Tomato Basil Marinara

The simplest recipe of all for a nutritious dinner for the family on the go is Urban Ladle Tomato Basil Marinara. Lisa makes this busy winter evenings but it is just as refreshing any time of the year! Pair it with a nice crisp salad made with fixings from your garden and some fresh homemade bread, and you have a healthy and tasty meal.

Here is the recipe:

Simmer a quart of Urban Ladle Tomato Basil Soup with a can of tomato paste until it reaches the desired thickness. Add your favorite thawed beef, turkey, or veggie meatballs. Continue to cook until the meatballs are hot. Lisa likes to serve this yummy mixture over zucchini noodles but it is delicious no matter what your preference. Add your favorite cheese as a topping.

A robust red wine is the perfect complement to this updated Italian meal.

Chicken Tortilla Quesadilla

Yep, another Mexican goody that can easily be made from Urban Ladle Soup. A quick-and-healthy quesadilla starts with our Chicken Tortilla Soup. This is Lisa's husband's favorite snack now that she has convinced him that there is a big, wide world beyond red meat.

Here is the recipe:

Combine warm, drained Chicken Tortilla Soup, sour cream, Mexican cheese, 1/4 diced jalapeño, and cilantro in a bowl.  Place a flour tortilla in a skillet coated with cooking spray. Spread the Chicken Tortilla mixture evenly over the tortilla and place another tortilla on top.  Cook until both sides are browned. Garnish with sour cream, salsa, and avocado.

The hubster likes this with Patron on the rocks. We agree.

Turkey Chili Nachos

Turkey Chili Nachos are a big hit when Lisa's kids bring friends home. (She has also been known to reserve a generous portion for herself.) Of course, she makes traditional nachos a healthy treat by using only the freshest ingredients. Some of it from her own garden! 

Here is the recipe:

Bake a hefty serving of your favorite tortilla chips at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes, or until nice and warm. Pile them onto a large platter. Top these with hot Urban Ladle Turkey Chili that has been drained. Add cilantro, sour cream, guacamole, or sliced avocados, jalapeños, pica de gallo, green onions, and cheddar cheese. Toss in some fresh tomatoes from your garden.

Lisa likes to pair hers with a nice, crisp rosé but her kids say that a local craft beer is the way to go. Your choice.

Turkey Chili Tacos

What is yummier than a healthy taco in the summertime? Lisa has a super easy way for you to create something tasty and fresh for your gathering by simply starting with Urban Ladle Turkey Chili. This is great too for a quick dinner on the fly for a busy family.

Here is the recipe:

Heat up a quart of Urban Ladle Turkey Chili. Top the hot mixture with sour cream and sharp cheddar cheese. Add in avocado, lime, and cilantro, and really, anything else that strikes you as a good addition. Have tomatoes and lettuce in your garden? Wash up a big bunch. Black olives or extra black beans? Why not? Pile all of this high into your favorite hard taco shells or wrap it up in a flour tortilla.

Blend a few frosty margaritas and you're all set.

Chicken Tortilla Dip

Summer is the perfect time to gather family and friends on the patio for food, drinks, and good cheer. Lisa likes to host informal gatherings at her cottage on Lake Michigan. A favorite snack, one that is always requested, is her famous Chicken Tortilla Dip made with (what else?) Urban Ladle Chicken Tortilla Soup.

Urban Ladle's Chicken Tortilla Soup makes a super easy, really yummy and healthy dip for whole-grain chips and veggies. Serve it with some icy Dos Equis or frosty margaritas.

Here is the recipe:

Simply take one quart of hot Urban Ladle Chicken Tortilla Soup and add 1/4 cup of sour cream, 1/2 cup grated sharp cheddar, one tablespoon of your favorite hot sauce, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, and 1/4 cup chopped green onions. Stir it gently.

Top it with sliced jalapeños and enjoy!