Ritz Breakfast Bake

A simple and affordable meal, that can be adapted to mostly any taste, by adding extra veggies, some additional protein, and using your favorite CHEESE :) This recipe is cooked up in a 9x13 dish, but you could half the ingredients and make it in an 8x8 if that better suits your needs.

Ingredients:
36 ritz crackers (about 1 sleeve) crushed fine, I put mine in my mini food processor
12 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 tbs onion powder
2 cups prepared white gravy (pour-able consistency, but not water thin)
1/2 cup cheese

Preheat oven to 375. Spray glass 9x13 dish with cooking spray. Spread the crushed crackers in the bottom of the dish. Drizzle the gravy as evenly as possible over the cracker crumbs. In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs, milk and onion powder until well combined and pour this evenly over the gravy and cracker base. Top with cheese. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until puffed and cooked through. Serve and Enjoy! This would be great topped with some salsa, hot sauce, or as my hubby like it, with maple syrup :)

Serves 8 at 7 PointPlus
Serves 6 at 9 PointsPlus
Serves 4 at 14 PointsPlus




*this recipe was originally posted as a guest post over on Coupon Savings In The South! Drop by and check out her page!

Linked at: the Latest Find, Recipe of the week: Eggs

Peanut Butter Banana Bread {Secret Recipe Club}

Another month, with another wonderful Secret Recipe Club assignment! If you are new to my blog and are unsure of what the Secret Recipe Club is, each month the members are secretly assigned another member from the group, and then we go and find an irresistible recipe to recreate and post on our own blog.  It is so much fun to browse through the other blogs and find awesomely wonderful recipes to make :)  A big shout out to Amanda, the founder of this wonderful club, and to Suzanne, the hostess of group B who helps us keep all of our stuff together :).


This month, I was assigned Allison's Blog, Sweet Flours. Allison is from the West Coast and she also has another blog site called Have the Cake. I highly suggest checking out both pages!  Her blog is full of so many wonderful recipes, with such a great variety of ingredients, I was having trouble choosing! Would it be the Pepperoni Pizza Puffs, Pesto Meatballs, or Jalapeno Sausage Cheese and Egg Braid? I actually ended up baking, and making the Peanut Butter Banana Bread :) Thank you for being in the SRC Allison and allowing me the chance to wander around your blog and discover tons of yummy new recipes! <3 I didn't have an actual loaf pan, so I baked this in a 2 quart baking dish and will have wide thin slices :) Allison also added a glaze to her bread, which I decided against for the time being but I will probably try it later!


Printable Recipe
Ingredients: 
1/2 cup ground oats
1 cup white flour
1/4 ground flax seed
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon


1 1/2 cup ripe mashed bananas (about 3 large bananas)
1/3 cup fat free vanilla yogurt
2 eggs
1/3 cup creamy honey roast peanut butter
2 tbs melted coconut oil


1/2 cup brown sugar blend


Preheat oven to 350. Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl (except the sugar blend), stir til well combined. In a separate mixing bowl, combine the wet ingredient and beat til well combined. Beat the sugar blend in to the wet ingredients, then beat the wet and dry ingredients together. Pour in to baking dish ( 9x5 loaf pan or 2 quart rectangle baking dish) that has been sprayed with pan spray, smoothing the top, and bake for 50-65 or until cooked through. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out and cool on a wire rack.

Serves 20 at 3 PPV

Serves 16 at 4 PPV

Serves 12 at 5 PPV

Ugli Fruit

Have you heard or seen Ugli Fruit before? And I don't mean the funky moldy stuff :)
Ugli Fruit:

Yes, that is grass behind the saucer.
and yes, i was in the front yard in my PJ's
and yes my husband came around the house and asked if I was trying to find good lighting :)

I have seen these in the produce sections a few times and finally decided to pick one up. I got this ugli from Walmart! After reading some online about suggestions on how to eat and how to prepare it, I learned  that it is easy to peel and eat. I cut the top part a but at the stem to get it started, but then the skin peeled off really easily. Much cleaner than any orange I have ever eaten.

I really enjoyed the flavor of the fruit and so did Ed. I even caught him snagging an extra section out of the fridge and that surprised me. It has a citrus flavor but is very sweet and juicy!

