*I’m sharing a lot of recipes in this post, click through… and it’ll bring you to each post where you’ll be able to view and print each recipe.

Taco bowls are not only delicious, no matter what protein you choose. They are easy to make and you can enjoy the food for days.

Freeing up time and energy, plus you’ll be eating delicious food in minutes. These taco bowls can be kept in the fridge, and they also freeze well.

Making meal prep the ultimate convenience.

There is no shortage of options for recipes for taco bowls:

• Carne Asada Recipe
• Pork Carnitas

Let’s talk about protein options:

• Chicken “pollo asada“
• Shredded Chicken
• Pork Tenderloin Tacos
• shrimp
• chickpeas

And here is my taco seasoning recipe. I use it on everything. There is no salt added; you control how much salt you want in what you’re cooking.

Interested in another option, try this Southwest Chicken!

and there is my…

Taco Style Marinated Chicken

My all-time favorites to put in taco bowls are:

• Beans- Pinto Beans, Black Beans (make fresh or use canned beans, drained and rinsed)
• Mexican Rice– super tasty and super simple! Another great option is cilantro lime rice
• Corn- frozen corn or fresh, grilled or Pan Roasted Corn for a great nutty flavor
• Cilantro- oh, the fresh yumminess of cilantro on a taco bowl brings all the flavors to life!
• Cilantro Lime Sauce– in my house this is a MUST!
• Cotija Cheese– finishes the dishes off perfectly.

Other items you might like to add to taco bowls:

• Pickled onions
• Pickled Jalapenos
• black olives

Serve with Chips and Salsa, here are some great recipes:

• Pico de Gallo
• Restaurant Salsa
• Salsa Verde
• avocado or guacamole

Another way to make taco style meals with fewer carbs is to replace the rice with shredded cabbage add all the toppings, eating low carb taco bowls just got more delicious.

Taco Salad is also another great recipe.

Shrimp Tacos

I could eat tacos every day… to mix it up (if I had to)

I’d make some Loaded Mac and Cheese!

There are some meals that no matter what, you don’t tire of .

Taco bowls are the meals for me and my whole family,

you should see these containers “FLY” out of the fridge or freezer,

as soon as they see them… you can see them peek out from behind the door of the fridge, and the smile is as big as the sky.

I use containers like these for meal prep and leftovers.

And the sauce I make again and again for them is my Cilantro Lime Sauce, it’s so irresistible.

My fussy eater even says he thinks I should bottle it up and sell it, but we all know when it comes to sauces fresh made is great, and bottled sauces don’t always live up to the hype once you add items to make the “fresh” sauces last longer.

So making it fresh is best! It will keep in the fridge for a week and freezes well too.

These 2 oz containers are great for adding to leftover and meal prep containers.

In a pinch… I have used Don Pancha’s Cilantro Lime Crema from Costco, and it’s a good substitution, but I like homemade best!

Add some fresh avocado if eating immediately.

If you want to see more of my favorites, take a look here!

The post Taco Bowls simplifying meals the easy way first appeared on Created by Diane.

These shrimp filled wontons are so simple, with great fresh lemon flavor with some old bay seasoning baked in a rich creamy coating that’ll have you licking your lips!

Hot shrimp appetizers will go on the top of your must-make list, and don’t forget they’re perfect for game day to mix things up! 

If you want to serve more Asian-inspired items how about

• Beef with snow peas
• Easy pork lo mein
• Hawaiian Fried Rice
• Chicken lo mein
• Saucy pork fried rice

These wonton cup appetizers are so fun and simple to make in just a few steps!

Just about nothing better than a hot shrimp appetizer!

With a flavor profile of Crab Rangoons these shrimp wontons will have you swiping more off the tray as soon as they are served.

If you prefer crab, just make this crab rangoon recipe, place the filling into wonton cups, and bake or air fry.

I love how great wonton wrappers are… and eggrolls too. 

Tell me I’m not the only one who can resist a crispy eggroll!

More wonton appetizers

• Avocado Cream Cheese Wontons
•  Rum Raisin Goat Cheese Bites
• Air fryer Pork Wontons
• Fried Avocado Cream Cheese Wontons

Egg roll recipes

• Corned beef and cabbage eggrolls
• Salmon eggrolls

More delicious shrimp recipes

• Shrimp Scampi
• Shrimp Chowder
• Shrimp Salad
• Garlic Shrimp
• Shrimp Tacos

If you’re looking for another filling option this salmon wonton recipe is delicious.

