Recent Posts

Tex-Mex Shrimp and Grits

Tex-Mex Shrimp and Grits

Before moving to North Carolina I had never tasted grits. I have to admit I am hooked. Why did I go 40 years of my life without discovering how tasty these can be. This dish is the perfect mix of spice and creaminess! Yum! We 

Chickpea Blondies

Chickpea Blondies

If you know me, then you know I am obsessed with dessert. However; I do try to make “healthy” desserts sometimes so I can satisfy cravings without blowing all the time I spend exercising. These “blondies” are peanut buttery and sweet. I used a mixture 

Tortilla Smash Burgers

Tortilla Smash Burgers

We saw this idea on Facebook and just had to try it. These are the quickest and easiest burgers to make. You can use any seasoning or topping you want to adjust the flavor and enjoy these over and over without ever getting bored.

Ingredients:

1 pound lean ground beef

4 tortillas

4 slices of cheese

1 tablespoon seasoning (We used a chili lime seasoning for these)

Toppings: lettuce, tomato, onion, ketchup, mustard, pickles, salsa, etc…

Directions:

  1. Mash up ground beef in a bowl with seasoning. Divide into 4 balls.
  2. Pre-heat a flat nonstick skillet/pan over medium heat.
  3. Place each ball of meat on the skillet and top with the tortilla. Gently push down to “smash” the meat filling the tortilla.
  4. Cook 3-4 minutes.
  5. Flip the burger over and allow to cook for 2 minutes.
  6. Top with a slice of cheese and cook for an additional minute while the cheese melts.
  7. Remove from heat and transfer each tortilla burger to a plate.
  8. Add desired toppings.
  9. Enjoy!!
Roasted Veggie and Meatball Lasagna

Roasted Veggie and Meatball Lasagna

This “pasta” dish is packed with roasted broccoli and cauliflower over a layer of zucchini noodles with Italian meatballs and a ricotta cheese filling mixed throughout. If you are trying to eat more vegetables then this is the dinner for you. Ingredients: 1 head broccoli 

Veggie Chili

Veggie Chili

I try to fill up with veggies as often as possible. This simple crock pot chili is literally bursting with vegetables. Ingredients: 1 zucchini sliced and quartered 1 yellow squash sliced and quartered 1 bell pepper diced 1/2 sweet onion diced 2 garlic cloves minced 

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate chip cookies are heaven in and of themselves, but with the addition of brown butter these take on an even more memorable flavor profile. We added extra chocolate chips, but you can substitute one cup of chocolate chips for walnuts if you prefer.

Ingredients:

Browned Butter-

1 1/2 cups unsalted butter

1/4 cup dry milk powder

Cookies-

1 cup browned sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 large eggs

1 egg yolk

1 1/2 cups cake flour

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon cornstarch

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup milk chocolate chips

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chunks

1 cup dark chocolate chips

Directions:

Browned Butter

  1. In a medium saucepan melt the butter over medium-low heat.
  2. Whisk in the milk powder and cook for 3 minutes or until the milk solids become a golden brown color. Stir constantly.
  3. Remove the saucepan from the heat and transfer to a heatproof bowl. Allow to cool at room temperature 0or refrigerate to quicken the cooling process.

Cookies-

  1. Preheat the oven to 415 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Add browned butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract to a stand mixer and mix on medium with a paddle attachment for 4 minutes.
  3. Add the eggs and egg yolk one at a time beating after each addition.
  4. In a separate bowl whisk the cake flour, all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, and baking soda.
  5. Reduce heat to low and add the dry ingredients 1/2 cup at a time.
  6. Add the chocolate chips and mix on low to combine.
  7. Use a medium cookie scooper to form balls. Place two inches apart on a baking sheet.
  8. Bake 8-9 minutes until cookies are golden brown. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for two minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool.
  9. Enjoy these cookies while they are warm!
Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Butternut Squash

Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Butternut Squash

Funny Story: The night I served this I told my family mac and cheese was for dinner. They kept asking, “Just macaroni and cheese? Nothing else, no veggies?” I replied that it was just mac and cheese for dinner. As we were eating my oldest 

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Lactation Cookies

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Lactation Cookies

I love peanut butter, so these cookies definitely hit the spot. These taste like peanut butter cookies mixed with oatmeal and filled with pops of peanut butter chips to really make the peanut butter flavor pop. The extra ingredients (Brewers Yeast and Flaxseed) are in 

Mexican Spaghetti aka Taco Spaghetti

Mexican Spaghetti aka Taco Spaghetti

I love spaghetti, but I wasn’t in the mood for a traditional marina sauce. This turned out divine. I used the extra sauce as a dip with Tostito chips and sliced veggies.

Ingredients:

1 pound lean ground beef

1 bell pepper diced

1/2 onion diced

2 garlic cloves minced

24 ounces tomato sauce

14 ounce can diced tomato’s with chilis

1/2 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt

8 ounces Velveeta cheese sliced

2 tablespoons taco seasoning divided

8 ounces chickpea spaghetti; or 16 ounces any spaghetti

1/2 cup shredded Mexican cheese

Directions:

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
  2. Add ground beef to a nonstick skillet. Add 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning. Break up and cook until just browned. Drain grease.
  3. Meanwhile cook pepper and onion over medium heat in a nonstick pan until they begin to soften. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
  4. Add pepper and onion mixture to the ground beef. Add sauce, diced tomatoes, yogurt and remaining taco seasoning.
  5. Bring mixture to a simmer.
  6. Fold in the Velveeta cheese and mix as it melts.
  7. Divide pasta among bowls. Pour sauce over the noodles. Top with shredded cheese.
Artichoke and Sundried Tomato Pasta

Artichoke and Sundried Tomato Pasta

The artichokes and sundried tomatoes mixed with Italian sausage make tasty and quick pasta dish. Ingredients: 8 oz sundried tomatoes julienned and drained 1 pound Italian sausage ground 8 ounces artichoke hearts (drained) (I chopped these in a food processor) 2 large garlic cloves 2