For more information on ugli fruit, check out the links below:

How to buy an Ugli Fruit

Health Benefits of Ugli Fruit 

Uses for Ugli Fruit

Tuna Bites

It has literally been years since I have had Tuna Bites. Even scrounging the internet, I didn't have much luck finding a recipe for a spice blend. These turned out really really great. Perfect for an appetizer, or on top of a salad. Awesomeness, bite sized!

Ingredients:
6 oz Ahi (yellowfin) Tuna Steaks, cute in to 1-2 inch cubes
1 tsp cajun seasoning
1/2 tsp old bay
1/4 tsp curry powder
1/2 tsp garlic pepper
1 tbs Virgin Coconut Oil

Preheat skillet over medium high heat. Combine all dry spices in a bag, mixing bowl or small plastic container. Shake or stir to combine. Put tuna cubes in to seasoning and coat well. Add coconut oil to hot pan to melt. Carefully add the seasoned tuna to the hot oil, cooking on each side for 1-3 minutes depending on how rare or well done you want the tuna. Serve and enjoy!

Makes:

1 serving @ 8 PPV

2 Servings @ 4 PPV

4 Servings @ 2 PPV

Linked at: Melt in your Mouth Monday, Mop it up Monday, Hunk of Meat Monday, Weigh In Wednesday, Newly Weds Linky, What's New Wednesday, Fit and Fabulous Fridays, The Latest Find

Whole Wheat French Toast

We love breakfast foods. If we could get away with eating them for every meal, everyday, we could go for a very very very long time before getting bored with it. This is a more "whole" food version of my standard french toast. And it is yummy, to boot. WIN WIN!

Ingredients:

• 3 Eggs
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1/2 tbs vanilla extract
• 2 tbs flax meal
• 3/4 tbs cinnamon
• 6 slices Whole Wheat Bread (I used Arnold's), cut in half

Preheat griddle or skillet over medium heat, spray with pan spray. Combine all ingredients, except for bread, in a mixing bowl. Dip the bread slices in the egg mix and cook til golden brown on both sides. Serve and enjoy!

3 Serving @ 8 PPV
4 Servings @ 6 PPV

Linked at: The Latest Edition

Roasted Tomato Basil Frittata

When I made the Roasted Tomatoes, I knew that I needed a dish to put them in, and since these egg bakes are fabulous for my hubby's breakfasts, I incorporated them in to the ingredients. The results were delicious!



Print Recipe

Ingredients:
8 Eggs
1/4 heaping cup green onions, diced
1/2 recipe Quick & Dirty Roasted Tomatoes
1/4 shredded cheese, with 2% milk
6 slices deli lunch ham

Preheat oven to 375 and spray 9 inch glass pie pan with cooking spray. Beat together all ingredients and pour in to pan. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until cooked through. Serve and enjoy!

Serves 4 @ 6 PPV
Serves 2 @ 11 PPV


Linked at : Fit and Fabulous Fridays,  Feed your Soul, What's New Wednesday, Mop It Up Mondays

Crockpot BBQ Beer Chicken

I think most people love a good crockpot recipe. This dandy little machine that I didn't want but registered for as a wedding present anyways has come in handy and has been so helpful over the past few years! For those of you who saw YESTERDAY'S POST, this is another recipe from The Bitchin' Kitchin' Blog. And it is Absolutely fabulous and very flavorful!

Crockpot BBQ Beer Chicken

Print Recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast
• 3 tbs minced onion
• 1 tbs paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 3 tbs hot sauce
• 12 oz beer (we used Miller High Life Light)
• 18 oz Sweet Baby Rays Hickory & Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce
• 6 oz Kraft Light BBQ Sauce

Combine the dry spices and season the chicken breast. Add chicken to the crock pot (I used a 6 qt). Top with hot sauce, beer and BBQ sauces. Cook on low for 5-8 hours or until cooked through and chicken easily falls apart. Serve and Enjoy!

12 Servings @ 6 PPV

18 Servings @ 4 PPV

24 Servings @ 3 PPV

Supposed to be Almond Joy-ish Cake Batter Cookies Turned Brownie Cookies

While we were visiting Lorin, Billy & Madi, she made some awesome cake batter cookies :)
The recipe originally found here has been altered to achieve a different taste!
The flavor is good but the coconut and almond didn't POP like I wanted it too, but I have ideas on how to fix that!

