Spinach & Artichoke Ravioli en Brodo

January 9, 2017 Amanda Plott

Thank you Buitoni for sponsoring this post. Check out Buitoni's no GMO, clean label, vegetable-infused pastas and sauces to create a dinnertime experience everyone will enjoy.

Almost three years ago I made this wonderful Tortellini en Brodo that was amazing and my whole family loved it. Yes, even my picky little first grader. Sometimes the most simple meals are the ones that my family and I adore the most. ...Though for different reasons, of course. I enjoy the simple recipes because I spend less time in the kitchen while my family enjoys them for their distinct and fresh flavors.

This Spinach & Artichoke Ravioli en Brodo was definitely inspired by that one from a few years ago, but it is even more simple with only 6 ingredients and yet just as much flavor (if not more!) This is a light soup that still somehow manages to be rather hearty. Those big beautiful green ravioli soak up that wonderful broth and all of the flavors that go along with it...

Broccoli & Butternut Squash Omelettata

January 6, 2017 Amanda Plott

Brrrr! It's freezing here in Austin today. No, like... literally it is. I needed an excuse to turn the oven on since that always helps warm the house up and I sure enough found that excuse when trying to figure out what I was going to do with myself for breakfast. I remembered that I had gotten these wonderful farm fresh eggs and local produce yesterday and just knew they would fit the bill.

So, I kicked on my oven and got to work.

I've made an omelettata before, but it's been a while. Almost a year to the day actually! It's pretty funny how things work out sometimes...

Cheesy Chicken & Vegetable Casserole

October 4, 2016 Amanda Plott

All ideas, recipes, & opinions are entirely my own. Tommy's Superfoods Samples were provided to me for this recipe and review.

I'm not sure why, but I've sort of been in pasta mode lately. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I have so much stocked up in my pantry by now that I feel I need to dwindle down the boxes. When I got a beautiful fresh summer squash and two ears of local corn in this past week, I knew that I wanted to do something fun with pasta for an end-of-summer sort of casserole. With everything taking on a rather yellow color, I wanted to throw in some chopped spinach as well to give another hue. It's all about eating the rainbow.

I had actually done a test run of this recipe a couple weeks ago, and was pretty pleased with the results. Of course, I did make a few tweaks here and there to fine-tune. The whole idea of this dish was to be something quick and easy for a weeknight dinner while also giving a creamy-dreamy sort of 'mac-n-cheese' inspired bite, though maybe on a more adult level...

Steak & Potato Salad with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette

September 6, 2016 Amanda Plott

As a Stubb's Insider, all ideas, recipes, & opinions are entirely my own. Sauces, marinades and seasonings are provided to me on behalf of Stubb's Bar-B-Q.

Game day here in Texas is always a BIG deal. It's all about getting together with friends and family to eat good food, enjoy good company, and root on your favorite team. Hook'em Horns! Around here, it's always a good time.

Now, I know a salad isn't generally what someone might think of as being a tailgating or homegating food, but when you add 'steak and potatoes' to the phrase, it all starts to make a lot more sense. It's nice to shake things up and have options that are more outside the box; especially when it's still super hot outside and a nice hearty salad is just what the weatherman ordered...

Black Bean & Squash Enchiladas

August 31, 2016 Amanda Plott

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Veetee Foods, Inc. All opinions are entirely my own.

've been wanting to make some red sauce enchiladas again for a while now since it's been such a long time since the last ones. Enchiladas have always been one of my favorite Tex-Mex things to eat, though more often than not they are a guilty pleasure from a restaurant. For whatever reason, the last few batches I've made have all been with a verde sauce, so I wanted to get back to the basic today.

While my little brother is staying with me, I've made it my mission to put him to good use with being my guinea pig with a lot of vegetarian dishes. He was a vegetarian a couple years ago, so I figure if anyone has experience with a good vegetarian dish, it's him. I always want meatless dishes to be filling and not feel like their missing something; as some vegetarian dishes tend to...

Chipotle & Spinach Quinoa Cakes

August 16, 2016 Amanda Plott

I'm not sure really who knows this yet or not, but I sort of have a giant fear of eating fish. I know, I know! It's a problem that I've been dealing with my entire life. I wish that I could bring myself to eat seafood at all. So far though, I haven't found success with it. What I tend to do instead, is make an otherwise fish-related recipe into something vegetarian.

I've always been curious about 'fish cakes', since they look like they could be mighty light and tasty if done right. In the past, I've made Chickpea & Quinoa Cakes, which turned out really good. But, today I wanted to try something a little different; adding in a kick of spice and bright bold Mexican-style flavors...