Author: Ashley

Roasted Veggie and Meatball Lasagna

Roasted Veggie and Meatball Lasagna

This “pasta” dish is packed with roasted broccoli and cauliflower over a layer of zucchini noodles with Italian meatballs and a ricotta cheese filling mixed throughout. If you are trying to eat more vegetables then this is the dinner for you. Ingredients: 1 head broccoli 

Veggie Chili

Veggie Chili

I try to fill up with veggies as often as possible. This simple crock pot chili is literally bursting with vegetables. Ingredients: 1 zucchini sliced and quartered 1 yellow squash sliced and quartered 1 bell pepper diced 1/2 sweet onion diced 2 garlic cloves minced 

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate chip cookies are heaven in and of themselves, but with the addition of brown butter these take on an even more memorable flavor profile. We added extra chocolate chips, but you can substitute one cup of chocolate chips for walnuts if you prefer.

Ingredients:

Browned Butter-

1 1/2 cups unsalted butter

1/4 cup dry milk powder

Cookies-

1 cup browned sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 large eggs

1 egg yolk

1 1/2 cups cake flour

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon cornstarch

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup milk chocolate chips

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chunks

1 cup dark chocolate chips

Directions:

Browned Butter

  1. In a medium saucepan melt the butter over medium-low heat.
  2. Whisk in the milk powder and cook for 3 minutes or until the milk solids become a golden brown color. Stir constantly.
  3. Remove the saucepan from the heat and transfer to a heatproof bowl. Allow to cool at room temperature 0or refrigerate to quicken the cooling process.

Cookies-

  1. Preheat the oven to 415 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Add browned butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract to a stand mixer and mix on medium with a paddle attachment for 4 minutes.
  3. Add the eggs and egg yolk one at a time beating after each addition.
  4. In a separate bowl whisk the cake flour, all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, and baking soda.
  5. Reduce heat to low and add the dry ingredients 1/2 cup at a time.
  6. Add the chocolate chips and mix on low to combine.
  7. Use a medium cookie scooper to form balls. Place two inches apart on a baking sheet.
  8. Bake 8-9 minutes until cookies are golden brown. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for two minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool.
  9. Enjoy these cookies while they are warm!
Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Butternut Squash

Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Butternut Squash

Funny Story: The night I served this I told my family mac and cheese was for dinner. They kept asking, “Just macaroni and cheese? Nothing else, no veggies?” I replied that it was just mac and cheese for dinner. As we were eating my oldest 

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Lactation Cookies

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Lactation Cookies

I love peanut butter, so these cookies definitely hit the spot. These taste like peanut butter cookies mixed with oatmeal and filled with pops of peanut butter chips to really make the peanut butter flavor pop. The extra ingredients (Brewers Yeast and Flaxseed) are in 

Mexican Spaghetti aka Taco Spaghetti

Mexican Spaghetti aka Taco Spaghetti

I love spaghetti, but I wasn’t in the mood for a traditional marina sauce. This turned out divine. I used the extra sauce as a dip with Tostito chips and sliced veggies.

Ingredients:

1 pound lean ground beef

1 bell pepper diced

1/2 onion diced

2 garlic cloves minced

24 ounces tomato sauce

14 ounce can diced tomato’s with chilis

1/2 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt

8 ounces Velveeta cheese sliced

2 tablespoons taco seasoning divided

8 ounces chickpea spaghetti; or 16 ounces any spaghetti

1/2 cup shredded Mexican cheese

Directions:

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
  2. Add ground beef to a nonstick skillet. Add 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning. Break up and cook until just browned. Drain grease.
  3. Meanwhile cook pepper and onion over medium heat in a nonstick pan until they begin to soften. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
  4. Add pepper and onion mixture to the ground beef. Add sauce, diced tomatoes, yogurt and remaining taco seasoning.
  5. Bring mixture to a simmer.
  6. Fold in the Velveeta cheese and mix as it melts.
  7. Divide pasta among bowls. Pour sauce over the noodles. Top with shredded cheese.
Artichoke and Sundried Tomato Pasta

Artichoke and Sundried Tomato Pasta

The artichokes and sundried tomatoes mixed with Italian sausage make tasty and quick pasta dish. Ingredients: 8 oz sundried tomatoes julienned and drained 1 pound Italian sausage ground 8 ounces artichoke hearts (drained) (I chopped these in a food processor) 2 large garlic cloves 2 

Roasted Winter Veggie Burgers

Roasted Winter Veggie Burgers

These burgers have an interesting mix of ingredients that meld to create a burger you won’t forget. Ingredients: 1 sweet potato peeled and cubed 2 large carrots grated 1/2 red onion diced 1 garlic clove 1 1/2 cups plain hummus 6 tablespoons sundried tomato pesto 

Shrimp Scampi Pizza

Shrimp Scampi Pizza

I am not exaggerating when I tell you this pizza was too die for! This was a quick and easy dinner we will certainly make again.

Ingredients:

2 pounds frozen shrimp (peeled and deveined) thawed

1 refrigerated pizza crust (I prefer thin crust)

4 ounces of butter

zest and juice from 1 lemon

6 cloves garlic

2 tablespoons fresh parsley

1/4 cup grated parmesean

1/4 cup shredded parmesan

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
  2. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.
  3. Roll out the dough on the baking sheet.
  4. Add butter, lemon juice and zest, garlic, parsley, and grated parmesan to a food processor. Pulse to mix.
  5. Spread half of the butter mixture over the crust.
  6. Arrange the shrimp on top of the crust.
  7. Sprinkle the remaining butter mixture over the shrimp.
  8. Sprinkle shredded parmesan over the shrimp.
  9. Bake for 15-18 minutes.
  10. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
  11. Enjoy!
Chocolate Oatmeal Craisin Lactation Cookies

Chocolate Oatmeal Craisin Lactation Cookies

I have been making a different variety of nursing cookies each week since returning to work. This week I added a chocolate caramel shakeology package and dark chocolate cookies to make these scrumptious and nutritious. Ingredients:1 1/2 cups all purpose or whole wheat flour1/2 cup