Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

Easy weeknight meal, Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

:: Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup ::

Happy day after LABOR DAY! Sara and I started school a few weeks ago, but many of our California friends are just starting today. Though, I am extremely jealous that most of my friends were able to enjoy a few more weeks of summer, I am not envious of having to establish the back to school schedule during this incredibly hot week we have ahead. Not to worry friends, we aren’t firing up the oven or stovetop just yet, we are breaking our go to recipe for Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup.

[Read more…]

Watermelon Salsa

Watermelon Salsa - a simple, yet flavorful appetizer for your summer festivities! (recipe on simplyhappenstance.com)Watermelon Salsa //

There’s nothing better than a quick and simple homemade salsa! The flavors are robust and so fresh with a medley of vegetables, cilantro, and…. WATERMELON (the secret ingredient that has made this my new summertime favorite)! 

Watermelon Salsa - a summertime favorite (recipe via simplyhappenstance.com)-23

This Watermelon Salsa is delicious served as an appetizer with some salty tortilla chips … or it can be used as a fresh topping on poultry or fish. (I even love eating it completely plain — straight out of the bowl with a spoon!) You can even add a heaping spoonful into the center of a sliced avocado and eat it for lunch. (YUM!)

Watermelon Salsa - a summertime favorite (recipe via simplyhappenstance.com)-12

The salsa will remind you of your favorite pico de gallo, only better! The sweet bites of watermelon… combined with chopped bell peppers, jalapeño, red onion, and cilantro balance the amazing flavors present in the dish!

Watermelon Salsa - a summertime favorite (recipe via simplyhappenstance.com)-32

Not only is it clean and healthy… it’s pretty to look at, too! Don’t you think? 

Watermelon Salsa - a summertime favorite (recipe via simplyhappenstance.com)-35

This Watermelon Salsa would taste fabulous with roasted corn, black beans, chunks of fresh avocado, or sliced cherry tomatoes thrown in the mix. (I love a recipe that’s easy to customize according to what you have on hand!) It’s the perfect appetizer to bring to an upcoming Fourth of July Party or summertime soiree! Enjoy, friends!
Watermelon Salsa - a summertime favorite (recipe via simplyhappenstance.com)-55

Watermelon Salsa - a deliciously simple appetizer perfect for all of your summer festivities! (Recipe on simplyhappenstance.com)! #FourthofJuly #HomemadeSalsa #Watermelon
Print Recipe

Watermelon Salsa

This tasty Watermelon Salsa is filled with healthy, fresh ingredients! It's a simple Fourth of July appetizer or summer potluck dish!
Prep Time15 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Servings: 8 -12
Author: Simply Happenstance adapted from Pioneer Woman

Ingredients

  • 1/2 whole Small Seedless Watermelon Diced
  • 1/2 whole Red Onion Diced
  • 1 whole Red Bell Pepper Seeded and Diced
  • 1 whole Green Bell Pepper Seeded and Diced
  • 1 whole Yellow Bell Pepper Seeded and Diced
  • 2 whole Jalapeños Seeded and Diced
  • 1 whole Bunch Fresh Cilantro Chopped
  • 1-2 whole Limes Juiced
  • 1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt

Instructions

  • Combine all prepared ingredients in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Give it a good stir and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Keeps for one day, so get those chips ready!
  • *Optional ingredients // sliced avocado, sliced cherry tomatoes, black beans, and/or roasted corn.

Notes

Serve fresh salsa with tortilla chips for an appetizer, or scoop into one half of an avocado and eat for lunch! Also delicious as a topping for poultry and fish.
Original recipe from The Pioneer Woman // https://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2013/06/watermelon-pico-de-gallo/

 

Watermelon Salsa - a summertime favorite (recipe via simplyhappenstance.com)-81

sarasignature3 copy

Beet Caprese Salad

Beet Caprese SaladBeet Caprese Salad //

Oh, don’t you just love that summer is approaching rather quickly? Even though we are only in the midst of this spring season, I am eagerly awaiting pretty summer days… filled with lazy pajama mornings, no frantic schedule, loads of time with the kids, endless amounts of sunshine, and light tasty dishes enjoyed alfresco! How about you?

Beet Caprese Salad Recipe via Simply Happenstance #capresesalad #beets

This light Beet Caprese Salad is the perfect dish to accompany a warm day! I’ve had variations of it recently, while dining out. I decided to start lunching on this homemade salad during our Spring Break, since I had a little more time to focus on healthy meals. The combination of fresh vegetables, flavorful basil, creamy burrata cheese, crunchy pine nuts and slightly tangy balsamic dressing is brilliant! Your tastebuds will surely do a happy dance! 

