Potato Crisps(NO Fat!)

Hello all! I had another little computer issue, but nothing bad, I'm just not a computer whiz and couldn't figure it out for the life of me.   I'm back though, and ready to share some more delicious recipes!

We all like potato chips now and then right??  Some like them more often then others, but what if we could make them at home, fairly quickly, and without the FAT?! Alright I know you are listening now. 

I had a craving for potato chips the other day, but knew if I went to the store and bought a bag, it would mean bad news.  I'd most likely eat more than the serving size...by a lot, so I decided to make my own at home!  With these not having any fat added to them and potatoes are VERY low in fat(if any at all) anyways, makes these potato crisps FAT FREE!  Can't get any better than that, can it?  My Dad is a lover of potato chips, and kettle cooked potato chips, he was a little leery about trying these, and seeing if they compare, let me just say he asked me for a BIG bag of them! These are THAT good, and if you cook them long enough they resemble Kettle Cooked potato chips almost to the T, but without all the fat!  Try these!



Cheddar Bay Biscuits

Mmmm...garlic cheese biscuits-that's all I need to say right?!  How about I add that these biscuits taste darn close to the delicious melt in your mouth biscuits you get at Red Lobster...nuff said now.  Who doesn't go to Red Lobster just for the biscuits??? They have some pretty good other food too, but man oh man they are good, and these are so close it's not even funny.  Now I can stay home, whip these up, sit on the couch and have my biscuits for dinner...ha just kidding, but that's what I want to do.  These are unbelievably simple too!  I shared(surprisingly:)) these with my family, and they all LOVED them!  Huge hit.  I bet these would even be great at a Super Bowl party!  These definitely don't fall on the healthy side, but it's alright once in awhile, so go ahead, whip these out, and thank me later. :)

By the way, if you have leftovers, store them in a Ziploc bag, or container-throw them back in the oven before serving, and they will crisp back up on the outside, and be amazing.

Say it with me "OH MY GOODNESS!"

Winter Garden Polenta

This blog is really helping me try new foods and recipes, I'm thankful for that, and thankful for all you won
derful readers out there!  I have never made Polenta, nor eaten it.  I wish I would have tried this gem earlier, because I really do like it.  I love the texture.  I wasn't sure how it would taste or if it would turn into a pile of mush which it sort of is, but definitely has a texture to it.  I want to try more recipes with it for sure.  When I first made this recipe I thought it was a "girl food" as in something men wouldn't want-thinking that way because it doesn't have any meat in it.  Men I know like meat.  Surprising enough my husband really enjoyed this meal!  I'm lucky that he will try(and most of the time like) anything I make. Thank goodness.  This is SO easy to prepare, and most of the work is done in the Crock Pot! Score!  It takes very little time, and has great flavor, give this a try!



Simple Guacamole

Guacamole is a dip made from Avocados, and is originally from Mexico.  It is delicious, and can be made so many different ways.  You can use it as a dip, a topping, a spread(great on sandwiches) or even my mock BLT(BTA wrap) which by the way is made with an avocado cream(with sour cream) which is amazing!  A very popular way to make Guacamole is by adding tomatoes.  We don't do that around here.  When I eat Guacamole, I want a big mouthful of Avocado, and that is what I want to taste the most.  Plus my Husband has sort of sworn off tomatoes for a little while-no idea why, but that is alright with me, for NOW.  If you are looking for a great tasting, quick guacamole, try this out.  It's our favorite!

MmmMMM good!

Plus this goes into my mock version of Qboba's burrito...stay tuned!

Cilantro Lime Rice

Anyone else out there a white rice lover?? I totally am.  I just love the stuff.  I tend to eat brown rice more often though, even though white tastes so much better. :)  We have a favorite burrito place in our town called Qdoba Mexican Grill, and from what I have seen around the blog world, I think it is just like a place called Chipotle's.  I need to look online for Chipotle's, and see where the closest one is, if it isn't too far, but I am guessing it is either near California, or East.  For now I will stick with Qdoba which is pretty much amazing.  I have tried to duplicate their naked burritos at home, and haven't come close to the flavor until a couple nights ago!  I will definitely be sharing the whole recipe with you, but I have to share all the recipes that lead up to it first!  Cilantro Lime Rice being the first one.  I LOVE Qdoba's rice, I literally eat it by the spoonful.  It is perfect, and the rice I made last night came REALLY close! Read on for this delicious recipe!



