Corn Dog Muffins

This is my new FAVORITE hot dog recipe... such a great way to "health-ify" hot dogs in a way that kiddos love. :)

Corn Dog Muffins

INGREDIENTS:
4 light hot dogs, chopped up
1 box corn muffin mix
1 egg
3/4 cup skim milk
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS:

[1] Chop up hot dogs into bite size pieces.

[2] Mix all ingredients in a bowl.

[3] Using an ice cream scoop, scoop into a muffin tin sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.

[4] Bake at 400 degrees for 18-20 minutes.

[5] Cool.

[6] Serve to hungry grown ups and kids! I served with mashed potatoes & baked beans.

[7] See happy faces! :)

Creamy Chicken & Chile Casserole

This is a new favorite! It's the perfect blend of creamy to spicy to delicious! :) And it was SUPER easy! {Way easier then making enchiladas, which I love!}

Chicken & Chile Casserole

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups of cooked & cubed boneless skinless chicken
8 ounces cream cheese, I use low-fat
4-6 flour tortillas, depending on your pan size
1 can green chiles
1 can green enchilada sauce
1 bag shredded cheddar cheese, I use low-fat

DIRECTIONS:

[1] Mix together chicken, cream cheese, and green chiles.
[2] In a pan, layer: tortillas, spread the cream cheese mix over the tortillas, shredded cheese.
[3] Keep repeating layers. Top off the last layer of tortillas with the enchilada sauce and remaining cheese.
[4] Bake at 400 for 20 minutes. YUM!

Quick Balsamic Chicken

I am so on a balsamic kick right now. Ever since my hubby took me to Buca di Beppo for a date and they served that amazing bread with the best olive oil & balsamic vinegar ever...... yeah, can't get enough!

I found this chicken recipe online, made it, and used the chicken to top salad. Oh my goodness, I have a new favorite! And it couldn't be easier. Here goes:

Quick Balsamic Chicken



INGREDIENTS:
1 lb chicken tenders
1/2 cup - 3/4 cup balsamic dressing

DIRECTIONS:
[1] Pour dressing over chicken in a 13x9 pan.
[2] Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.

YUM!

Easiest Dinner Ever

I haven't had much luck trying anything too extravagant in the kitchen lately, being busy with a sick kiddo and lots going on... but I decided to do an old standby with a new trick for dessert that I saw in my Gooseberry Patch cookbook.... and it came out as the easiest dinner ever! But oh so yummy!

Pigs in a Blanket
w/ Broiled Pineapple Slices



Pigs in a Blanket

INGREDIENTS:
1 tube crescent dough {I use reduced fat}
4 light hot dogs, cut in half
4 slices of american cheese, cut in half

DIRECTIONS:
Roll each triangle of dough around a hot dog half and cheese half.
Spread out on a cookie sheet.
Bake at 375 for 20 minutes.




Broiled Pineapple Slices

INGREDIENTS:
4-5 slices fresh pineapple
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp cinnamon

DIRECTIONS:
Sprinkle each slice with brown sugar & cinnamon.
Broil in oven until bubbly and warm.



Serve these with veggie chips (thank you, Central Market) and you have the easiest dinner ever! Approved by hungry Mommys, Daddys, and one year old toddlers! :)

Sun-Dried Tomato & Avocado Quesadilla

This is one of those recipes I literally threw together with what I had around my pantry / fridge. One of my students had given me a really nice bottled sun-dried pesto that I just hadn't had a chance to try in anything yet. Inspired by the amazing Pioneer Woman and her recipe for turkey burgers, I whipped this up. One word: YUM.

Sun-Dried Tomato & Avocado Quesadilla

INGREDIENTS:
2 small flour tortillas
2 tbsp cream cheese (I used low-fat)
1 tbsp sun-dried tomato pesto
1/2 of an avocado, chopped
a handful of cheddar cheese (I used low fat)
butter

DIRECTIONS:
[1] Mix cream cheese and pesto until smooth.
[2] Place tortilla on hot buttered skillet. Spread a layer of cream cheese mixture, sprinkle diced avocado over that, and put on a handful of cheese. Top with second tortilla and flip with spatula when bottom starts to firm. Brown to your liking. Slice & serve!