Slim Down Vegetable Soup

Happy Sunday, friends! I hope you're well :) So one week ago today, I decided to go sugar-free for the next 28 days. After I got sick a couple of years ago, I cut down my sugar intake considerably, but I never completely cut it out of my diet (partially because I bake so much!).

The truth is, though I DO love sugar, I love healthy food too! If you were to have come to my house last weekend, before I threw out the processed stuff, you'dve seen a counter and fridge full of fruits and vegetables! ...however, if this was a panoramic view of the kitchen, you'd also have seen some iced lemon cookies and some apricot-raspberry thumbprint cookies. Soo.... yeah. Haha! What can I say? I like balance.

Butternut Squash & Black Bean Enchiladas

HAPPY NEW YEEEEEARRRRR!!! :) It's 2016, and things are looking good! How do you guys herald the new year? Do you make copious resolutions to do better/be better/change things? Are you first in line at the gym to work off all those holiday pounds? Or, like me, do you start cooking? (I hope the answer is yes!)

I stopped making new year's resolutions long ago. I figured that if I have to wait until a new year arrives in order to make changes in my life, I'm probably not all that ready to change. You know? But that's just me. I wish you all the success this new year. :)

Sausage & Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash

I've been trying to venture out and try new food things in the kitchen; particularly as it relates to fall produce. Squash is in season, so it's EXTRA cheap. If there's anything I love more than good food, it's a good deal!! Can I get an Amen??

Sweet Potato & Black Bean Chili

FALL FOOD IS MY FAVORITE! Let's just get that proclamation out of the way. I love the way it looks, smells, tastes...it's beautiful, inviting and all things wonderful! As the weather grows colder, it's so nice to know that a few staple ingredients, combined correctly, lead to a comforting, hearty, delicious dish like today's!

I had a bunch of sweet potatoes that I hadn't really decided how to use yet, so I decided to get creative. I wanted to do something other than bake them! I made a spicy black bean soup around this time last year, and wondered how the two might taste together, so I started experimenting, and I'm so pleased with the results!

Honey-Garlic Shrimp over Jasmine Rice with Sauteed Asparagus

You know, sometimes, important conversations require beautiful food. I invited my dad over for a chat today and wanted to make sure that the meal was beautiful and memorable, because I've never invited JUST him over. It was so fun! We had a great conversation and enjoyed this delicious, easy, healthy, and tasty meal.

I don't cook with shrimp that often, and I think the only reason I don't use them more is because they can be expensive. It's worth the occasional splurge, though, because they cook quickly, taste delicious, and are so healthy and versatile.

Turkey Stuffed Avocado Tacos

Hi, friends! It's nearly the end of May! This year is seriously flying away. Wow. North Texas has gotten some pretty crazy weather lately, too! Tornadoes and flooding and earthquakes, oh my!

But that doesn't stop spring flavors from entering my kitchen. These stuffed avocado tacos made my day! I saw the recipe and fell in love immediately. The original uses ground beef, but I figured I could make a leaner recipe using healthy turkey!

Roasted Strawberry, Avocado, and Mozzarella Grilled Cheese

Hi, friends. I can't believe it's May already!! You know, if I hadn't already used my corny "May the fourth be with you" joke LAST year on May the fourth, today would totally be the day to break it out ;)

Today's post will be short and sweet. I was on Foodgawker today--it's one of my very favorite food blogger sites, and the inspiration for many of the recipes you see here on Foodie & Fabulous! Everything on there looks delicious, but there are some days when it seems that EVERY recipe speaks to me!

Spinach and Mushroom Quinoa

Friends! Romans! Countrymen! Lend me your bellies...ha. Hi, guys. It's been a while since I've been here, and I'm very sorry about that! It's not that I haven't been cooking; but like usual, it's about finding the time to get recipes to you guys!

Roasted Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tostadas with Avocado Lime Crema

Hello, friends! Oh my gosh, it is GORGEOUS outside today! My windows are open and letting the sun in...the wind is blowing and it's warm, but not too warm. It's the perfect day for a picnic or a bike ride or something lovely, spent with pleasant people. (Yet, here I am, behind my computer, blogging. Eh...such is life).

I'm late posting this recipe--I made it a few weeks ago and haven't had time to write it out or edit the photos. I reached a point today of deciding that it doesn't have to be *perfect* in order for me to share, so I'm going to share it anyway!

Crunchy Tilapia Tacos with Red Cabbage Slaw and Fresh Pineapple Salsa

Hi, friends! I hope you're well and enjoying the not-icy weather these days. So here's the deal: I love tacos. I especially love fish tacos. Mmm. A good fish taco just makes the foodie in me so happy!

