Month: February 2021

Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan

Last Updated on February 20, 2021 by Jess

Can I start out with being real with you all? I love the slow cooker for simplicity’s sake, but man, I miss the texture that you lose when you cook with it. That, and does a meal ever turn out looking beautiful when it comes out of the slow cooker? I generally think not. HOWEVER…I had been craving a low and slow cooked chicken meal for a while and my take on a slow cooker chicken parmesan came out beautifully! 

Okay, I’ll be honest, it isn’t truly a chicken parmesan. I did add some mushrooms and the chicken isn’t fried. But the flavor, it’s dynamite. My family reached for seconds…and thirds. I had to quickly put together the leftovers so I had lunches before they devoured it all. 

But who wants to hear about how much my family loved it, right? You want to get cooking, don’t you? Let’s do it! 

Your Ingredients

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (mine are generally frozen)
  • ½ cup chopped onions
  • 1 cup chopped fresh button mushrooms
  • ½ tablespoon minced garlic
  • 28 ounce can of diced tomatoes (mine had salt added so I didn’t add extra salt)
  • ½ tablespoon dried basil 
  • ½ tablespoon dried oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper 
  • 3 cups cooked pasta, al dente (we generally use tri-colored rotini)
  • 2 cups shredded cheese, I used a great mozzarella, cheddar, and provolone mix from the Burnett Dairy here in Wisconsin. 
  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup Italian breadcrumbs, optional 

Your Steps to a Great Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan 

Layer onions, mushrooms, garlic tomatoes, basil, oregano, and pepper in your slow cooker. Top with chicken breasts that have been lightly dusted with salt and pepper. Cook on low for 6 hours. 

After approximately 5 ½ hours, cook pasta to al dente if you have not done so already. Remove chicken and shred. Stir noodles and shredded chicken into the slow cooker and cover with shredded cheese as well as the parmesan. Return cover and cook until cheese has melted. 

Meanwhile, spray a small sauce pan with cooking spray. Head over medium heat. Once hot, add breadcrumbs and toast them, stirring every minute or so. Watch them carefully as not to burn them. 

Serve up your delightful slow cooker meal, topping with the toasted breadcrumbs for texture. 

  • Tomatoes, Onions, and Mushrooms
    Get the veggies first!
  • Add a few spices and seasonings.
  • Look at that glorious chicken ready to be shredded.
  • Mix it back in with some al dente rotini!
  • Cover in cheese…
  • while you toast your breadcrumbs!
  • Mmmmmm….
  • Finished meal!
    Let’s eat!
Finished meal!

Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan

What's for dinner tonight? A quick to put together Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan meal that is full of flavor without the heaviness. Yum!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (mine are generally frozen)
  • ½ cup chopped onions
  • 1 cup chopped fresh button mushrooms
  • ½ tablespoon minced garlic
  • 28 ounce can of diced tomatoes
  • ½ tablespoon dried basil
  • ½ tablespoon dried oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • 3 cups cooked pasta al dente
  • 2 cups shredded cheese any combination of mozzarella, cheddar, and provolone
  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup Italian breadcrumbs optional

Instructions
 

  • Layer onions, mushrooms, garlic tomatoes, basil, oregano, and pepper in your slow cooker.
  • Top with chicken breasts that have been lightly dusted with salt and pepper. Cook on low for 6 hours.
  • After approximately 5 ½ hours, cook pasta to al dente if you have not done so already.
  • Remove chicken and shred.
  • Stir noodles and shredded chicken into the slow cooker and cover with shredded cheese as well as the parmesan. Return cover and cook until cheese has melted.
  • Meanwhile, spray a small sauce pan with cooking spray. Head over medium heat.
  • Once hot, add breadcrumbs and toast them, stirring every minute or so. Watch them carefully as not to burn them.
  • Serve, topping with the toasted breadcrumbs for texture.
Keyword chicken, chicken parmesan, crock pot, pasta, slow cooker
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

JessLeave a comment

Quick Peanut Butter Oat Energy Balls

Last Updated on February 11, 2024 by Jess

I am an avid runner and overall fitness nut. As such, I am always looking for healthy ways to fuel my body quickly and easily. I also enjoy snacking….a lot. My sister and I were just talking about how there has to be a snack break between breakfast and lunch. We can’t make it otherwise–and these quick peanut butter oat energy balls are perfect for that!

When I am cooking and meal prepping, I can tell I have a winning clean eating recipe when my husband approves. With this recipe, he has been known to say, “You know what we are almost out of…thos yummy energy balls. You need to make more!”

