Archive from October, 2011
Oct 30, 2011 - Posts    3 Comments

Chocolate Mug Cake

My Husband loves himself some chocolate. Some is an understatement. If he could have chocolate for breakfast lunch and dinner, he’d be the happiest man in the world. It’s been a bit more of an internal battle on my end – to allow for the chocolate indulgences, or to try and fight it for the sake of maintaining my waistline. Well, at first I went with it. Then, I tried to fight it by buying No Pudge Fudge and avoiding sweets altogether. Unfortunately, my efforts were a complete waste because he always found a way to have dessert even if he had to buy it himself. So I’ve decided, I’m not going to fight it anymore. I found a way for him to have sweets without actually keeping sweets in the house.

Enter Chocolate Mug Cake. Adapted from Cook Republic.

 

 

 

Chocolate Mug Cake Recipe

Ingredients

4 tablespoons Self-Raising Flour (I used 4 tablespoons All-Purpose Flour and ¼ teaspoon Baking Powder)
3 tablespoons Cocoa Powder
3 tablespoons Nutella
3 tablespoons Skim Milk
1 tablespoon Raw Sugar (I used White Sugar)
1 tablespoon Olive Oil
1 Egg
 

Directions

Mix together all the ingredients in an oversized microwave safe mug.
Whisk lightly with a fork until combined and smooth.
Microwave for a minute watching as the cake rises in the mug, stopping if it is about to overflow and continuing a couple of times for 10 second intervals till cooked. (Don’t be tempted to overcook. The cake virtually finishes cooking in that first 1 minute rise)

Makes 2 servings

Oct 26, 2011 - Posts    3 Comments

Chocolate Corn Flake Clusters

My sister-in-law is a baking genius. Well, both my sisters-in-law are culinary geniuses. Really they are. They’ve each got their niche (You’ll find me referencing recipes from both of them on this blog). Since she has young children, she’s getting ready for all the school-related Halloween festivities. This afternoon, she shared some photos with me of her baked goods and I instantly fell in love with the Corn Flake Clusters. In all honesty, my first thought was “my husband will really like this chocolatey dessert and I’m hoping it won’t be that hard to make.” It was a selfless recipe request.

She’s amazing with desserts and one day, when she opens up her own shop, I’ll be the first to share a link to her website (and driving directions of course).

It’s without saying that the husband ate more than a reasonable portion. Success.

 

 

 

Chocolate Corn Flake Clusters Recipe

Ingredients

1 tablespoon Unsalted Butter
1 Bag Chocolate Chips
2 cubes Baker’s Chocolate
½ box Corn Flakes
 

 

Directions

In a saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon butter and add the bag of chocolate chips along with the baker’s chocolate.
Add Corn Flakes and mix together until all the Corn Flakes are coated.
Line a baking tray with wax paper or use cupcake cups and scoop a heaping dinner-sized tablespoon full to make one cluster. Repeat scooping until mixture is finished.
Refrigerate for an hour, at least, before serving. 
Oct 25, 2011 - Posts    3 Comments

Twenty Minute Tuesday

Following a failed after work outting attempt, I found myself at home, hungry with few options that didn’t involve pasta, rice or red meat. I stared at my fridge with both doors open searching for something to have for dinner. Then it hit me – Pizza. It only took twenty minutes to make. Five minutes prep and 15 minutes in the oven. Easy.

 

 

Spinach Shrimp and Mushroom Pizza

Ingredients

Pillsbury Pizza Dough
Olive Oil
Mozzarella Cheese
Baby Spinach
Shrimp, tail-off
Romano Cheese
 

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Grease a baking sheet (I used olive oil spray)
Unroll dough on baking dish and spray with olive oil
Sprinkle mozzarella and romano cheese
Arrange shrimp on the pizza, layer spinach on top, followed by mushrooms then mozzarella and Romano cheese.
Bake for 15 minutes.
Oct 23, 2011 - Posts    No Comments

Baked Pasta and Meatballs

We’ve had a pretty busy Sunday running errands and getting ready for the upcoming work week. I’m sure I’m not the only one that thinks weekends are way too short. If it were up to me, we’d have five-day weekends and two-day weeks. Doesn’t that sound much better? If only …

Since I made it to the grocery store and filled our fridge and non-pantry up with goodies for the week, I thought I’d throw together a laid-back early Sunday night dinner. It’s a little twist on the average pasta.

 

 

Baked Pasta and Meatballs

Ingredients

Pasta of Choice (I used Bow Tie Pasta)
Tomato Sauce of Choice (We had some Tomato Sauce with Garlic and Basil)
1 can Mushrooms
Mozzarella Cheese
Beef Meatballs 
 
 

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Boil pasta as directed.
Saute drained mushrooms in a small saucepan, add pasta sauce and simmer. 
Drain noodles, mix together pasta sauce and noodles, then pour into a baking dish. 
Place meatballs on top of the pasta, add thick layer of mozzarella cheese.
Bake for 25 minutes, until cheese is fully melted.
Oct 21, 2011 - Posts    2 Comments

Buffalo Chicken Bites

As I was browsing foodgawker a few weeks ago, I came across this recipe for Buffalo Chicken Bites on Sweet Pea’s Kitchen I was instantly in love. Healthy-ish boneless chicken wings? Is there such a thing? Yes, there is. These are super easy to make. It was a little bit messy because I used my hands to form the bites. But the outcome is absolute deliciousness. These bites are great alternatives to a deep-fried night at Buffalo Wild Wings. The best part – Husband approved. To complete the meal, I served them baked homemade fries and two side dips; marinara dipping sauce and spicy light ranch.

 

 

 

Buffalo Chicken Bites Recipe

Ingredients

 3 cups Shredded Cooked Chicken
1/4 to 1/2 cup Hot Sauce (to taste)
3 1/2 ounces Light Cream Cheese, softened
1 3/4 cups Sharp Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1/4 cup chopped Green Onions
1 cup All-Purpose Flour
4 eggs, lightly beaten
3 – 4 cups Corn Flakes cereal, crushed
 

Directions

Preheat oven to 350˚F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine chicken, cream cheese and hot sauce, cheddar cheese and green onions.
Roll a heaping tablespoon of mixture into a 1½-inch ball and place onto a plate or separate baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
Place flour in a shallow dish.
In a second shallow dish, place eggs.
In a third shallow dish, Place cornflakes.
Dip each chicken ball first into the flour, then the egg and ending with the Corn Flakes. Place on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Serve warm with ranch or blue cheese dressing.
Oct 18, 2011 - Posts    No Comments

Broccoli Cheese

Broccoli Cheese is so ridiculously easy. My mom used to make this all the time as a side to baked chicken or baked fish. The cheese is what lures me in. Actually, I love anything with cheese – anyone who knows me can attest to that. I grew up snacking on Kraft American singles, folding each slice into the smallest little squares. So I bring to you a healthy-ish dinner side dish that takes almost no time at all.

 

 

Broccoli Cheese Recipe

 Ingredients

1 Broccoli Head
Sliced American Cheese
 

 Directions

Wash and cut broccoli into manageable pieces.
Steam the broccoli until tender.
Top with cheese slices and cover until melted. Ta da! 
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