Month: May 2021

Thin Mint Brownies

Thin Mint Brownies

Packaged brownie mix doesn’t have to be boring. I made these within minutes on a busy Friday night when we just needed some chocolate.   These brownies have a layer of Girl Scout Thin Mint Cookies in the middle and were topped with dark chocolate 

Tag-a-Long Peanut Butter Stuffed Brownies

Tag-a-Long Peanut Butter Stuffed Brownies

I usually make brownies from scratch, but after a long week on a Friday night I decided to cheat and use a box mix with a few upgrades.  These brownies have a layer of Girl Scout Tag A Long cookies in the middle and are 

Strawberry Tres Leches Cake

Strawberry Tres Leches Cake

I was in the mood for strawberries for a Mother’s Day dessert and decided to try this recipe since I had saved it a long time ago.  My family loved this cake.  The strawberry flavor shines and this is a light dessert perfect for the spring.  I used the leftover sweetened condensed milk to make fudge which was also a hit.

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Ingredients:

Cake-

½ cup all-purpose flour

¼ teaspoon salt

5 large eggs at room temperature

½ cup sugar

1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

Strawberry Sauce-

1 cup heavy cream

½ cup sweetened condensed milk

¼ cup thawed frozen strawberry concentrate or strawberry syrup

Whipped Cream-

¼ cup freeze dried strawberries powder

1 cup heavy cream

½ cup confectioner’s sugar

¼ teaspoon strawberry extract

Sliced strawberries for garnish

Directions:

Cake-

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Coat a 9×13 baking dish with spray.
  2. Sift the flour and salt in a medium bowl. 
  3. Beat the eggs and granulated sugar in a stand mixer on medium high speed until looks like thick cake batter.  This takes at least 3 minutes.
  4. Add the vanilla while the mixer is mixing.
  5. Carefully fold in the flour mixture with a rubber spatula.
  6. Pour the batter into the baking dish and spread evenly.
  7. Bake for 20 minutes until cake springs back when gently pressed.
  8. Let cake cool for at least 30 minutes on a wire rack.

Strawberry Sauce-

  1. Combine the heavy cream, condensed milk, and strawberry concentrate in a large bowl and mix well. 
  2. Pierce the cake all over with a fork.  Drizzle the strawberry sauce over the cake.
  3. Refrigerate the cake for at least 1 hour.

Whipped Cream-

  1. Add the strawberry powder, heavy cream, and confections sugar to a stand mixer. 
  2. Mix on medium high speed until medium peaks form in about 2 minutes.
  3. Fold in the strawberry extract.
  4. Spread the whipped cream over the cake.
  5. Garnish with sliced strawberries.
  6. Refrigerate cake until ready to serve.
Veggie Burgers with Special Sauce

Veggie Burgers with Special Sauce

I love veggie burgers and I am always experimenting with different combinations.  This recipe uses some different ingredients, but the final result is memorable. The special sauce was a memorable addition to these burgers and a sauce I will be making again. Recipe adapted from 

German Style Sweet Potato Salad

German Style Sweet Potato Salad

I love German potato salad!  It was a dish my grandfather used to make that still makes my mouth water.  This is a new spin on an old recipe. Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: 2 pounds sweet potatoes peeled and cut into ¾ inch 

Crabby Asparagus Melts

Crabby Asparagus Melts

Crab with melted cheese is always a winning combination.  The addition of asparagus and whole wheat sandwich thins help lighten this dish.

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Ingredients:

1 pound jumbo lump crabmeat

4 tablespoons plain nonfat Greek yogurt

4 teaspoons Dijon mustard

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning

4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

2 scallions sliced

1 bunch asparagus trimmed and halved lengthwise

Sandwich thins, English muffins, or Texas Toast

Shredded and sliced cheese (Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, Cheddar, Colby Jack, etc…)

Butter/margarine

Salt

Directions:

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.  Blanch the asparagus by cooking for 1-2 minutes.  Immediately transfer to an ice bath or freezer to stop the cooking.  Cut in half once cool.
  2. Mix crabmeat with yogurt, mustard, paprika, Old Bay, lemon juice, and scallions with a pinch of salt in a bowl. 
  3. Preheat the boiler.  Lightly spread butter on the sandwich thin/toast/muffin.  (Or spray with nonfat Butter spray)  Place on a baking sheet.  Broil for 2-3 minutes. 
  4. Remove from the oven and top with the crab mixture spreading it to the edges.  Sprinkle with shredded cheese.
  5. Layer the asparagus on top of the cheese.  Season with salt and pepper.
  6. Top with sliced cheese.
  7. Broil on high 4 minutes.
  8. Enjoy!
Crabby Asparagus Melt with Everything Green Beans and Old Bay Potato Wedges
Everything Green Beans

Everything Green Beans

If you haven’t bought Everything Bagel seasoning yet I highly recommend it.  This simple recipe is full of flavor and tastes fantastic. Recipe adapted from 2B Mindset Ingredients: 2 cups green beans trimmed 1 tablespoon water 1 teaspoon sesame oil 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon 

Lighter Asian Noodle Salad

Lighter Asian Noodle Salad

If you are craving Asian flavors, but not looking for a lot of salt and fat then you should try this salad. Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: 1/8 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/8 cup reduced sodium soy sauce 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger 

Strawberry and Lime Whip

Strawberry and Lime Whip

Strawberry and lime mixed with whipped cream and graham crackers equal a light and tasty dessert.

Ingredients:

1 pint strawberries

4 packets Monk Fruit Sweetener or ¼ cup sugar

2 tablespoons lime juice, zest from 1 lime

1 cup heavy cream (very cold)

1 tablespoon honey

½ teaspoon sugar

¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

8 cinnamon graham crackers broken into planks

Directions:

  1. Add strawberries, lime juice and zest, and monk fruit sweetener/sugar to a bowl.  Mix to combine.  Let rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Whip Cream- Add heavy cream to a stand mixer.  Whisk until soft peaks form.  Add honey, sugar, and vanilla.  Continue to whisk until medium peaks form.
  3. Remove the strawberries from the bowl with a slotted spoon.  Gently fold the strawberries into the whipped cream. 
  4. Pour into serving dishes.  Top with graham cracker planks or crumbled.
Potato Chip Crusted Chicken Strips

Potato Chip Crusted Chicken Strips

You can customize this recipe using your favorite potato chips for a crunchy and flavorful homemade chicken strip.  Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: 3 snack size bags Lays Baked Cheddar and Sour Cream chips (or other chip variety) ½ cup all purpose flour 3