Spaghetti Squash Stir-Fry

Who doesn't love a stir fry??

Anyone for quick and easy?

Even better, one that's easy on the waist line?

This one is all of the above!

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Let me give you the rundown on this dish-

I start out by choosing and chopping my veggies, meat and mushrooms.

Then spray the wok with a light layer of olive oil and add in the meat-in this case I chose

Jennie-o turkey keilbasa, and then I throw in the veggies, starting with the ones that take longer to cook and slowly add the rest in towards the end.

Here's what I chose for veggies-cauliflower, bell peppers-all colors, cabbage, a little red onion, and right at the end spinach.

At the end I add a couple tablespoons of either a sweet and sour sauce or teriyaki sauce and give it a toss to coat.

Prepare squash-slice in half, lay face down in pan of water and microwave 10 minutes.

Scrape out the "noodles" onto waiting plates.

Top with stir-fry mix.

Enjoy!!

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Brown Sugar Banana Bread

This bread is a little something different than the average Banana Bread with the addition of brown sugar. I actually used dark brown sugar to add just a bit more flavor.

I found this recipe on allrecipes.

I love this site, they have thousands of recipes with bunches of variety of the same type of recipe.

Back to the bread:)

It's a pretty quick to throw together and it smells heavenly while baking!

The cinnamon adds a nice spicy flavor-I always add more than the recipe calls for-and on a whim I decided to pour on a packet of Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal before baking:)

Next time I think I'll mix the oatmeal with a little butter first then press it into the batter.

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I just happened to have the Kirby people over trying to convince me that my 6/7 year old Kirby needed to be updated even though in a side by side test my "ancient" thing did pretty good;)

Anywhoo...I asked the girl {Sheena is her name;)} if she would taste test the bread for me and I would post her review on my blog. She was more than willing since the whole time she was here it was baking away in the oven! She, as it turned out, is a total foodie and food blog junkie like myself!! So as she put away her stuff, we chatted about the different food sites we always check out, I showed her my little blog:) When her supervisor {whom I'm fairly certain barely graduated high school} came back to pick her up he found us chatting it up about foodie stuff and was totally floored that people actually talk/get excited about all things food!

He kept saying "I can't believe we are having this conversation!!"

I offered him a slice of this bread and of course he jumped at the chance;)

I'm kinda thinking he might have liked it a little by his reaction and of course all the praise he kept dishing out for the yumminess of the bread-best banana bread he ever had or so he said;)

Sheena thought it was awesome too-"This is real butter!?!?!!"

And then they left and I felt good about giving those starved looking kids something deliciously homemade!

So this one is "Kirby-people" approved!!

TeeHeehee;)

Enjoy!!

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Turkey Boats

These zucchini boats are quick, easy, healthy and yummy!

Here's what you'll need:

Ground chicken or turkey-browned

2 medium sized zucchini

green onion-chopped

cumin

oregano

basil

garlic salt

salt and pepper

Mrs. Dash table blend

fat-free or light cheese

Take 1 zucchini peeled and dice it up-make sure to scoop out seeds.

Spray a saute pan with olive oil cooking spray and toss in the diced zucchini and green onions

garlic salt, pepper and basil.

Saute until zucchini is softened.

Here you can add in some of your favorite veggies to steam like spinach.

Set aside

To the saute pan, add the ground chicken, cumin, salt and pepper.

Cook and stir until browned.

Meanwhile scoop out the other zucchini to form "boat"

pop into the oven for about 10 mins-just to softened

you can also microwave for 2 to 3 mins instead.

grate cheese I used cheddar but you can use whatever you like.

line the bottom of the boats

Top cheese with the chicken/turkey and sprinkle with remaining cheese.

Top with a drizzle of BBQ sauce.

Enjoy!!

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Smokies

These are a great appetizer for New Years Eve or even a snack for other parties. These are so simple and are so DELISH!!!  They were a hit with even the kiddos…

3 simple Ingredients:

3 lbs. of smokies, any flavor or a mixture {we like the jalapeño and cheddar ones}

12 oz. apple jelly

1c regular mustard

Mix apple jelly and mustard well. Place all in a Crockpot and heat till smokies do not pop when you bite into them and that's all there is to them!!!

I'm sorry I don't have a picture of the finished product but when they are done they brown up and caramelize a little…you’re just going to have to take my word that they are delish!!!

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Almond Roca Cake

I do realize that most people are probably thinking health food but....

hurry and make this before you make those nasty New Years resolutions!!

I just had to post this one since I've been hinting at it for the last few weeks!

If you have a birthday or know someone who has a birthday coming up or if you just want cake..

I highly recommend this decadent, chocolatey, creamy cake/wonder!!

I made this for my hubby's birthday, who absolutely loves almond roca candy, so I figured I try to come up with a cake that tastes the same and it turned out perfectly;)

Start out with a basic chocolate cake.

Bake in 2 9 inch round pans.

Layer on filling {printable}

Drizzle with caramel

throw on some more filling

Layer cakes on top of each other

You can kinda see the yummy Almond Roca I made to top the cake.

coat the whole cake in a semi-thick layer of the filling

Make the chocolate ganache {printable}

drizzle over-Mmmmyummy!

Then sprinkle with some remaining almond roca.

Enjoy this cake soon you can work-out the next day;)

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Chicken Mini Empanadas

With New Year’s Eve right around the corner we thought we would try to post a few appetizer recipes that are very yummy and are sure to please everyone!!! For our Christmas family get together with my hubby’s side of the family we decided to do all different appetizers for Christmas supper…{Great idea}So I knew I wanted to try these…and EVERYONE loved these…so yummy..
The inside is the perfect Mexican mix….chicken, black olives, salsa, and shredded Mexican cheese..
Serve with guacamole, sour cream or with some salsa.


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adapted from Food Network Magazine

Cinnamon Dolce White Chocolate Cupcakes

This cupcake for Merry Mondays is an ode to my sister:)

Her favorite drink from Starbucks is the Cinnamon Dolce White Chocolate Mocha.

I can't believe this is the last Merry Monday-it's been so much fun!!

Thanks Taylor and Claire for teaming up to host!!

This is one sweet cupcake and I'm told it tastes exactly like the drink-Yay!! I've never actually tasted this drink but I might sneak a taste next time she gets it;)

I love the sweetness of the white chocolate paired with the spicy cinnamon and then there is the meringue filling-to die for good!!!

Our inspiration:)

We started with a basic white cake mix which we added the cinnamon dolce syrup to.

We wanted really light and airy cupcakes so we used egg whites and they were perfectly fluffy:)

Cut out the center...

then over flowed them with the meringue filling..

topped them off with a delectable white chocolate frosting/glaze.

A sprinkle of spicy Saigon cinnamon finished them off quite perfectly!

Enjoy these with a cup of strong coffee;)

Merry Monday to you all!!

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