Chunky Monkey Waffles

February 2, 2023 Amanda Plott

We all know that fun flavor of ice cream ‘chunk monkey’. It’s been one of my favorite of Ben & Jerry’s ever since I knew of it’s existence. It’s certainly not common to come across a banana ice cream, but let me just say, it’s so so good. Something about the banana and the chocolate chunks and pieces of walnut are amazing.

Sometimes I like to pair those three things together in other dessert or breakfast dishes to get that same trio of deliciousness. These Chunky Monkey Waffles are super easy to make with a power protein mix and then of course the chunk monkey add ins of banana, chocolate, and nuts!…

Extra Cheesy Baked Macaroni (Mac Hack)

January 30, 2023 Amanda Plott

Sometimes you just have to be a little cheesy. But today, we’re going to be extra cheesy! This Extra Cheesy Baked Macaron is made all in ONE PAN and is tossed together to bake up in the oven in just over half an hour. The best part is? It’s some of the most rich, creamy, decadent macaroni dishes that you’ll ever make. That blue box of powdered crap has nothing on these noods!

I’ve heard about this hack before of being able to one pan macaroni in the oven, but I’d never tried it until today. I’ll be honest in saying that I was super impressed that it worked so well! I mean, why would you make macaroni any other way?…

Honeycomb Lasagna

January 27, 2023 Amanda Plott

I’ve seen this Honeycomb Lasagna trending all over the place and I finally decided it was high time for me to make my own iteration of it. So, this version of the famous Honeycomb Lasagna is healthified. The very first thing I did was to make and use my own meat sauce. And this one right here has to be my favorite. Now, I know the sauce takes a lot of time but I promise that it’s worth it. BUT. You can really use whatever spaghetti sauce that you want, meat sauce or just standard spaghetti sauce.

I liked the meat sauce here because it gave the noodles something hefty to stand upright in. And making the sauce myself means that I got to reduce it down to be as thick and full of flavor as I wanted it…

Toaster Oven Egg-In-A-Hole

January 24, 2023 Amanda Plott

I feel like I keep saying ‘it’s at that point in the year when I’m too busy to…’ when in reality… I’m just always too busy. I remember hearing once, that while parenting, things get easier in some ways but harder in others. And let me just tell you, that’s the truth. I don’t spend the same amount of time toting the little around from dance class or cheer practice, that’s true. I do spend more time checking in, going to appointments, and working on homework and bigger projects.

Either way, I don’t have any more time now than I did before. But, I still enjoy each and every moment I get with the kiddo. This morning? We’re getting off to an appointment so early that I will barely time for breakfast. Enter this Toaster Oven Egg-In-A-Hole!…

Skinny Brunch Bake

January 18, 2023 Amanda Plott

This Skinny Brunch Bake is from some years back now and I thought it could use a bit of a facelift when it comes to the post and the images. This bake has been one of my family's traditions for when I have a lot of family come to stay over because it definitely can feed a crowd really well!

Over the past few years as the get-togethers have been hosted at my home for the most part, I've made sure to have a nice warm breakfast on the table the morning after our little sleep-over. I always like to make something simple, warm, wholesome and easy to do…

Dill Pickle Chex Mix

January 14, 2023 Amanda Plott

It’s been a while, but I had seen this idea a while back now for a pickle flavored chex mix which I’ve got to be honest, really intrigued me. I like pickles, and I like chex mix… but would I like them together? As it turns out, I do! As is usual with chex mix, this one starts out with - you guessed it - chex cereal. I went with corn, but you can really pick wheat, rice, etc. Whichever base you want to start with.

