Homemade Ricotta

Today we're going to make ricotta. Yep, it's a weekend and you got nothin' else to do, am I right? Set aside a few hours and soon you'll have fresh homemade ricotta. A big plus: it's eaaaasy!

Back to Basics 22 - Stuffed Shells

So here's a cool thing I did recently... I MADE CHEESE!

Guys, I'm a cheesemaker now. Sort of. I made cream cheese and ricotta which are 2 of the easiest to make but still, I made it happen.
It's a really cool feeling to know that you are able to make something with your hands in your own kitchen. It's so rewarding to watch something as ordinary as milk transform into this thick, creamy and rich deliciousness. I highly recommend it. Especially if you are slathering the thick creamy cream cheese deliciousness on your own hot homemade onion bagels.

It's definitely something to write about in your diary: "Dear diary, I'm a badass. That is all."

Anyway, I made ricotta so I could stuff it into some pasta shells with spinach and homemade tomato sauce. This recipe does not disappoint. Trust me.

Onion Mushroom Mac & Cheese

Mac and cheese will get me every time. It doesn't matter how it's made or what goes into it, I wanna eat it. This mac and cheese recipe happens to be the best I have ever eaten. The pasta is ooey and gooey, the middle layer is sweet and savory, and the top is crusty and golden. I have a very similar recipe on the blog, the only difference is that the middle layer is spinach. I made this as a side dish to go with some grass-fed filet mignon for my Valentine's Day dinner with my boyfriend. It was heavenly.

Back to Basics 14 - Spinach Mac & Cheese

Hey guys! Wow, it's been a while huh?? It's been a little hectic. I got a new job in the field I went to school for (YAY!) and I started working more hours in the other job I had so by the time I got home, I didn't really feel like pulling out my camera and taking pictures for every single step while making dinner. But now my routine is a little less crazy so I have more time to devote to the blog.

I came back with a really really great recipe for you guys. I mean, who doesn't love mac & cheese? And one you can feel good about eating? Well, that's even better!! I got this from, where else, EATINGWELL! Let's just get right into it.

White Pizza with Broccoli and Red Bell Pepper

I made the dough for this pizza Sunday night, froze it, then topped it on Wednesday night. It was perfect! You might think freezing pizza dough might not work well but trust me, it was just like delivery pizza.
The fact that we top this with so many healthy veggies and both lean and full fat cheese makes it filling but healthy.

Whole Wheat Cheese Crackers

Look at the flaky layers of cheese in that cracker!

I know we all crave crackers sometimes. I do ALL THE TIME. I just need that salty, crunchy bite in the afternoon so I reach for that box of crackers and I.can't.stop. To help with my addiction, I made this whole wheat cheese cracker (it's pretty much like cheezits). First of all, it's whole wheat. Second, it has FIVE ingredients and no crazy chemicals. I got the recipe from Big Bear's Wife, Angie perfected it by going through tons of recipes to try and get that perfect taste. And let me tell you, she did an amazing job. My boyfriend tried it and he said it didn't have that whole wheat taste at all. Seriously, it tastes exactly like the boxed kind. So here we go:

Sweet Sausage Egg Mug

A Hungry Girl recipe. I used to make this every weekday morning for months! It's so fast to make and it feels so indulgent. It's sweet, cheesy and full of sausage (you won't even notice it's fake sausage).

Back to Basics 4 - Basil Pesto

Bacon Breakfast Burrito

I know how tough it is to wake up in the morning for work, school, kids, what have you. I also know how tough it is to have the desire to make breakfast or even eat in the morning! Having said all that, breakfast is still the most important meal of the day. It sets you up for success! If you have a healthy, substantial breakfast, you are more likely to eat well the rest of the day. It also kickstarts your metabolism, and if you start off with protein and veggies, you won't be starving all morning hunting for chocolate all over the place (I never ever do that. Nope.).

I had an amazing dinner at my aunt's last night, but I ate a bit more than I would've liked. So this morning I had to get back to my low-cal routine. This is a REALLY easy recipe for a breakfast burrito, and you can do everything in your microwave in less than 5 minutes! Another plus, it has more than half of your recommended protein intake, and it's under 300 calories.

It's another Hungry Girl recipe, ya'll!!