snack Archives - Page 2 of 4 - Winstead Wandering

No-Bake Triple Chocolate Breakfast Cookies

January 8, 2017 by Abby

Packed with flavor and with surprisingly healthy ingredients, no-bake triple chocolate breakfast cookies are a tasty alternative to a typical boring breakfast.

Packed with flavor and surprisingly healthy ingredients, no-bake triple chocolate breakfast cookies are a tasty alternative to a typical boring breakfast.

I’m always on the hunt for new and delicious easy breakfast ideas. More often than not, I make a smoothie for breakfast, but I sometimes go with overnight oats or some sort of make-ahead recipe like these no-bake triple chocolate breakfast cookies.

These cookies are deceptively delicious. My kids and my husband, who all tend to turn up their noses at anything healthy, dug in like they were eating dessert. I had to quickly transfer the cookies to a plastic container and hide it in the fridge so we’d actually have some left over for breakfast.

Don’t sweat it if you and your crew can’t wait until breakfast; these guys are perfect for snacking, too!

No-Bake Triple Chocolate Breakfast Cookies

Ingredients

1 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup honey
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup cocoa powder
2 tbs ground flax seed
1 cup old-fashioned oats
1 cup crispy rice cereal
2 tbs mini chocolate chips
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips

Instructions

Add the peanut butter, honey, vanilla, and cocoa powder to a large bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds and then stir to combine. To the mixture, add flax seed, oats, cereal, and mini chocolate chips. Mix until everything is incorporated. Roll the mixture into golf ball-size balls and press into flat discs. Place shaped cookies on a cooling rack with wax or parchment paper underneath. You should end up with 12-14 cookies, depending on what size you make them.

Place dark chocolate chips in a small bowl and microwave in 30 second increments, stirring after each, until chocolate is smooth and melted. Use a spoon to drizzle the chocolate over the cookies. Allow a few hours for the chocolate to set and then store cookies in an airtight container.

Looking for more healthy bite-size snacks? Try banana bread protein bites and dark chocolate-covered almonds.

Pin these No-Bake Triple Chocolate Breakfast Cookies for later!

Packed with flavor and surprisingly healthy ingredients, no-bake triple chocolate breakfast cookies are a tasty alternative to a typical boring breakfast.

(this post contains affiliate links; to learn more, see my disclosure policy)

Tomato Black Bean Avocado Dip

January 2, 2017 by Abby

Tomato black bean avocado dip is an easy, healthy, and crowd-pleasing recipe that’s as perfect for an afternoon snack as it is for your next party.

Tomato black bean avocado dip is an easy, healthy, and crowd-pleasing recipe that's as perfect for an afternoon snack as it is for your next party.

My mom made this tomato black bean avocado dip, among other things, for my little sister’s high school graduation party last June. There’ some sort of magic that goes into this recipe because, I have to confess, I don’t even care much for tomatoes, avocados, or black beans. Despite that, I could.not.stop. eating this stuff. If that isn’t the sign of a great recipe, I don’t know what is.

There was plenty of other killer food there that day, including cinnamon roll bars with cream cheese frosting and a few other as-yet-unblogged recipes, but I kept coming back to this tomato black bean avocado dip. I enjoyed it with tortilla strips, but I can imagine how great it would be on pita, nachos, or tacos. Basically, it’s a dip and a condiment in one. I won’t even judge you for going after it with just a fork. It’s healthy enough you can do that guilt-free.

Tomato black bean avocado dip is an easy, healthy, and crowd-pleasing recipe that's as perfect for an afternoon snack as it is for your next party.

[Read more…]

Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Egg Rolls with Spicy Cranberry Dipping Sauce

November 11, 2016 by Abby

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #HonestSimpleTurkey #CollectiveBias

Got holiday leftovers? Don’t settle for boring sandwiches or soup. Spice things up with leftover Thanksgiving turkey egg rolls with spicy cranberry dipping sauce.

Got holiday leftovers? Don't settle for boring sandwiches or soup. Spice things up with leftover Thanksgiving turkey egg rolls with spicy cranberry dipping sauce.