TIPS for wonton wrappers, square, round, folding to have closed appetizers, cooking options and more.

Print

wonton shrimp appetizer

Shrimp wontons have a crisp shell and creamy filling with great flavor pefect for a snack, game day or makes a great starter for any mealtime.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 12 servings

Author Diane Schmidt - createdbydiane.com

Ingredients

• 12 wonton wrappers
• 14 medium raw shrimp peeled, deveined, and chopped
• 4 oz cream cheese
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 1-2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 green onions finely sliced
• 1/4 teaspoon old bay seasoning more if desired
• add a few drops of hot sauce or sriracha if you like it spicy

garnish

• sprinkle of paprika on top after baked
• fresh parsley finely chopped

Instructions

• Heat a medium skillet and add chopped shrimp, butter, and garlic. Cook until shrimp is opaque.
• In a mini muffin tin, place a wonton wrapper in each compartment, use a spoon or pastry tamper to press the center of the wonton wrapper down so the sides fold slightly toward each other creating a well for the filling.
• In a medium bowl, mix the cooked shrimp with cream cheese, lemon juice, green onions, and old bay seasoning (add hot sauce if you want a kick of spice)
• Place 1-2 tablespoons of filling into the center of each wonton wrapper.
• Spray the wontons with an oil spray or brush them lightly with a silicone brush and oil so they crisp nice and become golden brown when baked.
• Bake for 10 minutes or until well heated and golden brown on the edges. Remove from the baking tin and serve with paprika sprinkled on top and chopped parsley.
• The wontons can be baked first without the filling if you want them crispier. Link in post for steps an options for wonton baking, frying, making closed wontons, and more tips.

The post Wonton Shrimp Recipe first appeared on Created by Diane.

When You Think of Camping, What Comes to Mind?

Whether it’s the smell of campfire smoke, starry skies, or roasting marshmallows, camping means something different to everyone.

No matter how you define your outdoor adventures, I’ve rounded up some of the best camping recipes that are easy, delicious, and perfect for RV trips, tent sites, or even your backyard.

Not into camping? No problem—these easy make-ahead camping meals and campfire-friendly dishes are just as good from the comfort of your home kitchen. So whether you’re roughing it or glamping, these recipes bring the flavor wherever you are.

Camping, glamping, traveling, seeing the country is priceless. Time is a precious commodity. Enjoy life, this is not a dress rehearsal!

What do you think of when you hear the word camping?

Everyone thinks of something different, for some, it’s tent camping and roughing it, it could be backpacking with dehydrated foods.

It could be an overnight trip and make the food ahead or bring sandwiches, or bring items to make it easy so you don’t have to prep, cook, clean up… keep it simple.

Could be popping up a tent in your own backyard, no matter which way you prefer it, it can be anything you want it to be.

There are no rules.

• We’ve all heard about the healing power of nature, well it’s true, get outside, get some fresh air, and you’re bound to feel better. You can go from camping in the mountains to the beach, water, trees, fresh air it’s all good!
• It can also improve sleep and reduce stress, increase happiness, and reduce negative emotions (I’m not sure if tent camping will improve sleep, I prefer an RV myself)
• So enjoy your time, take a walk, listen to the birds, take in the scenery, and breathe!

RV Camping Recipes

…for others, it’s RV camping with either an indoor stove or outdoor cooking on a grill, Coleman stove, flat griddle, or over a campfire. I fall into this group, so I compiled some easy rv meals if you’re in the same group.

Whatever cooking option you use could be determined by having electricity or using a battery, propane, or firewood.

Being prepared is key, so you can make delicious meals for your entire trip.

Popular items to serve in minutes

CHARCUTERIE: bringing items to snack on is essential to me.

I’m a snacker, so items like salami, Prosciutto (or your favorite ham), and a variety of cheeses, olives, pickles, nuts, fresh or dried fruit (berries, apples, grapes), and don’t forget items like chocolate and crackers or pretzels.

You could add veggies like cucumbers, carrots, and peppers, bring a delicious dip like…

• feta basil dip
• deviled egg dip
• beer cheese dip
• jalapeno cheese sauce-great for serving tortilla chips
• jam or honey and nuts are also great additions
• bring some cans of refried beans (or make them in an instant pot) and heat them, top with cheese, and serve with tortilla chips
  
  
  

  

Remember, charcuterie trays can have a variety of items you love, they don’t need to be traditional. So pita chips (hard or soft), olives, hummus, feta cheese, and even some cucumbers would make a great board!

