Skillet Sweet Potatoes

I like having these skillet sweet potatoes as an alternate side sometimes, instead of boring old french fries. You can make them spicy with cayenne pepper, or try them with a little cinnamon. They are also great for breakfast.

Skillet Sweet Potatoes

2 sweet potatoes
1 TBSP oil
1 tsp salt
2 tsps dried parsley
Cayenne pepper OR ground cinnamon to taste

1. Peel and cube sweet potatoes into about 1/2 inch pieces.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the potatoes.
3. Stir the potatoes to coat with oil. Add the salt, parsley, and cayenne OR cinnamon. Mix well.
4. Cook the potatoes, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes until crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Serve hot. Top with more salt if desired.

Serves 4

Date and Cashew Snack Bars

No sugar in these! Can you believe it?! I love having them in the fridge because when I feel like a snack, I pop one in my mouth, and don't feel guilty. My kids like them too and I have to keep telling them they are MY snacks! If you're looking for something healthy and naturally sweet, give these a try.

Date and Cashew Snack Bars
blessthismessplease.com
2 cups pitted dates
3/4 cup raw cashews
1/4 cup natural nut butter (peanut, almond, or cashew)
1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
2 TBSPs cocoa powder
1 pinch salt

1. Line a 8 inch or 9 inch square dish with parchment paper.
2. Add all ingredients into a food processor or blender and process until the mixture becomes smooth and clumps into a ball, leaving only little pieces of nuts.
3. Dump the mixture into prepared pan.
4. Using your hands, press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the dish.
5. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Remove the bars from the pan and cut into pieces.

Store them  in an air tight container in the fridge or freezer.

Caprese Chicken Panini

I bought a beautiful basil plant from Trader Joe's! It sat on my porch for a month until I finally decided I had better make use of  it! We had these sandwiches for lunch and they were amazing! I made them in a sandwich press, but you can cook them on the stove top too.

Caprese Chicken Panini
Bread (I sliced up a loaf of french bread)
Fresh mozarella slices
Deli lunch meat chicken
Tomato slices
Basil leaves
Balsamic vinegar
Mayo
Butter, if desired

Spread a slice of bread with mayo. Layer chicken, tomato slices, basil leaves, mozarella. Drizzle mozarella with a little balsamic vinegar. Top the sandwich with another slice of bread. Butter the outer sides of the bread, if desired, and cook them in a sandwich press or a skillet on the stove top until golden.

Here's the cheese I used. It had a $1.00 off coupon attached. ;)