Light White Wine Cream Sauce (Sponsored)

July 20, 2016 Amanda Plott

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #VinoBlockParty #CollectiveBias The following content is intended for readers who are 21 or older.

We all know that summer is all about cook outs and block parties. Of course, here in Texas, we have to get out there early in the day or wait until the sun is starting to set to have a more enjoyable temperature. That being said, I know that when I'm entertaining it's all about simple meals with bold flavors and a nice cool glass of wine to pair!

One of my favorite quotes of all times has to be, "I enjoy cooking with wine, sometimes I even put it in the food...", and today this was my mantra! I decided that in the midst of my entertaining, I would create a lightened up white wine cream sauce to pair with some lemon pepper chicken that was cooked up in the crock pot. Hey, the oven is my enemy right now when it's 100+ degrees outside...

Italian 'Sub' Salad

June 15, 2016 Amanda Plott

One of my favorite 'sub' sandwiches is an Italian or a 'Grinder'. It's usually loaded with Italian meats such as salami and pepperoni, provolone cheese, and plenty of vegetables including tomatoes, olives, pepper rings and lettuce. Yum! It's a powerhouse of bold flavors with lots of zest and zing! Flavor, flavor, flavor.

So, today I decided to turn that favorite sandwich of mine into a salad. Why? Mostly because we're getting into the high end of the heat index here in Texas now and I don't even feel like toasting bread for fear of adding heat to the house. Yes, I'm absolutely serious about that...

5 Ingredient Whole Wheat Stromboli

May 19, 2016 Amanda Plott

Holy Stromboli! Lately for me, it seems like I've trying to get back to the more simple and wholesome meals. Things that were and still are familiar to me from my childhood. One thing that we cooked a few times when I was younger was Stromboli. Though, if I'm not mistaken, my mom would use refrigerated pizza dough and something more like pepperoni for the meat.

Me though? I'm all about salami. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't throw pepperoni out of my Stromboli. I just like the fact that salami has a few less calories and fat, while still having the same amount of protein. So, why not?...

Italian Baked Eggs

April 7, 2016 Amanda Plott

First of all... Happy 6th Birthday Lily!

With plenty of family coming into town this weekend and lots of birthday party plans, I needed a rather quick and easy breakfast that I could whip up this week. But, naturally I still wanted to have something that was real and healthy too.

Now, I'm the first one to admit that pretty much anything Italian is an instant win with me. So when I initially heard of Italian Baked Eggs, I was intrigued to say the least. Red sauce? For breakfast? How scandalous! ...I must try it!...

Skinny Italian 'Fire Sticks'

February 12, 2016 Amanda Plott

Here is another healthier take on a favorite 'take-out fake-out' or restaurant 'copy cat' kind of recipe. There's this chain Italian style restaurant that serves these amazing 'Sicilian Fire Sticks' (or at least they used to the last time I went there - well over a year ago now.) They were always one of my most favorite things to order.

These fire sticks are large and in charge and full of flavor. And considering that one of my complete fire sticks is less calories than the original restaurant's tortilla alone... I think I'll stick to staying at home and making these for myself.

For those of you that aren't familiar with what a fire stick is, it's basically an Italian version of a flouts or taquito. A crispy tortilla surrounding a yummy mixture of meats, pepper, and melted cheese...

Skinny Beet Pesto

January 6, 2016 Amanda Plott

You're wanting me to... beet it, beet it!

Lettuce turnip the beet and dance.

I'm dropping fresh beets, yo.

Okay, okay. I'm done with the beet puns and word-play for now. But, seriously - this beet pesto is amazing, easy to make, and super versatile too! Plus, I mean... look at that color. With Valentine's Day creeping up on us already, this would be a perfect thing to make and use around the day of love.

This beet pesto is full of flavor too; it's a little sweet, a little earthy, and super delicious. I recently this year became a beet fan, so I've been trying to come up with fun ways to use them. Especially with February coming up, beets are the perfect natural red and/or pink food coloring...