Italian Potato Sausage Soup

20 oz. lean Italian turkey sausage
1/2+ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 large onion, diced
5-6 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
8 cups (2 boxes) chicken broth
1 1/2 pounds red potatoes, diced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
2 cups low-fat milk
3 ounces light cream cheese
3 tablespoons GF flour
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3 cups baby spinach, chopped

1. Place sausage in large soup pot. Begin cooking it over medium heat and add red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, onion, and garlic. Saute until the sausage is fully cooked and drain if necessary.
2. Add the chicken broth and Italian seasoning, increase heat to high, and bring to a boil.
3. Add diced potatoes, cover, and reduce to a simmer. Cook potatoes until tender.
4. While the potatoes are cooking, place the milk, cream cheese, flour, and salt in a blender. Blend until smooth.
5. Heat the butter over medium-low heat in a small saucepan, then add the milk mixture and cook over medium heat until thick (like a very thick cream soup or a stirrable pudding).
6. When the potatoes are cooked, add the thickened milk mixture and chopped spinach. Season with additional crushed red pepper flakes and kosher salt to taste and serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Recipe from Our Best Bites:  http://www.ourbestbites.com/2012/01/italian-potato-sausage-soup/

Brown Sugar Spice Pork Rub

2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 pork tenderloins (2 1/2 lb. total), each tenderloin cut into two chunks
2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic (6-8 cloves)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
optional: 1 tablespoon Tabasco sauce

1. Mix all ingredients together in gallon ziplock bag. Add pork last.
2. Coat pork with spices.
3. Cook pork however you like. I used a grill pan to sear then baked but it would be great on the grill too.

Easy Pretzel Turtles

This recipe is another favorite from Our Best Bites:

Glutino small pretzels
Rolo candies
Pecan halves – or optionally peanuts, cashews, and m&m’s

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Place pretzels on a parchment lined baking sheet.
2. Unwrap your Rolo candies and place one on top of each pretzel like a cute little hat.
3. Place pan in the oven for 3-4 minutes until the chocolate looks glossy and melty but still hold their shape.
4. Remove pan from oven and take a pecan and gently press it right into the center of the chocolate candy.

Original recipe found here: http://www.ourbestbites.com/2009/12/easy-pretzel-turtles/

Loaded Baked Potato Rounds

4 large baking potatoes, cut into 1/2 inch slices
salt and pepper to taste
8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
8 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup chopped green onions
sour cream

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Pam a baking sheet. Place slices of potato on baking sheet. Add salt and pepper to taste. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes or until lightly browned.
3. When potatoes are ready, top with bacon, cheese, and green onion; continue baking until the cheese has melted.
4. Top with sour cream.

BBQ Chicken Quinoa Salad

3 cups cooked quinoa
1 can corn
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups cubed BBQ chicken
1/2 cup grated cheese
1/2 cup BBQ sauce (or more)
6 scallions, chopped
cilantro for garnish

1. In a large bowl, toss together the quinoa, corn, black beans, and chicken. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Transfer mixture into a bowl and top with shredded cheese, BBQ sauce, scallions and cilantro.

Serve warm or at room temperature or chilled.