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Not So Hot at Baking? These No-Bake Desserts are Total No-Brainers!

September 6, 2016 by

You may love to cook, but baking is a whole different story. From measuring ingredients to timing the oven perfectly, there are a number of things that could go wrong while baking a cake or making cookies. Luckily, these no-bake recipes don't require any of the complicated parts of baking — but they do give you some delicious results!

Nutella Cool Whip Pie
People all over the world love the chocolate and hazelnut taste of Nutella, and in this no-bake recipe, the creamy spread sits front and center. Top it with Cool Whip and crumbled cookies for a pie with lots of unique texture and sweet flavor.

Milk n' Cookies Icebox Cake
If you're looking for a dessert that looks just as good as it tastes, this is the one. Layer upon layer of chocolate chip cookies are held together by cream cheese frosting, creating a tall, attractive cake that's perfect for a birthday bash or a last-minute dinner party.

No-Bake Cookie Dough Chocolate Cups
Many people would agree that sampling the dough is the best part of baking cookies, and with this no-bake recipe, you'll get the same delicious taste of cookie dough with a more elegant presentation (and without the raw eggs!) Simply mix up the cookie dough, roll it into small balls, and coat them with melted chocolate. Then, let them set in a muffin tin to create the cup shape.

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Dip Into Something Sweet With These 4 Dessert Fondue Recipes

September 9, 2015 by

Fondue restaurants are trendy and tons of fun, but they’re often quite expensive for such simple ingredients. Here are a few recipes for restaurant-quality fondue that you can make right in the comfort of your own kitchen.

Chocolate Fondue [Rachael Ray]
All you need is a fondue pot, bittersweet chocolate, heavy cream, and some fruit and other dipping items to make this traditional fondue recipe.

Chocolate Bar Fondue [Real Simple]
This recipe is perfect for anyone who wants to make fondue using basic ingredients that you already have at home. Use angel food cake or strawberries for dipping, and you’re good to go.

Milk Chocolate Fondue [Betty Crocker]
While some chocolate fondues can be a bit bitter, this one uses milk chocolate for a sweeter, creamier taste.

Chocolate Fondue [Williams Sonoma]
Adding some vanilla extract gives this chocolate fondue recipe a hint of extra flavor that your guests will love.

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Healthy Rice and Potato Dishes That Won’t Weigh You Down

August 4, 2015 by

Starches and whole grains are important for feeling energized, but if eaten in excess, they can make you feel heavy or weighed-down. These delicious and nutritious recipes from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute incorporate rice and potatoes into your diet in a way that benefits your body and provides proper portion sizes.

Delicious Oven French Fries
Though fast food French fries are anything but healthy, this oven-baked alternative provides the same classic taste without the added fat and salt.

Wonderful Stuffed Potatoes
By stuffing a baked potato with low fat milk and cottage cheese instead of the usual sour cream, you can save calories and still get the same savory taste.

Candied Yams
The holiday favorite gets a healthy makeover in this fast and easy recipe, with sweet brown sugar and tangy orange juice for a boost of added flavor.

Scallion Rice
The addition of green onions and bullion gives this simple, low-calorie rice dish a little something extra, and makes it perfect for eating with a variety of meats, vegetables or stir-fries.

Sunshine Rice
Perfect for pairing with grilled chicken or for eating on its own, this rice recipe contains unique ingredients like hot sauce, almonds, and lemon juice for a distinctly flavorful taste.

For more healthy rice and potato dishes, visit the NIH website by clicking here.

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Two Great Websites for Muffin Recipes

January 30, 2015 by

If you’re growing tired of the usual blueberry muffin recipe, it might be time to switch things up in the kitchen. Put your baking skills to the test with these wonderful muffin recipes from two of the best recipe sites from around the web..

