Roz’s Birthday Fruit Tart

 

Healthy peanut butter cookies

Chocolate Covered Katie had this great vegan peanut butter cookie recipe. I made it tonight in my search for a healthier cookie. They were delicious. So delicious that I’m eating them in bed right now next to my sleeping kiddo. Her batch only made one pan of cookies. Probably a smart idea because I want to eat them all. But I doubled her recipe below. https://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2011/12/11/secret-peanut-butter-cookies/

1 cup chunky peanut butter

1.5 tsp baking soda

6 tbsp flour

2/3 cup sugar

4 tbsp applesauce

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp salt

Mix all ingredients together, form balls, bake at 350 for 8 minutes. I did not warm my peanut butter in the microwave as she suggested and therefore didn’t need to refrigerate my dough before baking and they still came out chewy and soft. Enjoy! 

Mediterranean Pasta Salad

We made this pasta salad as a quick brainless recipe that could be prepared ahead of time for company. It was definitely a keeper. The creaminess of goat cheese, the tartness of the vinegar, the acid from the lemon, it was delicious. I certainly went back for seconds and would make this again no questions asked. 

Ingredients: 

16 ounces pasta (we used rotini, but penne would also be great) 
1/2 large cucumber, diced
1/3 red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup kalamata olives, chopped
crumbled goat cheese to taste

For the dressing: 

1/3 cup vegetable oil
juice from 1 lemon
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley 
1 clove garlic, minced
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon italian seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Boil salted water until pasta is barely al dente. After straining, rinse pasta in cold water. While pasta is boiling, mix together dressing and refrigerate. Once pasta is cooked, mix in your onions, olives, and cucumber. Coat with dressing, add your crumbled goat cheese. Best served immediatley at room temperature or but can be refrigerated prior to serving as well. 

Summer Squash Lemon Poppy Seed Cake

I figured it was time I dust off the ol' blog because I finally made something good enough today worth repeating. Life has been crazy and lots of quick meals and eating out has been happening but today I cooked, I grilled, and I baked. The winner recipe of all my efforts today was this delicious lemon poppy seed cake. It tastes as delicious as the stuff made by store bakeries, but the ingredients are a lot more simple and probably a lot more healthy. Sorry my photos aren't food blogger worthy, but the recipe is so good I'm documenting it anyway.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup melted butter
• 2 cups white sugar
• Juice and zest of 1 lemon and 1 lime
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups grated summer squash
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds

Directions, add all ingredients together slowly in order on low in mixer. Spray 2 loaf pans with non stick spray (generously) and bake at 325 for 1 hour or until golden brown and toothpick comes out clean when inserted. 

I've seen several of these types of recipes include and icing glaze but these are perfect without one. 

The Best Snickerdoodles

I found a snickerdoodle recipe I love and need to remember. Snickerdoodles are such a great cookie this time of year. I think its something about the cinnamon that just screams the coziness of the season. I love the tanginess the cream of tartar gives these cookies as well. They are chewy, soft, and a little bit spicy. So good. 

Ingredients: 

1 cup butter, room temp

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 eggs

2 3/4 cups flour

2 tsp cream of tartar

1 tsp baking soda

3/4 tsp salt

For rolling: 

1 tbs cinnamon

1/4 cup sugar 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix all ingredients in mixer. Roll into 1 1/2 inch balls, then mix together your cinnamon and sugar, and roll the balls in that until their entire outside is coated. Then bake for 8 minutes. 

Crock Pot Black Bean Soup

I wasn't planning on posting this to my blog. But I ate these leftovers for days and LOVED them, and the recipe was in a slow cooker, so it was SUPER easy. So yes, time to publish the recipe here. 

Ingredients: 
1 chicken breast
1 can corn
2 cans black beans
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tomato, diced

1/4 red onion, diced, 

1/2 bell pepper, diced

1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped

2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp chili powder
1 can chicken broth
1 cup chedder cheese
tortilla chips as garnish

Directions: 
Dump all ingredients in the slow cooker. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours. Shred chicken. Add cheddar cheese, garnish with tortilla chips. 

