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German Potato Salad

German Potato Salad

This is an old family recipe that I adore. Every bite of this salad brings back memories of my childhood and times spent with my grandparents. Ingredients: 3 pounds red potatoes cut into bite size pieces 1 bunch green onions sliced 1/2 pound bacon 3/4 

Shrimp with Zoodles, Artichoke, and Sundried Tomato

Shrimp with Zoodles, Artichoke, and Sundried Tomato

Honestly, this was a dinner I threw together by adding this and that to the skillet. Fortunately this turned into a delicious veggie filled dish I would happily eat again. Ingredients: 4 zucchini spiralized 1 can quartered artichoke hearts drained and chopped 1 jar julienned 

Meatloaf Burgers

Meatloaf Burgers

If you are craving meatloaf, but don’t have a lot of time then this is the dish for you. These burgers were literally packed with flavor and took minutes to prepare. You can serve these with French fries or prepare mashed potatoes and serve the burgers on top of mashed potatoes.

Ingredients:

Patties-

2 pounds lean ground beef

1/2 onion finely diced

4 garlic cloves minced

2 large eggs

1/2 cup breadcrumbs

Glaze-

2/3 cup ketchup

1 tablespoon yellow mustard

1 tablespoon Buffalo sauce

Topping- sliced cheddar cheese

Directions:

  1. Add ground beef, onion, and garlic to a large bowl. Mash/mix together.
  2. Add the eggs and breadcrumbs to the mixture.
  3. Divide the beef into 8 sections and form patties.
  4. Heat a nonstick skillet to medium heat. Cook the patties for 3-4 minutes per side.
  5. Meanwhile make the glaze- Mix the ketchup, mustard, and buffalo sauce in a small bowl.
  6. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with nonstick spray.
  7. Arrange the patties on the baking sheet. Top each patty with a tablespoon of the ketchup mixture and top with cheddar cheese (I used 1/4 slice per patty).
  8. Broil for 5 minutes on high.
  9. Serve on top of mashed potatoes or with French fries.
  10. Enjoy!

Peanut Butter Espresso Reese’s Pieces Oatmeal Cookies

Peanut Butter Espresso Reese’s Pieces Oatmeal Cookies

When I wake up in the morning to workout I am starving. These cookies are the perfect pre-workout snack filled protein, espresso, and extra ingredients that support nursing (Brewer’s yeast and flaxseed). I have two cookies each morning and they fuel my workout. I make 

Tex-Mex Chicken Fried Steak

Tex-Mex Chicken Fried Steak

This was a meal inspired by my oldest son. He loves chicken fried steak, so I decided to give it a shot. I normally do not eat fried food, but this steak topped with peppers and onions over the creamy gravy was a hit. Ingredients: 

Sausage and Pepper Grit Casserole

Sausage and Pepper Grit Casserole

I wish I had discovered grits years ago because I am obsessed with them. This easy to prep casserole combines breakfast sausage with peppers and cheese over creamy grits with a little baked eggs in there to hold everything together. This is a dish I promise your taste buds will enjoy.

Ingredients:

1 pound breakfast sausage

2 bell peppers diced

1 poblano pepper diced

1/2 red onion diced

5 cups chicken stock or water

1 1/2 cups quick cooking grits

8 ounces reduced fat cream cheese (cut into cubes)

2 cups shredded Cheddar (divided)

1 tablespoon buffalo or hot sauce (more if desired)

3 large eggs beaten

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9×13 dish with nonstick spray.
  2. Place a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook the peppers and onions stirring often.
  3. Place a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook the sausage breaking it up until it browns.
  4. Note: You can cook the sausage and peppers together if desired.
  5. Meanwhile at the stock/water to a large saucepan and bring it to a boil. Stir in the grits. Reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook the grits stirring frequently for 5 minutes as the grits thicken.
  6. Remove the grits from heat and stir in the cream cheese and 1 cup of the cheddar cheese.
  7. Stir in the buffalo/hot sauce with the grits.
  8. Pour the grits over the base of the 9×13 pan.
  9. Spread the sausage over the grits.
  10. Spread the peppers over the sausage.
  11. Pour the beaten egg mixture on top spreading evenly.
  12. Sprinkle the remaining cup of shredded cheese over the dish.
  13. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is golden brown.
  14. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
  15. Enjoy!

Supreme Pizza Cabbage Lasagna

Supreme Pizza Cabbage Lasagna

I frequently make lasagna since it is an easy dish to prep in advance. This lasagna mimics the flavors from a supreme pizza and is loaded with veggies. I substituted shredded cabbage for lasagna noodles to reduce carbs since I had an extra head of 

Veggie Loaded Frittata

Veggie Loaded Frittata

This is a simple meal to prepare that is packed with veggies. You can serve this with a side of sausage, bacon, toast, or biscuits to make a complete meal if you are feeding a crowd. Ingredients: 2 bell peppers chopped 1/2 sweet onion diced 

Taco Meatballs

Taco Meatballs

I love tacos and these were an interesting twist on tacos. I prepared these two ways. The air fried were crispier than the baked and were my families favorites. If you want more spice you can add a poblano or jalapeño pepper to the mixture. We ate these on tortillas with traditional taco toppings: salsa, guacamole, plain Greek yogurt, shredded cheese, etc…

Ingredients:

1 pound lean ground beef

1 block extra firm tofu with excess fluid squeezed out

1 bell pepper diced

1/2 yellow onion diced

2 garlic cloves minced

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 tablespoon cumin

1 tablespoon oregano

1/2 to 1 cup salsa

2 cups shredded cheese (plus more for topping)

1 cup whole wheat panko breadcrumbs

tortillas

Toppings: salsa, guacamole, shredded cheese, plain nonfat Greek yogurt

Directions:

  1. Spray a large nonstick pan with olive oil spray.
  2. Add the peppers and onion and cook on medium heat for 5 minutes.
  3. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
  4. Add the ground beef and tofu and crumble/mash to mix together.
  5. Continue to cook for 5 minutes stirring frequently.
  6. Add the oregano, chili powder, and cumin and mix in.
  7. Add the salsa and mix it in.
  8. Add the shredded cheese and mix it in as it melts.
  9. Remove from heat.
  10. Stir in the breadcrumbs.
  11. Use a medium scooper to form meatball.
  12. Place meatballs on a large rimmed baking sheet lined with aluminum foil and sprayed with olive oil spray.
  13. Make rows of meatballs spread apart like cookies 2 inches apart.
  14. Air fry at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through and beginning to brown/crisp on the edges.
  15. Serve meatballs on tortillas with desired toppings.
Sundried Tomato and Chicken Parmesan Pasta

Sundried Tomato and Chicken Parmesan Pasta

I am not going to lie, I love sundried tomatoes so much I could eat them straight from the jar. This pasta dinner combines sauteed chicken tenders with fettucine (or a pasta of your choice) in a creamy parmesan sauce filled with sundried tomatoes. Ingredients: