The Grateful Girl Cooks!

15
Jan
2018

Southwest Chicken Salad

categories: Chicken, Main Dish Salads, Main Dishes, Salads

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You’ll love this Southwest chicken salad with marinated chicken, beans, corn, tomatoes, avocados, and lettuce, topped w/ a creamy lime cilantro dressing!

If you enjoy flavor-filled main dish salads, you will love this Southwest Chicken Salad. It is a wonderful main dish salad, full of flavor!

I found this recipe for Southwest chicken salad on Pinterest, and it not only sounded HEALTHY, but DELICIOUS! The original recipe serves 4, but I very slightly modified it to make two servings, for my husband and I to enjoy!

OH MY GOODNESS- this delicious salad is amazing, and I mean it is “we ate every single bite” amazing! Here’s how to make it.

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of the Page

Making The Marinade

I made the marinade early in the day, and let the chicken “bathe” in it for hours, to soak up great flavor! When I was ready to fix dinner, all I had to do was grill the chicken on my stove top and assemble the salad. EASY!

To make the marinade, combine the marinade/salad dressing ingredients in a medium bowl, EXCEPT FOR THE YOGURT! Mix together until all are well blended.

Pour HALF of the marinade (set aside the other half) into a rimmed dish and add the pieces of chicken.

Marinate The Chicken

Turn the pieces of chicken over in the dish, to coat all sides of the meat well. Cover the chicken and place the dish in a refrigerator for 2 hours (or more, if time allows).

Cover the remaining half of the marinade and keep it refrigerated until it’s ready to be used.

When you’re ready to assemble the salad for your meal, remove the reserved marinade from refrigerator. Blend in the Greek yogurt, until it’s fully incorporated and the sauce is creamy.

Cook The Marinated Chicken

After the chicken has fully marinated, remove it from the refrigerator. Heat a teaspoon of oil in a skillet or on a grill on medium-high heat until very hot, but not smoking.

Sear the chicken on the first side (without moving it in the pan) until the bottom is golden brown and crispy. Flip the chicken over and cook other side until it is fully done (internal temp. of 165°F).

I typically use an indoor cast iron grill to cook the chicken, and it takes about 8-10 minutes per side. If the chicken pieces are very thin, your cooking time may be less.

Once done, remove the chicken from the dish (and discard the chicken marinade). Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes so the juices can redistribute internally, then cut each piece into thin slices,.

Assemble The Southwest Chicken Salad

When you are ready to assemble salad, fill individual bowls or plates with cold, chopped romaine lettuce. Divide the corn, beans, and cherry tomato halves between servings.

Top each Southwest chicken salad with avocado and chicken slices. It looks quite decorative if the chicken and avocado are fanned out slightly..

My husband wanted an entire half an avocado sliced on his salad, as you can tell from the 2nd photo below… ha ha!

Time To EAT The Southwest Chicken Salad

Drizzle the salad with the prepared cilantro lime salad dressing. Serve, and enjoy this absolutely amazing tasting meal!

NOTE: I made 2 large entree size salads for us. If making 4 large salads, increase chicken to 4 pieces, and double the amount of corn, beans, cherry tomatoes, and add additional lettuce. You will not need to double the marinade.

We absolutely LOVED this Southwest chicken salad; we were very full and completely satisfied after eating! The grilled chicken had great flavor, thanks to the lime cilantro marinade, and the low fat flavor-filled dressing made this dish shine!

I sincerely hope you will consider trying this recipe and trust you’ll love it as much as we do! Southwest Chicken Salad is totally delicious, filling, and very colorful!

Thanks for stopping by, and I invite you to come back again soon for more family-friendly recipes. Take care, and have a fantastic day!

Looking for More MAIN COURSE SALAD Recipes?

You can find ALL my recipes in the Recipe Index, which is located at the top of the page. I have a nice variety of main course salads you might want to check out, including:

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Recipe Adapted From: Karina, at https://cafedelites.com/southwestern-chicken-salad/

↓↓ PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW ↓↓

0 from 0 votes

Southwest Chicken Salad

Prep Time

2 hrs

Cook Time

20 mins

Total Time

2 hrs 20 mins

You'll love this Southwest chicken salad with marinated chicken, beans, corn, tomatoes, avocados, and lettuce, topped w/ a creamy lime cilantro dressing!

Category: Dinner

Cuisine: Southwest

Keyword: Southwest chicken salad

Servings: 2

Calories Per Serving: 468 kcal

Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!

Ingredients

2 large chicken thighs (boneless, skinless)

For Marinade/Salad Dressing:

2 Tablespoons olive oil
1/3 cup fresh lime juice (approx. 2 large limes)
1 teaspoon lime zest
4 Tablespoons fresh cilantro (finely chopped)
1 teaspoon brown sugar
2 garlic cloves , minced
1/2 teaspoon cumin (ground)
1/2 teaspoon red chili pepper flakes
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (THIS IS USED FOR DRESSING ONLY!!!)

For Salad:

4 cups romaine lettuce (torn or chopped)
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes (cut in half)
1/2 avocado , thinly sliced
1/2 cup canned black beans (drained, rinsed)
1/2 cup canned whole kernel corn (drained, rinsed)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

In a medium sized bowl, combine all marinade/salad dressing ingredients EXCEPT FOR THE YOGURT! Mix together until well blended. Pour HALF of the marinade (set aside the other half) into a rimmed shallow dish and add the chicken. Toss to coat well. Cover chicken and place in refrigerator for 2 hours (or more, if time allows). Cover remaining marinade and refrigerate until ready to use.
After chicken has fully marinated, remove it from refrigerator. Heat a teaspoon of oil in a skillet or on a grill on medium-high heat until very hot, but not smoking. Cook chicken on first side until bottom is golden brown and crispy, then flip and cook other side until chicken is fully cooked throughout. (I used an indoor cast iron grill and it took about 10 minutes per side). Once done, remove chicken, and let it rest so juices can settle internally. After chicken has rested for 5 minutes, cut each piece into thin slices. Discard chicken marinade.
When ready to assemble salad, remove reserved marinade from refrigerator. Blend in the Greek yogurt, until completely incorporated and creamy.
To assemble salads, fill individual bowls or plates with chopped romaine. Divide corn, beans, and cherry tomato halves between servings. Place avocado and chicken slices decoratively on top of salad. Drizzle each salad with reserved creamy cilantro lime dressing. Serve, and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

*NOTE: I made 2 large salads for us. If making 4 servings, increase chicken to 4 pieces, and double the amount of corn, beans, cherry tomatoes, and add additional lettuce, as desired. (Use same amounts written for marinade/dressing).

Nutrition Facts

Southwest Chicken Salad

Amount Per Serving (1 main course salad)

Calories 468 Calories from Fat 243

% Daily Value*

Fat 27g42%

Saturated Fat 4g25%

Cholesterol 108mg36%

Sodium 1525mg66%

Potassium 1092mg31%

Carbohydrates 28g9%

Fiber 8g33%

Sugar 5g6%

Protein 30g60%

Vitamin A 8670IU173%

Vitamin C 32.1mg39%

Calcium 101mg10%

Iron 3.5mg19%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!

