New Recipes for the New Year (+Giveaway!)

One of our resolutions this new year is to make more of our own meals. It’s an easy way to save money, eat better, and have more fun! Getting the family together to experiment with different foods and flavors is a great way to learn about the foods you enjoy and what goes into them – as well as what stays out.

A favorite new cookbook for easy, family-friendly meals is Simply Scratch by Laurie McNamara. On a mission to cut out artificial ingredients, preservatives, colorings, and sweeteners, Laurie’s wholesome, homemade approach will show you how easy it is to make your food from scratch.

We’ve already shared a few of our favorites like her Honey-Glazed Carrots and Olive Oil Zucchini Bread, and today we're super excited to share a healthier, homemade take on everyone’s favorite snack: french fries and ketchup!  

Check out the recipes below, then enter for a chance to win your own Simply Scratch cookbook – full of 120 wholesome and homemade recipes made easy! (We've got 5 copies we can't wait to give away)

PARSNIP FRIES + HOMEMADE KETCHUP

I have an idea: the next time you’re craving french fries, why not skip over the russets and snatch up a few parsnips? They only need around 10 minutes in a hot oven and are absolutely delicious. I like to dip my parsnip fries in just about everything from Spicy Southwest Dip to this homemade Ketchup. And recently (thanks to my sister Kelly), I baked up a batch of these here fries, spooned leftover chili onto them, and topped it all with shredded cheddar cheese. So you see, not only is this a side dish, but you could easily turn it into a snack that’s perfect for the Super Bowl, a night with friends, or just for a family treat. (Chili cheese parsnip fries . . . you must.)

Parsnip Fries

Serves 4 to 6 | Total time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

2 large parsnips, peeled

2 tablespoons olive oil

¾ teaspoon flaky sea salt

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 450ºF.
2. Cut the parsnips into 2 1⁄2 by 1⁄2-inch sticks and toss them with the oil, salt, and paprika. Spread evenly onto two rimmed baking sheets and roast for 8 to 10 minutes, rotating the baking sheets halfway through cooking. Once golden brown, serve immediately.

Ketchup

Makes 2 cups | Total time: 15 minutes to overnight

Ingredients

2 (6-ounce) cans tomato paste

2 tablespoons dark brown sugar

½ teaspoon ground mustard

½ teaspoon kosher salt

1⁄8 teaspoon ground allspice

1⁄8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1⁄8 teaspoon ground cloves

1⁄8 teaspoon ground turmeric

¼ cup apple cider vinegar

1 teaspoon low-sodium Worcestershire sauce

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, combine the tomato paste, sugar, mustard, salt, allspice, cayenne, cloves, and turmeric. Pour in the vinegar, Worcestershire, and 2⁄3 cup water and stir until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
2. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or up to overnight so the flavors have a chance to develop.
3. The ketchup will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

Simply Scratch Tip

It’s easy to have fun with this ketchup recipe by adding fresh basil leaves or curry. You can up the turmeric for a fun twist, too — there are so many possibilities to make this traditional ketchup more exciting.

Ready for more wholesome, homemade recipes? Five lucky winners will receive a copy of Simply Scratch by Laurie McNamara!

To enter to win this New Recipes for the New Year giveaway, simply enter a comment by using the Rafflecopter entry form below telling us one of your goals for the new year. You also have the option (although not required) to earn two bonus entries by subscribing to our blog and following our Twitter page. No purchase is necessary to enter or to win. This giveaway is only open to U.S. residents 18 years and older. The giveaway will run until 11:59 pm PST Friday, January 15th. Five winners will be chosen at random. Odds depend on the number of eligible entries received. Click here to read the complete giveaway rules.

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