Kiwi Pineapple Green Smoothie

I told you I was coming with smoothies this month. 

I keep my promises with kiwi, pineapple, kale and spinach.

   I know, the blog world, your Facebook and Pinterest feeds are over run with smoothies and salads right now. Everyone is chanting "new year, new me." Guess what! I'm not. I live for smoothies 24/7/365. I grew up drinking smoothies. I don't think Mom even put spinach in them, but she did make them for a quick breakfast or as a dessert to keep us away form ice cream. Now, I give them to my boys for the very same reasons. I tend to prefer them for breakfast because I am a slow starter (I've mentioned this before) and I can make these with my eyes still blurry and my brain is still warming up. 

   I lean towards smoothies when my stomach problems rear their ugly head. Unfortunately, it is just something I have to deal with and there is nothing that can be done about it on the bad days. There is no medicine, no magic cure. My only option is to lean on liquids on the days or weeks that I feel awful. I won't go into what I have or why because it is boring and that's not why I'm here. But, I add of that to say, I don't necessarily believe in juice or smoothie cleanses. I've done them and HATED every dang second of it. But on the days, where you feel bloated, binged on bad for you food the night before or are just getting over a stomach bug, these are the days that this kind of smoothie is what you need. You don't want to do this for every meal though, there are far too many fruits in here and that would be way to much sugar for one day. 

Kiwi Pineapple Green Smoothie
serves 1
(click to print)
1 cup kale*
1 cup spinach*
1/2 cup fresh pineapple
1 kiwi chopped
1/4 cup greek yogurt
1/2 cup coconut water
1 tablespoon flax seeds
honey to taste

Combine all ingredients and blend until liquefied.

*I used 2 cups of a spinach kale blend

Spinach, Broccoli and Smoked Gouda Soup

You can't go wrong with this combination, the creamy, smoky Gouda, the fresh spinach and broccoli, everything about this soup is perfection.  

You really need to make this!!!

 Sorry, I was a little bossy up there. It's just that this soup is so freaking delicious and it really hit the spot while we all were (still are in some cases) super sick. Although, I normally tend to shy away from dairy while we fight with sinus and allergies, but I couldn't help myself with this one. I was compelled to make it. I could hear the Gouda calling my name from the refrigerator and the most amazing thing happened. When I placed this bowl in front of my uber picky 5 year old, he actually ATE it, ate every last drop. He even told me it was "dewicious" which in Caleb speak means delicious and is the highest compliment given! I almost cried, I did, actually start to tear up. It was momentous. He's the "anti-Mikey" he won't eat anything. He's the kind of kid that when faced with going hungry or eating something he won't like, he simply won't eat and doesn't complain. True story, he went almost a full week with no dinner. I fixed meals that I knew he would like, if he just tried them and he refused. He loves breakfast food and lunch is easy, because pb&j suits him just fine, but trying something new just doesn't happen. So when my husband and I developed a new philosophy. You try 4 bites of everything on your plate and if you honestly don't like it, then fine, but you must try everything. With that many bites, he's getting enough food to sustain him. I knew we were in for some fight, but his new obsession with Masterchef Jr., Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and Jamie's 15 Minute Meals has led him to try new things and actually enjoy them. This soup got me some resistance at first, but after a couple of bites his face went from "ew" to hmm and by the fourth bite, he was saying it was the best soup he's ever had. That's a winner in my book and I'm hopeful we can use this soup as a stepping stone to shed his picky nature! Hopefully it will woo your pickiest of eaters too. 

Spinach, Broccoli and Smoked Gouda Soup
Serves 6-8
(click to print)

1 yellow or white onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, chopped
6 tbsp butter
3/4 cup flour
2 cups half and half
2 cups milk
4 cups broth
4 cups broccoli, chopped
4 cup spinach
8 ounces smoked Gouda, shredded
salt to taste

Greek Yogurt for topping

  In a large stock pot, over medium heat, add onion, garlic and butter. Once butter has melted, stir in the flour, making sure there are no lumps. Allow to cook a couple of minutes, then slowly stir in the half and half just a little at a time. Once that is incorporated, stir in the milk, followed by the broth. Add in the broccoli and drop to medium low heat, allow to cook for about 10 minutes. Add spinach and cook for another 5 minutes. Once the spinach has wilted and broccoli has softened use a stick blender (or just pour into a regular blender) and blend until smooth. Stir in cheese and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes. Serve warm, I like to top mine with Greek yogurt or extra cheese.

