{to die for} Caramel Brownies

These are seriously delicious, I mean I didn't even have a chance to take a picture of the pan before they were gone!!!!!

Soft and Fluffy Ginger Cookies

{15 Minute} Chicken Chow Mein

This is such a quick, and easy meal, that is super yummy! The left overs are just as good!

{Healthier} Pumpkin Cookies

Fall is so wonderful! I love change! The leaves, the weather, the new smells, everything pumpkin! I love it all!

Ingredients:
3/4 C Brown Sugar
1 C rolled oats
1 1/2 C whole-wheat flour
1 3/4 tsp. Baking Soda
1/2 tsp. Baking Powder
2 tsp. Ground Cinnamon
1 tsp. Ground Nutmeg
1/2 C Pumpkin Puree
1 Tbsp. Applesauce
2 tsp. Water
2 Egg Whites
1 tsp. Molasses
1 Tbsp. Ground Flaxseed

Instructions:
Heat oven to 350 degrees.
1. Combine the first 7 ingredients {dry ingredients} and stir well to combine.
2. Stir in the pumpkin, applesauce, water, egg whites, molasses and flaxseed; mix well.
3. Roll into about 24 balls, and flatten on a cookie sheet.
4. Bake for 5-8 Minutes.


Serves app: 24
Per serving: 144 calories. 1.2 g fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 220 mg sodium, 36 g carbohydrates, 4 g protein


                                                                                   

{homemade} Spaghetti and meatballs

Spaghetti Sauce//

Ingredients:
10 ripe tomatoes
2 tbl olive oil
2 tbl butter
1 onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1/4 C fresh basil, chopped
1/4 tsp italian seasoning
2 tbl corn starch (+more for thickening)


Instructions:
1. Boil some water in a large pot. Prepare an ice bath (bowl of cold water with ice).
2. Once the water is boiling, place the tomatoes in the boiling water for about 1 minute or until the skin begins to peel
3. Remove the tomatoes and immediately place them in the ice water.
4. Peel the tomatoes and squeeze out the seeds
5. Chop 8 tomatoes and puree in a blender or food processor.
6. Chop the remaining 2 tomatoes and set aside
7. Next, in a large pan over medium heat, cook the onion, bell pepper, carrot and garlic in oil and butter until the onion starts to soften, about 5 minutes
8. Pour in the pureed tomato
9. Stir in chopped tomato, basil, and italian seasoning.
10. Bring to a boil, and then let simmer, and some cornstarch until desired thickness
{also add some S&P, Oregano, or thyme for a stronger flavor}

adapted from Mel's Kitchen

Meatballs//

Ingredients:
1 lb Ground Beef
3/4 C Bread Crumbs
3 cloves Garlic
2 Whole Eggs
3/4 Freshly Grated Parmesan
1/4 Parsley
S&P
Splash of Milk



Instructions:
1. Combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl
2. Form 1 1/2 inch round balls (makes about 25)
3. Place on a greased cookie shoot and bake at 350 degrees for about 25-30 minutes
4. Serve meatballs over spaghetti noodles and homemade sauce!

{The meatballs also freeze really well, so you can make them ahead of time and pull them out whenever you're feeling spaghetti!}


adapted from Pioneer Woman
                                                                                      

Hawaiian Haystacks {without the cream of blob soup}

I love this meal because it is SO fast! And very versatile-you can put any kind of toppings on it. The possibilities are endless! I also wanted to try a recipe that did not use the Cream of Chicken Soup--bleh! That stuff is so not good for you! This recipe turned out great, and tasted so yummy!!!

It made so much, I brought the leftovers to school with me :)

Delicious Sesame Chicken

Ingredients:
1 lb Boneless-skinless chicken breast, cubed
1 bottle sesame soy marinade
1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp red pepper flakes
3 egg whites
1 1/2 C cornstarch
1/2 C all-purpose Flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
4-6 cups Vegetable Oil
sesame seeds for garnish
Scallions, sliced, for garnish {optional}

Ingredients:
1. Thaw your chicken, and cut it into cubes.
2. Put chicken in a ziploc bag and pour 1 C marinade into bag, set in fridge for 30 minutes
3. Heat sesame oil in frying pan until sizzling
4. Drop in the garlic cloves and red pepper flakes and cook til fragrant
5. Heat the oil in a large skillet
6. Pour the egg whites into a small bowl and whisk until frothy
7. In another bowl mix the cornstarch, flour and baking soda
8. Take out the chicken from the fridge and pat dry with a towel
9. Dip the chicken into the egg whites, and then into the dry mixture, and drop into the oil, fry until cooked
10. Placed cooked chicken on a plate lined with paper towels to let the oil drip off
11. When all the chicken is cooked, placed chicken in a bowl and pour marinade over the chicken until well mixed. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top and scallions.
12. Serve with white rice!