Then we’re adding in other tasty bits like cashews, pretzels, and even some bagel crackers. You can use bagel chips/crisps, but I couldn’t find any of those to save my life, so I went with some small round bagel inspired crackers that I found instead. That’s sort of the fun part about chex mix anyway, isn’t it? Getting to swap things around!…

Recent Forkable Bites

Korean Scallion Pop Over Pancake "Dutch Baby"

You’ve just found your new kitchen obsession: the Korean Scallion Pop Over Pancake. Think of it as the love child of a light-as-air popover and the garlicky, green-onion-forward goodness of pajeon. It’s quick, a little bit showy, and perfect for breakfast, snack time, or as an appetizer that will convince friends you are doing something wildly gourmet without breaking a sweat…

Tex-mex Tortilla Breakfast Bake

If breakfast had a fiesta, this Tex-Mex Tortilla Breakfast Bake would be the life of the party. It’s cheesy, bright with salsa, and full of Tex-Mex flavors—yet uses smart swaps so it’s lighter and still utterly satisfying. Think of it as nachos-turned-breakfast-casserole: layers of tortilla base, eggs, veggies, black beans, and just enough melty cheese to keep things comforting without sending your health goals running for cover…

Passion Fruit Filled Upside-Down Cheesecake (No Bake)

If your dessert game needs a tropical mic drop, meet the Passion Fruit Filled Upside-Down Cheesecake. It’s the best kind of culinary contradiction: bright, tangy passion fruit tucked into a creamy, lighter-than-it-looks cheesecake sitting below a crumbly cookie base. It’s sweet, tart, slightly exotic, and perfectly guilt-free when you use a few smart swaps. Yes, you can have cheesecake and feel like you did something good for your future self…

German Pancake "Dutch Baby"

If you grew up thinking pancakes were just flat cakey discs drowned in syrup, German pancakes (also called Dutch babies) are here to re-educate your brunch brain. These dramatic oven-baked beauties puff up like savory soufflés, then collapse into golden, creased pools of custardy goodness. They’re loud, theatrical, and oddly wholesome — the perfect plate to start a weekend with a little flair and a lot less guilt…

Black Bean Street Corn Tacos

Street corn and tacos: two food-world celebrities that, when teamed up, create a headline-making flavor duet. Add black beans—protein-packed, wallet-friendly, and endlessly comforting—and you’ve got a weeknight superstar that’s healthy, colorful, and obnoxiously easy to make. These Black Bean Street Corn Tacos bring together charred corn, smoky spices, creamy jalapeño sauce, and hearty black beans for a taco that hits every note: tasty, creamy, bright, and slightly rebellious…

French Vanilla Upside-Down Cheesecake

If you love the idea of classic French vanilla but want something a little unexpected, meet the French Vanilla Upside-Down Cheesecake — a playful flip on an indulgent favorite that keeps the texture silky and the flavor bright without dragging you into full dessert regret. This recipe flips the script with a golden french vanilla filling inside a light, creamy cheesecake so when you flip it, you get a crunchy crown of cookie and a tender, cloud-like cheesecake underneath. It’s fancy enough for guests but easy enough for a weeknight celebration.

Why French vanilla? French vanilla is all about the custard-forward flavor. In this cheesecake, that custardy depth and a crispy crunchy cookie crust shell is just perfect. The result is familiar and elegant — like dessert wearing a beret.

Veggie Wrap with Peanut Sauce

Bright, crunchy, and ridiculously satisfying — this Veggie Wrap with Peanut Sauce is my go-to when I want lunch that feels indulgent but doesn’t leave me sluggish. Think crisp raw veggies, tender marinated mushrooms (or tofu), fresh herbs, and a creamy, tangy peanut sauce wrapped up in a whole-grain tortilla or rice paper. It’s fresh, protein-packed, and perfect for meal prep. Best part: the peanut sauce doubles as a dip for snack carrots, because nobody should deny themselves that level of deliciousness.

Why you’ll love it

Fresh and crunchy textures with a creamy, savory sauce.
Flexible — easily vegan, gluten-free, or low-carb.
Quick to assemble, great for lunches, picnics, or a light dinner.
Balances fiber, healthy fats, and plant protein for a filling meal without heaviness…

Upside Down Blueberry Filled Cheesecake (No Bake)

If cheesecake could wear a pair of comfy sneakers and a party hat, this would be it. Meet the Upside Down No-Bake Blueberry-Filled Cheesecake: a glossy, jewel-toned blueberry layer that INSIDE of a pillowy, tangy no-bake cheesecake, all cradled by a lightly sweet, cookie-forward crust.

