Gluten-Free Italian Meatball Soup

Also known as a "Italian Wedding Soup". In a crock pot this recipe produces a flavorful, firm meatballs in a delicious soup that works great for those bone chilling days. Great for lunch or dinner. Is served with fresh Italian bread and topped with grated Parmesan cheese.  

Ingredients

1 lb. lean mini sized meatballs (beef, turkey, or chicken)
4 quarts low or no salt chicken broth
2 medium carrots, chopped
1 large stalk of celery, coarsely chopped
1 large onion, coarsely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tablespoons fresh basil, chopped, or 2 teaspoons dried
2 bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon oregano, dried
Black pepper to taste
1 teaspoon lemon juice
10 oz. package frozen spinach, thawed
8 oz. Gluten-Free orzo, uncooked, or other tiny Gluten-Free pasta

Directions

Put the broth in the slow cooker to get hot while chopping the vegetables.

Add the carrots, celery, onion, garlic, seasonings and lemon juice.

Add the browned meatballs.

Then turn down the heat and cook until the carrots are very tender.

Squeeze the thawed spinach gently to remove excess liquid, and add with the pasta 20 minutes before serving.

Serve it with fresh Italian bread and grated Parmesan cheese on top

Italian Meatball Soup

Also known as a "Italian Wedding Soup". In a crock pot this recipe produces a flavorful, firm meatballs in a delicious soup that works great for those bone chilling days. Great for lunch or dinner. Is served with fresh Italian bread and topped with grated Parmesan cheese.

Ingredients

1 lb. lean mini sized meatballs (beef, turkey, or chicken)
4 quarts low or no salt chicken broth
2 medium carrots, chopped
1 large stalk of celery, coarsely chopped
1 large onion, coarsely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tablespoons fresh basil, chopped, or 2 teaspoons dried
2 bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon oregano, dried
Black pepper to taste
1 teaspoon lemon juice
10 oz. package frozen spinach, thawed
8 oz. orzo, uncooked, or other tiny pasta


Directions

Put the broth in the slow cooker to get hot while chopping the vegetables.

Add the carrots, celery, onion, garlic, seasonings and lemon juice.

Add the browned meatballs.

Then turn down the heat and cook until the carrots are very tender.

Squeeze the thawed spinach gently to remove excess liquid, and add with the pasta 20 minutes before serving.

Serve it with fresh Italian bread and grated Parmesan cheese on top

Caribbean Sweet Potato and Bean Stew

This "Caribbean Sweet Potato & Bean Stew" is a vitamin packed stew that combines sweet and spicy flavors for an extraordinary taste.  

Ingredients

2 medium sweet potatoes (about 1 lb), peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 cups frozen cut green beans
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14 ½ ounces) vegetable broth
1 small onion, sliced
2 teaspoons Caribbean jerk seasoning
½ teaspoon dried thyme
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Sea Salt and pepper to taste
⅓ cup slivered almonds
Hot pepper sauce, optional

Directions

Combine sweet potatoes, green and black beans, broth, onion, jerk seasoning, thyme, salt and cinnamon in slow cooker.

Cover; cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or until vegetables are tender.

Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°F. 

Spread almonds in single layer on baking sheet. 

Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown, stirring frequently.

Season to taste with sea salt and pepper. 

Sprinkle with almonds. 

Serve with hot pepper sauce, if desired.

Ratatouille with Black Beans

This great "Ratatouille with Black Beans" is one of our family's best kept vegetarian crock pot recipe secrets. Nothing brings good times and good friends together like delicious food made with love. 

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
3 cloves garlic minced
1 yellow onion, cut into ½-inch pieces
3 small Italian eggplant, peeled and chopped into ¾- to 1-inch pieces
Sea Salt and black pepper to taste
1 red pepper, seeded and cut into ¾- to 1-inch pieces
1 yellow pepper, seeded and cut into ¾- to 1-inch pieces
1 orange pepper, seeded and cut into ¾- to 1-inch pieces
2 small zucchini, cut into ¾-inch pieces
1 can (15 to 20 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups crushed tomatoes
¼ cup fresh basil leaves
2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
½ to 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

Directions

Heat 1 1/2 tablespoon oil in skillet on medium-low. 

Then add garlic and onion and cook for 3-4 minutes or until translucent. 

Add eggplant, season with salt and black pepper, and cook for 2-3 minutes. 

Turn heat to low and cover. 

Cook until eggplant is tender, 5-6 minutes. 

Pour into the crock pot.

Add peppers, zucchini, and black beans to slow cooker.

Combine tomatoes, basil, thyme, pepper flakes, and remaining 2 tablespoons oil in medium bowl. 

Blend and pour into crock pot. 

Stir together all ingredients.

Cover; cook on low for 6 - 8 hours or on high for 4 - 5 hours or until vegetables are tender. 

Adjust seasonings. 

Garnish with basil, if desired.

Spicy Sausage Jambalaya

Sausage Jambalaya truly captures the flavors of New Orleans with this easy recipe. This stunning crock pot dish uses sausage to give the meal the perfect flavor. Tomatoes and shrimp are added for a real New Orleans touch—perfect for taking your taste buds on a trip to the Big Easy.

INGREDIENTS

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

1 large yellow pepper (can be replaced with green or red), chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 package of spicy (Hot) Italian sausage

1 small package of raw shrimp

1 can (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes with green chilies

1 can (14.5 oz.) stewed tomatoes

1 cup chicken broth

¾ cup long grain white rice

1 teaspoon Creole seasoning

2 teaspoons Louisiana hot sauce

¼ teaspoon sea salt

½ cup frozen corn

1 can (8 oz.) black beans, rinsed

DIRECTIONS

In a small skillet brown Italian sausage,  drain off oil and set the oil aside.

Slice sausage 1/4 thick and set aside.

Using the same skillet saute onion, green pepper and garlic using the oil set aside from the sausage until tender.

Add sausage, onion, yellow pepper, garlic, broth, Creole seasoning, Louisiana hot sauce, salt, corn, beans, stewed tomatoes, and diced tomatoes to the crock pot; mix well.

Cook 6 to 8 hours on medium heat.

Add Minute Rice or per cooked rice and shrimp.

Cook until the rice is tender and the shrimp turns pink.

Serve.

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