All Dressed Up

Your salad that is! It's true that I post some deliciously decadent recipes but for the most part I'm a really healthy eater. I live for a good salad and eat a ton of them through the week. A lot of times a fatty, high calorie salad dressing will ruin your diet or just plans of eating healthy. Lately, I've been making my own low calorie dressings. They are so good and don't have any unnessesary junk in them. All of these are super fast. Which I need with an almost six month old. Anything that's easy and fast I'm on board. I got some mason jars at the dollar store that you can throw the ingredients in and just shake. 

Here are three of my current favorite low calorie salad dressings: 

My favorite? Honey Mustard! Yum!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

A Fast Cinco De Mayo

Are you hosting this weekend? Going to a party? Let me help you get prepared for no matter what your plans are. Even if that means throwing together a couple last minute appetizers.

If you're hosting: 

One thing that would never travel well if tacos. But it wouldn't be this holiday without tacos! I mean it sure is a good excuse to eat them. Let me be very clear, I sure don't want you in the kitchen all night. I'd much more prefer you with a cold margarita in your hand  when your guests arrive. Here are two fast and esthetically pleasing recipes. 

Mini Tacos:

What you need:

Big tortilla shells

Circular cookie cutters  

Taco filling of choice

Take your cookie cutter and make small circles in your one big one big tortilla shell, spray them with oil, and place each shell in between muffin tins. Place in the oven on 350 degrees for a couple minutes. This doesn't take long so just keep an eye on them.  

Fill shells with however you like to nosh on tacos!

I did traditional Tacos for these little guys.

Next, give me alllll the stacked things. Seriously. Food just tastes better when it's in stack form.  

Mexican Ceviche with Shrimp:

What you need:

1/2 cup cooked shrimp

4Tbsp lime juice

1 plum tomato

1/2 jalapeno, cored and cut up small

1 Tbsp fresh chopped cilantro

What to do:

Mix in the shrimp and half of the lime juice and let it sit in the fridge for an hour. Then, mix shrimp, tomato, jalapeño, 1 Tbsp lime juice, and cilantro. I added some garlic salt for taste. 

In a different bowl mix avocado with remaining 1 Tbsp lime juice

Now for the sauce:

1/2 cup fresh cilantro

2 1/2 Tbsp lime juice

1/8 tsp cumin

1/4 tsp Garlic powder

Put in a food processor and serve on the side of your Ceviche

If you need to throw something together really fast: 

A hosting worst fear. One time MK and I were out with friends and everyone decided to come back to our place. I made salsa out of the fresh tomatoes in my fridge. After that I always made sure I had the fixens for salsa on hand, just in case. A lot of times you just have to go with what's in your fridge or pantry. 

Salsa On The Fly:

What you need:

Can of whole tomatoes

2 cans whole jalapeños  

1 small onion (perferably white but whatever you have on hand will work) 

1 1/2 tsp garlic salt

1 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp sugar

2 tsp lime juice  

What you do:

Throw it all in a blender! That's it!

Once, I had no tortilla chips but tortilla shells so I cut them in triangles and popped them in the oven until crispy. Super delicious. 

Now the only thing missing is a Margarita right? Stay tuned for Friday's Martini Moment. I have a great DIY and an even better drink recipe.

Enjoy your Wednesday! If you look closely you can see Friday in the distance...

Scrumptious Stacks

By now I'm sure you know I like things that are fancy, fast, and delicious. This is absolutely all of those things. One of the best parts about this recipe is that it's very versitile. It would work for Brunch, a dinner party, or just dinner for two as a snazzy appetizer. 

I'm very attracted to stack recipes. I must love a tower formation, haha. So this is a take on the classic Caprese Salad. Its so simple but definitely a crowd pleaser. 

What you need per one person:

fresh mozzarella ball

a big red tomato

 fresh basil

Bread and fry your tomatoes with extra virgin olive oil. 
 

You'll have to move fairly quickly to serve these tasty dishes. Fry the tomatoes for about three-five minutes on each side. Use your best judgment. Once they are done, place on a paper towel to get rid of excess oil. 

Then, just stack with tomato, cheese, tomato cheese. Top with fresh Basil and then drizzle with Balsamic. It's the perfect dish. Trust me on that one.  

Hoping your Hump Day is easy, fast, and full of delicious food.