Slow Cooker Quinoa Lentil Soup

This is such a perfect comfort food for the winter. I modified the recipe from The Food Network by using lentils instead of a bean mix, quinoa instead of barley, increased the veggies, and used WAY less salt. This recipe is pretty flexible if you want use a different grain/bean combination.

Sprinkle with some parmesan and add a salad to make it complete meal.

Slow-Cooker Quinoa Lentil Soup

Ingredients:

1/2 cup uncooked quinoa
1 cup uncooked lentils
4 carrots, roughly chopped
3 celery stalks, roughly chopped
3 garlic cloves, smashed
1 bay leaf
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
Fresh black pepper
1/2 ounce dried porcini mushrooms, crumbled if large, optional
14-oz can stewed tomatoes
3 cups baby spinach

Directions:

1. Put 6 cups water, the lentils, beans, quinoa, garlic, carrots, celery, onions, bay leaf, salt, herb blend, some pepper and porcini mushrooms (if using) in a slow cooker. Squeeze the tomatoes through your hands over the pot to break them down, and add with their juices. Cover and cook on high until the beans are tender and the soup is thick, about 8 hours.

2. Add the spinach and stir until the spinach wilts, about 5 minutes. Remove the bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper if needed. Sprinkle with cheese if desired!

Serves 8 

Nutrition: 170 Calories, 1 g Fat, 32 g Carbohydrates, 9 grams protein

Crock Pot Pulled BBQ Chicken

Ever since I bought a crock-pot, I never want to eat chicken any other way! It comes out so tender and falls right apart with a fork- no knife needed! The other great thing about crock-pots is you don't have to baby-sit your food -  just throw it in the pot and let it work it's magic.

I always recommend crock-pots to busy clients who want something quick and easy to make when they are prepping their meals for the work week. Here's another one of my favorite and super simple crock-pot recipes.

Crock Pot Pulled BBQ Chicken 

Ingredients:

1 lb chicken breast (2 large)
2/3 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon Bragg's Liquid Aminos (or low-sodium soy sauce)

Directions:

1. Place the chicken in the crock-pot. Mix together remaining ingredients and pour onto the chicken. Cook on low for 6 hours.

2. Remove chicken from the crock-pot and place on a plate. Pull apart with two forks. Add back to the sauce and stir to combine. Serve!