Yummy Food

Do you ever feel like you just can’t catch a break?  We do.  To be fair, we know we’re really lucky.  Both Laura and I are in good health, and Robbie is a wonderful (wonderfully exhausting, that is!) toddler.  But when it comes to having work done around the house, we just have terrible luck.  In general, we’re more ‘do-it-yourself’ type of folks, but there are just some things where I draw the line.  Like installing an escape window in the basement.  Or tearing out and re-laying a new driveway.  Or anything electrical.  That’s where I call someone. Oven baked shrimp SCAMPI topped with flavourful golden, buttery, garlic parmesan breadcrumbs. This Baked Shrimp Scampi recipe has been adapted from Ina Garten, one of my favourite food women. Dying to try her recipe but scared of the amount of butter involved, I managed to cut the butter down by less than a third! How? Adding other flavours into the breadcrumb mixture to make sure butter is not ...

If you are looking to kick a sweet craving, this Keto Edible Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough is a perfect snack for one. Sometimes, the hardest thing about starting a new lifestyle plan is the feeling of being overwhelmed. There are so many opinions on what diet plan is best, but really — it depends on the individual person.  If you are interested in the Keto  Diet, or Ketogenic Diet then there are so many great recipes that can help you stick to your diet but still beat your cravings.  A Ketogenic Fat Bomb help give you a big boost of some of your favorite flavors. This Keto Edible Cookie Dough is a delicious fat bomb that helps you with your sweet cravings.  How awesome that you can stick to your Keto diet but still have cookie dough!  I don’t know about you, but Chocolate Chip Cookie dough is one of my weaknesses so finding a Keto recipe for this makes me very happy! This keto edible cookie dough low carb recipe is perfect for anyone on a low carb diet. ...

How do you feel about Valentine’s Day? I’m pretty fortunate to have a husband of 27+ years who doesn’t need the calendar to tell him when to be romantic.  I don’t know about you, but those days when he runs to the store when it’s below zero and snow piled up to his knees because I mentioned that I’m out of my favorite cereal…..that’s love.  When I’m feeling my worst, and he looks at me and tells me I look beautiful……that’s love. When he touches me every time I walk past him,  accepts me and all of my flaws, eats peanut butter toast because I don’t feel like cooking, and makes me laugh every day…….that’s love.    Life with him makes perfect sense.  Every day may not be a Valentine’s Day, but I sure love how much he tries.  He’s my sweet Valentine every day 😉 I love chocolate covered strawberries and I fell in love with Bakerella’s cake balls so I combined the two for the perfect Valentine’s Day treats. Ingredients 1 box Strawberry Cake Mi...

These soft, moist cake donut muffins remind me of little jam filled round donut balls made by local bakeries years ago. They could be found at your local neighbourhood store or supermarket when I was growing up here in Newfoundland. As a kid I remember thinking that I would make them with more jam inside and roll them in powdered sugar too. That memory of childhood inspired this variation of cake donut muffins. Just around the corner from our apartment, there is a coffee shop that sells some really amazing doughnuts. I’m not necessarily a raving fan of doughnuts, but these things are ridiculously good. Somehow I manage not to go out and get one on a daily basis. Be impressed. Perhaps even more dangerous than the proximity of those doughnuts, though, is the discovery of this recipe for doughnut muffins. It’s more than a bit frightening to know that I can have these beauties whipped up so quickly. And without even leaving home! These delightful muffins are truly reminiscent in...

Are you looking for a Keto friendly, low carb meal idea that you can serve to the whole family? You never want to be making one dinner for yourself and another for the kids, so finding something the whole family can enjoy while on a Keto diet is key. Luckily, with this recipe for Keto Crack Chicken in the Crock Pot, you can make one meal that the entire family will love. Even better, this meal requires almost no work thanks to the slow cooker. Be sure to also try these Keto Cheesy Taco Cups with Guacamole. I have been so intrigued by this Crack Chicken recipe that has been floating around!  What could be better than shredded chicken mixed with cream cheese, ranch dressing mix, cheddar cheese, and bacon? I went a little rogue with my recipe and I am not using a ranch dressing mix packet.  It’s not something I keep in my house but I do keep a slew of dried herbs and spices. So for this crack chicken recipe I used some delicious, flavorful spices and herbs to bring that ...

