Crock Pot Japanese Onion Soup

October 1, 2022 Amanda Plott

We all know that soup that they serve at the hibachi style steak houses and how good it is for being something so simple. It’s one of the main things that my kiddo happens to look forward to when we go, so a lot of years back - way back in 2013, I decided to try my hand at making the soup at home and it was a success!

Not only that, but I also made it in the crock pot, which meant that I didn’t have to have almost any hands on time. It’s definitely one of those ‘set it and forget it’ sort of things which makes it perfect for serving up as a part of an asian themed dinner…

Skinny Creamy Jalapeño Ranch

September 22, 2022 Amanda Plott

This is another fun one that I absolutely had to update with some new pictures.

If you've ever been to Texas... you may have heard of a little place called Chuy's Mexican Restaurant. Mhn, the mere thought that place makes my mouth water. Seriously. They have some amazing Tex-mex. One of my most favorite things at Chuy's is their Creamy Jalapeño Ranch. It's something that they will serve along side chips, but... you have to ask for it! It's also used as a salad dressing option.

I've been trying for years now to find a recipe that's even remotely close to the infamous dip that Chuy's serves. There's a lot of options out there, but none of them can hold a candle to the original, especially when making any healthy substitutions…

Vegetarian Green Curry

July 15, 2022 Amanda Plott

I’ve been wanting to make a Vegetarian Green Curry for a good long while now, and today was finally the day. This curry starts off with onion and spices and quickly gets into veggies, tofu and even some chickpeas. The goal here was to load the curry up with as much veggie goodness as possible to make up for the lack of meat in it.

The end result is a curry that comes together really quickly and tastes amazing. The only thing I might do differently next time, is to add in some jalapeño for added spice and warmth. Every bite of this curry has new tastes and textures that all pair really well together…

Instant Pot Verde Chicken Tacos (With Creamy Jalapeño)

June 20, 2019 Amanda Plott

So while I’m currently out of town on a little mini vacation, it was taco Tuesday before I left. And with things being more than a little crazy around my place, I decided to take the easy route when it came to dinner. Tacos are a staple in our house and well… we stay pretty true to taco Tuesday. I like to shake things up a bit when it comes to tacos. While I LOVE traditional beef tacos, I also like to play around with chicken tacos, vegetarian tacos, etc.

This time around, I went with some verde chicken tacos. And added some of my FAVORITE creamy jalapeño ranch sauce. To make them even more appealing, I had the chicken cook in the instant pot for a dinner that can be made in well under an hour…

Healthy Crock Pot Verde Chicken Chili (Legion Chili)

April 29, 2019 Amanda Plott

Ah! Okay, I'm going to reveal something about myself here that I never thought I would so bare with me.

I don't know if you've figured it out yet or not, but I'm sort of a closet nerd. I'm a chic geek to the core, and yet hide it well with what I'd like to think is a very 'normal' exterior. In actuality, I go to renaissance faires (in costume), I've been known to role-play, and yes... I'll even play video games (MMO's mostly). Okay, so really just one in particular, but there are others on my rap sheet as well.

If you're close to me, then you know what that game is. Or if you recognize the name of this chili, then you're probably at least just as guilty as I am. The truth of the matter is, I've been a player in World of Warcraft since it's original vanilla beta back when I was in college. Yep, that's how long this game has been around and in my life. True. Story...

Skinny Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Dip

September 9, 2018 Amanda Plott

Sometimes, you just feel like having snacks and appetizer style things for dinner. Or maybe that's just me and my family? This weekend has been a rainy one, and I'm not about to complain about that. We've been needing the rain and the cool off from the blaring Texas sun. Even so! With being stuck indoors and games and movies being the fun of the weekend, I thought it would be perfect for an appetizer night.

For whatever reason, rain always leaves me craving Mexican food. Namely enchiladas. That's why I went with this Skinny Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Dip as part of our rainy day spread. This dip tastes just like those famous cream cheese chiclen enchladas that we all know and love. The only difference is that this dip is guilt-free!

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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