Author: Ashley

<strong>Dark Chocolate Oreo Magic Bars</strong>

Dark Chocolate Oreo Magic Bars

OMG! I made these to share with co-workers on a professional development day and the dark chocolate may have saved our sanity.  These are incredible! Ingredients: Crust- 1 package dark chocolate Oreos 4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted One 14 ounce can reduced fat sweetened condensed 

<strong>Cranberry Oatmeal Cream Cheese Bars</strong>

Cranberry Oatmeal Cream Cheese Bars

If you like cranberry, then you will love these sweet and tangy bars. Ingredients: 1 stuck unsalted butter at room temperature cut into pea sized pieces 1 cup all-purpose flour ¾ cup old fashioned oats ¼ cup firmly packed brown sugar ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon 

<strong>Butterscotch Oatmeal Cream Cheese Bars</strong>

Butterscotch Oatmeal Cream Cheese Bars

These have a citrus tang to pair down the sweetness from the butterscotch. 

Ingredients:

1 stuck unsalted butter at room temperature cut into pea sized pieces

1 cup all-purpose flour

¾ cup old fashioned oats

¼ cup firmly packed brown sugar

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 bag butterscotch chips

4 ounces reduced fat cream cheese at room temperature

½ a 14 ounce can reduced fat sweetened condensed milk

1 clementine zested and juiced

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spray an 8×8 pan with baking spray.

2. Add flour, oats, and brown sugar to a food processor.  Pulse to mix.

3. Add the butter, cinnamon, and butterscotch chips and pulse until the mixture clumps between your fingers.

4. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Press half of the mixture in the base of the dish to form a crust. Bake for 12 minutes.

5. Beat the cream cheese, condensed milk, orange zest and juice, and vanilla in a stand mixer until no lumps remain.

6. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the cooled crust.  Sprinkle the remaining half of the oatmeal mixture over the cream cheese.

7. Bake until the top is golden 20-30 minutes.

8. Cool and chill before cutting.  Run a chilled knife around the edge of the pan and then cut into squares.

9. Enjoy!

<strong>Double Chocolate Espresso Zucchini Muffins</strong>

Double Chocolate Espresso Zucchini Muffins

These are sure to wake you up and satisfy your morning chocolate cravings at the same time! Ingredients: 2 medium zucchinis grated 1 smashed avocado 1 egg at room temperature 2 tablespoons applesauce ¼ cup brown sugar ½ cup granulated sugar 1 scoop chocolate protein 

<strong>Creamy Eggplant and Pepperoni Pasta Bake</strong>

Creamy Eggplant and Pepperoni Pasta Bake

I love dishes where you can add hidden vegetables.  I told my family this was a baked pasta dish and they devoured it even asking for seconds.  I may have omitted some of the ingredients in my description but nonetheless this is a tasty and 

<strong>Lemon Zucchini Poke Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting and Lemon Filling</strong>

Lemon Zucchini Poke Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting and Lemon Filling

I threw this recipe together on a whim and let me tell you it was amazing.  This cake was perfect and a dessert I will be making again. The zucchini adds moisture to the cake and the lemon flavor from the cake, pudding, and frosting pop to make a delicious bite.

Ingredients:

Cake-

1 lemon cake box mix

3 large eggs

½ cup unsweetened applesauce

1 large zucchini (or 2 medium) shredded

Filling-

1 package lemon pudding mix

2 cups nonfat milk

Frosting-

1 package reduced fat cream cheese softened

8 ounces unsalted butter

1 lemon zested and juiced (2-3 tablespoons)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3-4 cups confectioners’ sugar

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spray cake pan with baking spray.
  2. Add cake mix, zucchini (don’t worry about squeezing out excess liquid), applesauce, and eggs to a stand mixer.  Mix until combined.
  3. Pour mixture into a 9 x13 baking pan.  Bake according to package directions.
  4. Use a wooden spoon or icing topper to make holes in the warm cake.
  5. Mix pudding mix and milk in a medium bowl.  Allow the mixture to sit for 1 minute to thicken slightly before pouring over the cake. Spread the pudding over the cake.
  6. Refrigerate the cake to allow the pudding to set and the cake to cool completely.
  7. Add cream cheese and butter to a stand mixer and beat for 2 minutes.
  8. Gradually add lemon zest, juice, extract, and sugar until the frosting reaches the desired consistency.
  9. Spread the frosting over the cake.
  10. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
  11. Enjoy!
<strong>Enchilada Skillet</strong>

Enchilada Skillet

I am all about single skillet meals on busy weeknights.  This dish was easy to prep and tasted amazing.  My 7-year-old even asked for seconds.  Ingredients: 1 boneless skinless chicken breast cut into bite size pieces ¼ red onion diced 2-4 Roma tomatoes diced 1 

<strong>Seafood Lasagna</strong>

Seafood Lasagna

This lasagna is creamy, delicious, and jam packed with seafood.  One of my favorite things about lasagna is you can prep it on a weekend and just throw it in the oven when you are ready to serve it. Ingredients: Seafood- 2 pounds shrimp peeled 

<strong>Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken with Ranch Grilled Okra and Mini Peppers</strong>

Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken with Ranch Grilled Okra and Mini Peppers

Grilled chicken is so versatile.  You can soak the chicken in any marinade and then grill up a delicious dinner in a few minutes.  I paired this with local corn on the cob and grilled okra and mini bell peppers because no meal is complete without vegetables.

Ingredients:

Chicken-

2 chicken breasts cut into thirds

½ cup honey mustard

1 tablespoon molasses

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon buffalo sauce

Vegetables-

1-2 cups mini peppers halved

1-2 cups okra trimmed

Olive oil spray (or 1-2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil)

2 or more tablespoons ranch seasoning

Directions:

  1. Mix the honey mustard, molasses, apple cider vinegar, and buffalo sauce in a medium bowl.  (Reserve ¼ cup sauce to top chicken after cooked). 
  2. Marinate the chicken by coating and soaking in the sauce for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
  3. Preheat the grill to high heat. 
  4. Remove chicken from the marinade and grill for 5-7 minutes per side until done.
  5. Spray okra and peppers with olive oil spray and sprinkle well with ranch seasoning.  Grill for 15 minutes stirring often.  (I grilled in an air fryer and added more ranch seasoning halfway through).
  6. Enjoy! I served this with local corn on the cob too. 
Honey mustard grilled chicken
Ranch grilled okra and mini bell peppers
<strong>Black Bean Brownies</strong>

Black Bean Brownies

I was craving something decadent and full of chocolate.  These brownies are rich and sinful tasting, while they are actually loaded with antioxidants and protein from the black beans.  Ingredients: ¼ cup old fashioned oats 1 15 ounce can reduced sodium black beans drained and