Amanda Townsend 12/29/20 Amanda Townsend 12/29/20

Green Bean Casserole with Air Fryer Onions

Green bean casserole is a Holiday classic especially in the midwest. My recipe is for mushroom lovers! Forget the cream of mushroom soup and instead use real mushrooms and real cream for an elevated comfort side dish. To make this extra special, I fried some onions in my new air fryer to keep it scratch-made and light. You won’t miss those plastic can french fried onions, I promise.

Amanda Townsend 12/15/20 Amanda Townsend 12/15/20

Balsamic Mushrooms with Sausage Stuffing

There is something about pairing mushrooms with sausage and green pepper that I cannot get enough of. It’s the perfect flavor combination. These stuffed mushrooms are extra special with the addition of luxurious balsamic glaze that adds a slight sweetness and complexity to this show stealing appetizer. Serve as an Hors d'oeuvre for the Holidays or just enjoy paired with a salad for a deliciously satisfying meal.

Amanda Townsend 12/6/20 Amanda Townsend 12/6/20

Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake

Cheese cake and pumpkin pie combines for this decadent holiday treat! The crust is made from my gluten free graham crackers keeping this entire dessert gluten free and refined sugar free. This cheesecake is several layers of flavor with a cheesecake layer, a pumpkin pie cheesecake layer and finished with a maple whipped topping. I recommend making this simple recipe the day before serving as it needs at least 8 hours of refrigeration time.

Amanda Townsend 11/28/20 Amanda Townsend 11/28/20

Gluten Free Graham Crackers

So easy to make and they taste surprisingly just like store bought graham crackers! It’s all about the toasted oat and cinnamon flavor for these crispy and crumbly treats. Have these as a snack or blend them up to make a graham cracker crust for cheesecake, yum!

Amanda Townsend 11/21/20 Amanda Townsend 11/21/20

Crispy Coconut Shrimp with Sriracha Dipping Sauce

This coconut shrimp is gluten-free, keto and incredibly easy to make! Pan fried in heart healthy avocado oil to make it extra crispy!

Amanda Townsend 11/19/20 Amanda Townsend 11/19/20

Mejadra

Mujadara or mejadra, however you spell it, is one of my favorite items to order from the Mediterranean restaurants here in Ann Arbor, MI. These lentils and rice are so flavorful and filling while still feeling somehow light. This dish is all about the caramelized onions which adds a touch of sweetness pairing perfectly with the warm Middle Eastern spices we all love.

Amanda Townsend 11/16/20 Amanda Townsend 11/16/20

Banana Carrot Cake Muffins

Carrot cake and banana bread merge for this nutritious muffin that is packed with quality ingredients. Soft, chewy and crunchy make this such a satisfying breakfast with just a touch of sweetness and warm spices also making this a great anytime sweet treat.

Amanda Townsend 10/29/20 Amanda Townsend 10/29/20

Fall Turkey Chili with Pumpkin

I’m always looking for more ways to enjoy the flavors of fall. Pumpkin adds a wonderful creamy texture to this chili making it even more hearty and tasty. I added in some delicate squash for more texture and fall spirit! A tiny bit of cinnamon is the secret ingredient — trust me on this, the cinnamon flavor is not easily recognized but it adds such warmth and depth to the chili.

Amanda Townsend 10/20/20 Amanda Townsend 10/20/20

Crispy Spiced Chickpeas

Amanda Townsend 10/19/20 Amanda Townsend 10/19/20

Cottage Pie with Sweet Potatoes

It’s getting cold outside which means cozy comfort food season is here. Cottage pie, or Shepherd's pie, is one of the top comfort foods in my opinion. Cottage pie is just Shepherd's pie, but with beef instead of lamb, both being delicious! I swapped white potatoes out for sweet potatoes to add a lower GI starch and I love the bright orange color it adds to this dish. This hearty meal kept me full and satisfied for hours while leaving me feeling energized and nourished.

Amanda Townsend 10/7/20 Amanda Townsend 10/7/20

Chicken Enchiladas

Made with corn tortillas to keep them Gluten-Free and loaded with chili pepper flavor! These enchiladas have been a friend and family favorite. Definitely a crowd pleaser!

Amanda Townsend 9/27/20 Amanda Townsend 9/27/20

Salsa Canning

This is my favorite way to preserve tomatoes and peppers grown over the summer. I have yet to find a quality store bought salsa without any added sugar and homemade salsa is so easy to make in large batches so it can be enjoyed anytime!

Amanda Townsend 9/21/20 Amanda Townsend 9/21/20

Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake

Caramel made from coconut sugar and butter coats fresh apple slices as they bake underneath a warm cinnamon spiced cake batter. The caramel apple topping is revealed when you flip this cake over while it’s still hot for a fun presentation!

Amanda Townsend 9/15/20 Amanda Townsend 9/15/20

Herb Turkey Meatballs with Buttery Sage Apples

Thanksgiving inspired Turkey meatballs packed with fresh herbs tossed in sage butter and warm apples. A hint of apple sweetness and fragrant sage pairs perfectly with these meatballs bringing in the fall vibes.