Italian Couscous Salad

February 21, 2019 Amanda Plott

This Italian Couscous Salad is as quick and easy as a ‘pasta’ salad can come. With a few chops here, some dices there, a good hefty few stirs and a little while in the fridge, this salad is ready to go and full of flavor! It’s pretty loaded with fun bits too such as salami, fresh mozzarella, basil, olives, and plenty of Italian veggies.

I’d like to think that it’s sort of a fun twist on Antipasto. It’s light, it’s pasta based, and it’s served cold. While usually it’s as a side, I’ve enjoyed eating this for lunch with a hard-boiled egg on the side. But it would also be great served as a side at dinner. Say… paired with a pesto marinated grilled chicken breast…

Beef & Barley Stew

February 19, 2019 Amanda Plott

It is cold, raining, and yucky here today. So, naturally… that calls for a hearty meal. Stew sounds about right to me! And with St. Patrick’s Day coming up soon, you know I’ve got to be sure there’s some Irish stew going on.

This beef stew is one of my new favorite dinners for cold weather. Which let me just say, isn’t a label that comes lightly. I haven’t worked with barley a whole lot before, so I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. But, it was a wonderful addition to stew! There’s big chunks of beef, mushroom, vegetables, and of course that barley in there to help thicken it all up…

Skinny Bacon & Cheddar Irish Soda Bread

February 17, 2019 Amanda Plott

There is one thing that I absolutely MUST make every year towards the end of February and the beginning of March, and that is Soda Bread. Again, it’s a nod to my Irish roots. Irish soda bread is a yeast-free bread that is quick and super easy to make. Really, guys… it’s almost fool-proof. Almost. Trust me, I know because baking tends to scare the pants off of me.

I used my original Healthified Irish Soda Bread as a base for this Bacon & Cheddar variation. This time around I used whole wheat flour to get a more golden color at the end, and of course… loaded this bad boy up with plenty of cheese and bacon goodness…

Irish Whiskey Blondies

February 15, 2019 Amanda Plott

Now that Valentine’s Day is over, I’m already on the thought path of St. Patrick’s Day! I love St. Patrick’s day for a couple of reasons. One being that I’ve got some Irish blood in me. Another being that it’s my dad’s birthday. And of course… who doesn’t love an excuse to drink and pinch people? Don’t worry, there’s no green beer here.

Instead, I opted to start off with these lightened up Irish Whiskey Blondies. I based these blondies over some that I made a good while back now. And yes, there is actually whiskey baked right into these blondies. Enough to give the flavor and just a little kick…

3 Ingredient Beet Gnocchi

February 12, 2019 Amanda Plott

Not all Valentine eats have to be treats! These 3 Ingredient Beet Gnocchi are perfectly festive to serve as a Valentine’s Day lunch or dinner. I’ve made gnocchi a handful of times before. In fact, I’ve made THIS very gnocchi before.

The thing I love about this gnocchi is that it’s so easy to make, especially compared to other gnocchi recipes out there. This one takes a whopping 3 whole ingredients and just about 10 minutes of hands on rolling, cutting, preparing.

Skinny Blueberry Cheesecake Dip

February 10, 2019 Amanda Plott

I’s been all about the sweets lately. And this Skinny Blueberry Cheesecake Dip takes the cake. The cheesecake that is. No bake cheesecakes in just about any form are always a hit with me. I think cheesecake in general has to be one of my favorite things.

I mean… who doesn’t like cheesecake? Oh, wait. my daughter doesn’t. What a weirdo. Right? I kid!

Cheesecake can be scary to make. They break, they fall, they’re a hassle. Welp! This cheesecake dip is anything but a hassle…