Garlic Alfredo Sauce

Italian food is my favorite and for me, creamy sauces like this one are the ultimate comfort food!! This is a very easy and super quick recipe for Garlic Alfredo Sauce. All of the needed ingredients are things I normally have in the kitchen already, so this recipe has quickly become one of my favorite go to quick dinner recipes. There are multiple possibilities with a sauce like garlic alfredo, but for last nights dinner I served it with linguini, grilled chicken breasts, and a mix of sliced baby bellas and sweet peas. Delish!

 

INGREDIENTS:

4 TBSP Butter (unsalted)
3 cloves Garlic, minced
4 oz.Cream Cheese, Softened And Cut Into Cubes
1 C Milk
3 oz. Parmesan Cheese, Grated
½ tsp Ground Black Pepper
1 pinch Kosher Salt (To Taste)

DIRECTIONS:

In a non-stick sauce pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Next add the cream cheese and stir with a whisk until smooth. Then add the milk, pouring slowly incorporating a little at a time. Whisk until smooth. Stir in the parmesan and pepper. If needed season with kosher salt (I'd say it's needed!) Remove from the heat when your sauce reaches desired consistency. The sauce will thicken quickly. Enjoy!

Zucchini boats

I'm always on the hunt for new healthy side dish recipes. This is one of my favorites because it's easy, healthy and looks great! AND it uses ingredients that I usually already have in the kitchen. :) The flavor blend of the zucchini, garlic, tomatoes and the cheese combo...DELISH!!! Don't be surprised if you eat more of these than you plan!

 

INGREDIENTS:

4 Zucchini
2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
2-3 TBSP Olive oil
salt & pepper, to taste
3-4 TBSP bread crumbs
16 grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 C fresh mozzarella, grated
1/2 C fresh Parmesan, grated

DIRECTIONS:

Prep zucchini by trimming the ends off and cutting in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, scoop out the seeds and some of the center creating a trough. Drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with minced garlic, salt and pepper. Arrange grape tomatoes inside the "boats" and sprinkle with bread crumbs. Bake at 350 degrees for 30min. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with fresh grated mozzarella carefully around the tomatoes. Place under the broiler for a few minutes just until the cheese melts and browns slightly. Remove from the broiler and drizzle with more olive oil and fresh grated Parmesan cheese. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Avocado Yogurt Dip

Every Tuesday for the past few months I really look forward to 12:45pm. That's about the time I go to check the mail. Sitting in the mailbox is where I find the weekly sales ad for one of our local grocery stores. And t...hat my friends, is where my menu planning begins!

This week avocados were on sale for $1 each. Not bad! I heart avocados. Actually, I more than heart them...I freaking LOVE them!!! So I stocked up! And then I made this recipe. :)

*Note*...I know my photos aren't the best. My thing is food, not photography. So please bear with me. :)

 

 

 INGREDIENTS:

1/2 C plain Greek yogurt
2 ripe avocados, peeled and pitted
1 clove of garlic, minced
3 TBSP fresh cilantro, chopped
1 TBSP chopped Jalepeño (with or without seeds. I used seeds)
Juice of 1 lime
1/4 tsp ground cumin
Salt and ground black pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS:

Mix all ingredients with an immersion blender, in a blender or with a food processor until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a servicing dish. Serve with cut up veggies, pita chips or tortilla chips. Enjoy!