Forager Flatbread

This many-cheese flatbread is quick to put together with lots of customization options. It is kind of a brown meal, but, it is so so good. There’s a butter + parmesan + garlic spread, mozzarella, ricotta, mushrooms and honey drizzle. The earthy mushrooms and honey are such a great combo. Mushrooms not your jam? Italian sausage and honey would be a great combo too for a sweet and savory mix!

The Three Bite Rule - Forager Flatbread

Forager Flatbread
Ingredients:
(for 2)
1 pint mushrooms
2 flatbreads (I used naan)
2 tablespoons butter
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon parmesan
1 teaspoon cream or half & half
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
2 tablespoons ricotta
1/4 cup fresh mozzarella balls
1-2 teaspoons honey
pinch of oregano

The Three Bite Rule - Forager Flatbread

Directions:
Pan fry the mushrooms in some butter and olive oil to get them a bit caramelized around the edges.
Preheat the oven to 400-degrees.
Mix together the butter, parmesan and minced garlic then stir in just a drizzle of cream, adding more if needed.
Assemble the flatbreads by spreading the butter/garlic sauce onto the naan and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
Top with shredded mozzarella, dots of ricotta, some mozzarella balls, and mushrooms.

The Three Bite Rule - Forager Flatbread

Cook for 5-10 minutes (10 will be crispy edges, 5 will be warm and soft).

The Three Bite Rule - Forager Flatbread

Drizzle with honey and sprinkle on some oregano.
Enjoy!

The Three Bite Rule - Forager Flatbread

I looooved this. It is quite a brown meal and I almost added arugula. The mix of cheeses and the mushrooms with sweet honey is delightful. I’m the only mushroom eater at home so these were lunch and I was very happy. It reheats fine (top with honey just before serving), but is definitely best fresh.

Snickerdoodle Muddy Buddy

This has one special ingredient that makes it so so special. Butter extract gives cookie vibes or you could skip it and just call this churro muddy buddies! These go nicely with some dessert wine, or an afternoon pick-me-up, as anytime treats.

The Three Bite Rule - Snickerdoodle Muddy Buddy

I didn’t do my greatest job mixing, so don’t be like me. The kids happily pick out the melted chocolate chunks so they’re OK with it, but I like it more even. Next time!

Snickerdoodle Muddy Buddy
Ingredients:

6 cups rice chex
12 oz bag white chocolate chips
1/2 teaspoon butter extract
2/3 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon

The Three Bite Rule - Snickerdoodle Muddy Buddy

Directions:
Melt the chocolate (microwaved at 20 second intervals and stirred, and returned to the micro, or, over a double boiler). Add in the butter extract and stir well.
Add the chex to a zip-top bag, pour the chocolate into it and shake/stir and quickly add in the sugars and cinnamon.

The Three Bite Rule - Snickerdoodle Muddy Buddy

Spread it out onto a tray to cool/dry.

The Three Bite Rule - Snickerdoodle Muddy Buddy

Enjoy!

I plan to use some butter extract for a coffee syrup. It is a warm flavor that feels like it could easily sub for vanilla in many dishes too.

Ultimate Breakfast Sandwich

Be fully awake before indulging in these breakfast sandwiches. They are flavor packed with a smoky bacon aioli, soft and garlicky Texas toast and some fresh arugula because, well, I can’t help myself. Arugula goes with everything for me.

Ultimate Breakfast Sandwich
Ingredients: (for 2 sandwiches)

1 slice of bacon, crumbled (or bits)
2 teaspoons mayo
1 teaspoon maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke
4 slices of Texas Toast Garlic Bread
2 eggs
2 slices of cheese
1-2 cups baby arugula (or spinach, or sliced tomato)

The Three Bite Rule - Ultimate Bfast Sandwich

Directions:
Mix together the crumbled bacon, mayo, maple syrup, and liquid smoke.

The Three Bite Rule - Ultimate Bfast Sandwich

Toast the Texas toast- both sides are flavored with the butter & garlic so be sure to flip once.
Optional: chop the arugula/greens and dress it in oil/vinegar, if desired.
Pan fry the eggs and top with cheese to melt.
Assemble with the Texas toast, arugula, egg and cheese, and a spread of maple bacon aioli.

The Three Bite Rule - Ultimate Bfast Sandwich

Enjoy! I love the gooey cheese and the crunch from the greens. The Texas toast is greasy from the butter spread so I broke the yolks to keep it from being messier.

