Healthified Crockpot Low Country Chicken Boil

June 13, 2017 Amanda Plott

My local box of produce over the past couple of weeks has gifted me with a bounty of red potatoes that I can't bare to let go to waste! My mother asked me a couple weeks back about this recipe that I had put together a couple of years back now. With my brother not being a seafood eater and my dad being mildly allergic to shellfish, she wanted to put together a Low Country Boil that omitted the shrimp or crawfish. Being as I'm not a seafood fan either, I had tried my hand at a seafood-free low country boil, like I said though, this was a couple of summers ago.

So with an idea in mind and plenty of red potatoes to go around, I got to work on my Low Country Chicken Boil once again. Here among the southern states, summer time is when everyone starts to have crawfish boils! It's always sounded amazing to me; sausage, potatoes, corn - who wouldn't like it? Well, me! If you haven't noticed yet, I'm not a seafood eater. I wish that I could be, but it just isn't a possibility. Sadly...

Skinny Juicy Lucy Meatballs

February 1, 2017 Amanda Plott

Remember when I made those fantastically cheesy Healthified Juicy Lucy Burgers? Yeah, well they now come in meatball form! And just in time for gameday too. For these meatballs, I took my favorite cocktail meatballs and those Juicy Lucy Burgers and fused them together to make one epic appetizer. They're easy to make, full of flavor, and what could be better than a gooey cheesy stuffed meatball?

Not a lot.

So just to be clear, these are not your average Italian style meatball. Oh, no. These are an americanized modge-podge if ever there was one. I do have a more traditional stuffed meatball if that's more of what you're looking for (also made in the crock pot along with a sauce.)...

Breakfast Egg Rolls with Sausage Gravy

December 6, 2016 Amanda Plott

I saw this fabulous idea a long time ago on Pinterest, and I just knew that I had to make a version of it for myself. I've never been one for frying things and I will do just about anything I can to lighten up food; whether it be lessening the calories, using more wholesome ingredients, or some other clever way in which I see fit.

These Breakfast Egg Rolls with Sausage Gravy are where it's at! This has to be one of the most tasty and fun breakfasts that I've put together in a good long time, and it's just a pity that I was the only one home this morning to enjoy them. Oh, well... maybe next time I'll have some company over to feed!...

Crock Pot Pasta e Fagioli

October 26, 2016 Amanda Plott

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Barilla® and Johnsonville®. The opinions and texts are all mine.

It's no secret that one of my most favorite soups at almost any Italian restaurant is Pasta e Fagioli. That's generally because it's got some of everything in it without being too heavy, and that's exactly where I am with fall right now. It's nice and cool and crisp in the mornings, but still rather hot here during the day. So, I find myself craving more hearty dishes on a lighter side.

This soup isn't only lighter on the scale (being that it's made from home), it's also lighter on the wallet since it's made from simple ingredients, most of which you probably already have in your fridge and pantry! Let's face it, almost any soup is a great economical option for an all inclusive meal in a bowl, and when you involve a slow cooker you're almost always insured an easy-fix meal as well...

Adult Pigs-in-a-Blanket with Red Wine-Mustard Sauce

June 10, 2016 Amanda Plott

When I think of summer, I often think of the thrills and fun things that go along with being a kid again without really being a kid again. So, to savor the summer I decided to take one of my old childhood favorites and make into something meant for a more adult crowd.

Enter these adult pigs-in-a-blanket! I've taken a spicy cajun style sausage and baked in the center of crescent roll 'blankets', and paired it all with a red wine-mustard sauce for a perfectly disable bite that's sure to impress!...

Skinny Italian 'Fire Sticks'

February 12, 2016 Amanda Plott

Here is another healthier take on a favorite 'take-out fake-out' or restaurant 'copy cat' kind of recipe. There's this chain Italian style restaurant that serves these amazing 'Sicilian Fire Sticks' (or at least they used to the last time I went there - well over a year ago now.) They were always one of my most favorite things to order.

These fire sticks are large and in charge and full of flavor. And considering that one of my complete fire sticks is less calories than the original restaurant's tortilla alone... I think I'll stick to staying at home and making these for myself.

For those of you that aren't familiar with what a fire stick is, it's basically an Italian version of a flouts or taquito. A crispy tortilla surrounding a yummy mixture of meats, pepper, and melted cheese...