Taco Salad Splits

November 12, 2019 Amanda Plott

It’s cold outside! It’s so cold and frosty that school was delayed, and while it’s cold and not much else to do, my creative juices always kick into high gear. Today I decided to make some cute Taco Salad Splits with the bonus time that I had gifted to me by the weather.

So what’s a Taco Salad Split? Well, it’s a taco take on a banana split. Don’t worry, I’m not making tacos with bananas. But I am making these taco salads LOOK like banana splits.

This is probably the cutest way possible to make and eat your taco salad by the way…

Lightened Up Frey Pie (Game of Thrones)

April 15, 2019 Amanda Plott

As most of the world knows, the premier of the Game of Thrones TV series was yesterday. We’ve only got 5 more (lengthy) episodes left. In this house, we were celebrating with official Game of Thrones beer and also this DELICIOUS Frey Pie. Don’t worry, there’s no people baked into this pie, but it is a fun nod to the popular series and what happens when you cross Arya Stark.

This pie reminds me a lot of a traditional pot pie. One of the main differences here though is the meat that is used is ground instead of the usual shredded or cubed. It’s also loaded up with plenty of veggies. Namely mushrooms, carrots, and of course potatoes. It’s a hearty pie if ever there was one. We’ve got to survive the longer winter after all, right?…

Skinny Italian Beef Sandwiches

November 6, 2016 Amanda Plott

Oh, man... the history behind this recipe dates back around 6 years ago. It was right around the time that my daughter was born when I first started to make it. This was one of the first real things that I cooked for my family, and it is also one of the things they still ask me to make. Yep. Even to this very day! The recipe originated on a website that sadly is no longer around. The same website that started me off on my better-for-you cooking style.

Originally the recipe called for the beef be cooked in the slow cooker, but today it was a little chilly and I felt like blowing the dust off of my oven for the coming cold-weather season. Yay! I'm finally getting to use my oven again. Thank. Goodness. It's about time!...

Healthified Jarlsberger

June 30, 2015 Amanda Plott

What's a Jarlsberger? It's basically an all American burger that's covered with a delicious melted slice of Jarlsberg® cheese! I've take this traditional burger and made it more my own by adding in some sneaky vegetables and some seasoning to the lean meat; making it all the more guilt free for your grill and you this summer.

Trust me, you won't even know the vegetables are there, and neither will anyone else for that matter! Adding veggies to my burger meat has been something that I've been doing for all of my cooking-life. It's one of my secret weapons for making a good moist burger, even when using poultry or a lean meat!

As an added bonus to a good juicy burger, you get the keen knowledge that you just got some wholesome vegetables into your friends and family...

Skinny Turkey Kofta

March 25, 2015 Amanda Plott

I think the first time that I learned of a Kofta was about a year or two ago amidst one of the many reality cooking TV shows that I frequently watch; which is one of the sources that I get so much of my inspiration from. I thought it sounded pretty great! A seasoned meatloaf or meatball on a stick? Perfect!

Still don't know what a Kofta is? Well, it's basically a mixture of meat, bread crumbs or rice, and spices to form into meatballs or skewered patties. There are a lot of variations out there, but today I'm going with a healthier play on a turkey Kofta with a sort of Greek or Lebanese twist. I added in chopped onions, egg, and some traditional spices to the meat, and served it with a lemon tahini sauce on the side.

I would have served it with some tzatziki, but I am not a fan at all of cucumbers. Sorry all!...

Steak on a Stick

April 16, 2014 Amanda Plott

A month or two back I was whisked away off to a magical land of mystery and whimsey, otherwise known as the Sherwood Forrest Faire. While there I was enticed to try meat-on-a-stick for lunch. I was somewhat skeptical at first but after the first bit I was enchanted. It was amazing! As a side, the meat-on-a-stick could come with a baked potato loaded with butter, sour cream, pesto and parmesan. Also... To. Die For.

The meat on a stick was a thicker piece of what appeared to be flank steak, grilled with some mystical yellow seasoning that I could only fathom was turmeric. So, I went on a hunt as soon as I got home...