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Zachos (Zucchini Nachos)

Zachos (Zucchini Nachos)

I love the cheesy and salsa flavor from nachos, but I try to limit my carbs. Zachos are a fantastic way to get a nacho flavor while filling up with vegetables. Ingredients: 2 zucchini Cheese of your choice- pepper jack, Taco mixture, Monterey jack, cheddar… 

Broccoli and Cheddar Stuffed Red Potatoes

Broccoli and Cheddar Stuffed Red Potatoes

Baked potatoes, broccoli, and cheese- What could be better? This is a simple side dish to accompany any meal. Ingredients: 1 medium red potato for every 2 people (I cooked 3 potatoes for 6 people) 1 cup steamed broccoli 1/2 cup shredded cheddar olive oil 

Chickpea Crab Cakes

Chickpea Crab Cakes

I love crab cakes! This recipe is healthy, filling, and full of flavor. I served these with Apple Cranberry Coleslaw (see recipe) and Broccoli and Cheese Topped Red Potatoes (see recipe). We were fighting over the leftovers since I made a huge batch of everything.

Chickpea Crab Cakes

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15-20 minutes

Ingredients:

16 ounce lump crab meat

1 can chickpeas (liquid reserved)

2 tablespoons nonfat Greek plain yogurt

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

4 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

3 teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning (I love Old Bay, so you may lessen this)

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 cup green onions diced

2 tablespoons fresh parsley

1/2 cup panko bread crumbs

Directions:

  1. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Pulse chick peas in food processor.
  3. Whisk 3 tablespoons chick pea liquid in a bowl until foamy. Add Greek yogurt, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, Old Bay seasoning, salt, green onions, and parsley.
  4. Combine chickpea mixture, bread crumbs, and crab meat. Add liquid mixture to the bowl.
  5. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with olive oil.
  6. Use your hands or a large ice cream scooper to make balls. I made 10 large balls. Spread out balls on baking sheet.
  7. Bake for 15-20 minutes until crab cakes are golden brown.
  8. Serve with Apple Cranberry Coleslaw or over a salad. Top with tartar sauce or cocktail sauce if desired.
Apple Cranberry Coleslaw with Apple Vinaigrette

Apple Cranberry Coleslaw with Apple Vinaigrette

I love pairing different coleslaws with seafood and burgers. This coleslaw and vinaigrette pair wonderfully with Crispy Cod and Chickpea Crab Cakes (see recipes). Recipe adapted from Fixate Apple Cranberry Coleslaw Ingredients: 1 bag coleslaw mix 1 cup matchstick carrots 1 crisp apple sliced 1 

Tuscan Chicken Pasta

Tuscan Chicken Pasta

Are you looking for a new pasta dish? This combination is one I had never tried, but it is one I will make again. The kids ate so much that there were no leftovers after this dinner. Recipe adapted from Tuscan Chicken Skillet on Food 

Eggplant Cannelloni

Eggplant Cannelloni

I love vegetable infused “pasta” type dishes. These eggplant roll ups were a delicious vegetarian meal I will defintely be making again.

Recipe adapted from Fixate Eggplant Cannelloni

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

1 medium eggplant sliced lengthwise (I got 9 slices and discarded the end pieces)

1 tsp olive oli

3/4 cup chopped onion

3 cloves garlic pressed

4 cups diced kale

1 cup skim milk cottage cheese

2 tablespoons chopped basil

1 tablespoon chopped parsley

2 tsp Italian seasoning (plus some to sprinkle on Eggplant)

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1 egg beaten

1/2 jar marinara sauce

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to broil and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Spread out eggplant slices on baking sheet. Spray with olive oil. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
  3. Broil eggplant for 3 minutes per side or until eggplant begins to soften and brown.
  4. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees if cooking now. (This dish can be refrigerated and cooked later at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.)
  5. Spray a large nonstick pan with olive oil. Sautee the onion, garlic, and kale.
  6. In a large bowl mix cottage cheese, egg, basil, parsley, and Italian seasoning. Add onion, garlic, and kale once cooked.
  7. Spread a layer of marinara sauce in the bottom of an 8×8 pan.
  8. Spread 1/4 cup of cottage cheese filling over each eggplant slice and gently roll the eggplant up. Place roll seam-side down into the baking dish. Repeat with remaining slices.
  9. Top eggplant roll with enough marinara sauce to cover each roll. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top.
  10. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.
  11. Broil on high for an additional 3-5 minutes until cheese is browned and melted.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie

Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie

Do you love chocolate chip cookies? How about a slice of warm chocolate chip cookie pie topped with vanilla ice cream. This is a tasty dessert for all of the chocolate chip cookie lovers out there. Note: I made this recipe nut free but you 

Lightened up Dirt Cake

Lightened up Dirt Cake

Warning: This dessert disappears in the blink of an eye around my children and family. When we make this for my dad’s potluck end of season track dinners we have to bring two and both are usually gone within minutes. Dirtcake is a popular dessert 

Peanut Butter and Jelly Blondies

Peanut Butter and Jelly Blondies

Do you love peanut butter and jelly? How about a PBJ blondie? This is a delicious dessert that will keep you coming back for more.

Recipe adapted from PB and J Blondie on Food Network

Prep: 20 minutes

Cook: 30-35 minutes

Ingredients:

1 stick unsalted butter

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar

2 large eggs beaten

2 tablespoons powedered peanut butter

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 tablespoons vanilla extract

1 cup peanut butter chips

1/2 cup jam or preserves of your choice (I used strawberry jam)

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9×13 or spray with baking spray.
  2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, powdered peanut butter, and salt in a small bowl. In another bowl mix melted butter and brown sugar until combined. Add eggs and vanilla and mix. Add dry ingredients and gently fold together with a spatula. Add peanut butter chips.
  3. Pour the batter into the pan and spread evenly. Microwave the jam for 15-30 seconds. Gently pour jam and use a toothpick knife make patterns in the batter.
  4. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the top is shiny and a cake tester comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Enjoy!
Chicken melt, air fryer French fries, and spinach salad

Chicken melt, air fryer French fries, and spinach salad

Do you need a quick weeknight dinner that you can customize to suit the palate of picky eaters? Chicken melts are quick to prepare and easy to alter so you can make them time and time again depending on your mood. Homemade French fries are