Brown Sugar Blondies

I love blondies of any form.  They are chewy and delicious!  These were so quick and easy to put together and the family absolutely loved them!  I thought they turned out pretty cute with a little Valentine M&M's added to them.  They didn't last long in our house that is for sure!

Rating: 4 stars  Difficulty of Recipe: 1 star
Review:  I really did love how easy these were.  They were gone so fast that I might double the recipe next time and make them in a 9x13.

Ingredients:
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup to 1 1/3 cup M&Ms

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  Set aside.
2. Melt 1/3 cup butter.  Cool slightly.  In a mixer or seperate bowl, add the butter to 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar and mix well.  Add the egg (beaten) and vanilla and mix well.
3. Add the flour mixture a little at a time and mix well.  Mix in 2/3 cup M&M's.  
4.  Spread in a greased 9x9x2 inch pan.  Spinkle 1/3 to 2/3 cup M&M's on the top.
5.  Bake for 20-35 minutes.  
Recipe from: Baked Perfection

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Skinny Chipotle Black Bean & Turkey Enchiladas

There are just certain recipes that I find that I know that I will love.  This was one of those recipes.  I love turkey meat and black beans.  The spices and flavor in these were awesome. I love not having to compromise on taste while eating a low calorie meal.  278 calories to be exact.  And these are just what I needed to get back on track from my Sweethearts Buddies binge.  Dang those delicious creations!  

Rating: 4 stars  Difficulty of Recipe: 3 stars
Review:  This recipe has a little bit of a kick to it because of the chipotle peppers but the flavor is awesome.  These were alot easier to put together than I thought and using turkey meat made a great change to your regular enchilada.  I will be making these a lot before my cruise because they were healthy and delicious!

Ingredients:
Meat filling mixture:
1 lb extra lean ground turkey
15.5 can black beans, drained and rinsed
4.5 oz can chopped green chilis
2 cloves garlic
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 chopped cilantro
1-2 tsp chili powder
salt
8 (6 inch) low carb whole wheat flour tortillas
1 cup reduced fat shredded mexican cheese

Enchilada Sauce:
2 cloves garlic, minced
1-2 tbsp chipotle chilis in adobe sauce
1 1/2 cups tomato sauce
1/2 tsp chipotle chili powder
1/2 tsp ground cumin
3/4 cup fat free chicken broth
salt and pepper to taste

1.  For the enchilada sauce, spray cooking spray in medium saucepan and saute the garlic. 
2.  Add chipotle chilis, chili powder, cumin, chicken broth, tomato sauce, salt and pepper.  Bring to a boil.
3.  Reduce the heat to low and simmer 5-10 minutes.  Set aside.
4.  In a large skillet, brown the turkey meat and season with salt.  Add the onion, garlic, black beans, cilantro, green chilis, diced tomatoes, cumin and chili powder.  Mix well and simmer on low about 20 minutes.
5. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Prepare your 9x13 by spraying with non stick spray.
6.  To assemble, put a 1/2 cup turkey mixture into each tortilla and roll up.  Place with the seam down in your 9x13.  
7.  Top with enchilada sauce and cheese and cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20-25 minutes.
8.  Top with low fat sour cream, scallions or cilantro if you would like! 

Servings: 8 • Serving Size: 1 enchilada • Points: 5 pts • Points+: 7 pts
Calories: 278.7 • Fat: 8.7g • Protein: 27.0 g • Carb: 35.6 g • Fiber: 15.1 g 
Recipe from Skinnytaste

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Sweetheart Buddies

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My obsession with muddy buddies is no secret... here, here, here,here or here.  But the sweetheart edition of my favorite snack were definitely the best!  I could have seriously eaten the whole entire bag by myself.  These are a highly addictive and delicious snack!  And how cute and fun are they for Valentines Day??  They are so incredibly easy and take 10 minutes and something that you have got to try!  

Rating: 5 stars Difficulty of Recipe: 2 stars
Review: This was the first time I melted the chocolate in the microwave.  It made it so easy!!  I especially loved the strawberry cake mix in these to give them a great flavor.  Will definitely be making them again!

Ingredients:
5 ounces white almond bark or white chocolate chocolate chips
5 ounces red candy melts (I found them at Michael's craft store)
1 teaspoon shortening
5 cups chex cereal
1 cup strawberry cake mix
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 package valentines chocolate M&M's

1. Start by dividing the chex mix into two bowls.  (2 1/2 cup in each)
2. In microwave safe dish, melt the 5 ounces white almond bark or white chocolate chips.  Add 1/2 teaspoon shortening so that the almond bark will spread evenly.  Microwave 30 seconds at a time and be careful not to burn the almond bark.  Dump this in the first bowl of chex and mix evenly to coat all of the chex cereal.
2.  Melt the red candy melts next also checking and stirring the candy melts 30 seconds at a time.  Once this is melted, pour this over the second bowl of divided chex and mix until coated.
3.  In two gallon size ziplock bags, put 1/2 cup strawberry cake mix and 1/4 cup powdered sugar in each bag.  Dump each bowl of chex mix in each bag and shake until coated with the powdered sugar and strawberry powdered cake mix.  
Recipe adapted from here

California Avocado Dip

My hair lady serves a lot of purposes in my life.  My personal therapist, my second mother, knows everyone including George Bush (haha true story) and can get me any answer I need, gets me an awesome discount on hair products, she does my hair perfectly every time, and now she is a supplier to awesome recipes.  My hair lady {Natalie in case you were wondering and no, not accepting new clients currently} has been doing my hair for about 9 years.  She has watched my life change completely.  I have watched all of her kids go through high school and marry.  She has been there for the good, the bad, and the ugly.  While giving me expert hair lady advice.  She has become a close friend to me over the years.  So when she gives me a recipe, I know that it is going to be good.  This avocado dip recipe was learned from a restaurant in California.  I especially loved the chunkiness of this dip and the flavor.  The avocados {word on the street is the best ones are at Costco} were perfectly ripe and I loved combining fresh ingredients to get one delicious dip!  I feel like this is a must at any party or get together, and it is so delicious!  Natalie, I will take your advice and recipes any day! 

