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Mashed Cheddar Cauliflower

Mashed Cheddar Cauliflower

Mashed cauliflower tastes as wonderfully as mashed potatoes with fewer carbs.  This is a side dish that is easy to prepare and goes well with meatloaf or many other meals where you would normally crave mashed potatoes. Ingredients: 4 cups cauliflower florets ¼ cup plain 

Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken Soup

Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken Soup

Dinners I can prep in advance and throw in the crockpot, oven, or on the grill are my saving grace on busy weekdays.  This is a simple chicken soup that everyone in my house devours.  You can up the spice by adding the optional ingredients. 

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

Ingredients:

4 cups cauliflower and broccoli florets

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese

1 tablespoon fresh parsley

1 clove garlic

½ teaspoon salt

Directions:

  1. Preheat over to 400 degrees.
  2. Mix lemon juice, olive oil, parsley, garlic, and salt in a small bowl.
  3. Put broccoli and cauliflower in an oven safe dish with a lid or prepare to wrap in aluminum foil. 
  4. Spread the lemon mixture over the cauliflower and broccoli.
  5.  Bake covered for 45 minutes.
  6. Arrange cauliflower and broccoli on a baking sheet.  Bake for 10-15 more minutes.
  7. Enjoy!
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 

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 cinnamon filled cupcakes.

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Ingredients:

Cupcakes-

1 ¼ cup all purpose flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

8 tablespoons unsalted butter melted

½ cup granulated sugar

½ cup packed light brown sugar

¼ cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt

1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

2 large eggs

Green food coloring optional

Buttercream-

8 tablespoons unsalted butter softened

1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 cups powdered sugar

1-2 tablespoons milk

Green food coloring optional

Toppings: sprinkles, bunnies, etc..

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line muffin pan with 12 liners.
  2. In a medium mixing bowl combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  3. In an electric mixer cream the butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, yogurt, vanilla extract, and eggs until fluffy about 3 minutes.
  4. Turn the mixer on low and add dry ingredients just mixing to combine about 30 seconds.
  5. Use a large cookie scooper to fill cupcake liners with 2-3 tablespoons. 
  6. Bake 20-25 minutes.
  7. Cool on a wire rack.
  8. Buttercream- Cream the butter, vanilla, and cinnamon until smooth in an electric mixer scraping down the sides as needed.  Add powdered sugar 1 cup at a time.
  9. Fit a pastry bag or icing tool with a star tip and buttercream.  Place a swirl of buttercream on each cupcake. 
  10. Top with sprinkles, sugar, and other decorations of your choice.   
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 

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 bag red cabbage

½ cup matchstick carrots

4 green onions diced

½ bell pepper diced

1 stalk celery diced

1 teaspoon garlic powder

¼ cup Wildtree Wing Sauce (or other Buffalo sauce)

Directions:

  1. Add all ingredients to a large bowl.  Mix to combine.  Refrigerate or serve immediately.
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