Lightened-Up Chicken & Curry Pot Pie

Hello fresh followers, yes, I am finally sharing new, and (hopefully), inspired, recipes with you! This recipe is the first of a series that I call "lightened-up" comfort food: warm, hearty, and rich dishes for winter that are also guilt-free.

I am quite delighted that this is the first recipe; it captures the theme perfectly -- a delicious, crowd-pleasing dish, but was simple to make and also deceptively healthy. The recipe is similar to a traditional chicken pot pie, however, I lightened-it up by taking away the bottom crust, adding more veggies, and creating a lighter sauce that also features some curry flavor! It was soul-soothing and seemed decadent -- however, keep reading -- I promise that you will be shocked to see how healthy it really is! Let's do this...

Healthy Recipe Compilation

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season!!! I don't know about y'all, but I was just about the laziest person alive -- there has been A LOT of couch sitting and mimosa drinking in my life, haha. I was in desperate need of some relaxation, so sorry I haven't been around much! However, now that I'm rejuvenated, I'm really looking forward to the New Year, and helping people incorporate fresh & healthy ingredients into their lives!

I'm currently developing some lightened-up classic comfort food dishes; wonderful meals to keep you warm in the winter that are more nutritious than the usual! Until I get those posts ready, I wanted to share a compilation of some of the healthiest recipes on my blog, featuring breakfast, salads, & entrees! Just click on the title to get to the specific recipes that interest you. Hope you try them out, and here's to a FRESH 2013!!

Breakfast 

Blueberry Breakfast Quinoa 

Mango-Nut Granola

Almond Butter, Oatmeal & Banana Bars

Salads

Citrus Quinoa Salad

 



Chinese Chicken Salad

Quick & Easy Quinoa Salad

  











Entrees & Sides

White Bean & Chicken Chili

Baked "Fried" Chicken

Panko-Crusted Asian Salmon & Lightened-Up Fried Rice 

Baked Fish w/ Arugula-Caper Salsa Verde

Roasted Broccoli & Cherry Tomatoes

 














Orzo-Stuffed Bell Peppers

Roasted Chicken w/ Citrus-Garlic Sauce (Note: to make this dish less fattening, remove the skin upon eating.)

There are more healthy recipes on the blog, but I thought this was a nice variety. EAT FRESH! ~Leah

And the winner is...

Peanut Butter & Peppers!!

And a HUGE thank you to everyone else for your support. I truly appreciate it, and I am looking forward to sharing many more fresh & seasonal recipes with you! Happy Holidays!

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

I've been wanting to do some whoopie pies for a while, and I thought red velvet would be lovely for Christmas! And, oh, were these tasty! They feature classic red velvet flavors, but in a different vehicle. These little hand-held "pies" are perfect for giving as a gifts (no forks required!). In retrospect, I wish I had made them a little smaller, but in my directions, I'll let you know what I did, and how to make them smaller, if you wish.

If you're looking for a unique, delicious treat for Christmas (or anytime), these are perfect to add to your "to-bake" list...

Christmas Baking Compilation

I AM DONE WITH THIS SEMESTER!!! What does that mean?? No more school for a few weeks, and time to cook/bake my face off! I am already plotting some awesome Christmas goodies and winter dishes, and I can't wait to share them with you!

Until then, here are some desserts I've already made that are holiday baking perfection. Check them out, and click on the title/name to get to the actual post. Hope you enjoy, and much love to you and your friends/family this Christmas!

ALSO, DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE WINTER GIVEAWAY GOING ON NOW!!!


** BARS **

"Sinner" Bark

* Layers of: Chocolate, Caramel, Whiskey-Marshmallow Cream & Candied Bacon

Yeah, you read that right!! Absolutely sinful, and ridulously delicious! The guys (and gals) in your life will go crazy over this, I promise!


 

Salted Caramel Chocolate Shortbread Bars

  

* A perfect layered bar: Slightly sweet shortbread, chewy caramel, rich chocolate, and topped with a little finishing salt.

Lovely in a goodie basket!






Seven Layer Bars
* Super easy to make, and they taste divine!

Just layer butter, graham cracker crumbs, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, pecans, sweetened condensed milk, shredded coconut, and bake!








 ** COOKIES **

Gingerbread Cookies

* The best way to feature the comforting warmth and spice of gingerbread -- in a soft, melt-in-your mouth cookie! And for some extra goodness, add a little white chocolate to the center.

These just taste like Christmas.




Triple Chocolate Cookies  

* Chocolate cookie with dark and milk chocolate pieces, with some pecans for a nutty crunch.

As a friend said, these were MADE for a glass of milk :)













 
White Chocolate Orange Cookies

 * Soft sugar cookie with a hint of orange and white chocolate chips. For more orange kick, add the orange glaze!









** TRIFLE & CAKE POPS **

Chocolate Cherry Trifle

 * A traditional trifle featuring layers of brandy-soaked chocolate cake, chocolate custard, cherry jam, cherries, and whipped cream.

I made this as the Christmas dessert last year, and it was an absolute knockout!






 Red Velvet Cake Pops  

* Moist red velvet cake and cream cheese frosting, covered in a white chocolate candy shell.

I made these for Valentine's Day last year, but they would be perfect to decorate with some Christmas cheer!

** Winter Giveaway ** Enter now until 12/20!

Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal (w/ Apples & Pecans)

Fall is nearing an end, and here you have my favorite breakfast for this time of year! It's healthy, hearty, and by far the most delicious oatmeal preparation out there (in my humble opinion). Read more on why I love baked oatmeal & another great recipe here. If you haven't tried it yet, I promise, you will never go stove top/microwave again. For those of you who have, you feel me, right??