Spicy Avocado Pesto

March 21, 2016 Amanda Plott

I'm not sure what it is, but the older I get the more avocado obsessed I seem to be. I think at this point that I have avocado in my life almost every day. With a fridge full of greens that were on the way out and some special vegetarian tacos on the plan for dinner tonight, I decided I wanted to try something a little daring and different with making an avocado based pesto.

I mean, what goes better with tacos other than avocado? Nothing.

This pesto is basically a cross better a traditional pesto and a guacamole. You've got avocado and cilantro in there along with greens, garlic and some cheese. The use of the avocado means that this pesto is, you guessed it, oil free! Plus, the additions of all that green goodness bulks up the avocado so you get a whole lot of flavor for few calories...

Corned Beef Breakfast Hash

March 18, 2016 Amanda Plott

Now that St. Patricks day is over, the big question is... what do you do with all that leftover corned beef? Well, here is one of my favorite breakfast ideas that will use up that salty beef goodness while also soaking up some of the party from the night before.

There is more than one reason to stay away from the green beer!

This breakfast hash is quick to cook up and gives you all that needed carbs and protein to get over any amount of Irish celebrations. It's definitely a hearty and filling dish that couldn't be any more perfect as a post St. Patty's Day breakfast or brunch...

Skinny Lemon Thumbprint Cookies (Gluten Free)

March 16, 2016 Amanda Plott

Thank you Bob's Red Mill for sponsoring this post! Check out more delicious baking recipes at BobsRedMill.com.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again... Spring is most definitely one of my favorite times of year. There's just something to be said of the change in light, the fresh air, and everything coming back to life in the garden.

I don't know about you, but when I think about Spring and Easter, I think about the brightness of lemons. Maybe that's because it's about this time of year when my lemon tree starts to produce for me; giving me plenty of fresh beautiful lemons to use at my leisure.

To celebrate the arrival of Easter and Spring, I decided it would be the perfect time to bake up some tender, sweet and tart lemon thumbprint cookies - perfect for any basket; Easter or otherwise!...

Grapefruit & Avocado Buddha Bowl

March 14, 2016 Amanda Plott

So after my crazy, emotional, and exhausting week(end), I needed to get back into the groove of things today. Plus, I could use all the energy that I can get right now; and of course nothing will power you through better than good food in the form of a buddha bowl.

What's a buddha bowl? Well, they can also be called 'glory bowls' or 'hippie bowls' and usually consist of greens of some sort, raw or cooked vegetables, a healthy grain like quinoa or rice, and toppings. They are usually meatless, but still rather hearty and filling.

Exactly what I need right now!...

Skinny Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette

March 8, 2016 Amanda Plott

I'm not sure about anywhere else, since Texas is the only place that I've lived in my adult life, but here... we go through an awful lot of cilantro. It's all that amazing Tex-Mex we have here, so you won't find me complaining. Cilantro and I definitely have a love-hate relationship though.

I've come to the realization that I don't tend to like it much in it's raw form. That is... it needs to be added to something; guacamole, fajita meat, etc. I do, however, love cilantro when it's done right by being used as an ingredient to brighten up a dish. And what better way to do that than with a nice fresh spring produce salad?...

Matcha Waffles (Gluten Free)

March 5, 2016 Amanda Plott

So, this is what I've been up to pretty much each morning this week. I've made these waffles three times now, adjusting the recipe and tweaking it to get it to where I wanted it to be. The first time I made them as a test run, they turned out beautifully. But, the second time I made them - they were a huge flop.

Yes, even I make mistakes in the kitchen!

That could have been mostly my fault though. Honestly, my heart wasn't in it that morning and my mind was elsewhere and focused on other things going on in my life. I'm pretty sure in looking back that I left something out at some point and ended up with a waffle iron full of raw inedible goop. Whoops!

This was my third attempt with these waffles after a few final changes and a more careful eye for my measuring and accounting for each ingredient...