Creamy Spinach + Mushroom Pasta

I'm a huge pasta lover, I could eat pasta every day. I swear, EVERY. DAY. Recently I have been on the search for recipes to try. The older I get the less I can stand the taste of fast food, so that means I have to cook more. Everyone in the house is loving it, and I admit, I feel much better not eating as much fast food.

I ran across this creamy spinach and mushroom pasta on Pinterest. This was a healthy take on pasta from Diethood.com.

I'm going to refer you to her site for all the instructions: HERE.

One thing I will say is that my taste buds has not fully converted over to being healthy, so this recipe was a little too healthy for me. I need a little grease and fat, but still the taste was good. My family ate it up so that's usually a sign for me.

I def see myself adding this recipe to my menu with some small tweaks, such as using chicken broth instead of veggie broth and also adding grilled chicken. I also love sauce so I'll be making double the sauce that this recipe calls for.

Now here's a little secret, I starts a new page on Instagram following this Pinterest Recipe trying experience. You can follow that page HERE or search: www.instagram.com/thepinspiredkitchen.

If you try this recipe from Diethood, tell me your thoughts!

Fried Mac -n- Cheese Balls

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #NaturallyCheesy #CollectiveBias

Tis the season for great food! I love this time of the year, with all the back to back holidays, you can guarantee that the eating will be good! There are so many great recipes I have found on cyber space that I'm so excited to try over the holiday. Over the weekend I got the taste for some fried mac - n- cheese balls. So I headed up to my local Walmart and grabbed everything I needed, including some Kraft Natural Shredded Cheese.

Today, I want to share a easy recipe that you can easily throw together as an appetizer, Fried Mac -n- Cheese Balls. If you like to host gatherings around the holidays this will be the perfect additional to your menu. Plus, my daughter gave me the seal of approval on these so I'm sure you will love them too!

Ingredients:

Pasta

1. 8oz Macaroni Pasta

2. 1 Teaspoon Salt

Cheese Sauce

1. 1/4 Cup Butter

2. 1/4 Cup Flour

3. 1 1/2 Cup Milk

4. 1/8 Teaspoon Nutmeg

5. 1/2 Teaspoon Salt

6. 1 Teaspoon Pepper

7. 1/4 Teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce

8. 1 Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes

9. 2 Cup Kraft Natural Shredded Cheese (Cheddar)

Breading

11. 2 Eggs

12. 1/4 Cup Milk

13. Vegetable Oil

Directions:

Pasta - Boil pasta according to package directions. Add teaspoon of salt to water. 

Sauce - Melt butter in large pan over medium heat. When butter foams add flour to pot. Stir flour into butter until it turns a light yellow. Wisk in 1/2 cup of milk. Wisk until it thickens and then pour in remaining milk. Add nutmeg, black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, salt and red pepper flakes and stir. Bring mixture to a simmer. While simmering add Kraft Natural Shredded Cheese, a handful at a time, and stir. Let simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently. 

Combine macaroni and cheese sauce in bowl. Add a handful of Kraft Natural Shredded Cheese and stir. Place bowl in refrigerator to cool noodles. 

After macaroni cools, form balls out the macaroni and added Kraft Natural Shredded Cheese to balls. Create balls and place on wax paper. Pleases cheese balls in freezer for a couple of hours.

Breading - In small bowl combine two eggs and milk. Take your frozen balls and roll in the egg mixture and then roll in bread crumbs. If you like it extra breaded, roll again in eggs and bread crumbs to double coat. Please balls in deep fryer and fry for 3-4 minutes at 350 degrees.

Lastly, add some dipping sauce and enjoy!  These little balls are so cheesy and delicious! 

So tell me, what cheesy recipes will you be putting together over the holiday. Check out more recipes ideas HERE!

Also, this get this cheesy goodness from the cheese department at your local supermarket!

