Author: Ashley

Roasted Spring Veggies and Dip

Roasted Spring Veggies and Dip

Roasted vegetables taste great any time of year and this mix of spring vegetables won’t disappoint.  The dipping sauce is so good you will want to make it again and use as a salad dressing or for dipping fresh veggies.  Recipe adapted from Food Network 

Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins

Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins

Strawberry rhubarb is one of my favorite flavor combinations.  These muffins are full of flavor and healthy as usual.  Ingredients: 1 cup whole wheat flour 1 cup almond flour 1 scoop vanilla protein powder 1 teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon strawberry extract 

Spinach Artichoke Dip Pizza

Spinach Artichoke Dip Pizza

If you like spinach artichoke dip then you will love these pizzas.

Ingredients:

Spinach Dip-

1 10 ounce package frozen chopped spinach

¾ cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt

½ cup parmesan cheese grated

1 14 ounce can artichoke hearts quartered, rinsed, drained, chopped

2 scallions chopped

½ teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

½ teaspoon dried oregano

½ teaspoon garlic powder

¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper

Pizzas-

½ cup shredded part skim mozzarella

6 whole grain English muffins, whole wheat sandwich thins, or whole wheat tortillas

Directions:

Dip-

  1. Microwave the frozen spinach according to package directions. Squeeze out excess water.
  2. Add other ingredients to a medium bowl.
  3. Add spinach and mix to combine.

Pizza-

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with olive oil spray.
  2. Spread dip on each crust.  Top with cheese.
  3. Bake 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.
  4. Broil 1-2 minutes on high to create a golden-brown top.
Pinto Bean Salsa Salad

Pinto Bean Salsa Salad

Are you looking for a tasty side salad with some zing?  This easy to make salad popped with texture and flavor.  Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: Dressing- 1 garlic clove 1 ½ limes juiced 1 teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon chili powder ¼ cup extra 

Oven Roasted BBQ Chicken

Oven Roasted BBQ Chicken

I love BBQ chicken.  This is simple to prepare and tastes great. The sauce is just WOW and the chicken is so moist, tender, and full of flavor. Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: 1 ½  cups your favorite BBQ sauce ¼ cup peach jam/preserves 

Strawberry Pie with Peanut Butter Crispy Crust

Strawberry Pie with Peanut Butter Crispy Crust

Strawberry and peanut butter = smiles I thought this pie filling tasted great over a graham cracker crust, but over a crispy peanut butter crust its insanely delicious.

Ingredients:

Crust-

2 cups crispy rice cereal

½ cup reduced fat peanut butter

Filling-

3 pounds strawberries

¼ cup sugar

3 tablespoons cornstarch

1 teaspoon lemon juice

Whip Cream Optional-

½ cups heavy cream

1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar

Directions:

Crust-

  1. Put ½ cup peanut butter in a microwave safe bowl and heat for 30 second increments stirring until warm and very loose about 2 minutes.
  2. Add rice cereal and toss to combine.
  3. Transfer to a 9-inch pie plate and press in an even layer.
  4. Refrigerate the crust while preparing the filling.

Filling-

  1. Quarter 2 pounds of the strawberries.  Dice 1 pound.  Slice 1 pound.
  2. Add the pound of diced strawberries to a medium bowl.  Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of sugar and let sit at room temperature.
  3. Put the 2 pounds of quartered strawberries in a medium pot with cornstarch, lemon juice, and 1/3 cup granulated sugar.  Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook stirring often until mixture is thick and jammy in 15-20 minutes. 
  4. Remove strawberries from heat.  Let cool for at least 10 minutes.
  5. Stir the macerated strawberries into the cooked strawberries.
  6. Pour the strawberries into the crust. 
  7. Decorate the top of the pie with sliced strawberries in a concentric circle or other pattern. 
  8. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours.

Whip Cream-

  1. Whip the cream with confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, and cream of tartar until it holds stiff peaks.
Powered Up French Toast

Powered Up French Toast

I hadn’t made French toast in years, but I was craving it so I decided to make French toast with a protein boost.  Ingredients: 1 loaf (I used Pepperidge Farm Cinnamon Swirl bread) 4 eggs 1 scoop vanilla protein powder ½ cup milk Dash of 

Asian Ginger Chicken and Vegetables Kabobs

Asian Ginger Chicken and Vegetables Kabobs

Grilled chicken and vegetables taste so yummy!  You can customize these using your favorite vegetables although I think this combination is perfection. Ingredients: Kabobs- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast cut into cubes 1 red bell pepper cut into 1-2 inch strips 1 yellow bell 

Portobello Mushrooms with Tomatoes and Fresh Mozzarella

Portobello Mushrooms with Tomatoes and Fresh Mozzarella

I can eat just about any form of portobello mushrooms.  These portobello pizzas are another tasty dish for all of the mushroom lovers out there.

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Ingredients-

4 large portobello mushrooms

6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil divided

2 garlic cloves

3 small tomatoes cut into ½ inch pieces

1 bell pepper diced

8 ounces fresh water packed mozzarella slices

¼ cup basil leaves

Salt and pepper

Optional: Balsamic vinegar, Italian seasoning, garlic and onion powder

Directions:

Grill Method-

  1. Preheat grill to medium heat.
  2. Drizzle 3 tablespoons olive oil over both sides of the mushrooms. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  3. Spray grill with grill spray or drizzle with olive oil.
  4. Grill mushrooms 5 minutes per side.
  5. Meanwhile whisk olive oil and garlic in a medium bowl.  Add tomatoes, cheese, and basil.
  6. Add tomato mixture to each grilled mushroom. 
  7. Enjoy!

Oven Method-

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with olive oil spray.
  2. Drizzle olive oil on both sides of the mushrooms. Drizzle balsamic vinegar on the gill side of the mushroom.
  3. Sprinkle with seasoning: Italian, garlic powder, onion powder, etc…
  4. Top with basil leaves, chopped tomato, pepper, and mozzarella cheese.
  5. Bake 15 minutes or until cheese melts.
  6. Serve over spinach and drizzle with more balsamic vinegar.
Pretzel M&M Bites

Pretzel M&M Bites

These are so easy to make my 8-year-old makes them all the time.  You can use different flavored and colored melts and M&Ms or other candies to top these tasty bite size treats.  We made these for a dinosaur themed party and told my son