Rating: 5 stars  Difficulty of Recipe: 2 stars
Review:  I did get my avocados from Costco and yes they were perfect.  The advice that she gave was to put the avocados in a paper bag with apples for 3 days if avocados are firm.  I served this dip with pita chips and it was amazing.  This is a recipe we will definitely be making again!

Ingredients:
3 Avocados
2 Roma tomatoes about 1/2 cup
2 Tbsp onion
Small can of jalepeno (add to taste)
salt (to taste)
2 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp cilantro

1. Start by peeling the skin and removing the pit of the avocado.  You can use a potato masher to make your avocados chunky.  You can also just slice them into small cubes but you don't want them to be too mashed up.  
2. Dice the roma tomato, and onion into small chunks.  Place the onion in water to take some of the bite out.  Add them to the diced avocado. Add the jalepeno to taste. Mix together.
3.  Add the lemon juice, cilantro, and salt to taste.  You can add more of the ingredients to your taste and liking. 
4. Serve with chips and enjoy!

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Love Bites

Skinny Mini Cheesecake from The Recipe Critic

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Magnolia Bakery Vanilla Vanilla Cupcakes from The Baker Upstairs

Valentine's Cheesecakes from Max & Me

Red Velvet Cupcakes from High Heels & Grills

Homemade Cherry Cordials from Inside BruCrew Life

Marshmallow Heart Brownie Bites from A Pumpkin & A Princess

Brown Bag Microwave Popcorn (and a free printable!) from Hubby Made Me

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Blondies from The Recipe Critic

Heart Munch from Crazy for Crust

Edible Teacups from 504 Main

Rice Krispies Hearts from Love, Pomegranate House

Homemade Valentine Gummies from Mama Miss

Chocolate Covered Strawberries from Chef in Training

Vanilla Bean Valentine's Cookies from Shugary Sweets

Valentine's Day Treats from Happy Go Lucky

Slow Cooker Honey Soy Chicken

It seems like we are always having asian style dishes at our house.  But honestly, they are our favorite.  I am not about to spend a ton on getting take out and so I make delicious restaurant quality meals in my slow cooker.  I usually make an Asian style dish once a week because I know that the picky one will love it.  And he did.  The flavor of this chicken was amazing.  It was so simple and easy and we all loved it!

Rating: 5 stars  Difficulty of Recipe: 2 stars
Review:  This reminded me a lot of the delicious chicken with noodles at Pei Wei.  I used chow mein noodles and the honey soy sauce was perfect throughout.  This is definitely one we will be making again!  

Ingredients:
3-4 Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup rice vinegar
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chili sauce
2 teaspoons dijon mustard
1 teaspoon pepper
1 (8 oz package) Soba Noodles 
2 Tablespoons sesame seeds

1. Lightly spray your slow cooker with cooking spray and lay the chicken inside.
2.  In a bowl whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, chili sauce, mustard and pepper.  Pour over the chicken.  
3. Cook on high 3-4 hours and low 5-6 hours.
4. Shred the chicken and return to the slow cooker.  
5.  Cook the noodles according to the package directions and drain.  Add in the cooked noodles to the slow cooker with the chicken and sauce and stir to combine.
6.  Garnish with sesame seeds and serve.
Recipe from Six Sisters

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Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Blondies

Don't forget to enter in my Kitchenaid Giveaway here!

You had me at peanut butter chocolate chip, blondie.  And I instantly fell in love.  My two favorite combinations in one delicious blondie.  Then drizzled with chocolate on top?  Yum.  I knew when I saw this recipe on a friends blog I had to make it.  And how cute are these for Valentines day cut into a heart shape?   My oven seems to be going on the fritz lately.  Very frustrating for a food blogger.  So I couldn't fully enjoy this amazingness of this blondie.  Hopefully soon I can get my oven looked at so that I can make these again and have them baked to perfection.  

Rating: 3 stars (only because of oven issues) Difficulty of Recipe: 2 stars
Review:  I doubled the recipe because I wanted to make a 9x13.  Because of my oven I have to make these again because it cooks very unevenly.  I still loved the bite that I had and they are seriously so good with the peanut butter and chocolate flavor combo.  I will definitely be making these again!

Ingredients:
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup peanuts
1/2 cup chocolate chips (You will divide in half 1/4 cup set aside to drizzle on top.)

1. Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 8x8 baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, mix peanut butter, oil and brown sugar until combined.  Stir in milk and vanilla.
3. Mix in the flour, salt, and baking powder.  The batter will be very thick.
4.  Spread into your 8x8 baking dish.  Sprinkle the peanuts and chocolate chips on the top pressing them into the batter lightly. 
5. Bake them for 22-25 minutes.  The edges need to be lightly brown and the top will look soft.
4. Let them cool and cut them into square or hearts.
5. Melt the remaining 1/4 chocolate chips (I just did in the microwave) and drizzle the melted chocolate on top!
Recipe from Sally's Baking addiction