#2,814: Classic Beef Chili

One thing my mom is known for is her chili recipe.  It's loaded with beans and is just the right amount of spicy.  This is NOT my mom's recipe, so I'm sure my sister is totally going to hate this.  However, being one who likes to try new recipes, I figured I'd give this one a try.  I have to admit, I really do like this chili.  I love that it has two different kinds of beans.  I especially love it served over elbow noodles, with some melted cheddar cheese, and some oyster crackers like my mom always served hers.  As with most chili's this is definitely better the longer it sits and you let the flavors meld.  You kind of get a little bit of the beer flavor in this, but it's super mild.  If you don't want to add beer, just use more chicken broth.  

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups chopped yellow onion
8 garlic cloves, minced
3 pounds ground chuck
1 (6-oz.) can tomato paste
1/3 cup chili powder
2 tablespoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 (15-oz.) cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15-oz.) can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 (28-oz.) can crushed tomatoes
2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 (12-oz.) bottle beer

Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high. Add onions and garlic, and cook, stirring often, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add ground chuck, and cook, stirring until beef crumbles and is no longer pink, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain beef mixture well, and return to Dutch oven.

Add tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, thyme, and oregano, and cook, stirring often, 2 minutes.

Increase heat to high. Stir in beans, tomatoes, chicken broth, and beer, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.

#2,812: Coffee Cake Banana Bread

Here's another banana bread recipe for you to try!  I LOVED the addition of the cinnamon sugar topping to make this like a coffee cake.  My kids loved this too and devoured a mini loaf after school.  Ok, I maybe helped them eat it, but personally I would have loved to cut off the topping and just eat that!  Maybe I should make these in muffin top pans?!!?  

3-4 medium or large bananas

2 Tbsp brown sugar

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

2 Tbsp sour cream (or Greek yogurt)

Crumb Topping

1 tsp cinnamon

1 cup flour

1 cup brown sugar

6 Tbsp butter, cold

Preheat the oven to 350. Grease two 8x4 pans.

In a small bowl, mash bananas, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon.

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.

Add in eggs and beat until mixed.

To the wet ingredients, sift in flour, baking soda, and salt.

Stir until just combined. Add in sour cream and stir.

Pour in mashed bananas, and mix until combined.

Crumb Topping

Combine cinnamon, flour, and brown sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry cutter, and mix until the topping looks like coarse crumbs. Sprinkle coating evenly over the batter in both pans.

Bake for about 35-40 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs stuck to it. Allow to cool for 10 minutes. Move to a wire cooling rack.

#2,811: (GF) Beef and Corn Noodle Bake

This recipe had the one ingredient in it that my boys (big boy and little boy) do not particularly enjoy...corn (although they hate peas way more).  I however, could eat corn probably every day and not get tired of it.  Even as I look at the photo above, I can barely see the corn and I used way less in the recipe because I knew they'd complain.  But the little one (6 yrs) saw one piece on his plate and immediately scowled.  The big one (41 yrs) managed to pick every little kernel out.  I swear if he just would have eaten it all mixed up he wouldn't have even tasted it.

Regardless  the girls and I loved this dish and were happy to go back for seconds (one of us may have gone back for thirds, but I won't rat anyone out!).  I made these with gluten free noodles and no one in the group could tell the difference.  I also wanted to give them more veggies (heck I was pushing my luck with the corn anyways!), so I added half a can of petite diced tomatoes, and then pureed the second half and threw that in there as well.  Mmmm....I might have to make this again this week!

2 pounds ground beef (I only used 1 lb. 2 lb seemed like a lot!) 

1 cup chopped onion

12 oz. can kernel corn, drained

20 – 24 oz. tomato soup – this can be creamy tomato soup that is gluten free or gluten free condensed tomato soup (I used a 14 oz can and then added another can of water)

1 Tbsp. ketchup

salt and pepper to taste

2 cups cooked gluten free noodles (I used Tinkyada shells)

1 1/4 cups grated cheddar cheese
I also added: minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and dried basil.  

  

Brown the ground beef until no longer pink, adding the onion about halfway through cooking time. Put cooked meat mixture, corn, soup, ketchup, and seasoning in a bowl and mix.