Cooking Light
Cooking Light’s list of Healthy Muffin Recipes is the perfect resource for the health-conscious baker. Muffins don’t need to be packed with calories in order to taste great, and there are a number of simple ingredient substitutions that can help to make your muffins a bit more nutritious. The Tuscan Lemon Muffins are made with olive oil and fresh lemon juice instead of sugary sweeteners or phony flavors, and even the seemingly indulgent Chocolate-Chocolate Chip Muffins are a bit healthier than the store-bought kind.

Martha Stewart
For truly creative muffin recipes, Martha Stewart’s website is one of the best resources. Beautiful photos provide endless inspiration, while the easy-to-follow recipes are simple enough for even the amateur home baker. Try the easy Applesauce Muffins with light, fluffy icing, or bake some Pumpkin Doughnut Muffins for a thicker consistency and sweet, spicy flavor. Whether you prefer something dessert-like or a muffin that’s a bit more savory, Martha Stewart has a muffin recipe for everyone.

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Tasty Turkey Alternatives for Vegetarians

November 4, 2014 by

Thanksgiving isn’t traditionally the most vegetarian-friendly holiday, but there are now a number of ways to make your feast enjoyable for vegetarian guests. These meat-free alternatives to the usual Thanksgiving turkey are both delicious and easy to make.

Acorn Squash Over Penne [health.com]
Who says that you can’t have pasta on Thanksgiving? This autumnal entree includes sweet acorn squash and nutrient-dense kale seasoned with crushed red pepper for a bit of warming spice, and it is served with whole wheat penne for a boost of fiber.

Glazed Lentil Walnut Apple Loaf [ohsheglows.com]
Although this hearty vegetarian dish seems more like meatloaf than Thanksgiving turkey, it’s so delicious that your vegetarian guests won’t mind one bit. Lentils and breadcrumbs give it a texture that’s much like meat, while the unique balsamic apple glaze is perfect for fall.

Ricotta and Fontina Stuffed Shells [foodandwine.com]
This veggie take on traditional stuffed shells is made with two types of rich cheeses and more vegetables than you can count. Simply pop the whole pan in the oven for 40 minutes and you’ll have a quick and easy entree that vegetarian guests will love.

Roasted Parsnip Bread Pudding [marthastewart.com]
Instead of the usual stuffing, which is usually cooked in chicken broth, this vegetarian version is seasoned with grated cheese and fresh thyme. Use it to stuff the Thanksgiving tofurkey and you won’t miss the meat at all.

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3 Recipes for Pumpkin Seeds

October 24, 2014 by

Even if you make roasted pumpkin seeds every fall, there are so many different recipes for this autumn snack that you probably haven’t tried them all. Here are three unique pumpkin seed recipes that will give a new taste to one of your favorite fall foods.

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds [AllRecipes]
Two hefty teaspoons of butter help to bring out the natural flavor of the pumpkin seeds in this simple, basic recipe. Whether you buy a bag of seeds from the grocery store or extract them from the pumpkin yourself, you just can’t go wrong with this fall snack.

Pumpkin Seed Pesto [Whole Foods]
Fans of pesto will adore this unique recipe, which combines the fall flavors of pumpkin seeds with the unexpected taste of cilantro pesto. Store the finished product in your refrigerator to spread on sandwiches, drizzle over pasta, or use as a topping for baked chicken.

Asparagus, Potato and Spinach Galette [Woman's Day]
Galettes are very popular because of their versatility and their beautifully rustic appearance, and this one incorporates pumpkin seeds in a way that you’ve likely never tried before. Fill the rolled pie crust with Gruyere cheese, asparagus, and Yukon gold potatoes to create a truly filling meal that’s pretty enough to serve at parties or holiday gatherings.

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3 Halloween Treats Your Kids (and You!) Will Love

October 3, 2014 by

Kids get a lot of candy during the Halloween holiday, but it isn’t very healthy to consume so many sugary, packaged treats. Instead of the usual store-bought candy, make your children a homemade treat using wholesome ingredients. Here are three creative recipes for Halloween treats that you’ll likely to love just as much as your kids.

