Skinny Three Layer Confetti Dip

January 7, 2019 Amanda Plott

With Super Bowl just around the corner, it’s high time to start getting down with those gamely inspired recipes! Gameday food is some of the BEST food. But, when you’re trying to stick to your New Year’s resolutions, it can be a challenge to find a balance between the two! Being as I’m a huge fan of a decent gameday spread, I know exactly what to do.

As part of my New Year’s resolutions, I’m choosing to eat a lot more veggies. Fresh veggies. That’s why I decided to make this DELICIOUS and nutritious triple layer dip. It’s three layers of yummy stuff that you and I both can feel good about serving and enjoying!…

Vegan Black-Eyed Pea Salad

January 3, 2019 Amanda Plott

Who the hell ever said that black-eyed peas had to just be a New Year’s day thing? Yes, I’m deliberately posting this recipe AFTER the first of the year to be a bit of a rebel.

Every year in my house, it’s the same old debate. What do we do with black-eyed peas to make them more edible. Let’s face it, black-eyed peas earned their nickname ‘dirt peas’ for a reason. Over the years, I’d like to think that I’ve come up with a few clever ways.

This year though, with a cold running rampant through the house… something FRESH and light sounded like what we all needed…

Roasted Tomato Soup

October 15, 2018 Amanda Plott

There is one thing for sure, no one is ever too old to enjoy tomato soup! One of my best memories growing up, had to have been the simple and easy dinner my mom would make on cold Fall or winter days… and that was a grilled cheese and tomato soup. Of course, even though you won’t grow out of tomato soup, your tastes do change. So today, I’ve elevated the classic and my favorite.

I’ve made plenty of tomato soup in the past, but I saw a rather ingenious hack not so long ago about making it by easily and with fresh tomatoes! No other cooking is involved other than that! Roasting the tomatoes also gives a smoky depth of flavor, that you otherwise wouldn’t have too…

Minestrone (Instant Pot)

August 16, 2018 Amanda Plott

Yeah, so... I might be on vacation, but that doesn't stop this work engine from running. I really wanted to get at least one recipe out during the week of my being gone. So whilst in the midst of packing and sorting and getting ready, I was also busy in the kitchen. Okay. Not really busy. This Minestrone soup is delicious, simple, tradtional, and couldn't be any more quick or easy to make.

One of my favorite things about this soup, is that it's a great way to use up leftovers from the fridge or pantry. Any of the vegetables or noodles or beans can be swapped out for nearly any alternative that you might have on hand…

Simple Greek Quinoa Bowl

August 7, 2018 Amanda Plott

I'm leeeaving on a jet plane, I don't know when I'll be back again...

Okay, not really. But. I am leaving on a jet plane this coming Sunday for nice little vacation. But... before all of that - I've got to get through the week of chaos that is in full swing. We're talking shopping, packing, laundry, lists, chores, instructions, and so on.

As excited as I am, and as much as I have to do, I thought I would keep this week pretty simple with some rather minimal recipes. I don't want to have a bunch of leftover madness going on in my fridge while I'm away. So! That's where this super simple Greek Quinoa Bowl comes in…

Seashell Pasta Salad

June 5, 2018 Amanda Plott

We're a few days into our week long theme of the ocean over here and we're really having a fun time of it! Since we're not big on seafood in this house, coming up with clever non-fishy ocean themed recipes has proved to be... well... a little challenging. It's also been so very worth it too though!

The inspiration behind this pasta salad actually came from one of my daughter's cook books. I had to do a lot of tweaking to the original though to suit our tastes. So much so, that by the time I was done with it... it's basically a whole new recipe…