Guys, that’s a big deal. He is generally the biggest critic of my “overly-healthy” recipes so when he said that, you can bet I got into the kitchen and made another batch! I hope you enjoy them as much as we do! (This version is inspired by Rachel from Clean Food Crush, but has been modified by me to meet our needs at home)

Here are your ingredients

  • 1/2 cup coconut flour ( It smells so delightful!)
  • 2 cups ground old-fashioned oatmeal (see details in the recipe)
  • 1/2 cup real maple syrup (honey would work too!)
  • 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
  • 1/4 t kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
  • 1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (I LOVE the flavor this brings in)

Your Steps to Quick Peanut Butter Oat Energy Balls

First, grind the oats to make a sort of oatmeal flour. To do this, place the old fashioned oats and coconut flour into a food processor and pulse them until you have a very coarse flour like texture.

Then, combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix them with a wooden spoon until well mixed. Form them into 1-2 inch balls (whatever suits your family. We like 1 inch energy balls around here so I used a tablespoon to measure out the the dough.). Place on a cookie sheet. Place the cookie in the fridge for approximately an hour to harden. Remove from the pan, place in an airtight container, and store them back in the fridge.

These are great to make a few batches up and store for later. Perhaps whip up a few batches and put them in the freezer for a grab and go snack that can thaw over a few hours. (I’m thinking they would be great packed in a lunch and used for that sweet treat at the end to finish up your meal. As for me, I like to pack a few for my morning and afternoon snacks at work (See, I love all the snacks. My husband calls me a squirrel because I always have some food on hand…). As for my kids, they eat them like an after dinner treat, so I think I am winning. I hope you enjoy! –Jess

Hit those oats and flour in the food processor.
Add honey
…peanut butter
…chocolate chips with a little salt and vanilla.
and some melted coconut oil.
Mix, mix, mix.
Form into balls using a tablespoon.
All done!

Tool of the Trade

Honestly, there is only one thing you really need for this recipe. A large food processor. Maybe you’re like me and think you don’t need it (Who needs ANOTHER kitchen gadget?!) But this guy gets a lot of use at our home and is perfect for fun sweet recipes like this one, but also is great in this cranberry jalapeño dip. I can’t recommend it enough, even if you do have to find a spot for it 😉

Quick Peanut Butter Oat Energy Balls

After school or between meals, we all can use a snack to satisfy our hunger cravings. These quick peanut butter oat energy balls fit the ticket! Bite size, easy to make, and tasty on all levels!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 19 minutes
Chill Time 1 hour
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 3 dozen

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup coconut flour
  • 2 cups ground old-fashioned oatmeal see details in the recipe
  • 1/2 cup real maple syrup honey would work too!
  • 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
  • 1/4 t kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoons coconut oil melted
  • 1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Instructions
 

  • First, grind the oats to make a sort of oatmeal flour. To do this, place the old fashioned oats into a food processor and pulse them until you have a very coarse flour like texture.
  • Combine all remaining ingredients in a large bowl and mix them with a wooden spoon until well mixed.
  • Form them into 1 inch balls using a tablespoon to measure.
  • Place on a cookie sheet and then chill in the fridge for approximately an hour to harden.
  • Remove from the pan, place in an airtight container, and store them back in the fridge
Keyword chocolate and peanut butter, energy balls, oatmeal, peanut butter
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Soft Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

Last Updated on February 14, 2021 by Jess

In terms of baking, cookies are my jam. I think they are my favorite because they provide little goals: one baking sheet of cookies at a time. Maybe it’s because they have a longer shelf life or perhaps it’s the fact that I can make them bite size so they are perfect for an on the go sweet treat. Whatever it is, cookies are the bread and butter of my baking, including these soft double chocolate peanut butter cookie

For the past few weeks, I had been daydreaming of a “healthier” chocolate cookie. Thinking of ways to lighten it, somehow. Now, this soft double chocolate peanut butter cookie isn’t a health food, but I did cut the refined sugar by using honey instead. I also made it a “small batch” cookie so you don’t feel like you need to eat 48 cookies. Good luck if you have a guy like my husband who eats 6 cookies in about 2 minutes…then I recommend hiding a few 😉 

Generally, you’ll find the cookies I make to be chewy and a little crisp. I like the bite in them. These are soft, almost cake like. The batter made me think of a brownie with a hint of peanut butter. That doesn’t sound so bad, right? Let’s give them a try! 

