Author: Ashley

Oreo Pancakes

Oreo Pancakes

If you like pancakes and you enjoy Oreos then this is a recipe you have to try.  These pancakes feature Dutch processed cocoa and crushed Oreos.  I topped mine with Nutella hazelnut spread, vanilla Greek yogurt, and crushed Oreos.  My children topped their pancakes with 

Lightened up Tator Tot Casserole

Lightened up Tator Tot Casserole

This is a recipe many adults grew up eating.  I was craving comfort food, so I prepped this and stuck it in the oven after school on one of our oh so busy weeknights.  I used lean ground beef, but you can use any ground 

Nutella Stuffed Peanut Butter Banana Muffins

Nutella Stuffed Peanut Butter Banana Muffins

My youngest son fell in love with Nutella when we were staying in a hotel recently and enjoying complimentary breakfasts for a few days.  These muffins are a peanut butter and banana base with a teaspoon of Nutella in the center.  I topped these muffins with two dark chocolate espresso beans for an extra energy boost.  Note: Semi-frozen Nutella is a delicious dessert or snack.

Ingredients:

1 cup coconut flour

½ cup powdered peanut butter

¼ cup vanilla protein powder

¼ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk

3 bananas mashed

1 banana sliced

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

¼ cup packed dark brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 large egg whites

1 teaspoon Nutella per muffin

Optional: dark chocolate espresso beans or sliced banana for topping

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and spray muffin tins with nonstick spray.
  2. Line a small baking sheet with parchment spray.  Place teaspoons of Nutella a few inches apart on the baking sheet.  Place in the freezer to harden while you prep the muffin batter.
  3. Mash the bananas in a stand mixer.  Add in the egg whites, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and milk.
  4. Whisk the flour, powdered peanut butter, vanilla protein powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
  5. Gradually fold the dry ingredients in with the wet ingredients.
  6. Use a medium muffin scooper to put a ball of the muffin mixture in each muffin tin. Gently press down to flatten. 
  7. Top each muffin with a teaspoon of the frozen Nutella.  
  8. Use the muffin scooper to cover the Nutella and gently press down.
  9. Top each muffin with espresso beans or a banana slice.
  10. Bake 22-25 minutes until muffins are cooked through.
  11. Let muffins cool in a muffin tin for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
  12. Let cool completely before transferring to an air-tight container.
  13. Enjoy!
Fried Onion and A1 Meatloaf

Fried Onion and A1 Meatloaf

This is meatloaf is packed with flavor, yet is still on the healthy side as I used extra lean ground beef, oatmeal, and shredded carrots to add nutrients to the filling.  I used A1 sauce and topped with fried onions for a crunch. Ingredients: 1 

Peanut Butter Stuffed Banana Muffins

Peanut Butter Stuffed Banana Muffins

Banana muffins are one of my favorite types of muffins, but I get bored easily so I am always mixing things up.  These muffins are stuffed with peanut butter and topped with a banana slice. Ingredients: 1 cup coconut flour ½ cup powdered peanut butter 

Mexican Cheese Soup (Queso Soup)

Mexican Cheese Soup (Queso Soup)

This may not be the healthiest recipe, but OMG is it good.  My son’s love to dip Tostito chips in this and I try to make it healthier by dipping fresh vegetables in this.  This is a great dish for football parties too. 

Ingredients:

1 pound lean ground beef

1 can Rotel diced tomatoes with chilies

2 bell peppers diced

1 cup frozen corn

16 ounces Velveeta cheese

Directions:

  1. Brown ground beef and drain.
  2. Add ground beef, tomatoes, corn, and diced peppers to a crock pot. 
  3. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Add Velveeta cheese the last 15-20 minutes and stir it in as it melts.
  4. Serve with Tostitos chips or fresh veggies (carrots, celery, broccoli, etc)
  5. Enjoy!
Corn Casserole

Corn Casserole

Corn pudding is a side dish I enjoy, but I don’t make often.  This is a healthy recipe from Beachbody that I really enjoyed.  Ingredients: 1 can whole corn drained 1 can creamed corn 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 1 cup cornmeal 1 cup plain 

Sweet and Spicy Air Fried Carrots

Sweet and Spicy Air Fried Carrots

I love roasted carrots, so these air fried carrots have become my new favorite side dish.  These carrots have the same caramelized delicious flavor you get from slowly roasting carrots in the oven and yet they take only 10-15 minutes to prepare. Ingredients: 1 pound 

Honey Lime Grilled Flounder and Black Bean and Mexican Corn Salad

Honey Lime Grilled Flounder and Black Bean and Mexican Corn Salad

This was a simple dinner to throw together yet it was packed with flavor.  I used a mixture of fresh limes and bottled key lime juice.

Ingredients:

Fish-

6 flounder filets

2 tablespoons honey

2 limes juiced and zested

2 tablespoons key lime balsamic vinegar (optional)

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Black Bean and Mexican Corn Salad-

1 can black beans rinsed and drained

1 can Mexican corn drained

2 tablespoons honey

2 tablespoons key lime juice

2 tablespoons key lime balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon cumin

Directions:

  1. Prepare marinade for fish. Whisk honey, lime juice and zest, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar in a bowl.  Soak fish for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight.
  2. Preheat grill to high heat.  Remove fish from the marinade.  Grill 2-3 minutes per side.  Drizzle marinade on the fish as it grills to add in extra flavor.
  3. To prepare black bean and corn salad add all ingredients to a medium bowl.  Mix well. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
  4. To serve add black bean and corn salad to a bowl and top with a grilled flounder filet.
  5. Enjoy!
Strawberry Shortbread Pie

Strawberry Shortbread Pie

This pie is simple to make, yet it tastes delicious.  If you are looking for a light, chilled, refreshing dessert you can whip up in a few minutes then this is the dish for you. Ingredients: 1 shortbread pie crust 1 can strawberry pie filling