Southwest Grilled Pork Tenderloin Salad

July 13, 2016 Amanda Plott

I've been challenged again this year! They say that the best cooks know how to utilize any ingredients placed in front of them. I'd like to think that my handy skills with creating 'pantry' meals from my kitchen aids me in this.

Today I put my chops to the test in this Chopped At Home Challenge with Sargento®! My goal was to create a recipe within the theme of 'grilling' using all of the secret “basket” ingredients; pork tenderloin, cherry/grape tomatoes, broccoli, and Sargento Chef Blends 4 State Cheddar. Of course, looking at the last three ingredients my mind instantly went to a chef or cobb salad. But, what to do with the pork? Being from Texas, my first thought was grilled pork with a spicy seasoned kick. The spice is what kicked this off into a twist on a southwest salad...

Skinny Baked Avocado 'Fries'

April 11, 2016 Amanda Plott

I think that I nearly bought my weight in avocados today at the store. And you know what? I'm okay with that! I'm rather avocado obsessed and I'm always on the hunt for new and interesting ways to incorporate them into my meals.

This week for lunch I thought I would try my hand out at making some better-for-you baked avocado 'fries'. Avocado slices that are coated in spiced up breading and baked to perfecting for a quick, warm, and delicious lunch...

Skinny Mini Mexican Pizza Bites (Sponsored)

March 31, 2016 Amanda Plott

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #StackItUp #CollectiveBias

For me, this week has been all about Tex-Mex flavors. Seriously, I think nearly every meal aside from breakfast so far has been Tex-Mex inspired, and today was no different! One of my most adored 'guilty pleasures' is a Mexican Pizza. I'm always looking for new and clever ways to turn my would-be guilt into something productive.

So, I gathered up my handful of what has come to be staple ingredients together, to make a Mexican Pizza that is not only better-for-you, but also into an easy snack or appetizer! These are quick, tasty, and definitely curb that Tex-Mex craving...

Homemade Skinny Nacho Cheese

March 29, 2016 Amanda Plott

Cheese is my Achilles' heel, there is no question about that. I've come to the conclusion that it is one thing that I am unwilling and unable to rid from my diet. I honestly think that if it were an option, I would live on the stuff.

Being a Texas girl and spending my fair share of time in San Antonio, I've come to know many a Tex-Mex. One could even go so far as to call me a Tex-Mex aficionado. A connoisseur of the Americanize and Texified variations of Mexican style foods. And as such, I know over the years that I've eaten my weight in nachos and nacho cheese.

So, today I decided to take some steps in lightening up and homemaking this classic nacho cheese sauce that we all know and love. Drool...

Spicy Avocado Pesto

March 21, 2016 Amanda Plott

I'm not sure what it is, but the older I get the more avocado obsessed I seem to be. I think at this point that I have avocado in my life almost every day. With a fridge full of greens that were on the way out and some special vegetarian tacos on the plan for dinner tonight, I decided I wanted to try something a little daring and different with making an avocado based pesto.

I mean, what goes better with tacos other than avocado? Nothing.

This pesto is basically a cross better a traditional pesto and a guacamole. You've got avocado and cilantro in there along with greens, garlic and some cheese. The use of the avocado means that this pesto is, you guessed it, oil free! Plus, the additions of all that green goodness bulks up the avocado so you get a whole lot of flavor for few calories...

Guacamole Wonton Bites

March 10, 2016 Amanda Plott

Guacamole makes everything better.

...Right?

If you haven't noticed, I've been a little avocado obsessed lately. And these guacamole wonton bites are no exception. While playing around with wonton wrappers the past couple of weeks, I thought it would be fun to stuff them with something other than the usual. So, I decided to do a little bit of fusion.

I have come to find that wonton skins are the perfect vehicle. They are light and crispy... sort of like a tortilla or a chip, but much more versatile. These handheld little bites of awesome are full of flavor, and it all starts out with a super simple homemade guacamole...