Anything “pinwheels” is always fun and easy to make! I especially liked making these spinach and artichoke pinwheels because I love spinach and artichoke dip!

Yes, <—  I know it looks like a blob…but you can make yours look like a Christmas tree like it’s supposed to look for the holidays OR just separate the rolls and cook them apart.

Either way, they were yummy and with a million holiday parties happening this weekend, it’s perfect to bring as your treat.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees, first. Then start chopping up your spinach into small fine pieces, (see ingredients below) chop the RED pepper for Christmas (I didn’t have one, so I used orange 🙂 ) into small pieces, and then chop up two artichoke hearts into small pieces.

Toss everything into a mixing bowl and add 1/3 cup of ricotta cheese, minced garlic, salt and pepper, red chili pepper flakes (if you want) and Parmesan cheese. Mix, mix, mix it all up!!

Take your crescent roll dough and spread it out into a rectangle 12″/8″ and roll it out so it is smooth. Spoon your ricotta cheese mixture onto the dough and spread evenly. The trick here, that I would do NEXT time, is to make sure the mixture is NOT too thick. The thinner the better, because it will be easier to roll and wont break apart.

Next, start rolling the dough slowly on the longer side until you have nice ricotta swirls. Then, slice the rolls ito 1/2″ slices and place into a Christmas tree shape.

Put it in the oven and cook (well done) for 20 mins. Then sprinkle with more Parmesan cheese and you’re done!

Ingredients: I got the recipe here! 

• 8 oz croissant dough or pizza dough homemade or store-bought
• 1 1/2 cup finely chopped spinach
• 1/4 cup red pepper finely chopped
• 2 medium artichoke hearts finely chopped
• 1/3 cup ricotta cheese
• 1-2 garlic cloves minced
• 1/2 tsp  red chili flakes optional
• 1-2 tbsp parmesan cheese
• salt and pepper

Check out the pictures from my kitchen below!!!  <3 Katie Ryan

Quick weeknight recipes are great! Everyone is busy during the week and if you’re craving a delicious hot soup, full of flavor that will fill your bellies while it’s cold outside, then this Chicken Tortilla Soup, is it! 

A one pot deal! I made this recipe as simple as possible using a rotisserie chicken that I picked up from the grocery store and put everything in my dutch oven. 

First, chop up 1 and 1/4 cup yellow onion into small pieces. Toss it into the pan, go ahead and also throw in 2 and 1/2 cans of low sodium chicken broth, 1 14 oz can of diced tomatoes, 3 cloves of minced garlic, your chili powder, ground cumin, paprika and coriander (see amounts below), along with salt and pepper to taste. 

Next, throw in a can of black beans (drained and rinsed) and a can of drained corn. Then, take half a lime and squeeze juice into the pot. Let all of that simmer for an hour and then pull apart your rotisserie chicken and throw it into the pot. Let that cook for 45 mins. so the chicken soaks up that juice! 
It will smell up your kitchen in the best way!

My dog Zoey was jumping up and down in front of the stove trying to get a look at what smelled so good up top. 

For the tortilla strips on top, you can make your own or grab a bag from the store. I had a bag of tortilla chips and just crushed those on top with a sprinkle of Mexican cheese and then cut up an avocado and threw it all on top. DELICIOUS! 

It was quick and prep was only about 15 mins. throw it all in and just let it sit and dinner is done! Looking forward to these leftovers for dinner tonight! 

Ingredients: Here is the recipe I used!

• 2 1/2 (14.5 oz) cans low-sodium chicken broth (4 1/2 cups)
• 1 (14.5 oz) can petite diced tomatoes
• 1 1/4 cups finely chopped yellow onion
• 3 cloves garlic , minced
• 1 Tbsp chili powder
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 3/4 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp ground coriander
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper , to taste
• 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 (14.5 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 1/2 cups frozen corn/ or a can 
• 1 Tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

As always, let me know what you think and if you do anything different! 

<3 Katie Ryan