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...

Scary Good Stuffed Meatballs & Garlicky Sauce (Crock Pot)

October 24, 2015 Amanda Plott

One of my more favorite recipes here is one that is about two years old now. It's a tried and true recipe that I've kept in my back pocket and used numerous times over the years. With Halloween getting closer and closer, I decided to take that recipe out, dust it off, and give it a good scary once over.

A while back now, I had heard of these wonderful cheese stuffed meatballs and just knew that it was something that I had to give a try. So, I thought what better time than now? To make these meatballs even more scary good, I used both ground meat and hot sausage to give that nice little bit of heat. I also wanted to keep the vampires at bay, so I was sure to make the sauce garlicky...

Healthified Pork Skewers "Faux Ribs"

August 13, 2014 Amanda Plott

Is it bad of me to tell you that even as a Texan... I can't stand to eat meat off the bone? I'm a white meat only (no dark meat here) and boneless kind of girl. I always have been for as long as I can possibly remember. That's right. I don't care for ribs on the bone, wings (or legs) on the bone, or even steak on the bone! No bones.

I've said it before, I could very easily become a vegetarian without skipping a beat. In fact, I've found that eating meatless dinners 2-3 days of the week slash my grocery bill and helps me to feel better overall. That being said, I am a Texan and barbecue is a weekly requirement as well!

Since I'm a boneless fan, skewers are sort my go-to for faux ribs. It gives me that raw carnivore feel while not grossing me out in the process. Plus, I get to use a leaner cut of meat for my 'ribs' - which meals less calories and less guilt...

Thick & Hearty Pizza Sauce

December 21, 2013 Amanda Plott

Mm... this sauce is thick, rich, and very hearty with bold pieces of sautéed onion and garlic littered through it. It's absolutely perfect for dipping, but would be just as amazing atop some 3 Ingredient Pizza Dough, or in any other place that you would use a typical pizza sauce...

Skinny Cranberry Sauce

November 16, 2013 Amanda Plott

Since I'm taking Thanksgiving off this year, I've still made it my mission to post a few recipes for those of you that are not.

Don't get me wrong, I love love love cooking in my kitchen on the Holidays, but an amazing opportunity came up for me to dine out with the family at a local hot spot here in Austin instead, so I'm taking it!...

Healthified Apple Butter BBQ Sauce

May 25, 2013 Amanda Plott

This BBQ Sauce is amazing!

How amazing? I'm making some more tomorrow to take to my parents house for a BBQ and still have one more thing planned this week to do with it after that.

I was fortunate enough to get a bottle of Musselman's Apple Butter sent to me this week, at no cost. I immediately began to do research. What could I do with a bottle of apple butter? I found that there were so many things to do with it that I couldn't settle on just one.

I'm pretty fond of apple butter, but it's generally something that I use in the fall. Then it struck me. BBQ! And what's better? BBQ sauce!...