Cacik (Turkish Yogurt Sauce)

The "c" is pronounced like a "j" in Turkish. I will be serving this sauce for our Easter Celebration along with Lamb Burgers and Chicken Kebabs. Holidays are delicious!

Ingredients:
2 cucumbers, peeled and chopped or grated
2 cups (about 16 oz.) cold, Greek Yogurt
2 cloves garlic, crushed or minced
2 T fresh mint, chopped
salt to taste
olive oil to drizzle
*Optional: 1/4 cup toasted walnuts, chopped

Directions:

Combine cucumbers, yogurt, garlic, mint and walnuts. Add desired salt. Drizzle with about 1 T olive oil. 

Turkish Meatballs

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef or lamb *local grass fed if possible

2 T ground flax seed, ground *a coffee grinder works great to grind flax seeds

1 carrot, grated
1 small onion, chopped 

1 celery stalk, chopped celery

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp dried mint
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp allspice

1/4 tsp sea salt

1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.

Roll into bite size balls and place a baking sheet with sides. Or use my favorite method...a mini muffin pan and just plop the meat mixture into the muffin tin.

Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes....whenever they are done.

Serve with traditional Turkish Cacik  

Beef Veggie Meatballs

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef *grass fed if possible

2 T ground flax seed, ground *a coffee grinder works great to grind flax seeds

1 carrot or beet, grated
1 onion, chopped 

1 celery stalk, chopped celery

2 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp ground oregano

1/4 tsp sea salt

1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.

Roll into balls and place a baking sheet with sides. Or use my favorite method...a mini muffin pan. Just plop the meat mixture into the muffin tin.

Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes....whenever they are done.

*Sometime I put a dab of ketchup on top of each meatball before baking for a "mini meatloaf" effect. 

Italian Beef

Ingredients:

1 - beef roast (2 lbs to 10 lbs...whatever you want)

1 - 12 oz jar mild or hot Giardiniera *Try making your own

1 - 12 oz jar Pepperoncini peppers 

1 - recipe of Zesty Italian Spice Blend

1 - carton of veggie or beef stock or 2 cans

*If you are using a large roast you may want to use larger jars of Giardiniera and Pepperoncini. You will want enough stock to cover your roast as well.

Directions:
Put all of the ingredients together in a crock pot on low for 18 hours (Including juices from the Giardiniera and Pepperoncini.)

Perfect for a party or potluck.
Serve with a piece of crisp romaine or a handful of spinach on your favorite hard rolls or crusty bread. 

Zesty Italian Spice Blend

Ingredients:

1 T garlic salt or (3 cloves garlic, crushed + 1 T sea salt)
1 T onion powder

1 T cane juice crystals or honey
2 T dried oregano
1 tsp fresh ground black pepper
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried parsley
1/4 tsp celery salt
2 T cajun seasoning

Directions:

Blend together. 

Guacamole Dip

A little lighter than guacamole and an excellent dipping pair for sweet potato or butternut squash fries.

Ingredients:

1 avocado
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
2 green onions, chopped
2 T unsweetened coconut milk

juice of 1 lime

Optional: 1 garlic clove, crushed

Optional: 1/4 cup bell pepper, chopped

Optional: 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. Chipotle or your favorite Chili powder
salt to taste

Directions:

Throw all ingredients into a blender or food processor and run until whipped smooth.

Serve your favorite homemade fries. 

Easy Middle Eastern Chicken Thighs

Ingredients:
4-6 Chicken Thighs
1/2 red or yellow onion, thinly sliced
Middle Eastern Spice Blend
1 tablespoon olive oil or coconut oil
juice of 1 lime

Directions:
Pour spice blend into a bowl. Place chicken thighs in the bowl and mix till thighs are covered.
Pour 1 tablespoon olive oil into a skillet/sauce pan with a lid. Warm oil place onions and chicken thighs in to the pan. Top with lime juice. 
Allow chicken to cook on medium heat till completely cooked. 

*Or grill if the outdoor conditions allow. Or bake if you prefer it!

Serving Suggestions:
Over a bed of spinach with a fresh slaw salad.
Over a scoop of brown rice with steamed veggies or a fresh salad.
In a warm pita with Cacik (yogurt sauce) and sweet potato fries.