Crock Pot Pasta e Fagioli

October 26, 2016 Amanda Plott

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Barilla® and Johnsonville®. The opinions and texts are all mine.

It's no secret that one of my most favorite soups at almost any Italian restaurant is Pasta e Fagioli. That's generally because it's got some of everything in it without being too heavy, and that's exactly where I am with fall right now. It's nice and cool and crisp in the mornings, but still rather hot here during the day. So, I find myself craving more hearty dishes on a lighter side.

This soup isn't only lighter on the scale (being that it's made from home), it's also lighter on the wallet since it's made from simple ingredients, most of which you probably already have in your fridge and pantry! Let's face it, almost any soup is a great economical option for an all inclusive meal in a bowl, and when you involve a slow cooker you're almost always insured an easy-fix meal as well...

Adult Pigs-in-a-Blanket with Red Wine-Mustard Sauce

June 10, 2016 Amanda Plott

When I think of summer, I often think of the thrills and fun things that go along with being a kid again without really being a kid again. So, to savor the summer I decided to take one of my old childhood favorites and make into something meant for a more adult crowd.

Enter these adult pigs-in-a-blanket! I've taken a spicy cajun style sausage and baked in the center of crescent roll 'blankets', and paired it all with a red wine-mustard sauce for a perfectly disable bite that's sure to impress!...

Skinny Italian 'Fire Sticks'

February 12, 2016 Amanda Plott

Here is another healthier take on a favorite 'take-out fake-out' or restaurant 'copy cat' kind of recipe. There's this chain Italian style restaurant that serves these amazing 'Sicilian Fire Sticks' (or at least they used to the last time I went there - well over a year ago now.) They were always one of my most favorite things to order.

These fire sticks are large and in charge and full of flavor. And considering that one of my complete fire sticks is less calories than the original restaurant's tortilla alone... I think I'll stick to staying at home and making these for myself.

For those of you that aren't familiar with what a fire stick is, it's basically an Italian version of a flouts or taquito. A crispy tortilla surrounding a yummy mixture of meats, pepper, and melted cheese...

Healthified Hangover Soup

October 13, 2014 Amanda Plott

I'm getting things ready around here to go on a trip this weekend to the Texas Renaissance Festival. Yes, I'm one of those women that dresses up in a tightly bound corset and faerie wings. Any excuse to play dress up... is a good excuse! Not only am I going to the Masquerade Ball this year, I'll also be going to the King's Feast for the very first time. At both events, you're served a plentiful bounty of food and either beer or wine.

Bring it on. I take no shame in the fact that I like my vino.

At any rate, I'm making this soup this week in honor of my galavanting to take place this weekend... even though I am hoping that I don't actually end up with a hangover. It'd be the first time in a few years, I think!...

Crock Pot Chicken & Sausage Jambalaya

June 23, 2014 Amanda Plott

Today, I was lucky enough to have an expert chef join me in my kitchen. Her lifetime of knowledge and her very particular palette are what I aim to please with each dish I create. She is my inspiration through and through!

Yes. That's right... Chef Lily spent some of her very valuable time lending me a hand with dinner...

Skinny Italian Stuffed Peppers (Crock Pot)

June 18, 2014 Amanda Plott

I've had a few stuffed peppers in the past. When I was younger, I remember my mom making some spanish style stuffed peppers that I thought were pretty good even though at the time I wasn't a huge pepper fan.

Oh, how times have changed.

These stuffed peppers are pretty amazing and ridiculously easy to do. With around 10-15 minutes of preparation, you can have these babies set to cook through the day in your crock pot with hardly any fuss at all!...