2. Add the onion, carrot, bell peppers and celery, season with salt and pepper and sauté for about 6-7 minutes until the veggies are soft

  3. Add in the Beyond Meat and break use a wooden spoon to break up the meat into smaller pieces. Season again with salt and pepper and cumin.

  4. Pour in the can of Rotel canned tomatoes, veggie stock and 2 cups of water (here's a trick - after adding the Rotel, fill the can up with water and add that to the pot - it's exactly 16 oz. which equals 2 cups. I love using this method because it's one less thing to wash, plus you get the extra flavor bits in the can of the Rotel!)

  5. Taste the soup at this point and add in any additional salt, pepper or cumin. I added about a 1/4 to 1/2 tsp of cumin

  6. Add the block of cream cheese, either regular or parve and let the soup simmer on high with the lid on, for about 15-20 minutes

  7. Ladle into bowls and add your toppings! Enjoy!

Spaghetti Squash Apple Date Kugel

Happy New Year 5783! Rosh Hashanah is HERE, ya’ll!

This recipe, Spaghetti Squash Apple Date Kugel is such a great side dish to serve for your yom tov table. It combines apples of course to symbolize the Jewish New Year, dipping apples into honey as part of the Rosh Hashanah seder meal. “T’marim”, is the Hebrew word for dates, which uses the root word “tam” meaning “to end” – hoping that our enemies will “end” or be eliminated.  And dates are also one of the Seven Species of Israel.

I love using spaghetti squash as the base of this kugel/pudding because not only does it mimic noodles, but it’s a great low-carb and gluten-free option and so much easier than scrubbing, peeling and shredded a whole bunch of potatoes (or use your food processor for that). It’s easy to roast in the oven OR you can pop it in the microwave for 6-7 minutes for a quicker option. Even though I added the apples and dates, it’s a relatively small amount so it’s still lower in carbs, but feel free to omit the dates if you’re on keto or sub the apples for jicama (though apples do have a good amount of fiber, so a little apple here and there is good for you). 🙂

So there you have it! Another kugel recipe to add to your table – whether for Rosh Hashanah or on a fall Shabbat afternoon lunch.

Wishing you all a Kesiva V’Chasima Tova – Shana Tovah! See ya’ll next year!

0 from 0 votes
Spaghetti Squash Apple Date Kugel
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Holiday
Keyword: rosh hashanah
Author: Rachel Katzman
Ingredients
  • 1 Spaghetti Squash (halved and seeds removed)
  • 1/3 cup Sugar, or sugar substitute
  • 1 Large Apple, diced Or 2 small apples
  • 3 Eggs (large)
  • 2 tsp Cinnamon
  • 1/4 Dates, chopped
  • 1/2 tsp Allspice, or apple pie spice
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat oven to 400F

  2. Cut the squash in half and scoop out the seeds

  3. Roast for 40 minutes, let cool and scoop out the squash into a large bowl

  4. Lower oven to 375F

  5. Mix in the eggs, sugar, diced apples, dates and spices

  6. Spray an 8x8 baking dish with non-stick spray

  7. Pour into baking dish and bake for 40-45 min until set and golden brown

  8. Serve at any temp - YUM!

Shakshuka With Feta Cheese

Feta ShakshukaA while back I needed a fast vegetarian recipe that works well for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. I was in charge of doing a virtual team building exercise for my team at work. We were split between Chicago and London with several different food restrictions. The decision was made for it be a “cook-a-long”. I decided on shakshuka, because it is fast, easy and works well for any meal. It is a dish of eggs simmered in a spicy tomato sauce that originates from the Middle East and North Africa.

Shakshuka is great recipe for the “nine days“. The nine days are time a traditional time of mourning when many Jews do not eat meat. While this recipe is already pretty easy, if you are is a rush you can take a short cut and use jarred salsa instead of peppers, onions, hot sauce, and crushed tomatoes.

0 from 0 votes
Feta Shakshuka
Shakshuka With Feta Cheese
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
 

Shakshuka is a fast vegetarian egg dish that works well for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, that is great for the "nine days".

Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: Israeli, Jewish, Kosher, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
Servings: 2 Serving
Author: Daniel Peikes
Ingredients
  • 1½ Cups Canned Crushed Tomatoes
  • 1 Medium Onion Diced
  • 1 Medium Sweet Bell Pepper Diced
  • 3 Large Eggs Brought to room temperature
  • 1/4 Cup Feta Cheese Crumbled
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1 tsp Schug , Harrisa, or the hot sauce of your choice Optional
  • Salt and Pepper To taste
  • Crusty Sourdough Toast or Baguette For serving
Instructions
  1. Take the eggs out of the refrigerator and allow them to come to room temperature.

  2. Place the pan over low heat and add the oil and the onions. Season the onions with salt and pepper to taste. Sauté the onions until they begin to become translucent.

  3. Add the bell peppers to the pan and sauté until the peppers begin to soften. Add the crushed tomatoes and bring the mixture to a simmer. Stir in the schug, harrisa, or the hot sauce of your choice, if you want to add a kick.

  4. Carefully crack the eggs directly in to the pan, making sure not to break the yolks. Allow the eggs to simmer in the tomatoes until the whites are set and yolks just stark to thicken. Top with the feta and a little more black pepper.

  5. This is traditionally eaten right out of the pan accompanied by some toast or crusty bread.

Peanut Butter & Jelly Pie

Peanut Butter & Jelly Pie

The Jewish holiday of Shavuot starts this weekend so how about a new pie recipe! Peanut Butter & Jelly Pie!

I love this one because it’s completely no-bake, which is perfect for these 90+ degree days. No baking, no water bath, no dirtying up a half dozen mixing bowls. For this recipe, I made a homemade crust (it came out a bit too thick though), but I just mixed 1 1/2 cups of almond flour, about 1/3 cup of softened butter and few tablespoons of sweetener and pressed it into a greased pie plate. But let’s make this even easier and use a store-bought pie crust.

The filling is just cream cheese (but make sure you plan ahead and leave it on your counter for a few hours to soften), sour cream (because I love the tanginess it brings), peanut butter and sweetener. Topped with strawberry jelly (you can use either homemade or store-bought) and whipped cream! This dessert certainly tastes like childhood. You could even be EXTRA and drizzle chocolate sauce over the top. #YUM.

And that’s all she wrote. An easy, no-bake pie, perfect for those hot summer nights, for Shavuot or really anytime of the year.

Chag Sameach, ya’ll!

Click here for more Shavuot recipes!

5 from 1 vote
Peanut Butter & Jelly Pie
Course: Dessert
Author: Rachel Katzman
Ingredients
  • 1 9-inch Graham Cracker Pie Crust Or make your own! I combined 1 1/2 cups almond flour, 1/3 cup of softened butter and 2 tbsp. sugar substitute and pressed that into a pie plate!
  • 1 Package of cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tbsp. Sour Cream
  • 1/2 cup Powdered Sugar I use the brand Swerve, for a sugar-free alternative
  • 1/3 cup Peanut Butter I like the Kirkland brand from Costco since it's just peanuts and salt - no other additives!
  • 2 cups Strawberry Jelly I used Walden Farms brand which is sugar-free
  • 2 cups Whipped Cream
  • Chopped peanuts for garnish Optional
Instructions
  1. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, sour cream, peanut butter and powdered sweetener. The consistently will look like mousse.

  2. Spoon into the pie crust, spread a thick layer of strawberry jelly and whipped cream

  3. Cover and chill in the fridge for a few hours or up to overnight

  4. Add some chopped peanuts as garnish and serve cold. YUM!

Mojo Chicken Tacos

Mojo Chicken Tacos

This coming Thursday is Cinco de Mayo, a holiday that celebrates the Mexican army defeating the French in the battle of Battle of Puebla in 1862. It is not Mexican Independence Day. That is September 16. To many on this side of the Rio Grande, it is a great excuse to eat Mexican food.  Mojo is a term used for several sauces, depending on the region you are in. It originated in Canary Islands where it consists primarily of Olive Oil and chili peppers.  For this recipe I chose the Cuban version of Mojo. In Cuba, Mojo is often made with juice from sour oranges and used as a marinade for chicken (or pork).

