Month: September 2021

Stuffed Crust Crab Dip Pizza

Stuffed Crust Crab Dip Pizza

My children and I love crab dip.  They had been asking for stuffed crust pizza, so I decided to try making it for them. Ingredients: Pizza Crust- 1 package mozzarella string cheeses ripped in half 1 or 2 store bought thin pizza crusts Butter spray 

Lemon Basil Pesto Pasta Salad

Lemon Basil Pesto Pasta Salad

I love light veggie loaded pasta salads.  This pasta salad combines basil pesto with pasta, veggies, and lemon juice to make a delicious side dish. Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients- 8 ounces whole grain or protein+ pasta 1 cup basil pesto (I used homemade, 

Mahi with Peach Cucumber Salsa

Mahi with Peach Cucumber Salsa

Mahi is one of my husband’s favorite types of fish.  This pan seared mahi with a simple peach cucumber salsa is made in minutes and packed with flavor. 

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Ingredients:

Mahi-

4-6 mahi filets

2 tablespoons olive oil

Chipotle lime seasoning or salt and pepper

Salsa-

1 peach diced

1 small cucumber sliced and quartered

2 tablespoons diced red onion

1 tablespoon fresh cilantro

1 lime zested and juiced

1 teaspoon diced jalapeno

Directions:

  1. Add the peaches, cucumber, red onion, and jalapeno to a medium bowl.  Mix to combine. 
  2. Add lime zest and juice.  Mix.  Add cilantro and mix in.
  3. Let the salsa sit at room temperature while you cook the fish or store in the refrigerator if preparing in advance.
  4. Season the mahi with a dash of cilantro lime seasoning or salt and pepper.
  5. Heat 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil in a nonstick pan over medium heat.
  6. Cook the fish 3-4 minutes per side until the fish is opaque in the center. 
  7. Top fish with salsa.
  8. Enjoy!
Banana Avocado Muffins with Cocoa Nibs

Banana Avocado Muffins with Cocoa Nibs

I love banana muffins and banana with a hint of chocolate is even better.  These healthy muffins use avocado instead of butter. Ingredients: 1 cup whole wheat flour 1 cup almond flour 1 scoop vanilla protein powder1 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. kosher salt 3 ripe bananas mashed 1 ripe avocado mashed ¼ 

Cinnamon Chip Zucchini and Avocado Muffins with All Bran Crumb Topping

Cinnamon Chip Zucchini and Avocado Muffins with All Bran Crumb Topping

The cinnamon chips under the crunchy crumb topping make these muffins a lovely morning treat.  Ingredients: Muffins- 1 cup whole wheat flour 1 cup almond flour 1 scoop vanilla protein powder ½ teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon baking soda 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 teaspoon allspice 1 teaspoon salt 1 ripe avocado mashed 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract 2 large eggs 2 cups grated zucchini, drained 

Avocado Chocolate Mousse

Avocado Chocolate Mousse

After a long day (or week) sometimes you really need chocolate to unwind.  This simple chocolate mousse was made in minutes and satisfied my craving for rich chocolate without tons of sugar.

Ingredients:

1 ripe avocados

1/8 cup regular cocoa powder

1/8 cup Dutch cocoa OR melted chocolate chips

2 tbsp milk of choice

1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract

1/8 tsp salt

sweetener of choice to taste (I like 1/4 cup pure maple syrup)

Directions:

  1. Add avocado, cocoa powder, milk, vanilla, salt, and maple syrup to a food processor.  Pulse until smooth scraping down the sides as needed.
  2. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
  3. Note: If using melted chocolate chips melt them in a microwave safe bowl first and allow to cool slightly.  The chocolate chips will make the mousse richer whereas the Dutch cocoa will reduce the sugar and fat. 
Spicy Mango Coleslaw

Spicy Mango Coleslaw

Mango adds a sweetness that balances out the spice in this tasty slaw.  Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: 1 bag shredded cabbage (coleslaw mix) ½ cup matchstick carrots ¼ cup red onion diced 2 scallions diced 2 limes zested and juiced 1 tablespoon siracha 

Spicy Black Bean Corn Salad

Spicy Black Bean Corn Salad

I love corn in the summer, but I quickly get bored with simple corn on the cob.  This spicy salad is full of flavors and loaded with veggies and black beans to add protein to the mix. Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: 1 can 

Brown Butter Blondies

Brown Butter Blondies

My kids love chocolate chip cookies, so I decided to try blondies using browned butter and a trio of chocolate chips (dark morsels, semi-sweet mini chips, and milk chocolate chips).  These are not healthy in any means, but they do taste great.

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Ingredients:

3 sticks unsalted butter

3 cups lightly packed dark brown sugar

3 large eggs

1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

½ teaspoon kosher salt

1 ½ cups chocolate chips (I used a half cup each of dark chocolate morsels, mini semi-sweet, and milk chocolate chips)

Directions:

  1. Brown the butter in a medium saucepan by cooking on medium low heat until medium-brown in color and melted through.  Allow to cool.
  2. Preheat the oven to 350 and grease a 9×13 baking pan.
  3. Beat the butter and brown sugar in a stand mixer with a paddle attachment at medium until creamy. 
  4. Add the eggs and vanilla beating on medium and scraping down the sides.
  5. Add the baking powder and salt.  Add the flour ¼ cup at a time on low speed. 
  6. Fold in the chocolate chips.
  7. Press the mixture in the prepared pan spreading to an even layer.
  8. Bake 35-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with only a few crumbs.
  9. Let cool on a wire rack.
  10. Store in a covered container or freeze individual squares. 
  11. Enjoy!
Lemon Lime Avocado Cupcakes with Lemon Lime Glaze

Lemon Lime Avocado Cupcakes with Lemon Lime Glaze

I was craving something sweet and I was in the mood for lemon and lime.  The light cupcakes are made using stevia instead of sugar and avocado instead of butter.  They lemon and lime flavors pop and the sweet tart glaze is the perfect topping.