Recent Posts

Lemon Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower and Broccoli

Lemon Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower and Broccoli

I think roasted cauliflower tastes amazing, but some members of my household won’t eat it.  So I adapted this recipe to use half cauliflower and half broccoli.  This is a flavorful and simple side that goes great with any main dish. Recipe adapted from Fixate 

Grilled Pork Chops with Apple and Onion Compote

Grilled Pork Chops with Apple and Onion Compote

Grilled pork chops with this sweet rub pairs wonderfully with a simple apple and onion compote.  Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: Pork Chops- 6 boneless pork chops 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1 tablespoon salt 1 tablespoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon cardamom ½ freshly ground nutmeg 

Zucchini Crab Lasagna

Zucchini Crab Lasagna

I love crab and zucchini so I combined both to make a sensational and healthy lasagna. 

Ingredients:

1 pound lump crab meat

1 pound fat free cottage cheese

2 medium zucchini

4 cups spinach

1 jar marinara sauce (I used Ledo’s)

¼ cup fresh basil

¼ cup diced onion

2 cloves garlic

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

½ teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon onion powder

½ teaspoon oregano

¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese

½ cup shredded Italian cheese

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 if cooking now.  I usually prepare this in advance and refrigerate until I am ready to cook it. 
  2. Slice zucchini into ¼ inch round slices.
  3. Spray a nonstick pan with olive oil spray.
  4. Sprinkle zucchini slices with Italian seasoning and sauté over low heat for 5-10 minutes until they soften. Set aside.
  5. Dice spinach in a food processor. Add spinach, diced onion, garlic, and basil to a pan with marinara sauce and sauté for 5 minutes. 
  6. Add crab meat, cottage cheese, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano to a bowl and mix to combine. 
  7. Spray a 8×8 dish with olive oil spray. Arrange ½ zucchini in a single layer.
  8. Spread ½ crab mixture over zucchini.
  9. Spread ½ sauce over crab mixture.
  10. Arrange another layer of zucchini slices.  Repeat with crab mixture and sauce.
  11. Top with shredded Italian cheese.
  12. Bake 45 minutes if serving now.  Bake 1 hour if serving after refrigerating.   
  13. Let rest 5 minutes before dishing up.  Serve with garlic bread!
Spring Churro Cupcakes

Spring Churro Cupcakes

My five year old loves watching baking shows with me.  He saw green cupcakes for St. Patrick’s day on TV and decided he had to make green springy cupcakes.  If you want a good crunch and an even better laugh let your kids decorate these 

Buffalo Burgers

Buffalo Burgers

Buffalo anything always sounds good to me.  These are a healthy flavor filled burger that will have you asking for more. I prep these in advance and freeze the patties.  Then I simply thaw and grill whenever I get a craving for some buffalo goodness. 

Lucky Charms Marshmallow Bars

Lucky Charms Marshmallow Bars

If you love Lucky Charms and you enjoy rice crispy treats, then you will go crazy over these Lucky Charm bars.

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Ingredients:

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

One 11.5 ounce bag Lucky Charms cereal

One 10 ounce bag mini marshmallows

1 9 ounce bag funfetti chips or white chocolate chips

Directions:

  1. Line a 9×13 baking dish with foil and spray with nonstick butter spray.
  2. Reserve ½ cup marshmallows from the Lucky Charms cereal.
  3. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium low heat.
  4. Add the marshmallows and stir continuously until melted about 5 minutes.
  5. Remove from heat and stir in the cereal.
  6. Press the mixture into the prepared pan. 
  7. Let cool for 1 hour.
  8. Melt funfetti or white chocolate chips.  Microwave in 30 second intervals stirring after each interval. 
  9. Lift the treats out of pan and remove aluminum foil.  Place bars back in the pan.
  10. Drizzle the melted chips over the bars and sprinkle with the extra marshmallows. 
  11. Let sit at room temperature to set. 
  12. Cut into bars.
  13. Store in an air-tight container.
Buffalo Coleslaw

Buffalo Coleslaw

I love buffalo everything!  This coleslaw tastes great as a salad for lunch and really shines when paired with buffalo turkey burgers (see recipe in Entrees).  I usually use green cabbage, but I happened to grab red cabbage at the store this week. Ingredients: 1 

Chai Protein Balls

Chai Protein Balls

Chai tea is my favorite middle of the day drink when I need an energy boost or to warm up.  These energy balls have the warm flavors of chai tea combined with protein power from nuts.  Ingredients: ½ cup old fashioned oats ½ cup roasted 

Apple and Fennel Muffins

Apple and Fennel Muffins

I made salad with apple and fennel earlier this week that was to die for.  I had leftover fennel, so I decided to add it to muffins filled with apple and lots of spices.

Ingredients:

2 apples peeled and diced

½ cup fennel diced

3 teaspoons ground cinnamon divided

1 teaspoon cardamom divided

½ cup brown sugar

1 cup almond flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon fine salt

½ cup unsweetened applesauce

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

¾ cup low fat buttermilk

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a muffin pan or prepare with liners.
  2. Microwave apples and fennel with 1 teaspoon cinnamon and ½ teaspoon cardamom for 2 minutes.
  3. In a large bowl add flours, sugar, protein powder, baking soda, spices, and salt.  Whisk to combine.
  4. Add applesauce, eggs, and vanilla extract and mix.
  5. Fold in buttermilk and mix gently to combine.
  6. Fold in apples and fennel.
  7. Use a large scooper or measuring cup to fill muffin tins.
  8. Bake 20-22 minutes.
  9. Let cool for at least 10 minutes before removing from muffin tins.
  10. Store in an air-tight container.
  11. Enjoy!
Nutella Mousse

Nutella Mousse

Silken tofu pairs well with Nutella, confectioners’ sugar, and a sprinkle of hazelnuts to create a tasty and light dessert. Ingredients: 1 package silken/soft tofu 1/3 cup Nutella 1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar Toppings: chopped hazelnuts; mini semi-sweet chocolate chips Directions: Blend tofu, Nutella, and sugar