Quesadilla sauce

Since I had some chicken left over from earlier, we decided tonight would be quesadilla night! We love to experiment with different flavors and toppings but tonight was just chicken, cheese, salsa and our special quesadilla sauce! Ready for the recipe that will turn your ordinary 'dilla into a flavor explosion?!?!

 

 

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

 

1/3 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon pickling liquid out of a jar of jalapeños
3/4 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp paprika
Dash of salt
Dash of red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp garlic powder

 

Mix together add to your normal quesadilla filling!

 

You seriously need to have a quesadilla night soon

 

Getting Healthy

 

 One day I woke up and didn't recognize the woman looking back at me in the mirror. I was overweight, diabetic and it seemed like every doctors appointment there was something else wrong with me.

 

I tried every fad diet out there with NO RESULTS

 

 I knew I needed to make a change, so I did AND I lost 70 pounds! HOW?  I exercised, ate right and after years of being told I could never conceive,  I found out I was expecting a sweet baby. I did great in the beginning, no weigh gain for 6 months BUT by the time it came to give birth I had packed on all of the weight ...again.

 

I am now back on my track of getting healthy. I don't take any medicines of any form, I'm even off of my metformin! But one thing has changed

 

  I have finally learned to love myself. 

 

(That is key!) know I will never be a size 2, that isn't even a goal of mine. I want to be a healthy size for my frame. I've got curves, I want to keep them. So let's stop looking at the size of our jeans and start by trying to better ourselves by what goes in our bodies. The weight will fall off when your eating habits change and you stop stressing about being model thin. We are all perfect in God's eyes, why can't we love ourselves and see ourselves as he does?  I'm a mom, I need to teach my son healthy habits now and be the example he needs, that my friends is motivation enough. Lets be the moms running the bases with our children, not sitting on the sidelines

 

 

So instead of biscuits and gravy, bacon and all of those other artery clogging ideas of deliciousness I opt for fresh fruit in the mornings. This is one of my favorite combos

 

Canary Melon

Papaya

Plum

Pineapple

 

What we don't eat, I dice and freeze for smoothies for a easy snack

 

Garlic Rosemary Potatoes

When making a full meal, I like to have corresponding flavors. Today we enjoyed a delicious Lemon Rosemary chicken and this was our side item

 

Garlic Rosemary Potatoes

 

 

What you Will need

 

6 Red potatoes

6 Garlic cloves, whole

1/3 cup olive oil

salt

pepper

Rosemary

 

 

Start by cutting potatoes to your desired size

 

 

Add olive oil and season to taste

 

 

I prefer to leave the garlic cloves whole, they perfume to potatoes rather than making them overpowering

 

 

Once again I line my pan with foil for easier cleanup and mix everything on the same pan I bake in

( I HATE DOING DISHES)

 

Cover & Bake at 375 until fork tender

Remove foil the last 10 minutes and let potatoes crisp up ever so slightly

 

These are so good and so addicting!

 

Lemon rosemary chicken

 

A common misconception people have is that fancy and healthy both mean difficult to make.

That's NOT TRUE!

Don't believe me? Try this recipe

 

What you will need

1 Whole Chicken

1 Lemon

Rosemary

Salt

Pepper

Olive Oil

3 Carrots

1/2 onion

 

 

 

 

 

I have heard so many people say that they don't wash their meat when they take it home from the butcher, I am not one of those people. Rinse your chickens! Pat dry with a paper towel

 

Line a baking dish with foil (this makes cleanup a lot easier)

add 3 cut carrots and 1/2 of an onion (sliced) to the dish

(This step keeps the meat of your chicken off of the pan to avoid burning and over cooking)

 

 

 

Cover generously with olive oil, salt and pepper

add the zest of 1 lemon, a drizzle of the juice

and chopped rosemary leaves (I LOVE ROSEMARY, so I went a little heavy)

 

I also added lemon slices around the chicken to perfume it into the meat

 

 

 

 

Tent with Foil

 

 

bake at 350 until the juices run clear

take the foil off the last 10 minutes of cooking time for a delicious crispy skin

 

 

SO GOOD!

 

**TIP**

 

Don't throw the carcass away, save it for a homemade chicken stock

 

 

 

 

Italian Meatloaf

My husband is a meat loaf fanatic, I've tried to enroll him in M.L.A. (meatloaf lovers anonymous) but I soon found out that it  doesn't exist... so I just change the recipes for the family so we don't get burnt out.

 

This one is my favorite.

 

Just admit it! Sometimes we need a break from the heavy ketchup-laden loaf of meat that is SOOOO outdated the recipe probably hasn't changed since your great great great grandmother right? Well I hate to tell you, those recipes are what make kids DREAD meatloaf night. Try this easy Italian pantry meatloaf and let me know what you think! I call it the pantry meatloaf because I don't have to run to the store for the ingredients, I usually have them all. Especially since plants are blooming and I have a TON of fresh basil on hand!

 

 

What you will need

 

 

MEATLOAF

1lb ground beef

1lb  ground pork

1/2 tsp pepper

1 tsp salt

1 tsp Cajun seasoning

1 TBL dried parsley

1/2 tso garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/4 tsp herbs de Provence

1 handful of Italian style bread crumbs

1 handful of Italian Style Cheese

3 dashes Worcestershire

1 egg

1 tablespoon of olive oil

 

 

 

 

TOPPING

Cheese

1 Sliced Tomato

basil leaves

 

CRUNCHY TOPPING

 

1 Cup Breadcrumbs

2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil

 

 

 

 

Add all of  the ingredients together

 

 

 

 

USE YOUR HANDS! Get messy and mix mix mix!

