The Border Cookbook's Creamy Crab Nachos

So although Aaron was freaked out by the name, and none of us were sure how these would be, we really liked them.  The boys and I gave these nachos a 9, and Aaron gave them an 8, but he also had them when they weren't warm anymore.  This meal is so super fast and easy, we loved it.

Each serving, and that is what is pictured, was 371 calories, and these are delicious.  I made just a few changes from the Border Cookbook's original recipe, but I pretty much followed it.  Here's what to do:

6 oz cream cheese

4 oz Monterey Jack cheese

1/4 c sour cream

1 chipotle chili in adobo sauce, chopped and seeded, and about 2 t sauce

1 garlic clove, minced

1/4 t cumin

8 oz Krab (imitation crab meat, but splurge on the real stuff if desired :))

6 oz tortilla chips

minced scallions for the top

tomatoes, avocados, and other toppings as desired

Preheat the oven to 400.  Mix all the ingredients, excluding the chips together.  This can be made ahead, and refrigerated until ready to bake.  Spread each chip with topping, cook them for 5 minutes on a cookie sheet.  Top with toppings and eat.

Make It With A Cake Mix's Maraschino Cherry Cupcakes

As you can tell from the name, this was a cake mix recipe.  I bought this cookbook, Make It With A Cake Mix recently, and when Aaron told me he needed something for a potluck for work the next day, I decided to try this one out.  The boys helped me decide which one to try, and this one turned out so well.  We all gave these a perfect 10, and they are super easy to make, and only 258 calories each, so not too bad!  The calories will differ based on cake mix brands/types, but that is what ours turned out being with 24 cupcakes.

1 box yellow cake mix
3 eggs
1/3 c oil
3/4 c milk
1/2 c sour cream
2 t almond extract
1 c maraschino cherries, roughly chopped

1 c butter, softened
1 1/2 t almond extract
3 1/4 c powdered sugar (may need more or less)

sprinkles

Preheat the oven to 350, and line muffin tins with liners.
Mix together the eggs, oil, milk, sour cream, and almond extract.  Sift in the cake mix, then fold in the cherries.  Fill the cupcakes, and cook for about 18 minutes, checking often.  Cool completely.

Beat the butter for a few minutes, then add in the almond extract.  Mix in the powdered sugar, then pipe the frosting onto the cupcakes, and top with sprinkles.  Serve

Michael Symon's Tomato Salad with Red Onion and Dill

So although I didn't love the way the meat turned out, and you can tell from the picture the meat wasn't great, the delicious salad from Michael Symon really hit the spot for us.  We love heirloom tomatoes anyway, and having the onions, cucumbers, peppers, and fresh dressing was great.  This was an easy salad to put together, let set while making the meat, and then have the salad and meat come together at the same time.  Anyway, each serving was 221 calories, and we all gave this a 9.  Here's what to do:

1 c thinly sliced red onion
1 lb heirloom tomatoes
1 garlic clove, minced
salt
1/4 c red wine vinegar
1/2 c olive oil
1 red bell pepper, cut into chunks
1 c thinly sliced cucumber
1/4 c chopped fresh dill
1/4 c chopped fresh mint

Cut the tomatoes into bite sized chunks.  Combine the garlic, salt, and the vinegar in a large bowl.  Whisk in the olive oil in a slow stream.  Add the onion, bell pepper, cucumber, dill and mint.  Let marinate for 15-20 minutes.  Add the tomatoes and toss gently to combine.  Season with salt to taste.  Serve immediately.

Absolutely Avocado's Cheese Bellied Guacamole Turkey Burger

These were a fast and easy dinner for us, and although kind of a calorie bomb, they were delicious.  Aaron and Noah gave them an 8, Noah because they were spicy, and Aaron because he had his cold, so didn't love it :).  Owen and I gave them a 9.  This recipe was from the Absolutely Avocado cookbook, and these are super easy.  I used Wholly Guacamole, and store bought buns, so these came together super quickly.  Each burger was 600 calories, so save up :)!

