You are here: Home / Archives for Recipes

Healthy Ways to Indulge a Chocolate Craving

August 4, 2016 by

Many people have a sweet tooth that creates a craving for chocolate, but while the occasional indulgence is okay, eating too much chocolate could be the end to your healthy diet. Here are a few healthy ways to eat chocolate that will keep you right on track when a craving strikes.

Chocolate Tart with Hazelnut Shortbread Crust [Eating Well]
Make this seemingly decadent dessert the next time you have friends over for dinner, and no one will even know that it’s actually healthy. With just over 250 calories per serving and six grams of protein, you’ll get the taste of chocolate without feeling weighed down.

Black Bean Brownies [Chocolate Covered Katie]
While the addition of black beans to brownies may seem strange at first, you won’t even be able to taste the protein-packed beans when they’re masked by the rich, dense chocolate flavor. These brownies are also flourless, which is great for low-carb diets.

Healthy Homemade Chocolate [Wellness Mama]
Instead of grabbing a fat- and sugar-packed candy bar from the checkout counter at the grocery store, make your own healthier version at home. This recipe includes only four ingredients, and because they’re all natural, you won’t have to worry about ingesting any chemicals and unnatural ingredients.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Quick and Easy Potluck Recipes

June 16, 2016 by

So you were invited to your first of many summer potlucks this summer, and you’re totally stumped on what to bring. If you’re searching for the perfect recipe for a group, you’ll want something that’s easy to make and easy to serve, but still really delicious. Here are three unique summertime recipes that are also potluck-friendly.

Key Lime Bars [myrecipes.com]
If you’re in charge of bringing the dessert, these key lime bars are the perfect addition to any potluck. They’re the perfect blend of sweet and tart, and although they’re made entirely from scratch from crust to filling, they’re still simple to prepare.

Salsa for a Crowd [tasteofhome.com]
While salsa is a dish that feeds a lot of people at once, it’s still a really easy dish to throw together. This unique, summery salsa recipe combines corn and black beans with the usual tomatoes and spices to create the perfect topping for tortilla chips, pita wedges, or even tacos.

Sunny Broccoli Salad [midwestliving.com]
Bring a side dish that’s both delicious and healthy when you prepare this broccoli salad. It takes just 20 minutes to make, and unexpected ingredients like low-fat mayonnaise, bacon, and sweet raisins create a punch of flavor that will have all of the other guests asking for your recipe.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

These Pumpkin Pie Recipes Will Have You Reaching for Seconds

November 19, 2015 by

Warm soups are great and Thanksgiving turkey is tasty, but when it comes to favorite fall foods, pumpkin pie is typically at the top of the list. There’s just nothing better than this rich, flavorful pie come autumn, whether you prefer to top it with whipped cream or to eat it warm out of the oven. Here are three of our favorite recipes for pumpkin pie.

Libby’s Famous Pumpkin Pie [verybestbaking.com]
Since it requires only 15 minutes of prep time, this pie will be emitting a delicious scent from the oven with plenty of time to spare before the arrival of your last-minute guests. Canned pumpkin, evaporated milk, and a pre-made pie crust make this one of the easiest pumpkin pie recipes you’ll find.

The Ultimate Pumpkin Pie [epicurious.com]
This elaborate recipe from Epicurious is ideal for the experienced baker who wants to add a bit more spice to the usual pumpkin pie. Whipping cream and sour cream make it extra thick and creamy, while the generous helpings of spices add major flavor in every bite.

Homemade Pumpkin Pie [pickyourown.org]
Pick Your Own’s homemade pumpkin pie uses real pumpkin instead of canned to offer the freshest taste possible in your seasonal dessert. Although it may seem intimidating, the results are more than worth it.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Savor Fall Flavors With These Pumpkin Recipes

October 22, 2015 by

It’s not uncommon to want to stay inside once the weather starts to cool down, especially since there are so many tasty fall weather recipes to try out. If you start craving all things pumpkin as soon as the first day of autumn rolls around, you might want to add these brand new pumpkin recipes to your to-do list this weekend.

