Smash Burger Tacos and Corn paired with White Cheddar Shells & Cheese

 

Smash Burger Tacos and Corn paired with White Cheddar Shells & Cheese

I really liked this! I am writing this before I know if my family liked it, so I'll have to update so I can see if I should make this again. That's why I started this blog, to keep track of recipes I've made so I can remake favs. I have a terrible memory lol.

I would of preferred different pickles though. I only had Frank's Red Hot Dill Pickle Chips. Which sounds amazing in theory, I love Frank's. I go through several bottles a year even.  But these pickles aren't that great, I'm not sure what it is. Too much of a vinegar & cayenne flavor? I'm really not sure because I like those flavors too. Regular dill pickles would be better and I won't buy the Frank's pickles again.

So I actually made 8 tacos instead of the 6 that the recipe called for. After adding all the toppings there was plenty of meat on each one. I rolled the meat into 8 balls, then rolled them into salt and pepper and gave them a bit of a roll more. Then I squished them onto the flour tortillas, street taco sized. I might try to put the balls straight onto the pan then squish the tortilla on top next time.

I also used cheddar instead of provolone and I forgot to buy shredded lettuce so I just tore up some spring mix. Since the recipe only called for 2 tacos a person I also plated some leftover corn and I made a box of Annie's White Cheddar Shells & Cheese that I added pepper and garlic to. 

Click here for the Smash Burger Tacos recipe from Heartbeet Kitchen

Smashed Chicken Burgers with Cheddar and Parsley

 

Smashed Chicken Burgers with Cheddar and Parsley

My burgers were actually with cilantro instead of parsley. I ordered parsley for grocery pickup, but they were out and they tried to substitute it for kale. Luckily I had a bunch of cilantro at home I could use. They are phenomenal! So fresh tasting. They aren't dry at all like ground chicken burgers can be, and the salad is also delicious. I'd definitely make it again. Oh also they substituted the brioche buns for Hawaiian roll buns but they were still delicious.

 

  I also liked how quick this recipe is!

Click here for the recipe from NYT Cooking

Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes

 

Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes

I'm not a huge sloppy joe fan, but I do love Philly cheesesteaks! I came across this recipe while looking for low glycemic recipes. I had failed my 1 hour glucose test at 24 weeks pregnant, so I was worried I might have gestational diabetes. I passed the 3 hours though woohoo! But before I took the 3 hour test I was researching gestational diabetes and meal planned for the week as if I had it so I could try it out. It's really not that different then what I was eating before honestly. Except no more sweet treats which I've been indulging in way to much this pregnancy.

I liked how easy this was, but it was kinda bland. The most annoying part was chopping, but I have one of those choppers that empty into a bowl so that's quick. I also used ground beef instead of turkey because that's what I had, and I toasted the provolone on the bun instead of  mixing it into the sloppy joe mixture. I also added garlic because yum. If I make this again I'd put it on a hoagie roll instead of a bun so it didn't fall out. 

I actually made mine quesadilla style on a low carb tortilla. My sons plate had an extra turkey sandwich because we have a bunch of turkey to use up that my husband smoked and he's a teenager so he's always hungry.

The broccoli was just bagged broccoli that after I steamed I mixed with some queso, Frank's hot sauce, a dash of cayenne, a bit of garlic powder and smoked paprika.

Click here for the Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joe recipe by My Other More Exciting Self

Slow Cooker Mustard Ranch Chicken and Potatoes

 

Slow Cooker Mustard Ranch Chicken and Potatoes

This was a fail. I got out some chicken a couple days before I made this for another recipe I was going to make. We had just finished a jar of pickles so I marinated the chicken in the pickle juice with garlic. 

 But I'm pregnant and all of a sudden I could not stand the thought of even thinking about chicken. After it had been defrosting for like 3 days I had really had to do something with it because I just couldn't waste it. So I looked around on Pinterest for something where I had to do minimal work so I didn't have to think about it to much.

Here's what I came up with:

- 4 chicken breasts marinated in leftover pickle juice

- 1/2 bag yellow potatoes

- A bunch of ranch seasoning, garlic, salt/pepper, paprika, and a dash of cayenne

- Yellow mustard

- Ranch. I used a dill pickle flavored one

   Cut the yellow potatoes in half and put them in the bottom of a slow cooker. I ended up chopping the chicken in big chunks because I was worried since the chicken breasts were so big that they wouldn't cook by the time the potatoes were done. So I put the chicken chunks on the potatoes, and topped it with the seasonings then I poured the marinade over top. I then squirted mustard and dill pickle ranch over top. Then I put it on low for 8 hours. 

  I never really cook anything for that long but the chicken was so big. But that was where I went wrong I think lol. The flavor was good and the potatoes were great, but the chicken was incredibly dry. So next time maybe 6 hours? I really liked the pickle and garlic flavorings.

I served it with these Goodles, which were really good! I had tried the regular flavor and they weren't that great, but this hatch chili one was good, I'm definitely buying them again.

Creamy Salsa Chicken Skillet with Cilantro Lime Rice

 

Creamy Salsa Chicken Skillet with Cilantro Lime Rice

My husband smoked a ton of veggies and made a big batch of salsa with it, it's so good! So I thought this would be a great time to try this dinner, I've been wanting to make it for awhile but I always forget. In fact that's why I started this blog, so I stop forgetting recipes I've made lol. Plus you can never go wrong with BudgetBytes.

The only change I made to the recipe was I used pinto beans instead of black, and I didn't realize we were out of sour cream so I used enough cream cheese to add creaminess without tasting too much like cream cheese.

I used just 2 packs of microwaveable cilantro lime rice, the topped it with cheese, cilantro and crushed chips. You can really taste the smokiness from the salsa, it's amazing. We will definitely be having this next time he smokes salsa!! I'm sure it's good with store bought salsa, but I know it would be a lot more bland.

Click here for the Creamy Salsa Chicken Skillet recipe by Budget Bytes.

Protein Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Loaf

 

 Protein Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Loaf

I'm 22 weeks pregnant and I've been craving pumpkin chocolate chip, but I wanted it to be semi healthy. This is delicious!! It's hard not to eat a ton of it at once. I did do a couple things differently, mainly because of laziness. Instead of 1 cup of whole wheat flour (we don't have any) I was going to blend a cup of oats for oat flour. But I didn't want to do that so I just added a cup of quick oats. Instead of honey I used a few squirts of Truvia, because we are almost out of honey. I also used zero sugar chocolate chips, and the only protein powder I have is the Ryse Jet Puffed Marshmallow powder. I also just cooked it in an 8x8 pan.

It would be delicious with a little bit of peanut butter and sugar free maple syrup!

It's SO GOOD though and I'll definitely make it again! Not sure if anyone else likes it yet, no one has tried any for some reason. I know my husband wont try it because he's not a huge pumpkin fan, especially with chocolate. My youngest loves pumpkin so we'll see. I don't hate the idea that no one tries it though, more for me! :)

Click here for the Protein Pumpkin Bread by Oh Snap Macros