Holiday Cheer White Sangria

November 28, 2014 Amanda Plott

This past weekend we had a little pre-holiday family get together with my dad's side of the family. After our recent loss of my grandfather to liver cancer a couple months ago, my mother and I thought it would be a great idea to get all of my cousins and our children together for a fun family sleep over to try and keep my families' spirits up this season.

While there, and amidst all the chaos of screaming kids, one of my aunts pulled me aside and gave me an unexpected gift; these wonderful wine-friendly drink coasters! What can I say? She knows me well! I was told that they better be seen being used in some of my photographs, so here you go Aunt Donna!...

Skinny B.L.T. Soup

November 25, 2014 Amanda Plott

I'm busy in the kitchen this week as I prepare for Thanksgiving so... I needed something super simple to make myself for lunch that I could then enjoy for a few days after the one preparation. I've been craving a nice BLT sandwich lately, but I'm also trying to stay away from gluten a little bit too. So, with bread out of mind (and BLT Lettuce Wraps already done), I started to think about how else I could enjoy the flavors of a BLT in a different form. Ta-da! BLT soup.

This soup is pretty amazing. When topped with the shredded lettuce, the greens wilt just enough to soften but still retain a bit of texture; adding another dimension to an otherwise rather smooth soup. And of course, the bacon adds all the awesome. How can you go wrong with anything involving bacon? You can't!...

Almond & Flax Chicken Nuggets

November 3, 2014 Amanda Plott

My little girl is finally starting to think about liking chicken nuggets. I know... what kid doesn't like chicken nuggets to begin with? Well, mine! The girl could be a vegetarian yesterday. I've had to be pretty creative in these four years with getting protein in her. It's been quite an interesting... struggle ever since she was a teeny tiny little thing.

About a week ago I was sent this amazing product called 'Nuts over Fish' to try for free. Which, originally I thought was a little ironic since, well... I don't eat fish. It's completely a mental block that I've had since I was a little girl. No seafood as much as I'd like to love it - I just can't bring myself to eat it...

Chicken Satay

October 27, 2014 Amanda Plott

I've been wanting to make a chicken satay for a long time now. The first time that I ever had it was at a local movie joint that's known for their gourmet food options that are available to eat while you watch your feature film. Good stuff! I mean... how can you go wrong with thai style peanut anything?

Spicy peanut sauce is one of my favorite things on the planet, I think.

Anyway, I was super stoked when OurSkinny contacted me a few weeks and asked if I'd be interested in trying out any of the fabulous recipes. The first thing that caught my eye? Chicken satay, baby! One of the most easily made decisions of my life lately. Hah!

Eggs in Pepper Rings

October 22, 2014 Amanda Plott

I know, I know... I've been doing a lot with pesto lately. My basil plant is slowly but surely taking over the back yard again this year. What better to do with it than to make some yummy Skinny Spinach & Basil Pesto?

I've done the whole Lighter Egg-in-a-Basket thing, but I've been trying to be a little more gluten conscious lately. So, I thought to myself... why not take the same idea, but use a vegetable instead of the bread? Perfect! Bell peppers work great for this. They are firm and hold up well with the cooking process, since they don't sweat or soften too awfully much in such a short amount of time.

Healthified Hangover Soup

October 13, 2014 Amanda Plott

I'm getting things ready around here to go on a trip this weekend to the Texas Renaissance Festival. Yes, I'm one of those women that dresses up in a tightly bound corset and faerie wings. Any excuse to play dress up... is a good excuse! Not only am I going to the Masquerade Ball this year, I'll also be going to the King's Feast for the very first time. At both events, you're served a plentiful bounty of food and either beer or wine.

Bring it on. I take no shame in the fact that I like my vino.

At any rate, I'm making this soup this week in honor of my galavanting to take place this weekend... even though I am hoping that I don't actually end up with a hangover. It'd be the first time in a few years, I think!...