Simple Baked Squash and Potato Rounds

July 3, 2014 by Christine Skari

You know when some recipes are so simple and easy that you feel like they almost don’t deserve to be called a recipe?

I DO.

But then you realize that sometimes, simple and easy is best. Recipes like this one for Simple Baked Squash and Potato Rounds means no fuss or mess (hooray for “making” the dish in a ziplock bag!) and equally delicious leftovers that can be transformed into something new.

And you know I’m alllll about leftovers. Kyle makes a killer breakfast hash out of these the next morning where he adds in eggs, cheese, onions, and some sort of meat (more bacon, please <3). Also, is it just me or does food taste a bajillion times better when someone else makes it for you? Hint hint… cough couch… FEED ME MORE KYLE.

So here ya go! A not-so-complex “recipe” that makes the perfect healthy side dish. Yummers.

Cheesy Broccoli Cauliflower Bake

May 8, 2014 by Christine Skari

Say YES to veggies!

Especially if those veggies involve a creamy garlic cheese sauce that melts into them and makes them ooze goodness in every bite. And wait for it… a crispy and crunchy panko topping! This is what veggies were designed for. They were born to be smothered in white sauce.

It is their destiny.

The other day, I was thinking about the meals Kyle and I usually eat on repeat. We like to experiment, obviously, but we have a few safety dinners like chicken/sweet potato bakes, steak with mac and cheese, lemon shrimp orzo, and panko-crusted salmon. Where are the veggies? Usually in the form of a boring salad that is literally just that, salad leaves. Sometime we branch out and will bake some brussels sprouts, but for the most part, our veggie intake is pretty dull.

No more I say!

Not only is this recipe easy as pie (mhmm, pie), but it comes together relatively quickly and make the whole house smell delicious! While baking in the oven, the cauliflower melts into the cheese sauce and the broccoli collects it in its florets till it’s just saturated with deliciousness. Also, do I call them florets? Mini-tree leaves? Broccoli afro? I don’t know, man, all I know is that even your picky eaters will LOVE this!

More cheese, please.

Cheesy Artichoke Baguette Bites

April 25, 2014 by Christine Skari

Sometimes you just need cheese. And LOTS of it. You know what I mean? Those days where you just want to stuff ALL the cheese into your mouth and call it a day? Well, now that I’m a big ol’ grownup, I can’t go stuffing cheese into my mouth 24/7 and I have things called responsibilities that dictate my cheese consumption hours. Growing up is rude.

I feel like I’m blabbering, but what I’m trying to get to is that you should eat these.

You can get in maximum cheesiness but in the grownup way. In fact, they even can be categorized by the fancy French name of hors d’oeuvres… So that makes you gain sophistication and class just by eating them, right? Just go with it. I’ve been studying like a madwoman for over a week straight and don’t have enough mental energy to type up a coherent post.

CHEESE.

This recipe is literally bursting at the seams with cheese. Let’s count: mozzarella (1), cream cheese (2), and, of course, parmesan (3). They all melt together in cheesy symphony to make the best appetizer ever! And then you place that delicious mixture on top of fresh baguette slices, toast it, and holy heck. Please, someone catch me as I faint.

These are dreamy straight out of the oven and combine all the best of artichoke dip with everyone’s favorite bread. Remember when I professed my entire apartment’s love for baguettes? I’m 100% serious when I say we actively refer to ourselves as the “baguette babes”. The other day I found this gem on the internet machine and HAD to share it with them. I think my other bread-lovers will all appreciate this photo roundup called “Baguette Me Not“. Here’s a sample picture:

Also, did I mention this recipe calls for pancetta? If you don’t have it or want to leave it out of the recipe, that’s fine. It means we can’t be friends anymore, though. Just kiddin’.

Also, don’t forget to enter my Kind Bar Giveaway! You have the chance to win a biiiigg pack of yummies, so don’t miss out!

Honey Lime Shrimp and Avocado Salad

April 4, 2014 by Christine Skari

So I’ve been sitting here for the last 10 minutes trying to think of some catchy or fun way to start off this post. Maybe it’s the physics homework I did, or the fact that the pictures for this recipe are making the tum tum grumble, but I’m having a huge brain fart right now. And now I’m reconsidering if I want to use the word “fart” in a post that’s supposed to be about making you guys drool over a recipe. Eeeeek. Please still like me!

ANYWAYS. Going away from bodily noises and over to the food! You know me, I love smooth transitions.

What I love about this recipe (other than how delicious it is, of course), is how simple, fresh, and healthy it is. You got yo’ healthy fats from that creamy avocado, a tangy-sweet protein-punch from the shrimp, and those bites of juicy red tomato. Better yet? It’s done in less than 15 minutes and is perfect served hot or cold!

I’m a big fan of the salty-sweet combo and loved how the ingredients combined together! Each bite of shrimp is a mouthful of different flavors and the slight hotness of the red pepper flakes is cooled down by the avocado. It’s a super healthy alternative to other fried shrimp dishes (I’m looking at you, Panda Express, and your honey walnut shrimp), but will leave you feeling energized from a light and tasty meal rather than weighed-down by all that grease.

All in all, this recipe has 25 grams of protein, 4.8 grams of fiber, and only 300 calories per serving. Looking for a low carb recipe? This dish has only 12.5 grams of total carbs and will make your tastebuds dance!

Dig in!

Baked Garlic Parmesan Fries

April 1, 2014 by Christine Skari

So in our family, potatoes are a big deal. I’m half Norwegian and it almost seems like a civic duty to love potatoes. I kid you not when I say that potatoes are my dad’s all-time favorite food and that making him happy is done by just handing him a potato dish. He’s a simple man.

And now I just spent 15 minutes going through all my photos to find this gem:

Yes, the man is sitting on the couch, relaxing, and nomming his way through a cold baked potato from last night’s dinner. Plain. No sour cream. No butter. No salt. But his happiness level is through the roof and I can’t help but laugh out loud whenever I see this picture.

Really, with all this potato-heritage I’ve got going on, it was only a matter of time till I came up with a healthier version of french fries. And VOILA!

Beautiful, crunchy, garlic-y, parmesan heaven. These thick-cut potato fries are just as crispy as their fried counterparts and ohmygosh just bursting with flavor. Honestly, I almost can’t believe that these didn’t come out of a deep fryer!

The secret behind the insane crunch factor is sprinkling the uncooked potatoes with a bit of sugar. Weird, right? Well, it must be osmosis, because the potatoes sweat out all their liquid which means extra crispy fries!

I think I’ve just discovered my new favorite method of potato-prep. These are to die for!

Oh, but one quick thing. These are best eaten hot fresh out of the oven (I mean, what isn’t?) for maximum crispiness. They taste great the next day as well, but don’t have the same french-fry like texture to them. Eater beware!

If you’re going to pin this recipe (please and thank you!), please pin the image below :).

Today I’m linking up with WIAW to share these beauts! Head on over if you want to see more delicious eats :).