Ham and Cheese Sliders

I don't know how I forgot to post these.  They are SO yummy!  I wasn't expecting a whole lot - mostly I just made them because I thought Jeremy would like them, but they are truly fabulous.  I used the Hawaiian rolls (speaking of which... doesn't a trip to Hawaii sound really great right now?)

Ham and Cheese Sliders

Prep time

10 mins

Cook time

20 mins

Total time

30 mins

Author: Bakerette.com

Recipe type: Main Dish

Cuisine: American

Serves: 12

Ingredients

·         1 package of 12 sweet rolls, such as King's Hawaiian rolls. Potato or yeast rolls can also be used.

·         6 Tbsp butter

·         1 medium onion, finely minced or grated

·         1 clove garlic, minced

·         1/2 teaspoon salt

·         1/4 teaspoon pepper

·         3 tablespoons brown spicy mustard or Dijon

·         2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

·         3 teaspoons poppy seeds

·         1/2 pound shaved ham

·         3 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

Instructions

1.    Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with foil.

2.    In a small skillet on medium heat, melt butter. Add onions and garlic and saute until onions are tender.

3.    Stir in salt, pepper, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and poppy seeds. Turn heat down to low and simmer for 2-5 minutes. Remove from heat.

4.    Slice rolls as a whole in half and place the bottom part of the rolls in the prepared baking dish.

5.    Spread 2/3 onion mixture to the bottom half of rolls. Layer with ham and cheese. Cover with roll tops and drizzle any remaining onion mixture over the top.

6.    Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Serve warm.

Stovetop Chili Mac Casserole

This is a really yummy and easy dinner.  Jeremy actually didn't love it, but Adelyn, Talmage and I thought it was quite good.  I, of course, used already cooked meat so I just used olive oil to cook the onions and peppers and then added to meat in after that.

Stovetop Chili Mac Casserole

Prep Time:10 Min Cook Time:30 Min Total Time:40 Min

Serves 8

Ingredients

• 1 lb. extra-lean (93%) ground beef or turkey
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper (any color), chopped
• 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cups V8 juice
• 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
• 1 cup water
• 8 ounces macaroni or other small pasta
• 1 can pinto beans, drained
• 4 ounces cheddar cheese
• 1/3 cup chopped green onions
• 1/4 - 1/2 cup chopped cilantro (optional)

Instructions

• 1
  Heat a 12" skillet that has a lid over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook, stirring frequently, until about halfway cooked. Add onions, garlic, and pepper as well as the seasonings and cook until the meat is cooked through and the onions are tender.
• 2
  Add the V8 juice, tomato sauce, and water and bring to a boil. Add the pasta and stir to combine and then cover, reduce heat, and cook for 15-ish minutes or until the pasta is al dente. Add the beans and heat through. Remove from heat, sprinkle with cheese, and replace the lid for 2-3 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Sprinkle with onions and serve immediately.

Notes

• NUTRITION
• Calories: 282
• Fat: 8.2
• Saturated Fat: 4
• Carbs: 26.3
• Sugars: 3.5
• Fiber: 2.3
• Protein: 24.8
• http://ourbestbites.com/2016/01/stovetop-chili-mac-casserole/

Copycat Chick Fil A Superfood Salad

We tried this salad last night and everyone loved it.  Even the kids.  Even Ava!  It makes a pretty big bowl and I was worried that we wouldn't be able to eat it all, but we finished it in two meals.  I am not normally a kale eater, but this was so good.  They recommended "massaging" the kale and I think this really does help to soften it up - part of the lack of appeal, for me anyway, is how tough it normally is.  Jeremy thought it was a tiny bit too sweet, so I added an extra splash of vinegar and cut back a bit on the maple syrup.

Copycat Chick Fil A Superfood Salad

Prep Time:15 Min Total Time:15 Min

Serves 8

Maple-Cider Vinaigrette

·         1/3 cup cider vinegar (plus an extra splash or two)

·         1 green onion, trimmed about 1" on top and the "hairy" root end on the bottom

·         1 teaspoon Creole or mild coarse grain mustard (or use regular mustard and add a pinch of Creole seasoning)

·         1 teaspoon kosher salt

·         A few cracks of fresh black pepper

·         2/3 cup maple syrup (scant)

·         1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil (I use our garlic olive oil)

SALAD

·         4 cups broccoli broken into small pieces

·         8-10 cups (about 8 ounces) kale, massaged (rub leaves to soften them up)

·         6 ounces Craisins (about 1 cup)

·         1/3 cup salted, shelled sunflower seeds

Instructions

In the jar of your blender, combine the vinegar, onion, mustard, salt, pepper, and maple syrup. Blend until smooth. With the blender running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Set aside.

In a very large bowl, combine the broccoli, kale, cherries, and sunflower seeds. Drizzle about 3/4 of the dressing onto the salad and toss to coat evenly. Add more dressing if desired. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

Notes

·         If you'd like to add a little extra flavor or protein, try crumbling a little feta or mild goat cheese right before serving.

our best bites http://ourbestbites.com/

Healthy Banana Fudge Muffins

These muffins are very moist and full of flavor.  We loved them!  Except for Ava... she didn't think the chocolate chips were a good idea.  They were quick, delish, and lots healthier than some other muffin recipes out there.  I just used sugar, not the Truvia.

Healthy Banana Fudge Muffins

Prep Time:15 Min Cook Time:15 Min Total Time:30 Min

Yields 12

Ingredients

·        3 large, extra ripe bananas

·        1/3 cup Truvia baking blend, or 2/3 cup granulated sugar

·        1 large egg

·        1/3 cup applesauce

·        1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

·        1/2 cup whole-wheat flour

·        1/2 cup all-purpose flour

·        1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

·        1/2 teaspoon salt

·        1 teaspoon baking soda

·        1 teaspoon baking powder

·        1/4 cup mini semi-sweet chocoate chips

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line a 12-cup muffin tin with liners.

