Pantry Pottage (Crock Pot & Instant Pot)

December 7, 2021 Amanda Plott

This Pantry Pottage became a traditional Thanksgiving Eve dinner many many years ago in my family. I think the original recipe was one that my mom had gotten off the local news station when I was still in high school. The idea behind the dish was to use up all the canned beans and vegatables from your pantry and toss them into a crock pot to cook up some fabulous and easy dish that would serve up a house of visitors.

Several years ago now, the original printed recipe that my mom had ended up disappearing among a chaotic move. I've since scowered the web to find it, though to no avail. I did, however, manage to find a similar version that I've tweaked to be closer to what my mom and I remember…

Tomato & Feta Cheese Spaghetti

November 19, 2021 Amanda Plott

With the holidays hot on my heels, I’m keeping it simple this week when it comes to meals. Well… you know, outside of the big main meal that’s coming up that is. This Tomato & Feta Cheese Spaghetti is just about easy as it comes. Just toss some tomatoes and feta into dish and bake it for a bit with some oil and seasoning. Then toss with pasta and tada! Dinner.

This stuff is good too. AND it’s super easy to double up on if you have a larger crowd to feed. Plus, I love the fact that this spaghetti dinner is vegetarian too. It’s a meatless meal that everyone can enjoy!…

Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole

September 9, 2021 Amanda Plott

Dinner is served! With my daughter being in cheerleading this year, there’s at least one day a week where we are rushing out the door between picking up from school, changing, and getting back up to the school. Oh, and somewhere in between that is dinner. That’s where this Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole comes into play.

This delicious casserole is not only quick to make, it’s also easy and only requires four ingredients. One of the best parts is that you can make it ahead of time and reheat later OR put the casserole together and store it in the fridge until ready for the final bake to enjoy. Either way, it’s super convenient!…

Mediterranean Gnocchi Sheet Pan Dinner

August 13, 2021 Amanda Plott

Here’s another super easy dinner coming at you. This Mediterranean Gnocchi Sheet Pan Dinner is cooked all on one sheet pan and takes just 25 minutes to cook. Meaning that it'‘s absolutely PERFECT as a quick and delicious weeknight or back-to-school dinner. Plus, it’s vegetarian and gluten-free too! It really and truly doesn’t get any more simple than this.

This sheet pan dinner is loaded up with all sorts of vegetables; mushrooms, tomatoes, peppers, onions, squash, and zucchini. It’s all baked together with some gnocchi after being tossed together with some pesto and vingar. Good stuff!…

Buffalo Chicken Nachos

August 4, 2021 Amanda Plott

It won’t be long now and it will be football season. I should know, my daughter is a cheerleader this year! I’m always down for gameday food, but I think this year will be that much more special. And nothing says gameday or tailgating quite like buffalo chicken. Let me just say too, these easy Buffalo Chicken Nachos are where it’s at.

I found some gluten free lime multi grain chips at the store, and just knew they would go perfectly well with some sort of buffalo chicken goodness. And here we are! These nachos are a little Tex-Mex mixed with just a touch of an American favorite; buffalo chicken…

Chicken Pot Pie Casserole

July 26, 2021 Amanda Plott

Today my daughter is at her first cheer camp to learn all she needs to for cheerleading at her middle school this year. What does that mean? Back-to-School is hot my heels and it’s time to roll out those easy to do one pot dinners. This Chicken Pot Pie Casserole is just that. It gives you all you expect out of a chicken pot pie, but without having for fuss and worry with pie dough!

This casserole starts off with a pretty standard roux that you then add veggies and chicken to. It’s all topped off with some biscuit dough and baked together to make one delicious dinner that’s put together and done in no time at all…

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…

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