Slow Cooker Breakfast Casserole

November 22, 2017 Amanda Plott

It's no secret that one of my favorite things about the holidays is cooking for my loved ones. As crazy and manic as it can get in my tiny little kitchen; there is nowhere else in the world that I would rather be. And that's the truth.

This Slow Cooker Breakfast Casserole is an old family favorite, and really more of a tradition now at this point. It started some years back around one of the major holidays when I had a house full of people and a bunch of hungry bellies to feed in the morning. I knew that I wasn't going to have much time in the morning, but wanted to have a hot delicious breakfast ready and waiting. That's where the slow cooker comes in!...

Harvest Vegetable Soup

October 4, 2017 Amanda Plott

And then just like that, it was soup season.

We're getting into that time of year when winter squash and hearty vegetables are in season, and one of my favorite ways to use them up is a good soup! This soup is full of the bounties of a Fall harvest.

It's completely vegetarian and as filling as they come. Plus, it's completely guilt-free and feeds a crowd a pretty hefty sized bowl of soup...

My Great-Grandma's "Red Beans"

April 26, 2017 Amanda Plott

This is another oldie but goodie that I just had to rework the pictures for since they totally don't do these Red Beans justice anymore. Plus, I thought I'd add in the instructions for how to cook these old fashioned beans in the crock pot!

Today is bittersweet just like it was when I originally posted this recipe.. My grandma is heading home to Oregon soon after her extended stay of about a month. While she was staying here with me we got to talking with my mom about things that my great-grandmother use to cook for the family. I'm always looking for inspiration, and my family is one of the first places I go.

One of her most requested dishes was something she called 'red beans', but I should warn you... they aren't actually red beans (kidney beans) like one might think. They are pinto beans! I think she may have called them 'red beans' because they turn a sort of redish color after they cook all day long...

Healthified Meatloaf Cupcakes & Cauliflower Mash

February 25, 2017 Amanda Plott

It's been a super long time since I made these Meatloaf Cupcakes. As in... years. A lot has changed since then, especially my tastes and cooking style. The very first time that I made these, they were in the traditional manner. Plain old ground beef and mashed potatoes. Nothing fancy. Nothing 'healthified'.

Today though, I've lightened these up and made them a little more wholesome by adding in some veggies like carrots, and zucchini too! I also used an extra lean ground beef which I kept moist and full of flavor by adding in an egg and reduced sugar ketchup. The vegges also help to keep the lean meat from drying out. Of course, I also used a cauliflower mash instead of straight up mashed potatoes to get even more vegetable goodness in there.

These are packed. PACKED. Loaded up entirely with vegetables, and the best part is that you would never guess it!...

Healthy Crock Pot Chicken Noodle Soup

November 27, 2016 Amanda Plott

A little chicken noodle soup for the soul, anyone? 2016 has been a year that will go down in infamy. I don't think this year hasn't touched everyone in a particularly strange (and I'll even dare to say negative) way. I for one, couldn't be more happy to see it in it's last several days. I know that 2016 will go out kicking and screaming the entire way, but I can't wait to see what next year brings.

Only good things, I hope.

My Christmas tree bit the dust last year, and I guess that should have been a sure sign of the things to come. So, I decided to add some extra Christmas tree to my life this year by including it in this soup as early as November. MOVE OVER DECEMBER. We're getting this year done and over with...

Roasted Red Pepper Dip

October 20, 2016 Amanda Plott

As we get into the holidays, I'm all about speed and ease in which I make my meals. But, that doesn't mean that I have to sacrifice taste or the more wholesome options for myself or my family. This roasted red pepper dip is super tasty, easy to make, guilt-free, and is so versatile that you could eat it with any meal; breakfast, lunch, or dinner! Plus, it's not spicy at all, so the kiddos can enjoy it too!

This is definitely one of those things that you will find yourself putting on anything and everything. And, that's perfectly okay because that's what it's for! There's nothing but the good stuff loaded up into this red pepper dip. Roasted red peppers, onion, garlic, and plenty of course plenty of flavor...