Carrot Cake Baked & Blended Oats

March 31, 2024 Amanda Plott

Have your cake and eat it for breakfast too with these delicious Carrot Cake Baked & Blended Oats! This quirky twist on a classic dessert transforms the cozy flavors of carrot cake into a nutritious and satisfying morning meal. Imagine a warm and comforting bowl of oats, baked to perfection with sweet grated carrots, aromatic spices, and a hint of vanilla.

These oats are not only a guilt-free treat but also a delightful way to start your day on a healthy note. Packed with fiber, vitamins, and a touch of sweetness, this recipe proves that you can have your cake and eat it too – even for breakfast! So, why not indulge in a wholesome and flavorful breakfast that tastes just like carrot cake? Go ahead and enjoy every spoonful of these Carrot Cake Baked & Blended Oats – because eating well should always be a piece of cake!…

Pantry Pottage (Crock Pot & Instant Pot)

December 7, 2021 Amanda Plott

This Pantry Pottage became a traditional Thanksgiving Eve dinner many many years ago in my family. I think the original recipe was one that my mom had gotten off the local news station when I was still in high school. The idea behind the dish was to use up all the canned beans and vegatables from your pantry and toss them into a crock pot to cook up some fabulous and easy dish that would serve up a house of visitors.

Several years ago now, the original printed recipe that my mom had ended up disappearing among a chaotic move. I've since scowered the web to find it, though to no avail. I did, however, manage to find a similar version that I've tweaked to be closer to what my mom and I remember…

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

April 6, 2021 Amanda Plott

What I ended up getting for Easter was an upset stomach. Boo! Oh, well. As soon as it started to settle, I went straight into chicken noodle soup mode. This Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup is exactly what my body needed too. The broth is light and there’s just enough good wholesome chunky bits in there to fill a sore stomach.

For being a homemade soup, this one is super simple to make and it all comes together in one pot for easy clean up. Plus, most of the ingredients here are staple pantry and fridge items that you likely already have on hand!…

Vegetable Pot Pie

February 2, 2021 Amanda Plott

It’s been a bit chilly here in the mornings. And yes, it does get chilly in Texas. While there’s cooler days and nights around for another 6 weeks thanks to a wonderful and all knowing groundhog, I thought I would keep with he trend and make a delicious, hearty, and filling veggie pot pie.

I’ll be honest in that most pot pies are a no-go for me if only because they’re usually full of heavy creams, and bound together in a lot of dough. So, I decided to swing the other way with this one and used one of my older tricks of phyllo dough as the crust and lots and LOTS of veggies!…

Chicken & Cornbread Casserole

May 20, 2020 Amanda Plott

Comfort food has been the name of the game over the past few weeks and months. I’ve been using my oven a lot more than usual. I guess we could all use the comfort of a good home cooked meal during these trying times. And there isn’t much that’s more comforting than a nice warm serving of this Chicken & Cornbread Casserole!

This casserole starts off with a hearty mixture of chicken and vegetables and it then topped off with an easy homemade cornbread. The end result is something similar to a potpie, but with more of a southern twist with the cornbread…

Shepherd's Pie Stuffed Twice Baked Potatoes

February 27, 2020 Amanda Plott

Sometimes it’s okay to play with your food. I for one, love to play with mine. I like to put fun twists on classics. Shepherd’s pie is one of my family favorites, especially as we roll into March and get in closer to St. Patricks’s Day. These Shepherd's Pie Stuffed Twice Baked Potatoes are based on a couple of my favorite traditional recipes that were merged together.

I would say these potatoes are a cross between a loaded baked potato, twice baked potatoes, and overstuffed potato skins. One serving is plenty filling and it’s a really fun way to enjoy your very own individual shepherds pie…

Recent Forkable Bites

Gochujang Roasted Potatoes

If roasted potatoes and Korean chili paste had a love child, this would be it. These Gochujang Roasted Potatoes are crispy on the outside, tender and pillowy inside, and coated with a sweet-spicy glaze that’s totally addictive — but without the guilt trip. I’ve given the classic roasted spud a health-conscious twist that keeps the flavor big and the oil minimal. Perfect as a side, snack, or the star of a casual weeknight dinner…

Korean Scallion Pop Over Pancake "Dutch Baby"

You’ve just found your new kitchen obsession: the Korean Scallion Pop Over Pancake. Think of it as the love child of a light-as-air popover and the garlicky, green-onion-forward goodness of pajeon. It’s quick, a little bit showy, and perfect for breakfast, snack time, or as an appetizer that will convince friends you are doing something wildly gourmet without breaking a sweat…

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…

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