Mtdl

Loaded Beef and Bean Nachos

simplyscratch.com

Loaded Beef and Bean Nachos have it all! Thick corn tortilla chips topped with a saucy beef and refried bean mixture, melty cheese and a plethora of toppings like bell pepper, red onion and black olives. Once baked, serve with guacamole, sour cream and hot sauce!Yields 4 to 6 servings.

3 cups cheddar jack cheese (freshly grated/shredded)
1 cup diced bell peppers (I like a mix of red, orange and yellow )
1 medium red onion (finely diced)
1/2 cup sliced black olives
4 green onions (sliced)
1 to 2 medium roma tomatoes (seeded and finely diced)
2 teaspoons olive oil (or avocado oil)
1/2 medium yellow onion (finely diced)
4 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
1 pinch kosher salt
1 pound lean ground beef (I like to use 90/10)
5 tablespoons taco seasoning (see notes)
1 recipe fat free refried beans (or use store bought (I like La Preferida))
16 ounces thick/sturdy tortilla chips (or more as needed)
chopped fresh cilantro (for serving)
guacamole
sour cream
salsa
jalapeños (raw or pickled)
hot sauce

See Full Recipe

Lemon Pistachio Cake

simplyscratch.com

Lemon Pistachio Cake is the perfect springtime dessert! Bursting with bright citrus flavor and earthy nuttiness, this cake is topped with simple yet incredible lemon mascarpone frosting.This recipe will yield 12 to 16 servings.

3/4 cup shelled unsalted pistachios (plus more for garnishing)
2 to 3 small lemons (zested (about a generous tablespoon))
1⅔ cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon fine salt
1/3 cup whole milk
1/4 cup full fat sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (or pure vanilla extract)
1 cup granulated white sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter (at room temperature)
3 large eggs
3/4 cup powdered sugar (sifted)
6 ounces mascarpone cheese (at room temperature)
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/2 to 1 tablespoon heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon lemon extract

See Full Recipe

Grilled Chicken and Tomato Basil Bruschetta Pizza

simplyscratch.com

This Grilled Chicken Bruschetta Pizza is fresh, cheesy and delicious! Crispy ciabatta bread topped with sliced grilled chicken, a blend of melty Italian cheeses and a super simple yet extremely flavorful tomato basil bruschetta topping. Perfect for summer! Serves 4 to 8.

2 tablespoons lemon juice (or about 1/2 a lemon)
1 teaspoon avocado oil (or use extra light olive oil)
1 tablespoon italian seasoning
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 to 1¼ pounds thin-cut boneless skinless chicken breasts
6 medium roma tomatoes (seeded and diced)
1/4 cup sliced fresh basil
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
2 cloves garlic (minced)
1 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)
16 ounces ciabatta loaf (cut in half horizontally)
2 cups grated italian cheese blend
1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan
balsamic glaze (for serving (optional))

See Full Recipe

7-Layer Taco Dip

simplyscratch.com

This 7-Layer Taco Dip is a super simple and classic appetizer! Taco seasoned cream cheese is topped with seasoned ground beef and 5 layers (or more!) of your favorite taco toppings! Simply serve with tortilla chips and watch it disappear! Yields 8 to 10 servings (depending).

1 pound lean ground beef (I like 90/10)
7 tablespoons taco seasoning (divided (see notes below))
8 ounces whipped cream cheese
1 (generous)cup iceberg or romaine lettuce (sliced very thin)
1 cup cheddar jack cheese (freshly shredded)
1 cup cherry tomato halves
1 medium avocado (diced small)
2 to 3 green onions (sliced)
1 to 2 bags tortilla chips (for serving)
1/4 cup sliced black olives
2 tablespoons red onions (finely diced)
1 to 2 jalapeños (sliced)
2 tablespoons minced cilantro
1/3 cup sweet bell peppers (finely diced)

See Full Recipe

Your Basic Weekend Pancakes

simplyscratch.com

Your Basic Weekend Pancakes are light, fluffy and deliciously perfect! No need for any specialty ingredients, just simple pantry and fridge ingredients whipped up into fluffy pancakes with crispy buttery edges. This recipe yields 18 medium size pancakes or 6 (3 pancake) servings.

