Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
If you are ready to get your life all the way, then get ready. This recipe is the real deal.
It’s quick, easy, and delicious. It’s a perfect change-up from your regular noodles. Read More
Tag: healthy meals
Egg Rolls Anyone?
I needed an egg roll today! That’s right… not just wanted, but I needed this in the worse way. Just to have that crunch with sauteed veggies steaming in the center.
Oh, how I dreamt of you! Read More
Gratitude! 1018 Views
I welcome everyone new to Belladonna’s Flashlight and for everyone else, Thank you for staying! I hope you enjoy being apart of the fam and will continue to read and join in on discussions. I love hearing from you all. Read More
Stuffed Eggplant
Happy July!!!! Let’s begin this month on a healthy note. I have an amazing recipe for you today. Read More
Fat And Thinking About My Next Meal
There I sat staring out the window with a full belly and regretting everything I just ate. But that didn’t stop me from thinking about my next meal. This always happens to me!!! As soon as I start a diet, I get hungry and literally plan my next meal as I complete my current meal. Read More
The Best Broccoli Cheese Soup
It’s cold outside and we all need something warm to eat. I can’t think of anything better right now than soup. But let’s make it fun and skip using a bowl for our soup. Follow me into the kitchen to see what I mean.
So, I love to make my meals fun for my family. They enjoy when I take a few extra minutes in order to spice it up a bit. I like the look on their face when they walk into the kitchen and see something so simple and think it’s so great. I get most of my ideas from different restaurants and I think of the fun ways they serve their meals and then recreate it at home.
The recreation today was broccoli cheese soup with a bread bowl.
Ingredients -Makes 6 soup bowls
20 minutes to prep and 20 minutes to cook
- 1 large onion
- 2 cups carrots
- 2 cups of milk
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 2 heads of broccoli (florets only)
- 1 stalk of celery
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
- seasonings Salt and pepper
- 2 tbs butter
- 3 tbs olive oil
- 3 tbs flour
I love to go to the store and hope that they are out of the bread that I want so they can make it fresh. If I ask they will do it regardless. They treat me well because I’m always there.
In a small pan pour in olive oil and saute the onion. Cook for 5 minutes until it is translucent. In a large pan add flour and butter until blended. Add in milk, stock, onions, and all the other diced vegetables. I use a food processor because I prefer small pieces of vegetables in my soup. Season lightly with salt and pepper and let simmer for 20. Add cheese and serve when melted.
Cut the bread bowl in a circle and take the top off. Pull a small amount of the bread out from the inside and start filling it up with your delicious soup.
You could have chosen any blog to read but you chose mine and I’m honored.
~Belladonna~
The Best Broccoli Cheese Sou
It’s cold outside and we all need something warm to eat. I can’t think of anything better right now than soup. But let’s make it fun and skip using a bowl for our soup. Follow me into the kitchen to see what I mean.
So, I love to make my meals fun for my family. They enjoy when I take a few extra minutes in order to spice it up a bit. I like the look on their face when they walk into the kitchen and see something so simple and think it’s so great. I get most of my ideas from different restaurants and I think of the fun ways they serve their meals and then recreate it at home.
The recreation today was broccoli cheese soup with a bread bowl.
Ingredients -Makes 6 soup bowls
20 minutes to prep and 20 minutes to cook
- 1 large onion
- 2 cups carrots
- 2 cups of milk
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 2 heads of broccoli (florets only)
- 1 stalk of celery
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
- seasonings Salt and pepper
- 2 tbs butter
- 3 tbs olive oil
- 3 tbs flour
I love to go to the store and hope that they are out of the bread that I want so they can make it fresh. If I ask they will do it regardless. They treat me well because I’m always there.
In a small pan pour in olive oil and saute the onion. Cook for 5 minutes until it is translucent. In a large pan add flour and butter until blended. Add in milk, stock, onions, and all the other diced vegetables. I use a food processor because I prefer small pieces of vegetables in my soup. Season lightly with salt and pepper and let simmer for 20. Add cheese and serve when melted.
Cut the bread bowl in a circle and take the top off. Pull a small amount of the bread out from the inside and start filling it up with your delicious soup.
You could have chosen any blog to read but you chose mine and I’m honored.
~Belladonna~
One Year Down…Thank You For Giving Me A Chance
It has officially been 1 year since I started this particular blog and I have been welcomed into the blog world with open arms. I have to admit that every time I write something I second guess myself. I wonder if it’s interesting enough to get you to come back and view another post. I always try to just be myself and that alone is scary.
I remember when I first started my blog I was approached by a well known public figure and he gave me THE BEST pointer. He told me if I wanted my blog to be successive then I had to remain truthful to myself. Choose topics that hit me deep in my core and then just go. Talk the way I do every day, and make sure my personality is present at all times. When he told me this I said well what if people don’t like me or what I have to say?
He responded, “Do you have friends”? “Do they like to engage with you”? “After 17 years does your husband still like you and engage with you”? But most importantly “Do you like you and find yourself interesting”? I thought fair enough!
So here we go! My content is going to be bananas this year, filled with food, diets, crafts, workouts, real talk, and my Life. I am elated to welcome you all to my world.