Your Ingredients

  • ¼ cup butter, softened
  • ½ cup peanut butter
  • ½ cup honey
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • ⅓ cup cocoa powder
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ⅓ cup chopped milk chocolate candy bar (I used a Symphony bar), but chocolate chips will work in a pinch

Your Steps to Soft Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and peanut butter. Add honey and stir until combined. Add egg and vanilla. Stir until smooth. In another bowl, combine the cocoa powder, flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to peanut butter mixture and stir until just combined. (Truth be told: I hate extra dishes. I never use a second bowl, but I know it’s what you should do. You do you friends. You do you.) Add chocolate chips and fold in. 

I recommend chilling the dough for 10-15 minutes before baking. But I know that it’s hard to wait sometimes. Once chilled, drop by rounded tablespoon onto an ungreased baking sheet. The dough will be soft and sticky still. That’s okay. Bake for 8-9 minutes, until just firm to touch. These cookies go from under to overdone on the bottom quickly so start with 8 minutes and add only a minute at a time if needed. 

  • Creamed peanut butter and butter until smooth!
  • Sweeten it up!
  • Egg and vanilla
  • Yes, you should use a separate bowl, but I hate extra dishes
  • Chop it up or use chocolate chips!
  • Almost there!
  • Fold it in
  • Chill it first!
  • Complete!

Looking for other baking inspiration? Check out all these sweet recipes on my baking page!

Soft Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

With a dough reminiscent of brownie batter, you'd never guess that this cookie is sweetened with honey! Yum!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 3 dozen

Ingredients
  

  • ¼ cup butter softened
  • ½ cup peanut butter
  • ½ cup honey
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • ⅓ cup cocoa powder
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ⅓ cup chopped milk chocolate candy bar

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and peanut butter.
  • Add honey and stir until combined.
  • Add egg and vanilla. Stir until smooth.
  • In another bowl, combine the cocoa powder, flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to peanut butter mixture and stir until just combined.
  • Add chocolate chips and fold in.
  • Chill the dough for 10-15 minutes before baking.
  • Once chilled, drop by rounded tablespoon onto an ungreased baking sheet. The dough will be soft and sticky.
  • Bake for 8-9 minutes, until just firm to touch.
Keyword chocolate, chocolate and peanut butter, cookie recipe, Honey, peanut butter, sweets
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

JessLeave a comment

Warm My Soul Lentil Soup

Last Updated on February 21, 2021 by Jess

A girl can do a lot with a cast iron Dutch oven (this one is from The Lodge is my favorite) and a wooden spoon. If I had to keep just two kitchen “gadgets,” those would be it. If you take a gander at my cooking page, you’ll see that I simply adore soup of all kinds and a cast iron Dutch oven is a must if you’re a soup lover. Classics like chicken noodle and a kitchen sink vegetable soup (Check out that recipe, it’s a pantry item soup that’s just to die for!) are my go to, but I’ve been trying to branch out as well.

When COVID hit, I found myself cooking more and feeling inspired to try new ingredients. I picked up lentils and gave them a try. First, I made a salad. It was okay. Went to lentil “meatballs” and it got better. Finally, I tried a warm my soul lentil soup, and I was sold. It was so easy to put together, filling, delicious, and easy on the pocketbook. What’s not to like, right?

Your Ingredients

  • 2-3 tablespoons olive oil ⁠
  • 1 onion, chopped⁠
  • 3 carrots, diced⁠
  • 3 celery stalks, diced⁠
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic ⁠
  • 2 cups dried green lentils ⁠
  • 1 15.5 ounce can diced tomatoes with salt, undrained⁠
  • 5-6 cups chicken stock⁠
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder⁠
  • 1/2 teaspoon coriander⁠
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon paprika ⁠
  • pepper, to taste⁠

Your Steps to Warm Your Soul Lentil Soup 

In a dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add onion, celery, carrots, and minced garlic. Saute until soft, about 8 minutes. Stir in remaining ingredients. 

Raise the temperature to medium-high and heat the mixture to a boil. Lower the temperature to a simmer. Cook for 35-40 minutes, until the lentils are cooked through. 

Use an immersion blender to blend on high about 6-10 pulses. Alternatively, you can remove a few cups of the soup and blend it in a regular blender. If you do this, mix back in. This will thicken the soup and add a richness to it. 

Check the salt and pepper, adding more to taste. Ultimately, you can serve it immediately or allow to cool and eat later in the week (yay for meal prep!)