Making Mojo at Home

For this recipe I decided to go with my favorite handheld food format, the taco. As sour oranges can be hard to find, I approximated that flavor by spiking regular orange juice with lime juice. Being kosher, I went with chicken for my protein, but if that is not something you are worried about you could go with a roasted pork loin or pulled pork shoulder (AKA pork butt).

A word of caution about using acidic marinades or tender meats like chicken: Don’t let the chicken marinate more than three hours.  Two hours would probably be ideal.  If you leave the chicken in the mojo marinade to long the acid will begin to “cook” it. (And by cook I mean denature the protein, but let’s not get too technical.) You could end up with a gross, mushy texture. I recommend serving these with pickled onions and pico de gallo, but feel free to top your tacos as you see fit.

What is your favorite Mexican dish? Let us know in the comments below.  Don’t forget to check out some of our other Mexican recipes:

Fish Tacos With Mango Peach Pico De Gallo

Loaded Jicama Fries Two Ways

0 from 0 votes
Mojo Chicken Tacos
Mojo Chicken Tacos
Prep Time
2 hrs
Cook Time
15 mins
 

Chicken tacos with a little Cuban flare

Course: Dinner, Lucnh
Cuisine: Cuban, Latin, Mexican
Keyword: Chicken, Chicken Tacos, Mojo, Mojo Chicken, Tacos
Servings: 2 Servings
Author: Daniel Peikes
Ingredients
Marinade
  • 2 Cup Orange Juice
  • ½ Cup Lime Juice
  • ½ Cup Olive Oil
  • 3 Cloves Garlic Finely Chopped
  • 1 Medium Onion Finel Chopped
  • 1 tbsp Dark Brown Sugar
  • ¼ Cup Chopped Fresh Cilantro
  • 1 tsp Red Pepper Flakes Optional
Tacos
  • 1 lb Whole Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
  • Salt To taste
  • Pepper To taste
  • Cumin To taste
  • Smoked Paprika To taste
  • 6 Small Street Taco Sized Tortillas
  • Pico de Gallo For topping your taco
  • Pickled Red Onions For topping your taco
Instructions
Marinade
  1. In a medium sauce pot combine the orange juice, lime juice, olive oil, brown sugar, garlic, onion, cilantro, and red pepper flakes. Place over medium heat and bring to simmer until the the sugar is dissolved. Place in the fridge until cool to the touch.

Chicken
  1. Add your whole boneless chicken breast to the marinade and place back in the fridge for two hours. Do not marinate the chicken for too long as the acid from the juices will begin to "cook" the chicken.

  2. Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel. Season with the salt, pepper, paprika, and cumin to taste

  3. Heat up your grill or grill pan over high heat. Cook your chicken breasts, about four minute on each side.

Taco Assembly
  1. Slice your chicken into bite sized pieces and add to your tortillas. Top with pico de gallo and pickled onions and serve.

5 from 1 vote
Mojo Chicken Tacos
Pico de Gallo
Prep Time
15 mins
Total Time
15 mins
 

A fresh salsa that is quick and easy to make.  It is great for brightening up a dish by bringing a pop of acid.

Course: Dip
Cuisine: Mexican
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Daniel Peikes
Ingredients
  • 3 Plum Tomatoes Diced
  • 1 Green Bell Pepper Diced
  • 1 Red Bell Pepper Diced
  • 1 Yellow Bell Pepper Diced
  • 1 Small Red Onion Diced
  • 1 Small White Onion Diced
  • 1 Cup Fresh Chopped Cilantro Substitute with parsley if you don't like cilantro
  • 1 Jalapeno Diced, optional
  • Salt and Pepper To taste
  • 1/4 Cup Lime Juice
Instructions
  1. Add all the ingredients to a large mixing bowl and stir to combine.  Let chill in the refrigerator for an hour for the flavors to come together before serving. 

0 from 0 votes
Mojo Chicken Tacos
Pickled Red Onions
Prep Time
2 mins
Cook Time
3 mins
Total Time
5 mins
 

This is a quick recipe when you need a topping to add some acidity to a dish. It goes well on tacos, hot dogs, hamburgers, and can even be used in a salad.

