Cowboy Casserole

March 23, 2022 Amanda Plott

What can I say? I love casseroles. I love them any time of day. Recently I had a chicken pot pie, but this time I decided to go with something vegetarian! Yeah, I know. I looks like there’s meat in there, but really there isn’t! I used some vegetarian ground ‘meat’ in this Cowboy Casserole that takes no time at all to come together. There’s veggies, cheese, soup, ground ‘meat’ and then tater tots on top to round it out and keep it light but still hearty and filling.

When I saw the original idea for this Cowboy Casserole, I just knew that I wanted to lighten it up and put a little bit more of a healthified take on it. The first thing I did was to swap out the meat. I also halved the recipe and used a reduced fat version of not only the mushroom soup, but also for the shredded cheese too! As usual, I swap out sour cream with greek yogurt anytime that I can get away with it…

Very Cherry Pie

March 20, 2022 Amanda Plott

You know, I haven’t actually ever made pie dough for a pie before. I’ve made something akin to pie dough for other eats and treats before, but I’ve never made pie dough for a pie before. I saw an idea for a strawberry infused pie dough a long while back now, and it’s sort of stuck with me. So when I decided to try my hand at a homemade cherry pie filling, I thought what the hell! I may as well make the pie dough myself and try to infuse it with some cherry goodness too!

So here we have it! THis Very Cherry Pie! It’s got cherries all the way through the filling and into the pie crust. And can I just say, this pie is actually pretty easy to make! You would think making the crust and the filling would be complicated, but it’s honestly not much more work than pre-made dough and canned filling…

Healthified 'Tortilla Trend' Crunch Wrap

March 14, 2022 Amanda Plott

I’m back at it today with anther ‘tortilla trend’ idea! This one DOES actually use a tortilla this time and it’s a play on the infamous crunch wrap that you can get at Taco Bell, but… it’s made healthified! So, how does one make a crunch wrap better-for-you? Well, I swapped out the giant tortilla for a 100 calorie spinach and seed one, but really any 100 calorie flower-like tortilla will work here.

I also used vegetarian ground meat in mine, but mostly because that’s what I had on hand. Lean ground turkey will work here too. Other than that? I used my own seasonings and spices, and also a plain fat-free greek yogurt in place of the sour cream. Tada. Healthier crunch wrap!…

Crazy Crust Cherry Pie

March 11, 2022 Amanda Plott

Some days are just meant to be lazy, and this is just one of those days. There’s another cold front blowing in right now as we roll into Spring break over here. How crazy is that?! Okay, well it’s crazy by Texas standards anyway. Even so, a cherry pie just sounded good to me and I didn’t want to fuss with a pie dough this time around. So here we are with this Crazy Crust Cherry Pie!

What’s a Crazy Crust Cherry Pie? It’s a one bowl cherry pie where the crust is more cake like and is whipped up in no time at all in one bowl before being poured into a pie dish ahead of cherry pie filling. I’d venture to say that this pie is somewhere in between a cobbler and a pie though since the crust itself isn’t really indicative of a pie dough….

Double Chocolate Banana Bread

February 24, 2022 Amanda Plott

Not all banana breads are created equal. Thinks Double Chocolate Banana Bread takes the cake. It’s a chocolate banana bread batter that’s been lightened up and LOADED with a heaping cup of chocolate chips so that you get an extra chocolatey bite each and every time. It’s a great way to use up old or frozen bananas in what might be a fun and more exciting way than your standard banana bread.

I like baking banana bread for breakfast for a few reasons, the first being that it gives me breakfast to have on hand for the entire week with little to do other than mix up the batter and bake! Banana bread reheats well too, meaning you can have a warm homemade breakfast that’s decadent and delicious!…

Greek Spinach & Feta Veggie Patties

February 21, 2022 Amanda Plott

It’s meatless. It’s Monday. It’s a meatless Monday! These Greek Spinach & Feta Veggie Patties are as tricky and as tasty as they come. I made these patties with a vegetarian ground plant-based ‘meat’ which looks like, tastes like, and cooks up just like ground beef. I loaded these quarter pound patties up with spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and of course some feta cheese to give a little bit of a Greek or Mediterranean twist.

And let me just tell you, they are so sooo good and end up being perfect on their own or as burgers! This time I decided to serve them up all on their own with some roasted veggies for a well rounded meatless, guilt-free, and delicious dinner…

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

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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

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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

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Strawberry Vinaigrette

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Breakfast Tomato Eggs

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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…

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