This one is such a simple one, lots of pictures aren’t needed. I mean, check the directions. We have about 4 directions 🙂

Warm My Belly Lentil Soup

Filling and full of flavor, this warm my soul lentil soup is perfect for those nights you want to go meat free but want to have a full tummy!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Servings 6 people

Ingredients
  

  • 2-3 tablespoons olive oil ⁠
  • 1 onion chopped⁠
  • 3 carrots diced⁠
  • 3 celery stalks diced⁠
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic ⁠
  • 2 cups dried green lentils ⁠
  • 1 15.5 ounce can diced tomatoes with salt undrained⁠
  • 5-6 cups chicken stock⁠
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder⁠
  • 1/2 teaspoon coriander⁠
  • 1/2 tablespoon paprika ⁠
  • pepper to taste⁠

Instructions
 

  • In a dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add onion, celery, carrots, and minced garlic.
  • Saute until soft, about 8 minutes.
  • Stir in remaining ingredients.
  • Raise the temperature to medium-high and heat the mixture to a boil.
  • Lower the temperature to a simmer and cover. Cook for 35-40 minutes, until the lentils are cooked through.
  • Use an immersion blender to blend on high about 6-10 pulses. Alternatively, you can remove a few cups of the soup and blend it in a regular blender. If you do this, mix back in. This will thicken the soup and add a richness to it.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

JessLeave a comment

Salty and Sweet Puppy Chow

Last Updated on February 10, 2021 by Jess

My very first memory of puppy chow comes from junior high family and consumer education class. I am certain all the upperclassmen knew and perhaps helped schedule puppy chow day as they found all the kids who made it and immediately requested that they share it. It’s one of those oh so simple, yet delightful treats for that I will always had the ingredients on hand. Then a friend shared that she added pretzels to hers for a salty and sweet puppy chow and oh man, it’s a game changer. Add pretzels, dry roasted peanuts, and Chex cereal to your shopping lists friends. This is a must for a quick sweet treat!

Your Ingredients

  • 5 cups Chex cereal
  • 2 cups crushed pretzels
  • 1 cup roasted peanuts
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • ½ cup creamy peanut butter 
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar, divided

Your Steps to Salty and Sweet Puppy Chow

In a large container (that has a cover. I love these containers for all things Chex and also for my sourdough bread baking), combine the cereal, pretzels, and roasted peanuts. Set aside. In a microwave safe container, contain chocolate chips, creamy peanut butter, and butter. Microwave on high for 90 seconds, stirring after 60 seconds. Once smooth, stir in vanilla. Pour chocolate mixture over the cereal mixture and stir well. Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes. Sprinkle with 1 cup powdered sugar. Cover the container and shake and shake and shake some more. You may need to stir it a bit to break it apart from the side, but sure as heck don’t dirty another bowl or container here.

Once fully coated, allow to cool for 5-10 more minutes. Add remaining powered sugar and shake once more. Now, in theory, you should spread this out on a cookie sheet and allow to cool completely to room temperature. In theory. But I am seriously against making extra dirty dishes. I avoid it at all costs. If you are like me, simply stir it every 10-15 minutes to allow it to cool all the way through.

  • Break up the pretzels, but don’t destroy them completely
  • Smooth and velvety chocolate and peanut butter!
  • Drizzle over the cereal!
  • Stir, but don’t stop here!
  • Fully coated cereal!
  • Good luck having this last more than 48 hours!

Looking to bake something else to satisfy your sweet tooth? Maybe check out my baking page for information! Click the button below!

Baking

Tools of the Trade

I seriously dig these containers. I use them for all sorts of things in our kitchen. Baked sourdough bread? Throw it in a container. Mixing my bread together? Put it in a container. Making Chex Mix or Puppy Chow? It goes into these containers!

Salty and Sweet Puppy Chow

Two great pairings: salty and sweet and chocolate and peanut butter come together in this twist on a familiar recipe!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 minute
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 10

Ingredients
  

  • 5 cups Chex cereal
  • 2 cups crushed pretzels
  • 1 cup roasted peanuts
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • ½ cup peanut butter
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar

Instructions
 

  • In a large container with a lid, combine cereal, pretzels, and peanuts.
  • Combine chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter in a microwave safe container. Microwave for 90 seconds, stirring after 60 seconds. Heat until smooth. Stir in vanilla.
  • Pour chocolate mixture over the cereal mixture. Stir until coated completely. Allow to rest 5-10 minutes.
  • Add 1 cup of powdered sugar, cover and shake until fully coated. Allow to rest an additional 5-10 minutes.
  • Add remaining powdered sugar. Cover and shake once more.
  • Spread on a baking sheet and allow to fully cool before returning to the airtight container.
Keyword chocolate, dessert, holiday treats, no bake, peanut butter, salty and sweet, sweets
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

JessLeave a comment