Brown Rice Pudding

I had my very first(and only, until now) Rice Pudding a LONG time ago from a Thai restaurant.  I didn't know what to think about "rice pudding??" I'll taste just about anything, okay there are probably quite a few things I wont taste, but you know what I mean. :)  This rice pudding was amazing, and I fell in love.  I knew one day I would eat it again.  This Brown Rice Pudding I made is a quick, simple and tasty breakfast/brunch dish.  It's made with LEFT OVER rice!!! We all usually have left over rice after we make it right? I always do, but I always plan on it, remember...salt, and butter on rice??(my FAV!)  This rice pudding is tasty, and a must try if you want a semi quick way to use left over rice!

Brown Rice Pudding



Roasted Green Beans with Parmesan Cheese

Why would green beans be so hard for me to figure out how I wanted to prepare them?? I have no idea, but I had these green beans in my refrigerator for quite awhile, while I thought and thought about how to cook them.  FINALLY(just before they were going bad) I found a recipe!  I am SO glad I roasted these because they turned out so delicious!  This is truly my new favorite way to cook fresh green beans!  You definitely have to try these!!

Roasted Green Beans with Parmesan Cheese

Delish!

Cheesy Cauliflower Pancakes

I had a head of cauliflower in my refrigerator, and I wondered what I was going to make with it.  I announced to my husband that cauliflower was going to be involved with dinner is some way.  He immediately thought of Cauliflower Pancakes, what a good idea.  I have made them once before, and he loved them.  They are the same concept as potato pancakes.  These are so simple, and a perfect side to any dinner.  If you like potato pancakes you should try these! 

Cheesy Cauliflower Pancakes

So cheesy and delicious!

Pumpkin Over Night Oats

Oatmeal for breakfast is super simple, and good for you.  I eat it quite frequently.  I have noticed on healthy food blogs, they tend to make a lot of "Over Night Oats," and I have always been interested in it.  I wasn't quite sure how I would like eating Oatmeal cold, and I have to admit it was a little WEIRD, BUT it was tasty, and a fun new way to eat it!  Also, it's ready right when you get up, so all you have to do is grab a spoon and dig in.  There are so many different variations as to what can be put in it, so experiment!  You just need some sort of liquid substance, and a lot of the bloggers use yogurt, plus some other milk product usually.  If you want to change it up a little you have to try this!  This would also be perfect for a hot summer morning! By the way I am running low on my last little bit of pumpkin. ;)

Pumpkin Over Night Oats

MmmmMmm!

Baked Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Football Season is upon us, and what does that mean?! Hmm...it means FOOD! Or does is mean FOOTBALL???  Truth is, I don't watch much football anymore, and I think I need to at least pretend I do, so I can go to all the parties with the yummy food!  OR, I can use it as an excuse to just make it at home?!  Yep, okay, I feel better now.  I talked myself right into it. 
My husband is a HUGE chips and dip fan.  I swear he would eat that for every meal.  He is simple though, with his favorite being chips and salsa.  I on the other hand love the creamy dips(go figure) the most.  He LOVES them too, but they take more work then chips and salsa where it's "fridge to face" :) That is how he rolls in the cooking department. Chips and salsa are by far the healthier choice, which is my main reason I very seldom bake creamy dips.  BUT it's FOOTBALL season, so I have an excuse! ;)

Baked Spinach and Artichoke Dip

I'm sorry I don't have any "prettier" photos of the final product.  I made this at my friend's house for our dinner get together, and we were all ready to dig in once this came out of the oven! I even had to tell one of them "hands off!" until I snapped a picture. :) 

Individual Apple Crisps with Brown Sugar Glaze

After I made the Apple Turnovers I was left with three apples.  I need to use them up pretty quick since I have had them in the fridge for a few weeks now.  Last night I was craving some dessert, and I remembered I had those apples, but wanted to make something semi quick, and a small serving, so I came up with Individual Apple Crisps!  This ended up being the perfect size dessert, and it was SO yummy!  This would be a great dessert if you have about half an hour or so before the real sweetness needing stomach kicks in!  It is fun to prepare, and eat.  Mind you that it does get a little messy on your plate, but what good dessert doesn't?!  If you have an extra apple in the fridge give this a go! 

