Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

March 5, 2018 Amanda Plott

With the schedule around my house changing up a bit recently, I've had to make some adjustments to when and how I cook. So, I've been cooking a lot less and mostly just for myself since my little one is still a rather picky eater and lately dinner time is our mommy-daughter time.

That being said, dinner time for me has included quicker, easier dishes that are either meal prepped or a one and done toss together sort of salad. Most recently I've had a stockpile of leftover feta in my fridge that needed to be used up, which for me always means it's time for a Greek/Mediterranean style salad!...

Low-Carb Bacon & Cheddar Sous Vide Egg Bites (Instant Pot)

February 21, 2018 Amanda Plott

If you haven't been struck by the Sous Vide Egg Bites bug yet, then you don't know what you're missing! My first experience with egg bites was at none other than Starbucks after hearing all the hoopla surrounding them. And let me just say, they did not disappoint. They're soft and fluffy and full of yummy little bits of flavor bomb awesomeness.

Being as they were a little costly though, I thought I could do myself a service and find a way to make them for myself at home; allowing me to change up the flavors and save me a few dollars along the way...

Slow Cooker Breakfast Casserole

November 22, 2017 Amanda Plott

It's no secret that one of my favorite things about the holidays is cooking for my loved ones. As crazy and manic as it can get in my tiny little kitchen; there is nowhere else in the world that I would rather be. And that's the truth.

This Slow Cooker Breakfast Casserole is an old family favorite, and really more of a tradition now at this point. It started some years back around one of the major holidays when I had a house full of people and a bunch of hungry bellies to feed in the morning. I knew that I wasn't going to have much time in the morning, but wanted to have a hot delicious breakfast ready and waiting. That's where the slow cooker comes in!...

Harvest Vegetable Soup

October 4, 2017 Amanda Plott

And then just like that, it was soup season.

We're getting into that time of year when winter squash and hearty vegetables are in season, and one of my favorite ways to use them up is a good soup! This soup is full of the bounties of a Fall harvest.

It's completely vegetarian and as filling as they come. Plus, it's completely guilt-free and feeds a crowd a pretty hefty sized bowl of soup...

My Great-Grandma's "Red Beans"

April 26, 2017 Amanda Plott

This is another oldie but goodie that I just had to rework the pictures for since they totally don't do these Red Beans justice anymore. Plus, I thought I'd add in the instructions for how to cook these old fashioned beans in the crock pot!

Today is bittersweet just like it was when I originally posted this recipe.. My grandma is heading home to Oregon soon after her extended stay of about a month. While she was staying here with me we got to talking with my mom about things that my great-grandmother use to cook for the family. I'm always looking for inspiration, and my family is one of the first places I go.

One of her most requested dishes was something she called 'red beans', but I should warn you... they aren't actually red beans (kidney beans) like one might think. They are pinto beans! I think she may have called them 'red beans' because they turn a sort of redish color after they cook all day long...

Healthified Meatloaf Cupcakes & Cauliflower Mash

February 25, 2017 Amanda Plott

It's been a super long time since I made these Meatloaf Cupcakes. As in... years. A lot has changed since then, especially my tastes and cooking style. The very first time that I made these, they were in the traditional manner. Plain old ground beef and mashed potatoes. Nothing fancy. Nothing 'healthified'.

Today though, I've lightened these up and made them a little more wholesome by adding in some veggies like carrots, and zucchini too! I also used an extra lean ground beef which I kept moist and full of flavor by adding in an egg and reduced sugar ketchup. The vegges also help to keep the lean meat from drying out. Of course, I also used a cauliflower mash instead of straight up mashed potatoes to get even more vegetable goodness in there.

These are packed. PACKED. Loaded up entirely with vegetables, and the best part is that you would never guess it!...