Recipe: Boozy Frozen Lemonade

Recipe: Boozy Frozen Lemonade

Ingredients

½ cup tequila, vodka, gin or your favorite spirit
4 cups ice
lemon zest for topping

Directions

Combine the lemon simple syrup, liqueur and ice in a blender. Blend on the “smoothie” setting or until smooth.

Top with fresh lemon zest and serve immediately.

~ Marla Meridith

Recipe: Rustic Roasted Beet & Sweet Potato Salad

Recipe: Rustic Roasted Beet & Sweet Potato Salad

Ingredients

1 bunch beets
2 sweet potatoes
2 tbsp canola or grapeseed oil
½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp garlic salt
½ tsp ground black pepper
2 tbsp pure maple syrup
1 avocado
6 cups baby spinach leaves
Toppings
Maple Citrus Roasted Pecanshttps://marlameridith.com/recipe/maple-citrus-roasted-pecans/
Salad Dressings: Try one of these!

Directions

Pre heat the oven to 375 degrees F with the racks in the middle. Prepare a cookie sheet with parchment paper or oven proof silicone liner.

Slice the beets and sweet potatoes into 1/2 inch thick sticks. Place on the baking sheet in a single layer.

Drizzle with the oil and maple syrup. Using clean hands, toss with the cinnamon, garlic salt and pepper.

Bake for about 40-45 minutes until slightly browned, caramelized and very tender.

Plate spinach leaves with roasted beets and sweet potatoes. Top with avocado and maple pecans. Serve with lemon juice and olive oil or my Lemon Shallot Vinaigrette or Lemon Honey Salad Dressing.

~ Marla Meridith

Chili Cheese Oven Fries

Chili Cheese Oven Fries

Ingredients

Oven French Fries
1 ½ lbs Russet potatoes
¼ cup canola or vegetable oil
½ tsp salt
½ tsp ground black pepper
Chili
1 lb ground beef
1 tbsp tbsp olive oil
1 medium yellow onion diced
1 green bell pepper finely chopped
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
½ tsp coriander
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 cup crushed tomatoes
½ cup water
Toppings
1 tomato seeded and diced
Shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese
green onions chopped
sour cream
Anything else you may want such as sliced Jalapeno, salsa, pico de gallo, avocado, guacamole, olives, lettuce, etc.

Directions

Oven Fries

Clean and pat dry the potatoes. Do not remove the skin.

Slice into desired thickness.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F with the rack on the lower level.

In a large bowl toss the potatoes with the oil, salt and pepper and any other toppings you like.

Place on the baking sheet in a single layer.

Bake for 25-35 minutes tossing the fries in the middle of baking time.

Chili

While the fries are baking prepare the chili. Cook the meat in a 12 inch cast iron skillet until browned, breaking up the meat up as it cooks. Remove the meat from the skillet with a slotted spoon. Discard oil.

Heat olive oil over medium heat in a the same skillet, no need to wash it. Saute the onion for 5-6 minutes until softened and fragrant.

Add the bell pepper and cook a few more minutes.

Add the rest of the ingredients, bring to a boil and then to a simmer for 20 minutes or until chili thickens.

Plate the fries in a bake safe casserole dish or single serving dishes. Top with chili and handfuls of cheese. Bake for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted. Serve hot with various toppings.

~ Marla Meridith

Recipe: Vegan Thai Chickpea Curry

My Vegan Thai Chickpea Curry can be made rather quickly in just one pan. Which is perfect for those hectic weekday nights. Sometimes we all need a break from meat….you won’t miss it at all with this dish!

Ingredients

2 cups jasmine rice, cook to package directions
2 tablespoons virgin coconut oil
1 cup diced red onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, drained & rinsed
1/2 cup canned coconut milk
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 yellow bell pepper, diced
2 tablespoons thai red curry paste
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
salt & pepper to taste

Directions

Cook rice to package directions & while cooking…

Heat coconut oil over medium high heat until melted. Add onion & garlic, cook about 4 minutes until softened & fragrant. Add yellow pepper & cook another few minutes. Add chickpeas, curry paste, coconut milk & tomatoes, let simmer a few minutes. Mix well to combine. Season to taste with salt & pepper. Finish with chopped cilantro. Serve hot over rice.

~ Marla Meridith