12
Jan
2018

Weight Watchers French Onion Soup

categories: Soups

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You’ll love this recipe for Weight Watchers French Onion Soup, with caramelized onions! All the flavor without the extra calories!

If you enjoy a robust, flavor-filled bowl of soup, but are dieting OR looking to cut a few calories, then you will LOVE this recipe for Weight Watchers French Onion Soup! It has caramelized onions and the amazing flavor of the original, but with less calories!

On a cold day recently, I was craving a big bowl of French Onion Soup, but since I am watching my calories, and have lost over 26 pounds the past several months, I wanted the TASTE of this delicious soup, but without the extra calories from bread and that yummy, gooey CHEESE! The most difficult thing about making this (and it’s a cinch), is cutting up those crazy onions (wiping away the tears!).

So… I found this recipe using my Weight Watchers app, and decided to try it. The original recipe was designed to use a slow cooker, but it took almost 12 hours to make, so I modified the recipe so it could be made on the stove top in about 40 minutes total (prep and cook time). OH MY GOODNESS… it is so incredibly delicious! The caramelized onions swimming in a rich, flavorful broth, and a bit of Parmesan cheese on top tasted amazing. I didn’t even miss the bread! You need to make this soup ASAP!

My husband and I LOVED this meal, and since a serving size is 1½ cups, we each had a large bowl of soup (with a salad on the side). *Note: I made HALF the recipe… so my photos reflect this!) Here’s how easy it is to make:

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

Prepare The Onions (and wipe away the tears)

Peel onions and thinly slice. Remember, slicing onions is not for sissies… (wiping away more tears). I cut them in half (top to bottom), then peeled them and then sliced.

Caramelize The Onions

Melt butter in large skillet. Add sliced onions and salt. Cook on medium heat until the onions are well browned, stirring often. This will take about 20 minutes. I made a salad while the onions were cooking, but came back and gave them a good stir every few minutes!

**Here’s my tip on cooking the onions… don’t rush the process. Take your time cooking the onions… you want them nice and brown, caramelized, soft and fragrant, for the best tasting soup!

Finish “Building” The Weight Watchers French Onion Soup

Once the onions are wonderfully brown (and smell so good!), add a bay leaf and some fresh thyme to the skillet. If you do not have access to fresh thyme, you can add dried thyme, but you will need to reduce the amount by 1/3, since dried herbs are more concentrated in flavor.

Add sherry, minced garlic, sugar, chicken broth and beef broth to skillet. Stir well, to combine all ingredients. Let this cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. This will allow the alcohol (sherry) to burn off, and allow the flavors to develop. When done, remove bay leaf and thyme sprigs from soup. Stir in soy sauce and black pepper.

Time To Eat!

Ladle the soup into bowls, and immediately garnish each serving with 1/2 Tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese and fresh thyme (if desired). Serve, and enjoy! Here’s a photo of my bowl of soup BEFORE I gobbled it up!.

Shown below is a photo of my husband’s bowl of soup. He wanted a bit of the traditional melted “stringy” cheese on his at the last minute, so I grabbed a thin slice of Swiss cheese we keep on hand for sandwiches.

The cheese was put on the top and I microwaved the soup for about 30 seconds to melt the cheese. It was nice and “gooey” and stringy… just the way he likes it (and only added 70 more calories!)

We both really loved this soup! If you happen to follow a Weight Watchers plan, the total for this delicious bowl of “yummy-ness” is 3 Smart Points! I highly recommend this recipe… low in calories, high in taste and satisfaction! Have a great day!

Looking For More SOUP Recipes?

You can find all of my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. I have LOTS of yummy soup recipes to check out, including:

Interested In More Recipes?

Thank you for visiting this website. I appreciate you using some of your valuable time to do so. If you’re interested, I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1^st and 15^th) with all the latest recipes, and other fun info. I would be honored to have you join our growing list of subscribers, so you never miss a great recipe!
There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right side (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use, where you can easily submit your e-mail address (only) to be included in my mailing list.

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Recipe Adapted From: https://www.weightwatchers.com

↓↓ PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW ↓↓

0 from 0 votes

Weight Watchers French Onion Soup

Prep Time

20 mins

Cook Time

20 mins

Total Time

40 mins

You'll love this recipe for Weight Watchers French Onion Soup, with caramelized onions! All the flavor without the extra calories!

Category: Soup

Cuisine: French

Keyword: french onion soup

Servings: 6 (1½ cup) servings

Calories Per Serving: 116 kcal

Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!

Ingredients

6-7 large uncooked brown onions , peeled and thinly sliced (approx. 3 lbs.)
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
2 teaspoons salt
1 bay leaf
5 sprigs fresh thyme (plus extra if using for garnish)
1/4 cup sherry
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
3 cups beef broth (reduced sodium)
3 cups chicken broth (reduced sodium)
1 teaspoon soy sauce (low sodium)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3 Tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (to garnish hot soup)
Additional sprigs fresh thyme (to garnish hot soup)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Peel onions and thinly slice.
Melt butter in large skillet. Add sliced onions and salt. Cook on medium heat until the onions are well browned, stirring every couple of minutes. This will take approximately 20 minutes. Once the onions are wonderfully brown (and smell so good!), add a bay leaf and fresh thyme sprigs to the skillet (if using dried thyme, reduce by 1/2 the amount used). Add sherry, minced garlic, sugar, beef broth and chicken broth to skillet. Stir well, to combine all ingredients. Let this mixture cook, uncovered for 20 minutes on medium heat, stirring occasionally. This will burn off the alcohol (sherry). When done, remove bay leaf and thyme sprigs from soup. Stir in soy sauce and black pepper.
Ladle the hot soup into bowls, and immediately garnish each serving with 1/2 Tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese and fresh thyme (if desired). Serve, and ENJOY! (the leftovers are wonderful, as well!)

Nutrition Facts

Weight Watchers French Onion Soup

Amount Per Serving (1 serving (1½ cups))

Calories 116 Calories from Fat 45

% Daily Value*

Fat 5g8%

Saturated Fat 3g19%

Cholesterol 12mg4%

Sodium 1751mg76%

Potassium 326mg9%

Carbohydrates 12g4%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 5g6%

Protein 4g8%

Vitamin A 180IU4%

Vitamin C 18mg22%

Calcium 72mg7%

Iron 0.8mg4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!

09
Jan
2018

Triple Berry Banana Smoothie

categories: Beverages, Breakfast, Lunch - Quick and Easy

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A Triple Berry Banana Smoothie is a delicious treat, with raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, banana, spinach, orange juice, and Greek yogurt!

Do you enjoy cold, fresh fruit smoothies? We sure do at our house! Recently for lunch I made a Triple Berry Banana Smoothie, which included blended frozen raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries with a banana, orange juice, Greek yogurt and spinach! It was DELICIOUS!

Here in the Portland, Oregon area, we’ve been experiencing many days with temperatures in the low 30’s this Winter. I realize that sounds like a “heat wave” to others experiencing absolutely frigid temps, heavy snowfall and blizzard conditions, BUT… it still was COLD.

So in spite of everything my brain told me NOT to do on a freezing cold day, I made a really COLD fruit smoothie for lunch… ha ha! And guess what? IT WAS WONDERFUL!

