For the Love of Cheese Ball!

This isn't the healthiest recipe... so, don't eat them all the time, okay?

Dammit, I love a good cheese ball!

I know you do too. So make this for your next football game or cocktail party and it will be gone before you know it! Seriously! (Maybe you should make two?!)

For the Love of Cheese Ball!

1/4 cup milk
1/2 packet of Ranch dressing powder
1 tbsp mayo
1 block softened cream cheese (1/3 less fat)
1/2- 3/4 cup shredded white sharp cheddar cheese
optional: pecans or walnuts to decorate

Mix milk, 1/2 packet of Ranch dressing powder, and mayo in a bowl. Add the cream cheese and shredded cheddar and whip with an electric mixer until combined.
If you want to shape it into something, now is your chance! Plop it out onto some plastic wrap and seal tightly. Shape the ball however you wish. I shaped mine like a pine cone (like a curved triangle). Refrigerate for an hour to marry the flavors! After its chilled, cover with nuts or a different topping or not! Make your cheese ball how you like it!

Don't forget some crackers, carrot sticks, and celery sticks for munching on this delish snack!!

xoxo Sam

Curried Away Soup

Quick, check your fridge!

Do you have a shriveling apple or two? Or some random veggies that you need to use up?

Make them into delicious soup!

Curried Away Soup

olive oil
1-2 apples, diced
1/2 sweet potato, diced
1/2 onion, diced
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tbsp curry powder
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 pinch salt
4-6 cups water
toppings: croutons, dried cherries, cilantro leaves, a drizzle of olive oil

In a medium sauce pot, add olive oil, onions, and garlic. Once the onions start to soften, add the sweet potatoes, apples, curry powder, cayenne, and salt. Let the sweet potatoes and apples start to soften. Add water until its just covering the apples and veggies. Simmer until everything is very soft. Let it cool slightly. Use an immersion blender or a regular blender to blend the soup until a smoother consistency. Serve warm with whatever toppings you have around! Yay for yumminess!

Use what ever veggies you have laying around! Clean out your fridge, friends!!

xoxo Sam

Fun for Everyone No Bakes!

Why are these cookies fun for everyone?

Because they are delicious! (vegan, nut-free, and gluten-free if you use GF oats!)

Fun for Everyone No Bakes!

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup soy milk
1/2 cup vegan butter
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3 1/2 cups rolled oats
1 cup sunflower seed butter, chunky or smooth
1 tbsp vanilla
1 pinch salt

In your favorite sauce pan, bring the sugar, soy milk, vegan butter, and cocoa powder to a boil, stir and make sure it doesn't burn, then boil for a minute. Remove from heat and add sunflower butter, vanilla, and salt. Add the oats last. Mix very well!
Drop lumps of the oatmeal goo on to sheets of wax paper. Let the cookies sit out at room temperature until cooled and hardened. I dare you to not eat them in the mean time! Yay! Yum!

For the original version, go to Food Network!

xoxo Sam

Honey Buffalo Tempeh (for your face)

Who loves honey?

Who loves buffalo sauce?

Who loves to eat wings? I do, but I won't make them. 

I am lazy and never buy meat. So I make my favorite meaty dishes meatless.

Serve this as a sandwich or with steamed veggies or in a wrap!

Honey Buffalo Tempeh (for your face)

oil

1/2 onion, sliced

1 block tempeh, cut in half lengthwise and sliced or diced

1-2 tbsp honey

 1/4 cup cayenne pepper sauce

1 tsp garlic powder

In your favorite skillet, saute the onion in oil. Add the tempeh and let it start to brown. Sprinkle in the garlic powder. Add the honey and cayenne pepper sauce. Cook until the tempeh is coated nicely and the sauce is warm.

Serve on a hot dog bun, toasted bread, or roll with veggies and ranch/ blue cheese dressing. I had pickles, carrots, melted cheese, and spinach on my roll. Enjoy!

xoxo Sam

Cheese Stuffed, Bacon-Wrapped Dates

Yes, they are as good as they sound.

They are so easy to make and love, for all of your entertaining needs!

You can make them without the bacon for your veggie friends, but that's why hostesses invented cheese balls. Don't mess with the original (at least with these).

Cheese Stuffed, Bacon-Wrapped Dates

1 package dates
1 block cheese (your favorite)
1 package bacon (strips cut in half)
toothpicks!

Preheat oven to 425.
Cut hunks of cheese to the size of an almond- one for each date. Cut a slit in the side of each date and remove the pit. Stuff cheese into each date. Wrap each stuffed date with bacon (it should be almost the perfect size) and secure with a toothpick.
Bake for 20-25 minutes on a sheet pan until the bacon is cooked and crispy. EAT!!

These are so lovely because they are soft, crisp, sweet, savory, and delicious. Try them out for your Superbowl party this year! To get the original version, go to The Pioneer Woman!

xoxo Sam