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Caffeine in Tea vs Coffee: What You Need to Know

At the St. Paul Farmers’ Market, I sell both caffeinated teas and caffeine-free herbal blends (tisanes), and caffeine content is one of deciding factors in purchasing tea. The answer depends on which tea, how you brew it, and how your body processes caffeine. Here’s what I tell my customers. Quick Summary: Tea has less caffeine …

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Creamy Cheeseburger Soup with Dill Pickles

I didn’t expect this recipe for a cheeseburger and pickle soup to be so good. It’s my husband’s concoction and it is certainly nothing fancy, but boy did it hit the trifecta: budget-friendly, quick & easy, and full of flavor! Such a nice addition to cold-weather cooking. It comes together in under an hour, stretches …

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Italian White Bean, Kale, and Sausage Stew (Slow Carb)

Quick Summary: A creamy rustic Italian stew with cannellini beans, andouille sausage, and Tuscan kale in a velvety broth. High protein, nutrient-dense, and compliant with slow-carb diets. Comes together in under an hour. Prep: 20 min | Cook: 30 min | Serves: 8 Jump to: RECIPE | Key Ingredients | Step by Step | More …

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Mexican Chili: Turkey, Squash, Poblanos & Black Beans

Quick Summary: A Mexican-style slow cooker chili with turkey (or leftover Thanksgiving turkey), butternut squash, poblano peppers, and black beans. Smoky depth comes from ancho and chipotle chile powder. Prep: 30 min | Cook: 6 hours (slow cooker) | Serves: 6 This Mexican-style turkey chili is great for using up Thanksgiving leftovers, but it’s also …

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Louisiana Seafood Gumbo with Okra (No Filé Powder or Roux)

My mom grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana, and her seafood gumbo was a staple of my childhood, even though I grew up in the Pacific Northwest. Moving to the Midwest and starting a produce farm meant trying a lot of new veggies, one of which was okra. Okra, of course, is a key ingredient of …

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Pork Chile Colorado with Cactus (Nopales)

Quick Summary: A distinctive variation of chile colorado featuring tender pork and fresh cactus paddles (nopales). The nopales add a bright, slightly tangy contrast to the rich red chile sauce. Includes video tutorial on removing cactus thorns. Uses a spice blend for easier preparation. Prep: 40 min | Cook: 40 min | Serves: 4 This …

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Birria de Res: Mexican Beef Stew with Consommé

Quick Summary: Rich, deeply spiced Mexican beef stew braised until fall-apart tender. The meat and consommé (braising broth) work together as both a stew and the base for birria quesatacos. Made with chuck roast and short ribs for the richest broth. Traditional celebration food from Jalisco, now popular across the US. Prep: 30 min | …

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Tuscan White Bean and Sausage Stew with Cabbage (Slow Carb, 30 Minutes)

Quick Summary: A hearty Italian stew with Italian sausage, cannellini beans, and braised cabbage in a light cream sauce. Ready in 30 minutes, slow carb compliant (without panko topping), and freezes well for batch cooking. Prep: 10 min | Cook: 35 min | Serves: 6 Jump to: Recipe. | Ingredients | Soup vs Stew vs …

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Osso Buco with Lamb Shanks: A Classic Italian Braised Stew

Osso Buco is a go-to cold-weather comfort food at our house. The name means “hollowed bone” in Italian, referring to the marrow-filled shank that gives the stew its rich, silky texture. While the traditional version uses veal, I prefer lamb shanks for both ethical and practical reasons. Beef shanks and oxtail also work well. The …

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Easy French Bouillabaisse with Fennel and Orange Zest

Bouillabaisse is a hearty French seafood stew, similar to cioppino but further characterized by adding saffron and a fish stock/white wine base as the broth. Fennel and orange peels are also ingredients that are common to a French bouillabaisse and are included in the recipe below. This easy but elegant low-carb bouillabaisse is great for …

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