Black Bean and Beef Stuffed Peppers

There's something comforting about stuffed peppers. And these ones will not disappoint! Full of good stuff like lean ground beef, quinoa, black beans and cottage cheese and some savory mixed seasonings. Great as a meal prep dish... they can keep in the fridge for days and are also great for freezing!

Ingredients:

4-5 bell peppers

1/3 cup dry quinoa

3/4 cup water

3/4 cup diced onion

1/2 cup cottage cheese

1 1/2 cups canned black beans, drained

1 egg

1 lb lean ground beef

1 1/2 tsps dry oregano

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp celery seed

1 tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp ground coriander

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

salt and pepper to taste 

1 cup tomato sauce 

Bring the quinoa and water to a boil together then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Fluff up with a fork and let cool. Meanwhile cut the peppers in half and clean out the seeds. Place in a 13 X 9" baking dish. Mix the diced onion, cottage cheese, black beans, beef, egg and all the seasonings together. Once quinoa is cooled mix that in too. Stuff the pepper halves with the filling, mounding it up. Add about 1 tablespoon of tomato sauce on top of each pepper then bake at 375°F for 40 minutes. The internal temperature should reach 160°F. Serve as is or topped with sour cream or tzatziki sauce.

Makes 10 servings.

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Jumbo Parmesan Meatballs

Amazingly tender Jumbo Parmesan Meatballs with cheesy cubes of bread in every bite. No dry breadcrumbs here!

Ingredients:

6 cups tomato purée or pezzettoni in purée (diced tomatoes in purée)

Salt to taste

1/4 cup olive oil

7 cups stale baguette or crusty bread cubes

1/2 - 1 cup Parmesan cheese

1 lb ground beef

3 eggs

salt and pepper to taste 

Mix the tomato purée, olive oil and salt together in a large skillet. In a bowl mix the cheese with the bread cubes, then add the ground beef, eggs, salt and pepper. Take 1/2 cup of the tomato sauce from the skillet and add that to the meat mixture. Start simmering the sauce while you make the meatballs. Smush (that's a cooking term right?) the meat together using your hands to form into 12 balls the size of large plums. Place in the sauce, spooning some over top. Simmer on low heat for 30-40 minutes until the internal temperature reads 160°F.

Serve with your favourite pasta or mashed potatoes.

Makes 12 balls 

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Slow Cooker Pork and Vegetables

This dinner for two cooks up fall-off-the-bone tender pork with savory mixed vegetables. 

Ingredients:

2 pork shoulder steaks

3 medium potatoes, quartered

2 medium carrots, sliced

2 small onions, roughly chopped or quartered

1 unpeeled apple, halved and cored

1/2 cup vegetable broth

1/2 cup sliced mushrooms

2 tbsps olive oil

1 tbsp cornstarch

2 tsps garlic powder

2 tsps smoked paprika

1/2 tsp dry oregano

1/2 tsp dry thyme

salt and pepper to taste 

Add potatoes, onion, carrots, mushrooms and broth to the bottom of the slow cooker. Place the pork and apple halves on top. Mix the olive oil, cornstarch, garlic powder, smoked paprika, oregano, thyme, salt and pepper together and spoon over the pork. Cover the slow cooker and set on high for 4 hours or low for 6-8 hours depending on the thickness of the steaks. They should be fork tender when done. Serves 2

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Chicken Drumstick Tray Bake

Tray bakes are so easy to make. Just marinate the chicken and prep the veggies. Caramelized vegetables and tender lemon, garlic chicken with no fuss. 

Ingredients:

8 chicken drumsticks

salt and pepper to taste

1 tbsp dry oregano

2 tsps smoked paprika

1 tbsp lime juice

2 tbsps lemon juice

zest of 1/2 a lemon

2 tsps minced garlic

3 tbsps olive oil, divided

4 cups broccoli florets

10 small new potatoes, halved

1 onion, cut in wedges

1 bell pepper, cut in squares 

fresh parsley to garnish 

Line a baking sheet with parchment for easy cleanup. In a bowl, mix the salt, pepper, dry oregano, smoked paprika, lime juice, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic and 1 tbsp olive oil together. Add the drumsticks and marinate for at least 4 hours. In another bowl mix the remaining 2 tbsps olive oil with the broccoli florets, potato halves, onion wedges and bell pepper squares. Salt and pepper to taste if you like. Set aside. Lay chicken out on the parchment lined baking sheet and bake in a 350°F oven for 25 minutes. Then add the vegetables, spread out evenly and return to the oven for about 50 minutes. When potatoes are tender dinner is ready. Broil 4-5 minutes to a nice golden brown. Garnish with fresh parsley. Serves 4

 Adapted from: leahitsines.com

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Pear Cake

No peeling! Just core your pears and they're ready to go to make this not-too-sweet and simple cake perfect for breakfast or afternoon tea.

