This recipe came out so amazingly good the first time through that we were practically licking our plates

What do you do when you want something quick and easy, there’s not much in the house, and you don’t want to go out?
 
Pantry Raid!!

On a recent week night, after eating dinner, we decided we wanted something sweet. Something that was really dessert, but didn’t take a long time to put together. We had a movie to watch and we wanted to get to it.
 
So, I jumped onto the Food Blog Search and typed in “quick dessert.” A whole bunch of things popped up, and a few items down, I found Millie’s Quick Dessert Cake. Not only did it, indeed, sound very quick, but it used canned pie filling – of which I have several I need to use up (how is it that I have several, I ask you? I never use them! Why did I buy them? I don’t understand). So, Quick Dessert Cake it was!

This is another awesome, fast and delicious slow cooker meal. Basically, you are just cooking the broth all day, then come home, throw in the fish for the last few minutes, then serve and eat.
 
A perfect meal for those crazy nights you know you won’t want to cook. Just prep everything the night before, then put the broth mixings in on your way off to work. When you get home, put the fish in and turn it up to high, put some crusty sourdough bread in the oven to warm up and 20-30 minutes later, you’re eating a hearty and satisfying meal.

Simple Guacamole

I don’t know why we don’t eat lamb more often. It’s juicy and delicious, and little chops are quick and easy to make. But for whatever reason, I never seem to think of it until I see all the Easter lamb recipes on the Internet.
 
I’ve not yet made a leg of lamb, but I’ve done chops a couple of times. Don’t wait for a special occasion to make these – they grill (or broil) up in a snap. Pair with mashed potatoes as I did for an indulgent treat, or even just a simple salad or some steamed veggies for a super quick, easy and healthy weeknight meal.

Is this not the coolest pasta you have ever seen in your life? I found this (and a bunch of other fun colored and shaped pastas) at World Market the other day and could not resist them, but I think this one is the most unique. I love it! I even love the name – “Mother In Law’s Tongue” pasta.
 
I’ve been pondering how to serve this beautiful pasta. Most pasta sauces would cover up the lovely colors, and I didn’t want to go that direction. Then, while browsing through some tried and true recipes, I found just the perfect thing. Spicy Garlic Rosemary Shrimp!

Everything that tastes good is fattening. That’s the rumor, anyway. And while sometimes it sure seems that way, fortunately there are a few goodies out there to prove it wrong.
 
Take strawberries, for instance. Beautiful, juicy, sweet and delicious. AND very low calorie (and they’re even quite filling). Strawberries are definitely an exception to the above rule. Strawberries are a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth without busting any buttons.

I have a confession to make. Some nights, I’m too tired to really cook. Some nights, I just don’t want to. I’m sorry! I WANT to be that person who makes everything from scratch every single night, I do! But sometimes, I’m just not. That pesky day job (and the second job, the kid, the pets, the man, the house, sometimes pure laziness….) just really gets in the way.
 
The problem is, on those nights, I still don’t really want to get fast food or order in, either. What’s a girl to do? Well, I try to keep a few basics on hand for nights like those.

Since I recently lost some weight, I often get asked, “How do you bake like that and still stay skinny?”

Ah, gnocchi. Have you tried it? I hadn’t until about last year sometime, when I found some at the local Sam’s Club. I’d seen lots of recipes to make it, but I rarely have time for things like making fresh pasta, so hadn’t yet had a chance to try it.
 
Even though I’d never tasted it, I bought the economy pack of over 3 pounds. I mean, after all, it’s potatoes – starchy, fluffy, filling potatoes. What’s not to like? Let’s just say that 3 pounds did not go to waste.
 
Dried gnocchi cooks very fast. It takes a lot longer for the water to come to a boil in the first place than it does for the gnocchi to cook in it. Consequently, gnocchi has become a go-to quick meal staple. Boil some gnocchi, top it with a jarred or homemade sauce, add in some grilled chicken, sausage and/or veggies and it’s a filling, yummy one pot meal.

Have I mentioned that we love fungus at my house? Well, we do. We really, really do.