Author: emelia86

Epic Stove-Top Cleaning Video

Epic Stove-Top Cleaning Video

Call me blonde, but I never thought my stove-top was able to be cleaned completely! I thought I was destined to have constant grease bubbles and streaks on my beautiful gas stove-top forever. But, alas, I don’t! You only need a few products to get 

The Perfect Cobb Salad

The Perfect Cobb Salad

We went out to dinner the other night, and I ordered a cobb salad. I don’t normally order that particular salad. I’m more of the arugula with berries and goat cheese type. But, WOW, this was a full meal in a bowl! It had lean 

Cauliflower Gnocchi To Fool Them All!

Cauliflower Gnocchi To Fool Them All!

Considering I’m 75% Italian, I am no stranger to the pillowy belly sinking gnocchi that we all know and love! They’re one of my favorite guilty pleasures. But, after I eat them, I feel like I need a week-long juice cleanse. If you’re like me, I have the best news ever! The frozen Cauliflower Gnocchi from Trader Joes are TO-DIE-FOR!

Now if you’re not like me and the dense little pillow pasta doesn’t leave you hurting, try these anyway! And don’t tell your family. See if they notice. That’s what I did, and no one knew! It was fun :o)

This supper couldn’t be easier to make. This is what I did…

I started by sautéing some diced onion. Then I added in 2 heaping handfuls of cut Tuscan Kale. I added in some salt & pepper, and sautéed that until the kale was bright green and softened, about 7 minutes.

While the kale cooked, I busted out the frozen cauliflower gnocchi and cooked those in a separate skillet according to the package instructions (I prefer the saute method).

While the gnocchi cooked away, I added a can of San Marzano crushed tomatoes into the pot with the sautéed onion & kale. I turned off the heat and set aside.

When the gnocchi finished cooking, I added them to the sauce and stirred to combine. I gave it a taste for seasoning. And that’s it! How easy was that?! Sprinkle some fresh basil and serve it up! Remember, don’t tell your family it’s cauliflower! See if they notice.

Cauliflower Gnocchi With Kale

Servings 0 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 yellow onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 heaping handfuls Tuscan Kale stems removed & large dice
  • 2 packs frozen cauliflower gnocchi *trader joes
  • 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes *san marzano preferred
  • fresh basil to garnish

Instructions
 

  • In a large dutch oven or heavy pot, turn heat to medium and add in 1 Tbsp olive oil.
  • Saute diced onion until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
  • Add in 2 heaping handfuls of Tuscan Kale (that's already had stems removed and diced). Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until kale softens and wilts, about 7 minutes. Taste to ensure correct seasoning and doneness.
  • Add in minced garlic and saute another minute or two.
  • While the kale cooks, take gnocchi out of the freezer and cook according to the package instructions (I prefer the saute method).
  • Meanwhile, in your sauce pot, add in the can of crushed tomatoes. Stir to combine and season with salt & pepper to taste. Turn off heat and set aside.
  • Once gnocchi is finished cooking, add to the sauce. Stir to combine.
  • Garnish with fresh basil and serve.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Skinny Eggplant Lasagna

Skinny Eggplant Lasagna

Our backyard garden is EXPLODING right now. Must be all the rainy nights and hot sunny days. Does anyone else find themselves in the same boat with their gardens? Whatever the case may be, the result is a plethora of eggplant! So much eggplant, I 

The Best Sloppy Joes

The Best Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joes are one of those dinners that are so incredibly easy and perfect for a week night! And these are the best sloppy joes I’ve had to date! The kids love them, and this version has some healthy tweaks that make them guilt-free! As 

Gluten Free Coconut Chicken Tenders

Gluten Free Coconut Chicken Tenders

Sometimes I’m just so over thinking of creative ways to cook chicken! Anyone else feel that? My kids could literally each frozen chicken tenders every day of their lives. BUT, I like to save those for when I don’t have time to cook or when we’re out for date night and the kids have a babysitter. So I created a healthy, and gluten free, recipe for chicken tenders that is DELISH! They’ve got a touch of coconut flavor so I can close my eyes and pretend I’m on a beach in the Caribbean if I want to. It’s a win win for everyone!

I start with 2 large chicken breasts and cut them in half to make them thinner, and then into evenly sized strips.

Next, I get three separate bowls and fill one with almond meal, one with non-dairy milk, and one with unsweetened shredded coconut, salt & pepper.

Then, it’s time to bread the chicken strips! I dip each strip into almond meal, then milk, then shredded coconut. I set the strips on a parchment lined sheet pan. At this point, they can be frozen for another time or cooked up!

