Easy Chicken Coconut Lime Soup with Rice

Whoohoo, I created a delicious dinner during this social isolation period (and actually a freakishly rainy and cold spring day) out of what I had on hand! I can’t really call it traditional Tom Kha Gai but it is INSPIRED by my favorite Thai soup.  It’s super comforting and I’m calling it Quarantine Chicken Coconut Lime Soup with Rice.

Chicken Coconut Lime Soup with rice

Read on to get this easy soup recipe that uses many ingredients you are likely to already have on hand. Continue reading

Crunchy Cabo Coleslaw

Nothing says summer side dish more than coleslaw, and there are so many tasty takes on it! My Crunchy Cabo Coleslaw adds vibrant color and a limey-spicy bite to your special summer events . . . or any ole night.

Crunchy Cabo Coleslaw

Read on to get the recipe and all the deets! Continue reading

Slow Cooker Beef Meatballs with Sriracha Lime Sauce

Disclaimer: I was provided compensation for the development of this recipe and my time at #FreshSummit, however this blog post, my opinions and enthusiasm are provided complementary! 

Jennifer Fisher of TheFitFork.com at Litehouse Foods booth PMA Fresh Summit 2016

 I was in Orlando earlier in the month for Fresh Summit 2016, a massive trade show that brings together produce industry peeps from around the world to showcase innovation, provide inspiration and track trends. With more than 1,100 exhibitors on the expo floor, there were fruits, veggies, nuts, and fresh packaged foods at every turn. But, were there meatballs? Why, yes, there were!

litehouse-pma-booth-menu-2016That’s right; I was cooking up a storm again for Litehouse Foods in their beautiful, backyard inspired booth. With football playing on the big screen, a spread of apple cider and snacks, and good eats coming from the kitchen (including my Sriracha Lime Meatballs), this was the ultimate homey hangout.

 

Sriracha Lime Dressing over meatballsHopefully in your house, the crowd gathering for these (Slow Cooker) Beef Meatballs with Sriracha Lime Sauce will not be smaller than at the packed expo. Although, there WILL be a  crowd (just sayin’) becase this super simple, slow cooker recipe is a real weekend AND weeknight winner.  Just toss in a short list of ingredients into a Crock Pot, pour over a bottle of their new Srirarcha Lime Dressing and walk away. In a couple hours, you’ve got the ultimate football party appetizer to skewer up on toothpicks or a fusion-inspired, “take-out” take off dinner that you can serve with the slow cooker sauce over rice. My kids loved it!

Slow Cooker Beef Meatballs with Sriracha Lime Sauce is a super simple, easy party appetizer or easy weeknight main dish.

The Sriracha Lime Dressing is a new “sweet heat” product from Litehouse Foods that you can find in the fridge shelves of your produce department – they also make a Mango Habanero version. What I love about these two dressings is that they are super flavorful without being off the charts hot, only have 20 calories per serving, and are made with fresh ingredients that you’ve heard of – no weird chemicals or preservatives. You can also try this dressing as a glaze on chicken, dip for your spring rolls, or drizzle for your salads and wraps.

*I’ve also provided alternate instructions for the sauce in case you can’t find this dressing.

far-east-sriracha-lime-meatballs

 

far-east-sriracha-lime-meatball-appetizerServe meatballs over rice for supper or on a little bed of rainbow slaw for a healthy, balanced appetizer!

 

 

 

 

 

What are you cooking in your slow cooker these days? Can you take the heat or do you like things milder? Big plans, races, events for fall — I’m doing a Spartan Beast this weekend!  Please share in the comments below – XOXO, Jennifer 

(Slow Cooker) Beef Meatballs with Sriracha Lime Sauce
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
3 mins
Total Time
13 mins
 
Get the party (or dinner) started in spicy-sweet style with this crazy easy recipe that uses frozen meatballs and salad dressing. Lots of protein, low carb.
Course: Appetizer, Main Dish
Cuisine: Asian, Southern
Servings: 6 servings dinner
Ingredients
  • 1 26- oz package frozen “homestyle” mini meatballs (1/2-ounce each)
  • 1/2 cup finely diced yellow bell pepper
  • 1 large seeded, finely diced jalapeno pepper
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1/2 cup chopped red onion
  • 1/3 cup soy sauce
  • 1 12-oz bottle Litehouse Foods Sriracha Lime Dressing* *dressing swap instructions in last recipe step
Instructions
  1. Place frozen meatballs in 4-qt slow cooker. Add bell pepper, jalapeno, garlic, red onion, soy sauce and Sriracha Lime Dressing and mix to coat.
  2. Place lid on slow cooker and cook on high for 2 to 4 hours., stirring at halfway point. Serve on a toothpick as an appetizer. Or, serve with rice or noodles along with sauce in slow cooker for a meal. 
  3. *If you can’t find the dressing, swap for this mixture whisked together in a bow: 3/4 cup water, 1/4 cup lime juice, ¼ cup rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons Sriracha sauce, 2 tablespoons ketchup, 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 teaspoons corn starch, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro.   

Thai Coconut Shrimp with Finger Limes ( a freaky little fruit )

Finger Lime Coconut Shrimp Soup made in the style of Tom Kha Gai

What do you do with these weird little limes? They’re called Finger Limes and also “citrus caviar” because of the caviar-like bubbles of tangy citrus pulp on the inside. Exotic fruit afficianaos describe the favor as “tart, lemon-lime with slight herbaceous notes.”  These little-bitty limes hail from Australia’s coastal and rainforest areas – but are also now grown as a specialty product in California.Finger Lime - Citrus CaviarAn enthusiastic citrus-squeezer could make mini margaritas, but I’m saving that as treat to look forward to after my Spartan Beast Dallas race on October 31st (talk about a scary Halloween)!  Tonight I’m sharing a version of a favorite soup, Tom Kha Gai – you know, that spicy Thai soup with chicken and coconut milk. But, I’m doing huge shrimp and lots of limes – it’s a winner, winner for an easy and exotic dinner. You’re going to love this Thai Coconut Shrimp Soup with Finger Limes, especially now that the weather is cooler. If you don’t have finger limes, just swap in two limes sliced thinly and then into quarters. Also, I’ve used a LOT of Instantly Fresh herbs in here (so convenient and next best thing to fresh) — but feel free to swap in fresh chopped if you prefer.Thai Coconut Shrimp Soup with Finger Limes

 

What is your favorite soup? What is your favorite Thai dish? Would you eat soup for breakfast? What’s the weirdest fruit you’ve ever tried? Please share in the comments — XOXO, Jennifer

Thai Coconut Shrimp Soup with Finger Limes
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
30 mins
 
This delicious Thai soup is a quick fix and satisfies tastes for spicy and slightly sweet! The finger limes are a delicious addition that makes dinner pop. If you don't have finger limes, just swap in 2 regular limes sliced thinly and quartered.
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Asian
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1/2 pint finger limes, sliced thin with peel on
  • 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined but leave tail on
  • 1 15-ounce can lite coconut milk (NOT the coconut milk sold as a beverage in the chilled section)
  • 8 ounces seafood or vegetable stock
  • 1 tbsp Instantly Fresh lemon grass or fresh chopped
  • 1 tsp fresh grated ginger
  • 1 small thai chile
  • 1 tsp Instantly Fresh Mint or fresh chopped
  • 1 tsp Instantly Fresh Basil or fresh chopped
  • 1 tbsp fish sauce
  • salt to taste
Instructions
  1. Add coconut oil to medium-sized stock pot and saute for approximately 1 minute, or until softened. Add stock to pot along with lemongrass, ginger, mint, basil, chili, and limes.
  2. Simmer for 10 minutes. Add in the coconut milk and simmer for another 10 minutes. Salt to taste.
  3. Add in the shrimp and simmer for 8-10 minutes. Serve warm.

Lime Pie Smoothie + Blender Giveaway

Healthy Surprise Lime Pie Smoothie features hemp seeds and spinach for extra nutrition!Lime pie, don’t you just love this sweet, tart and tasty treats?! A big slice of Key Lime pie or the fabulous lime sherbet pie my mom used to make always reminds me of warm-weather memories and how sweet the slower pace of summer can be. Wouldn’t it be grand if summers were endless and we could all kick back on the lawn or hang out at the lake with the biggest worry in life being a bit of sunburn or not being able to get out of the hammock to fish before dinner?!

Enjoying some relaxing family time at the lake.

Enjoying some relaxing family time at the lake.

But, eventually, we all have to get back to the daily grind! But, my recipe for {Healthy Surprise} Lime Pie Smoothies is a delicious and nutritious way to fuel up for the day while serving as a reminder to slow down and smell the saltwater, chase the fireflies or just sit back on the patio and wait for the rainbow to appear over the sprinklers. The recipe for this protein smoothie features protein powder (use your favorite brand) and a tablespoon of hemp hearts for added protein and heart-healthy fats.  I like to have about 25g protein in my smoothies, but you can also just skip the protein powder scoop and cut back the milk an ounce or two.

Relax, Hamilton Beach's Wave Action Blender is ready to whip you up a smoothie, shake or icy drink this summer!

hamilton beach wave blender If you love to make smoothies, shakes and icy drinks (the most important refreshments of summer), the powerful and durable Hamilton Beach® Wave~Action® Blender will keep you whirling without any annoying chunks!  Ordinary blenders spin contents around the walls of the jar, which can leave whole chunks untouched by the blades. But, the unique Wave~Action® System is designed to continually force the mixture down into the blades for consistently smooth results.

 

blender lid spout

Other features I appreciated about this blender(and you’re sure to love, too) are an easy-pour spout,  700 watt motor, stir spoon for thick foods and dishwasher-safe 48-ounce glass jar.

So, YAY, I get to give one of these blenders away to a lucky reader – just enter via the Rafflecopter instructions below the recipe!

This Lime Pie Smoothie has a surprise -- spinach and hemp seeds for a boost of nutrition.

Healthy Surprise Lime Pie Smoothie Recipe

  • 12 ounces unsweetened coconut, soy or almond milk
  • 1 scoop vanilla protein powder of choice
  • 1 tablespoon hemp hearts (hulled hemp seeds)
  • ½ medium frozen banana
  • One large lime, zested and juiced
  • ½ cup packed spinach leaves
  • Stevia or honey to taste
  • Garnish – yogurt, lime slices

Add hemp seeds to blender and pulse for a few seconds to grind up. Add milk, frozen banana, lime juice and zest, and spinach. Blend until smooth and add stevia or honey to desired level of sweetness. If needed, add a few ice cubes and blend to create a thicker consistency. Garnish with a dollop of Greek yogurt and lime slices.  Serves 1.

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