Course: Condiment, Side Dish, Topping
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Keyword: Onions, Pickled Onion, Pickles
Author: Daniel Peikes
Ingredients
  • 2 Large Red Onions Sliced Thin
  • 2 Cups Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Pickling Spice You can get this from the store, or come up with your own blend.
Instructions
  1. Add all the ingredients to a pot and bring to a boil. Allow to cool and use to top tacos, burgers, or hot dogs.

Mini Passover Bagels

Mini Passover Bagels

Hope ya’ll are having a wonderful Passover holiday, or had a wonderful Easter! Whatever you celebrate, we’ve got you covered with some great new spring recipes!

We’re coming up on the last days of Passover, so I had to share the recipe for these Mini Passover Bagels – made without matzah meal or potato starch! This is one of my go-to low-carb recipes that I make throughout the year! And the best part is that it’s 100% Passover-friendly and dairy-free!

Psyllium Husk Powder

The key here is the ground psyllium husk powder that gives the bagels the classic chewy, wheat-like texture. You can find a container on Amazon or slightly cheaper at Whole Foods in the supplement section.

Psyllium husk powder is made from the outer covering hence the “husk” of the seeds of the Plantago Ovata plant. It’s mainly grown throughout Northern and Western India. The powder is commonly used as a digestive aid due to its high fiber content, or a perfect matzah meal or potato starch substitute in these Passover Mini Bagels.

So that’s it – short and sweet. Chag Sameach friends!

Side note – see here for details from the cRc regarding Kosher-for-Passover hechsher)

0 from 0 votes
Mini Passover Bagels
Servings: 8 mini bagels
Author: Rachel Katzman
Ingredients
  • 1 1/4 cup Almond Flour
  • 1/3 cup Ground Psyllium Husk Note - most psyllium husk powders have a slight purple-ish tint to it. It's not harmful at all, just don't be alarmed when the color is a little off.
  • 2 tsp Baking powder
  • 1 tsp Sea Salt
  • 1 tsp Minced Onion optional
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder optional
  • 2 tsp Vinegar You can use either distilled white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • 3 Eggs
  • 1 cup Hot water
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper

  2. Mix all of the dry ingredients in a medium-sized bowl

  3. Add in the vinegar and eggs and mix well so no lumps remain and all of the psyllium husk has disolved

  4. Add the cup of hot water and mix again until the dough feels like the consistency of Play-Doh

  5. If the mixture is a little dry, add some olive oil to your hands and roll the mixture into golf-ball sized balls and place on baking sheet. Poke a hole in the middle of each dough ball to make a "bagel" shape and re-shape as needed. Sprinkle the tops of the bagels with more minced onion, if desired. Or, if you eat kitniyot, add some sesame seeds!

  6. Bake for 45 minutes.

  7. Once the bagels are cool, slice and toast and top with your favorite sandwich toppings!

Kumquat Mango Chutney Charoset Chicken

Kumquat Mango Chutney Charoset Chicken

The holiday of Pesach (AKA Passover) is upon us. This year I decided to take on the seder classic, charoset.  I know I am a little late for a seder recipe, but this will work great for the second days of Passover or really any time during the year. Charoset is a paste traditionally made from grated apples, sweet red wine, and nuts. It is designed to take the bite out of your maror (AKA bitter herb/horseradish). Every family has its own traditions when comes to the addition of spices, sweeteners, and other fruits such as dates or raisins.  For my traditional charoset, I add honey, ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

A Twist on Tradition

For this recipe I wanted to put a twist on traditional charoset, and at the same time expand its function. I was perusing the produce at my provisions provider, and I came across two tropical tastes that I could not pass up.  Mangos are one of my favorite fruits and the produce store had a sale on them if you bought a case. I also came across kumquats, the tiny little citrus that I just cannot resist. This lead me down a path to chutney.  According Merriam-Webster.com chutney is defined as a thick sauce of Indian origin that contains fruits, vinegar, sugar, and spices and is used as a condiment. Many chutneys contain, apples, mangos, and nuts.  The leap from charoset to chutney is but a small step.

