Author: Ashley

<strong>Broiled Asparagus with Gremolata</strong>

Broiled Asparagus with Gremolata

I can eat asparagus prepared just about any way.  Broiled asparagus with a crunchy gremolata topping is one of my favorites. Ingredients: 1 bunch asparagus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil divided ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs Zest from ½ lemon 1 garlic clove 1 teaspoon diced 

Honey and Mint Glazed Roasted Carrots

Honey and Mint Glazed Roasted Carrots

I love roasted carrots and when topped with honey and mint this makes for an incredible side dish. Ingredients: 1 pound large carrots peeled and sliced in half lengthwise 2 tablespoons extra virgin coconut oil 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar 2 tablespoons honey 3 tablespoons 

<strong>Key Lime Bars</strong>

Key Lime Bars

If you like lemon bars and key lime pie then you will love this dessert.  These bars are similar to lemon bars but use key lime juice instead of lemon juice.

Ingredients:

Cookie Crust-

1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature

½ cup truvia confectioners’ sugar

2 cups all-purpose flour

Pinch of salt

Key Lime Topping-

4 large eggs

1 ½ cup sugar or truvia

6 cups all-purpose flour

¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons key lime juice

2 teaspoons key lime zest

Top with confectioners’ sugar

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9×13 pan with baking spray.
  2. Combine the butter and confectioner’s sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat on medium for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.  Add the flour and salt and mix another minute until well combined.
  3. Spread out the dough in the base of the baking pan. 
  4. Bake the crust for 20-25 minutes until lightly golden.  Transfer to a cooling rack.
  5. Whisk the eggs and sugar in a large bowl.  Add the flour and whisk until combined. 
  6. Whisk in the lime juice and zest.
  7. Pour the lime topping over the crust.  Bake for an additional 25 minutes.
  8. Top with confectioner’s sugar.
  9. Let cool on a wire rack.
  10. Cut into squares and enjoy! Store any leftovers in the refrigerator after 2 days.
<strong>Strawberry Lemon Love Cake</strong>

Strawberry Lemon Love Cake

This cake is lemon pudding over a strawberry cake layer and ricotta cheesecake on the bottom.  You can top it with fresh strawberries to make a delicious springtime dessert. Ingredients: One strawberry cake box mix plus required ingredients 32 ounces part skim ricotta cheese ¾ 

<strong>Carrot Coconut Muffins</strong>

Carrot Coconut Muffins

I have been in a carrot cake kind of mood, so I have been experimenting with various recipes featuring carrots.  These muffins are sweet, tender, and loaded with healthy ingredients. Ingredients: 1 cup almond flour ½ cup whole wheat flour 1 scoop vanilla protein powder 

<strong>Buttermilk Pancakes</strong>

Buttermilk Pancakes

I will admit these pancakes were not nearly as light or healthy as what I normally make, but they were fluffy and delicious.  I topped mine with fresh blueberries, powdered sugar, and blackberry syrup.

Ingredients:

Pancakes-

3 cups all-purpose flour

1/3 cup sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs

2 ½ cups reduced fat buttermilk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 stick unsalted butter melted

Toppings:

Fresh fruit, powdered sugar, syrup

Directions:

  1. Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.
  2.  Whisk the eggs, buttermilk, vanilla, and melted butter in a medium bowl.
  3. Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture and mix in gently using a spatula to scrape down the edges of the bowl.
  4. Heat a nonstick griddle or skillet over medium low heat.  Spray with nonstick spray.
  5. Pour ½ cup batter on the griddle for each pancake and cook until bubbles form about 3 minutes. Flip and cook 1-2 more minutes.
  6. Add desired toppings and enjoy!
Lime and Summer Vegetables Lima Bean Salad

Lime and Summer Vegetables Lima Bean Salad

I had a bag of lima beans in the freezer that had just been sitting there so I decided to try using them in a salad.  I will be honest, I normally but don’t like lima beans, but in this salad they are delicious. Ingredients: 

<strong>Key Lime Cheesecake Bars</strong>

Key Lime Cheesecake Bars

I love key lime pie and since we weren’t able to travel this spring break I decided to bring the tropical flavors to us.  Ingredients: Crust- 18 cinnamon sugar graham crackers 6 tablespoons unsalted butter melted Filling- 3 eight ounce reduced fat cream cheese at 

<strong>Curry Egg Salad</strong>

Curry Egg Salad

I love the flavor of curry, so I thought why not make a curry egg salad. 

Ingredients:

4 hard-boiled eggs

 ½ cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt

3 scallions diced

1 celery stalk finely diced

1-2 teaspoons yellow curry paste

Serve on bread or wraps with spinach

Directions:

  1. Dice the eggs.  Add the yogurt, curry paste, scallions, and celery and mix together. 
  2. Serve over a wrap or on bread with spinach or other greens.
  3. Enjoy!
<strong>Pop It Candy</strong>

Pop It Candy

My 6 year and 3-year-old sons love to play with pop its.  One day my 6-year-old decided he wanted to make pop it candy, so I took his lead and we made candy using his pop its.  We used M&Ms and chocolate and vanilla candy