Ingredients:

300 g pears (about 3) cored and cut in chunks

1 tbsp lemon juice

3 eggs

1 cup + 2 tbsps sugar

2 cups flour

2 1/2 tsps baking powder

1/3 cup butter, at room temperature

1/3 cup Greek yogurt or cottage cheese 

2 tsps vanilla 

Oil an 8" spring form pan or 1.6L round baking dish with deep sides and cut a piece of parchment to fit the bottom. Wash and core pears, weighing them for best results. Then cut in chunks and place in a food processor and purée with the lemon juice. In a large bowl beat the sugar and eggs together until light in colour. In another bowl, sift the flour and baking powder together, then add to the sugar/egg mixture alternating with butter and Greek yogurt. If you use cottage cheese you may want to blend or process it first to get rid of the chunks but it's not necessary. Add the pears and vanilla and pour into prepared pan. Bake at 350°F for 60-70 minutes. The center should be set when a cake tester comes out clean.  Cool before cutting. Serves 8-10

Adapted from: christinascucina.com

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Pear Zucchini Loaf

Juicy chunks of pear and a bunch of good-for-you zucchini that no one will know is in there!

This recipe makes 2 - 8 X 4" loaves or 24 muffins 

Ingredients:

2 cups peeled, diced firm pears

3 cups shredded zucchini, unpeeled and lightly squeezed out

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

4 eggs

3/4 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup tahini paste (or 1 cup oil and no tahini)

1 tbsp vanilla

2 cups flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 tbsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp allspice

2 tsps baking powder

1 tsp salt 

Prepare the pans you choose to use, either oil and line the bottom of loaf pans or paper liners for muffins. Combine the zucchini, sugars, eggs, oil, tahini and vanilla in a large bowl. Mix the dry ingredients together. Then add the wet ingredients to dry mixing just until combined. Fold in the pears and pour the batter into pans. Bake at 325°F for 60-65 minutes for loaves, 22-25 minutes for muffins. A cake tester should come out clean. Cool 10 minutes. 

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Honey Garlic Salmon

A quick and healthy dinner that couldn't be easier to make!  Delicious and nutritious with an easy after dinner cleanup thanks to individual foil parcels. 

Ingredients:

4 salmon fillets

1 bell pepper, sliced

1/2 large onion, sliced thinly

a handful of asparagus for each piece of fish

4 tbsps olive oil

 

Sauce:

1/4 cup olive oil

2 tsps minced garlic

1 tbsp honey

1 tsp Dijon

salt and pepper to taste 

Have 4 pieces of foil cut to 10 X 12" each and spray with cooking oil. Layer onion, asparagus and bell pepper. These shown were very young, thin asparagus so each packet had 10-12 asparagus but if yours are thicker 4 or 5 will do. Drizzle a tablespoon of olive oil on each and add salt and pepper. Top with salmon. Take the sides of each piece of foil and bring up to form a little container or boat then place side by side in a 13 X 9" baking dish. Do not cover the tops, leave the foil opened. Mix the sauce ingredients together and divide evenly over each piece of salmon. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork. You could broil 1-2 minutes if you like. Serves 4

 Adapted from: mediterranean.diet.plan

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Pan Roasted Cherry Tomato Rice

A simple side dish of fiber filled brown rice, a good serving of cottage cheese and deliciously sweet pan roasted cherry tomatoes. 

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked brown rice

1/2 cup cottage cheese

10-12 black olives, halved

1/2 tsp dry oregano

2 cups cherry tomatoes

pinch of sugar

1 tsp olive oil

1 tsp minced garlic

salt and black pepper to taste

1/4 tsp dry minced onion

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

In a deep skillet heat olive oil to medium high then add the tomatoes and a pinch of sugar. After 8-10 minutes the tomatoes will start to burst. Add garlic for 1 minutes. De-glaze the pan with a little water or broth. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir all together. Transfer to a microwave safe baking dish and heat through in the microwave. Serves 4 

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Buttery Mandarin Upside Down Muffins

Buttery, dense vanilla muffin topped with a bright and juicy slice of mandarin to start the day.