1 lb ground turkey
1 T paprika
1 T chili powder
1 sprinkle red pepper flakes
1 t garlic salt
4 slices pepper jack cheese
4 hamburger buns
2 t olive oil
4 slices bacon
1 package Wholly Guacamole
some cotija cheese

Combine the turkey with the chili powder, red pepper flakes, paprika, and garlic salt.  Make four balls of the turkey mixture, fold up a slice of pepper jack cheese, and form a patty around it to make four patties.  Warm the olive oil in a skillet, and cook the turkey on both sides until done.  Make your burger with buns, burgers, bacon, guac, and cotija cheese.

Michael Symon's Honey Nectarines

So although these weren't a hit with everyone in our house, Aaron for example thought they weren't sweet enough, I had to feature these because they are so unique and delicious.  Michael Symon came through with a winner for me again, I love that these aren't super sweet, and that they have such a great flavor.  These weren't too difficult, aside from the amount of nectarines to be chopped up, and they are a great summer side dish.  Each serving, and we made at least 10, is 141 calories, and you just need one pot for this, so nice and easy.  I gave this a 9, as did our friends who ate with us, but I think Aaron gave them a 6, and the boys gave them an 8.  Also, my keyboard is fully functional again--hooray!  Here's what to do:

3/4 c dry white wine or white grape juice (the grape juice would obviously make them a little sweeter, something to consider)
Juice of 3 limes
1/4 c honey
1 shallot, minced
12 nectarines, pitted and quartered
3 T chopped fresh mint
3 T pine nuts

Bring the juice or wine, lime juice, honey, and shallot to a simmer in large pan over medium heat.  Add the nectarines and cook until the mixture is syrupy, about 20 minutes.  Gently stir in the mint and pine nuts.  Serve hot or at room temperature.

We had this as a side dish, but Michael Symon also suggests using this as an ice cream topping, and that would be fabulous.

Sally's Baking Addiction's Ultimate Fudge Brownies with Peanut Butter Chips

It has been years since I have made brownies with cocoa powder rather than baking chocolate, but I have an over-abundance of peanut butter chips, and I wanted to do something with them.  These were really good brownies, and super easy.  I would've liked a more pronounced chocolate flavor, and if I could've found some special dark cocoa powder, I bet the chocolate flavor would've been outstanding.  Unfortunately, my local grocer doesn't carry anything but basic cocoa powder, so whatevs :).  Anyway, these were great, and at 235 calories a brownie, not super calorific.  Aaron gave them a perfect 10, and the boys and I gave them a 9.  Peanut butter and chocolate, can't be beat!  Follow the link for the recipe, I followed it almost exactly, I just didn't sprinkle some of the peanut butter chips on top.

Chinese Take-Out's Cashew Chicken

This was such a tasty dinner, and like all the recipes in Chinese Take Out, super easy, taking only about 30 minutes to complete.  The boys and I gave this a perfect 10, and Aaron gave this a 9 because although he loved the flavor and the cashews, he said he wanted more flavor.  I used chicken thighs in this, and I love how great the flavor is with thighs.  Without rice, each serving is 225 calories, when you divide it into six.

1 T soy sauce
1 T mirin
1 t cornstarch
1 lb chicken thighs, chopped into bite size pieces

2 T soy sauce
1 T mirin
1 T oyster sauce
2 t sesame chili oil

2 T vegetable oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 onion, chopped
1/2 jalapeno, chopped
1/2 c salted, roasted cashews

Marinate the chicken in the first three ingredients.  Set the chicken aside for 10-15 minutes.
Whisk together the soy sauce, mirin, oyster sauce and sesame chili oil, and set aside.
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat, then add the oil and swirl.  Add the garlic and stir fry about 20 seconds.  Add in the chicken, cook about 2 minutes, then add in the onions and jalapeno.  Cook for another 1-2 minutes.  Pour in the sauce and stir to coat the chicken.  Allow the sauce to warm and thicken, then add in the cashews and serve.