It’s nice to see you, 2017! While last year will be tough to beat, I have a sneaking suspicion that the New Year is going to be quite the flavor-packed extravaganza. We have a whole host of new recipes and guides lined up for your eating and entertaining pleasure. And we’re kicking things off on the light and tasty front with none other than Healthy Breakfast Egg Muffins. I spent last weekend in Kansas City meeting my precious new niece and helping my sister stock her freezer with a variety of easy freezer meals. One of her requests was for Healthy Breakfast Egg Muffins that she could pop into the microwave whenever she needed a fast, filling breakfast or snack. Consider these perfectly portable egg muffins to be the equivalent of handheld omelettes. They’re high in protein and low in carbs, making them the ultimate breakfast-on-the-go. Best of all? You can customize the fillings and toppings to suit your tastes. Not a fan of spinach? Skip it! Quite the carnivore? Stir in co...

Mornings can get crazy at my house.  Getting three kids up and ready for school can be a little taxing. Let me start by saying, no, those are not potatoes. However, they are extremely deceiving in looks and mouth feel! Matthew and I just recently started experimenting with them and we fell in love instantly. We didn't care much about having something to replace the potatoes because at this point cauliflower really satisfies us. But, we were looking for another low carb vegetable to mix into our cooking! Radishes are very low in carb for the amount per serving and roast up great in a skillet or in the oven, perfect for our Low Carb Breakfast Bowl! But, I love that I can be home to get them ready and make them breakfast each day.  Most days they like to make eggs, toast, pancakes or waffles.  I know that breakfast is the best meal of the day, so I try to make sure I fuel up, too! This recipe is really simple and fun because you get to layer a bunch of different foo...

A super thick and cheesy Lasagna made in the crock pot makes a hearty family meal with a minimum amount of effort. This is one of the easiest lasagna recipes ever and it is the only lasagna I ever cook in the crock pot. Slow Cooker Lasagna is so perfect, as much as I love to try new recipes, I can’t bring myself to try another slow cooker lasagna. Want to hear something sad? My Dad and oldest brother don’t eat cheese!  They wont touch it. No cheddar, no mozzarella, no parmesan…nothing! How can you live a life without cheese??! That means that Lasagna, one of the most delicious meals of all time, was a rare specialty at our house.  Whenever my mom would make it, (usually when Dad was out of town) the rest of us would be SO excited! It was gobbled up in minutes! You probably don’t believe that lasagna cooked in a crock pot can be better than one baked in the oven. I was completely skeptical too. Two pounds of Italian sausage and plenty of gooey cheese make this a lasa...

This Low-carb Chicken Zucchini Enchilada is made with “zucchini tortillas” and it’s loaded with enchilada sauce, chicken, and cheese. It’s also gluten-free and very flavorful! These chicken enchiladas are perfect for serving large groups or meal prepping ahead of time. Shredded chicken is tossed in a keto-friendly enchilada sauce and wrapped in thin slices of crisp zucchini for a low carb meal. Grilled chicken is prepped and shredded in advance for easy assembly. However, ground beef, sliced steak, or shredded pork can also be swapped in. When mixed with a tomato-based enchilada sauce, the meat takes on a seasoned flavor of cumin, smoked paprika, and garlic. I’m going to start this post saying that I LOVE this Low-carb Chicken Zucchini Enchilada recipe, just because I really DO. When I saw this recipe video on the Delish website, I was a little skeptical about cooking enchiladas with zucchini. However, I thought it’s such a different recipe that I decided to adapt this recipe ...

Hey ya’ll!  I have another chocolate chip recipe that I want to share with you and this is definitely another favorite, best-loved chocolate chip cookie to add to the blog.  We can never have enough cookie recipes can we??  Nope!!  These are seriously, the most sublime, “Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies“! This Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe will be your new favorite!  I’m obsessed with these chocolate chip cookies, they have been carefully crafted to be perfectly soft, perfectly chewy, and just all around perfectly delectable.  You’ll never need another chocolate chip cookie recipe again. I’m slightly obsessed with chocolate chip cookies.  I have stuffed them with cheesecake, with Reese’s cups, with Funfetti, and I even have my own “worst ever” chocolate chip cookie on my site. But one thing I haven’t shared yet is a classic chocolate chip cookie.  I’ve spent the past few weeks working on developing an ultimate guide to chocolate chip cooki...

The sweet and natural ingredients complete these healthy gluten free chocolate chip cookies and really complete my soul. With such simple ingredients, they are still sinfully delicious, moist and so easy to pull together.  Told you it’s a winner. Winner winner healthy chocolate chip cookies for dinner?! Don’t have to tell me twice. The night I pulled these together I ate so much dough and cookies, I actually did skip dinner. Cookie dough that has zero eggs in it is dangerous. There is nothing stopping me from demolishing every leftover dough bite. Or lets be real, spoonfuls of dough. Take our healthy cookie dough for a whirl if you desire. 😉 Or our cookie dough overnight oatmeal! *Yes I have a problem with loving cookie dough too much* After making these healthy chocolate chip cookies, they were all I could think about, and I knew I’d have to share the recipe immediately with all of you. Because, chocolate chip cookies!!! Cookies cookies cookies!!! Ok, I’ll calm dow...