This soup is delicious and satisfying, and oh so easy. 
Enjoy!

Cubbys Chicken Wild Rice & Kale Salad

Have you ever been to the fast casual restaurant Cubby's in Utah? It's so so good. Fresh, healthy, good for you food with such great flavors. If you live near one, run there now. Seriously, what are you doing still reading this post? Go! 

I recently had Cubby's wild rice and kale salad. It's full of chicken, apples, and packed with savory flavors. I live across the country from Cubby's, so figuring out how to make this salad on my own was a must. This salad isn't 100% up to the deliciousness they have created, but its darn near close. Make it today and your body and taste buds will thank you. 

Ingredients: 

Salad: 
1 head of kale, finely sliced into 1/8 of an inch strips
1 chicken breast, cooked, then diced
1 apple, diced
1/3 cup toasted almonds, chopped
1 cup wild rice, cooked
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1 avocado, diced
3 ounces goat cheese, crumbled

Dressing: 
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
1 shallot, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tsp dijon mustard
1 tablespoon lavender honey
1/2 tsp kosher salt
sprinkling of fresh ground pepper

Directions: 

Once your kale is chopped, toss it with the lemon juice to allow it to soften. Cook your rice and while the rice is still hot, mix it with the kale to soften it further. Allow it to cool for 10 minutes. Add in your other salad ingredients, dress to your taste level, and toss. Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 



Enjoy!

Stove Top Macaroni & Cheese

Ok Mom. Back away from the blue box. Your kids deserve better than manufactured cheese flavoring that's been dyed orange. Yes, box mac and cheese is easy and always a winner with kids, but we are doing them a disservice. Home made mac and cheese can be almost as easy and its so much better for them. This version is a lightened up version of most home made mac and cheese, and the best part? It's all done over the stove top! No dirty baking dishes to wash, no bread crumb crust to make. Just one pot and done until you've reached cheesy goodness for your kids, or in my case, for myself. 

Ingredients: 

8 ounces whole wheat pasta

6 ounces shredded sharp cheddar 

1/4 cup flour

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup milk 

1 head of broccoli, chopped into bit sized pieces 

1 tsp dijon mustard

salt and pepper 

Directions: Boil your pasta for 8 minutes in salty water. As that boils, use a steamer to steam your brocoli as your noodles boil beneath it. In a small skillet, melt your butter. Whisk in your flour and whisk continuously until no lumps remain. Remove from heat and slowly add your milk, whisking constantly. Add back to heat and continue to whisk until it thickens. Add mustard to sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Add your cheese and stir until combined. Mix your cooked pasta, cheese sauce, and brocoli together, then serve. 

This seriously was super simple, and so much better for you than the genetically enginered and manufactured chemical laden boxed alternative. Take a few minutes and try this recipe. You won't be sorry. And your kids will love you for it. 

Mexican Skillet

I've been making this Mexican skillet for a few years now. This week when I made it and my husband commented that it is actually one of his favorites. Its just a filling stick to your ribs no fuss meal. Classic Mexican flavors that come together in a cinch, easy to feed a crowd with. 

Ingredients: 

1 lb lean ground beef

1 small onion, diced

1 packet taco seasoning

2 tsp olive oil

2 cups cooked brown rice

1 tsp butter

1 can black beans

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup diced tomatoes

1 avocado, sliced 

2 tsp chopped cilantro

Directions: Cook your rice with 1 tsp butter and a pinch of salt. While that cooks, in a large pan heat some oil, cook your onions until they begin to brown. Add your ground beef and crumble and cook until golden brown. Mix in your taco seasoning, and beans. In a large dish, layer your cooked rice on the bottom, meat mixture on the top, then cheese, tomatoes, avocado, and cilantro. 

Enjoy!

Braised Cinnamon Pork with Prunes

This is one of my mother in laws recipes. And if you know anything from reading this blog, you know that if it's one of Peggy's recipes, you are going to need to make. You are going to love it. You are going to make it for everyone that comes to your house because its so delicious. The reason my cooking will never be good enough is because my husband was raised on amazing melt in your mouth recipes such as this. But hey, if I get to inherit the recipes, then I'm not complaining. 

