Author: Ashley

Cheesy Meatball Melts

Cheesy Meatball Melts

What’s better than a warm meatball soaked in your favorite marinara sauce and covered with a thick slice of fresh mozzarella.  I was planning to use fresh beef Italian meatballs, but all I could find at the store were plant based Italian meatballs.  Guess what? 

Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Pineapple, Walnuts, Golden Raisins, and Cream Cheese Frosting

Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Pineapple, Walnuts, Golden Raisins, and Cream Cheese Frosting

I wanted to make carrot cake cupcakes for a friend who mentioned her favorite dessert a few months before her birthday.  I had never made carrot cake with pineapple, raisins, or walnuts before, but since she mentioned those, I wanted to find a recipe that 

Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken noodle soup in the crockpot is a perfect dinner on cold winter days or when you aren’t feeling well.  I froze the leftovers so I can thaw and eat this the next time I’m feeling under the weather.  If you want a lighter option you can substitute the egg noodles for fresh bean sprouts.  I had extra bean sprouts from another recipe so before I added the egg noodles I dished up a serving of soup for me.  Then I added ½ cup or so of bean sprouts to make veggie noodles.  Either way this soup will fill you up and warm your soul.

Ingredients:

2 chicken breasts cut into cubes

12-16 ounces carrots sliced anyway you like

3 stalks celery diced

2 large sprigs fresh parsley

1 teaspoon ground thyme or 2 sprigs fresh thyme

1 bay leaf

8 cups low sodium chicken broth

6-8 ounces egg noodles

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Add all ingredients to a slow cooker except noodles.  Cook on low for 6-8 hours stirring occasionally.
  2. Add egg noodles the last 15 minutes of cooking.
  3. Remove bay leaf before serving.
  4. Dish up in bowls and enjoy!
chicken bean sprout noodle soup
Hash-brown Covered Halibut with Mango Salsa and Carrot Fries

Hash-brown Covered Halibut with Mango Salsa and Carrot Fries

I try to make fish or seafood once a week or so.  This recipe was so unique I had to try it.  I couldn’t find any refrigerated hash browns so I bought frozen and thawed 2 cups in the fridge for 24 hours. The mango 

Shrimp Pad Thai

Shrimp Pad Thai

Shrimp Pad Thai is without a doubt my favorite Thai food!  This is delicious and loaded with veggies. Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: 2 pounds jumbo shrimp 1 bell pepper thinly sliced 1 shallot diced 1 cup snap peas 3 scallions diced 5 ounces 

Air Fryer Homemade Donuts

Air Fryer Homemade Donuts

I made donuts in the air fryer from store bought biscuit dough, but this was my first time making donuts from scratch.  Beware it does take hours from start to finish, but these donuts were worth the time and effort.  I topped these donuts and donut holes with a cinnamon sugar mixture, powdered sugar, vanilla yogurt glaze, and some sprinkles.  I will probably make a chocolate ganache the next time I make these or experiment with different flavored glazes.

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Ingredients:

Donuts-

2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast

1 cup whole milk warmed to 110 degrees F

1 large egg

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted

2 ¼ cup all purpose flour plus more for dusting

1 cup cake flour (not self-rising)

¼ cup sugar

½ teaspoon salt

Toppings-

2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted

Cinnamon Sugar– ¼ cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons cinnamon

Powdered Sugar– ¼ cup powdered sugar

Vanilla Yogurt glaze– ¼ cup powdered sugar, ¼ cup nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt, sprinkles

Directions:

  1. Sprinkle the yeast with warm milk in a bowl. Let stand until foamy on top about 10 minutes.
  2. Beat the egg and oil in a stand mixer with a paddle attachment on medium speed until combined.
  3. Add the vanilla, 2 tablespoons melted butter, and yeast mixture.  Mix on low speed until combined.
  4. Whisk the flours, ¼ cup sugar, and salt in a large bowl.  Gradually add in the dry ingredients.  Continue to beat on medium until the dough is no longer sticky to the touch in about 1 minute.
  5. Turn the dough onto a floured surface.  Knead into a smooth ball.  Brush the bowl with melted butter.  Add the dough and cover with a clean kitchen cloth.  Let the dough rise until doubled in size at least 2 hours.
  6. Turn the dough back onto the floured surface and roll to ½ inch thick.  Cut out doughnuts using a mason jar and small plastic lid or a doughnut cutter.  Reserve the insides for doughnut holes. Cover with a clean cloth and let rise for at least 30 more minutes.
  7. Place doughnuts in a single layer in the air fryer basket.  Cook at 350 degrees for 5 minutes.  Transfer to a cooling rack and continue to cook the doughnuts in batches.  Cook the doughnut holes for 3-4 minutes.
  8. Brush warm doughnuts with melted butter and dip in the cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar mixture.  If using the glaze twirl the doughnut tops in the glaze and then add sprinkles.
  9. Store in an air-tight container once cooled.
  10. Enjoy!
Dough after rising for 2 hours
Donuts and holes before cooking
Donuts on cooling rack
Donut holes and donuts
Butternut Squash and Black Bean Chili

Butternut Squash and Black Bean Chili

Chili is the perfect lunch or dinner on cold winter days.  This vegetarian chili packs a punch with a kicking mixture of spices. Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: ½ butternut squash peeled and cubed ½ rutabaga peeled and cubed 1 bell pepper diced ½ 

Chocolate Whoopie Pies with Cookies and Cream Filling

Chocolate Whoopie Pies with Cookies and Cream Filling

Whoopie pies are so light and fluffy.  These are filled with an Oreo and cream cheese filling that you won’t be able to resist.  These were the perfect snow day treat. Ingredients: Whoopie Pie- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 

Butternut Squash Queso

Butternut Squash Queso

I fell in love with butternut squashes this fall, so when I was watching Food Network and saw them make a queso with butternut squash on The Kitchen I knew I had to try this recipe.  My kids ate this queso and did not know that it was made with squash.  I just told them it was a homemade queso.  If you prefer your queso a little more spicy you can use double the pepper jack cheese and skip the cheddar. I made my children nachos using whole wheat Tostitos and taco seasoned ground beef mixed with chopped green peppers, onions, and cauliflower.  I put the queso over a taco and then over salads for lunch.  You can use the queso as a dip or topping on salads, tacos, nachos, or even sandwiches. 

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Ingredients:

½ butternut squash peeled, and cubed

4 ounces shredded cheddar cheese

4 ounces shredded pepper jack cheese

1 tablespoon cornstarch

½-1 teaspoon chipotle powder

½ -1 cup milk

Directions:

  1. Add shredded cheese to a medium bowl.  Mix together and sprinkle with cornstarch.
  2. Heat a large saucepan over medium heat.  Spray with olive oil or coconut oil spray.  Sprinkle the chipotle powder over the squash. Sauté the butternut squash stirring often for 5 minutes. 
  3. Add ½ cup water and continue to cook the squash for 10 minutes. 
  4. Remove from heat and transfer squash and water to a blender or food processor.
  5. Pulse/blend to mix. 
  6. Add the milk and mix.
  7. Transfer back to the skillet over medium heat.  Whisk in the cheese until the sauce is silky and smooth.
  8. Enjoy the queso over tacos, nachos, salads, sandwiches, and more.
Sweet Potato Hash with Sunny Side Up Eggs

Sweet Potato Hash with Sunny Side Up Eggs

Sweet potatoes are one of my favorite carbs.  This hash is flavorful and when topped with a sunny side up egg tastes rich and delicious. Ingredients: 2-3 sweet potatoes peeled and cubed 1 bell pepper diced ½ sweet onion chopped 1-2 tablespoons extra virgin olive