Check out my post on Summer no-cook snacks! 

Cooking options

We have a gas stove/oven inside the RV, and we use it mostly for breakfast, heating water for pour-over coffee, cooking oatmeal, or making some toast in a pan. We cook outside most of the time. 
I cook with a 12″ cast iron skillet for most meals. I also have with me a 4 qt pot and an 8″ skillet. All with lids.

•  We’ve used an electric induction “plate” with great results when we have electricity
• Most often we use a Coleman stove. We had it, and it works well if we’re serving just the two of us to 6-8 people, which we often do.
• If we were to buy something new, we might get a portable Blackstone flat grill. 
• Lots of friends use a portable propane grill.
• We have a round propane fire pit with a lid, great for staying warm on cool nights.
• We’ve added a Blackstone to our RV, and are enjoying the large cooking surface. I can’t wait to share new recipes with you! 

We’ve gone on short trips, quick RV Camping Recipes are important, and have been out for weeks at a time, even months. I have a lot of favorites we make again and again and a few camper recipes that come to mind…

Pasta and meat sauce

If you are only going away for a night or two and want to keep it simple, you can cook the pasta ahead of time and bring it with you cooked, then just heat your favorite sauce and add in the pasta it’ll heat easily. Pasta and Meat Sauce Recipe.

Shrimp tacos

with pan-roasted corn and a side of black beans that I add some taco seasoning to. Shrimp tacos.

Quick items

I often bring frozen salmon (or other fish) and have it in the freezer for a tasty, quick meal with a vegetable.

Thaw it in cold water; it takes about 30 minutes. I cut the fish into small pieces, so that way if it’s thin on one side and thick on the other, it all cooks evenly and really quickly. I add some oil to the heated pan, and it gets a nice crispiness on it, so yummy.

Served it with Instant homestyle mashed potatoes, not regular instant mashed potatoes… these are super creamy and not dry at all. For the asparagus, I cut it all small and added butter to the hot skillet and roasted it until tender, added some garlic salt, and served it all with lemon. Simple and delicious.

Always a favorite

Fried rice (If only cooking for two, I bring precooked rice like this it really makes making meals quick and easy).

I make it with bacon and eggs for breakfast, or with sausage or chicken for dinner.

I make sure to bring this style of leftover containers so if I make more portions than we’ll eat in one sitting. I can put them in the fridge or freezer.

I also make Turkey Meatballs and make these mashed potatoes I get at the grocery store or Sam’s club. The homestyle variety is nice and creamy, unlike others I’ve tried.

Black Bean Soup Recipe

ONE of my all-time favorites to make, with a few items, you can have a hearty meal on the table in no time, plus add a heaping scoop of rice and it’ll feel all cozy like cuddling under a blanket!

Dessert

When I want something sweet, I often make Blueberry Crisp in a skillet or Skillet Apple Crisp.

I’ve brought a brownie mix with us, and our oven works really well, and baked it up nicely. it worked out well when we were camping with other families; everyone enjoyed a warm brownie. 

If you bring an Instant Pot with you camping, give this Instant Pot Rice Pudding a try.

Some items that I make and bring to make the time spent camping easier are:

Hard-boiled eggs for Egg Salad or these fun spring rolls. If you like making spring rolls, give chicken Caesar spring rolls a try.

Bring eggs: There are so many recipes using eggs:

• Egg drop soup– ready in minutes
• Egg salad– eat it off a fork or in a sandwich, add some bacon… yum
• Spaghetti and eggs– this is one of my all-time go-to recipes (and the reason I always have pasta cooked in the fridge)
• Pizza omelet– craving pizza, but this one is low carb!
• Scrambled egg fried rice– a great reason to always bring rice!
• Deviled egg dip– this one is great for breakfast, lunch, snack, or anytime

I bring avocados for making guacamole and avocado toast. I love BLT’s so any of these BLT recipes are fun too.

Tortillas:

• Tortillas come in handy for breakfast burritos filled with eggs and your favorite items.
• Lunch and snacks- refried beans and cheese burritos
• I cook tortillas on the Blackstone for tacos, chips and you can toast them up for some apple pie a la mode taco… everyone loves a fun dessert!
• Tortilla empanadas on the Blackstone are always a huge hit! (can be made on a burner too)
• Another apple dessert Warm Cinnamon Apples!
• And make sure you bring some cheese to snack on these Apple Cheddar Quesadillas (or grilled cheese with apples). Other flavor varieties are spinach and mushroom, brie and grapes, and ham, cheese, and tomato, all great options.
• Another fun option for quesadillas is a great-tasting pizza sauce with mozzarella cheese, and you can add in your favorite toppings like pepperoni.
• Southwest chicken– a great meal option, roll in burritos and brown in a skillet or Blackstone
• This dry rub carne asada is a go-to for a delicious dinner.