Beet Caprese Salad via Simply Happenstance

Beet Caprese Salad with a Balsamic Dressing (recipe on Simply Happenstance)

The preparation takes mere minutes if you start with pre-cooked beets (that would be my recommendation to you). I bought them in the refrigerator section at Trader Joe’s. The rest of the ingredients you can slice and layer into a bowl or platter to serve. You can omit the spinach leaves altogether, and serve this deliciousness as an appetizer (by itself), or as a topping on warm grilled bread to make bruschetta. 

Beet Caprese Salad (via Simply Happenstance)

Regardless of how you decide to serve/eat it… you will be delighted! The freshness of the ingredients and robustness of flavor really shines through! 

Print Recipe

Beet Caprese Salad

This deliciously fresh Beet Caprese Salad makes for an excellent first course or light lunch during the warmer months of the year!
Prep Time10 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Lunch or Dinner
Cuisine: Salad
Servings: 2
Author: Simply Happenstance

Ingredients

  • SALAD //
  • 1/2 pound beets approx. 2-3 medium // scrubbed, steamed, cooled and sliced
  • 1 ripe avocado // skinned and cut into bite-sized chunks
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes or 1/2 pound heirloom tomatoes // sliced
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil // chopped or left whole
  • 8 oz. fresh burrata cheese //drained and cut into 3/4-inch pieces
  • 1/8 - 1/4 cup roasted pine nuts
  • 2 cups of fresh spinach // rinsed and dried
  • BALSAMIC DRESSING //
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • sea salt and ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • DRESSING //
  • Add the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper together in a glass jar with a lid. Replace lid on the jar and shake vigorously until thoroughly combined OR mix in a small bowl using a fork to combine. Set aside or refrigerate until ready to use.
  • SALAD //
  • In a medium-sized bowl or platter, layer salad ingredients starting with the fresh spinach leaves.
  • Add the sliced beets, avocado, tomatoes, basil, burrata cheese, and pine nuts.
  • Drizzle on the balsamic dressing.
  • Serve and enjoy immediately!

Notes

* You can omit the spinach leaves and serve as an appetizer using the remaining ingredients. Eat this tasty beet caprese salad on its own, or serve with warm grilled bread (to make bruschetta).
* To make this recipe even easier, I purchased my beets all ready cooked and ready to eat from the refrigerator section of Trader Joe's.

 Enjoy, friends! The warm days of summer are drawing near! 
sarasignature3 copy

Classic Tuscan Soup

Classic Tuscan Soup | Simply HappenstanceClassic Tuscan Soup //

It’s winter… but I live in Southern California, so it’s not reallllllly winter! I surely can’t relate to those of you shoveling snow and bundling up in your cozy cold-weather gear. Where I live, we’ve had a few days of cooler weather, some rain, and even one day of random snow {can you believe it?}… but for the most part, we’ve had many days in the 70’s. {I’m not complaining, I assure you!}

Despite the warmer weather we’ve had this past week, I do still crave cups of soul-warming food and steaming hot beverages! This Classic Tuscan Soup completely takes care of those seasonal cravings. It’s filled with earthy, satisfying vegetables and hearty white beans. It’s a healthier soup, so for those of you eating clean… this one’s for you! [Read more…]

Favorite Fall Recipes

Favorite Family-Friendly Fall Recipes {simplyhappenstance.com}:: Favorite Fall Recipes ::

For some reason, cooking and baking in the fall is always so fulfilling for both Nicole and I. Perhaps it’s the slightly crisp, cooler air, the shorter days, or all of the family favorite holidays approaching. What ever the reason… we love to get in the kitchen and cook up some delicious comfort food!

We thought we’d share some of our favorite fall recipes with you today from our archives… a roundup of some of our seasonal favorites! We hope you enjoy them! {xo}

Recipes Pictured Above:

  1. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread with Brown Sugar Crumble
  2. Pumpkin Nutella Muffins/Loaf
  3. Holiday Yams with Brown Sugar and Pecans
  4. Creamy Corn Chowder
  5. Cheesy Tamale Pie
  6. Skillet Spiced Apple Crumble
  7. Salsa Verde Turkey Chili

[Read more…]

Homemade Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons

Homemade Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons {recipe on simplyhappenstance.com} #tomatosoup #grilledcheese :: Homemade Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons ::

It’s no secret that Miss Blue and I love watching the Barefoot Contessa on the Food Network. Every one of Ina’s recipes is so tasty and worthy of creating in your own home. I recently sat down with my sweet girl and watched an episode featuring this soup. It wasn’t the tomato soup that had me eager to try it out — but the grilled cheese croutons! How could anyone resist those?!

Homemade Tomato Soup w-Grilled Cheese Croutons {simplyhappenstance.com}-49

I am an avid recipe review reader. I love to read all about peoples’ likes and dislikes when it comes to a recipe I’m about to make. I definitely changed this one up a bit, adapting some of the herbs, adding a bit of sugar, and by puréeing the soup to make it even creamier. I think that you’ll love the result!  [Read more…]