Ingredients:
1 box devils food cake mix
2 eggs
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
1/4 cup applesauce (super fine, pureed)
1/2 tsp almond extract
1 tsp baking powder

While you are prepping, pull your eggs out of the fridge so they can get to be not so cold :)
Preheat oven to 350. Mix all of the above ingredients in a mixing bowl until well combined. If you pour the cold egg on the melted coconut oil, it will solidify. That is your warning. Shape in to balls or drop by teaspoonfuls on to a baking sheet that has been sprayed with pan spray and bake for 10-12 minutes. These babies spread, so don't crowd your pan!

Makes approximately 36 cookies at 2 Points+ each!





Linked at : Sugar me up!

Slimmed Down Loaded Potato & Buffalo Chicken Casserole

I was in love with this recipe as soon as I saw it!
Lisa over at Cook Lisa Cook is the mastermind behind this recipe. This recipe is definitely a keeper. My best ol' buddy ol' pal of mine cooked this for us when we visited over the weekend, and then I made it again when we got home so Ed could have some to take to work as his dinners. It is so so so good! I made some minor alterations but nothing too crazy! Thank you Lisa for the great recipe and thank you Lorin for cooking it for me, so I would know it is good enough to make again!

Ingredients:
1.1 lb cubed boneless skinless chicken breast
1 3/4 lb potatoes, cubed (I peeled mine)
2 tbs olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 tbs onion powder
1 tbs ground black pepper
1 tbs paprika
1 tbs garlic salt with parsley
6 tbs hot sauce
2 tbs light butter, melted

Topping:
8 oz Mexican Four Cheese Blend
6 oz center cut bacon, cooked crisp and diced
1 cup diced green onion

Preheat oven to 500. Spray 9x13 baking dish with pan spray. In a large bowl, mix together the oil, salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, butter and hot sauce. Add in the cubed potatoes and stir to coat. Carefully scoop out the potatoes in to the baking dish leaving behind as much of the hot sauce mixture as possible. Spread them in a single layer and bake for 40-50 minutes, stirring every 10-15 minutes, until cooked and crispy brown.  While the potatoes are cooking, add the cubed chicken to the remaining hot sauce mix and stir until well coated, refrigerate. Once the potatoes are cooked, reduce the heat on the oven down to 400. Top the cooked potatoes with the chicken. In a separate bowl, mix the cheese, green onion and bacon until well combined. Sprinkle the cheese mix evenly over the chicken. Return to oven and cook for 15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Serve and enjoy!

This stuff is GOOD. Ed liked it how it was and Lorin, Billy and I added some ranch dressing to cool the heat down some :)

I used regular shredded cheese so the PPV are as follows:
8 servings @ 8 PPV
6 Servings @ 11 PPV

If you used 2% cheese, it would look more like this
8 Servings @ 7 PPV
6 Servings @ 9 PPV

Thank you again Lorin for being super awesome :) <3 You rock my world!



linked at : Meal time monday, Feed your Soul, The Latest Edition, Melt In Your Mouth Monday, Mop it up monday,

Chicken, Broccoli and Brown Rice Bake

This turned out really good. Mainly just leftovers we had, that needed to be eaten. :) Recipe inspired by the one on the back of the Jiffy box, but just very loosely :D

Ingredients:
3/4 lb cooked chicken breast, cubed
14 oz cooked broccoli
1 cup cooked brown rice
3/4 cup shredded 2% cheese
1 1/2 cup Jiffy baking mix
2 Eggs
1 cup milk
1/.3 tsp seasoned salt
1/3 tsp black pepper

Preheat oven to 375. Spray 9x13 baking dish with pan spray. Mix the chicken, broccoli, rice and cheese in the baking dish, spreading evenly over the bottom. Combine the remaining ingredients in a mixing bowl and beat til well combined. Pour in baking dish over the chicken mixture, then stir until everything is mixed well. Cook for 20-35 minutes or until set and cooked through!

Servings:
12 at 5 PP
8 at 7 PP
6 at 9 PP
4 at 14 PP




Linked At: Newlyweds Recipe Linky, Melt in your Mouth Monday,

Ham and Spinach Frittata

Ingredients:
8 eggs
1/4 cup milk (skim)
2 oz diced peppers ( I used red, orange, and yellow sweet bell peppers )
1/2 small red onion, diced
1 cup baby spinach, wilted
1 2 oz ham slice, cubed
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (2%)
1 tsp olive oil

Preheat oven to 375. Spray 9 inch glass pie dish with pan spray. Stir fry the onions and peppers together in oil, then wilt spinach in pan. Combine cooked veggies and dice until well distributed. In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs with milk, then add in veggies and ham. Pour in to prepared dish and top with shredded cheese. Bake for 30 minutes or until cooked through. Serve and enjoy!

