Skinny Spinach & Basil Pesto

September 8, 2014 Amanda Plott

My basil plant is suddenly going a little crazy. Of course it is at the very end of summer. One of my favorite things to do with my fresh basil is to make pesto! I think that I've loved pesto most of my life. The first time I ever had it was atop a pizza, and I was hooked from then on.

Pesto is an amazing blend of fresh greens, cheese, pine nuts and olive oil. It's usually a pretty fattening thing! I like to cut mine down by using a lot less oil and pine nuts. Plus, adding spinach gives an extra little boots to protein and vitamins. At least I don't feel as guilty with eating it with all of my justifications, right?

Right!...

Skinny Honey Mustard Salad Dressing

September 5, 2014 Amanda Plott

I've been doing my best to eat less and less gluten lately. Not for any particular dietary reason other than general health and well being. So, when I planned on making my own honey mustard dressing this week, I was more than surprised to come to realize that almost all dijon or stone ground mustards have gluten in them.

It's mustard! Isn't it just ground up mustard seeds? You would think so! But, apparently not.

The only brown mustard I found that was gluten free was 'French's Spicy Brown', though I'm sure there has to be others out there as well. I just didn't happen to venture down the gluten free isle. Spicy brown would work perfectly for what I wanted it for.

Something it be aware of if you're wanting to actually make this dressing 'gluten free'...

Skinny Edible Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough (Whole Wheat)

August 15, 2014 Amanda Plott

You know when you're making some cookies and you just can't help but eat a spoonful or two of the dough? ... Even though you're not supposed to because of the raw egg or other 'icky' stuff that could be in there? It's one of those shameful moments that we all take part in at one time or another.

Yeah, well. Problem solved!

That's right. This cookie dough is meant for eating. Not for baking.

Please, do not attempt to bake this cookie dough...

Skinny Southwest Chicken Dip (Crock Pot)

August 6, 2014 Amanda Plott

I was craving something that was a little 'snacky' for a dinner this week. Sometimes, you just don't feel like having a meal for a meal. If that makes any sense at all to anyone else. So I settled on a chicken dip.

A while back I made a really tasty Skinny Buffalo Chicken Dip before, but since this was going to be partially for dinner, I wanted something that was a little different and maybe had some more substance to it. I did, however, use the same basic idea from the buffalo dip to create this southwest version of it.

This southwest chicken dip was nothing short of amazing, and it totally didn't feel or taste as if there was anything skinny or light about it. It's always nice to feel as if you're indulging, even if you aren't!...

Healthified 7 Layer Dip

January 18, 2014 Amanda Plott

You know... the term '7 layer dip' always confused me as... I've never actually seen a 7 layer dip with exactly 7 layers. Seriously. Think about it...

Mind boggling, I know.

In any case, this is my healthified take in the traditional party staple dip.

Oh! And don't let the ingredient list scare you away. Most of the items between the tomato layer and the guacamole layer are the same, so there really isn't that much (it just looks intimidating at first.) This is a super easy recipe anyway!...

Skinny Funfetti 'Cake Batter' Dip

January 7, 2014 Amanda Plott

I'm working on Game Day recipes this week in preparation for Super Bowl! I'm not a big football fan, but I do love the food and the commercials - so bring it on!

If you can't tell by now, I'm a bit of a homebody. I've found that it's either far too hot to go outside and do anything worth enjoying or it's just too cold. There's probably three months of the year here in Texas that I find tolerable to venture outdoors for longer than a few hours in.

That being said... I love, love, love to homegate! What's homegating? That's where you 'tailgate' from the comforts of your own home. And... if you don't know what tailgating is - well then you probably wouldn't be looking up game day food to begin with, hah!...