Cook noodles (al dente). Drain. Mix into the other ingredients. Pour casserole into a baking dish and sprinkle cheese on top. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes, covered. Uncover for the last 10 minutes of cooking.  

#2,810: Thai Chicken Salad

We have a disagreement at school during lunch about which is better canned shredded chicken or fresh shredded chicken.  I am the minority of that vote who greatly prefer canned chicken over fresh chicken.  So in the recipe photo above (which I was making just for myself, I used canned chicken.  The salad was delicious and I decided to make it again for some friends, but this time I figured I'd actually cook and shred fresh chicken and add that into the salad.  Although I will deny saying this to my friends, the fresh shredded chicken was actually quite good!  The dressing in this salad is tangy, a bit sweet, and yet a tiny bit spicy.  I like it.  (In my head I said that last sentence with a weird, definitive accent, so please try to read it that way! 🤣).  I strongly recommend this salad...it was THAT good.  

2 chicken breasts, cooked & shredded

2 cups red cabbage, chopped

1 bell pepper, diced

1/2 cup peanuts, roasted & unsalted

1/2 cup cilantro, chopped

1/4 cup green onion, chopped

1 cup Greek yogurt, plain

2 tbsp maple syrup

3 tbsp rice vinegar

3/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

Instructions

In a large bowl, add all ingredients listed in the order above and mix with spatula until well combined.

Store: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

#2,808: (GF) Sausage and Cheese Hash Brown Cups

I have enjoyed eating these super simple gluten free sausage, egg, and cheese hash brown cups, that I've literally eaten them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (meals on different days, but still all 3 meal times).  These are great to make ahead of time and freeze.  Then to reheat and have a quick meal, just pop them in the microwave for about a minute and they reheat really well.  My kids actually like these too...but the more cheese I put in it, the more they seem to like it.  LOL 

4 Cups Shredded Hash Browns, thawed

4 Tbsp. Butter, melted

1/2 tsp seasoned salt

1/2 tsp Pepper

8 Eggs
1/2 cup milk

1 ½ Cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese

1 Cup Sausage, cooked and crumbled

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.  In a large bowl combine the shredded hash browns, butter, salt and pepper.  Spray your muffin tin VERY well with cooking spray and fill the cups about 3/4 of the way full with the hash browns.  I sued my fingers to mold them to the muffin cups.  It’s okay if they stick out a bit.  Try to make the sides all the same thickness so they will cook evenly.  You’ll also want to make sure there’s plenty of hash browns at the bottom of the muffin cups.

Bake 20-25 minutes, or until they are starting to brown. Let cool slightly.

Reduce oven to 350 degrees.  Take half of the shredded cheese and sprikle it in the bottom of the hash brown cups.  Repeat with half of the sausage crumble.  Whisk the eggs together and fill the cups until almost full.  Top with the second half of the cheese and sausage.

Bake until the eggs are set which takes about 20 – 25 minutes.  

#2,799: Gluten Free Home Made Ramen Noodle Cups

Ramen noodles may be so bad for you, but they are a guilty pleasure of mine!  I am not a fan though of the ramen noodle cups (eck!) which are just loaded with sodium and weird spices.  So when I found a healthier version with real veggies I knew I wanted to give this a try.  I've been eating gluten free ramen noodles lately (I like the millet and brown rice ones from Lutus foods...I get it off Thrive) so this was even a little more exciting.  

The first time I made these I didn't pre-cook the carrots and I really regretted that.  Have you ever choked on a shred of carrot?  No?  It hurts. The second time I made these I sauteed them in a little olive oil until they softened up and I also chopped the spinach a little finer, and I LOVED this more.  I have eaten this both with shredded chicken and cooked chicken sausage (you can see it in the photo above) and I like it both ways.  I also added some edamame after I took this picture...that was a good idea!  

This is made with homemade bouillon seasoning and it is quite good in my opinion.   The recipe makes a ton though so you might want to halve it! 

This makes a super easy, make ahead lunch!  Just add some hot water, let it sit for a few minutes, and you are ready to eat! 