 

 

 

 

Form into a loaf shape

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In a separate bowl, mix 1 cup of breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, set aside

 

 

After 30 minutes,

take the meat loaf out of the oven and place basil leaves on top

then cheese(just enough to protect the basil from burning)

then sliced tomato

season with salt and pepper

 

back into the oven it goes!!!!

 

 

After the tomatoes have started to release the juice and shrivel up

 

 

 

Cover with more cheese and  top with breadcrumb mixture (You will not use all of it)

 

 

Finish baking until your meatloaf is thoroughly cooked and delicious

 

 

 

 

 

And there you have it! A DELICIOUS Italian pantry meat loaf!

 

I like to serve with basil cream mashed potatoes which can be found on my old blog Here

 

Burrito bowls

I have a love hate relationship with cooking. I want it to be simple,  healthy,  tasty and not take all day.... easy right? (Yeah right!)

These Burrito bowls are perfect when I want a light lunch that doesn't take long to make.

 

 

 

What you will need

Salsa
Rice
Cilantro
Lime
Sour cream
Red pepper flakes
Black beans
Corn
Romaine lettuce
Tomato
Shredded Mexican style cheese

 

 

 

First things first

 

 

Cilantro lime rice! 

Add the juice of 1/2 of a lime to cooked fluffy white rice, stir in chopped cilantro leaves

 

 

Layer rice at the bottom of your bowl
Then romaine
Add rinsed black beans and corn
Top with salsa and cheese

 

 

 

 

LAST STEP

 

In a small bowl,  mix 1 cup of sour cream, a pinch of red pepper flakes,  the juice of 1/2 lime, salt & pepper stir until combined.  Add a tablespoon of milk to thin until it is at a consistency that it can be drizzled.

Top your Burrito bowls with a generous amount of sauce

 

 

You can also add jalapeños,  avocado, onion, olives or rotel.
The possibilities are endless!

  

 

This would be delish with sliced steak on top 

Pancakes

I LOVE PANCAKES!!!

 

Seriously, I could eat them every single day. I always change the recipe in some way. Pancakes are one of those vessels that have unlimited possibilities. Add some fruit, chocolate, bacon bits.... change your syrup options, add some jam... Shall I continue?

 

This is just ONE of my favorite pancake recipes

 

What you will need

2 cups AP Flour

1/3 cup Sugar

1 tsp Salt

1 1/2 tablespoon baking Powder

1 egg

2 cups Milk

2 tablespoons softened butter

Dash of Cinnamon

 

 

Combine all ingredients into a large mixing bowl

 

I personally use a ladle for my pancakes so they all come out around the same size.

 

Once you see bubbles forming, flip

 

**Tip**

To keep pancakes hot, wrap in foil until ready to serve

 

 

Slather pancakes with warm syrup and enjoy

 

These are so light and fluffy. Dessert for breakfast, That's what I'm talkin about!

I love to make this recipe on Monday morning and use it all week long! :) 

 

Delicious corn salsa

In the mood for something light and refreshing? Try this wonderful corn salsa!

 

 

What you will need

1 tomato chopped
1 4oz can of fire roasted green chiles
1 can of corn, drained
2 garlic cloves, minced
Juice of half of a lemon
Salt and pepper to taste
Cilantro

  

 

Onions and jalapeno optional

 

Mix in a large bowl, chill for at least 1 hour

ENJOY!

Dijon Marinade

3 Things you will always find in my house

1.) Olive Oil

2.)Mustard

3.)Garlic

WHY? Because thanks to my AMAZING husband, I have found one of my favorite marinades of all time!!!

 

 

What you will need

3 Tablespoons of Dijon Mustard

2 Cloves of Garlic ( I used garlic packed in oil)

1/4 cup of Olive Oil

Finely Chop your Garlic

Add to Dijon

Slowly pour in Olive Oil and mix well

 

MMMM! This mixture smells SO GOOD

I add fresh parsley, salt and pepper and smear it all over Chicken and the results are nothing short of fabulous!

 

 

 

 

Grill for that extra special touch!

 

 

 

 

So Moist and Delicious!

 

 

Simple and delish!

 

 

Summer Treats

I don't know where most of you are from, but here in Alabama, it is HOT!

On top of the ridiculously humid weather, Clayton Keith has more teeth coming in.

So how do I combat a fussy toddler who is in pain on top of being hot and sweaty?

 

2  INGREDIENT BANANA POPS!!!

 

These are so easy to make !

 

All you need is....

 

1 bag of semi sweet chocolate chips

3 bananas

 

 

Sure,  you could fancy this up by adding peanut butter or sea salt, but I decided to keep these simple

 

Melt your chocolate either in the microwave, or in a double boiler

(I used a microwave)

 

Dice Bananas in 1'' pieces

Dip in Melted Chocolate

Place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper

Freeze

 

 

 

 

Not only are these super cute, affordable and SO ADORABLE, but they are great for get togethers with your family.

 

Next pool party, skip the sugar laden popsicles full of food coloring and go for a sweet treat that is just as healthy as it is delish!

 

 

 

Intro

For those of you that do not know me personally, let me formally introduce myself.

 

My name is Erin Cooper.

 

The short version?

  I love God, good food, my family and the great outdoors

 

 

The long version

I am the 24 year old hopeless romantic who found love at the ripe age of 19.

I married my college sweet heart when I was 20 years young.

We have 1 child, Clayton Keith

I have always loved anything food related, whether it was gardening, canning, baking or sautéing and flambéing.

I like the simple life, but I am anything but simple

I am a complicated, fun loving woman

but aren't we all?