Monster Cookie Baked Oatmeal

October 31, 2021 Amanda Plott

Out of all the cookies out there, I think that monster cookies are probably my favorite. That’s probably because they have just a little bit of everything that I love. Chocolate, oats, nuts, peanut butter… they’re perfectly balance with a little sweet and a little salty. Since monster cookies already have oats in them, I thought why not put the rest of monster cookie goodness into the oats!

This Monster Cookie Baked Oatmeal is now one of my newest favorite breakfasts. It tastes just like a monster cookie but in the form of oatmeal. And who doesn’t like to find an excuse to have chocolate and candy for breakfast?…

Halloween Bread

October 28, 2021 Amanda Plott

With just a few days more before it’s Halloween I wanted to make my daughter’s lunch box extra special. So, I decided to make this fun Halloween colored sandwich bread! I made it based off of my Rainbow Bread, but with a slight recolor to go along with Halloween!

I made this bread dough in my bread machine and then colored it, sandwiched it all together, rolled it up and made it into a loaf for baking. You can also make this bread without a bread machine. I only used mine for the mixing and rising aspect…

Healthy Banana Bread

October 25, 2021 Amanda Plott

I had no idea that I had never posted a banana bread. Honestly! Banana bread is a family favorite and a staple of this house, so how in the world I never managed to put one here is beyond me. Perhaps I thought it was so common for me that I had already created the recipe? I’m not sure.

Problem? Solution.

Here it is! One of the great things about banana bread is that it uses up those over-ripe leftover bananas that we ALL have hanging around. And, it’s rather versatile! Feeling nutty? Add in some nuts. In an extra ‘dirty’ mood? Toss in some chocolate chips…

Halloween Antipasto

October 22, 2021 Amanda Plott

This Halloween Antipasto is basically a black and orange version of my original Skinny Antipasto Salad. I went with some red lentil and black squid ink pasta for the orange and black colors and also chose some colorful tomatoes that came in a pack with orange and dark ‘blood red’ ones. Black olives were a given. And to break up the colors there’s some fresh mozzarella and cauliflower.

It’s a very easy dish to make that I honestly use as a meal in itself since there’s all the pieces of a complete meal-in-a-bowl. Plus, it can be made ahead of time and also is great as a leftover! Of course, you could also use this in place of pasta salad as a side dish too!…

Caramel Apple Monkey Bread

October 19, 2021 Amanda Plott

Was bobbing for apples ever really a thing? I know caramel apples are, but I can’t say that I have ever, or would ever, stick my head in a bucket of water to try and fish out an apple by way of my mouth. So, caramel apples it is! This Caramel Apple Monkey Bread is a great way to sneak some caramel apple into your morning.

A bright crisp green apple that’s baked right into some sugary biscuit goodness and topped off with a quick homemade caramel sauce. It’s sort of perfect for a chilly Fall morning, don’t you think? Plus, there’s no bobbing or water buckets involved so it’s a win-win…

Halloween Cheese Board

October 16, 2021 Amanda Plott

Every month or so there must be a ‘wine and cheese’ night at my house. What does that mean? Well, that means we sendup having wine and cheese for dinner. Charcuterie boards are a lot of fun to play around with, especially around the holidays. That’s mostly because you get the chance to try wines and cheeses that you otherwise wouldn’t.

Take this Halloween Cheese Board for instance. I made it this past weeks mission to go out and seek cheeses that were ‘spooky’ and on theme with Halloween. I think one of my favorites that I found was this port infused cheese that gave it this really pretty marbled purple look!…

Recent Forkable Bites

Gochujang Roasted Potatoes

If roasted potatoes and Korean chili paste had a love child, this would be it. These Gochujang Roasted Potatoes are crispy on the outside, tender and pillowy inside, and coated with a sweet-spicy glaze that’s totally addictive — but without the guilt trip. I’ve given the classic roasted spud a health-conscious twist that keeps the flavor big and the oil minimal. Perfect as a side, snack, or the star of a casual weeknight dinner…

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…

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