Recent Posts

Portobello Mushrooms with Tomatoes and Fresh Mozzarella

Portobello Mushrooms with Tomatoes and Fresh Mozzarella

I can eat just about any form of portobello mushrooms.  These portobello pizzas are another tasty dish for all of the mushroom lovers out there. Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients- 4 large portobello mushrooms 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil divided 2 garlic cloves 

Pretzel M&M Bites

Pretzel M&M Bites

These are so easy to make my 8-year-old makes them all the time.  You can use different flavored and colored melts and M&Ms or other candies to top these tasty bite size treats.  We made these for a dinosaur themed party and told my son 

Espresso Ricotta No Bake Cheesecake

Espresso Ricotta No Bake Cheesecake

Chocolate and espresso are a match made in heaven.  This light no bake cheesecake comes together quickly and tastes divine.  You will savor every bite. 

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Ingredients:

Crust-

1 sleeve chocolate graham crackers

3 tablespoons extra virgin coconut oil melted

Filling-

½ cup heavy cream

1 ½ teaspoons powdered gelatin

½ cup sugar

1 tablespoon espresso powder

8 ounces nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt

15 ounces part skim ricotta cheese

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

Crust-

  1. Add graham crackers to food processor.  Pulse until a fine crumb.
  2. Drizzle melted coconut oil over crumbs.  Pulse to mix.
  3. Transfer crumbs to a pie plate.  Gently push down to make the crust.
  4. Freeze for 10 minutes.

Filling-

  1. Pour the cream into a small bowl.  Sprinkle the gelatin over the ream.  Let sit to bloom the gelatin for 5 minutes.
  2. Transfer the mixture to a small saucepan and add the sugar and espresso powder.
  3. Warm over very low heat whisking constantly to dissolve the gelatin.  Do not let the mixture simmer or boil.
  4. Remove from heat and whisk until completely smooth.  Let cool for about 5 minutes.
  5. Beat the yogurt on medium high speed in a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment until light and smooth 1-2 minutes.
  6. Add the ricotta and beat until smooth.  Scrape down the edges to ensure an even mixture.
  7. Add the cooled espresso cream mixture.  Beat until smooth.
  8. Transfer the mixture to the pie plate.
  9. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours.
  10. Optional: Top with a drizzle of chocolate syrup or top with whipped cream.
Chorizo Breakfast Burrito Bowls

Chorizo Breakfast Burrito Bowls

Breakfast burritos honestly taste great any time of day.  These burritos are like a taco salad in a bowl with spicy chorizo.  Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: 1 pound Mexican chorizo 1 large russet potato 1 red bell pepper diced ½ white onion diced 

Funfetti Vanilla Pudding Cupcakes

Funfetti Vanilla Pudding Cupcakes

My youngest son loves sprinkles, so for his birthday I decided to make colorful funfetti cupcakes with a vanilla pudding filling and vanilla buttercream icing with more sprinkles.  I also used a few vanilla chips to add texture and flavor. Ingredients: Cupcakes- One box funfetti 

Strawberry Lime Muffins

Strawberry Lime Muffins

These muffins remind me of a strawberry margarita in the morning with the combination of strawberry and lime. 

Ingredients:

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup almond flour

1 scoops (3 tablespoons) powdered peanut butter

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon strawberry extract

2 eggs

½ cup unsweetened applesauce

Zest of 2 limes, 3-4 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1 cup diced strawberries plus sliced strawberries for topping

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Spray muffin tins with baking spray or line with liners.  
  2. Add flours, peanut butter, protein powder, baking soda, lime zest, and salt to a bowl.  Mix to combine.
  3. Add beaten eggs, applesauce, lime juice, and strawberry extract.  Mix gently.
  4. Add diced strawberries. Mix gently.
  5. Use a large cookie scooper to fill muffin tins.
  6. Gently press sliced strawberries on the top of each muffin.
  7. Bake 20 minutes.
  8. Let cool for at least 10 minutes on a wire rack before removing from the pan.
  9. Store in an air-tight container.  I store these in the fridge after 2 days.  I also freeze extra muffins to enjoy later.
Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes

Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes

These are my favorite sloppy joes! They are loaded with flavor and I managed to sneak in vegetables. These remind me of Philly Cheesesteaks without the calories and fat. Ingredients: 1 pound lean ground turkey ½ cup onion diced 1 green pepper diced ½ cup 

Strawberry Pie

Strawberry Pie

Pies are one of my favorite desserts.  In the spring strawberry pies made with sweet, fresh strawberries are hard to resist.  This recipe uses a graham cracker crust, but you can use a traditional homemade or store bought crust if you prefer. Recipe adapted from 

Fennel, Arugula, and Strawberry Salad

Fennel, Arugula, and Strawberry Salad

Do you need a spring/summer salad recipe?  This salad mixes fennel, arugula, and sweet strawberries with white balsamic vinegar for a heavenly bite.

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Ingredients:

1 cup white balsamic vinegar

1 large fennel bulb with fronds

4 cups arugula

½  cup honey roasted pecans (or other nut)

1 pint strawberries quartered

1 shallot diced

½ cup matchstick carrots

Optional: Feel free to add other vegetables you enjoy.

Directions:

  1. Add the balsamic vinegar to a small saucepan.  Bring to a simmer over medium high heat.  Cook until the vinegar is reduced to about 1/3 cup and syrupy. Let cool for 15 minutes before adding to salad.
  2. Remove the fennel fronds and chop.  Slice the fennel in thin slices. 
  3. Add the fennel, arugula, strawberries, and almonds to a bowl.  Mix gently to combine. 
  4. Drizzle the vinegar over the salad and toss gently. 
  5. Top with fennel fronds.
  6. Serve immediately. 
Stuffed Turkey Burgers

Stuffed Turkey Burgers

What could be better than a fresh, juicy burger stuffed with sundried tomatoes and cheese?  Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients- 1 pound lean ground turkey breast ½ cup diced carrots ¼ cup diced onion 1 cup diced spinach ½ cup chopped sundried tomatoes divided