Virgin Mary Smoothie Zesty Tomato & Veggie Virgin Mary Smoothie Ingredients: 2 cups tomato juice (low-sodium preferred) 1 stalk celery, chopped 1/2 cucumber, peeled and sliced 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped Juice of 1/2 lemon 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce (or to taste) 1/4 teaspoon celery salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Dash of smoked paprika (optional) Ice cubes (as needed) Celery stick or cucumber spear, for garnish Directions: In a high-speed blender, combine tomato juice, celery, cucumber, bell pepper, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, celery salt, black pepper, and paprika. Blend on high until smooth and creamy. Add a few ice cubes and blend again if you prefer a chilled smoothie. Pour into a tall glass and garnish with a celery stick or cucumber spear. Serve immediately for a refreshing, non-alcoholic take on the classic Bloody Mary. Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cooking Time: 0 minutes | Total Time: 5 minutes Kcal: 70 kcal | Servings: 2 servings #virginmary #tomatojuice #smoothierecipes #healthydrinks #mocktails #vegetablesmoothie #veganrecipes #glutenfree #plantbaseddrinks #detoxsmoothie #morningboost #noalcoholneeded #refreshingdrink #coldpressedjuice #easyrecipes #wellnessdrink #brunchrecipes #spicyrecipes #cleaneating #vitaminboost Start your day with a kick! This Virgin Mary Smoothie is a bold, savory blend of veggies and spices that’s perfect for brunch or a midday pick-me-up!

Mushroom and Spinach Alfredo Pasta Creamy Alfredo Pasta with Garlic Sautéed Mushrooms and Wilted Spinach Ingredients: 12 oz fettuccine or pasta of choice 1 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp butter 3 cloves garlic, minced 10 oz mushrooms (cremini or white button), sliced 4 cups baby spinach 1 ½ cups heavy cream 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese Salt and black pepper to taste 1/4 tsp nutmeg (optional) Extra Parmesan and parsley, for garnish Directions: Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water, drain, and set aside. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add mushrooms and cook until golden and their moisture evaporates, 6–8 minutes. Stir in the spinach and cook until just wilted, about 1–2 minutes. Pour in the cream, then stir in Parmesan and nutmeg. Simmer gently until the sauce thickens slightly. Add cooked pasta and toss to coat. Use reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot, topped with extra Parmesan and fresh parsley. Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes Kcal: 590 kcal | Servings: 4 servings #alfredopasta #mushroomalfredo #spinachpasta #creamygarlicpasta #comfortfood #pastarecipe #easyweeknightmeal #vegetarianpasta #homemadealfredo #mushroomrecipes #spinachlover #cheesypasta #italianinspired #quickdinnerideas #fettuccinealfredo #pastaandcheese #garliccream #meatlessmeal #pastawithveggies #easycomfortfood Creamy. Garlicky. Packed with mushrooms & greens This Mushroom & Spinach Alfredo Pasta is total comfort in a bowl!

California Grilled Veggie and Pesto Pasta Charred Summer Veggie Pasta with Fresh Basil Pesto Ingredients: 12 oz pasta (farfalle, penne, or rotini) 1 zucchini, sliced into rounds 1 yellow squash, sliced 1 red bell pepper, sliced 1 red onion, sliced into rings 1 tbsp olive oil Salt and pepper, to taste 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved 1/2 cup fresh basil pesto (store-bought or homemade) 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese Optional: pine nuts and fresh basil for garnish Directions: Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside. Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Toss zucchini, squash, bell pepper, and red onion in olive oil, salt, and pepper. Grill 3–4 minutes per side until charred and tender. Cut grilled vegetables into bite-sized pieces. In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, grilled vegetables, and cherry tomatoes. Toss with pesto until evenly coated. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and garnish with pine nuts and fresh basil, if using. Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled as a pasta salad. Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 35 minutes Kcal: 420 kcal | Servings: 4 servings #grilledveggies #vegetarianpasta #pestopasta #summerdinners #californiacooking #freshflavors #veggiepasta #basilpesto #easyvegetariandinner #chargrilledveggies #pastaideas #meatlessmeal #colorfulplate #mediterraneanpasta #healthycomfortfood #pastaandveggies #plantbaseddinner #homemadepesto #pastaart #seasonaleating So fresh, so grilled, so California This Grilled Veggie & Pesto Pasta is bursting with color, flavor, and feel-good vibes.

Tomato and Rice Soup Hearty Tomato and Rice Soup with Herbs and Garlic Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 medium onion, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 carrot, diced 1 celery stalk, diced 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon dried basil 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes (optional) 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes 4 cups vegetable broth 3/4 cup white rice (or brown rice) Salt and pepper to taste Fresh parsley or basil for garnish Grated Parmesan cheese (optional) Directions: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrot, and celery. Cook for 5–6 minutes until vegetables are softened. Add garlic, oregano, basil, and chili flakes. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in crushed tomatoes and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil. Add the rice, reduce heat, and simmer uncovered for 20–25 minutes, or until the rice is tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley or basil and a sprinkle of Parmesan, if desired. Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 35 minutes Kcal: 210 kcal | Servings: 4 servings #tomatoricesoup #souprecipes #comfortfood #vegetariansoup #easydinners #riceinbroth #heartymeals #souplover #tomatolovers #homecooking #herbalsoup #weeknightrecipes #souprecipeideas #veggiesoup #souphacks #plantbasedsoups #familydinners #ricebasedsoup #soupseason #simpleingredients A warm bowl of Tomato and Rice Soup is all you need on a chilly day. Comforting, herby, and hearty with just the right balance of flavors.

Beef and Oxtail Soup Slow-Simmered Beef and Oxtail Soup with Root Vegetables and Herbs Ingredients: 1 lb oxtail pieces 1 lb beef stew meat, cubed 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 large onion, chopped 3 garlic cloves, minced 2 carrots, sliced 2 celery stalks, sliced 1 large potato, cubed 1 bay leaf 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon black pepper Salt to taste 8 cups beef broth or water 2 tablespoons tomato paste Fresh parsley, for garnish Directions: Heat vegetable oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Brown oxtail and beef stew meat in batches, about 2–3 minutes per side. Remove and set aside. In the same pot, add onion and garlic. Sauté until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and cook for another 1–2 minutes. Return the meat to the pot. Add bay leaf, thyme, black pepper, and salt. Pour in beef broth or water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until meat is tender and falling off the bone. Add carrots, celery, and potatoes. Continue to simmer for another 25–30 minutes, until vegetables are soft. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley. Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 2 hours 15 minutes | Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes Kcal: 420 kcal | Servings: 6 servings #beefandoxtailsoup #heartymeals #comfortfood #slowcooked #souprecipe #winterwarmer #beefsoup #bonebroth #homemadesoup #oxtailrecipes #onepotmeals #comfortinabowl #slowcookedsoup #rootvegetables #beeflovers #familydinner #traditionalrecipes #soulfood #herbysoups #meatysoup There’s nothing like a slow-simmered Beef and Oxtail Soup to warm your soul. Tender meat, rich broth, and hearty veggies—this is comfort in a bowl!