The great thing about this recipe is you can use the charoset/chutney to dip your maror in or use it as a condiment or a sauce.  In this recipe I use it as a sauce for my seder night chicken. Many hav e the custom that meat or fowl served at the seder must be served in a liquid. The reason for this is so that it should not appear that we are trying to fulfill the commandment of eating the korban Pesach (Paschal lamb sacrifice) in the absence of the Temple. The korban Pesach was served dry roasted. The chutney would also make a great addition to your holiday brisket or even spread on matzo.

What is your favorite Passover dish? Let us know in the comments. And don’t forget to check out some of our other Passover recipes:

Passover Basics: Quick Carrots With a Little Something Extra

Cabbage Pancakes (for Passover!)

Passover Sweet Potato Knishes

0 from 0 votes
Kumquat Mango Chutney Charoset Chicken
Kumquat Mango Chutney Charoset Chicken
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
1 hr 45 mins
 
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Jewish, Kosher, Passover
Keyword: Charoset
Servings: 4
Author: Daniel Peikes
Ingredients
  • 1 Large Yellow Onion Peeled and sliced
  • 3 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1 tbsp Salt
  • 3 Large Mangos Peeled and diced
  • 3 Large Apples Peeled, cored, and diced
  • 12 Kumquats Divided
  • 1 tbsp Nutmeg
  • 1 tbsp Cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp Ground Ginger
  • 1 tsp Black Pepper or Red Pepper Flake (if you like it spicy)
  • 1½ Cup Orange Juice Reserve ½ cup for cooking the chicken
  • 1 Cup Sweet White Wine
  • ¼ Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
  • ¼ Cup Honey
  • ¼ Cup Ground Nuts
  • 1 Package 4 Chicken Leg Quarters or 8-Peice Cut Up
Instructions
Charoset/Chutney
  1. Add the oil, onions, and salt to large sauce pot and place over medium heat. Sautee until the onion starts to brown.

  2. Slice half the kumquats into thin slices. In a mixing bowl combine the apples, mango, and kumquats. Add the cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and black (or red) pepper and stir to combine.

  3. Add the mango, apple, kumquat mixture to the pot with the onions. Add 1 cup of the orange juice, all of the wine, apple cider vinegar, and honey and stir to combine.

  4. Turn the heat down to low and reduce the mixture to a chunky, jam-like consistency is achieved. Stir in the ground nuts. If you are using this as your charoset, you can stop here.

Chicken
  1. Pour the sauce into a baking dish and add the chicken. Slice the remainder of the kumquats and top the chicken with them. If the chutney looks dry add a ½ cup of orange juice to the pan.

  2. Cover the pan tightly with foil and bake the chicken at 350°F for an hour. Then turn the oven up to 425°F and uncover the chicken. Continue cooking until the the chicken skin begins to brown and serve.

Vegan Nacho “Cheese” Dip

I can confidently say this is one of the most talked about recipes I’ve ever made. My Vegan Nacho Cheese Dip is most definitely a crowd-pleaser but yet this humble dip has so many stories surrounding it. Let’s get into it!

Crowd-pleasing surprise

First off, I have to give my other blog (riskyveggie.com) some props because I posted a version of this recipe a few years back, since it was such a huge hit. I’ve made it for Super bowl parties in the past and it’s always fun to see the look on everyone’s faces when they see a “cheese”-looking dip on the same table as the chicken wings. Hmm…doesn’t look so kosher to me. But when I told them it’s vegan? Not to toot my own horn, but pure amazement on everyone’s faces.

The second time I made this dip for a crowd was last year’s Super bowl party. It was right before Ellie and I moved into our new condo and somehow I mustered up enough energy to whip up a batch of this dip. It’s THAT easy, that it didn’t feel like a chore. We went to a friend’s house to watch the game and their teenage son could not get enough of this. So much so that every time I see their family, there’s a good chance that one of them will ask me when I’m making it next. Well, Gottesman fam, this is for you.

Performance Recipe?

