Cucumber Melon Salsa

If you like the sweet/spicy combo, then you'll love this salsa. It is delicious on it's own with chips, but I can't wait to try it on grilled fish or chicken.

Cucumber Melon Salsa

2 c. finely diced watermelon
1 medium cucumber, finely diced
1/2-1 jalapeno pepper, minced (seeds removed if you want less heat)
2 green onions, finely sliced
2 T. fresh minced cilantro
1 t. lime or lemon juice
1/2 t. salt
sprinkle black pepper

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

This is a fun alternative to traditional salsa. Enjoy!

Cheesy Bacon & Egg Bake

While searching through some cookbooks the other night, I stumbled upon the most delicious looking breakfast casserole. With a few adaptations and extra veggies, this version turned out to be a new favorite. 

Cheesy Bacon & Egg Bake

2 c. southern style frozen hashbrowns
3 T. oil
1 (10 oz.) can nacho cheese condensed soup
2 T. milk
1 bell pepper, chopped (I used red)
1/2 t. onion powder
6 eggs
2 T. butter
1/2 c. grated cheese (cheddar or colby jack work great)
1/2 c. bacon crumbles (I used pre-packaged real bacon bits)
salt & pepper

In a large skillet, heat oil and cook hashbrowns according to package directions. Season with salt and pepper. Spread in a 9x9" pan.

 In a mixing bowl combine soup, milk, chopped pepper, and onion powder. Spread over hashbrowns.

Using the same skillet as the hashbrowns, melt butter and scramble eggs over medium heat until almost done. Season with salt and pepper and layer over the cheese mixture.

Top with cheese and bacon.

Bake at 350 F for about 20 minutes.

This is a great meal for any time of day. I love having breakfast foods for dinner. Enjoy!

Caramel Sky Mix

You know those cute little snacks they serve on an airplane? It's usually peanuts or pretzels or those amazing Biscoff cookies. Anyway, a few weeks ago I had this crazy idea to combine all those snacks into a snack mix. One word: delcious! I decided to call it Sky Mix as opposed to Trail Mix ... get it? Haha, I make myself laugh! :)

 If you've never had Biscoff cookies, go to the store right now and buy them!!!! They are indescribably delicious!

Caramel Sky Mix

6 c. popcorn (or corn chex)
2 c. pretzels
2 c. broken Biscoff cookies
1 c. roasted, salted peanuts
1/2 c. (1 stick) butter
1 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. light corn syrup
1/2 t. baking soda
1 c. white chocolate chips, melted

In a large mixing bowl combine popcorn, pretzels, cookies, and peanuts.

 In a saucepan melt combine butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-high heat. Boil and stir for 5 minutes and remove from heat. Vigorously stir in baking soda until foamy. Pour over popcorn mixture.

 Spread mixture onto a cookie sheet lined with foil or wax paper.

 Drizzle with white chocolate.

Let chocolate harden. Then devour!

 My favorite part of this mix is the caramelly Biscoff cookies. So good!!!

 Enjoy!

Peanut Butter Oat Cookies

I'm pretty obsessed with cookies. When I saw this recipe on Pinterest, I decided to make my own version. Packed with protein, fiber, and omega-3's, these little cookies are a great choice for snacking or even for breakfast!

Peanut Butter Oat Cookies (makes about 34)

3 overripe bananas, mashed
1 c. peanut butter
1/4 c. honey
2 t. vanilla
1 1/2 c. oats
1 1/2 c. oat bran
1/2 c. ground flaxseed
1 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1/2 c. chocolate chips

In a mixing bowl, combine bananas, peanut butter, honey and vanilla.

Add dry ingredients and mix well.

 Scoop onto a greased cookie sheet (I used parchment paper and cooking spray) and gently press down.

 Bake at 350 F for 10-15 minutes, depending on how firm you them.

 These were a fun breakfast for us this morning. I'll probably end up eating all of them today... Enjoy!

Caramel Toffee Bars

Um...I've done something bad. I made these yesterday for a birthday gift and I'm already addicted to them. They are gooey and buttery and delicious. Good luck not eating the whole batch!

Caramel Toffee Bars

2 c. graham cracker crumbs
1/2 c. (1 stick) butter, melted
1 (11-12 oz.) bag Rolos (or more if you like!)
1/2 c. chocolate chips
1/2 c. coconut (or nuts, or white chocolate chips, or butterscotch chips...whatever)
1/2 c. toffee bits
1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk

Mix graham cracker crumbs and butter. Press into a greased 9x13" pan.

 Top with rolos, chocolate chips, coconut, and toffee.

 Pour condensed milk evenly over the top.

 Bake at 350 F for about 25 minutes (more or less).

 Cool completely, then cut into bars.

Oh my goodness, just looking at these pictures makes me want another one. Enjoy!

Caprese Dip

I think this might be the easiest dip ever! It's delicious with pita chips.

Caprese Dip
8 oz. mozzarella, cubed
2 T. shredded parmesan cheese
1/2 t. dry basil
1 roma tomato, chopped
drizzle of olive oil

Arrange mozzarella in a pie pan.

Sprinkle parmesan on top.

 Then add basil.

 Top it all with chopped tomato and drizzle with olive oil.

 Bake at 375 F for 10-15 minutes or just until melty.

 This would be a fun appetizer for a backyard barbecue. Enjoy!