Ghostly Pudding Milkshake [kraftrecipes.com]
Milkshakes may seem like a dessert meant more for summer than fall, but this monstrous milkshake makes the ideal Halloween treat. Vanilla pudding creates a sweet and creamy base, and you can add a scary jack-o’-lantern or monster face using some melted chocolate and a paintbrush after pouring it in the glass.

Spooky Veggies and Dip [parenting.com]
While vegetables likely aren’t your kids’ favorite snack, they might change their tune when they see these creepy vegetable sticks. Green beans turn into slithering snakes, an olive slice and a pea transform cherry tomatoes into eyeballs, and adding dip to the end of a carrot stick creates a faux severed finger.

Skeleton Quesadilla [babble.com]
Turn your kids’ lunch into a Halloween masterpiece by making a skeleton face out of nutritious quesadilla. Best of all, you can customize the faces to create a whole family of skeletons for all of your little ones.

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Dip a Spoon Into These 4 Recipes for Classic Vanilla Pudding

June 3, 2014 by

Sure, you've made vanilla pudding from a box, have you ever tried to make the sweet dessert from scratch? These straightforward recipes will show you how to prepare vanilla pudding a few different ways, and some are even provided by your favorite cooking show personalities.

Homemade Vanilla Pudding [All Recipes]
Just like Mom used to make, this vanilla pudding is classic, simple, and easy to prepare.

Vanilla Pudding [Martha Stewart]
You can’t go wrong with a recipe from Martha, and this one is certainly no exception.

Vanilla Pudding [Real Simple]
With fluffy egg yolks and just a pinch of salt, this is a flavorful recipe that your guests will love.

Vanilla Pudding [Picky Cook]
Add a pinch of espresso or some chocolate shavings on top to spice up this elegant pudding dish.

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Chicken Stock, Decoded: 4 Easy Recipes for Chicken Stock

February 28, 2014 by

Used in the base for sauces, soups, and more, homemade chicken stock can put the "wow factor" in even the most ordinary of recipes. If you believe homemade chicken stock is too complicated to make, think again! These four recipes break the process down into easy-to-manage steps, so you'll be enjoying the fruits of your labor in no time flat.

Delicious Homemade Chicken Stock [Instructables]

How to Make Chicken Stock [The Kitchn]

Stock Convictions [Michael Ruhlman]

How to Make Chicken Stock [Simply Recipes]

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7 Tips for a Cheese Platter That’ll Wow Your Party Guests

February 28, 2014 by

Offering little tastes of something creamy, savory, and sweet all at once, a cheese plate always draws a crowd at any party. Whether you're planning a small, intimate gathering of friends or a large, elaborate affair for many people, follow these seven tips to assemble a wow-worthy cheese platter.

  1. Establish a theme by selecting cheeses that represent a variety of textures, milks, and countries of origin. For example, a soft, creamy brie will pair nicely with a sharp cheddar and an aged gouda. If you have time, consider labeling each cheese, so your guests know exactly what they're experiencing.
  2. Expect to serve one to two ounces of cheese per person.
  3. To prevent intermingling of flavors, give each cheese its own cheese knife.
  4. Choose a simple wood, slate, or bamboo cutting board to provide a natural platform for the cheese and make cutting easier for your guests.
  5. Cured meats, like prosciutto and salami, are a welcome addition to any cheese plate. Also consider adding small bowls of gourmet honey, chutneys, jams, and mustards. Nuts, dried fruits, and olives are also fitting accompaniments.
  6. Opt for neutral-flavored crackers and breads so as to not overpower the flavors of the cheese. Display the crackers and breads in a basket, separate from the cheese. 
  7. Take the cheese out of the fridge at least one hour prior to serving. This will allow the cheese to come to room temperature, showcasing its true flavor and texture.

How to Set Up a Cheese Platter [The Food Network]

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