Sweet and Spicy Asian Salmon with Strawberry-Pineapple Salsa

As promised, I'm back again with the second recipe of the day! I couldn't be happier :) I really love salmon, guys. I find it flavorful, tasty, and it contains all those wonderful, heart-loving omega-3s!

I also love pairing salmon with fruit; particularly a bright, cheery salsa like the one I made today! It has fresh strawberries, fresh pineapple, a little bell pepper, and some cilantro. YUM. While we're on the topic of pineapple, it occurs to me that I rarely purchase fresh pineapple, and there's not really a good reason for it. I LOVE pineapple! I hereby resolve to make it a more permanent part of my kitchen staples :)

Smashed Avocado Toast with Sauteed Bell Pepper, Asparagus, Mushrooms, and Fried Eggs

Guys! These ice days have been absolutely brilliant because they've allowed me to get back into the kitchen, cook, and photograph food in actual daylight!! Goodness. I didn't realize how much I've missed being in the kitchen, buzzing around chopping and prepping and tasting! Expect at least one more post (maybe even later today) before the weekend is over. I'm so excited that I've been able to blog!

Roasted Tomato, Tortellini, and Spinach Soup

Let me just go ahead and break the ice: IT'S SNOWING! (<--See what I did there? *Snicker*) Oh, good grief. This has been a crazy week for weather here in north Texas. Rain turned to ice on Sunday evening, effectively shutting down the city for all of Monday and most of Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday were cold, but not freezing--and then today, Friday, I went to work and the university sent us home at 10:30 this morning due to snow and rapidly worsening driving conditions!

I've had plenty of quality time to myself this week, which is always delightful--and I've also had some great kitchen time! I made the Turkey Chili Taco Soup again, which is a wonderful, hearty soup for cold weather--and today, I'm trying my hand at something new!

Quinoa Veggie "Fried Rice"

Hi, friends! Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you are well, happy, and loved, wherever you are. It's great to take some time to appreciate those who love you--and if you don't have a Valentine this year, it's also a perfect time to enjoy the friends, family, and the other amazing things in your life that have nothing to do with romantic love, like your HEALTH! :)

Baked Eggs with Tomatoes, Feta Cheese, Spinach, and Mushrooms (and Avocado Toast!)

It's cold here in Dallas these days, and has been for some time. It's so cold, in fact, that my car has trouble starting more days than not; at least lately. Hopefully that doesn't mean it's time for a new one (ain't nobody got time for that!) Anyway, this baked egg breakfast seemed like the perfect way to warm up on a cozy Saturday morning. I'm sure you'll agree!

Turkey Tamale Pie

Hi, friends! Are you in need of a way to use some of your Thanksgiving turkey leftovers? Look no further! The answer lies here, in this Turkey Tamale Pie! :)

So, like many of my great ideas, I stumbled upon this recipe completely by accident. When I was growing up, my mom used to make a really comforting, delicious Turkey Pie (which I now know to be "turkey pot pie")--and I've never made it as an adult. She's given me the recipe, but I was searching for other versions just to see what was out there.

Breakfast Flatbread with Fried Eggs and Greens

So...tomorrow is December 1, 2014. WHAT?! Time never fails to surprise me in its swift passing. Just like that, another year elapses...and we're on the brink of entering a new one, which will undoubtedly pass just as quickly. Man. I'm too old for this.

Thankfully, a runny fried egg is the perfect fix for existential crises in the morning. Especially a runny fried egg atop a crunchy, crisp flatbread crust with leafy spinach, savory garlic, some extra virgin olive oil, and tons of cheese.

Caprese Flatbread

Welp. It's been over a month since my last post...NOT for lack of trying, though! In the last month, I have attended two weddings and a fall festival, been in the recording studio twice, celebrated a birthday, and been without my cell phone for almost three weeks due to a surprising, unexpected hardware malfunction in my phone that took forever to repair. Whew!

Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash with Poached Eggs

As I've mentioned before, my favorite cooking show is Chopped. I eagerly anticipate the baskets of mystery ingredients, and groan alongside the chefs as they try to create something delicious, beautiful, and creative before time runs out! :) I don't move very quickly in the kitchen, so I know that the clock would be my ultimate nemesis in the Chopped Kitchen, without a doubt.

One of the dishes I see quite frequently on Chopped is hash, a dish made with cubed potatoes, meat (sometimes), and cooked with additional veggies and spices. Sweet potato hash, purple potato hash, new potato hash, corned beef hash...HASH FOR EVERYBODY! I decided to give it a go in my own kitchen--a Foodie & Fabulous first!

Tilapia Tacos with Peach, Bell Pepper, and Grape Tomato Salsa

I think I've created a peach-loving monster...I made the peach cobbler and now I'm hooked! I enjoyed a girl's night with two good girlfriends over the weekend and made a mini cobbler for dessert. I had one large peach remaining, and it ripened quickly over the week, so I used it tonight!