Skinny Shepherd's Pie

February 13, 2014 Amanda Plott

I'm irish and... rather proud of it. Even so, the first time I ever had Shepherd's Pie was when I cooked it for myself. It was a rather easy recipe to prepare and of course goes along famously with St. Patrick's Day.

Now, I've never been to Ireland, so I can't really say whether this is a traditional style variation or not. Though from what I can tell, every recipe seems to be different - just with the basic idea that meat and vegetables make up the bottom layer while potatoes of some sort are spread over the top...

Skinny Black Forest "Better Than Sex" Cake

February 7, 2014 Amanda Plott

Yeah. I said it. BETTER THAN SEX Cake.

I can't tell you how much it irritates me when people dance around the true title of a poke cake recipe. 'Better than... Cake'? Better than what? Better than candy? Better than a new pair of shoes? No. It's BETTER THAN SEX. Let's get it right. BETTER THAN SEX.

What can I say? I love a good poke cake. They are the perfect way to mask the fact that a cake is in fact... skinny! How's that? Because with the pudding left to soak into the cake, it gives the illusion of a decadent richness that you wouldn't expect with a lighter variation of any dessert. It makes the cake seem a lot more naughty than it actually is...

I Love You Beary Munch (Trail Mix)

January 28, 2014 Amanda Plott

My little girl has become a little finicky with her eating habits lately. It must be a trend common among 3-4 year olds. Truth be told, she's always been more of a snacker than one to sit down and eat full on meals. Thankfully, that's actually a good and healthy habit to get into! You just have to be sure that the things you are snacking on are good for you.

Lately, I've fallen into a bit of a slump with her snacking. So... I thought I'd try something new, fun, and exciting!...

Crock Pot Guinness French Onion Soup & Irish Cheddar Crouton

December 28, 2013 Amanda Plott

I spent the day revising this recipe after I had some similar comments regarding the amount of vinegar and beer being too harsh for some. I think everyone will enjoy the new final copy even more than the previous one!

I've kept the same basic recipe with a few minor adjustments and fine-tuning... since I don't want anyone to be displeased with anything they try here (within reason of course.)

Hello, gorgeous... mmm... melted irish cheddar...

Skinny Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls

December 8, 2013 Amanda Plott

Oh, what sweet perfect madness this this?!

Two of my most favorite things combined into one wonderful collaboration of epic proportions! Red velvet and cinnamon rolls. Need I say more?

While these little devils may take some time and attention, they are absolutely worth the effort!...

Skinny Brain Cupcakes

November 1, 2013 Amanda Plott

Braaaaaains...

I know, I know... Halloween is over. So why am I posting a recipe now for brain cupcakes?

Well, partially because I missed out on a lot of the pre-halloween hoopla due to a horrible virus that ran through my house in the weeks leading up to it. And... well also because one of my favorite shows is The Walking Dead.

Recent Forkable Bites

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…

Cornbread Biscuits

Cornbread and biscuits walk into a kitchen and, naturally, fall in love. What comes out of that unlikely romance is the Cornbread Biscuit: a hybrid that captures the flaky layers of a classic biscuit with the slightly sweet, golden crumb of cornbread. It’s perfect beside a bowl of chili, smeared with honey butter at brunch, or crumbled over a hearty salad. Best part? You can make them lighter without sacrificing texture or flavor. Here’s how to make Cornbread Biscuits that taste indulgent and behave like they’re good for you…

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