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...

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...

Veggie & Hummus Pinwheels

May 31, 2016 Amanda Plott

Last week I made my own homemade 5 Ingredient Roasted Red Pepper Hummus, and I made a pretty tasty wrap using it. Since the wrap got a really good response over on Facebook, I decided that I would go ahead and post my actual recipe for it. The only change that I've made is making the wrap into pinwheels so that it could be served as either an appetizer or a fun little 'snackable' lunch option. Plus, let's face it... they are so bright and colorful this way!

These little wheels of awesome are packed with plenty of fresh vegetables and lots of flavor. The secret is in the hummus spread, and of course you can't go wrong with adding feta cheese to anything in my opinion...

Skinny Nog Pecan Blondies & Nog Cream Cheese Sauce

December 8, 2015 Amanda Plott

As we're getting into the thick of the holiday season, I wanted to step out of the box again and create a lighter take on one of my most favorite desserts in the world, a blondie! Any blondie just won't do. It had to be full of pecans, white chocolate, spice, and topped off with a decadent cream cheese sauce.

Yes, I went there. And I brought my 'Egg Nog' with me.

I wanted this blondie to have more of a holiday twist, so I infused with the flavors of egg nog while omitting (most of) the guilt. I am all about small indulgences, especially around the holidays...

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 Ice Cream Scoop Pops (Sponsored)

June 2, 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. #SunsOutSpoonsOut #CollectiveBias

Now that we're over the torrential rain here for a while and the sun has peeked back out from behind the dark and gloomy clouds, it's starting to warm back up here in Texas! I think it's been about a month (if not longer) since I last saw the sun like I've seen it today.

I'm so happy to be getting back into the swing of summer foods, though I know in a couple of months when it starts tipping the thermostat at 100+ degrees outside, I'll be singing an entirely different tune.

For the time being though, I'm ready for some ice cream!

Ice cream is a summer staple for just about anyone. Since my little girl is all about cake pops, I thought it might be fun to do the same thing with ice cream. Ice cream scoop pops; a small school of ice cream on a wooden spoon that's topped off with an array of sprinkles...