 

This is Peggy's Pork with Prunes. The meat is fall apart tender, sweet and juice, with a memorable sauce with such deep flavor you are going to want to drink it. 

Ingredients: 

1 Loin Pork Roast, pulled and tied (2.5 lbs)

Salt and Pepper

2 Tbs Vegetable Oil

1 Tbs Butter

2 Medium Onions finely chopped

1 Cinnamon stick 2 inches long

1.5 cups chicken stock (about 1 can)

1 cup dried pitted prunes

2 Tbs mild honey

2 Tbs fresh lemon juice

Directions: 

Heat butter in a heavy le creuset type dish

Cover your loin with oil

Season all sides with salt and pepper

Brown on all sides in pan until crust forms

Remove from pan

Add onions to pan and sauté (season onions with salt and pepper as well)

Return pork back to pan

Add water and cinnamon. 

Bring to a boil, then reduce to low and simmer for 90 minutes (turning meat from time to time)

Add prunes to liquid, cover, and continue to simmer for 30 minutes

Stir honey into liquid, basting pork as you go for about 5 minutes

Transfer meat to plate, remove prunes to a bowl

Cook sauce until thickened

Add lemon juice, add prunes back to sauce and season to taste

Arrange pork slices and spoon sauce over pork

This is seriously such an amazing meal. The flavors are unique and incredible. Enjoy!

Epcot Copy Cat Lentil Salad

We recently went to Disney's Epcot in Orlando Florida. There food there is always so on point. While visiting Epcot's Morocco, we ate at Restaurant Marrakesh. They have this TO DIE FOR lentil salad. In a park as huge as Epcot, with so many wonderful culinary choices, to say something was my favorite thing I ate all day really means something. This salad is super fresh, flavorful, and healthy! And it's also easy to make. 

Ingredients: 

1 1/2 cup green lentils

1/4 red onion, finely diced

1 bell pepper, finely diced

1 tablespoon chopped parsley

1 tablespoon chopped cilantro

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons mayonaise

1 1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

Directions: 

Place lentils in a pot of 4 cups of cold water. Turn on heat to high and boil for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, drain, and rinse with cold water to stop the lentils from cooking. Mix the lentils with all of the other ingredients. Make sure you have diced everything very finely, because you will want your onion and pepper pieces to be the same size or smaller than 1 lentil. Refrigerate until cold. Adjust seasoning as needed. 

This salad is one for the books. You will love how low in fat, full of flavor, and delicious this recipe is. You might just be able to pretend you are somewhere exotic like Morocco, or at least Orlando. :) 

Qs Black Bean Salad

My husband has been making this black bean salad recipe for us for years. Its a perfect addition to any outdoor barbecue, picnic, or even just a fresh dinner at home. It has a great fresh crisp somewhat text mex flavor to it. There is no cooking involved, just a little washing and chopping. A recipe that doesn't involve actual cooking? Sign me up please. 

Ingredients: 

2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed 

2 ears of fresh corn, removed from cob

1/4 cup bell pepper, diced to about 1/2 the size of one black bean

1/4 cup red onion, diced to 1/4 the size of one black bean

2 roma tomatoes, diced to about 1/2 the size of one black bean

1/4 cup pineapple tidbits, chopped in half

1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped

3 tablespoons honey

4 tablespoons red wine vinegar

juice from 1/2 of a lime

1/2 tsp cumin

1 tablespoon salt

1 tsp fresh ground pepper

Directions: 

Chop ingredients as directed above, mix together. Eat. 

So simple!

One thing I love about this recipe is that if you have some left over, if its left to sit overnight the flavors are even better the next day! So if you ever need a great make ahead dish, this is perfect. 

Our Favorite Potato Salad

I don't know about you, but I've never been a fan of traditional potato salad. The thick fattening mayo laden dressings, left to just sit out in the hot sun at picnics; this girl doesn't feel like getting food poisoning today. No thank you. That is why I absolutely LOVE this version of potato salad. Its amazingly flavorful and addicting, but its low in fat and there is no mayo in sight. Its loaded with delicious herbs too. Yes please. 

