Fergie's Mid Day Energy Smoothie

I don't know about you... but around 2:00-3:00 PM I hit a wall!!!  Maybe's it's because I am up at 5:00 AM!!! Smoothies are my favorite at this time of day... I usually make it and take it with me to do pick up! Enjoy!!! 

1 1/2 Cups Unsweetened Almond Milk

1 Heaping Scoop of Vanilla Protein Powder

3 Ice Cubes

2 Tablespoons Raw Oats

1 Heaping Tablespoon Almond Butter

1/2 Banana

Blend until smooth!!! 

Fergie's Healthier Pasta Bolognese

Nothing makes me happier than taking a recipe that is delicious and full of fat and making it delicious with less fat and so much healthier!!!  This is one of those instances. Pasta Bolognese is one of my sons favorite dishes... he even pronounces it better than I do!  I hope you enjoy this much lighter and healthier version of the delicious original!!!

1 Package Trader Joe's Brown Rice Spaghetti Pasta

1 Lb Ground Chicken or Turkey Sausage 

(I used my own Fergie's Homemade Chicken Sausage)

1/2 White Onion, Chopped Small 

3 Celery Stalks, Chopped Small 

3 Carrots, Peeled and Chopped Small 

6 Garlic Cloves, Chopped

4 Tablespoons Olive Oil 

1 Teaspoon Fresh Ground Pepper

1/2 Teaspoon Sea Salt or Kosher Salt 

1 Large Can Chopped Tomatoes

1/2 Cup Unsweetened Almond or Soy Milk (you can also use skim milk)

Fresh Rough Chopped Parmesan Cheese

Get all your ingredients out and pre-chop everything... Start a big pot of water and bring to a boil... 

Add some salt and start the pasta... cook according to package instructions... 

Chop the onion, carrots, celery and garlic... 

Heat the olive oil and add the carrots, celery, onions and garlic.  

Cook on med for about 5-6 minutes until the veggies and soft and tender!

The smell is unbelievable!!! 

Add 1 Teaspoon Fresh Ground Pepper and 1/2 Teaspoon Salt ... 

Make a well in the middle of the pan... 

Add the sausage and start to break it up... 

Mix with the veggies and cook down for another 5 minutes... 

Add a large can of crushed roma's the best quality whenever possible!!! 

This is what the veggies and chicken sausage should look like... 

Add the tomatoes... mix... cover and cook for 8-10 minutes over low heat. 

Add the Almond Milk... (or whatever milk you are using) ... 

Mix and keep heat on low... 

I use this side of the box grater.... 

My family loves good parmesan cheese... 

Add the cooked pasta... stir... add the cheese... and cover to melt... 

Fergie's Fabulous PHO

My fellow fire wife/foodie Teresa had PHO last week and asked if I could make it and blog a recipe... so Taaahhh Raaahhh!  It was so simple and seriously delicious!  Everyone loved it (even my picky kid)!  Some of these ingredients may require a trip to the local asian market... but if you are anything like me... that will make you happy... My kids loaded up on Hi-Chews, Mochi, and Green Tea Ice Cream... I gawked at all the ingredients and bought some mystery ingredients I will be experimenting with this week.  This soup takes some time to prepare ... I suggest you do all the chopping and prepping of ingredients a day before... took me an hour to make it all. ENJOY! BTW this recipe will feed 6-8 people easy... 

Here is the long list of what you will need... 

14-16 Cups of Water 

4 Heaping Tablespoons of Knorr Powder Chicken Bouillon

1 Onion, Sliced Thin

1 Lemon Grass

1 (2 inch) Piece of Fresh Ginger, Minced or Grated 

1 Teaspoon Pepper 

2 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast 

1 -2 Pounds Shrimp, Peeled and Deveined

1 Large Package Rice Noodles

3 Tablespoons of Fish Sauce 

Toppings:

2-3 Baby Bok Choy

1-2 Cups Shredded Carrots

3 Green Onions, Finely Chopped

1/2 Cup Cilantro, Rough Chopped

1/2 Cabbage, Thinly Sliced

2-3 Cups Bean Sprouts

1 Cup Fresh Basil Leaves

1 Cup Fresh Mint Leaves

Lime Wedges

Jalapeno or Serrano Slices

2 Tablespoons of Crushed Red Pepper

Use all or just some of the toppings. 

Bring the water and the Chicken Bouillon to a Boil... 

Add the sliced Onion... 

For those of you who don't know ... this is what fresh ginger looks like... 

I buy large pieces like this and chop it into usable pieces... and you can keep them in the freezer!!!

For this recipe you need a 1 1/2 - 2 inch piece... 

Use a knife and peel the rough skin off ... 

You can either chop very fine with a knife or use a microplane... 

This is what the ginger should look like... 

The lemon grass should be crushed in some way to release the oils... 

I take a kitchen mallet and beat it a couple of times... 

Don't break it cause it is tough and you will have to dig out all the little pieces... keep it whole ... 

This is everything that will be going in the pot with the broth... 

Bring this to a gentle rolling boil... 

Add the 2 chicken breast and set a timer for 30 minutes... simmer the chicken and remove 

when the timer goes off.   Allow to cool for a bit... 

I prefer Baby Bok Choy... I think that it is much more flavorful!!

Once the chicken is cooled... slice or shred... 

These are the noodles I found at the asian market... 

Set up all of your toppings... I used a large cutting board and set it in the middle of the table... 

I have 2 types of fish sauce... Any kind is fine...

I added one portion of noodles into a medium ladle... 

I do it this way because they cook fast and it is a pain in the butt to serve the noodles out of a big pot...

I do it this way because it is good luck to eat long noodles!!! 

Submerge the ladle into the boiling liquid... cook for about 3-5 minutes... 

Add 1 serving of shrimp... 5-8 shrimp... 

Once noodles are cooked... pull out... 

Place in bowl... 

Ladle broth and add chicken... 

Add your toppings of choice...