One of my most cherished holiday memories is of my mom’s constant quest to use every last scrap of leftover turkey. She seems to consider it her personal mission to make sure it all gets used, and not just in boring recipes like sandwiches and soup. No, my mom makes outside-the-box delights like these leftover Thanksgiving turkey egg rolls with spicy cranberry dipping sauce.

Most of my best memories center- like a lot of people’s, I’m sure- around food. I guess that’s part of why I enjoy sharing recipes, both cherished favorites and new possibilities, with the people I love. I have so many memories of my mom bustling around the kitchen on holidays. I hope to create those same special moments with my own kids.

Got holiday leftovers? Don't settle for boring sandwiches or soup. Spice things up with leftover Thanksgiving turkey egg rolls with spicy cranberry dipping sauce.

My favorite thing about these egg rolls- aside from how insanely tasty they are- is that they call for more leftovers than just turkey. You can use extra raw veggies, like carrots and celery, in the egg rolls themselves. The sauce is perfect for extra cranberry sauce- does anyone actually use the whole can?- and cream cheese leftover from pie-making.

These egg rolls are the perfect recipe for budget-conscious cooks who want to get their money’s worth out of their holiday meal, for those who can’t stand the thought of letting leftovers go to waste, or for anyone who needs an easy, mouthwatering recipe to make while enjoying the holiday weekend.

Got holiday leftovers? Don't settle for boring sandwiches or soup. Spice things up with leftover Thanksgiving turkey egg rolls with spicy cranberry dipping sauce.

This recipe is best if you start with a delicious bird. For me, a turkey-cooking novice, that means using Honeysuckle Fresh Turkey. It comes already brined, so I all had to do to get a flavorful, crispy-skinned bird was add a little chicken stock to my makeshift roasting pan, bake the turkey at 350 degrees for about 13 minutes per pound, baste it a few times, and wait for the thermometer to pop up (your turkey should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees). As intimidated as I was by the thought of cooking my own turkey, the process was super easy.

Whether you’re an old pro or an amateur like me, you can happy knowing you’re using an animal raised by an Independent Family Farmer who meets high standards. Now through November 21, Kroger has an in-store coupon that’ll save you $2.50 on a Fresh Honeysuckle White Whole Turkey. In certain areas, they also have a $2.00 off coupon running through the end of the year for the same product.

Got holiday leftovers? Don't settle for boring sandwiches or soup. Spice things up with leftover Thanksgiving turkey egg rolls with spicy cranberry dipping sauce.

[Read more…]

Brown Sugar Bacon-Wrapped Sausages

November 7, 2016 by Abby

These brown sugar bacon-wrapped sausages are seriously like crack. They’re sweet, savory, addictive, and perfect for any party you’re having.

These brown sugar bacon-wrapped sausages are seriously like crack. They're sweet, savory, addictive, and perfect for any party you're having.

There are some big changes afoot in the Winstead household. While I typically try to avoid vague statements (like the one I just made) without further explanation, I’m too excited about what’s happening to not say something. I’m excited, nervous, hopeful, and anxious all at once, and I’ll be sharing more details in coming weeks.

In a season of life when there are still so many unknowns, it occurs to me that I have so much to be thankful for. In addition to the obvious, like the health of my family and a beautiful home to live in, I’m so thankful for answered prayers and peace of mind amidst uncertain circumstances. During a time when so much of the future is up in the air, I’m thankful for confidence that God’s timing is perfect.

Things might be looking different around the Winstead house soon, but some things never change. One thing that will always remain the same is my love for cute little bite-size appetizers, particularly those that include bacon-wrapped anything. These brown sugar bacon sausages are a recipe my mother-in-law has made for a few years. They’re a huge hit with anyone who tries them, and with good reason.

The sausages themselves aren’t anything special. They’re the kind often served smothered with barbecue sauce at parties. The bacon is where the beauty begins. The strips are the same width as the length of the sausages, making them a perfect pairing. When the dish bakes, the brown sugar on top gets sticky and caramel-y. The result is a perfectly sweet and savory bite that’ll be a hit at any holiday or game day event.

