Author: Ashley

Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

This cauliflower mac and cheese isn’t as light as other versions I have made, but it is certainly rich and delicious.  The mixture of pepper jack cheese, goat cheese, and a little buffalo sauce make it full of flavor. Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: 

Mummy Hotdogs

Mummy Hotdogs

These were a simple dinner that my children devoured!  Simply unroll crescent roll dough, cut it into strips, and wrap the stripes around hotdogs.  Then bake.  Ingredients: 8 hot dogs (My kids prefer Nathan bun length dogs) 1 package crescent roll dough Directions: Preheat the 

Apple Cranberry Muffins

Apple Cranberry Muffins

I love the combination of apple and cranberry.  These healthy muffins are loaded with fruit and cinnamon to make for a fantastic breakfast on the go. 

Ingredients:

2 Granny Smith apples peeled and diced

3 teaspoons ground cinnamon divided

¼ teaspoon cardamom

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup almond flour

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

½ cup unsweetened applesauce

¾ cup reduced fat buttermilk

½ cup brown sugar

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

½ cup cranberries plus a few for topping each muffin

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray muffin tins well with nonstick spray.
  2. Place apples in a microwave safe bowl.  Sprinkle 1 teaspoon cinnamon and cardamom over apples. Heat for 3 minutes.
  3. Add applesauce, eggs, vanilla extract, buttermilk, and brown sugar to stand mixer.  Mix on medium.
  4. Whisk flours, protein powder, baking soda, salt, and 2 teaspoons cinnamon in a medium bowl. 
  5. Gradually add in flour and mix to combine.
  6. Fold in diced apples and 1 cup cranberries. 
  7. Use a large cookie scooper to fill muffin tins.
  8. Press 2-3 cranberries into the top of each muffin.
  9. Bake 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  10. Store in an air-tight container.
  11. Refrigerate leftovers after 24 hours.
Peanut Butter Cheesecake Squares with Peanut Butter Cookie Crust

Peanut Butter Cheesecake Squares with Peanut Butter Cookie Crust

Peanut butter from top to bottom!  These no bake cheesecake squares are so rich and insanely delicious.  I used a box of Dos I Dos Girl Scout Cookies for the crust, mixed in some chopped Peanut Butter Lover’s Reese’s in the filling, and sprinkled a 

Leftover Candy Brownies

Leftover Candy Brownies

I don’t know about you, but my kids always get more candy at Halloween than they can ever eat. So I decided to snag some of their bite size candy to add on the top of delicious lightened up brownies. I made these in a 

Cincinnati Chili Spaghetti Squash

Cincinnati Chili Spaghetti Squash

I have seen recipes for Cincinnati chili all over the place, so I had to try it.  I made this a vegetarian version purely out of simplicity.  You can easily add a pound of ground lean been or turkey to this recipe.  You can also serve this over spaghetti noodles.

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Ingredients:

1 spaghetti squash

1 can reduced sodium kidney beans

28 ounces reduced sodium diced tomatoes

2 tablespoons tomato paste

½ onion diced

2 cloves garlic diced

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground oregano

Optional 1 pound lean ground turkey or beef

Toppings: shredded cheddar cheese or sliced/cubed smoked gouda cheese; oyster crackers

Directions:

  1. Roast the spaghetti squash. I prefer the slow method.  I roast the squash for 90 minutes at 350 rotating it every 30 minutes.  Let the squash cool.  Then slice in half lengthwise, remove seeds, and scrape the spaghetti/insides and transfer to a container.
  2. Spray a crock pot with olive oil spray.  Add diced tomatoes, onion, garlic, kidney beans, tomato paste, and spices.  Mix together.
  3. If using meat I prefer to brown it and drain it before adding it to chili. 
  4. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. 
  5. Serve chili over warmed spaghetti squash.
  6. Top with shredded cheese or smoked gouda cheese cubes/squares. 
Crab and Veggie Chowder

Crab and Veggie Chowder

My family loves crab meat, so I decided to try making a crab chowder on a crisp fall day.  This chowder was easy to make, filling, and loaded with veggies just as I like it. Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: 1 pound lump crab 

Olive Oil and Maple Syrup Nut Granola Bars

Olive Oil and Maple Syrup Nut Granola Bars

This week I decided to try baked granola bars.  These granola bars are filled with whole nuts and held together with an olive oil, maple syrup, peanut butter mixture.  You can substitute any nuts you prefer and add chocolate chips or dried fruit. Recipe adapted 

Southwestern Sweet Potato Tofu Scramble

Southwestern Sweet Potato Tofu Scramble

I had never thought of scrambling tofu, but I definitely will scramble tofu again in the future.  This tasted great in a bowl and would also make a filling breakfast burrito.

Ingredients:

1 14 ounce block extra firm tofu

1 sweet potato peeled and cut into cubes

1 bell pepper diced

1 15.5 ounce can reduced sodium black beans drained and rinsed

1 cup frozen corn thawed

¼ cup sweet onion diced

½ teaspoon turmeric

1 teaspoon chili powder

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Fresh cilantro for garnish

Toppings: salsa, plain nonfat Greek yogurt, lime juice, hot sauce, etc..

Directions:

  1. Drain the tofu and pat dry with a paper towel. Crumble the tofu into pieces on a plate or strainer.
  2. Add sweet potato and 1 cup water to a large nonstick pan.  Bring the water to a boil and reduce heat to simmer stirring occasionally for 8-10 minutes.  Cook until potatoes are tender. 
  3. Drain water. Add bell pepper and onion.  Cook for 2 minutes.
  4. Add tofu, olive oil,  and sprinkle with turmeric. Continue to stir.
  5. Add black beans, corn, and chili powder. Add ¼ water if mixture becomes too dry.
  6. Serve immediately.  Add toppings of your choice. 
Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes with Pumpkin Pudding Frosting

Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes with Pumpkin Pudding Frosting

What’s better than pumpkin pie in a cupcake under a spoonful of pumpkin pudding? Ingredients: Cupcakes- 1 15 ounce can pumpkin puree ¾ cup fat free evaporated milk 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ½ cup granulated sugar 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice ¼