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Coriander Sweet Potatoes

Coriander Sweet Potatoes

Let’s be honest sweet potatoes are almost a dessert in themselves.  These baked sweet potatoes are a breeze to prepare and taste divine.  Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: 4 sweet potatoes 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon ground coriander Zest from 1 

Orange Glazed Chicken and Asparagus

Orange Glazed Chicken and Asparagus

Roasted chicken with an orange glaze is a sure fire way to make your family smile.  This chicken and asparagus is absolutely delicious.  My kids don’t normally like asparagus, but with the orange glaze they devoured it.  Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: 2 split 

Strawberry Carrot Muffins

Strawberry Carrot Muffins

Strawberries always make me smile.  These strawberry carrot muffins will help you greet your morning with a smile too. 

Ingredients:

1 cup cooked diced carrots

1 cup diced strawberries, plus a few sliced strawberries for topping

2 large eggs

½ cup unsweetened applesauce

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup almond flour

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

¼ cup freeze dried strawberry powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon ginger

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line a muffin tin with liners or spray with nonstick baking spray.
  2. Peel and roughly chop 2-3 large carrots.  Boil for 10 minutes.  Then transfer to a food processor and dice. 
  3. In a large bowl add flours, protein powder, baking soda, salt, strawberry powder, ginger, and cinnamon and mix.
  4. Add carrots, eggs, and applesauce.  Mix to combine.
  5. Use a large cookie scooper or measuring cup to fill muffin tins.
  6. Slice strawberries and press on the top of the muffins.
  7. Bake for 20 minutes.
  8. Let cool on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes before removing muffins from tins.
  9. Store in an air-tight container.
Rainbow Sherbet Cake with Lime and Orange Curd and Strawberry Buttercream

Rainbow Sherbet Cake with Lime and Orange Curd and Strawberry Buttercream

One of my son’s is famous for requesting elaborate birthday cakes.  I guess that is what I get for letting him watch Food Network before bed with me every night.  This cake is a combination of several recipes in my attempt to create the cake 

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

My kids could eat macaroni and cheese just about every day.  Most of the time I use store bought Kraft macaroni and cheese because it is quick.  On special occasions I enjoy making homemade mac and cheese.  This isn’t the healthiest version I have made, 

Veggie Loaded Pad Thai

Veggie Loaded Pad Thai

Pad Thai is without a doubt one of my favorite foods.  This is a veggie loaded version that tastes great when you are in a vegetarian mood. 

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Ingredients:

½ cup low sodium soy sauce

¼ cup brown sugar

¼ cup natural or reduced fat peanut butter or 1 scoop powdered peanut butter for a lighter version

1 tablespoons fish sauce

2 tablespoons chile garlic sauce

3 limes, zested and juiced

4 scallions sliced thin whites and green separated

4 cloves garlic

3 tablespoons minced fresh ginger

Olive oil spray

1 cup sliced cremini mushrooms

1 cup shiitake mushrooms

1 bunch asparagus cut into 1 inch segments

1 bell pepper sliced thin

1 large egg beaten or egg whites from 2-3 eggs

1 cup bean sprouts rinsed

½ cup chopped unsalted peanuts

¼ cup fresh cilantro

¼ cup vegetable broth

Directions:

Sauce-

  1. Combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, peanut butter, fish sauce, chili, garlic sauce, lime juice, and lime zest in a blender or food processor.  Pulse to mix.
  2. Add whites of scallions, garlic, ginger.  Pulse for 15-20 seconds. Set aside.

Pad Thai-

  1. Spray a nonstick skillet with olive oil spray.  Add mushrooms and ¼ cup vegetable broth cooking on medium heat until they brown.  Cook 2 minutes. 
  2. Add asparagus and bell pepper.  Cook for another minute stirring often.
  3. Push the veggies to the outer edge of the skillet.  Add the egg and allow it to scramble.
  4. Mix vegetables in with the egg.
  5. Add the sauce and toss to combine.  Add ¼ cup water if needed to thin the sauce.
  6. Remove from heat and add the bean sprouts.
  7. Top with peanuts, cilantro, scallions.
  8. Optional: Cook rice noodles according to package directions and add with the sauce.
Pesto Potatoes

Pesto Potatoes

If you like potatoes and you like pesto then you will love this quick, easy, tasty side dish.  Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: 1 pound baby potatoes (I used ½ a large bag of colored baby potatoes) 1 lemon zest and juice ½ cup 

Balsamic and Mozzarella Brussels Sprouts

Balsamic and Mozzarella Brussels Sprouts

Roasted Brussels sprouts are always delicious.  These pair well with Italian themed meals with the sweetness and acidity from the balsamic vinegar and gooey melted mozzarella.  Ingredients: 2 cups Brussels sprouts stems removed and halved 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 

Parmesan Chicken

Parmesan Chicken

Chicken + Cheese = Yum!

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Ingredients:

2-3 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

2 large eggs

1 tablespoon water

1 cup Italian breadcrumbs

½ cup fresh Parmesan

Salad (spinach, arugula, romaine…) and vegetables of your choice

Lemon Vinaigrette-

¼ cup lemon juice

½ cup extra-virgin olive oil

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

1 packed monk fruit sweetener or 1 teaspoon sugar

Directions:

  1. Slice the chicken breasts into 2-3 slices to make chicken tenders.
  2. Make a dredging station.  Combine the salt, flour, and pepper in a shallow dish.  Mix the eggs and water in another dish.  Combine the breadcrumbs and Parmesan in a third dish. 
  3. Coat the chicken with flour.  Then dip in the egg mixture.  Last dredge the chicken in the bread crumb mixture pressing lightly.
  4. Set chicken aside. 
  5. Cooking Options-
  • Air Fry- Cook at 390 for 5-6 minutes per side.
  • Bake- Cook at 425 for 16 minutes flipping halfway through.

Lemon Vinaigrette- Combine all ingredients in a small bowl.  Whisk to combine.  Pour over a side salad.

I served this with Balsamic Mozzarella Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Pesto Potatoes (see recipes in Sides/Salads).

Steak Salad with Zaatar Chimichurri

Steak Salad with Zaatar Chimichurri

My kids would eat steak any day and I eat salads almost every day.  This recipe combines steak and a salad so delicious even kids should like it. Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: Dressing- ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves ½ cup fresh mint leaves