EASY FISH TACOS

Here's a quick meal that takes literally 10 minutes to put together! I'm a new fan of fish tacos. They are sooooo good. Here's how I throw these together in 10 minutes

You'll Need:
Fish (I love Tilapia so that what I used)
Fish Fry Mix (You can make your own, but I'm going for the quick route so pick up your fave fish fry mix from the grocery store)
Corn
Shredded Lettuce
Diced Tomato
Colby Jack Shredded Cheese
Tarter Sauce
Parsley
Butter
Pepper
Soft Tortillas

Do This:
1. Coat Tilapia in your Fish Fry Mix
2. Deep fry Tilapia for 4-5 minutes, or until golden brown
3. Cook Corn on stovetop seasoning with spoonful of butter and pepper to taste
4. Combine everything in tortilla shell. I layered as lettuce, tarter sauce, tilapia, diced tomatoes, corn, cheese and parsley
5. Enjoy!

Yummy Strawberry + Banana Smoothie!

I swear I could drink smoothies all day! I usually hit up Smoothie King or McDonalds to get my fix. Yesterday, while me and my mom were out at Home Depot we ran across a great deal. A simple stainless steel blender for $9.88!

Now, I'm a smoothie making machine! I just got my blender yesterday and I'm already cranking out smoothies! I don't know why I never got a blender before.. but now that I have one.. I'll never let go!

So want to make the Strawberry + Banana Smoothie I made today?

Here's what you need:

Yum! My Mom's Salmon Patties

A little over two weeks ago, I called my mom and ask her if she wanted to come over for dinner. She of course said yes...but little did she know she would be doing the cooking! I admit, I didn't let her know my master plan when I called..but hey.. who doesn't like home cooked meal from their mom!

I already had planned what I wanted her to make.. SALMON PATTIES. I love her salmon patties! I can really eat them all day!  So today I will be sharing how she makes them.

Here's what you need to make these yummy patties:

15 Minute Meal Idea: Buffalo Chicken Wraps

Let me say this... I am by no means a chef or great in the kitchen. There are a few things I have made that others have really loved! These are the recipes that I will be sharing. They are simple, easy, unconventional, and no where near proper..but they work and they are tasty! I am in the process of learning how to be a better cook...and of course sharing my experiences. 

This is hands down one of my favorite meals to throw together. I'm a busy lady and cooking usually gets very little of my time. One of the quickest ways to a full stomach in my house is through Buffalo Chicken Wraps & French Fries. They are easy and quick to make and seem to be a favorite 'round here.

Simple & Easy Baked Lemon and Garlic Tilapia

Let me say this... I am by no means a chef or great in the kitchen. There are a few things I have made that others have really loved! These are the recipes that I will be sharing. They are simple, easy, unconventional, and no where near proper..but they work and they are tasty! I am in the process of learning how to be a better cook...and of course sharing my experiences.

Today I made Baked Tilapia for lunch. Baked Tilapia is one my most favorite things to cook. It's quick, easy, and healthy! ...and I hear it's pretty good.

Ingredients:

Tilapia Filets

Black Pepper

Lawry's Garlic Salt

Lemon Juice

Parsley Flakes

Spoonful of melted butter

1. Thaw fish and preheat oven to 425 degree 

2. Pour lemon juice in small sauce - Dip tilapia filets in lemon juice covering both sides

3. Place fish in a foil lined pan

4. Coat back side of fish with generous, but even amount of black pepper

5. Flip fish over and pour melted butter over the fish (I like to poke little holes in the fish)

6. Coat fish with black pepper (light amount), garlic salt (medium to light), and parsley flakes (medium amount)
7. Add a little water to bottom of pan 

8. Bake for 12-15 minutes

9. Add your favorite sides and enjoy!

Will you be trying this recipe? If so, I would love to hear about it!

-alaya 

Linked to:
Too Much Time on My Hands 
It's Overflowing with Creativity
The Country Cook - Weekend Potluck