This is for FOUR ramen cups

Bouillon Powder

1/2 cup (40 g) nutritional yeast flakes*

2 tablespoons kosher salt

2 tablespoons onion flakes (can substitute 1 tablespoon onion powder)

1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder

3/4 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon dried sage

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/4 teaspoon turmeric

1/4 teaspoon wasabi powder (if you can’t find it, leave it out)*

1/8 teaspoon ground ginger

1 tablespoon coconut palm sugar (can substitute regular granulated sugar)

Instant Soup

4 “nests” gluten free ramen or rice noodles

2 cups fresh baby spinach leaves (I like mine chopped a bit)

3/4 cup shredded carrots (from about 2 medium carrots) (I used grated carrots and sauteed them to soften a bit)

1 cup cubed extra-firm tofu or diced cooked chicken

2 tablespoons gluten free miso paste (I omitted)

4 teaspoons gluten free soy sauce

1/4 cup Bouillon Powder

1/2 to 3/4 cup chopped fresh scallion greens

1 cup edamame

First, make the bouillon powder. Place all of the bouillon ingredients in a medium-size bowl and mix to combine well. Place in a resealable glass container (a small mason jar works great), and set aside.

Next, cook the noodles one nest at a time according to the package directions or by boiling them in about a quart of water until they separate and begin to soften.  Do not cook them all the way.  Drain in a colander and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking, and set them aside briefly.

To assemble the instant soups, set out four heat-safe jars that can accommodate about 20 fluid ounces in volume. 

In each jar, layer the ingredients in the following order: 

1/2 cup spinach leaves 

1/4 cup shredded carrots
1/4 cup edamame
1/2 cup tofu or chicken
1/2 tablespoon miso paste
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 nest of softened noodles
1 tablespoon bouillon powder and, finally,
scallion greens to taste (at least 2 tablespoons).

Cover and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

When ready to serve, fill each container with boiling water (leaving a small space to permit covering the container) and cover tightly. Allow the container to steep for 2 minutes. Open, stir gently and enjoy.

#2,794: Gluten Free Pumpkin Doughnuts

First of all, ignore the lumpy icing in this picture.  This was the first batch I made and I've finally learned that you cannot add a solid to a liquid and expect it to fully incorporate (i.e. flour into a hot sauce; powdered sugar in to hot maple syrup and butter; gelatin into fruit puree, etc.  #NOTtalkingfromexperience).  Happy first day of October and all things pumpkin!  See that cute background?!  I told Brian I needed a Halloween background and he told me to use his tie.  HA...it worked.  I now have a WHOLE LOT OF potential backgrounds for my pictures, although his ties might start getting messy that way!  

I was on a hunt for a gluten free pumpkin doughnut (and an excuse to buy a doughnut pan!), so I figured I'd give these doughnuts a try.  The first batch was devoured very quickly, even by Brian who I had to promise his did NOT have pumpkin in his.  I've made these a few times since and we fight over the last one every time.  These are really easy to make and I love the maple frosting/glaze.  Definitely give these a try!

For the Pumpkin Doughnuts:

3 tablespoons butter

½ cup granulated sugar

1 cup pumpkin purée

3 eggs

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1½ cups brown rice flour

1 cup almond flour

For the Maple Glaze:

4 tablespoons butter

½ cup maple syrup

1⅓ cups confectioners’ sugar

Preheat your oven to 350°.

Cream together the butter and sugar for 1 minute on medium to high speed. Add in the pumpkin purée and mix for another 30 seconds. Scrape down the bowl.

Add in the eggs, one by one, and mix on medium speed for 30 seconds.

In a separate bowl, mix together the baking soda, pumpkin pie spice and flours. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix together for 1 minute.

Spray your doughnut pan with nonstick cooking spray. Fill a piping bag with your doughnut batter and pipe the batter into your doughnut pan. Bake for 12 to 13 minutes. Remove the doughnuts from the oven and let cool on a cooling rack.

While the doughnuts are cooling, make the glaze: In a sauté pan over medium heat, melt the butter and whisk in the maple syrup. Once the butter has melted, remove from the heat and whisk in the confectioners’ sugar.

Dip each doughnut face down into the glaze. Let dry on parchment paper, then serve.

