Couscous Crusted Chicken Tenders with Corn & Tomato Salad

April 9, 2015 Amanda Plott

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Sargento. The opinions and text are all mine.

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Who watches Chopped? I do, I do! It's one of my most favorite shows. I love to watch the cooks on there immediately having to think on their feet with a basket of rather random and sometimes even off-putting ingredients.

Growing up, it was a weekly challenge to go through the fridge, freezer, and pantry to use up any and all leftovers into a completely new and delicious meal. My dad, being in the food industry all of my life, was all about repurposing food and making sure nothing went to waste! So, the show Chopped has always been right up my ally.

Sargento® is hosting a “Chopped at Home” contest, so today's post is a little different since I'm getting creative and doing a Chopped-inspired dish featuring Sargento® Shredded Cheese. The challenge was to use the following real ingredients: Sargento® Off the Block 4 Cheese Mexican, boneless chicken tenders, couscous, and salsa!...

Sun Butter, Banana & Chia Seed Toast

April 7, 2015 Amanda Plott

It's been a while since I posted a yummy breakfast toast, so I'm back at it again! After a rather long and exhaustive birthday weekend with my 5 year old, I needed something easy, healthy, and rather delicious to have for breakfast this week.

Happy 5th Birthday Lily!

I've done my share of toast in the past. Avocado toast. Black bean toast. Toast, toast, and now more toast! I wanted to do something a bit different, but still with the main focal point of... toast...

Baked Spicy Chicken & Cheese Taquitos (Sponsored)

March 30, 2015 Amanda Plott

This post was brought to you by Collective Bias, Inc. and it's advertiser. I received compensation to write this post … but, all opinions expressed are my own. #JustAddRotel #CollectiveBias

Before I even get started, I should mention that there is a RO*TEL Coupon deal that ends April 6th (while supplies last.) Be sure that you get yours today to use on this amazing game day recipe.

I'm a Texas girl, so RO*TEL is just sort of a part of weekly life here. Whether it's to be used in queso, guacamole, or in something else all together. Today I'm using RO*TEL in a more non-traditional manner and actually incorporating it into a recipe to feed a crowd; a game day crowd that is!

Basket ball playoff games, as well as any other game day in Texas usually consists of lots and lots of appetizer style figner-foods, and today is no different! I'm whipping up some easy Tex-Mex chicken taquitos by using RO*TEL to spice up one of my favorite game day recipes.

Like I said, don't forget to get this RO*TEL Coupon deal while you can! The coupon expires April 6th. Right now, you can buy 3 and get 1 free! Since it expires soon, download it quickly and use it today at Walmart to get your RO*TEL for your game day grub!...

Baked Dark Chocolate Coffee Infused Donuts (Sponsored)

March 27, 2015 Amanda Plott

This post was brought to you by Collective Bias, Inc. and it's advertiser. I received compensation to write this post … but, all opinions expressed are my own. #McCafeMyWay#CollectiveBias

I'm the mother of a rather active almost five year old girl. (I mean... what little one isn't active, am I right?) Around here, mornings are always full of chaos and about 75% of the crazythat will go along with the day. It seems like everything is a struggle. Getting dressed, brushing teeth, brushing hair, everything. It's just an all out stressful situation!

Recently, I started in with a 'chore chart' that seems to make the mornings a bit easier. For each 'chore' she does on her own to get ready in the morning, she gets a star sticker. At the end of the week if she has accumulated enough stars, she gets a special treat or prize.

Another thing that helps with my morning routine is always starting my day off with a nice big cup of coffee. It's that morning pick-me-up that I absolutely need to get through it all. Yeah, you know what I'm talking about. Once I get my little one dressed and settled in (whether at home or pre-school), I like to indulge in a second cup of coffee for a bit of much needed "me time".

Today I'm using McCafé coffee in yet another way to help me get through my day while indulging in a better-for-you treat at the same time! After all, what goes better with coffee than donuts anyway? Now you can enjoy both together in one glorious bite...

Skinny Turkey Kofta

March 25, 2015 Amanda Plott

I think the first time that I learned of a Kofta was about a year or two ago amidst one of the many reality cooking TV shows that I frequently watch; which is one of the sources that I get so much of my inspiration from. I thought it sounded pretty great! A seasoned meatloaf or meatball on a stick? Perfect!

Still don't know what a Kofta is? Well, it's basically a mixture of meat, bread crumbs or rice, and spices to form into meatballs or skewered patties. There are a lot of variations out there, but today I'm going with a healthier play on a turkey Kofta with a sort of Greek or Lebanese twist. I added in chopped onions, egg, and some traditional spices to the meat, and served it with a lemon tahini sauce on the side.

I would have served it with some tzatziki, but I am not a fan at all of cucumbers. Sorry all!...

Quick Lemon Blackberry Rosemary Spritzer

March 15, 2015 Amanda Plott

This post was brought to you by Collective Bias, Inc. and it's advertiser. I received compensation to write this post … but, all opinions expressed are my own. #KeepSpringBubbly #CollectiveBias

Spring is here! I'm not sure if it's because this past week was spent 'springing forward' or if it's a change in the weather lately, but I can see Spring quickly taking over! There's nothing that welcomes spring in more than a nice effervescent beverage that's full of the good stuff.

What good stuff? Fresh fruit, berries, and herbs straight from the garden! I'm really lucky to have fresh herbs and a lemon tree at my disposal. Two of my favorite spring fruits are lemons and blackberries. This is a classic flavor combination that always adds a little happy to my day, and trust me, I need some happy lately.

Blackberries have always been a favorite of mine. I remember when I was little and we lived on the coast of Oregon for a few years. Once the sun started to sprout through the coastal clouds, I knew it was the time of year when blackberries ran rampant. I could literally walk out into my backyard and pick a basket of perfectly ripe blackberries. Yum. ...Oh, how I miss those days!...

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