[Read more…]

Homemade Pizza Pockets

October 6, 2016 by Abby

No cooking sleeve required: these homemade pizza pockets are nothing but fresh, seasoned dough, filled with your favorite meats, vegetables, and cheeses. And they’re freezer-friendly!

Me and pizza. We have a deep love for one another. Actually, it’s pretty one-sided, but I have love enough for us both.

One thing I don’t love, though, is store bought pizza pockets. They were a pretty big deal when I was in junior high; twice a week my parents would give me cash to buy one, along with a can of Snapple, from the student store. The endless wait to use one of two microwaves was always worth it because of the pouch of hot, melted cheese waiting for me at the end.

Now? Now, I have a hard time remembering what I saw in them. I’ll get a craving for one a couple times a year, but each time I break down and buy a box, I always tell myself, “See? They’re not good. At all. Don’t do this again.”

With this recipe, I don’t have to. I can make my own homemade pizza pockets and I get to know exactly what goes in to them. The batch in these pictures was an afterthought, thrown together with the same quick dough I use for grilled pizza. I stuffed them with pepperoni and mozzarella and called it good- and they were, so good.

When I plan ahead, I love to fill my dough with onions, peppers, or leftover marinated chicken. They’d be divine with oven-fried chimichanga filling or even vegetables only. It doesn’t really matter what goes inside; anything wrapped in homemade dough, brushed with olive oil, and sprinkled with garlic salt is going to be a winner.

[Read more…]

Avocado Tuna Salad

September 12, 2016 by Abby

No mayo here. Hearty, healthy ingredients like Greek yogurt and sweet bell peppers will make this avocado tuna salad your new favorite lunch.

Canned tuna is a pretty love it or hate it food. Obviously, I fall in the love it category, even though I’m not a fan of eating it plain. In the past few years I’ve started to substitute Greek yogurt for mayonnaise and sour cream in a lot recipes, so I decided to give it a shot here, too. I’m also on an avocado kick, so I tossed some of that in, too.

I love making my tuna more hearty by adding all kinds of diced vegetables. I just go with whatever I have on hand, which usually consists of diced jalapeño (from a jar), sweet bell pepper in any color, and red onion. Sometimes, if I have it, I’ll throw in celery and cucumbers, too. I love the crunch and the texture those vegetables add.

I don’t care for much for celery or sweet relish, which is why you won’t find either of those in this recipe. You can totally add those if that’s what you’re into, but I love it just the way it is. My favorite ways to eat avocado tuna salad are with pita bread or crackers, like the cracked pepper and olive oil Triscuits from the pictures.

[Read more…]

Green Chile White Queso Dip

August 15, 2016 by Abby

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and The Coca-Cola Company. All opinions are mine alone. #GameTimeHosting #CollectiveBias

It isn’t game day without a big bowl of this quick and easy, perfectly spicy, melted cheese goodness known as green chile white queso dip.

It isn't game day without a big bowl of this quick and easy, perfectly spicy, melted cheese goodness known as green chile white queso dip.

School is officially back in session for a lot of the country, including us Mississippians. As a teacher, there’s pretty much only one thing that makes me eager to leave behind lazy summer days in favor of going back to work: The allure of fall. It’s right around the corner and, were it not for the oppressive humidity that’s a mainstay in The South this time of year, I’d probably be able to feel it.

It isn't game day without a big bowl of this quick and easy, perfectly spicy, melted cheese goodness known as green chile white queso dip.

In addition to cooler fall temperatures, I’m looking forward to cozy sweatshirts, all things pumpkin, and, most of all, football season.

We’re just about as stereotypical as you might imagine football fans in The South to be. I can just about guarantee we’ll be cheering on our team in person if they’re playing at home, and we catch most every away game on TV. It isn’t just the game itself that’s important, though; it’s the whole ritual of gathering with family and grazing on favorite foods throughout the day.

It isn't game day without a big bowl of this quick and easy, perfectly spicy, melted cheese goodness known as green chile white queso dip.

Because you can’t really have a game day celebration without a dip or three, I made this green chile white queso dip. It’s quick to prepare and is basically a block of shredded white cheddar cheese with a few additional ingredients to make it a smooth, flavorful dip. This cheese dip is best enjoyed right after it’s made, so I love to pair it with some easy make-ahead options, like baked chicken taquitos, double chocolate brownies, or spinach and artichoke dip.