Breakfast sandwiches are my love language (just see here) and I made one on Texas toast circa 2016 but this one is majorly upgraded. It is so so good and easy enough to have the Texas toast on hand in the freezer and to mix the up aioli in advance if you wanted to! We had leftover slices with Pizza Beans another night.

Liquid smoke is also great in chili, pulled pork, bbq sauce, burgers, sloppy joes, and anything with a plant-based meat substitute. It lasts forever and you only use a little at a time. Or for this one a substitute of Worcestershire sauce would be good instead!

Seasonal Soup Round Up

‘Tis the season for soup. My littles do not always want foods all cooked together but are sort of interested in soup. Sometimes I give them more “stuff” and less broth. I ensure we have it with something else in case they aren’t all-in (like biscuits or crackers & cheese). Not all eaters consider soup to be a meal, so go all Panera on them and do soup & sandwich while figuring out what’s a hit.

Our easiest go-to is making tomato soup with grilled cheese. My cheater method is:
1 can of tomato soup + 1/2 can of milk or broth if it is condensed 
1 28 oz can of kitchen-ready tomatoes
plus whatever seasoning you like – some basil & garlic or a splash of cooking sherry makes it delightful. Stir in pesto or tortellini or whatever you like!

Cook together over medium-low heat for 15 minutes to get the tinny can flavor out

That is so fast & mindless and you get the hint of creaminess from the canned soup version with the not-sweetened canned tomatoes for true tomato flavor and I add an extra swirl of cream to the kids’ bowls to cool it down. 

Here are some of my personal favs: 

Greek Lemon, Orzo, and Chicken Soup
This one is so fresh and orzo-packed that I think it is filling yet simple. I always think it needs more and more lemon so have lots! Serve with hummus & pita chips

The Three Bite Rule - Greek Orzo Chicken Soup

Sweet & Smokey Chili (add some sweet potato!)
While mostly a basic chili, sweet and smokey chili gets a few last touches to sweeten it up – maple syrup, sweet potato, and liquid smoke. In the past, this one has been more palatable for the kids and toppings of cheese, corn, chips, and sour cream can help make it work well for everyone!

The Three Bite Rule - Sweet & Smokey Chili

Cheeseburger Soup is so fun and really filling. We once did them in bread bowls but some croutons would be fun. I add an extra drizzle of ketchup, mustard and some scallions and pickles!

The Three Bite Rule - Cheeseburger Soup

White Bean & Sausage Soup is quick and the sausage is nicely decadent while being loaded with greens. Sweet Italian sausage or spicy sausage are equally great. Serve with bread or rolls!

The Three Bite Rule - White Bean & Sausage Soup

Easy Homemade Ramen is a go-to lunch for me – with varying levels of add-ins. I’ve been known to chop a ton of arugula or some frozen spinach. Popping in some ginger paste or frozen ginger cubes and a splash of rice vinegar would all provide some big time flavor while using half the seasoning packet or your own broth.

The Three Bite Rule - Easy Ramen

Bacon Ranch Deviled Eggs

{originally published in 2017 and updated in 2022}

The twists on deviled eggs are endless. I whipped up these bacon ranch deviled eggs the first time for a holiday party. The hostess has a revolving door of party-goers, kiddos, and lots of food. I thought it’d be best to bring a ready-to-eat item. The ideal app for a busy party is one that needs nothing from the host and no oven-reheating time! We’ve had them a few more times and they’re always a hit.

I had all the ingredients on hand which is even better annnnd you can prep these in advance or in stages.

The Three Bite Rule - Bacon Ranch Deviled Eggs

Ingredients:

6 eggs
3 strips of bacon
1/4 cup mayo
2 tbs yellow mustard
2 tbs ranch dressing
1/2 packet ranch dressing mix

Directions:

Boil water for the eggs and cook for 12 minutes. Then allow them to cool and peal them.
Pan fry the bacon until crisp. Then remove and drain.
Slice eggs in half, carefully popping the yolks into a food processor or a bowl. Then add in mayo, mustard, ranch, ranch mix, and half the bacon.

The Three Bite Rule - Bacon Ranch Deviled Eggs

Blend in the food processor until totally mixed (or use a hand mixer).
Open a zip top bag into a cup to stabilize it. Spoon the yolk mixture into the bag.

The Three Bite Rule - Bacon Ranch Deviled Eggs

Store the filling in the bag, then when serving, snip one bottom corner and fill each egg half.
Top with the remaining bacon.
Enjoy!

The Three Bite Rule - Bacon Ranch Deviled Eggs


I looooved these. They are always gone quickly at a party or are just fun at home. The bacon on top makes for no surprises (esp since these are type of eggs are normally vegetarian).