Skinny Enchilada Bubble

This weekend I discovered a new skinny cooking website, Emily Bites. I think we have similar tastes because everything she has on there, sounds good to me. And best of all, NO SEAFOOD! =)
Since I had the day off (although I worked for the majority of it!), trying a new recipe sounded like fun. So I made the Skinny Enchilada Bubble. And, the verdict was...AMAZING. Both Adrian and I had seconds.  I think it was easier than regular enchiladas and it had a whooping six ingredients. Just my kind of recipe.

So run to the store and bake this puppy up tonight!

=) Chelsea

Cream Cheese Cutouts

I apologize for the on-slot of posts today. I have been neglecting the blog since work has been consuming my entire life. Downfall of teaching is that you can't ever just walk away at 4 o'clock and say you will finish it tomorrow. I have been putting in probably 70 hour weeks lately between the commute, work and working at home. Every teacher out there feels my pain right now!
So I had a bunch of things I wanted to post about this morning before I go run. This specific post had to wait until after Valentine's Day because this was Adrian's present. These are his favorite cookies (and I would be lying to not add that these are my favorite's as well).
I must admit that these are not a quick process but it is sooooooo worth it. My mom makes these every year as her Christmas cutouts and then on my birthday usually for me. This year we made them for all my co-workers (bad idea, it took us no less than 8 hours and that doens't include my mom pre-mixing the dough).

Here is the recipe for the Cream Cheese Cutouts. *The directions say to chill the dough overnight. I think 8 hours is a little excessive however these did need about two hours in the freezer in order to not stick to the mat!

My frosting doesn't look as beautiful in the picture as in real life but it is super shiny and dries hard so you can stack them.

1 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon corn syrup
splash of almond extract

Mix these three together and then keep adding powdered sugar until it is a thick glaze. You don't want it to be runny, but rather you should have to use a knife (or the back of a spoon) in order to frost them.

Here's what the Christmas mittens looked like...

And I can't post this recipe without giving all the credit to my Momma Louie. These are her showstopper cookies. I just steal all her recipes ;-) Gosh I love her =)

=) Chelsea

Miss E's Sloppy Joes

Over three years ago, my friend Elise introduced me to her nerdy high school friend. He was tall and drove an Audi that was far too loud. But that boy ended up being the best thing that ever happened to me, so I am eternally grateful to her.
When we first started dating, I was always trying to impress him with my cooking (although I should have known that this boy loves everything edible that I make!) I asked him what his favorite foods were right away so I could master them. The only one he asked for was Elise's Sloppy Joes.
WHAT?!?! Sloppy Joes? Really? I was thinking he would ask for lasagna or steak. In my head, I was less than thrilled because the memories I have of sloppy joes include a can of sauce and ground beef. I didn't mind it as a kid but I felt like I could make him something better. He said that Elise would send me the recipe. Recipe? Who needs a recipe for sloppy joes!?!?
I followed the recipe and measured everything perfectly. Then he walked in the kitchen and started throwing in more of certain ingredients. This boy did NOT know how to cook anything more than chicken patties so I was terrified when he took control. But it turns out, you really can't screw up Miss E's Sloppy Joes.
This quickly became one of my FAVORITE meals. And now I am the one begging for sloppy joe night. Quick, one pan, and doesn't even need a bun 'cause they is soooooooooooo damn good.

                                 Miss E's Sloppy Joes
*Note this is less of a "recipe" and more of a "put a little of everything in the pan, then keep adding things until you like it." We haven't measured anything for this recipe in years.

1 pound ground beef
1/2 an onion
1/4 cup of ketchup
3 T brown sugar
2 T spicy brown mustard
1 T apple cider vinegar (this MAKES the recipe...feel free to add more, Adrian always does!)

Brown the beef with the onion. Drain the fat. Add all the rest of the ingredients. Taste test and then add more of ingredient until it is perfect for you. I love brown sugar so I add a ton and Adrian loves the cider vinegar so that is usually ends up getting a second shake too.
I like to serve these on toasted light buns to attempt to make it healthy!

=) Chelsea

Skinny Taco Dip

For the Superbowl this year, I wasn't craving sweets...which is totally unlike me. But taco dip sounded perfect so I searched for a skinny version and found this one on Skinnytaste. I love her recipes and how easy everything is to make. My only addition was avocado on top. *Note to self: Turns out that avocado is not very popular amongst men ages 25-27. Crazies.

I suggest making this right beforehand otherwise it can get a little sloppy. Adrian took the leftovers for lunch the next day...and it looked a little watery but he never complains ;-)

For me, taco dip brings back great memories of my best friend Kristin. In high school, this was our go to snack. And every time we see each other now, there is usually a taco dip in tow. But we are easy people...we sometimes just eat the sour cream mixed with taco seasoning. (Don't knock it 'til you try it!)


=) Chelsea