Ingredients: 

3 pounds small red potatoes

2 small garlic cloves, minced

2 tablespoons white wine

2 tablespoons chicken stock

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1/2 tsp dijon mustard

1/2 cup olive oil

1 shallot, finely diced

2 tablespoons fresh tarragon, chopped

1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

Boil your potatoes in salted water for about 10 minutes until just tender. Remove from the heat and drain the potatoes and let them sit in the hot pot for another 10 minutes. When cooled, cut the potatoes into quarters or halves depending on their size, you want them to be just about bite size. Mix together the remaining ingredients and cover your potatoes with the dressing. Place the potatoes in the fridge for a couple of hours to let the flavors deepen, better yet even overnight if you have time. 

I always try to remember to double this recipe when I make it, because its a given I will want to have some prior to serving my family, and I will always want left overs of this too. Hope you enjoy it just as much as we do!

Enjoy! 

Italian Style Salmon in White Wine Garlic Sauce

We are big salmon lovers in our household. My full time student husband always jokes that eating salmon makes him feel like he's getting smarter just because of all the omega 3's he's consuming. Since he's always happy when fish is on the menu, I have to get creative with my salmon recipes so we don't get bored. This little dish is a super simple way to cook up salmon in a flash, but pack a HUGE punch of delicious flavor in every bite. I love easy flavorful dishes, so this one is always on repeat.

Ingredients:
2 salmon fillets
1/2 cup white wine
2 garlic cloves, sliced thinly
2 tablespoons butter, sliced thinly
herbs de provence 
salt and pepper

Directions: Place your salmon in a small baking dish. Pour the white wine over the top of the fish. Then sprinkle with salt, pepper, and herbs de provence. Place your garlic slices and butter pats over the top. Cover baking dish with tinfoil. Bake at 450 degrees, 4-6 minutes per each 1/2 inch of thickness of the fillets.

This is such a delicious way to eat salmon that you may be tempted to throw out every other recipe in your repertoire. 

Hungarian Goulash

This amazing recipe has graced the pages of this good ol' blog before. But it is so stinkin' good, that I decided it deserved to be resurected. This time with better photos and more specific directions. It is fan freakin' fantastic. By now, you know that all of my mother-in-law's recipes are fantastic. My all time ultimate favorite recipe that she has graced my belly with, has to be her Hungarian Goulash. Its more flavorful than a stew, and more crave worthy than any thing I've ever tasted. You will go back for seconds, and thirds, and not be sorry. Make this today, seriously, like now. Go.  

Ingredients: 

2 pounds round steak, cubed

2 Tbs oil

2 onions, diced

1/2 cup tomato sauce

2 beef bouillon cubes

1/2 cup water

1 tablespoon paprika 

1 tsp vinegar

Dollop of sour cream 

1 pkg egg noodles

Directions: 

In a LARGE cast iron pot, warm your oil in a hot pan. Season your steak with salt and pepper. Sear your steak cubes on all sides. Two pounds of steak is quite a lot, so if you need to do it in batches, that is best. You don't want to crowd your meat because it will steam instead of sear and make the meat tough. So a good brown sear on all sides is important, even if you have to do it in batches. Once your steak is seared, set it aside. Add some oil into your pan again and reduce the heat to medium, add your onions and salt and pepper. Cook until golden brown, then add back in your meat, tomato sauce, bouillon cubes, water, paprika, & vinegar. Simmer for 2 hours until meat is fall apart tender. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 10 minutes, then temper and add a dollop of sour cream. Boil your noodles as directed and serve the goulash over the top of them. 

It may not look or sound fancy, but this is a dish you will want to eat every night of the week. I am craving this just thinking about it. Enjoy!

Peggy's Thai Chicken Pasta Salad

For a recipe to make it into The Nelson Family cook book, you know it's going be good. The Nelsons love food, and they love good food. This is Peggy's famous Thai Chicken Pasta Salad. It's a wonderful cook ahead meal that refrigerates well and makes delicious left overs. Its full of healthy vegetables and proteins and has a subtle asian flavor to it. 