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

What’s IN A Triple Berry Banana Smoothie?

The smoothie couldn’t be easier to make! Here are the cast of characters… frozen berries (3 kinds- blueberry, blackberry and raspberry, bought in a fruit medley bag at Costco. I added non-fat plain Greek yogurt (a good source of protein), a handful of fresh baby spinach (trust me- the kids will NEVER know there’s a veggie in there!), a banana, and a small amount of orange juice.

It’s EASY To Make This Smoothie!

All the ingredients are placed into a blender and mixed until it is smooth! That’s it! There is enough to make 2 (8 ounce) smoothies, or 4 little smoothies (for the kids). By using frozen berries there is no need to add ice to make the smoothie cold (which can possibly water down the drink).

Looking For Other Smoothie Recipes?

If you are a lover of fruit smoothies, I would also recommend checking out my recipes for Orange Julius (copycat), Blueberry, Banana and Kale Smoothie, or a Super Creamy Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie! They all taste wonderful, and are very easy to prepare!

A Triple Berry Banana Smoothie Is SO EASY To Make

But for now, let’s go back to THIS incredible tasting triple berry banana smoothie! Once it is well blended, pour yourself a great big glass full, and ENJOY this yummy, filling drink! The best part is that it only takes a couple minutes to make, tastes GREAT, and is nice and cold from those frozen berries! Lip-smackin’ good!

Hope you enjoy this triple berry banana smoothie! We sure did! The recipe for the triple berry smoothie is easily doubled, and can be easily adapted to use other berries you may enjoy. It was a very light lunch for me that day, but it left me filling full and satisfied.

Thank you for stopping by, and I hope you will come back again soon. Don’t forget to check out ALL my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. Have a wonderful day!

Interested In More Recipes?

There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right side (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use, where you can easily submit your e-mail address (only) to be included in my mailing list.

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↓↓ PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW ↓↓

0 from 0 votes

Triple Berry Banana Smoothie

Prep Time

3 mins

Cook Time

0 mins

Total Time

3 mins

A Triple Berry Banana Smoothie is a delicious treat, with raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, banana, spinach, orange juice, and Greek yogurt!

Category: Beverage, Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Keyword: triple berry banana smoothie

Servings: 2 (8 ounce) servings

Calories Per Serving: 160 kcal

Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!

Ingredients

2 cups frozen berry medley (blueberries, blackberries, raspberries)
1 large banana
1 large handful fresh baby spinach leaves (approx. 1½ cups)
3 heaping Tablespoons non-fat Greek yogurt
1/2 cup orange juice (I used commercially prepared)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Place all ingredients in blender. Make sure berries (or banana) are frozen before adding. By using frozen fruit, you avoid having to add ice cubes to the drink to make it cold, which can water it down.
Process ingredients until well blended and smooth.
Pour into glasses and serve!

Recipe Notes

Recipe yields approximately 2 (8 ounce) servings) or 4 (1/2 cup) servings.

Nutrition Facts

Triple Berry Banana Smoothie

Amount Per Serving (1 serving (8 ounce))

Calories 160 Calories from Fat 9

% Daily Value*

Fat 1g2%

Sodium 3mg0%

Potassium 418mg12%

Carbohydrates 38g13%

Fiber 5g21%

Sugar 25g28%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 280IU6%

Vitamin C 40mg48%

Calcium 19mg2%

Iron 0.6mg3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!

06
Jan
2018

Chocolate Angel Food Mug Cake

categories: Cakes, Desserts

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Make a master mix with two ingredients , then enjoy an easy “low-calorie” chocolate angel food mug cake any time you want, cooked for only ONE MINUTE in a microwave!

If you’re trying to lose weight or cut calories, but enjoy dessert… you’ll enjoy this recipe for Chocolate Angel Food Mug Cake, made in a microwave in 1 MINUTE! You’ll feel like you’re “cheating”, but with the cake being only 80 calories, it’s a fast, tasty option to curb a sweet tooth!

My sister Joni told me about the Weight Watchers 3-2-1 Cake. She heard about it, tried it, and then told me about it. So I just HAD to make this chocolate angel food mug cake, too!

Scroll Down for A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

Why This Dessert Is Also Called A 3-2-1 Cake

The numbers 3-2-1 refer to the easy way to remember the recipe for each individual mug cake. 3 Tablespoons mix- 2 Tablespoons water- 1 minute in the microwave! Get it? It is one of the EASIEST ways to quickly satisfy a sweet tooth “attack”, without going overboard!!

The “mix” is made by simply combining dry cake mix with angel food cake mix (the kind that only has you add water). Both dry cake mixes are whisked together until well blended, with no lumps. Store the mix in an airtight, sealed container, then you can use it as needed.

The recipe makes enough for 46 mug cakes, so there will be plenty! I used 2 quart sized canning jars to store the cake mixture, and taped instructions to each jar for future use.

I used Devil’s Food cake mix to make my mug cake chocolate flavored, but you can substitute any flavor mix for the Devil’s Food. You can also add 2-3 teaspoons mix-ins like finely chopped nuts or dried fruit, or mini chocolate chips for additional flavor, if you want.

**Please note that adding these additional ingredients will raise the caloric value!! The cake by itself with no additional filling or topping equals 80 calories per serving, AND if you follow WW, the point value is 2 Points Plus, or 3 Smart Points.**

Okay, I Made The Mix. How Do I MAKE The Chocolate Mug Cake?

Once you’ve made the Master Mix, when the craving for something a little sweet mug cake hits, make the cake. For one single chocolate mug cake, place 3 Tablespoons mix into a straight sided microwave safe mug.

Add 2 Tablespoons water, and mix well with a spoon or fork until mixture is smooth.

Microwave for 1 minute on HIGH power. Remove mug from microwave; let it sit and cool down a little bit. It will come out looking like this…

It can be eaten straight from the mug, OR you can run a butter knife around edges and gently remove the cake from the mug onto a plate.

Serve the mug cake plain for least amount of calories (80), or top it with frosting, ice cream, fruit, powdered sugar, frozen yogurt, and/or chocolate syrup.

Now can you see why it is commonly called a 3-2-1 Mug Cake? THREE tablespoons of prepared mix, TWO tablespoons of water, and ONE minute in the microwave!!! It’s a perfect mix to keep on hand, so when the urge for dessert hits you can satisfy your craving with a slightly “healthier” solution!

Sure hope you will make this mug cake mix and will enjoy having it on hand in your kitchen for those “gotta have something sweet now” emergencies… ha ha!

Looking For More CAKE Recipes?

You can find all of my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. I have quite a few delicious cake recipes, including:

Interested In More Recipes?

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:

Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

Recipe Source: https://simple-nourished-living.com/weight-watchers-3-2-1-microwave-mug-cake/

0 from 0 votes

Chocolate Angel Food Mug Cake

Prep Time

2 mins

Cook Time

1 min

Total Time

3 mins

Make a master mix with two ingredients , then enjoy an easy "low-calorie" chocolate mug cake any time you want, cooked for only ONE MINUTE in a microwave!

Category: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: mug cake

Servings: 46 cakes

Calories Per Serving: 72 kcal

Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!

Ingredients

For Cake Mix:

1 box (15.25 - 18.25 ounces) Devil's Food cake mix
1 box (16 ounces) Angel Food cake mix (the type that only needs water-one step)

To Make One Mug Cake:

3 Tablespoons of the combined dry cake mix
2 Tablespoons water

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Whisk both dry cake mixes together until well blended, with no lumps. Store in an airtight, sealed container. I used canning jars to store the cake mixture, and taped instructions to jar.
When ready to make one mug cake, place 3 Tablespoons mix into a straight sided microwave safe mug. Add 2 Tablespoons water, and mix well until mixture is smooth.
Microwave for 1 minute on HIGH power. Remove mug from microwave; let it sit and cool down a little bit. It will be ready to eat straight from the mug, OR you can run a butter knife around edges and gently remove the cake from the mug onto a plate. Serve the cake plain for least amount of calories (80), or you can garnish cake with frosting, ice cream or frozen yogurt, fruit, powdered sugar (sifted) and/or chocolate syrup.

Recipe Notes

TIP# 1 - You can substitute any flavor cake mix for the Devil's Food.
TIP # 2 - May also add 2-3 teaspoons additional mix-ins like finely chopped nuts or dried fruit, or mini chocolate chips for additional flavor. Please note that adding these additional ingredients will raise the caloric value.

Nutrition Facts

Chocolate Angel Food Mug Cake

Amount Per Serving (1 cake)

Calories 72

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!

02
Jan
2018

Southwest Quinoa Salad

categories: Meatless Meals, Salads, Side Dishes

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Southwest Quinoa Salad is a healthy side or vegetarian dish featuring quinoa, tomatoes, corn, beans, peppers, avocado, and a flavorful cilantro lime dressing!

Happy New Year! If you’re like many others, you’ve started the year with a determination to eat healthier or lose some weight! This Southwest Quinoa Salad is a delicious, healthy recipe solution for you! It features quinoa, black beans, tomatoes, corn, bell peppers, and avocado, topped with a scrumptious cilantro lime dressing! YUM!

This is my first official blog post of 2018, and I’m so grateful to be able to share this recipe with you from our newly remodeled kitchen. I don’t know about you, but we managed to eat quite a bit of Christmas goodies and take-out over the holidays (due to my husband and I loving sweets AND having no kitchen to cook in for the past 2 months).

Now we have begun the year determined to make wiser choices. Say hello to this quinoa salad. It’s a flavor-filled healthy “meatless” dish is perfect as a light side dish or a quick lunch!

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Cad At The Bottom Of The Page

Here’s How To Make Southwest Quinoa Salad

Put the uncooked quinoa in a fine mesh strainer and rinse with water (this helps clean the quinoa). Place the rinsed quinoa, water and salt in a saucepan; bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.

When it comes to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low and put a lid on the pan. Cook quinoa for approximately 17-20 minutes (or until all liquid has been absorbed). Remove pan from heat, set aside, and let quinoa cool down to room temperature.

Place cherry tomatoes, corn, black beans, bell peppers, avocado and room temperature quinoa into a large salad bowl. Set aside. TIP: An easy tip for cubing an avocado is to cut it in half, remove pit, then use a knife to slice grid lines into avocado lengthwise, then horizontally, without cutting through peel. Once cut, slide a large spoon around the inside of the peel, and the avocado cubes should fall out!

Make The Cilantro Lime Salad Dressing

To make the simple cilantro lime dressing, whisk together olive oil, light sour cream, lime zest and juice, garlic powder, cumin, salt, pepper and cilantro in a small bowl . Be sure to mix well.

Pour all of the dressing over salad, and stir well, to combine all ingredients thoroughly. The quinoa will absorb all the delicious Southwestern flavors from the dressing and will really make this dish shine!

Southwest Quinoa Salad Is Ready To Enjoy!

Garnish the Southwest quinoa salad with a sprig of fresh cilantro, and serve it as a side dish. Since it is so filling, this salad (even without meat), would be a quick vegetarian meal or “take to work” packed lunch! The salad tastes good served at room temperature OR chilled!

Here’s a close up of some Southwest Quinoa Salad goodness. Yum! I love the fact that it not only tastes wonderful, but is quite colorful and good for you!

New Beginnings

I served this Southwest Quinoa Salad with roasted turkey breast and steamed broccoli, for a healthy New Years Day dinner! My husband and I really enjoyed it, and it was FUN to prepare my first recipe for 2018 in our newly remodeled kitchen.

This was after 2 months of not being able to cook in there! Yay for our new, updated kitchen, appliances and counter tops! We still have some work to do, but I’ve begun cooking in my kitchen once again. Yay!

I want to wish you again a Happy New Year from our home to yours! The arrival of a new year brings with it an infinite number of opportunities to encourage and serve others. Opportunities will also arise to grow as a person, create great memories, and cook delicious meals for yourself and those you love!

Hope you will join me in rising to the occasion, and as always, thank you for visiting The Grateful Girl Cooks. I appreciate each one of you. Have a great day!

Looking For More Recipes That Use QUINOA?

You can find ALL my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. I have some delicious recipes that feature quinoa you might enjoy, including:

Interested In More Recipes?

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:

Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

Recipe Source: http://togetherasfamily.com/2017/05/fiesta-quinoa-salad/

0 from 0 votes

Southwest Quinoa Salad

Prep Time

8 mins

Cook Time

17 mins

Total Time

25 mins

Southwest Quinoa Salad is a healthy side or vegetarian dish featuring quinoa, tomatoes, corn, beans, peppers, avocado, and a flavorful cilantro lime dressing!

Category: Salad

Cuisine: Southwest

Keyword: Southwest quinoa salad

Servings: 8 side servings

Calories Per Serving: 218 kcal

Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!

Ingredients

For Salad:

1¼ cups uncooked quinoa
2½ cups water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
1 can corn , drained (standard sized can)
1 can black beans , drained and rinsed
1 orange bell pepper , chopped (I used a combination of red, orange and green)
1 avocado , peeled and cubed

For Cilantro Lime Dressing:

1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup reduced fat sour cream (can substitute plain non-fat yogurt)
Zest and juice from 1 lime
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/3 cup chopped cilantro

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Put the uncooked quinoa in a fine mesh strainer and rinse with water (this helps clean quinoa). Place the rinsed quinoa, water and salt in a saucepan; bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. When it comes to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low and put a lid on the pan. Cook quinoa for approximately 17-20 minutes (or until all liquid has been absorbed). Remove pan from heat, set aside, and let quinoa cool down to room temperature.
Place cherry tomatoes, corn, black beans, bell peppers, avocado and cooled quinoa into a large salad bowl.
To make cilantro lime dressing, in a small bowl whisk together olive oil, light sour cream, lime zest and juice, garlic powder, cumin, salt, pepper and cilantro. Be sure to mix well. Pour all of the dressing over salad, and stir well to combine all ingredients thoroughly. Serve as a side dish or as a healthy meatless meal, and enjoy! (Store leftovers in a covered container in refrigerator).

Nutrition Facts

Southwest Quinoa Salad

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories 218 Calories from Fat 108

% Daily Value*

Fat 12g18%

Saturated Fat 2g13%

Cholesterol 2mg1%

Sodium 307mg13%

Potassium 367mg10%

Carbohydrates 21g7%

Fiber 4g17%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 4g8%

Vitamin A 660IU13%

Vitamin C 25.9mg31%

Calcium 32mg3%

Iron 1.7mg9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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26
Dec
2017

Karen’s Delicious Apple Cobbler

categories: Cobblers and Crisps, Desserts

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Four ingredients and thirty minutes is all you need to make this EASY and delicious apple cobbler for dessert!

If you’re looking for an EASY dessert that can be made quickly, may I suggest this simple recipe for Karen’s Delicious Apple Cobbler? You only need 4 ingredients and 30 minutes to make this amazing dessert! It’s REALLY quite tasty!

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

Why This Apple Cobbler Is Named After My Friend, Karen

When I was a newlywed 40 years ago, my husband and I moved from Southern California to a small town in Southern Oregon. I was privileged to meet a woman named Karen at the church where my husband was the Music Pastor.

Karen sang in our choir, had an amazing voice, and an even sweeter personality and infectious laugh. She graciously invited us over for meals, became a dear friend, and even let me do our laundry at her home several times… THAT was also a huge gift because it meant I didn’t have to hang out at the local laundromat for hours.

Karen made this apple cobbler for us once (40 years ago), and I loved it. Being a newlywed, and loving to cook, I asked her if she would share her recipe with me. She laughed and told me how incredibly easy it was to make (a big plus!), and gave it to me.

I named the recipe after her and wrote it on the recipe card, so I wouldn’t ever forget who gave it to me. I’ve made this recipe many times over the years, and finally decided to add it to my blog. Karen passed away quite suddenly in 2014, but her sweet spirit, love, zest for life, and memories live on in every person she poured herself into, including ME!

How EASY Is This Apple Cobbler To Make?

Here’s how to make this… it’s so very EASY! Preheat oven to 350° F. Lightly grease a 13×9 pan (or two smaller sized pans) with non-stick spray. Spread fruit pie filling evenly in pan.

In medium bowl, mix butter, yellow cake mix and chopped nuts until crumbly.

Sprinkle this dry mixture evenly over the apple pie filling. The cobbler is usually made in a 9×13 pan, but this time I made it in a square pan (8×8) and a 9 inch cake pan, so I could give one away to a friend recovering from surgery, yet still have one for our family.

Bake at 350° F. for approximately 30 minutes, or until bubbly and crumb mixture is light golden brown on top. Remove pan to a wire rack and let cool down slightly before serving.

Once cobbler has cooled down a bit, serve up individual portions. This cobbler tastes best served slightly warm, with a big ol’ scoop of vanilla ice cream on top!

This cobbler is so very easy to make, and truly is quite scrumptious!

Do You Enjoy Cobblers And Crisps?

Speaking of cobblers, if you enjoy this type of dessert you might be interested in other cobbler and crisp recipes on this blog. I have quite a few cobbler recipes. Some of them are Strawberry Cobbler, Blackberry Cobbler, or Old-Fashioned Peach Crisp. You might also enjoy learning about the history of cobblers, crisps, pandowdy, etc.

It’s wonderful to have a recipe card for an apple cobbler that is yummy and soooo simple to make, permanently stored in my recipe box (and now on my blog)! With every bite, I am reminded of the sweet friend who gave it to me, and miss her very much! Have a great day, and be sure to check out ALL my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page.

Interested In More Recipes?

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:

Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
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Recipe Source: Karen Cobb Nelson

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Karen's Delicious Apple Cobbler

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

30 mins

Total Time

35 mins

Four ingredients and thirty minutes is all you need to make this EASY and delicious apple cobbler for dessert!

Category: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: apple cobbler

Servings: 12 servings

Calories Per Serving: 342 kcal

Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!

Ingredients

1 can apple pie filling (21 ounces)
1 cube butter , at room temperature
1 yellow cake mix
1 cup walnuts or pecans , chopped
Non-stick spray

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350° F. Lightly grease a 13x9 pan (or two smaller sized pans) with non-stick spray.
Spread fruit pie filling evenly in pan.
In medium bowl, mix butter, yellow cake mix and chopped nuts until crumbly. Sprinkle this dry mixture evenly over the apple pie filling.
Bake at 350° F. for approximately 30 minutes, or until bubbly and crumb mixture is light golden brown on top. Remove pan to a wire rack and let cool down slightly before serving. This cobbler tastes best served slightly warm, with a big ol' scoop of vanilla ice cream on top!

Nutrition Facts

Karen's Delicious Apple Cobbler

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories 342

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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21
Dec
2017

Mexican Stuffed Pasta Shells

categories: Beef, Main Dishes, Mexican / Southwestern, Pasta

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Mexican Stuffed Pasta Shells, with seasoned beef, cheese and onion, are baked and topped with cheese, cilantro, tomatoes, and sour cream!
Mexican Stuffed Pasta Shells are a delicious twist on traditional stuffed pasta. Ground beef, cheese and onion filled pasta shells are baked in enchilada sauce, then topped with cheese, cilantro, tomatoes, and garnished with a dollop of sour cream, for a flavor-filled dinner!

Last Spring I made Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo Stuffed Shells and we really enjoyed them. Now fast forward to about 4 months later when I started thinking about how much my husband and I absolutely LOVE Mexican food. A light bulb went off in my head and I decided to experiment and make more stuffed shells, but this time create a recipe with a Mexican twist! We really enjoyed them, so am sharing the details on the ol’ blog today.

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

How Do You Make Mexican Stuffed Pasta Shells?

These Mexican stuffed pasta shells are really easy to prepare. Start by cooking 1 pound of ground beef with sliced green onions in large skillet on medium heat. Once the meat is cooked, drain grease from pan (discard grease). Add one taco seasoning packet and cook according to seasoning package instructions.

When the meat has been cooked and seasoned, transfer it to a large mixing bowl and let it cool for 4-5 minutes. Add 3 Tablespoons of enchilada sauce, grated cheddar and jack cheeses; and stir to combine. Set aside.

Cook The Pasta Shells

In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the jumbo pasta shells according to package directions. When the pasta shells are finished cooking, drain them well. Place the drained shells in a single layer on wax paper or parchment paper.

Prepare The Filled Mexican Stuffed Pasta Shells For Baking

Place several heaping spoonfuls of enchilada sauce on the bottom of a baking dish (enough to just barely cover the bottom of dish). Fill the cooked pasta shells with the ground beef mixture, then place them into a baking dish in a single layer.

Once all shells are filled and in the baking dish, spoon the rest of the enchilada sauce over the shells to cover. Sprinkle with the remaining half of the cheddar and jack cheeses.

Bake The Mexican Stuffed Pasta Shells

Cover dish with aluminum foil and bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes total. Remove the foil for the last 10 minutes of baking. Sauce and cheese should be bubbly when done. Remove dish from oven.

Garnish And Serve The Stuffed Shells!

To serve, top with additional cheese, tomato, cilantro and green onions, for a great splash of color (and added flavor)! This dish will not only taste good… it will look good, too!

Place 2-3 shells onto each individual serving plate, and top each shell with a small dollop of sour cream. Serve… and enjoy!

Hope you will consider making these flavor-filled Mexican stuffed pasta shells for an upcoming meal. I served them with a simple mixed green salad on the side, and they were quite filling. Have a great day!

