Granola Cups

July 7, 2016 Amanda Plott

I've been looking to make breakfast a little more interesting and fun round here lately while I've got my little one home for the summer. Ugh! I can't believe she's about to be a big first grader. Anyway, these cute little granola cups were the perfect way to do that! They're cute, and little, and so easy to make!

What I love about these cups is that they are so versatile. You can use them as mini pie crusts, fill them with yogurt and/or fruit (like I did) for breakfast, or even as the base of a tart or other sort of dessert. I'm thinking mini cheesecakes!

By the way, did I mention that they are also vegan, gluten-free, and sugar-free? Yep, yep, and yep! These little cuties definitely hit all the right notes. If all that isn't convincing enough, there's also chia seeds in them too; adding super crunch and even more texture...

5 Ingredient Skinny Summer Vegetable Dip

June 8, 2016 Amanda Plott

It's getting warm here in Texas, though I'll be the first one to say that so far we've had a perfectly mild summer. Usually by now we are well into 100+ degrees days, and so far we've barely broken past the 90's. No, that's not a complaint either! It's these perfect summer days that I love to spend out in my backyard entertaining. Whether that means my little family or the whole lot of us.

No matter who's around, it's always about 'what to eat' and this 5 Ingredient Skinner Summer Vegetable Dip is the perfect spread! I've loaded this dip up with bell pepper, jalapeño (for taste - not heat), sweet summer corn, and olives! I know, bare with me, it might sound like a rather creative and interesting combination... and it is! It's completely amazing and full of flavor. You'll fall in love from the first taste...

5 Ingredient Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

May 23, 2016 Amanda Plott

Another busy weekend behind me and I couldn't be looking forward to next week anymore than I am! My little girl will be out of school and done with her dance for this season; giving me a much needed little break. With the last few days, weeks, and months all blurring together, I needed something easy and light to toss together after milling around the store today for my weekly shopping trip.

I decided some homemade hummus would hit the spot perfectly. I've made my share of hummus before, but hadn't yet dabbled with a roasted red pepper variation which happens to be one of my favorites to buy...

5 Ingredient Thai Butternut Squash Soup (Crock Pot)

March 25, 2016 Amanda Plott

So about a week ago I got my hands on the biggest butternut squash that I've ever seen in my life. The best part about it was that it was from a local Texas farm, which you know I'm all about. I had already used the squash in two previous meals this week and was racking my brain to come up with a third and final use so that I could get it all eaten up before the weekend. Because, you know, there is a lot of Easter happenings and I couldn't let this beauty go to waste.

This smooth and creamy thai butternut squash was the perfect was to use up my mammoth of a squash. And what's better is that it is super simple to make since there is little prep work with only 5 ingredients, and the crock pot will do all of the cooking for you...

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...