I know that there are thousands and thousands of blogs that you could have joined or read but you chose mine and I’m honored!
~Belladonna~
Empanadas
You don’t have to fry your food for it to be crispy and delicious. Try putting an egg wash on top of your empanadas and slide into the oven. Place the oven on 375 degrees and cook for 20-25 minutes.
But let me tell you the best part about this meal, other than the fact that it is Keto friendly. (However if you are trying to lose weight then leave out the potatoes and of course use almond flour). There is always so much of the filling left and you know what that means right? Yep break out your favorite chips and start dipping.
So yesterday was Super Bowl Sunday and I wanted to make something delicious but not loaded with calories. When I’m watching the game I like to eat and serve finger foods. I’m usually a huge fan of wings but I wanted to switch it up this year and I am so glad I did.
When I initially looked up the recipe for empanadas I saw that frying was a popular method but not something that I wanted to do. The less grease in my life the better. So I decided to bake them, which was perfect because the crust is prepared the same way you would make a pie crust. My pies always have a nice crust and are beautifully golden because of the egg wash. Without the egg wash your empanadas will have a dull appearance because of the flour. A simple wash will make them glow.
Please feel free to use chicken, tofu, shrimp, sausage, vegetarian plant-based sausage or ground beef. You can’t go wrong with any of these options. I used Ground beef and for my nonmeat lovers, I used vegetarian plant-based sausage.
If your crust is homemade then please make this before you begin your filling. You want to place the prepared crust in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Begin by sifting flour into a bowl and 2 sticks of melted butter, slowly pour in 1-1 1/2 cups of water. Place in plastic wrap and place in refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Begin by browning your meat add seasonings and chopped vegetables. cook on low for 5 minutes and then add potatoes, green chiles, enchilada sauce, and pureed tomatoes. Cook on medium heat for 5 minutes and then low heat for 10-15 minutes. Place filling into a bowl and look cool for 15 to 30 minutes.
Ingredients For Filling
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1/2 of the vegan plant-based sausage roll cooked separately of course
- 5 medium-sized potatoes
- 2 tsp oregano
- 2 tsp black pepper
- 1 onion
- 2 red pepper
- 2 green pepper
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tsp salt
- 3 tsp cumin
- 2 tsp paprika
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 can of green Chile’s
- 1 can of enchilada sauce
- 1 large tomato fresh or 1 can
Crust
- 1-1 1/2 cup of water
- 2 sticks of melted butter
- 3 -3 1/2 cups of flour of your choice.
Cut the dough into 4 sections and then cut again. Form it into a ball and then roll them out, stuff, fold, rub egg wash on top and bake on 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
You could have chosen any blog to read but you chose mine and I’m honored.
~Belladonna~
Chicken Thighs with Mushroom Gravy
The world has gone crazy over the Keto diet. I ignored everyone that said anything about it. I was so over hearing the word Keto….unitl I googled the benefits of choosing a Keto lifestyle. I hate to admit but the more I read the more I fell in love. I thought to myself ” I can do this”. The recipes are endless and the option to add carbs for my family works perfectly for every meal.
So if you are interested in my new found love then come along and enjoy the journey to good eaten and a slim waistline. I will have a few recipes each week. My goal is to show the world that you don’t have to starve yourself to be fit. FOOD IS IMPORTANT. The types of food that you are eating is the key to weight loss and your overall health.
Now first let me mention that low carb lifestyle change plans will tell you to stay away from certain fruits and certain vegetables. You need to find out what works for you and what hinders your progress. We are fabulously different on the outside as well as the inside. What works for one person may not work you.
Let me stop babbling and share this amazing meal.
Please feel free to add roasted or sautéed onions, green peppers, red peppers, squash, zucchini or broccoli for healthy side options.
Ingredients
- 10 Chicken Thighs
- 1 Lemon
- 2 tsp Lawrys
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- 2 tsp Cumin
- Plant Based Veggie Patties
Ingredients For Gravy
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- 1 Cup Heavy Cream
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 8 Ounces Mushrooms
- 1 tsp Oregano
- 2 tsp Garlic
- 2 tsp Basil
- 2 Cups chopped Spinach (Optional)
- 1/2 Cup Parmesan Cheese
Chicken Thighs
Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towel and trim off excess fat. Season the chicken thighs with lemon juice. Let it absorb the lemon juice for 15 minutes. Combine the garlic cloves and herbs. Seasoning Chicken or veggie patties. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil a large pan or skillet over medium-high heat and sear chicken thighs in batches until browned on each side and no longer pink in center (about 8 minutes each side, depending on thickness).Transfer to a plate; set aside and keep warm.
Creamy Mushroom Sauce
On the same pan or skillet, put the olive oil and add the mushrooms. Season with salt and pepper and cook until soft. Add the garlic and herbs. Stir in cream, bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and continue cooking until sauce has thickened slightly. Stir in the parmesan cheese and allow it to melt through the sauce while occasionally stirring. Return chicken to the pan.
Please watch the short video below and please share comments after making it.
You Could have chosen any blog to read but you chose mine and I’m honored.
~Belladonna~
