Easy No Sugar Tomato Sauce

This recipe comes from a blog called "Fix Approved". I use it as pizza sauce and as pasta sauce. It freezes well, too!

Ingredients:

• 1 (29 oz) can tomato puree
• 1 (29 oz) can crushed tomoates
• 1 T. dried basil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp. ground black pepper
• ¼ tsp. salt
• 1 T. dried oregano
• ¼ tsp. dried rosemary

Directions:

1. Pour both cans of tomatoes in a large saucepan. Heat over low heat.
2. Mix all of the seasonings in and stir well. 
3. Let sauce simmer for at least an hour.
4. Enjoy!

Colorful Vegetable Fajitas

This recipe comes from AllRecipes. Instead of using red onion, I caramelized some onions (my favorite part of the dish!). I also added homemade fajita seasoning. Next time, I would also slice my veggies and then cut them in half so they don't overwhelm the tortilla. You can serve on tortillas with cheese, sour cream, and guacamole (or whatever your like) or make it into a fajita bowl sans tortillas. It would also be good with black beans added.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and sliced into strips
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced into strips
• 1 yellow squash, halved and sliced into strips
• ½ cup salsa
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon fajita seasoning
• ½ teaspoon salt

Directions

1. In a large skillet, melt butter and heat olive oil together.
2. Add sliced onion and sautee until caramelized.
3. Remove onions from pan and keep warm.
4. Add peppers to pan and stir. Cover and reduce heat to medium and cook for 5 minutes.
5. Stir in squash, salsa, cumin, and salt. Cover and cook for 5 minutes. Serve hot.

Quinoa Burgers

This recipe comes from a blog called Eating Well, Living Thin. These turned out well. I made a few minor changes from the original recipe. I upped the salt, cut the sugar, and used whole wheat flour instead of all purpose.

Ingredients

• 1 cup uncooked quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 1 teaspoon salt, divided
• ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup cottage cheese
• 1 cup shredded zucchini, squeezed dry (about 1-2, depending on size)
• 3 eggs
• 3 tablespoons whole wheat flour
• 2 green onions, white and green parts
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
• ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
• Olive oil for frying

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan, bring the water, quinoa, and ½ teaspoon salt to a boil over high heat.
2. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 18-20 minutes or until all water is absorbed and the seeds are tender. Allow to cool for a few minutes.
3. In a large bowl, combine quinoa, cheeses, zucchini, eggs, flour, green onions, and spices.
4. Heat a tablespoon or two of olive oil over medium-low heat. 
5. Using a ¼ cup measuring cup, drop mixture into pan and lightly flatten to about ½ inch thick.
6. Cook until golden-brown, about 4 or 5 minutes, on each side.