Looking For More Mexican-Inspired Recipes?

You can find ALL my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. I have lots of delicious, Mexican-inspired recipes you might want to check out, including:

Interested In More Recipes?

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:

Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

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Mexican Stuffed Pasta Shells

Prep Time

20 mins

Cook Time

25 mins

Total Time

45 mins

Mexican Stuffed Pasta Shells, with seasoned beef, cheese and onion, are baked and topped with cheese, cilantro, tomatoes, and sour cream!

Category: Entree

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: Mexican stuffed pasta shells

Servings: 6 servings (3 shells per serving)

Calories Per Serving: 445 kcal

Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
2 green onions (sliced, use green stalk and white bulb)
1 envelope taco seasoning
3 Tablespoons chopped cilantro
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese , DIVIDED
1/2 cup grated jack cheese , DIVIDED
1 can (19 ounces) red enchilada sauce
Approx. 1/2 box jumbo pasta shells (I used 18 shells)

For Garnish (use as little or as much as you desire)

Chopped tomato, green onion, cilantro, grated cheddar, and sour cream

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place several large spoonfuls of enchilada sauce on the bottom of a baking dish (enough to just cover the bottom). Set aside.
Cook ground beef with chopped green onions in large skillet on medium heat. When meat is cooked, drain and discard grease. Add taco seasoning packet and cook according to seasoning package instructions. Once meat has finished cooking, transfer it to a bowl, and let cool down for 4-5 minutes. Discard grease from pan. Add 3 Tablespoons enchilada sauce and HALF of the grated cheddar and jack cheeses to the meat; stir to combine. Set aside.
In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook jumbo pasta shells according to package directions. When pasta is done cooking, drain, then place shells in a single layer on wax paper or parchment paper. Fill cooked pasta shells with the ground beef mixture, then place into baking dish (on top of sauce) in a single layer.
Once all shells are filled and in baking dish, spoon the rest of the enchilada sauce over shells to cover. Sprinkle with the remaining half of the cheddar and jack cheeses.
Cover dish with aluminum foil and bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes total. Remove foil for the last 10 minutes of baking. Sauce and cheese should be bubbly when done. Remove dish from oven.
To serve, garnish with additional cheese, chopped tomato, chopped cilantro, and green onions, for a great splash of color and flavor! Place 2-3 shells onto each person's plate; top each shell with a small dollop of sour cream. Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Mexican Stuffed Pasta Shells

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories 445

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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18
Dec
2017

Microwave Pecan Brittle

categories: Candy, Desserts, Holidays!

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Microwave Pecan Brittle is a time-saving twist on a classic candy! This delicious, crunchy holiday treat is easy to make in 15 minutes, using a microwave!
Traditional peanut brittle gets an update and a time-saving twist in this simple recipe for Microwave Pecan Brittle! Yes… this buttery, crunchy candy is easy to make in 15 minutes, uses pecan halves instead of the customary Spanish or raw peanuts, and is made entirely IN THE MICROWAVE!

I grew up eating “traditionally made” peanut brittle every Christmas when my Mom would cook a large batch on our stovetop. The process was a bit complicated, and involved using a candy thermometer, cooking the “syrup” portion to exactly the right temperature, and actually took a while to make.

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

Who Knew You Could Make Microwave Pecan Brittle In A MICROWAVE?

When I saw this MICROWAVE time-saving recipe online from Chris Scheuer of The Café Sucré Farine a couple of months ago, I KNEW I wanted to try it (if you’ve never visited her blog, I highly recommend it)!

We were starting a complete kitchen remodel the first week in November, and I knew I wanted to make some Christmas goodies ahead of time so we could have some goodies to enjoy over the holidays or for gift-giving, even though we wouldn’t have any major appliances (or a kitchen, for that matter) during Thanksgiving OR Christmas.

Well, as I write this post, it’s almost Christmas, and we are in the final days of our remodel. It looks like I will have a working kitchen the second week of January! It’s been nice to pull this pecan brittle out of our freezer (yes, I froze it back in October) and thoroughly enjoy it! I am happy to report that this microwave pecan brittle recipe is wonderful… easy to prepare, and quite delicious! Here’s how to make it!

How To Make Microwave Pecan Brittle

Cover a large cookie sheet with foil, making sure to leave an overhang of foil on all sides. Give the foil on the baking sheet a very generous spray of non-stick cooking spray.

Place the pan in a preheated 350 degree oven while you make the candy. This is done to make sure pan is really warm when you pour in the hot liquid mixture later on. A warm pan helps the pecan brittle to thin out and spread a bit easier.

Spray a 2 qt. microwave-safe baking dish AND a heat-resistant spatula with non-stick cooking spray. Measure the sugar and corn syrup into the baking dish. Stir until this mixture is fully combined and thick. Put the dish in the microwave.

Cook The Brittle In Steps

Cook mixture using HIGH power for 3½ minutes. As you can see from the photos, the mixture will be very hot, bubbly and light in color when done. Remove from microwave carefully – it is HOT!

Stir in the pecan halves, then place dish back into microwave. Cook mixture on HIGH power for an additional 3 minutes. Remove dish from microwave carefully (the color will be slighter darker).

Immediately add butter and the vanilla extract to the hot candy mixture. Stir the candy very well to combine all ingredients. Put the dish back in the microwave (last time). Cook on HIGH power for 1 minute.

Note: Since microwaves sometimes have different wattage levels, keep an eye on the color of the candy during the third microwaving. You may need to cook it an additional minute or so to achieve a medium brown color.

What To Do When Done Microwaving The Pecan Brittle

Remove the dish from microwave very carefully. It is HOT. Sprinkle the baking soda over the top of the candy mixture. Stir only until the baking soda has been mixed in. The candy will get foamy, rise up a bit in the dish, and turn from a slightly amber color to a more caramel color.

Pour The Microwave Pecan Brittle Onto Warm Foil-Lined Baking Pan

Immediately (and carefully- use those hot pads!) pour the hot liquid candy onto your warm foil-lined baking sheet, covering as much of the foil as you can. Use a sprayed, heat-resistant spatula to spread the candy out as much as possible on the sheet.

When you spread it out, you might have some holes or uneven areas appear in the candy… don’t worry about that, cause you will bust it up into pieces later! You really cannot mess this up, no matter how hard you may try!

Break Up The Brittle Once Totally Cooled

Once the brittle has cooled down completely, all you will need to do is lift the foil right off of the baking sheet using the overhanging pieces of foil, lift the candy right off the foil and break it up into small serving sized pieces! It’s EASY!

The microwave pecan brittle is ready to serve once it is broken up into pieces. Store the leftovers in an airtight sealed container. NOTE: I placed mine into a freezer storage bag and froze the candy for two months, due to our remodel. When I took it out of the freezer and let it thaw out, the candy tasted just as marvelous as the first day I made it! Yay!

I found this quick (and new to me) method for making microwave pecan brittle to be so easy, and the results taste fabulous! What a wonderful hostess gift this homemade pecan brittle would be, wrapped up in a cute decorated bag or container! Have a blessed Christmas and Hannukah, friends! Hope you will cherish and appreciate every minute of time spent with those you love!