I pop them into a 425*F oven for 20 minutes, flipping them over halfway through the cooking time! I like to serve up with honey mustard (3 parts honey to 1 part mustard). You could also cook them in a cast iron, or other nonstick, skillet for a crispier crust.

These are so delicious and way better than the frozen alternative! Serve these up with your favorite sides! I made a simple avocado, cucumber & tomato salad tossed with lemon and olive oil. SO GOOD!

Gluten Free Coconut Chicken Tenders

Servings 0

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 425*F
  • Slice each chicken breast in half width-wise so you're left with 4 thinner pieces. Then cut each breast into similar-sized strips, about 1 inch thick.
  • Measure out almond meal, milk, and coconut into three separate bowls.
  • Mix shredded coconut with 1 tsp salt & 1/2 tsp pepper.
  • Coat each chicken strip in almond meal, milk, and seasoned coconut, in that order.
  • Place strips on a parchment lined sheet-pan. At this point you can freeze to use at another time or bake in the oven.
  • Bake for 17-20 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time, until completely cooked through the center.
  • In a separate bowl, combine honey and mustard to create the dip for the tenders.
  • Serve tenders with honey-mustard.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Chicken Fried Chicken

Chicken Fried Chicken

I know, I know. You thought I only cooked healthy foods, right? Well, I do typically. But I really had a hankering for fried chicken the other night. I had some defrosted chicken breasts in the fridge and thought, why not whip some up! LAWD 

World Renowned Gluten Free Banana Bread

World Renowned Gluten Free Banana Bread

Okay, so maybe it’s only renowned in my circle of friends BUT, whenever I make this for people they become obsessed. I posted this video on how to make my world renowned gluten free banana bread on Instagram and people have messaged me saying how 

The Ultimate BLT

The Ultimate BLT

I feel like the BLT is easily overlooked. But every time I have one, I’m glad I did! I have The Ultimate BLT recipe that is beyond simple and packed with flavor! It’s loaded with crisp veggies, creamy avocado, and crispy salty bacon. There are, however, a few important steps to keeping this sandwich “Ultimate”.

Make It Ultimate

  • The Bread – Now, when making The Ultimate BLT, bread is hugely important. We’re not talking about your average pepperidge farm sandwich bread here. We’re talking about crusty, thick, toasty, slices of sourdough bread. So I buy a whole loaf and slice it myself (or ask for the bread to be sliced thick in the bakery department).
  • The Bacon – We all like crispy bacon in our house! But what’s even more special about this sandwich is, what I like to call, the Bacon Basket Weave. Start by cutting the bacon in half, so you end with smaller pieces. Then, take two slices of bacon and lay them flat. Next, take two more pieces and lay them the opposite way and weave them like you’re making a pie crust… but with meat. Then you sear it on both sides on a hot cast iron (find it here) or other nonstick skillet!
  • The Spread – I’m just not a fan of mayo. Never have been, never will be. What I AM a fan of, is this spicy pepper relish. It comes in sweet too if you’re not a fan of heat. This is truly the most flavorful condiment for ALL sandwiches. But it especially does a number on this BLT.
  • The Fixins: Then I layer on the lettuce, bacon, avocado, and tomato until it’s piled high!

Although this is a very simple sandwich, taking some time and picking out good quality ingredients, truly makes this The Ultimate BLT! It hits the spot every time!

The Ultimate BLT

Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pack bacon
  • 1 head bibb lettuce
  • 2 roma tomatoes sliced
  • 2 avocados sliced
  • Howards Hot Pepper Relish
  • 1 loaf sourdough bread sliced thick

Instructions
 

  • Cut bacon in half so you end up with short pieces.
  • Lay out two pieces of bacon. Then lay two more halves on top of those running the opposite way. Interlace the bacon by forming a criss-cross pattern. Then repeat with remaining bacon until you have basketweaved the whole pack.
  • Heat your cast iron skillet to medium heat and cook the bacon basket weaves, flipping with a spatula. I set the bacon on a dish lined with paper towel when they finish cooking to soak up any extra grease.
  • While the bacon is cooking slice the tomato, avocado, and bread.
  • Toast the slices of bread and lay them out so they're ready to top.
  • Layer the following: pepper relish, bibb lettuce, bacon, avocado, and tomato. Secure with a toothpick.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
The Best and Easiest Refrigerator Dill Pickles

The Best and Easiest Refrigerator Dill Pickles

Look no further! I have solved all of your barbecue needs with the best and easiest refrigerator dill pickles on the planet! We have an overabundance of cucumbers growing in our back yard. I feel like I’m living in James and The Giant Peach, only