Smash bananas in large mixing bowl. Add Truvia/sugar, egg, applesauce, and vanilla. Sift in flours, cocoa powder, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Mix together until fully combined, but don't overmix. Set aside about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the chocolate chips and add the rest to the batter. Mix in and divide batter between the cups. Sprinkle remaining chips on top.

Bake for about 15 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out with moist crumbs attached. Don't overbake. Let cool on rack for a couple of minutes and then remove muffins from pan to cool until just warm. Eat, or cool completely and store in an airtight container.

Notes

·         If using regular chocolate chips, just roughly chop them up. Feel free to add more if desired!

·         Nutrition Information (per 1 muffin): Cal:109 Fat:2g Carbs:23g Pro:2.6

our best bites http://ourbestbites.com/

Cauliflower Cream Sauce

I was a tiny bit nervous to try this since cauliflower can have such a strong smell when it's pureed, but we absolutely loved it.  Ava announced, "Gross!  That looks like the shake that goes in my tube.  I'm NOT eating that!"  However, every single person in our family ended up loving it.  Ava actually ate everything on her plate and the rest of us had seconds.  Delish.  I added a bit more Parmesan than the original recipe called for and I added about 1/2 cup of broth when all was said and done.

I just served this on macaroni noodles.  I had good intentions to serve it with other veggies in the dish, but I was distracted with making the side veggie.  It would be good with lots of variations though.

Cauliflower Cream Sauce

Prep Time:10 Min Cook Time:10 Min Total Time:20 Min

Yields 3

Ingredients

·         1 lb roughly chopped cauliflower florets (about 6 cups or 1 head cauliflower)

·         2.5 cups chicken broth

·         1 teaspoon onion powder

·         1 teaspoon kosher salt

·         2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil

·         5 cloves garlic

·         1/2 cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese (more if desired)

·         1 ounce low-fat cream cheese (more if desired)

Instructions

Bring broth to a simmer and add cauliflower. Cover pot with lid. Cook until tender, stirring/smashing occasionally, (about 5-6 mins). Drain cauliflower over a bowl to reserve broth and add cauliflower to food processor or blender. Add onion and salt. Return pot to stove and heat olive oil. Add garlic and saute on medium-low heat until fragrant and soft, 30-60 seconds. Add garlic and all oil from pan into cauliflower. Add 1/4 cup reserved broth (save the rest and add more as needed to get desired consistency at the end), and cheeses. Process until smooth.

Notes

·         Feel free to adjust cheese and seasonings to your liking. It's a very flexible sauce; adjust until you find the right mix for you!

·         Nutritional Information (per 1/2 cup) Cal: 60 Fat: 3 Carb: 5 Pro: 4

our best bites http://ourbestbites.com/

Argan Oil Lip Balm

I just tried this recipe for argon oil lip balm and it's fabulous.  I added about 1/2 tsp of peppermint oil - perhaps I have no feeling in my lips, but I can never feel the tingle with a few drops!  I also added one capsule of vitamin E because I had some.  I used shea butter and jojoba oil as my other oils.

You can get just about all of these ingredients for free (or for about $1) if you go to review sites like https://www.amzreviewtrader.com/ or https://elitedealclub.com/ - all you have to do in exchange is leave a quick review on Amazon.  Definitely worth it!

Argan Oil Lip Balm

Argan Oil – 2 tsp
Carrier Oil – 4 tsp (Jojoba, Coconut, Avocado, Sweet Almond, Olive, etc.)
Beeswax – 2 Tbsp.
Shea Butter / Cocoa Butter – 2 Tbsp.
Essential Oil – a few drops (Peppermint, Orange, Lemon, etc.)

Method

Take a double boiler if you have one, or take a thick glass vessel and place in a sauce pan. Now, add in the butter and bees wax and heat them at minimal temperature.

Once melted, add the Argan Oil, Carrier Oil and Essential Oil. You can add this after switching off the flame, or just before you do that.

Remove from heat, transfer to lip balm containers (You can pour with a funnel or use a little pipette) and let it set.

You should be able to fill 8 – 12 lip balm containers. Once dry, you are all set to use it.

Spicy Maple Chicken Wings

'Tis the season for wings!  Seriously, my favorite thing about the Super Bowl is the food.  So we decided to try some new wing recipes.  These were delish.  If Sriracha sauce is too spicy for you, you can substitute whatever kind of chili sauce you like.  

Spicy Maple Chicken Wings

Rating: 5

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes

Yield: 20 chicken wings

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup real maple syrup or honey
• 1/4 cup sriracha sauce
• 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
• 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 20 chicken wings

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 375°F. In a small bowl, mix all ingredients except chicken; set aside.
2. Place wings on a 15 x 10 x 1-inch pan. Pour mixture over wings, turn over and brush to evenly coat.
3. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, turn wings over and brush with sauce. Bake for an additional 15 to 25 minutes or until juice of chicken is clear when the thickest part is cut to bone. Serve chicken with sauce. ENJOY!

****Jeff likes to bake the wings a little first to get rid of excess water, then we put the sauce on.  We also bake them for about 45 min to 1 hour because we like the wings more crispy.  These were juicy and flavorful with just the right amount of heat from the sriracha sauce.  Yum!

 (I realize that the Super Bowl is actually today - we were going to have people over last night and today but last night didn't work out, but we made these anyway.) 

Recipe adapted slightly from http://urbanbakes.com/spicy-maple-chicken-wings-recipe/