Individual Apple Crisps with Brown Sugar Glaze

Oh man melt in your mouth sweetness.

Super Moist Whole Wheat Pumpkin Bread

I LOVE me some pumpkin bread! :) Even better when it's whole wheat! I wanted to make a loaf without anything but Pumpkin- no nuts, fruit, or chocolate chips.  I waned PURE pumpkin.  When I make pumpkin, banana, or zucchini bread, I have to make sure it is very moist.  I don't want to have a dry bread that is begging for a topping such as butter.  This bread is so moist and flavorful, that you don't want to spread anything on top, and that is saying something since it is all whole wheat.  You should give this pumpkin bread a go!  You wont be disappointed!

Super Moist Whole Wheat Pumpkin Bread

My family and I ate more than half of the loaf before I took these pictures, we couldn't wait! ;)

Broccoli Potato Cheese Soup

Yesterday I had a real craving for some sort of broccoli cheese soup, and I needed to have it ASAP. :)  I have only made it once in my life, but have eaten it from restaurants.  I looked all over the Internet to get a basic idea on how to do it.  It seemed simple enough, so off to the grocery store I went, and picked up a couple things I needed.  I whipped out my own version, and boy was it tasty!!! It is so good and creamy without using processed cheese, or half and half.  Which means it is better for you, and not as fattening.  If you like broccoli cheese soup, you really have to try this! This is for sure my new favorite!

Broccoli Potato Cheese Soup

Oh my this is GOOD!

Pumpkin Pancakes

Sheesh another pumpkin recipe...YEP! :)  I'm not done with pumpkin either! I still have about 1/2 of a large can left to use!  I'm not tired of eating pumpkin either, so I hope you are not tired of reading about it. :)  This morning was a wonderful morning filled with Pumpkin Pancakes!  I have never made them before, and I thought they turned out delicious!  They are super moist and fluffy, I just couldn't get over that part.  The pumpkin flavor was lacking a bit for me though.  I will definitely make this recipe again but will add a little more pumpkin next time.  This is a great recipe though, and if you want just a hint of pumpkin, this will be perfect for you, and you will love how fluffy they are! 

Pumpkin Pancakes

Mmm! Look at that beautiful color!

Apple Turnovers

Fall has definitely made it's way to my house! First the smell of pumpkin, now cinnamon apples...YUM! I have come to the conclusion that this is my favorite season with spring at a VERY close second!  I think I may burn my pumpkin spice candle year round. :)  When my family and I went to the apple orchards a week ago we had a lot of fun walking through the apple trees finding the perfect apples.  I knew I wanted to bake the apples into something delicious, I just didn't know what.  Last year I came across a recipe for apple turnovers, and they turned out so good, but I didn't save that recipe, shoot!  It really was very simple to make, but I still looked around the Internet to get a good idea for the basics.  I decided I am going to make these every fall because they are SO good and easy!

Apple Turnovers

 

So flaky, and sweet, MmmMmm!

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Pumpkin Cream Cheese Frosting

Hello again pumpkin my love! So nice of you to make your presence again.  I found the big can of pumpkin puree at the grocery store for $2.09 the other day, so I grabbed a couple.  I thought that was a pretty good deal.  This morning I whipped up a batch of these amazing cupcakes!  The cakes are so moist, and flavored with just the right amount of pumpkin.  They are really good without the frosting too, I know, I tried one.  Quality Control. :)  BUT the pumpkin cream cheese frosting is delicious, and really compliments these cupcakes.  I promise there isn't too much pumpkin flavor, just the right amount, and perfect amount of sweetness.  I love cupcakes, but when the frosting is piled high, and really sweet, I can't finish a whole thing.  I made this frosting, and piped it on the cupcakes thinly, after all it is made with cream cheese, which can overpower the flavor of the cupcake.  I shared these with the people at my Mom's work, and they loved them!  I know you will too, and they are SO simple to make.  Secret is...they are made with boxed cake mix!! Try these out, and let me know how much you love them ;)

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Pumpkin Cream Cheese Frosting

How cute are these?!