Ingredients:

1 1/4 tbsps butter

8 tsps brown sugar

5 mandarins

2 cups flour

1 1/4 tsps baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 1/4 cups butter, at room temperature 

1 tsp vanilla

4 eggs

1/3 cup vanilla Greek yogurt 

Spray oil into 15 muffin cups. Divide the 1 1/4 tbsps of butter with a dab in each cup then add approximately 1/2 a tsp brown sugar to each. Peel and cut the mandarins into 3 slices and sit on top of brown sugar and butter cut side up. Whisk the flour, baking power and salt together and set aside. Cream the sugar, brown sugar and butter together then add the vanilla, eggs and Greek yogurt. Add dry ingredients to wet in 3 additions and mix just until combined. Scoop batter into muffin cups then bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. Let cool 2-3 minute then gently give each cake a turn in it's place. Let cool another 2-3 minutes then place a rack over the pan and flip over to release the cupcakes. Makes 15

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Baked Chicken and Cheese

Easy, cheesy chicken with a crispy, crunchy coating that pairs beautifully with pasta, rice or potatoes. Or nice, sweet corn on the cob.

Ingredients:

4 boneless chicken thighs

1/4 cup cottage cheese

1 tsp olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/4 - 1/2 tsp Everything Bagel seasoning

1/4 cup shredded aged cheddar

1/4 cup Panko crumbs

fresh parsley to garnish 

Dry chicken with paper towels, rub with olive oil and place in an oiled baking dish. Mix cottage cheese, salt, pepper, garlic powder and Everything Bagel seasoning and stuff 1 tbsp of filling into the center of each piece of chicken. Then combine the cheddar and Panko and top each piece. Bake at 400°F for 25-30 minutes. The internal temperature should read 160°F. Garnish with fresh parsley. Serves 2

 Adapted from: hood.com

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Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Pork Chops

Sweet, succulent and slow cooked to fork tenderness. 

Ingredients: 

4 - 1/2" thick bone-in pork chops

1 tbsp olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

2 tsps minced garlic

1/2 cup honey

1/2 cup apple juice

3 tbsps apple cider vinegar

2 tbsp cornstarch

2 tbsps cold water

fresh parsley to garnish

Salt and pepper the chops then brown in a skillet in hot olive oil. Sear both sides 3-4 minutes per side. De-glaze the pan with 1/2 cup apple juice. Place the pork in the slow cooker. In the skillet, whisk the minced garlic, honey and apple cider vinegar with the juices in the pan. Pour over the pork, cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. Whisk the cornstarch and cold water together and pour into the slow cooker, mixing together in the last half hour of cooking to thicken the sauce. Serve garnished with parsley. Makes 4 servings  

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One Pan Poached Cod and Rice

Melt-in-your-mouth tender cod poached with brown rice along with the last of this summer's cherry tomatoes and basil. 

Ingredients:

400g (about 14 oz) cod fillets

2 tbsps olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

3/4 cup brown rice

2 tbsp olive oil 

1 1/3 cups water

salt and pepper to taste

zest of 1/2 lemon

1/2 cup frozen peas

1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half

1 tbsp olive oil 

1 tbsp capers

a handful of fresh basil leaves 

Brush both sides of the cod fillets with 2 tbsps olive oil, then salt and pepper. In a deep skillet add 2 tbsps olive oil and heat to medium. Add rice and gently toast 1 minutes. Add the water, salt, pepper, lemon zest and peas and stir together. Cover and bring to a boil. In a bowl toss the tomato halves with 1 tbsp olive oil, salt, pepper and torn basil leaves. Once the rice is boiling, turn the heat down to a simmer for 5 minutes. Then add the cod and let it be partially covered with liquid. Top with tomatoes, then add the capers and more basil. Cover 10 to 15 minutes or until fish flakes easily and rice is fully cooked. Remove lid and simmer until the liquid is absorbed by the rice. Serves 2-3

 Adapted from: sugarlovespices.com

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Peach Blueberry Pie

Hanging on to summer a little longer with this juicy, double crust peach and blueberry pie!

Ingredients:

3 cups sliced fresh, unpeeled peaches

2 cups blueberries

2/3 cup sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup cornstarch

2 tsps vanilla

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 tbsp lemon juice

1 tbsp cream or milk 

dough for 9 or 10" pie 

Here's the link to the pie dough recipe I like:

https://www.hotandcoldrunningmom.ca/2025/07/easy-flaky-pie-crust.html 

Move the rack to the lowest position in your oven and set temperature to 375°F. Toss the peaches, blueberries, sugar, brown sugar, cornstarch, vanilla, cinnamon and lemon juice together and let sit for 15 minutes.  Roll out dough and place bottom crust in pie plate or cast iron pan. Pour in the filling then wet the edge of the dough with water. Roll out the top and place it over the filling sealing the edges together. Cut a few slits in the top and brush with cream. Then bake at 375°F for 50-60 minutes. Cool 2 hours before slicing.

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