Cream Cheese & Cinnamon-Sugar Croissants

 

I got this recipe from someone on Facebook (I don't remember who posted it) - it was untitled.  It is so yummy and easy to make.  I added what little strawberry jelly I had left (about a 1/4 of a cup) and about a handful of raisins.  Would be good with nuts too.  It is  a little too sweet, but still really good.  Mel gave it a 10, I give it a 9.  I will make this again, and next time with blueberry preserves!

Spinach Salad With Corn, Peas, & Garbanzo Beans

Okay, so I know this is not technically a recipe, but this turned out so good I wanted to post it anyway!  I've been trying to eat more foods with potassium & magnesium so this salad was influenced by some of those foods.  I didn't take a picture of the ingredients because I hadn't originally intended to post about it.  Anyway, here's what's in it: baby spinach, sweet corn, sweet peas, garbanzo beans, raisins, sunflower seeds, low fat cheese, and one of those pre-made salad topping mixes that I think had raisins, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, & cashews in it.  Also, Mel picked out a super yummy Italian & roasted red pepper dressing that I love!  The only thing I would have done different was add sliced tomatoes.  Since this is not a typical post, I won't rate it from 1-10, I'll just say Mel & I both gave it a big thumbs up!! 

Pumpkin Honey Bread

I'll end today's blogs on a high note.  I got this recipe from a friend's post on Facebook.  (Thanks, Diane!)  Mel & I both think this is the best pumpkin bread we have ever had and give it a very high 10!  I added a box of vanilla pudding mix (dry) to make it a little more moist.  I will definitely make it again - probably even again this week!!

Snap Peas With Peanut Dressing

I made this for my dinner tonight.  I posted this about 2 years ago and even gave it a 10.  This time I would only give it a 6 1/2, maybe a low 7.  I was all prepared to make it when I realized the recipe called for orange juice, but I didn't have any.  So I substituted it with lime & lemon juice.  That pretty much ruined it.  It was still edible after I added honey & sunflower seeds to the top.  Next time I make this, I will stick with the orange juice, but add the same topping!

Ham & Potato Casserole

I made this for Mel's dinner tonight.  He loved it!  Gave it a 12 out of 10!  I will definitely make it for him again.  The only thing I did differently was omit the Benefiber powder (as with all the recipes from this booklet) & instead of 1/3 a cup of bread crumbs on top, I added roughly 2/3 so it would cover the whole top!

Banana & Pear Crisp

 

I made this for our dessert.  As you can see, I am using the Bob Greene cookbook a lot.  Mel & I are trying to eat a lot healthier & this cookbook has a lot of amazing recipes.  Initially, when I ate the first few bites, I didn't think it was sweet enough. I'm used to crisps being almost too sweet.  But the more I ate it, the more I loved it & couldn't get enough.  It only has a total of 2 teaspoons of sugar in it, but you add honey to the crisp, so it is so much healthier.  Mel & I ate right out of the bowl and finished it up - it took us a few hours & it even tasted good cold. Mel gave it a 10!  I gave it a 9.  I changed it bit because I added 3 pears instead of 2, and 2 bananas instead of 1.  I doubled the topping & instead of pulsing the nuts in the processor - I wanted to taste them - I added them to the top, so the almonds had a yummy toasted taste.  I used almonds instead of walnuts basically because they were on sale, but I would use them again.  I will absolutely make this again!

Sloppy Joes

I'm sure I've posted this at least once before.  I made a "regular" version with beef for Mel & a vegetarian version for me.  The photo is the vegetarian Sloppy Joe.  I changed his recipe a little bit.  Instead of 8 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, I used 4 TBSP of balsamic vinegar & 4 TBSP red wine vinegar.  I think it turned out much better this way.  I also use a lot more cinnamon (I just sprinkle it in) and doubled the brown sugar.  I think his recipe also called for fresh tomatoes, but I used 2 cans of diced tomatoes.  Mel gave it a 12 out of 10!  I give it a 10! I think I should start making this more often!!

The Little Red Cat Menu Board for This Week

I haven't made a menu board since Mel's birthday.  I know my menus are not that exciting.  I'm certainly no gourmet chef, just an every day home cook who loves to try new dishes and improve on old ones.  And most of all I love to cook yummy meals for my precious husband!!

Zucchini Muffins

 

I made these for dessert.  I posted this same recipe about 2 years ago.  It's a great recipe, really moist.  I didn't have walnuts, so  used low fat granola instead.  Also I added a melted butter - honey topping the last 5 minutes of cooking (something I like to do w/ zucchini bread/muffins).  They turned out pretty good.  Mel said they are the best zucchini muffins he ever had - not too sweet but just sweet enough.  He gave them a 10!  I give them an 8 1/2 to 9.  Last time I made them I used half carrots and half zucchini - I think that gave them more flavor.  Still good and healthy.

Veggie Bake

 

This is a variation of the tomato zucchini I last posted about.  I changed it up by adding more veggies.  I would love to add egg plant some time too.  Mel & I both thought it turned out even better than last time.  Another 10!