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! :)

Toddler Trail Mix

My little guy has been growing like a weed this summer, which means he is hungry ALL. THE. TIME. I have been on the hunt for toddler friendly recipes that he'll enjoy... and this one was a hit and he can eat it any time!

Toddler Trail Mix

INGREDIENTS:

1 package banana chips
1 package goldfish grahams
1/2 box honey nut cheerios (I used Central Market's organic kind)

DIRECTIONS:

Label a freezer bag with "Toddler Trail Mix".

Put all ingredients in bag. Shake well. Serve to hungry toddlers! :)

Fruit Pizza

I LOVE Summer! I LOVE fresh fruit, the bright colors, the yummy flavors... mmm! Today I made my own version of a classic :) FRUIT PIZZA! It came out not only as one of the prettiest things I've ever made, but also one of the yummiest.

INGREDIENTS:
1 roll reduced-fat crescent roll dough
1 container low-fat whipped cream cheese
1 tsp vanilla extract
about 2 tbsp sugar free banana pudding mix
assorted fresh fruit

DIRECTIONS:
[1] Roll out crescent roll dough onto a cookie sheet and press seams together to make a flat pizza crust. Bake at 375 for about 15 minutes.
[2] Cool for 15 minutes.
[3] Meanwhile, mix cream cheese with pudding mix and vanilla extract. Spread over crust.
[4] Top with fresh fruit! I used strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and mandarin oranges. YUM!
[5] Cut into squares and enjoy!

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! :)

Taco Mac & Cheese!

This was one of the first dishes I made for my hubby when we got married, and it still is one of his faves. Did you know Kraft now makes a macaroni and cheese that has a full serving of veggies? Makes you feel a LITTLE better about eating that comfort food ;) Anyway, this is spicy, yummy, and delish! Kent loved it too. :)

Taco Mac & Cheese

INGREDIENTS:
1 box macaroni & cheese
1 lb ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup salsa

DIRECTIONS:
[1] Prepare macaroni according to box.
[2] Meanwhile, brown beef in skillet, then mix in taco seasoning.
[3] Mix mac and cheese with ground beef and cheese in a 13x9 pan.
[4] Bake until cheese is melted and yummy. Top with salsa if desired! YUM!

chicken & spinach pasta bake

This pasta dish was SO easy, and another hit with Kent, {cut into bite size pieces, of course!} I just have to share it:

INGREDIENTS
8 oz rigatoni pasta, cooked & drained
8 oz chive & onion cream cheese
10 oz frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 1/2 cup shredded low-fat mozzarella
salt & pepper

DIRECTIONS
[1] Mix cream cheese, spinach, and 1/2 cup of the mozzarella well. Stir in pasta and pour into a large baking dish.

[2] Top with remaining mozzarella.

[3] Bake at 350, covered, for 30 minutes. Remove cover and bake for another 15 minutes.


[4] Enjoy! Kent sure did. :)


P.S.... My big boy looks HUGE in that high chair! He is growing too fast!