Gluten-Free Mini Cheesecakes

I adapted this recipe from one I found on Pinterest.  Although the recipe says it only makes 12 cheesecakes, I was able to make 24 mini ones, plus two regular muffin cheesecakes without any crust.  Super easy to make and the topping possibilities are endless.

Pinterest Recipe - I used this recipe to create my own Gluten-Free version.

Here are my modifications:

The Best Mini-Cheesecakes Ever

Makes 24 mini cheesecakes

• 2 to 2 1/2 cups of crushed chocolate Gluten-Free Chex (the cinnamon ones would work too)
• 3 T butter, melted
• 2 8 oz. packages cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 t vanilla extract
• melted chocolate and carmel to drizzle over the top
• fruit or pie fillings to put on the top OR just eat them plain.

Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease a mini muffin pan

Place a heaping teaspoon (more or less, depending on how much you like crust) in each cheesecake well. Press down with a spoon.

In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until well mixed. Add eggs and vanilla; beat until light and fluffy.

Fill wells with cream cheese batter.  Bake for 13-15 minutes. Cool.

Push each cheesecake out of its well from the bottom. With a butter knife, remove each cheesecake from the bottom plate and place on parchment paper or lightly greased tinfoil. Drizzle with melted chocolate or carmel.

Southern Caviar Recipe

So you have a party but not much time to make anything.  I've got a recipe for you.  It is super easy and even more DELICIOUS.  And for you gluten-free people out there - YOU CAN EAT THIS!!!  (So thankful to my friend Heather making me look for recipes that she can eat.)

Southern Caviar

15 ounces black beans, rinsed and drained
15 ounces black eyed peas, rinsed and drained
11 ounces canned white shoe peg corn, drained
1 package of cherry tomatoes, sliced into fourths
1 green bell pepper, seeded and finely chopped
3/4 cup KRAFT Zesty Italian Dressing

1. Put all of your vegetables in a bowl and mix together.
2. Pour the dressing over the vegetables and stir.
3. Refrigerate
4. Serve with chips.
5.  Enjoy!!!!

What's For Dinner?

We are a family of two, living on a strict budget, attempting to eat semi-healthy, and love to try new recipes. In my attempt to make things easier for me, I plan out our dinner menus for two weeks, go grocery shopping for those two weeks and then repeat the following two weeks. I have found that having some menu items that are consistent every week ex: pizza or breakfast for dinner, helps tons.

We spend $60 a week on groceries, which includes food items for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We shop at Aldi and Walmart, with the occasional Food Lion or Lowe's Food purchase for more speciality items that can not be found at our other locations.

BREAKFAST - We typically have cereal, smoothies, bagels, english muffins, or leftover Sunday Night breakfast items for breakfast during the week. We enjoy coffee and juice to drink as well.

LUNCH - I usually take a sandwich, chips, yogurt or applesauce, string cheese, and occasionally seasonal fruit for lunch. Aaron will usually have something similar.

DINNER - This is where I actually plan out the meals for the week. Here are our meals with the recipes for the following two weeks. *Click on the menu item and it will take you to the link with the recipe

WEEK 1

MONDAY
- meatball sub sandwiches
- oven fries (fancy oven fries if you are feeling "fancy")

TUESDAY
- Chicken Spaghetti*
*I usually make this and divide in half. I cook one and place the other in the freezer for a later day.
- Salad

WEDNESDAY - we have small group on Wednesday nights so we need something quick and easy!
- Leftover Meatball Sub Sandwiches
- chips and dip

THURSDAY
- Leftover Chicken Spaghetti
- Salad

FRIDAY
- Homemade Pizza - we will probably have pepperoni and cheese
***dough recipe for this week
***Pizza Sauce - I make my own sauce and usually double the recipe because we like to dip our crust in the sauce.
HOMEMADE PIZZA SAUCE - make a least an hour before you use it
- 1 8 ounce can of tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dry oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon marjoram
- 1/2 teaspoon dry basil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
*this is a Friday Night Tradition and with so many different varieties of pizza, it still hasn't gotten old after almost 2 years.

SATURDAY
- out to dinner
***this is because we are celebrating Aaron completing his three week intensive Greek class.

SUNDAY
LUNCH - leftover pizza
DINNER - Breakfast - pancakes and grits
* another tradition - we have breakfast for dinner a.k.a brinner

WEEK 2

MONDAY
- Lemon Crockpot Chicken with brown rice
- Sweet Potatoes
- 3 to 4 sweet potatoes (peeled and cut into bite size pieces)
- 1 to 2 tablespoons of butter (melted)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 to 2 tablespoons of brown sugar (more if you like them really sweet)
- drizzle of EVOO
- Preheat overn to 350, place cut sweet potatoes in a bowl, pour butter, EVOO, brown sugar, and cinnamon, mix together. Place evenly on a greased cookie sheet and cook for 60 minutes. Such a wonderful aroma will fill your home.
- Lima Beans

TUESDAY
- Tomato Tortellini Soup
- Homemade French Bread

*Note from Aaron - Said this is one of the best meals EVER!!!  It is a personal favorite even though it is meatless.

WEDNESDAY
- Leftover Lemon Crockpot Chicken with Pasta

THURSDAY
- Leftover Tomato Tortellini Soup
- Homemade French Bread

FRIDAY
- Homemade pizza using Pioneer Woman Dough for the Crust
***(this crust can be made 3-4 days before you actually use it)
*don't forget to make your homemade sauce

SATURDAY
- Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken
- Fried Rice *fried rice recipe is at the bottom of this page, however the baked sweet and sour chicken in AMAZING too.

SUNDAY
- French Toast using Homemade French Bread

Happy Meal Planning

This page is designed to share our menu planning and recipes. We are a family of two but most of our recipes make enough for 4 people. We take the leftovers from those meals and eat them again later on in the week. I hope this page will allow me to share how we plan our meals and let you the reader to find some new recipes to try.

We have already planned for the next two weeks but haven't tried all of the recipes yet. I will post the menu and recipes (along with pictures) in about two weeks. Then I will start all over. Happy Meal Planning!!!