Pumpkin Butter [marthastewart.com]
Instead of buying store-bought pumpkin butter, try this recipe for an all-natural, wholesome alternative. It uses only four ingredients and a bit of blending, and once it’s complete you can spread it on breads, bagels, muffins, and all of your favorite baked goods.

Pumpkin Bread Rolls with Cinnamon Butter [handletheheat.com]
Can you think of two things that go together better than pumpkin and cinnamon? This recipe not only shows you how to make tasty and adorable rolls in the shape of real pumpkins, it also offers the perfect cinnamon butter to spread on top.

Spiced Butternut-Pumpkin Soup [myrecipes.com]
If you love pumpkin so much that you even want to eat it for lunch and dinner, this is the recipe for you. It’s equal parts sweet and savory, and it makes the perfect small appetizer for all of your autumn dinner parties.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Cheers to Summer! Sip These Refreshing Summertime Mocktails

July 23, 2015 by

Mocktails are delicious and refreshing when relaxing by the pool, enjoying an alfresco lunch, or just winding down after work. Here are three great mocktail recipes for you to try this summer.

Non-Alcoholic Sangria [thekitchn.com]
Jazz up a Spanish-style lunch with a classic sangria made sans wine. This fresh, fruity beverage uses pomegranates and oranges to give it a tart flavor, while cinnamon sticks and black tea gives it the rich, complex taste that red wine sangria normally has.

Peach Cooler [eatingwell.com]
Just like a traditional wine cooler, this peach cooler mocktail is light, refreshing, and just a bit bubbly. Sparkling grape juice gives it a bit of carbonation, while peach juice and sliced peaches have a hint of sweetness that’s perfect for the summertime.

Coconut, Cucumber, Lime and Mint Cooler [townandcountrymag.com]
Have you ever heard of a more refreshing combination of flavors than coconut, cucumber, lime, and mint? This mocktail will quickly become your signature drink all summer long after you taste its hydrating blend of herbs and tropical fruit. Its coconut water base might even make your skin glow!

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Recipes That Make Use of Those Overripe Bananas

January 22, 2015 by

Bananas are quite finicky fruits, and if you don’t eat them right away they turn brown and too soft for many people’s tastes. Before you toss out those overripe bananas, however, try one of these delicious recipes that welcome that extra sweet flavor!

Chocolate Banana Creamsicles [alimentageuse.com]
While these cool, healthy treats are especially refreshing during the hot summer months, they taste just as delicious year-round. Simply blend a few overripe bananas with cocoa, vanilla, and coconut milk, then freeze it to create a handheld treat.

Bananas Foster Parfaits [myrecipes.com]
Give your browned bananas a second life with these gourmet quality parfaits. Greek yogurt creates the base, while cooking the sliced bananas with butter, apple juice, and toasted pecans imparts a sweet and robust flavor. If you’re serving this to adult dinner guests, substitute the apple juice for rum to create a more grown-up taste.

Banana Banana Bread [allrecipes.com]
This moist, dense bread contains so many bananas, it uses the word twice. It’s hearty enough to eat for breakfast, but it’s so sweet and delicious that it makes a great dessert, as well. Best of all, the riper the bananas, the better they work in this simple recipe.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Pro Tips for a Perfect Pie Crust

December 4, 2014 by

With the holiday season in full swing, you might want to impress your family and friends with a delicious, homemade pie at your festive gathering. Although making a pie from scratch seems intimidating, these tips from the pros will ensure that your crust turns out completely flawless.

  1. Chill everything. It’s fairly common knowledge that a good pie crust relies on very cold butter, but you can even go one step further by chilling everything (like flour, butter and shortening) before beginning.
  2. Keep things lumpy. While most recipes require you to blend or mix the dough until it’s perfectly smooth, a good pie crust relies on those small chunks of butter or other fats. This is what creates small air pockets for that lovely flaky texture once it’s done baking.
  3. Don’t over-handle the dough. The warmth from your hands can cause the gluten in the dough to seize up, so be sure to only touch the dough when transferring it into the pan.
  4. Use parchment paper. Not only does sandwiching your pie dough between parchment paper keep your kitchen cleaner, it also prevents the crust from tearing when it gets too thin.
  5. Create an aluminum shield. Because the pie’s filling and its crust tend to cook at different speeds, wrap a shield of aluminum foil around the crust’s edges during the last five minutes of baking.

