Marinara Sauce

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 (28-ounce each) cans crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 tablespoon dried basil
• 1/2 tablespoon dried oregano
• 2 dried bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter (optional) 

Instructions

1. In a large pot, heat the oil over medium heat until hot and rippling. Add the onion and garlic and saute, stirring very frequently, until the onion is soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the celery and carrots and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until all the vegetables are slightly tender, about 5 minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano and bay leaves and simmer, covered, on low heat for 1 hour, stirring occasionally to make sure the sauce isn’t sticking to the bottom of the pot, until slightly thickened and the vegetables are completely tender. Stir in the brown sugar. Taste the sauce. Add salt and pepper as needed. Add the butter and stir to combine if you want to round out the flavors and add a dimension of silkiness.
2. Remove the bay leaves. In a blender or food processor, blend the sauce (in several batches, if necessary) until it is smooth. The sauce can be frozen once it is cooled completely in freezer-safe ziploc bags for up to 6 months.

Yield: 7 cups of sauce

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

https://www.melskitchencafe.com/classic-marinara-sauce/

Tzatziki Sauce

Ingredients: 

• Drizzle of olive oil
• Pinch of black pepper
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic, finely minced or pressed through a garlic press
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/2 cup grated cucumber (seedless variety)
• 1 cup plain yogurt

Directions:

Mix in a medium bowl, stir together the yogurt, cucumber, feta cheese, garlic, lemon juice, salt and pepper until combined. Drizzle with a bit of olive oil. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Found on Mel's Kitchen:

https://www.melskitchencafe.com/falafel-meatball-wrap/ 

Sweet Chili Chicken with Pineapple Salsa

Chicken:

Juice from 1 large lime (2-3 Tbls)

1 1/2 Tbls Curry Powder

2 tsp veg or Olive Oil

1 lb chicken tenders (about 8)

Salt 

Black pepper

Lime wedges (opt)

Salsa:

1 1/2 Cups diced pineapple

1/4 Cup  or less of thinly sliced red onion

1 avocado, diced

1 Tbls fresh lime juice

3 Tbls cilantro, chopped

Pinch of salt

Sauce:

3 Tbls Sweet Chili Sauce

1 Tbls honey

1 1/2 tsp Soy Sauce

1 Tbls warm water

Chicken directions:

Place lime juice, curry powder and oil in a large zip top bag and shake lightly to combine.  Add chicken tenders and marinate at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours.  Preheat grill to medium high heat and oil grill grates.  Remove chicken from marinade and sprinkle both sides lightly with salt and pepper. Grill chicken about 3 minutes on each side or until internal temp registers 165 degrees F.

Salsa direction:

Combine all salsa ingredients and gently toss to combine.  Refrigerate until ready to use.

Sauce directions:

Combine sweet chili sauce, honey, soy sauce and warm water and whisk with a fork until smooth.

To Serve:

Plate grilled chicken tenders, top with salsa and drizzle with sauce.  Serve with lime wedges if desired. (Can serve with rice - See Sweet and Savory Coconut Rice Recipe)

Note: sweet chili sauce can be found in the Asian food section of a grocery store (Thai Kitchen is a popular brand found in most locations)