Lightened Up Carrot Cake

March 27, 2019 Amanda Plott

I’ve made a good lot of carrot cakes in my time. Anywhere from traditional to gluten-free, and a few others along the way. There’s a few things I’ve learned in my carrot cake making journey. One is that you always ALWAYS need a good simple cream cheese frosting with it. And two is that it needs to be chunky.

I like my carrot cake loaded up with plenty of the good stuff. Carrots, raisins, pineapple, coconut, and yes… even nuts!

I based this ultimate carrot cake off of the one that I made for my daughter’s 2nd birthday. It’s an ingredient heavy cake, just like most carrots cakes are, but I promise you that the cake itself is rather easy to make. No overly complicated instructions…

Healthified Chicken Noodle Casserole

March 25, 2019 Amanda Plott

We’ve got just over two months of school left this year and I have to say… I’m chomping at the bit to get through with it. I’m in survival mode at this point to get through it and into the footloose and fancy-free days of Summer. However, I’m going to enjoy the tepid Spring weather and getting to use my stove while I still can.

With all of that in mind, now is the perfect time for easy-peasy weeknight dinners. And what’s more easy than a casserole? Or chicken noodle anything? This chicken noodle casserole is an ode to those classic casseroles that most of us grew up with and yet don’t see around anymore. I honestly… have no idea why either. Casseroles are the best…

4 Ingredient Veggie Burgers

March 23, 2019 Amanda Plott

Maybe that’s because the one time that I attempted doing it myself, many many years back, it didn’t turn out so wall. Or maybe it’s because most recipes out there have a long list of ingredients and detailed instructions. Not these 4 Ingredient Veggie Burgers!

These 4 Ingredient Veggie Burgers are vegetarian, gluten-free, and vegan to boot! Even if that weren’t all enough, they are made with just 4. Count them - 4 ingredients. Most of which I would consider being pantry staples too…

Italian Lunch Box

March 21, 2019 Amanda Plott

I was sort of slightly tasked with coming up with some fun and easy lunch(able) ideas recently. It seems like breakfast is pretty easy, dinner is almost always planned, it’s lunch that most people seem to have the greatest trouble with. I know that if I make up a few little lunch boxes ahead of time, that I’m a lot more likely to eat those, rather than going without or eating something I really shouldn’t.

For me, I like light lunches. Snackable lunches. Something finger-friendly that I can nom on while working at my desk. Right? Well, this Italian Lunch Box is just that! I made four of these boxes up in the matter for just a few minutes and they’re full of fun little bits that are as versatile as they are delicious!…

Skinny Pesto & Ricotta Stuffed Shells

March 19, 2019 Amanda Plott

Easy-peasy weeknight meals have been the name of the game lately. And for more than one reason too! With my house a little more full than usual, the last two and a half months of school upon us, and birthday season on the horizon… it’s all I can do to stay above water anymore! These Skinny Pesto & Ricotta Stuffed Shells are made with just a handful of ingredients and couldn’t be more easy to make.

Just because they’re simple, doesn’t mean they’re lacking flavor either. Oh-no. Not these shells. As we’re coming into Spring, we’re coming into fresh basil a plenty. My backyard tends to get taken over by basil to the point that I tend to run out of things to do with it. I’m not complaining about that though. Bring on the basil!…

Rainbow Carrot Salad

March 17, 2019 Amanda Plott

Spring is well on the way and when the weather starts to turn warm, I start to crave that bright burst of citrus and salad. Namely lemons and anything cool and crunchy. This Rainbow Carrot Salad is one for the books. It’s light, easy to make, and a perfect little side dish for any good weeknight meal.

This Rainbow Carrot Salad is one that I love to serve along side my Crunchy Garlic Baked Chicken, since both have just a touch of that fun lemon zip. The carrots are a good base for this salad. They’re cool and crunchy while being able to soak up all the other flavors going on here…