Chocolate zucchini bread is the perfect way to use up any extra zucchini bread you have laying around. And I bet you’ll make it a priority to have extra zucchini after tasting this recipe! 😉 The other day I met my parents for dinner at a local Mexican restaurant for some chips, salsa, and margaritas. Also chicken fajitas, because duh. That morning I had baked a couple loaves of this chocolate zucchini bread recipe and I knew that if I kept both loaves in my house, I would eat both loaves. By myself. In one day. So, I stuck a loaf of bread in my purse and smuggled it into the restaurant like a weirdo and passed it off to my mom. This Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread makes the perfect afternoon snack whenever you’re in need of a chocolate fix.  It has a deep chocolate flavor from unsweetened cocoa powder and bittersweet chocolate chips, yet it’s not so sweet that it tastes like dessert. It’s also loaded with zucchini, so there’s some virtue in it. Begin by grating you...

As I said before, Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas are one of my favorite Mexican recipes. They are so easy to make, the baked tortillas have a really nice crunch (I love crunchy foods!), and this dish is pretty-much fool-proof! Want in on a little secret? I thought so! The secret to their slight crunch is the baking method. The assembled enchiladas bake uncovered for the first 10 minutes at a high temperature. Then, the oven temperature is lowered and the enchiladas are topped with sauce and cheese, covered with aluminum foil, and returned to the oven to bake 20 minutes. The final step is to remove the foil and bake uncovered for another five minutes or so to crisp them up! Ingredients 1 can (18.5 oz) Progresso™ Traditional Chicken and Cheese Enchilada Soup 1 can (10 oz) Old El Paso™ hot or mild enchilada sauce 2 cups shredded cooked chicken 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese (8 oz) 10 corn tortillas (6 inches) 2 medium green onions, thinly sliced Instructions Ste...

With Valentine’s Day coming up, I wanted to get you a special chocolatey treat. The truth is though, that I’ve been planning to make these chocolate muffins ever since I made gluten free pumpkin muffins last year. We loved how tender and soft those muffins came out, and I knew I could swap out the pumpkin for mashed banana and get the same result. Healthier chocolate muffins are great for Valentine’s Day, but really they’re great any time of year. These chocolate muffins are almost brownie-like in flavor and have that perfect crackle on top, while the inside is soft and light. With melty chocolate chips inside, a warm chocolate banana muffin is the ultimate afternoon treat with a cup of turmeric tea. I made a similar almond flour Paleo Chocolate Banana Muffin in the past, but I like this one even better. And while in the spring and summer I love these gluten-free Carrot Cake Muffins, right now I’m all about the chocolate. Chocolate and banana fan? You are going to love these muf...

Your Instant Pot pressure cooker is perfect for making this quick and easy Instant Pot Parmesan Ranch potatoes recipe. You only need a few simple ingredients and a handful of potatoes and you’re ready to make the tastiest, cheesiest potatoes that everyone will love. The flavors of Parmesan cheese and ranch seasoning go perfectly together. And making potatoes in your Instant Pot couldn’t be easier. I love the flavor of red potatoes. They’re also a bit sturdier than regular Idaho or russet potatoes, though both are excellent too. I always like to leave the skins on my red potatoes because they taste so good! Any kind of potato dish has always been one of my family’s favorite comfort foods. Potatoes rarely get old with its variety of dishes, it can be served in practically endless ways. It always shows up on the table for gatherings, big or small. No matter how you prepare it, they still turn out amazing! After scrubbing the potatoes, slice them up about 1/2 inch thick. Then cut ...

This easy Whole30 Chinese orange chicken is the best takeout fake-out ever. Sometimes you just need some orange chicken in your life, and this version is much healthier and there’s no delivery fee! It’s also a Paleo orange chicken recipe, which makes it gluten free and made from real ingredients, so you can skip the MSG! In a past life, it was not uncommon of me to order Chinese delivery at least once a week. It was my favorite go-to. I’d almost always order the orange chicken. It still remains one of my favorite flavors. Which is why I knew I needed to figure out how to make it Paleo and Whole30. This Whole30 Chinese orange chicken obviously isn’t the real thing, but, I will say, it’s a really great takeout fake-out. When I started making this for myself and my boyfriend, he prompted me to add it to the blog to go along with the other Chinese inspired recipes I have here. It took a little refining and tweaking to get it blog ready, but hey, neither of us complained about having...