In October 2021, my little sister got married. It was an unbelievably magical weekend. Sunday night (the night before the wedding), there was a dinner and an activity called “Share” – basically like a talent show! There were lots of fun performances – jokes, songs, dances, funny stories and lots of laughs. I hadn’t planned on performing anything for share but about 20 minutes before the program started, a friend said “why don’t you share a recipe?” I looked at her quizzically, “um, how exactly would I do that? I’ve never “performed” a recipe before.”

But I decided super last minute to participate and the first recipe that came to mind was my infamous Vegan Nacho Cheese Dip. This is probably my most-requested recipe (apart from my Coconut Date Balls).

So, I mustered up some courage, jumped up on stage to “perform” my recipe! Wow, everyone was so into it! Maybe because it was a little different and unusual for a talent show? Either way, it turns out, this recipe is the perfect one to “perform” – all I did was share the ingredients and mimicked the action of my blender whirling away! But, the fun part is that I had several people approach me afterwards comment on how delicious (and easy) it sounded and of course, they wanted to know where to find the recipe! Cue a plug for MYV!

Well, look no further, my long-awaited Vegan Nacho Cheese Dip. I promise, it won’t disappoint.

Happy blending!

0 from 0 votes
Vegan Nacho "Cheese" Dip
Servings: 4 cups
Author: Rachel Katzman
Ingredients
  • 1 Large handful of raw cashews You don't want roasted or seasoned, just buy the raw whole or pieces (in bulk is cheaper) - and store in the freezer to keep them fresh
  • 4 cups Filtered water
  • 4 tbsp Nutritional Yeast
  • 1/2 cup Salsa
  • 2-3 Garlic cloves No need to chop, the blender will do all the hard work for you!
  • 2 tbsp Turmeric
  • 1 can Diced green chilies Optional
Instructions
  1. Add the cashews to the container of a high-powered blender. Add the water and the rest of the ingredients, except the diced green chilies

  2. Slowly power up to the highest setting and let it blend for about 6-7 minutes. The key here is to be patient. You need to let the blender do its job, so it'll be loud but trust me, it's worth it

  3. After about 6-7 minutes, you should hear a slight "chugging" noise and the sauce thicken and tighten up. Lower the speed to the medium speed for 1 more minute

  4. Turn off the blender and slowly pour out the sauce into a large container. Careful, it's going to be HOT! Add in the green chilies and serve!

  5. If you're going to be serving this for a party, I recommend serving it in a slow cooker on low to keep it warm and clump-free. Store in the fridge and use for up to 1 week. Serve with tortilla chips! (Note - this recipe is one of those things where you really don't need to measure. I put in rough measurements here, but you can always taste half-way through the blending process and adjust. One time I wanted to make this for a party but didn't have any salsa, so I substituted spicy red harissa and it was incredible. The perfect amount of heat and spice. So play around with it. Add in some lemon juice for a tang, or add in pickled jalapenos once it's mixed, or even pour in some of the juice before you blend! You can also omit the salsa and turmeric and add in more garlic and almond milk (like half almond milk, half water) to make a vegan alfredo sauce. It's the perfect base to make lots of yummy vegan sauces!!)

Cheeseburger Salad Bowl

Cheeseburger Salad Bowl

For those of you in the Keto or Low-Carb community, you know full well what a “Big Mac Bowl” is. This is my spin – a KOSHER take on this classic keto dish, made with my homemade “Big Mac sauce” – the Cheeseburger Salad Bowl!

Low-Carb goodness

I’ve been following a low-carb eating lifestyle for several years now but I’ve lately more strict when it comes to tracking my macros. This salad is easy to prepare in advance for lunch or dinner and it’s incredibly filling and satisfying – even for a salad! It’s become my “several-day-of-the-week” meal and I haven’t gotten tired of it yet.

Even if you’re not following a low-carb lifestyle, this is the perfect salad to jazz up your weekday lunches with the perfect balance. The combination of healthy fats veggies and protein – the sharpness of the red onion, the sweetness of the tomato, the “meaty” veggie burger, and the tang of the pickles and the dressing. Topped with sesame seeds, to mimic the bun – YUM.