If you’re a fan of California Rolls, give this bowl a try. You can use the pre-cooked rice I mentioned to keep it real simple.

And this Italian White Bean Soup is always a winner.

And if you’re a soup lover, give this corn soup a try!

Cook inside or outside, you choose!

Bring chips, because snacking is essential, and this pineapple salsa is quick and easy!

Chicken Caprese is another flavorful dish to make in a skillet.

And this Green Chicken Chili is so flavorful! Sometimes I bring cooked chicken so as soon as the soup comes to a boil, it’s done.

Slow down, have fun, and enjoy!

The post Delicious RV Camping Recipes from simple to elevated first appeared on Created by Diane.

If you like the citrusy flavor of a margarita, salted or not you’ll love this fun tequila lime shrimp recipe. the sauce is so delicious you’ll want to definitely lick the spoon!

I’m a huge shrimp fan, it cooks quickly, is delicious and you can enjoy it in so many ways. If you like shrimp, be sure to check out my other shrimp recipes here.

Continue reading: Tequila Lime Shrimp

The post Tequila Lime Shrimp first appeared on Created by Diane.

I love shrimp not only because of how quickly and easily they cook, but also because they lend themselves so seamlessly to many different types of dishes.

Add them to pasta and red gravy and you have delicious spaghetti. Or toss them in olive oil and saute them, then use them in your favorite salad.

There are so many ways to use this crustacean, and I’m going to show you some of my favorite shrimp dishes to help inspire you and help you with that meal.

Continue reading: Shrimp Recipes

The post Shrimp Recipes first appeared on Created by Diane.

All summer long I make shrimp salad,

and thought I’d amp it up a bit and turn it into a delicious macaroni salad,

Macaroni Noodles are not all the same, some absorb more “sauce ” than others,

some are smaller have a grooved texture that will absorb more, I used large elbows that are smooth and perfect for the creamy sauce. 

Fresh mayo is always best, it tastes great, it has a real smoothness add additional lemon juice to this recipe for a great fresh lemony flavor.

Continue reading: Shrimp Macaroni Salad

The post Shrimp Macaroni Salad first appeared on Created by Diane.

When spicy sweet meets the simplicity of pasta it’s a double win!

The heavy cream helps tame the chili flavor,

and the lemon cuts through the sweet mellowing it to provide a well-balanced dish.

You won’t be disappointed! This dish is so full of flavor.

Continue reading: Sweet and Spicy Shrimp

The post Sweet and Spicy Shrimp first appeared on Created by Diane.

Give me all the shrimp and pasta… it’s a great flavor combo, and the sauce is fantastic.

A staple in coastal cities across the world – from Japan to Greece and American cities like New Orleans and San Francisco, shrimp is king.

I love its fresh clean flavor, quick cooking time, and its versatility. It’s great in ceviche, fried rice, or tacos. And as you’ll discover it pairs great with this creamy lemon pasta.

This creamy lemon basil pasta will win you over in one bite!

Continue reading: Creamy Lemon Shrimp Pasta

The post Creamy Lemon Shrimp Pasta first appeared on Created by Diane.

When you need something fast and flavorful, whip up a batch of this shrimp salad and enjoy it while daydreaming of being on a beach!

This dish goes perfectly with late summer drinks such as this Strawberry Lemonade Mimosa or will pair well with some of the zesty lemon recipes in my Lemon Ebook Here.

This is a great introductory dish to shrimp as well. The fresh herbs really compliment their slightly sweet and fresh flavor. And if this is your first-time cooking shrimp, don’t be intimidated!

I am going to walk you through each step, and I do have tips for deveining fresh shrimp in the Q&A below.

Continue reading: Shrimp Salad

The post Shrimp Salad first appeared on Created by Diane.

Nothing could be quicker, or more delicious than this Kale Salad with Lemon Garlic Dressing.

This simple dish offers all the health advantages that dark leafy greens have to offer as well as the natural antioxidants of garlic, making this choice not only tasty but nutritionally smart.

Continue reading: Kale Salad Lemon Garlic Dressing

The post Kale Salad Lemon Garlic Dressing first appeared on Created by Diane.