Ingredients: 

Marinade: 

1 tbs seasame seed oil

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup rice vinegar

1/4 cup soy sauce

1 clove garlic

1 tbs grated ginger root

1 tbs lime juice

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

Dressing: 

1/2 cup oil 

2 tbs soy sauce

1 tbs sesame oil

1/4 cup rice wine vinegar

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 clove garlic, minced

 1 tbs fresh grated ginger

1 tbs peanut butter

2 tsp fresh lime juice

10 drops hot sauce (optional)

Salad: 

8 ounces vermicelli

1 bunch green onions (sliced) 

1 ted pepper (thinly sliced) 

1 cup carrots (shredded)

1/4 cup roasted peanuts

Directions: 

Combine marinade ingredients. Marinate chicken for 1 hour. Cook chicken until juices run clear or until white inside. Chop into small pieces and chill. Make dressing and mix well. Refrigerate and allow flavors to blend. Cook pasta, drain, and run cold water over the pasta to cool. Combine noodles, veggies, chicken. Just before serving, mix in the dressing and peanuts. Makes 6 servings. 

Goat Cheese Arugula Salad with Butternut Squash Mushrooms & Bacon

So I made up a salad today with some left over ingredients I had laying around, and it was SO DANG GOOD.  The pantry gods were smiling down upon me, and everything in this dish comes together so beautifully. Its got a lovely savory and satisfying flavor due to the mushrooms and bacon, and its got great for you buttery vegetables and a peppery bite from the arugula. I love eating meat free or very little meat meals. It just feels like a healthy idea. This was a great way to eat vegetables for dinner and not feel sad about it. 

Ingredients: 

1 butternut squash peeled and cubed into 1 inch squares

3 cups bag fresh arugula 

3 slices of bacon, cut into small pieces

1 pkg baby portobello mushrooms, sliced

6 ounces crumbled goat cheese

salt and pepper 

Directions: 

Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until it begins to crisp up and renders some of its fat. Add your mushrooms, salt, and pepper, and cook until the mushrooms are tender. Remove the mushrooms and bacon from the pan and set aside. Stir your squash into the remaining bacon grease and cook until the squash is cooked through and crispy on the outside. Pour your arugula into a bowl, top it with the squash, then the bacon/mushroom mixture. Sprinkle with cheese. Roasted walnuts would be a wonderful add on as well if available. 

This salad was supremely delicious and came together quickly. A quick, healthy, tasty, low meat meal. Winner winner (not a chicken dinner) in my book!

Enjoy!

Creamy Polenta with Sautéed Mushrooms

I discovered a new dish that I cannot wait to make again. It's a creamy and satisfying polenta. It tastes buttery and rich, but is surprisingly low fat. And then you send this dish over the moon balsamic glazed mushrooms. It's seriously so so good. And the best part? It's super simple! The whole dish comes together in about 10 minutes. 

Ingredients: 

2 tablespoons olive oil

16 oz mushrooms (I had white which was great, but baby bella or cremini would be wonderful)

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 large clove garlic, minced

1 tablespoon butter

18 ounces instant polenta (we LOVE the organic trader joes brand) 

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

1/4 cup chopped flat leaf italian parsley

salt and pepper

Directions: 

De-stem and cut your mushrooms in half or quarters depending on the size of the mushroom. You want them to be small bite sized pieces. Remember they will shrink down during cooking. Heat your olive oil in a skillet, add your mushrooms, balsamic vinegar, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat until the mushrooms are golden brown and cooked through (about 10 minutes). Meanwhile, in a separate skillet, melt your butter and cut open your polenta. Spread the polenta evenly across the pan and warm until cooked through. Top with half of the cheese. Once your mushrooms are done, add them to the top of the polenta. Top with your parsley and the other half of your cheese. Season again with salt and pepper and serve immediately. 

For a 10 minute, meat free, inexpensive and healthy meal, this is one that you will want to make over and over. In fact, I'm going to go make some more right now.