Creamy Mediterranean Chicken

This recipe is a great way to enjoy a creamy pasta dish without all the fat and calories as those that you get at restaurants!  The chickpeas and reduced-fat cream cheese combine to make a rich sauce that will make you think that you're cheating on your diet!

Creamy Mediterranean Chicken

2/3 cup chicken broth

8 oz reduced-fat cream cheese, cubed

1 can chickpeas, rinsed

1/4 cup fat-free Italian Dressing

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced

4 slices deli ham

1 package baby spinach leaves

1 1/2 cups angel hair pasta, cooked

Blend broth, cream cheese, 1/2 cup chickpeas, and Italian dressing in a blender until smooth and set aside.

Saute chicken until cooked.  Add ham and remaining chickpeas.  Pour cream cheese sauce over ingredients in the skillet; cover with lid.  Simmer on medium-low for 15 minutes.  Toss in pasta.

Call Me a Hippie, but I Love Granola

I have always loved granola, but the high fat content and calories always deterred me from eating it.  When my sweet boyfriend got some granola as a housewarming gift from his new neighbors, I got inspired to create my own "healthi-fied" granola recipe!

~Crunchy Granola

6 cups rolled oats

1 cup sliced almonds
1 cup raw sunflower seeds

1 cup coconut

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Dash salt

6 T honey 

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup craisins

2 T brown sugar

1/2 cup almond milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a saucepan, mix honey, almond milk, and brown sugar over medium heat until combined.  In a bowl, combine oats, nuts, coconut, cinnamon, salt and mixture from the saucepan. Place on a sheet pan and put in oven. Bake for 30 minutes or a little longer, stirring occasionally. 

Remove pan from oven and add raisins. Cool on a rack, stirring once in a while until granola reaches room temperature. Transfer to a sealed container.

Enjoy on top of granola, with milk, or just sneaking it from the container!

International Crepes

It's official.  I have graduated from nursing school!  Now, I have more time to cook, photograph, and blog in between study for my Board Exams.

I know that I have posted my recipe for crepes before, but I love experimenting with new fillings.  This particular recipe might be my favorite.  This is the Hawaiian Pizza Crepe!

~Hawaiian Pizza Crepes

Crepe Recipe

Filling:
1 cup marinara sauce
1 package of deli ham, chopped
1 can of pineapple tidbits, drained
1 package low-fat mozzarella cheese
Sprinkle of red pepper flakes

Cook your crepes and then top each with marinara sauce, ham, pineapple, cheese and red pepper flakes.  Roll the crepe and warm in the microwave for a few seconds to melt the cheese.  Enjoy this international delight!

Revamped Cake Mix Cupcakes

I have always loved any sweet that is made from scratch.  I'm not going to lie, I have been known to turn up my nose at break and bake cookies and cake mixes.  Whew, I'm glad to get that off my chest!  Well, that is not the case anymore.  My palette has evolved... and I have discovered this new recipe!  Enjoy!

~Revamped Cake Mix Cupcakes

1 box of yellow cake mix
Eggs called for on the box +1 egg
Substitute the oil called for on box with the same amount of melted butter
Substitute the water called for on the box with the same amount of buttermilk

I know it sounds difficult, but trust me, it's easy!  Combine all of the ingredients and beat for 2 minutes. Poor into lined muffin tins or a greased cake pan. Bake according to the instructions on the box.  Test with a toothpick and then allow to cool!

While you are waiting for your confections to cool, whip up some of this awesome buttercream icing!

~Awesome Buttercream Icing


1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup real butter
1 1/2 teaspoons clear vanilla extract
1 dash salt
5 cups confectioners' sugar
2 -3 tablespoons milk

Cream butter and shortening; then add vanilla and salt. Add sugar a cup at a time beating on medium speed. Add milk 1 tablespoon at a time and beat on high until completely blended.