Pumpkin Butter

PUMPKIN, PUMPKIN, PUMPKIN! Can you tell what is on my mind?! I can't get enough of that stuff!  I made this amazing pumpkin butter last year, and I just fell in love with it.  It is SO easy, and you can put it on/in anything! It makes a good size batch, so you can experiment with it.  I have a few more recipes with it that I want to try.  It's been a rainy day here today, and what is better than staying inside and cooking up a batch of this wonderful  pumpkin butter.  It makes your house smell amazing.  You HAVE to try this!

Pumpkin Butter

And don't be ashamed to have a spoonful or two right out of the pan! :)

Grilled Zucchini Roll Ups

A few weeks ago while grocery shopping at Safeway, I browsed through the free recipe cards they have in the produce section, and I ran into a recipe for Grilled Zucchini Roll Ups that looked delicious!  I snagged the card, and got all the ingredients to make them.  I made them the other night, and they turned out yummy.  I made them at my parent's house to share with them and my husband.  They all loved them, and they were perfect as an appetizer before dinner.  I didn't want to start the barbecue to grill them because they only take about 5 minutes to grill and the barbecue my parents have is charcoal, so instead I took my little George Forman grill with me.  It was a great idea grilling them with the George, but next time I make them I will use my bigger George Forman grill because it took way too long grilling the zucchini and red peppers.  If you have an indoor grill that would be the ideal way to do this, but if not you can use the George Forman grill too.  Also, my Mom didn't have a vegetable slicer, so I had to cut the veggies with a knife, and I ended up losing quite a bit, because I am not perfect, and my slicing skills didn't work out the best, but I did take a picture of the best way I found to cut a zucchini lengthwise to get the best slices.  If you are looking for a yummy appetizer for dinner or any get together, these would be a great dish to make.  They are very good, and if you have the right tools, and grill, they are simple to make, and fun to eat.

Grilled Zucchini Roll Ups

Don't they look pretty?! So appealing to the eye and the stomach!

Fettuccine with Spinach and Feta Cheese

Yesterday I had a fun time at my friend Melissa's house, visiting her and her three kids.  She invited me over for a baking/cooking day.  Whenever we get together we usually get a hankering for cooking or baking something.  We usually look through all the cookbooks, and find something that looks so good we just HAVE to make it.  It is a fun time for us, a nice girls day.  After looking through the cookbooks we came across a recipe we made once before and fell in love with.  Her and I discussed how we both love, bread, cheese, and pasta, go figure right, who doesn't?!  This meal includes two of the three!  This really is probably one of my favorite pasta dishes, and I already can't wait to make it again.

Pasta and Cheese is a girls best friend right?! :)

Canned Tomato Soup Dressed Up

Hi ya all!  Hope you are all having a great Saturday!  Today is my friend's wedding that I am a bridesmaid in.  I am so excited for her, and her future husband!  They make a great couple, and this wedding will be amazing I know it.  I am also loving this cooler weather!! Might not love it too much when I have to put on the spaghetti strap dress for the wedding though! :) Oh, well I will make it!  This cooler weather is the perfect time to whip up a batch of my Canned Tomato Soup Dressed Up!  It warms the soul, and the belly! It is SO simple, and really does taste homemade! 

Canned Tomato Soup Dressed Up

Ingredients:(serves 2-4)

• 1 can(10 3/4oz) Tomato Soup, condensed



• Milk(1 tomato soup can full)
• a sprinkle of dried oregano
• a sprinkle of dried basil
• a sprinkle of a garlic and herb blend(I used a Safeway brand)
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tbls grated parmesan cheese

First prepare tomato soup from instructions on can.  I used Milk, you can use water if you want, it wont be as thick.  Add seasonings, stir, and simmer.  You need to stir frequently to prevent the soup from sticking to the bottom, and burning.  I let mine simmer for about 15 minutes to let the dried herbs come to life.  Serve with parmesan cheese on top.  My husband and I shared the can of soup, but you can easily divide it into smaller portions.  Enjoy this simple and yummy soup! One day I WILL make homemade!

Question of the Day:



Do you dip sandwiches in tomato soup? If so, what kind of sandwich?

Of course I dip sandwiches in tomato soup! I was just thinking how it is a standard fare, and how that would be a no brainer, BUT I may be the only crazy one out there who does dip!  I ALWAYS dip my grilled cheese sandwich in tomato soup, YUM.  The Fajita Turkey Melts my husband and I made yesterday were too flavorful to dip, we enjoyed the individual flavors of the sandwich and soup alone.