8 Servings @ 2 PPV
4 Servings @ 5 PPV



Linked at : Foodie Friday, Fit and Fabulous Friday, Foodie Friday linkup, Fusion Friday,  The Latest Edition, Melt in Your Mouth Monday

Eggplant Spaghetti Bake

Looking back at most of my recent recipes, it seems I have a slight addiction to putting things in a 9x13 baking dish and baking my little heart out. When I first started cooking, when Ed and I first got to South Carolina, it was "We can make this a sandwich". ( I blame this on my four year stint working at Subway :D) Now it seems it's "Let's make it a casserole". LOL These types of dishes are well suited for cooking in advance, where you can just cut off a portion, heat up and you have a nice easy meal.


Ingredients:
3/4 lb eggplant sliced in to 1/4 inch rounds
1/2 lb 93/7 ground turkey, browned
5 oz Ronzoni Garden Delight Spaghetti Noodles, cooked and drained
1 7oz can mushrooms, drained
2 14.5 oz cans stewed tomatoes
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic salt and pepper
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 400. Spray baking sheet with pay spray and place eggplant in a single layer. Roast in over for  about 10 minutes, until tender, flipping once. Spray 9x13 baking dish with pan spray, layer eggplant on bottom of dishes. Either in a mixing bowl, or in the pan you browned the turkey, mix together all remaining ingredients except the cheese. Stir til well combined then pour over the eggplant. Top with shredded cheese, cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.

Makes 6 servings @ 6 PPV
Makes 4 Servings @ 9 PPV


Linked at:
Amee's Fit and Fabulous Fridays,

Steak Bit Lasagna

Ed loves lasagna; I love lasagna. I hadn't made any since I tried to make some crockpot lasagna. Oh, you haven't seen that recipe? Totally not blog worthy :) Maybe when I rework it some. This lasagna came about as an effort to use the ingredients I had on hand, so while it may not be a super decadent lasagna, it ain't too bad :)

Ingredients:
9 no boil lasagna noodles ( I used barilla)
.4 lb boneless shoulder beef steak, any gristle removed, cut in to bits
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp chopped onion
1 24 oz jar Ragu Super Chunky Mushroom Pasta Sauce
1 14.5 oz can italian diced tomatoes ( I pureed mine)
1/8 tsp parsley
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese


Preheat oven to 375. In a small skillet, brown meat in pan, add red pepper flakes and chopped onion. Remove from heat. In a mixing bowl, mix the pasta sauce, tomatoes and remaining spices. Stir well to combine. Spray glass 9x13 baking dish with pan spray and begin layering the ingredients. Start with 1/4 of the sauce mix, topped with 3 of the no boil noodles, 1/3 of the meat mixture and 1/4 of the cheese. Repeat process, ending with sauce and cheese. Cover dish with foil and bake for 60 minutes.

Makes 4 Large servings @ 11 PPV
Makes 6 Servings @ 8 PPV
Makes 8 Servings @ 6 PPV

YUM!


Linked at:
Cast Party Wednesday, Recipe of the Week: Red Meat Masterpieces

Taco Chili Soup

This past weekend, my mom and granny went shopping with me :) We had fun going to thrift and consignment shops around town. When it was time for lunch, Ed met us at a locally owned restaurant, Roseanne's. She always has lovely home cooked foods at great prices. As we were leaving, Ed spotted a sign for Taco Soup, so I figured I would give it a go.

Ingredients:
1/2 lb 91/9 ground turkey, browned
1 1.25oz packet of taco seasoning
1 cup water
1 14.5oz can Diced Chili Tomatoes (or regular diced tomatoes with some chili powder mixed in)
1 10oz can Rotel Mexican Lime and Cilantro Tomatoes.

Brown Turkey in a deep skillet. Mix in remaining ingredients, stirring well to combine. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat, cooking for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Have a bowl, top some cornbread, or dip some chips in for a yummy meal!

Depending on how you are going to serve it up:
Serves 4 at 4 PointsPlus each
Serves 8 at 2 PointsPlus each

PS and for your viewing pleasure, one of the great finds from the thrift stores :)

It's a good thing he loves me!! :)