#2,791: Vegetarian Pumpkin Squash Chili

If you saw my post yesterday, you saw that I've been making cinnamon sugar pumpkin bread.  Well when you have leftover pumpkin puree you've got to use it up some how, so you make pumpkin chili with it!  (OR you just use it as an excuse to try another new recipe!).  At first, I was going to leave out the adobo sauce because I'm not a huge fan of it, but I was also leaving out the bourbon so I had to add one or the other.  It definitely needed it to enhance the flavor.  I was a fan of this chili!  It was even better with sour cream and green onion added to it, but still good without it.

This recipe is healthy, filling, and comforting...what else can you ask for this time of year?!

1 tablespoon grapeseed oil

1 medium onion, minced

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 red pepper, diced

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon sea salt

½ cup bourbon (I omitted)

1 - 14-ounce can of pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie mix)

1 - 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes

1 - 19-ounce can of kidney beans

1 19 ounce can of navy beans 

1 small butternut squash, cut into 1-inch cubes

1 tablespoon chipotle peppers pureed with adobo sauce

2 cups of corn, cut from 2 cobs or frozen

Optional garnishes: grated white cheddar, green onions, chili powder

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and saute until it is soft and brown, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and red pepper and continue to cook until the red pepper is soft, about 5 minutes. Add the chili powder, cumin and sea salt and let it cook for 1 minute more.

Add the bourbon and bring the pot to a boil. Add the canned pumpkin, crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, navy beans, butternut squash, pureed chipotle peppers and 2 cups of water and stir the pot well. Cover the pot and bring it to a boil then reduce the heat and let the chili simmer for 30 minutes, or until the butternut squash is tender. Add the corn to the pot and let it cook for 5 minutes. Season to taste with sea salt.

Serve the pumpkin chili with the cheddar, green onions, and chili powder, if using.

#2,789: Chocolate Fig Energy Bites

What do you do when you have dried figs sitting in your pantry for a few weeks and want to find a recipe to use them up...you do a google and pinterest search and find healthy energy balls to make with them! Energy balls are eaten often in this house but I didn't think my kids would go for these (I was right).  Although I liked these, the texture is a bit soft.  I liked these (it's got chocolate chips in them, how could I not like them?!), but I prefer oatmeal and peanut butter energy balls much more.  

1 c dried figs

½ c + 2 tbsp water

1 c old-fashioned oats 

1 scoop vanilla protein powder (I used ground oats instead)

¼ c unsweetened cocoa powder

2 tbsp miniature chocolate chips

Add the figs and water to a large microwave-safe bowl, and microwave on HIGH for 1 minute. Let the mixture cool for 5 minutes before adding the hydrated figs and leftover water to a food processor. Pulse until smooth. Let the mixture cool completely to room temperature. (Place in the refrigerator to speed up the process.)

Add the oats, protein powder, and cocoa powder to a medium bowl, and stir until thoroughly combined. Mix in the fig paste until fully incorporated. Stir in the chocolate chips.

Lay a sheet of wax paper on a large plate. Shape the chocolate mixture into 32 balls, placing each on the wax paper after rolling.

#2,788: Hawaiian Chicken Sandwiches

Sometimes it's hard to make chicken in the crockpot if you are going to be gone ALL day because it doesn't need as much time to cook all the way through.  This is a great recipe you can make on the weekend (or even after work if you cook it on high) and reheat it the next day for dinner.  We ate these on toasted Hawaiian rolls with some cheese (as you can sort of tell from the picture), but you could eat this over rice or cauliflower rice as well!  If you do eat this as a sandwich, I strongly suggest toasting your rolls or getting crusty bread because the sauce on this chicken soaks into the bread a bit and can make your rolls a bit soggy if not toasted.  

My kids loved this recipe and we've already eaten it twice already.  I'm sure this will be part of our regular rotation.  

3 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 c. chopped onion

2 c. pineapple juice

1/2 c. brown sugar *edited from the original recipe, which called for 1 cup

3/4 c. ketchup

1 Tbsp. soy sauce

4 garlic cloves minced

1 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

1/2 tsp. onion powder

1/2 tsp. ginger

Combine pineapple juice, brown sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and spices in a large measuring cup or mixing bowl. Mix until all ingredients are incorporated, then set aside.