2 cups unbleached all purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon fine salt
2 cups whole milk
2 large eggs
1½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup melted butter (plus more for griddle or pan)
salted butter (softened (see notes))
pure maple syrup ((see notes))

See Full Recipe

Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Vinaigrette

simplyscratch.com

This Strawberry Spinach Salad is a classic spring and summer salad! Baby spinach is tossed with micro-greens, chopped fresh dill and mint, topped with juicy fresh strawberries, chopped pistachios and pecans and drizzled with a homemade poppy seed vinaigrette. This recipe will serve 4 entrees or 6 side salads.

1/3 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
1 teaspoon poppy seeds
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
5 ounces baby spinach leaves
2 ounces micro greens
1 small handful fresh dill (chopped - about 2 tablespoons)
2 sprigs fresh mint (chopped)
1 quart fresh strawberries (trimmed, halved or quartered if large)
2 ounces pecan halves (toasted and coarsely chopped)
2 ounces pistachios (coarsely chopped)

See Full Recipe

Sweet Potato Blueberry Power Bowl

simplyscratch.com

Loaded with flavor and nutritious goodness, this Sweet Potato Blueberry Power Bowl will fill you up and keep you satisfied. Baby spinach is topped with turmeric roasted sweet potato, blueberries, avocado, blood oranges, cashews, hemp seeds and drizzled with a creamy cashew dressing. Add slices of cooked chicken for extra protein!

2 large sweet potatoes (peeled and diced into 1 to 1½ inch pieces)
2 tablespoons melted coconut oil
1 turmeric vegetable seasoning blend
5 ounces baby spinach
1 large avocado (peeled and sliced)
1 pint blueberries (rinsed and patted dry)
2 blood oranges (peeled and sliced)
1/2 red onion (thinly sliced )
1/2 cup lightly salted cashews
1/4 cup hemp hearts
1 recipe creamy cashew dressing

See Full Recipe

Celery Salad with Parmesan and Dates

simplyscratch.com

This refreshing and crisp Celery Salad is simple yet ridiculously flavorful. Thinly sliced celery, chopped dates, shaved parmesan and toasted walnuts tossed with shallots that have soaked in a simple dressing of lemon juice and olive oil. Yields 6 servings.

1 medium shallot (sliced)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup lemon juice (about 2 to 3 small lemons)
1/4 to 1/3 cup olive oil (I eyeball it)
1 cup walnuts (toasted and roughly chopped)
1 cup chopped medjool dates (remove pits first before chopping)
1 large bunch celery (wash and pat dry)
1 cup parmesan cheese shavings

See Full Recipe

Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Eggs

simplyscratch.com

Homemade Peanut Butter Eggs are so easy and, dare I say, better than Reese's? Simple ingredients like peanut butter, oat flour, maple syrup and vanilla are combined, shaped and dipped in milk chocolate. Perfect for Easter (or any occasion really)! Yields 13 peanut butter eggs.

1 cup creamy peanut butter ((smooth))
1 cup oat flour (finely ground)
1 tablespoon real maple syrup
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
11.5 ounces milk chocolate chips (I use Ghirardelli (see notes))
1 tablespoon coconut oil

See Full Recipe

Quick Pico de Gallo

simplyscratch.com

In this Quick Pico de Gallo, fresh tomatoes is combined with onions, garlic, jalapeño, cilantro with a squeeze of fresh lime juice. The perfect topping to your tacos or as a fresh salsa for your tortilla chips.

6 roma tomatoes (seeded and diced small)
1 small white onion (diced small)
1 medium jalapeño (seeded and finely diced)
1 clove garlic (minced)
1/3 cup cilantro (finely chopped, more or less to taste)
kosher salt (to taste)
1/2 large lime (juiced)

See Full Recipe