Air Fry Chickpeas

1 can of rinsed chickpeas

1 Tablespoon Avacado oil

Ranch seasoning or your favorite seasoning

Mix all together

Air Fry at 390 for 15 minutes 

Monster Cookie Protein Bites

(Makes 25 bites)

2 cups quick oats

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup Reduced-Fat JIF Creamy Peanut Butter

1/2 cup honey 

1/4 cup low-fat 1% milk

3 (25 gram) scoops Vanilla Protein Powder

1/4 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips

1/4 cup mini m&ms

Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl or using a stand mixer.

Use a 1 Tablespoon cookie scoop or roll into 25 balls (1.2 ounces each) and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese

16 oz elbow macaroni (about 3 cups)

3 Tbs. butter

1 1/2 cups milk (divided)

2 eggs lightly beaten

1 lb. (16 oz) cubed (1/2 in. size) American cheese

16 oz shredded mild cheddar Jack cheese (about 4 cups) (divided)

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp black pepper

Heat oven to 375* F

1. Cook macaroni in a large pot of salted boiling water until tender but not mushy. (about 8-10 min). Drain and then pour into large mixing bowl.
2. Melt on low the American Cheese and 3/4 cup milk until melted. (stir often)
3. Pour melted cheese sauce over pasta and stir. Add in butter, 3/4 cup milk, eggs, 1 cup shredded cheese, salt and pepper. Mix well and transfer to a 2 quart baking dish. Pour the remaining cheese on top.

Bake until top crust is golden brown and casserole is bubbling, about 25 min. Serve hot.

Fry sauce

Equal parts of ketchup and mayonnaise 1/2 cup

Add 1+ tablespoons Worcestershire sauce,  two sprinkles of garlic and onion powder and a couple of shakes of your mama Cajun seasoning.

Add any flavoring to your liking

Fresh Summer Desert

1 can frozen lemonade 12oz. 1 container cool whip (1 pound) 1 container cream cheese (1 pound) Mix all three ingredients with a wire whisk. You might want to set out the cream cheese to soften. I used my hand mixer. Pour into 2 large graham cracker crust. Let stay in fridge for at least 1-2 hours. For taste and appeal you can add yellow food coloring and lemon zest. You can do this with Orange or other flavors.

Chicken Taco

 5 to 6 chicken breast (good sized)

Cover with taco seasoning (Lots)

2 cans pinto beans (I used black and northern)

2 cans diced tomatoes 

1 can diced green chilies 

3 fresh limes (2TBS juice from bottle per lime)

Cook in crockpot until chicken can easily be shredded then continue to cook on low for flavor to cook in.

Serve on White Corn Tortillas, add any desired toppings.

Chicken Gnocchi

Ingredients:

3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts - cooked and diced

1 stalk of celery - chopped

½ white onion - chopped 

2 teaspoons minced garlic

 ½ cup shredded carrots

1 tablespoon olive oil

4 cups chicken broth

salt and pepper - to taste

1 teaspoon thyme

16 ounces potato gnocchi 

2 cups half and half - For even  more cream richness, swap one     cup of the half and half for heavy cream.

1 cup fresh spinach - roughly chopped 

Instruction:

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add celery, onions, garlic, and carrots and saute for 2-3 minutes until onions are translucent.

Add chicken, chicken broth, salt, pepper, and thyme, bring to a boil, then gently stir in gnocchi. Boil for 3-4 minutes longer before reducing heat to a simmer and cooking for 10 minutes.

Stir in half and half and spinach and cook another 1-2 minutes until spinach is tender. Taste, add salt and pepper if needed, and serve.