Author: Ashley

Blackened Tilapia

Blackened Tilapia

If you don’t have a blackened spice blend on hand then you can make your own using the spices in this recipe.  The tilapia was full of flavor with just the right amount of spice. Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: 6 tilapia filets ½ 

BBQ Shrimp

BBQ Shrimp

My family loves to eat shrimp.  These BBQ shrimp are spicy, sweet, and disappear quickly. This recipe was so easy to make my 8 year old did most of the work. Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: 2 pounds shrimp peeled and deveined 3 tablespoons 

Chili Lime Roasted Carrots and Radishes

Chili Lime Roasted Carrots and Radishes

Roasted carrots and radishes fresh from the garden with some olive oil and chili lime seasoning are easy to prepare and packed with flavor.

Ingredients:

1-2 pounds carrots and radishes peeled and halved

Zest from 1 lime

1-2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon chili lime seasoning

Optional: fresh cilantro to garnish

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.  Spray pan with olive oil spray.
  2. Add carrots to a large bowl.  Drizzle olive oil over all vegetables. 
  3. Sprinkle chili lime seasoning over the vegetables.
  4. Roast 25-30 minutes until vegetables are tender.
  5. Garnish with fresh cilantro.
Eggplant Hummus

Eggplant Hummus

I eat fresh veggies with hummus almost every day.  This eggplant hummus is light, delicious, and easy to prepare. Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: 6-8 white and/or green eggplant 1 ½ cups cannellini beans 3 tablespoons tahini 3 tablespoons lemon juice 1 tablespoon fresh 

Strawberry Lime Balsamic Coleslaw

Strawberry Lime Balsamic Coleslaw

I love how well coleslaw pairs with fish and other main courses.  I made this strawberry lime balsamic coleslaw to accompany blackened tilapia and BBQ shrimp. Ingredients: 1 bag shredded cabbage/coleslaw mix ½ red onion diced 1 long pepper diced 1 lime juiced and zested 

Lightened Chicken and Eggplant Parmesan

Lightened Chicken and Eggplant Parmesan

This dish makes everyone happy.  Veggie lovers will like the eggplant and meat lovers will enjoy the chicken parm.  You can even eat a little of both.  This can be a meal on its own or served over pasta, veggie noodles, or sauteed vegetables.

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Ingredients:

1 small eggplant cut into 8 slices

½ teaspoon Italian seasoning

1/3 cup all purpose flour

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 large egg whites beaten

3 cups crispy rice cereal (Rice Chex)

2 tablespoons grated parmesan

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into strips

1 1/3 cup marinara sauce

Sliced provolone cheese

Fresh basil and parsley to garnish

Directions:

  1. Preheat the boiler. 
  2. Mist both sides of the eggplant with olive oil spray.  Sprinkle both sides of the eggplant with Italian seasoning, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper.
  3. Place eggplant on a rimmed baking sheet.  Broil on high for 6 minutes flipping once.
  4. Reduce oven temperature to 425 degrees.
  5. Combine the flour and cayenned in a shallow dish. 
  6. Combine the egg whites and 1 teaspoon water in a second dish.
  7. Combine the crushed cereal and parmesan cheese in a third dish.
  8. Dredge each piece of chicken one at a time.  Dip in flour tap off the excess.  Coat with egg white.  Place in cereal mixture.
  9. Set chicken on a dish until ready to cook. 
  10. Spray a large nonstick skillet with olive oil spray.  Cook the chicken in batches for 5 minutes turning halfway. 
  11. Transfer cooked chicken to a 9×13 dish.
  12. Add eggplant slices to the baking dish on top or next to the chicken.  Top chicken and eggplant with a tablespoon or so of marinara sauce.  Then top with provolone cheese.
  13. Bake 15-20 minutes.
  14. Garnish with basil and parsley.
  15. Serve with spaghetti, in a sandwich, with sauteed veggies, or over a bed of lettuce.
  16. Enjoy!
Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Cheesy and creamy baked macaroni cheese is a dish I often make for big family dinners.  My kids don’t like a breadcrumb topping so I focused on the cream and cheese in this dish. Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: 1 pound elbow macaroni 2 

Peanut Butter and Espresso Energy Balls

Peanut Butter and Espresso Energy Balls

One morning I was craving peanut butter and really needed an energy boost, so I decided to make two mixes for energy balls and then smash them together into one delicious bite. Ingredients: Peanut Butter Half- 1 cup old fashioned oats 2 tablespoons powdered peanut 

Turnip Fries

Turnip Fries

I made turnip fries in the oven a few years ago and I wasn’t impressed.  With the right seasoning and an air fryer these were amazing!

Recipe from 2B Mindset

Ingredients:

2-3 turnips cut peeled and cut into fries

1 garlic clove minced

1 teaspoon olive oil

1 teaspoon cumin

½ teaspoon paprika

¼ teaspoon sea salt

¼ cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon fresh parsley

Directions:

  1. Place turnips, garlic, olive oil, cumin, paprika, and salt in a medium bowl.  Toss to mix well.
  2. Spray air fryer with nonstick spray.
  3. Air fry at 370 for 15 minutes flipping at least once.
  4. Mix yogurt, lemon juice, and parsley in a small bowl. 
  5. Dip fries in yogurt sauce or eat plain.
Lemon Bars

Lemon Bars

Lemon bars are the perfect summer dessert.  These are light, tart, and a little sweet. Ingredients: Crust- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour 4 tablespoons extra virgin coconut oil melted 1/3 cup powdered sugar Filling- 4 eggs 1 ½ cups sugar 6 tablespoons lemon juice with