   Now, that it is officially FREEZING, I suggest you make this and curl upon the couch with someone you love and binge watch Arrested Development.


xoxo,
Ashley

Spinach Walnut Pesto {A House Recipe}

   This Pesto is Ah-MAZE-ing! I love all types of pesto, from the most traditional, to the farthest out there. This one gets made on the regular around here. I pack it full of spinach on the sly so that a certain picky little boy will eat it and I use walnuts because I prefer the flavor with spinach. 

   I'm going to try to start showing some quick recipes of homemade staples that I keep around the house every few posts. You can often find me eating this pesto from a spoon while the pasta is boiling. It is so quick, easy and nutrient packed! I know, I know, nutrient packed doesn't scream delicious but in this case it is. It is so freacktastingly good I cannot even begin to tell you. 

Spinach Walnut Pesto
yields about 2 cups
(click to print)

2 cups tightly packed spinach
1/2 cup walnuts
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan
2 cloves of garlic, smashed and peeled
3/4-1 cup olive oil
salt to taste

In a food processor or blender put in spinach, walnuts, Parmesan and garlic. Pulse until things are roughly broken down. Turn on and slowly stream in the olive oil until everything is combined and the correct consistency. It should be pour able but not to thin, unless you prefer it thicker and it should still be chunky.

Lasts about two weeks in the fridge.

This perfect for pasta, chicken, shrimp, a spoon... The possibilities are endless!

xoxo,
Ashley

Summer Spinach Salad

I love salad. My husband doesn't believe this is a square meal. I don't care, he has to eat what I fix him. :)

Poor guy is so mistreated.

I need to talk to you about this salad! Every year just before spring, when the chill is starting to fade and I can't wait to lock my boots and sweaters away for a few months, I start dreaming of salad. This one is a combination of salad I adore from a certain sandwich cafe/coffee house/bakery, that we all know, and a salad my mom made every summer and still makes. Her salad has turkey or chicken and this one would be amazing with it but I wanted to go meatless with this one. I am not a vegetarian, have never professed to be one and honesty I love bacon too much to be one but I feel like my family could use a little less meat in our diet. Mom's salad also had these crunchy, caramelized pecans that have always been my favorite. This time I chose almonds because that is what my man loves. I combined my favorite two salads in the universe (other than caprese but I can't mess with perfection) and came out with this beauty and there was no need to turn on the stove. I have eaten it multiple times since. 

I actually photographed this a couple of months back and I feel that I need to finally rish and share it with you while summer produce is still in season.I mean, holy guacamole, how is it almost "back to school" time already! Sorry, back on topic, this is the perfect sweaty day supper. So, make it, quick!

The best thing about salads like this, you can change ingredients in our take them out and come up with something new each time. I have left tomato out every time I have made this since. It just wasn't my thing. My husband prefers it without avocado, but he is clearly insane!

The dressing is super easy and so delicious. Just toss everything into a blender or food processor and you're done. I love it and my husband loves it, that is no small feet let me tell you. He is not a vinegar fan normally but he loves apples, which is how I convinced him to try it. 

This dressing is super versatile, swap out the apple with another fruit and change up the vinegar or even just leave out the vinegar for citrus juice and you have something totally new. 

Summer Spinach Salad:

For the Caramelized Almonds:
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup almonds

In a heavy bottomed skillet, I prefer an iron skillet, heat the sugar over medium high heat. Stirring constantly, until the sugar hes melted and is golden brown color, then toss in your nuts. Allow them to cool on a piece of aluminum foil or parchment paper until they have hardened and are cool enough to touch. Roughly chop before topping the salad.

For the Dressing:
1/2  green apple, cored and cut into chunks
2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
*1 teaspoon of honey
salt to taste
1/4 cup olive oil

Place apple, vinegar, honey and salt in a food processor or blender and pulse until the apple has broken down and all the contents are smooth. Turn on low and pour oil in a thin stream through the opening in the top of the lid. Once all oil is incorporated you should have an emulsified dressing. Taste and make tweaks to the taste.

For the Salad:

2 cups baby spinach
1 mango, diced
4-5 strawberries, diced
**1/2 tomato, diced
1/2 green apple, diced
1/2 avocado, diced
caramelized almonds

Toss you lettuce in a large bowl, layer on all of your toppings and dress with dressing. Serve immediately.

*Feel free to add more or leave it out all together. I knew my guys would prefer a little more sweetness.
**Like I said before, I left the tomato out after this but I included it in the ingredients since it can been seen in pictures.

It's calling your name!