Buffalo Chicken Dip

This is one of James all time favorite things to eat.

I agree.

I got this recipe from my little sister, who got it from a friend, who got it from a friend.
It's one of those recipes that travels from home to home.

I've made a couple of my own variations that make my tummy happy.
I've lightened it up a bit. Then I don't feel completely guilty for devouring half that dish myself.
You can use full fat ingredients if you are feeling naughty.

Buffalo Chicken Dip
2 6oz cooked chicken breast- chopped
1 cup light sour cream
1 cup light Buffalo Ranch dressing (regular ranch works great too)
8 oz light cream cheese
3/4 cup Frank's RedHot Wing Sauce Buffalo

Mix all ingredients together and pour into casserole dish. Bake at 425 degrees for 30min or until bubbly.

I know my sister will make this for a meal. I don't think it's a terrible idea.
It is that good!

Pumpkin Cranberry Bread

I seem to have a slight obsession with all things pumpkin.
It's creamy, colorful, nutritious, and versatile.
You can make it savory or sweet.
You can turn it into this!

This is my Grandma's recipe.

It's fantastic.
You can find it in my mom's cookbook.
Find the cookbook here!

Pumpkin Cranberry Bread

3 cups flour (I used half white flour and half whole wheat)
1 Tbs + 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
3 cups sugar
1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree
4 large eggs
1 cup oil
1/2 cup orange juice
1 cup cranberries (I used dried)

Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour two 9X5 loaf pans. Combine flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. In a separate bowl combine sugar, pumpkin, eggs, oil and orange juice. Add to flour mixture and mix until well blended. Fold in cranberries. Pour and spread evenly into prepared loaf pans. Bake 60 min, or until done.

Enjoy!

Your home will smell like heaven too!

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Can you believe that I haven't had a Starbuck Pumpkin Spice Latte yet?

I honestly can't believe it either!

I even have gift cards!!

Don't worry though; I've been getting my fix at home.

I brew DD's Cinnamon Spice coffee as normal (yes, a clearance buy). 

I suppose you could brew it double strength (I just thought of that now…of course)

I add about 1/4 cup of 1% milk to a jar.

Add 1 heaping TBS of pumpkin to the milk and stir well.

I then add about 2 TBS of vanilla creamer to the pumpkin mixture.

Then 1-2 tsp of brown sugar.

About 1/8 tsp of pumpkin pie spice

I then heat my pumpkin cream in the microwave for about 30 seconds so it combines nicely and doesn't cool off my hot coffee.

Fill my coffee cup about 3/4 the way up with coffee.

Then top it off with my pumpkin cream

Mmm…

Homestyle Pumpkin Spice Latte:
1 cup coffee
1/4 cup 1% milk
2 TBS vanilla coffee creamer
1 TBS pumpkin puree
1-2 tsp brown sugar
1/8 tsp pumpkin pie spice

It is SO good! I can't tell you if it's as good as Starbucks (cause I just can't remember). But I can tell you this is amazing! And a much healthier and frugal way of enjoy the glories of Autumn!

Peach and Goat Cheese Salad

I am lucky enough to be married to a man who loves salads.

I know, right?

So I'm always fumbling around the kitchen looking for something yummy to put on lettuce.
Enter: Peaches and Goat Cheese

Yes, I have a slight obsession with goat cheese

I just throw sliced peaches and goat cheese onto green leaf lettuce.

Drizzle with Kraft Light Raspberry Vinaigrette. A lot goes a long way!

Voila!

Sometimes you just need a salad.

Enjoy!

You know I did.

Goat Cheese

In all of my 27 years of life…I don't think I've ever tasted goat cheese.

It is fabulous!

It's creamy, and mild, and amazing.

One of my best friends made this delicious salad with goat cheese, candied nuts, beets, and balsamic dressing….I died.

I had to try it.

To Costco I went (cause cheese is like 1/4 of the price there) to purchase goat cheese.

Then I made this.

I died, it was so good. (not literally of course…)

Basil from my garden, fresh strawberries, goat cheese, and balsamic vinegar on toasted french bread made this the perfect appetizer!

I added about 1 TBS of sugar to 1 cup of strawberries and let them "juice" for about 20 min.

Spread the cheese, toss on the strawberries, basil, dabble olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and a dash a pepper. YUM!

Then I made this for dinner.

Goat Cheese and Shrimp Pasta

12 oz whole wheat pasta
1/3 cup fresh basil
1/4 cup goat cheese
3 cups shrimp
1 TBS chopped garlic
1 TBS olive oil
1 TBS Chicken Bouillon

Cook your pasta until al dente (it's always better a bit chewy).
Heat a saute pan on medium heat. Add shrimp, garlic, and oil to the pan until shrimp are completely cooked through.
Next add the goat cheese, basil, and bouillon.
Stir just until creamy then toss with pasta.

This was super yummy, and a really light way to enjoy a creamy pasta!

Who knew I was going to become a goat cheese addict.
But I totally am!

Skinny Watermelon Mojito

Skinny Watermelon Mojito

Don't you just love summer?

Mmmm….I do!

I love all the fresh herbs, veggies, and fruit that is available.

And I especially love summer drinks.

Here's my new fav.

I like to call it a Watermelon Mojito.
But technically I don't think I could call this a mojito. I'm pretty sure when I add things like Diet 7Up and Coconut rum…it's no longer a mojito.
But this is my blog, and my drink, so I'll do what I want!

Here's how to:

Ingredients:
10 pieces watermelon, cubed and muddled.
8 pieces mint leaves
1 shot coconut rum
1/4 can Diet Cherry 7Up
Lime Juice

This is how I "muddled" my melon. Just smashed it with a fork until I got as much juice as possible out of it. It ended up being about 1/4 cup of watermelon juice.

Then I added the mint to the juice and "muddled" it together. I mushed up the leaves with the juice and a couple "glugs" of lime juice.
Add the rest of the ingredients to a glass of ice and stir.

No, I didn't add oats…they just happened to make my "ingredients photo". I

 would imagine that would be pretty gross. 

I love that it's sweet, yet mild. And I really love that it's so low in calories. I'm thinking it's weighing in at about 80 calories.

So get out there and enjoy summer!

Sour Cream Cutout Cookies

What is it about spring that makes me want to eat really colorful cookies?

Josiah loves to help me in the kitchen. And these are by far the best cookie to decorate. And my all time favorite too!

They are much more work than your average chocolate chip cookie…but it's so worth it!

So here's the recipe to my favorite:

Sour Cream Cutout Cookies

1/2 cup butter

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1/2 cup sour cream

1 tsp vanilla extract

3 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

frosting:

1/4 cup cold milk

3 tbs instant vanilla pudding mix

1/4 cup butter, softened

2 1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

Food Coloring

Sprinkles

Cream butter and sugar together. Beat in egg, sour cream, and vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda; add to butter mixture. Cover and chill for 1 hour or until easy to roll out ( I usually don't wait…I'm impatient like that).

On a floured surface roll out dough to 1/8" thickness. Cut out cookies and bake at 375 degrees for 5-8 min. (I like mine really soft, so that's 5 min)

Remove immediately to wire rack for cooling.

For frosting, combine all ingredients and bet until smooth. 

Divide frosting and add food coloring.

And get your decorating on!

~Embracing The Camera In A Very Attractive Way~

 Aunt Chelsea is the true artist!

~I couldn't help but add this pic of Ella….she's so fancy is her faux fur : )