Recent Posts

Brown Sugar Pork Loin
October 19, 2023

Brown Sugar Pork Loin

This pork loin only takes minutes to prep and then it cooks all day in a crock pot. I often serve this with baked apples and mashed or baked potatoes. Ingredients: 4 pound boneless pork loin 1 clove garlic 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup brown …

Entrees
-
by Ashley
Stuffed Shells with Italian Sausage Pumpkin Cream
October 17, 2023

Stuffed Shells with Italian Sausage Pumpkin Cream

Stuffed shells are one of my all time favorite meals. This is a different twist using pumpkin for a fall twist. Ingredients: 16 jumbo pasta shells 1 pound ground Italian sausage 1 cup unsalted chicken broth 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning 1 can pumpkin puree divided …

Entrees
-
by Ashley
Deep Dish Brownies Stuffed with Hershey Kisses and Topped with Coffee Icing
October 14, 2023

Deep Dish Brownies Stuffed with Hershey Kisses and Topped with Coffee Icing

I love frosted brownies and these were perfect for Halloween. The coffee icing enhances the chocolate flavor and the Hershey kisses add bits of gooey chocolate in each bite.

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce or vegetable oil

4 ounces semisweet chocolate chopped

3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar

1/4 cup white sugar

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs cold

1 tablespoon espresso powder

1/2 cup all purpose flour

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1/4 cup chocolate protein powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

16 Hershey kisses

1/2 tub coffee frosting (optional)

Toppings: sprinkles

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray a pan with baking spray.
  2. Put butter, applesauce (oil), and chocolate in a microwave safe bowl. Heat at 75% power for 2 minutes to melt.
  3. Gently stir to melt and distribute the chocolate.
  4. Stir in the brown sugar, white sugar, salt, and vanilla into the chocolate mixture.
  5. Add the eggs and coffee and mix into distribute.
  6. Add the cocoa, flour, protein powder, and baking soda. Stir until it just disappears.
  7. Pour the batter into the pan.
  8. Place the Hershey kisses in 4 rows of 4.
  9. Bake 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  10. Cool on a cooling rack.
  11. Then top with icing and decorations of your choice.

Desserts
-
by Ashley
One Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo Pasta
October 14, 2023

One Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo Pasta

One pot dishes are wonderful on busy nights when you don’t have time to do a lot of dishes. You can add more or less Cajun seasoning to adjust the spice level to your liking. You can also prepare this using just cream cheese for …

Entrees
-
by Ashley
Roasted Green Bean Salad with Sundried Tomato Dressing
June 13, 2023

Roasted Green Bean Salad with Sundried Tomato Dressing

I don’t think I tried sundried tomatoes until a year or so ago and I absolutely love them.  The dressing on top of these roasted green beans also tastes great on salads. Ingredients: Sun-Dried Tomato Dressing– ½ cup oil packed sun-dried tomatoes with oil 2 …

About Me Information
-
by Ashley
Zucchini and Meatball Lasagna
June 13, 2023

Zucchini and Meatball Lasagna

Every time I make this lasagna I change up the recipe a little.  I have made this with only zucchini noodles and I have made it using a layer or two of no-boil lasagna noodles to add structure. I often use fresh meatballs with Italian seasoning, but you could use frozen meatballs if you thaw them before prepping this dish.

Ingredients:

2-3 zucchini sliced into ¼ inch slices

2 tablespoons Italian seasoning blend divided

12 large meatballs or 24 smaller meatballs

1 large jar marinara sauce of your choice

1-2 cups ricotta

1 egg lightly beaten

1-2 tablespoons chopped basil

2 cups shredded mozzarella divided

1 cup shredded parmesan cheese

Optional 3-6 no boil lasagna noodles

Directions:

  1. Arrange zucchini slices in an even layer and spray with olive oil spray and sprinkle with Italian seasoning.  I prefer to air fry the slices in a single layer for 8 minutes in a few batches.  You can roast these at 350 for 15 minutes to soften them as well.
  2. Sauté the meatballs over medium heat turning often until lightly browned if using uncooked meatballs.  Let meatballs cool and then slice in half.
  3. Mix ricotta, egg, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, basil, and 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese.
  4. Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce in the base of a 9×13 pan.
  5. If using no boil noodles lay 3 in the base of the pan. If not arrange the zucchini slices in a single layer. 
  6. Spread meatball halves over the zucchini slices.
  7. Place dollops of the ricotta mixture over and around the meatballs.
  8. Place another layer of zucchini slices (or no bake noodles) over the ricotta layer.
  9. Pour marinara sauce over the zucchini slices and top with shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese. (I have used sliced cheese that I cut into strips to top this lasagna too).
  10. If baking immediately cover with aluminum foil (spray with olive oil to prevent the cheese from sticking) and bake at 375 for 25 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes. 
  11. If prepping in advance and refrigerating bake for 45 minutes then remove the foil and bake for 5-10 minutes to melt the cheese.
  12. Note: I often broil on high for an additional 3-5 minutes at the end to lightly brown the cheese. 
Entrees
-
by Ashley
Italian Sausage Stuffed Peppers
June 13, 2023

Italian Sausage Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed peppers are easy to make and customize depending on what you are craving. These stuffed peppers were filled with ground Italian sausage and the pepper tops as well as some marinara sauce topped with shredded Italian cheeses. Ingredients: 6 bell peppers tops and stems …

Entrees
-
by Ashley
Pop Pulled Pork
June 7, 2023

Pop Pulled Pork

I love pulled pork sandwiches and wraps.  The sweetness from the root beer in this recipe really made the flavors pop!  I like to eat pulled pork on a wrap with a coleslaw mix, but it tastes amazing on a bun too.  This is a …

Entrees
-
by Ashley
Shrimp Pad Thai
June 7, 2023

Shrimp Pad Thai

My favorite pad thai comes from a restaurant near my husband’s work, but this recipe is a close second and is easily made at home.

Ingredients:

2 pounds shrimp peeled and deveined

2 tablespoons fish sauce (more if you really like the flavor)

3 tablespoons brown sugar

4 tablespoons tamarind soy sauce

4 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice

1-3 tablespoons siracha

1 shallot thinly sliced

2 large eggs beaten

1 bell pepper cut into thin strips

8 ounces rice noodles

3 scallions diced

1 cup mung bean sprouts

Toppings: roasted peanuts, cilantro, additional bean sprouts….

Directions:

  1. Cook the noodles according to package directions.
  2. Stir together the fish sauce, brown sugar, tamarind, lime juice, and siracha,
  3. Add shrimp and shallot to a large wok or nonstick pan and cook on medium heat for 4-5 minutes until shrimp are opaque.
  4. Add beaten egg to the skillet and cook mixing continuously for 1 minute.
  5. Add the bell peppers and cook for 2 more minute.
  6. Add the noodles, scallions, bean sprouts, and sauce and mix together. Continue to cook for 3-5 more minutes.
  7. Serve in bowls and top with roasted peanuts, more bean sprouts, or cilantro.
  8. Enjoy!
Entrees
-
by Ashley
Strawberry Muffins
June 5, 2023

Strawberry Muffins

I love muffins in the morning as my pre-workout snack.  These are the perfect spring muffin when strawberries are fresh from the farmers market.  I made strawberry yogurt glaze I added as I served the muffins so they wouldn’t get mushy. Ingredients: Muffins- ½ cup …

Breakfast
-
by Ashley