Place chicken in slow cooker and add diced onion.  Pour pineapple juice mixture over the chicken to cover completely.  Cook on low heat 8 hours or on high for 4 hours. 

*If sauce is not as thick as you'd like it to be, you can prop open the lid and let some additional liquid evaporate before shredding and serving.

Shred chicken and then add it back to the sauce. 
See note above on how to serve this.

#2,787: Shepard's Pie

Do you know how hard it is to take a picture of Shepard's pie?!  Okay, maybe I just am that bad at taking pictures but nothing I took did this recipe justice!  So...there's just no photo.  I loved this recipe, but the boys in this house were not as big of fans because it had peas in it (gasp!).  Which is funny because peas were not in the original recipe, but I thought it needed it.  

Although you could totally make any homemade or store bought mashed potatoes with this recipe, I used steam and mash potatoes from Ore Ida which was super easy to make and you just add milk, butter, and seasoning to it.  So simple.  I also used gluten free flour to keep this a gluten free recipe, but you could obviously use all-purpose flour in place as well.  

1 lb. ground lean turkey (I used ground beef)

3 carrots, washed and chopped

3 celery stalks, washed and sliced
I also added about 1/3 c of frozen peas

1/2 sweet onion, chopped

1 Tbsp. gluten-free all purpose flour

2 Tbsp. tomato paste

1 tsp fresh thyme

1 tsp fresh sage

1 cup chicken broth

Steam n’ Mash Russet Potatoes by Ore Ida

salt and pepper to taste

rice milk (I used skim)

Cook the ground turkey and onion in a large pan over medium heat with 1 Tbsp oil for approx 5 minutes.  Add the carrots and celery and continue cooking until the meat is no longer pink and cooked through.  

Meanwhile, microwave the Steam n’ Mash potatoes for 10 minutes, following direction on the bag and adding butter, milk, salt and pepper after potatoes are cooked.  

When the meat and veggie mixture if done cooking, add the tomato paste, flour, and spices mixing well.  Slowly add the broth while constantly stirring.  Simmer 3-5 minute to thicken.

Empty the turkey and veggie mixture into a casserole dish and top with the prepared mashed potatoes.

Broil for 10-15 minutes, watching carefully so that it doesn’t burn.

If you are making this ahead of time and cooking later, bake COVERED at 375 degrees for 20 minutes, then uncover and continue cooking until heated through (5-10 minutes more if it's not already done).  Broil the last minute or so to brown the potatoes if desired.  

#2,679: Corn and Edamame Salad

Mmm....this corn and edamame salad was a big hit!  It was so easy to make and it makes quite a bit!!  I think I ate this for 3 meals straight!  This is good as a side dish, and with tortilla chips (ha!), or even added to tacos.  I'll definitely be making this again! 

Plus, I made it easier by just cleaning the fresh corn and then cutting it off the cob without cooking it.  I added some canned corn too because I wasn't sure I was going to have enough...(I had plenty!).  So easy, so healthy. 

2 ears fresh sweet corn, husks and silk removed (or about 1 1/2 cups frozen corn kernels, thawed)

1 (10-ounce) bag frozen shelled edamame (thawed)

1 pint (10 ounces or about 1 1/4 cup) cherry tomatoes, halved

1/2 small red onion, diced

5-6 medium basil leaves, chiffonaded

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt + more to taste

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper + more to taste

I skipped this step: Set a large pot of water over high heat. Bring to a boil. Carefully add the corn cobs. Boil for three minutes. Remove with tongs and set aside to cool a bit. Add the edamame. Cook for three minutes. Drain and let cool for a bit.

Cut the corn kernels off the cob.  Add them to the bowl along with the thawed edamame. Add the cherry tomatoes, onion, and basil.  Drizzle in the olive oil and vinegar. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.  Toss well. Taste and add additional salt and pepper if desired. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve. Keeps well for 2-3 days in the refrigerator.