While I was at Family Dollar grabbing some game day staples, like Coca-Cola™, I found Wise Nacho Cheese Tortilla chips that ended up being so good dipped in this queso. Like, insanely good. [Read more…]

Crushed Oreo Triangles

June 16, 2016 by Abby

Made with store bought crescent roll dough, crushed Oreo triangles are as rich and indulgent as they are quick and easy to make.

I don’t buy Oreos. I don’t buy them because I love them and because I know my own limits. If they’re in the house, I tend to eat them, so I just make sure they aren’t in the house.

Except when I’m making Oreo cupcakes. In that case, I have to buy them and I have to watch them watching me, taunting me with their cream-filled goodness. So I made the cupcakes and the remaining Oreos sat, untouched, in the kitchen baking drawer for nearly a week. At that point, I knew I had two options: binge on them all and be done with it or use them in a recipe.

Clearly, I opted for door number two. Truthfully, these little triangles of deliciousness had been running through my mind for months. I’d stumbled across the recipe and wanted to make it, but I never had everything I needed (see above: can’t buy Oreos). But now I had Oreos, and I had crescent rolls, and I had an intense desire to bake something decadent.

These crushed Oreo triangles are unbelievably rich and delectable. The base- the triangles- is unassuming crescent roll dough. Really, it’s just the vessel for delivering the sinful mixture that is Oreo crumbs, butter, flour, and two kinds of sugar. And if that wasn’t enough indulgence, you drizzle a homemade glaze over the top of the finished product.

All told, this recipe took about 20 minutes to make. If these ingredients are ones you regularly keep on hand, I’d say you might be in trouble.

[Read more…]

How to Make an Awesome Bagel Pizza

February 29, 2016 by Abby

Bagels aren’t just for breakfast anymore. They’re the perfect way to re-purpose leftovers and they please even the pickiest eaters. Here’s how to make an awesome bagel pizza.

Bagels aren't just for breakfast anymore. They're the perfect way to re-purpose leftovers and they please even the pickiest eaters. Here's how to make an awesome bagel pizza.

Hold up. Before you double check to make sure you didn’t inadvertently land at fratguyfood.com, let me explain.

Bagels are a perfectly legitimate thing to eat for dinner. They’re carbs, which will keep you fuller longer, and they come in a huge variety of flavors: whole wheat, onion, everything, blueberry. Not to mention they’re pretty much universally liked, so even the pickiest eaters in your life will find a kind to enjoy.

Even so, this isn’t your average bagel pizza. I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve to take these babies to the next level. First, I brush the outside of each half with olive oil and sprinkle it with garlic salt. It creates the perfect crunchy-on-the-outside, chewy-on-the-inside bite. Second, I turn the broiler on for the last minute or so of the baking process to really melt the cheese and meld the flavors.

The bagel pizza I made for these photos is a quick take on my jalapeño popper pizza. It’s one of my favorite ways to pizza-up a bagel, but it’s certainly not the only way to do it. I also enjoy a classic pepperoni version with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.

Really, though, the bagel can just be a vehicle for whatever you want to put on it. Any sauce, no sauce, any cheese, no cheese. It’s the perfect way to remix your leftovers; I’m envisioning fajita fixings piled high and sprinkled with cheese, or last night’s sauteed veggies.

However you plan to rock your bagel pizza, make sure to follow the instructions below for maximum awesomeness.

[Read more…]

Easy Game Day Recipes

February 3, 2016 by Abby

These easy game day recipes are diverse enough to please any palate, but they all have on thing in common: they’re quick and simple to prepare.

These easy game day recipes are diverse enough to please any palate, but they all have on thing in common: they're quick and simple to prepare.

Y’all, the Super Bowl is in just a few days! While I’m a pretty big football fan, I’m most excited about what everyone is most excited about come Super Bowl Sunday: the commercials and the food. I can snack with the best of them, and I’ve posted plenty of recipes to prove that. Today, for the benefit of you and the guests at your Super Bowl party, I’m sharing my favorites in one mouthwatering post.