Sure hope you will give this yummy Christmas treat a try. Your family and friends will LOVE it! Be sure to check out ALL my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. Have a great day.

You Might Also Enjoy These Other Holiday Treats

Candied Orange, Cinnamon & Clove Spiced Pecans
Chocolate Butterscotch Peanut Clusters
Cranberry Cashew Clusters
Microwave Rocky Road Fudge
Mom’s Refrigerator Fruitcake (it’s not THAT kind of fruitcake!)

Interested In More Recipes?

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:

Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
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Recipe Source: https://thecafesucrefarine.com/15-minute-microwave-pecan-brittle/

0 from 0 votes

Microwave Pecan Brittle

Prep Time

7 mins

Cook Time

8 mins

Total Time

15 mins

Microwave Pecan Brittle is a time-saving twist on a classic candy! This delicious, crunchy holiday treat is easy to make in 15 minutes, using a microwave!

Category: Candy

Cuisine: American

Keyword: microwave pecan brittle

Servings: 30 pieces (approx.)

Calories Per Serving: 74 kcal

Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!

Ingredients

Non-stick cooking spray
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup (light)
1¼ cups pecan halves
1 Tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Cover a large cookie sheet with foil, making sure to leave an overhang on all sides. Give the foil a very generous spraying with non-stick spray. Place pan in a preheated 350 degree oven while you make the candy (this is done to make sure pan is really warm when you pour in the hot liquid candy mixture later on. Warm pan helps brittle to thin out and spread out a bit easier.)
Spray a 2 qt. baking dish AND a heat-resistant spatula with non-stick cooking spray. Mix granulated sugar and corn syrup until fully combined and thick. Put dish in microwave. Cook mixture using HIGH power for 3½ minutes. The mixture will be very hot and light in color when done. Remove from microwave carefully - it is HOT!
Stir in the pecan halves, then place dish back into microwave. Cook mixture on HIGH power for an additional 3 minutes. Remove dish from microwave carefully (the color will be a slighter darker).
Immediately add butter and vanilla extract. Stir very well to combine all ingredients. Put the dish back in microwave (last time). Cook on HIGH power for 1 minute. NOTE: Since microwaves sometimes have different watt levels, keep an eye on the color of the candy during the third microwaving. You may need to cook it an additional minute or so to achieve a medium brown color.
Remove dish from microwave. Sprinkle baking soda over the top of the candy mixture. Stir only until the baking soda has been mixed in. The candy will get foamy, rise up a bit in the dish, and turn from a slightly amber color to a caramel color.
Immediately (and very carefully) pour the hot liquid onto your warm foil-lined baking sheet. Use your non-stick sprayed, heat-resistant spatula to spread the candy out as much as possible on the sheet. When you spread it out, you might see some holes or uneven areas... don't worry about that, cause you will bust it up later!
Once the brittle has cooled down completely, all you need to do is lift the foil right out of the pan, then grab that candy, lifting it off the foil, and break it all up into small pieces!

Nutrition Facts

Microwave Pecan Brittle

Amount Per Serving (1 piece)

Calories 74 Calories from Fat 27

% Daily Value*

Fat 3g5%

Cholesterol 1mg0%

Sodium 43mg2%

Potassium 16mg0%

Carbohydrates 11g4%

Sugar 11g12%

Vitamin A 15IU0%

Vitamin C 0.1mg0%

Calcium 4mg0%

Iron 0.1mg1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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15
Dec
2017

Easy Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese

categories: Lunch - Quick and Easy, Main Dishes, Meatless Meals, Pasta

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Easy Stovetop Macaroni and cheese is a creamy, delicious, family-friendly comfort food – quick and easy to make in 15 minutes!

A friend of ours had surgery recently and I was grateful for the opportunity to take her family dinner once she returned home from the hospital. My husband grilled some chicken and one of the side dishes I made was this easy macaroni and cheese. I really hoped her two children would enjoy this creamy, cheesy side dish!

A second batch was made for my husband and I because it tasted so GOOD (Yep… I sampled it when I made it for my friends… quality-control)! The recipe is incredibly simple to make, and if you enjoy satisfying comfort foods, you’ll enjoy this mac and cheese.

My theory is that you can never go wrong with a basic cheese sauce and pasta! Creamy, cheesy, satisfying and delicious are words used to describe this family-friendly recipe for macaroni and cheese! Here’s how easy it is to make this simple dish!

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

How To Make Easy Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese

Cook elbow macaroni (or other small shaped pasta) according to package directions. While pasta is cooking, in a separate sauce pan, melt butter and stir in flour, salt, onion and garlic powders until well blended.

Add milk to pan. Cook on medium-high heat, stirring (or whisking) often, until the mixture comes to a boil. Turn heat down to low, and continue to simmer (stirring often), until the sauce has thickened. This should take about 2 minutes.

Once sauce has thickened, remove pan from heat. Immediately stir in the grated cheddar cheese and a couple dashes of hot pepper sauce (or more if you like the heat). Stir until cheese has completely melted.

When the pasta has finished cooking, drain, then immediately place hot pasta back into the pan you used to cook it.

Time to Add the Sauce

Pour hot, thickened cheese sauce over the hot drained pasta, and stir well to combine.

Taste test…add additional salt (and pepper), if desired. I added an extra handful of cheddar cheese at this point, as well (but that is completely optional… we are big cheese lovers!). Stir well to make sure the easy stovetop macaroni and cheese is fully coated with the yummy sauce.

That’s all there is to it! Serve the macaroni and cheese while it is hot… and enjoy a bowl of this creamy, satisfying comfort food! If you like mac and cheese, perhaps you would also be interested in a Pasta, Ham and Gruyere Cheese Casserole (baked), or a Cheesy Ham, Spinach and Macaroni Bake.

NOTE: The leftovers are really good, too. Store in an air-tight container in refrigerator. Before you reheat, you might need to add a tiny bit of milk and stir, to “re-vitalize” it!

I hope you can see how EASY it is to make this side dish OR main dish in no time at all! If you cook the pasta at the same time you’re making the sauce, the whole “cheesy” meal can be ready in about 15 minutes… perfect for a main course, a side dish, or a quick lunch!

I hope you will consider giving this recipe a try! Be sure to check out ALL my recipes in the Recipe Index, which is located at the top of the page. Have a great day.

Interested In More Recipes?

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:

Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

0 from 0 votes

Easy Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

0 mins

Total Time

15 mins

Easy Stovetop Macaroni and cheese is a creamy, delicious, family-friendly comfort food - quick and easy to make in 15 minutes!

Category: Entree

Cuisine: American

Keyword: macaroni and cheese

Servings: 6 small servings

Calories Per Serving: 449 kcal

Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!