It looks fancy. It tastes like summer. It requires zero oven time and minimal effort. Translation: perfect for heat waves, last-minute company, or when you want dessert that’s both impressive and unapologetically easy…

Skinny Caramel Banana Pudding No Bake Cheesecake

If banana pudding and cheesecake had a love child it would be this: silky, banana-forward, and just sweet enough to satisfy a dessert craving without sending you spiraling into sugar regret. This Skinny Caramel Banana Pudding No-Bake Cheesecake keeps all the cozy, nostalgic flavors—banana pudding, creamy cheesecake, and a touch of caramel—while trimming calories and ditching heavy baking. It’s perfect for hot days, last-minute gatherings, or whenever you want dessert that feels indulgent but behaves itself…

Chimichurri

Chimichurri: bright, herby, slightly spicy — and a total game-changer for everything from grilled steak to roasted veggies. If you’ve ever had a bite of anything sauced in Argentina or Uruguay, you probably met this vibrant green condiment: an herb-forward sauce that’s equal parts punchy and versatile. Here’s everything you need to know to make a fresh, health-conscious chimichurri that tastes like it belongs at a backyard grill party — without the guilt…

Hawachae

If you're hunting for a drink that’s fruity, fun, and somehow both festive and entirely guilt-free, say hello to hwachae. This Korean fruit punch is like summer in a shallow bowl: colorful, bubbly, and built for sharing. Think of it as a fruit salad you sip—refreshing, lightly sweet, and endlessly adaptable. Perfect for warm afternoons, brunches, or whenever you want something more exciting than plain water but less indulgent than a soda cocktail…

Miso Caesar Dressing

The tangy, umami-packed upgrade that your salad has been waiting for!

If you love the bold, savory comfort of classic Caesar dressing but want something lighter, brighter, and just a smidge more interesting, say hello to miso Caesar dressing. It keeps everything you adore about a Caesar—creamy texture, salty tang, garlicky bite—then swaps in miso for depth, and ties it all together with citrus brightness. It’s umami-forward, slightly funky in the best way, and totally guilt-free. Also: it makes kale feel like a party guest instead of a punishment…

Strawberry Shortcake Overnight Oats

If you love the nostalgic bliss of strawberry shortcake ice cream bars but want a breakfast that’s fast, healthy, and won’t require a spatula duel at 7 a.m., meet Strawberry Shortcake Overnight Oats. This guilt-free spin captures the flavors you love — sweet strawberries, fluffy strawberry and vanilla oat vibes, and a few topping options— but in a nutrient-packed, make-ahead jar. It’s breakfast that feels like dessert and behaves like a responsible adult…

Strawberry Vinaigrette

Salads deserve better than boring dressing. Enter strawberry vinaigrette — a sweet-tart, blush-pink dressing that makes greens sing, fruits dance, and even roasted veggies look forward to showtime. It’s the kind of dressing that tricks your brain into thinking you’re indulging, while your body high-fives you for picking something wholesome. I’ve taken the classic fruit vinaigrette, given it a Skinny Fork twist, and kept it guilt-free without sacrificing flavor…

Breakfast Tomato Eggs

Tomato + eggs = morning magic. This humble combo is a breakfast staple around the world — from shakshuka to Chinese tomato-and-egg stir-fry — and for good reason. It’s fast, comforting, and jam-packed with flavor and nutrition. Think vibrant tomatoes, silky eggs, and a few tricks to boost protein and fiber while keeping things bright and fresh…

Tomato Salad

There’s something about a great tomato salad that makes summer feel like it lasts forever. Ripe tomatoes are the literal embodiment of sunny days—vibrant color, juicy sweetness, and a little tartness that wakes up the tastebuds. But tomato salad isn’t just a summer fling; with the right ingredients and a few health-conscious swaps, it becomes an everyday side, a light main, or a refreshing starter that fits into a wholesome lifestyle…

Subscribe Now!