#2,678: Low-Carb Cheesy Sausage Puffs

These little sausage puffs are so simple to make, and are a perfect make-ahead breakfast for on-the-go/back-to-school meals!  I whipped these up one night for breakfast the next day, and after inhaling 3, I knew I had to put the rest right into the freezer so I wouldn't eat the rest!  I'll be honest, I didn't even let my kids have any, I wanted to save them for myself.  I used pork sausage, but you could use ground Italian sausage and it would give it a totally different flavor.  You could also change it up by the cheese you use as well.  I personally used a mild cheddar because that's what I had on hand, but I'm sure I'll make these with mozzarella at some point, since we always seem to have that on hand.   

1 pound pork sausage, browned and drained (I like mild, but if you prefer heat, grab a hot sausage instead)

2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

4 eggs

4.5 tbsp butter, melted and cooled slightly

2 tbsp sour cream

1/3 cup (heaping) coconut flour 

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp garlic powder 

Melt the butter, and then place it in the refrigerator to cool for 5-10 minutes.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 degrees and line a large baking sheet with non-stick foil or parchment paper. (I did not line my baking sheet, I just sprayed it with a little non-stick spray)

Brown and drain the sausage, chopping it into small chunks; set aside.

In a medium to large size bowl, combine the melted and cooled butter, eggs, sour cream, salt and garlic. I also added some black pepper.  Whisk together.

Add the coconut flour (slightly more than 1/3 cup) and baking powder to the mixture and whisk until well combined.  Stir in the browned sausage and cheese.

Roll or drop batter into 1 inch balls onto your lined baking sheet, spaced about 1/2 inch apart.  (I used a small cookie scoop and then just rolled them into little balls.  Mine were pretty close together on the baking sheet because I knew they wouldn't spread out). 

Bake for 14-18 minutes or until slightly browned. (I flipped mine half way through) Enjoy immediately, and store any leftovers in the fridge for up to a week.  These can also be frozen.  Just let thaw in the fridge overnight or pop them into the microwave for about 15 seconds.

#2,668: Chocolate Peanut Butter (Overnight) Chia Breakfast Pudding

Once before I tried making chia pudding and it didn't go very well, so I haven't really tried again since.  Well now was the time to try again, and I am SO glad I did.  I decided to make this "pudding" for breakfast and you know it's good when even your picky 6 year old likes it and asks that you make it for him for breakfast the next day!  YES!  I added a swirl of peanut butter and a few mini chocolate chips to the top right before I ate it...oh my goodness, so good!  

This recipe serves FOUR, so adjust accordingly if you want to make less! 

1/2 c chia seeds

1 1/2 c almond milk

1/4 cup chocolate protein powder (I personally used Young Living Pure Protein Complete)

1/4 c unsweetened cocoa powder

2 tbsp agave (I omitted)

2 tbsp all natural peanut butter
Mini chocolate chips (optional)

Place the chia seeds, cocoa powder and protein into a mason jar and give it a swirl just to combine the ingredients. Add in the almond milk and agave. Put the lid on tight and shake until completely mixed. (You might need to get a spoon and really mix the bottom...mine stuck in places and didn't mix all the way).

Place the jar into the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Remove from the fridge and separate chia pudding into 4 serving bowls and layer with peanut butter (and mini chocolate chips if using). 

#2,033: Breakfast Sliders

Ok, this seriously may be my new favorite (current) meal!  My mom makes a similar version of these sandwiches for parties that are called "Hammies" or "Turkeys" (depending on the type of deli meat she uses).  I've never had them for breakfast with eggs though before.  I figured I'd give this recipe a try, and 2 of my kids (not surprisingly) wouldn't even try them.  However, my oldest (and most willing to try a food) LOVED these.  I made just a few for dinner last night, and I'll be making more again for lunch for the two of us today.  They are SO good! 

1 pkg (12 count) Hawaiian Rolls

8 - 10 eggs (depending on how much egg you want on your sliders)

6 large slices provolone cheese (thin slices)

sliced ham (at least 6 large, thin slices)

¼ cup butter (melted)

1 Tbsp yellow mustard

1 Tbsp brown sugar

Scramble up your eggs however you like to do them. (I cook them in some melted butter, with salt, pepper, and a bit of milk). 

While the eggs scramble, cut the entire package of rolls in half, separating a top and bottom layer.  

Place the bottom sheet of rolls in a pan and top with a thin layer of provolone cheese.  Top with cooked, scrambled eggs, a layer of ham slices, and then another layer of cheese, if desired.  Add the top layer of Hawaiian rolls.

