Easy Ratatouille & Cheesy Parmesan Polenta (Crock Pot)

July 29, 2015 Amanda Plott

So, I've been on the hunt for a good way of making ratatouille lately. I had tried it many many years back when I was a brand new mother. But, it didn't turn out at all the way that I had wanted. It soured my opinion on ratatouille and eggplant for years to come. Eggplant is not my most favorite vegetable, but ratatouille is one way that I will eat it.

I think that I'll eat almost anything if it's got pasta sauce and/or zucchini involved.

A few weeks back, I had tried this recipe out while my grandmother was still visiting. It got rave reviews from around the table. As it turns out, I got an eggplant and an acorn squash in my most recent local produce box, and knew exactly what I wanted to do with it. Another ratatouille!...

Healthified B.B.Q. Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese

July 8, 2015 Amanda Plott

Here in Texas, we are all about our BBQ. I think that we will just about put BBQ meat in anything, sandwich, taco, casserole, you name it - we put BBQ in it. A few weeks ago I was at a local movie theater here in Austin which was running a special in July for a pulled pork grille cheese. They were all out of one, so I didn't get to order it, but they did have a pre-show commercial that came on the screen showing what all went into the sandwich.

I was entranced. Inspired. De{light}ed.

As soon as I got home I started to come up with my own ways to make the sandwich healthier and lighter...

Skinny Vegetarian Jalapeño Poppers (Sponsored)

July 6, 2015 Amanda Plott

This post was brought to you by Collective Bias, Inc. and it's advertiser. I received compensation to write this post … but, all opinions expressed are my own. #GrillWithATwist #CollectiveBias

My dad is the grill master of the family and has been for many years now. One thing that has become a staple item anytime my family gets together to grill (no matter the occasion) is jalapeño poppers!

My family has always done poppers a little differently. Originally, we tried to stuff the jalapeños with a cream cheese and cheddar mixture and then wrapped them with bacon, but... the bacon never cooked through evenly. So, one day we got smart, chopped cooked bacon up and mixed it in with the cream cheese mixture to stuff in the jalapeños that way. We've never breaded our poppers in anyway. My dad always felt that the breading was unneeded, and I must say that I agree. It's just wasted calories.

These jalapeño poppers are our standard way of making poppers, but with one grilling twist this time around, making them perfectly vegetarian! Because after all, meatless can still be delicious....

Skinny Baked Eggplant Parmesan

June 10, 2015 Amanda Plott

I feel that I should explain right off the bat here that I am in no way a fan of eggplant. I don't particularly dislike it, but it just isn't something that I would order of a menu or pick up from the grocery store for my own indulgence. However, if it were offered to me in the form of baba ganoush or... eggplant parmesan, I would most likely eat it and enjoy it as well.

The only reason that I had eggplant on hand today was because I was given some in my recent 'local box' that came to me from organic local farmers. And let's face it, I'm not about to toss out any vegetable or fruit that is local and/or organic.

Since I had the eggplant already, I thought it would be a great opportunity to turn it into eggplant parmesan. I love anything that's doused in tomato sauce and cheese. I mean... who doesn't?...

Everything but the... Kitchen Sink Skillet

May 19, 2015 Amanda Plott

This post is sponsored by Clorox — helping you clean on the go for a happier home.

So, I had this brilliant soup that I was intending to make this week, and actually did make this week... I'm told that it was delicious! The sad thing is I was feeling under the weather that day and in the process of my fuzzy mindset I thought it would be a good idea to use purple carrots in the soup; which then resulted in a less than atheistically pleasing brown broth. Ugh.

Since I didn't want to remake the same soup over again for a second time this week, I went into my pantry, fridge, and freezer and cleaned everything out that I had leftover from other recent meals. Rice. Vegetables of all kinds. Cheese. Salsa. That's why I dubbed this 'Everything but the Kitchen Sink' Skillet.

Some of the best kitchen advice that I've ever received was to clean as you go, and that especially holds true when you're also using up your leftovers! I put my new Clorox® Pump ‘N Clean™ Kitchen & Dish Cleaner to the test with my 'spring cleaning' venture today. Just put a sponge or paper towel to the dispenser, pump and clean; it's that easy!...

Skinny Spinach & Sundried Tomato Omelette

May 14, 2015 Amanda Plott

This yummy vegetarian and gluten-free omelette is a great thing to wake up to. Seriously, I can't think of much else that I'd rather wake up to. I promise that you won't miss any meat here either, and as an added bonus it's still pretty packed with protein and good-for-you things; spinach, tomato, and even some mushrooms!

Breakfast has been a tricky meal for me lately. Somewhere between work and being a mommy, it's one of the last things that I happen to think about. And often by the time I have the time to make breakfast for myself... it's time for lunch!

I guess that's why I'm more of a brunch person.

That and brunch also comes with a mimosa or bloody mary!...