I was told there wasn't enough beef on this blog, so Bob, if you're reading this, this one's for you!

When I was a kid, I used to love going to a certain friend's house because her mom always made shepherd's pie for dinner.  Beef, veggies, cream of mushroom soup, mashed potatoes, and cheese all came together to make my favorite casserole.  My parents never made shepherd's pie, so going to my friend's house was a real treat!

But now I eat *mostly* clean, and there is nothing healthy about cream of anything soup...  So I haven't had shepherd's pie in AGES.  Until tonight, that is.  And you know what?   It was just as satisfying as I remember.  This time, though, I didn't feel bad for enjoying it.

Who doesn't love a generous helping of comfort food now and then?  And if it's healthy?  Then absolutely no guilt.

Ingredients:

• 2 lb lean ground beef (I used 90% lean)
• 1 lb frozen mixed vegetables
• 2 Tbsp minced garlic
• 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 lb frozen cauliflower florets
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup milk 
• 2 oz fat free cream cheese
• 3/4 cup shredded cheddar jack cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Add cauliflower and water to stock pot.  Bring to a boil.  Lower heat and simmer for 10 minutes or until cauliflower is soft.
3. Meanwhile, saute garlic in a large skillet for 30-45 seconds just until brown.
4. Add ground beef and Worcestershire sauce and brown well.
5. Add mixed vegetables and cook 5 minutes longer.
6. Spread beef and vegetable mixture evenly in the bottom of a 9x13 pan.
7. Add cauliflower, milk, and cream cheese to a blender or food processor.  Process until very smooth.
8. Spread cauliflower mixture over beef.  Bake, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
9. Sprinkle cheese over shepherd's pie, and enjoy!

Ok, I'm about to demonstrate exactly where in the country I am from with this simple and satisfying recipe.  How's that?  Well, you see, we enlightened people in western Pennsylvania have discovered the nirvana that is french fries on a salad.  What, you've never tried it?  Trust me, a steak salad isn't a steak salad without those yummy potato planks.  Best part?  You can totally make this salad 21 Day Fix approved.  Just don't fry those fries, and you're golden.

Ingredients:

• 3 green containers spring mix
• 1 green container vegetables of choice (I used cucumbers and tomatoes)
• 1 red container of chopped steak
• 1 yellow container steak fries, baked according to package directions
• 1 blue container of cheddar cheese
• 1 orange container of dressing of choice

Directions:

Layer all ingredients, being sure to leave the fries and cheese for the top.  The heat from the fries melts the cheese into gooey goodness.

Some days you just want an old standby.  But some days you want an "old standby" with a little extra character.  This meatloaf fits the bill!  It's a little spicy but still warm and comforting.  It's your standard meatloaf, with a twist!

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds lean ground turkey
• 2 cups fresh spinach (approximately a 5-6 oz package)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 3/4 cup bread crumbs
• fresh basil to taste (I used almost 1/4 cup, torn)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl.  I will admit, I find the easiest way to do this is to use my (clean) hands to smush (is smush a word?) everything together uniformly.
3. Form the mixture into a loaf.  
4. Bake on a rack on a shallow pan for 35-45 minutes.
5. Serve with extra ketchup, if desired.