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Mediterranean Orzo Spinach Salad

In Food Around The World, Recipes | Delicious and Quick Recipes for Real Food by Lisa Soldo-Johnson2 Comments

When I was growing up, my mother worked full time, so family dinners were deliciously predictable. My mom stayed true to her famous five; fried pork chops with mashed potatoes and homemade gravy, Italian spaghetti and meat sauce, tuna and noodle hot dish, homemade soup, and pot roast on Sundays. She detoured from those meals whenever she had the time to get …

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It Begins at the Table Cookbook Sneak Peak: Arugula with Garlic, Ginger, and Tamari Mushrooms

In Dairy-free, Gluten-free, Recipes | Delicious and Quick Recipes for Real Food by Lisa Soldo-Johnson2 Comments

This is a sneak peek recipe from my cookbook, It Begins at the Table! The earthy combination of garlic, ginger, and tamari-soaked mushrooms create a beautiful balance of autumn flavors next to a bed of peppery arugula and gritty Parmigiano-Reggiano. The pungent taste of these mushrooms is incredibly versatile and pair nicely with grilled steak or fish, in a stir …

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Arugula Salad with Italian Crusted Goat Cheese & Beets

In Food Around The World, Gluten-free, Recipes | Delicious and Quick Recipes for Real Food by Lisa Soldo-JohnsonLeave a Comment

In Minnesota, I call Porter Creek one of my favorite places to dine. On their appetizer menu, they serve the most delightful dish with red and yellow beets, fresh peppery arugula,and warm goat cheese rolled into a lightly breaded crust. The combination of flavors is perfect. I learned the hard way that sometimes your favorite menu item disappears from the offerings …

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Italian Arugula Salad with Crusted Goat Cheese & Beets

In Recipes | Delicious and Quick Recipes for Real Food by Lisa Soldo-JohnsonLeave a Comment

    Print Recipe Italian Arugula Salad with Crusted Goat Cheese & Beets Yum Course Soup/Salad Cuisine Italian Prep Time 20 minutes Cook Time 40 minutes Servings servings Ingredients 4 cups arugula3 small red beets3 small yellow beets2 cups grapeseed oil1 tablespoon light olive oil1 teaspoon lemon juice1 11-ounce goat chees log1/3 cup all-purpose flour2/3 cup Italian bread crumbs1 teaspoon Himalayan …

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Authentic Italian Arugula Salad Recipe with Artichokes and Prosciutto

In Food Around The World, Gluten-free, Recipes | Delicious and Quick Recipes for Real Food by Lisa Soldo-JohnsonLeave a Comment

This fall we hosted an exchange student, Ignacia, from Chile. I admit I was unfamiliar with this South American country. Aside from Chilean Seabass, I was unfamiliar with traditional Chilean cuisine but excited to learn more. In Chile, they make a salad similar to an Artichoke Carpaccio.  The Italians prepare this traditional dish with thin slices of raw beef topped …

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Now, This is Chicken Noodle Soup!

In Dairy-free, Recipes | Delicious and Quick Recipes for Real Food by Lisa Soldo-Johnson6 Comments

Now, this is Chicken Noodle Soup! My mother’s old-fashioned chicken noodle soup is as authentic as it gets. She was a passionate stickler for a squeaky clean chicken in her recipes and the result was pure, flavorful, savory, ‘Can I have seconds please? ‘, soup you will want to sink your spoon in to. With cooking, I like to get …

Chinese Smashed Cucumbers

In Dairy-free, Food Around The World, Gluten-free, Recipes | Delicious and Quick Recipes for Real Food by Lisa Soldo-JohnsonLeave a Comment

Here in Minnesota, Chinese restaurants are a popular option amidst the sea of eating establishments. I love the five flavors of salty, spicy, sour, sweet, and bitter infused into traditional Chinese cooking, but prefer to avoid the MSG found in most of the food at these restaurants. I asked my friend Rachel to teach me how to make delicious, healthy, …

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Tlavhe Red Lentil Soup from Assyria

In Dairy-free, Food Around The World, Gluten-free, Recipes | Delicious and Quick Recipes for Real Food by Lisa Soldo-Johnson2 Comments

Now that the cold weather season is here, it’s time to start thinking soup.  Call me biased but my mom made one of the best chicken noodle recipes I have ever tasted. It’s a big hit around my house pretty much any time of the year. Unfortunately, one cannot live on Chicken Noodle Soup alone. That’s when I reach for …

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Sweet Mediterranean Herb Recipe with Goat Cheese and Figs

In Gluten-free, Recipes | Delicious and Quick Recipes for Real Food by Lisa Soldo-Johnson3 Comments

Print Recipe Mediterranean Herb Salad Recipe Yum This Sweet Mediterranean Herb Salad is the combination of tender mixed greens, candied pecans, salty goat cheese and sweet fresh figs lightly tossed in an oil and agave dressings make the perfect combination for a light flavorful salad for any meal. Course Dinner, Lunch, Soup/Salad Cuisine American Prep Time 15 minutes Cook Time …

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Pumpkin Bisque

In Dairy-free, Gluten-free, Recipes | Delicious and Quick Recipes for Real Food by Lisa Soldo-JohnsonLeave a Comment

Print Recipe Pumpkin Bisque Yum Creamy pumpkin bisque is the perfect soup for fall and winter days. It’s healthy, delicious, easy to make, and ready to serve in under 30 minutes. Course Lunch, Main Dish, Soup/Salad Cuisine American Servings people Ingredients 1 tablespoons olive oil1 large onion, chopped3 cloves fresh garlic, minced1/2 teaspoon dried thyme1 30-ounce can Libby’s canned Pumpkin6 …