(If making ahead of time, stop at this point, and refrigerate until ready to bake).  

In a small bowl, combine melted butter, mustard and brown sugar. Stir until well combined, and the sugar is at least mostly dissolved.  Using a pastry brush, coat the tops of the rolls with the mustard/sugar mixture. 

Bake at 350 for about 10-15 minutes (until cheese gets nice and melt-y).  Remove from oven and let cool a few minutes before cutting into individual sandwiches.  

#2,032: Easy Egg and Sausage Breakfast Taquitos

My family loves breakfast sausage sandwiches (on English muffins) but they do not like eggs.  So I figured I'd give this recipe a try to sneak a bit of scrambled eggs past them.  I was super surprised that two of them actually ate (and enjoyed these!).  Middle child #2, ate it, but claims she didn't enjoy it.  I personally enjoyed this as well.  It certainly isn't my favorite way to eat sausage, eggs, and cheese (I'll take a toasted bagel or English muffin any day!), but it was a nice change for me.  

7 oz box sausage links

5 large eggs (I used 3)

salt and pepper, to taste

1 1/2  cups shredded cheese , cheddar, pepper jack or Monterrey jack

1 cup baby spinach , chopped (optional) (I omitted)

10  white corn tortillas , or use 6'' flour tortillas (I used super soft flour tortillas)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Add the frozen sausage links to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, turning occasionally, until warmed through.  Remove to a plate, leaving a little bit of the sausage grease in the pan.

Crack eggs into a bowl and add a splash of water or milk. Whisk well with a fork and then add to the pan.  Season with salt and pepper. Cook for a few minutes, tossing and scrambling as they cook. (If using spinach, add it to the pan about 2 minutes before the eggs are done cooking.) Remove from heat.

(I didn't need to do this) Warm the tortillas inside of a damp paper towel for 10-15 seconds in the microwave.

Divide the scrambled eggs among the tortillas and top with shredded cheese.  Place a sausage link on top. Roll up and place, seam side down, on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper.

Spray lightly with cooking spray and bake for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with salsa for dipping, if desired.

To Freeze: Prepare and bake the taquitos as directed. Allow to cool completely and then place in a freezer Ziploc bag. When ready to eat, microwave them until warm.

#1,853: Campfire Chili Cheese Dip

For Christmas Eve, I wanted to make an appetizer that was not only minimal in ingredients, but also could be made mostly ahead of time.  I found this recipe in a recent issue of Taste of Home and knew this would be the one I would try.  Sadly, these are not the greatest pictures, but this is what you get when you are hosting and want to snap a photo before someone digs into the dish!  Personally I thought this lacked a little bit of flavor, but that could have mainly been because of the can of chili I used.  So I would suggest using your favorite brand of canned chili...or make your own!!  I didn't have time, energry, or wanted to take the effor to make my own chili, so I was perfectly content with using canned chili with my family.

The original recipe gives you instructions on how to make this while outdoor camping, but I just threw this in a foil pan (so I didn't have to deal with clean up) and put it in the oven until the cheese was melted.  I would definitely make this again!!

1 package (8 ounces) reduced-fat cream cheese
1 can (15 ounces) chili with beans
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 thinly sliced green onions, optional
Tortilla chips or Scoops

Prepare campfire or grill for medium-low heat. Spread cream cheese in the bottom of a 9-in. disposable foil pie pan (I doubled this and used a 9x13 foil pan). Top with chili; sprinkle with cheese.

Place pan on a grill grate over a campfire or on grill until cheese is melted, 5-8 minutes. If desired, sprinkle with green onion. Serve with corn chips. Yield: 3-1/2 cups.

Microwave directions: Spread the cream cheese in the bottom of a 9-in. glass pie plate. Top with chili; sprinkle with cheese. Microwave on high for 3-4 minutes or until cheese is mostly melted. Let stand in microwave 2 minutes before serving. Serve with corn chips.

Oven directions: 

Spread cream cheese in the bottom of a 9-in. disposable foil pie pan. Top with chili; sprinkle with cheese.  Bake at 375 degrees about 20 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve with tortilla chips.