If you want to switch up your traditional lasagna recipe, try replacing your lasagna noodles with sweet plantains, it will result in a delicious Plantain Lasagna. Plantains are precious gems. They are rich in fiber and potassium. You can bake, boil, fry, add them to stews and soups.  You can find them in different ripening stages: Green Peel: they are not ripe yet, at this point they are firm and not sweet. Yellow Peel: they are ripe and have a mild sweet taste to them. Black Peel: they are at the peak of the ripeness and usually super sweet and soft to the touch. Mostly used in desserts. A few typical Panamanian recipes with plantain are Platanos en tentación, Fried Plantain (Patacones and yellow fried plantain), Patacones rellenos with beef or shrimp, and Chocao which is a dessert. Another recipe which I almost forget plantain tarts. The majority of these recipes have a Caribbean flare to them. Plantains Lasagna aka Pastelon is a Latin- Style (Puerto Rican) lasagna...

Every holiday, I really struggle with cookies. I totally want to make THOSE cookies. You know, the intricate, pretty ones with the shapes that stay when you bake them and the icing that does some fancy spreading when put on, but then it kind of hardens. You know the ones. They look like a million dollars, but you know that they have to be easy or no one would make them ever. Yeah, those. I want to make those. But I could not. Nope, not me. Until I made some crazy mistakes and stumbled across this stupid-easy recipe. Yeah, that’s right. Vegan Sugar Cookies that Won’t Spread. I am in love. I can’t wait to use these for like EVERYTHING. After much trial and error, I finally have the perfect recipe for soft cut-out vegan sugar cookies.  Seriously, these are the cookies of my dreams, and I think you will LOVE them! They are easy to make and roll out. A little trick I learned is to roll the dough onto parchment paper before chilling in the refrigerator. This way, the cookie dough ...

Skinny Low Carb Peanut Butter Cheesecake is virtually sugar free as well, this cheesecake will ROCK your socks off! Who knew you could lose weight eating peanut butter cheesecake?! This Virtually sugar-free irresistible cheesecake is the perfect indulgence for peanut butter fans. Who knew you could lose weight eating peanut butter cheesecake?! There’s no need to give up delicious, satisfying desserts when you’re on Trim Healthy Mama or any other low carb diet! This Low Carb Peanut Butter Cheesecake uses my favorite stevia sweetener, Truvia, to add a touch of sweetness in both the batter and the crust. The only sugar present in this recipe is the sugar in the natural peanut butter, which would vary according to which brand you prefer. Ingredients CRUST 1/4 cup Butter, melted 1 cup Almond Flour 1 tablespoon Xylitol Sweetener CHEESECAKE FILLING 2 tubs Fat-free Cream Cheese, softened 1/2 cup Xylitol Sweetener 1 1/2 cups Peanut Butter 1 1/2 cups Whipping Cream dar...

When I saw these adorable bear cookies hugging nuts from Japanese Chef Maa Tamagosan, I immediately thought this would be a cute idea for Valentine’s Day, with a bear holding a heart instead. I wanted a brown bear, so I decided to tweak a gingerbread recipe and used red fondant for the heart. This was a fun project the kids helped me make in the kitchen and make super cute Valentine’s Day treats! These sweet bears look too adorable to eat! But that didn’t stop us. They’re soft from the molasses but still firm on the outside. And have a delicious cinnamon flavor. Ingredients: 3 cups flour 1/2 tsp kosher salt 3/4 tsp baking soda 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 cup or 1 stick unsalted butter, softened 1/2 cup white sugar 1 large egg 2/3 cup dark molasses Instructions: Whisk the flour, salt, cinnamon and baking soda in a bowl. Cream the butter with sugar for a few minutes until soft and fluffy using a stand or hand mixer. Add egg and molasses and beat well to co...

I’m a sucker for angel food cake, probably because my Grandma made it for me as a child for each and every birthday. I love that it is a fat free cake too so I don’t feel guilty if I have an extra piece on “those days” and when I made this Instant Pot angel food cake it came out super fluffy like it does in the oven too!! I have made many Instant Pot dessert recipes before but I must say this was the easiest and brought back a lot of memories too. It didn’t last long when my family got home either…it became an after school treat right away. Definitely one of my favorite Instant Pot recipes here on The Typical Mom. (originally published 10/17) This is what you’ll need and how to make Instant Pot angel food cake! Angel Food Cake mix – this is the one I use 7″ Angel Food Cake pan – seriously it is so cute – if that is out of stock this 6″ pan will fit in your 6 qt or this 8″ pan will fit in your 8 qt IP Water Instant Pot or pressure cooker – this is the one I have Raspberry ...