Simple swaps

Want to make your salad prep even easier? Buy shredded lettuce, or meatless crumbles (and cook the night before). I like using the burger patty so it’s easier to track my macros and it’s the perfect protein serving of 1 for my Cheeseburger Salad Bowl. This would also be great with shredded coleslaw mix, or chopped romaine, or kale too.

And we can’t forget about the main star here – the Big Mac Sauce! It’s so ridiculously simple – enlist your kids to help make it! I just add everything in a mason jar and store it in my fridge to last about one week. Oh and it also makes a delicious tangy dip for French fries too!

Enjoy!

0 from 0 votes
Cheeseburger Salad Bowl
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
 
Course: Salad
Servings: 1 serving
Author: Rachel Katzman
Ingredients
  • 1 Meatless Burger Patty You can use either Beyond Meat or Impossible Burger - delish! You could also use any veggie burger crumbles. I like using the patty and crumbling it up as it cooks, so it's the perfect protein portion!
  • 1 cup Iceberg lettuce, shredded
  • 1/4 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/4 cup Cherry tomatoes, sliced
  • 1/8 cup Red or white onion, diced
  • 5-6 Pickle chips, chopped I like the giant container of Grillo's pickle chips from Costco!
  • 1-2 tbsp "Big Mac Sauce"
  • Sprinkle of sesame seeds
Big Mac Sauce
  • Mayo
  • Ketchup
  • Yellow mustard
  • Splash of pickle juice
Instructions
  1. Heat a sauté pan on medium heat and cook the veggie burger on both sides. Break up the meat patty with a wooden spoon until it resembles ground beef crumbles. While the burger cooks, make the big mac sauce

  2. There's no exact science to this - just mix the mayo, ketchup and mustard together in a small bowl or mason jar, and add in a bit of the pickle juice. I start with about a 1/4 cup of mayo and add a big squeeze of ketchup and mustard, add in the pickle juice and adjust as needed. It makes about a cup of dressing and lasts in the fridge for about 1 week

  3. Assemble the salad bowls: In a big bowl, add in the shredded lettuce, onion, tomato, cheddar cheese, (slightly cooled) crumbled up veggie meat patty, and chopped pickles. Top with the big mac sauce and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Enjoy!

Check out some more salad recipes here:

Watermelon Tomato Salad

Blistered Green Bean & Tomato Salad with Basil Garlic Dressing

 

Tomato Pomegranate Salad

 

Israeli Shawarma Feta Salad

 

Herby Cabbage Salad – perfect for Passover!

 

New Years Cocktail: Strawberry Orange Mimosa

Strawberry Orange MimosaJust a quick recipe for a New Years cocktail. I wanted to do something based on sparkling wine to keep with the festive nature of the holiday.  A riff on a classic brunch cocktail, the mimosa, seemed appropriate.  In order to make it my own, I decided to add strawberry puree, which conveniently made use of the plethora of frozen strawberries in my freezer.

5 from 1 vote
New Years Cocktail
Strawberry Orange Mimosa
Prep Time
2 mins
 

A twist on a classic brunch cocktail perfect for your New Year's Party

Course: Beverage, Cocktail
Cuisine: Bar
Keyword: Cocktail, mimosa, new years, orange, orange mimosa, orange strawberry mimosa, strawberry
Servings: 6 glasses
Author: Daniel Peikes
Ingredients
  • 12 fl. oz. Sweet Sparkling Wine About 1/2 a standard bottle, chilled
  • 12 fl. oz. Orange Juice Chilled
  • 1 lb. Frozen Strawberries Defrosted
  • 6 Slices Fresh Strawberries For garnish
Instructions
  1. Blend the frozen strawberries to a puree. Pass the puree through a fine mesh strainer to filter out the seeds.

  2. Add 2 ounces of sparkling wine and 2 ounces of orange juice to each glass.

  3. Top each glass with a tablespoon of the strawberry puree, garnish with a slice of strawberry, and serve immediately.

Here are some other recipes that would be great for your New Year’s party:

The Russian Reindeer: A Moscow Mule with Some Holiday Cheer

Nashville Hot Chicken Wings and Waffles

A Trio of Simple Super Bowl Chicken Wings

Fried Halloumi Cheese Bites with Kansas City-style BBQ sauce