One-Pot Cheesy Pumpkin & Sausage Soup

November 15, 2018 Amanda Plott

Right now, it’s all about the upcoming holidays and the mad rush and hubbub that surrounds them. There’s probably not any more of a chaotic time of year than there is starting now. Meal planning can be tough at this time of year which is why I like to stick to simple recipes and one-pot dishes. To me, creating one-pot meals during the holiday season feels like a true hack! I almost feel like I’m cheating because it makes clean up so easy.

One-pot means less clean up. One-pot means less hassle. One-pot means more time and sanity saved. And this One-Pot Cheesy Pumpkin & Sausage Soup really hits the spot, too. It is so good it will bring friends and family running to your house and to the table! It’s low-carb, keto-friendly, completely delicious, and as cheesy as soups come. Plus, it’s full of all those glorious fall and winter flavors that we all love and crave at this time of year…

Skinny Cranberry Bliss Bread

November 7, 2018 Amanda Plott

I’ve somehow done it, y’all. I’ve somehow managed to wear myself out on pumpkin for a bit. I don’t know how, I don’t know when, and I really don’t like it. But… at least in the meantime while I recuperate, I can play around with cranberries now!

I don’t know about the rest of the country, but here in Austin Texas… the allergies are killing everyone right now. ‘Tis the season, I guess. So while I’m a little under the weather (pun intended) and my throat is aching, I thought it would be a nice time to make a fluffy warm breakfast bread.

Baking therapy anyone?…

Sailor Stew

October 7, 2018 Amanda Plott

I’ve made this stew a couple of times before, and mostly just for testing purposes. Sometimes it takes more than one run to get these things just right. But, I can honestly say that I haven’t minded the process with this one!

The first time I made it, I did so in the Instant Pot. It turned out well enough, but I really wanted this to be a stew that everyone could cook. Not just those with a pressure cooker. I also ended up adding in some potatoes and carrots to make this a more veggie-ful dish. Those veggies, along with the beans in there, really makes this a hearty meal all on it’s own…

Dark Chocolate & Pumpkin Swirl Bundt Cake

September 15, 2018 Amanda Plott

We’re finally in the 80’s around here, and I can feel Fall in the air just about. It’s one of my favorite times of year. Halloween is just around the corner and pumpkin spice is featured almost anywhere you look. Bring. It. On. I am so ready to get to use my stove and oven again without having to worry about spending the rest of the day cooling the house back off. The struggle is real, y’all.

Baking is not my favorite thing to do in the kitchen. It scares and intimidates me. And today was one of those reasons why. I turned my back for (what seemed like one second) and I over-beat my batter. Meaning my cake collapsed a bit in the middle. I was frustrated beyond belief with myself, but the family didn’t mind at all. In fact, they all said how good the cake was - even though I was mad at it…

Crock Pot Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal (Instant Pot too!)

September 13, 2018 Amanda Plott

Originally when I made this oatmeal, I had pretty recently posted a Skinny Baked Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal, but these two oatmeals are pretty far apart in the realms of texture and preparation. Plus, I’ve added in new instructions so this oatmeal can be made in an instant pot (pressure cooker) in under thirty minutes!

As usual, I've been running around like a crazy woman and I really needed a pick-me-up this morning to help boost me through the day. Back when I first made this recipe in 2013, my dear little girl had been sick for well over a week and only the day before was diagnosed with both a sinus infection and bacterial pneumonia. That was a tough time!…

Healthified Crock Pot Chicken & Dumplings

August 21, 2018 Amanda Plott

This is my healthier take on an old classic comfort food. I think the very first time that I had chicken and dumplings was at my grandmother's house with my dad when I was pretty young... elementary school still, I'm sure.

She cooked the soup up on the stove for a few hours and then tossed the raw dough into the pot. I thought she was crazy at the time, but after my first bite... I was in love.

Years later when I first started cooking, I dabbled with the infamous chicken and dumplings in the crock pot using canned condensed soups and biscuit dough. I'll be the first to admit that it was delicious, but a huuuge guilty pleasure! Full of preservatives and nothing good for you. Bleh!...