10 Tips for Making Perfect Pie Crust [About Food]
The 10 Commandments of a Perfect Pie Crust [Real Simple]
6 Tips For Perfect Pies And Tarts [Food Network]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Enjoy Parsley in These Three Recipes

June 19, 2014 by

Ah, parsley. It’s truly the perfect herb, complementing everything from meats to salads to salad dressings. If you simply can’t get enough parsley, you’ll be happy to find that there are seemingly endless number of recipes made better by this one simple garnish. Here are three new recipes perfected by parsley!

Parsley Leaf Salad
Though parsley is normally an accent to other foods, in this salad recipe the herb takes center stage. The delicate leaves provide an earthy taste, while pine nuts, capers, and red onion add a bit of crunch, flavor, and substance to every bite. Top with freshly ground pepper and extra-virgin olive oil to create a tasty and attractive dinner party salad.

Linguine with Toasted Almonds, Parsley and Lemon
Whole wheat noodles create the base for this hearty, rustic pasta. It’s tossed in a combination of lemon, Romano cheese, and olive oil, while parsley and almonds impart a special crunch.

Traditional Chimichurri
Chimichurri is a staple in Argentinean cuisine, and a bowl of this zesty oil-based sauce can be found on every dinner table. The blend of parsley, olive oil, garlic, and vinegar is very similar to a simple pesto, but the addition of crushed red pepper really sets it apart.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

4 Creative Waffle Recipes to Make at Home

March 20, 2014 by

Whether you prefer sweet or savory tastes, waffles are a versatile dish that can be prepared a number of different ways. Check out these creative waffle recipes before you break out the waffle iron at your next brunch or breakfast at home.

Cornmeal Bacon Waffles with Cheese Sauce
If you’re the type of person who steers clear of sweet breakfast dishes, these cornmeal waffles will delight your taste buds. Topped with crispy bacon and drizzled with homemade cheese sauce, this savory dish is great for a midday brunch.

Pumpkin Waffles with Apple Cider Syrup
Just about everyone loves pumpkin flavor around fall and winter seasons, and these pancakes have the warm and spicy taste that you love on cold mornings.

Chicken and Waffles
Bring the flavor of the South to your breakfast table no matter where you live on the Mason-Dixon line with this traditional Southern dish. The savory taste of fried chicken contrasts the sweet waffles for a unique flavor that’s deliciously decadent.

Whole Grain Waffles
Made with hearty whole-grain instead of regular white flour, these waffles are a nutritious breakfast treat. Top them with a drizzle of honey, fresh fruit, or simple agave syrup for a healthy alternative to sugary maple syrup.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

5 Delicious Recipes for Chicken Pot Pie

January 22, 2014 by

While chicken pot pie is typically considered a winter dish, the simplicity of this comfort food makes it a go-to meal for all seasons. If you're deciding what to put on the dinner table tonight, here are five chicken pot pie recipes to consider, one of which can be ready to bake in as little as 30 minutes!

Chicken Pot Pie IX [Allrecipes]
The votes from over 6,000 reviewers have earned this pot pie recipe a five-star rating. 

Chicken Pot Pie [Food Network]
From Barefoot Contessa's Ina Garten, this recipe yields four individual pot pies.

Pot Pie [The Pioneer Woman]
Step-by-step photos make this recipe look especially appetizing.

Classic Chicken Potpie [Martha Stewart]
A decorative edge on the pie crust makes Ms. Stewart's recipe shine.

Easy Chicken Pot Pie [Campbell's Kitchen]
This easy recipe relies on a can of cream of chicken soup for its base.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Pin It on Pinterest