Month: October 2021

General Tso Chicken Tacos

General Tso Chicken Tacos

These tacos topped with the coleslaw and crema were inventive and delicious.  Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: Cabbage Slaw: 1 tablespoon1 rice vinegar 1 tablespoons chopped pickled ginger plus 1 tablespoon pickling liquid  1 tablespoon soy sauce  1/2 tablespoon toasted sesame oil  1 bag 

Pumpkin Everything Cake (Spicecake, Cheesecake, and Pumpkin Pie Pudding Frosting)

Pumpkin Everything Cake (Spicecake, Cheesecake, and Pumpkin Pie Pudding Frosting)

This is a pumpkin cake I will be making every year.  It combines spice cake, cheesecake, and pumpkin pudding all into one delectable dessert. Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: One 16.5-ounce box spice cake mix (plus ingredients called for on the box) 32 ounces 

Pumpkin Ricotta Cheesecake with Cranberry Topping

Pumpkin Ricotta Cheesecake with Cranberry Topping

This is by far the best pumpkin cheesecake I have ever made.  The gingersnap crust, ricotta filling, pumpkin spices, and tartness from the cranberry sauce made this a memorable dessert.

Recipe adapted from Food Network


Ingredients:

Crust-

1 14 ounce bag Gingersnaps

4 tablespoons extra virgin coconut oil melted

Filling-

16 ounces part skim ricotta cheese

½ cup truvia or 1 cup granulated sugar

1 15 ounce can pure pumpkin puree

3 large eggs

¾ cup mascarpone cheese

1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

½ teaspoon salt

Topping-

12 ounces fresh cranberries

¼ cup truvia or ½ cup granulated sugar

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1/3 cup water

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 325˚ F. Wrap the outside (bottom and sides) of a 9-inch springform pan with foil to prevent any leaking. Don’t skip this step!!!
  2. Make the crust: Pulse the cookies and sugar in a food processor until finely ground. Add the melted coconut oil; pulse to combine. Firmly press into the bottom and 1/4 inch up the sides of the pan.  Bake until the crust is golden and set, 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool completely.
  3. Meanwhile, make the filling: Add the ricotta, sugar, pumpkin, eggs, mascarpone, vanilla, pie spice and salt to a stand mixer and mix on medium until combined.  Spread gently over the crust. 
  4. Bake the cheesecake until set around the edges but the center still jiggles slightly, 1 1/2 hours to 1 hour 45 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool completely. Cover and refrigerate until cold and set, at least 8 hours or overnight.
  5. Make the topping: Add cranberries to a small saucepan and combine with the sugar, lemon juice, salt and water. Cook over medium heat until thick, 7 to 10 minutes.  Let cool.
  6. Let the cheesecake sit at room temperature 20 minutes, then run a thin knife around the edge and remove the springform ring. Add a splash of water to the cranberry topping to loosen, if needed. Serve over the cheesecake.
2 Ingredient Healthy Fudge

2 Ingredient Healthy Fudge

Dates can provide texture and sweetness to many desserts and other foods.  I have been using dates in a variety of recipes over the last year.  These 2 or 3 ingredient fudge tastes decadent, but uses only natural sugars.  You can use 2 cups of 

Roasted Pork Loin with Butternut Squash and Apples

Roasted Pork Loin with Butternut Squash and Apples

This pork loin was so good, it was bursting with flavor.  The butternut squash and apples were a fabulous side dish with the pork loin. Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: 2 1 pound pork tenderloins 2 tablespoons fresh sage chopped 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg 

Mushroom Cheesesteak Lettuce Wraps

Mushroom Cheesesteak Lettuce Wraps

These “cheesesteaks” are light, delicious, and full of flavor.  I will make these again when I am craving a gooey and healthy dinner.

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Ingredients:

4 large portobello mushrooms stems and gills removed thinly sliced

1-2 bell peppers (I used orange, red, and purple)

½ sweet onion sliced

Bibb lettuce

Sliced provolone cheese cut into strips

2 tablespoons soy sauce

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon ground oregano

Freshly ground pepper

Directions:

  1. Mix soy sauce, vinegar, oregano, and garlic powder in a small bowl. 
  2. Pour the marinade over the mushroom slices.
  3. Spray a nonstick pan with olive oil spray.
  4. Cook the peppers and onions on medium for 5 minutes.
  5. Add the mushrooms with the marinade.  Continue to cook for 10 minutes.
  6. Use a slotted spoon to serve the mushroom mixture on the bibb lettuce leaves.
  7. Add sliced provolone on the warm mushrooms so it will melt.
  8. Enjoy!
Pumpkin Chai Muffins

Pumpkin Chai Muffins

Pumpkin mixed with chai spices! These muffins are light, fluffy, and exploding with flavor. Ingredients: 1 cup pumpkin puree 1 cup almond flour ½ cup whole wheat flour 1 scoop vanilla protein powder ½ cup nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce 1 teaspoon 

Nut Free Peanut Butter Cookies

Nut Free Peanut Butter Cookies

Peanut butter cookies are my absolute favorite and I make them several times a year. I always feel bad because my son with a nut allergy is left out, so this time instead of using peanut butter I used his sunflower butter. The cookies still 

Peanut Butter Spider Cookies

Peanut Butter Spider Cookies

Peanut butter cookies are my favorite type of cookies and my son loves spiders, so when I saw this recipe I knew I had to try it.  I used a nut free butter because my son is allergic to peanuts, but you can use peanut butter or any other nut butter that you choose.

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Ingredients:

¾ cup all-purpose flour

¼ teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ cup truvia or ½ cup granulated sugar

4 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 large egg

½ cup nut butter

Toppings: Chocolate malt balls, M&Ms, Chocolate syrup

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 
  2. Cream the sugar and butter in stand mixer with a paddle attachment on medium.
  3. Add the nut butter, egg, and vanilla extract and mix until smooth.
  4. Whisk the flour, salt, and baking soda in a medium bowl. 
  5. Gradually fold in the flour mixture.
  6. Use a tablespoon cookie scooper to form balls.
  7. Place balls 2 inches apart on a cookie sheet.
  8. Bake 12-14 minutes until cookies are beginning to firm and crack on the top.
  9. Immediately remove cookies from baking sheet and transfer to a wire rack,
  10. Gently press down with chocolate malt ball and M&M to form the spiders body.
  11. Use a small paintbrush or toothpick to paint 4 legs on each side of the spider.
  12. Store in an air-tight container.
  13. Enjoy!
Dirty Chai Dessert Hummus

Dirty Chai Dessert Hummus

I love chai tea in the winter and saw chai blondies while watching Food Network.  Then I started searching for recipes with chai and stumbled on this tasty dirty chai hummus recipe.  I used this with fresh veggies (carrots) and apples. Recipe adapted from Food