Ingredients

3 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1 Tablespoon butter
1/4 cup all purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
2 cups low-fat milk
1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
couple dashes of hot pepper sauce (approx 1/8 teaspoon)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Cook elbow macaroni (or other small shaped pasta) according to package directions.
While pasta is cooking, in a separate sauce pan, melt butter; stir in flour, salt, onion and garlic powders until well blended. Add milk to pan. Cook on medium-high heat, stirring (or whisking) often, until mixture comes to a boil. Turn heat down to low; continue to simmer (stirring often), until sauce has thickened. This should take about 2 minutes. Once sauce has thickened, remove pan from heat. Immediately stir in grated cheese and a couple dashes of hot pepper sauce (or more if you like the heat). Stir until cheese has completely melted.
When pasta has finished cooking, drain, then immediately place pasta back into the pan you used to cook it. Pour the hot, thickened cheese sauce over the hot drained pasta, and stir well to combine. Taste test...add additional salt, if desired. I added an extra handful of cheddar cheese at this point, as well (but that is optional. Stir well to make sure pasta is fully coated with cheese sauce. Serve the macaroni and cheese while it's hot... and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Serving size is about a cup. If you wish to make this dish lower in calories, consider substituting fat-free skim milk and low-fat cheddar cheese for the ingredients listed.

Nutrition Facts

Easy Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories 449 Calories from Fat 117

% Daily Value*

Fat 13g20%

Saturated Fat 8g50%

Cholesterol 40mg13%

Sodium 524mg23%

Potassium 293mg8%

Carbohydrates 60g20%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 6g7%

Protein 19g38%

Vitamin A 420IU8%

Vitamin C 0.2mg0%

Calcium 313mg31%

Iron 1.4mg8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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11
Dec
2017

Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Ritz Cookies

categories: Chocolate, Cookies, Desserts, Holidays!

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Crunchy, creamy, chocolate covered peanut butter Ritz cookies are quick, delicious, and totally EASY holiday treats to make, using only a few ingredients!

Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Ritz® Cookies are an annual Christmas family tradition for us. The recipe has been handed down from my Aunt to my Mom, and then to me. These delectable treats are incredibly FAST and EASY to make, which is perfect for this busy time of year!

Many years ago (at least 15), my Mom shared these cookies with me and told me that her sister, my Aunt Theda in Texas made them for her, and Mom raved about how good they were! I tried a couple, and sure enough, they tasted fantastic.

When I asked my Mom how to make them she told me how incredibly easy it was. I really loved my sweet Aunt… she passed away quite a few years ago, but I think of her whenever I make these goodies.

I’ve made these cookies so many times since then, but finally took pictures and decided to share the “recipe” on this blog. I added a white glaze drizzled over the top, and some red and white sprinkles for the Christmas season, but really all you need to make these is 4 ingredients! Here’s how to make a quick dozen of these yummy stacked goodies.

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

How To Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Ritz Cookies

Place 12 Ritz® crackers onto a piece of parchment paper. Spread a teaspoon of creamy peanut butter onto each one. When done, top with another cracker.

Make The Dipping Chocolate

Melt 1½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips with 1 HEAPING Tablespoon vegetable shortening in a microwave-safe bowl the microwave. Heat on High for 30 seconds. Remove the bowl and stir the chocolate. It will not be completely melted at this point.

Place the bowl back in microwave oven and heat an additional 30 seconds on High. Remove the bowl and stir the mixture again, until completely smooth.

Time To Dip Some Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Ritz Cookies!

Dip cookies, one at a time into melted chocolate mixture. I use a fork to hold the cookie, and sometimes use a spoon to help coat the entire cookie with chocolate. Let any excess chocolate drip back into bowl. Place the cookie back onto a piece of parchment paper.

Do not move the chocolate covered peanut butter Ritz cookies once you set them down. Repeat process with all of the cookies. Once the chocolate has firmed up, they are ready to eat, unless you want to decorate them.

Decorating The Cookies More?

If you want to decorate the cookies, let the cookies sit, undisturbed, until the chocolate has firmed up completely. To make an icing to decorate with, place powdered sugar in a small bowl. Add only a couple drops of water at a time to the sugar, stirring well, until the glaze has reached a drizzling consistency.

Too thin? Add additional powder sugar. Too thick? Add a drop or two of water. Use a fork to drizzle the icing over each cookie. Garnish with colored sprinkles, if desired, while glaze is still wet.

NOTE: You do not have to drizzle powdered sugar glaze on them. You can shorten the process even further by garnishing the fresh dipped chocolate cookies with candy colored sprinkles and leave off the white icing altogether if you want!

Ready To Serve!

Let the icing completely firm up at room temperature. Once chocolate and icing are totally firm, cookies can be transferred to a serving plate for everyone to enjoy!

These delicious cookies can be decorated any way you wish. When I make these and it’s NOT Christmas time, I simply leave them plain, with only the chocolate covering them, and no powdered sugar drizzle. They taste good whether you fancy them up or not!

The flavor is wonderful in these treats, with the creamy peanut butter AND the chocolate coating going so well together. They remain crunchy from the cracker “shell”. The chocolate peanut butter Ritz cookies are so good it will be hard to stay out of them. Just remember to leave at least ONE left for good ol’ Santa Claus!

I love to make these family favorites at Christmas time. They are made quickly without a lot of ingredients (a big plus), look good and taste even better! I hope you will consider making these chocolate covered peanut butter Ritz cookies a part of your holiday traditions, too!

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Recipe Source: My Mom and Aunt Theda

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Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Ritz Cookies

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

0 mins

Total Time

15 mins

Crunchy, creamy, chocolate covered peanut butter ritz cookies are quick, delicious, and totally EASY holiday treats to make, using only a few ingredients!

Category: Cookies

Cuisine: American

Keyword: peanut butter ritz cookies

Servings: 12 cookies

Calories Per Serving: 255 kcal

Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!

Ingredients

For Cookies:

24 buttery crackers (I used Ritz® crackers)
12 teaspoons creamy peanut butter

For Chocolate Coating:

1½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 Tablespoon vegetable shortening , use heaping Tablespoon!

For White Drizzle:

1 cup powdered sugar
Water ( a couple drops at a time)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Place 12 crackers onto a piece of parchment paper. Carefully spread a teaspoon of creamy peanut butter onto each one . When done, top with another cracker.
Melt semi-sweet chocolate chips and vegetable shortening in the microwave. Heat on High for 30 seconds. Remove bowl and stir chocolate. Place bowl back in microwave oven and heat an additional 30 seconds on High. Remove bowl and stir mixture until smooth.
Dip cookies, one at a time into melted chocolate mixture. Use a fork to hold the cookie, and a spoon to help coat entire cookie with chocolate. Let excess chocolate drip back into bowl, then set cookie onto parchment paper. Do not move cookie once you set it down. Repeat process with all cookies. Let the cookies sit, undisturbed, until chocolate has firmed up completely.
Place powdered sugar in a small bowl. Add only a couple drops of water at a time to the sugar, stirring well, until the glaze has reached a drizzling consistency. Use a fork to drizzle the icing over each cookie. Garnish with colored sprinkles, if desired, while glaze is still wet.
Let the icing completely firm up at room temperature. Once chocolate and icing are firm, cookies can be transferred to serving plate. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Ritz Cookies

Amount Per Serving (1 cookie)

Calories 255 Calories from Fat 135

% Daily Value*

Fat 15g23%

Saturated Fat 6g38%

Cholesterol 1mg0%

Sodium 92mg4%

Potassium 186mg5%

Carbohydrates 27g9%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 19g21%

Protein 3g6%

Vitamin A 10IU0%

Calcium 27mg3%

Iron 1.8mg10%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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