Black Forest Smoothie

Black Forest Smoothie Recipe


Prep time : 5 mins
Total time : 5 mins
Yields: 1 large smoothie

Ingredients

•     1 cup frozen cherries
•     1 - 2 (15 - 30 g) Medjool dates, depending on desired sweetness
•     1/4 cup (20 g) rolled oats*
•     1 Tbsp (7 g) chia seeds
•     2 Tbsp (10 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
•     1 cup (240 ml) unsweetened almond milk
•     1 scoop (30 g) of your favourite protein powder (optional)
•     1 -2 handfuls of baby spinach (optional)

Directions

Place all ingredients into any standard blender and blend until smooth. This smoothie can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for extra thickness and creaminess. The longer it sits, the thicker it gets!

Creamy Four Cheese Garlic Spaghetti Sauce

Homemade Creamy Four Cheese Garlic Spaghetti Sauce is the best white cheese Italian pasta sauce you’ll ever try!  Four-Cheese Blend includes Mozzarella, White Cheddar, Provolone, Asiago cheeses. 
If you ever wondered how to make spaghetti sauce other than with spaghetti and meatballs, then try this white cheese sauce for your next pasta dinner!

READ ON the recipe instructions below on how to make this easy pasta sauce:

Creamy Four Cheese Garlic Spaghetti Sauce

Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients

•     1 tablespoon olive oil
•     1 tablespoon butter
•     5 garlic cloves, minced
•     8 oz spaghetti
•     1 cup cooked pasta water
•     1 chicken bullion cube
•     1 cup heavy cream
•     1 and 1/2 cups of Four-Cheese Italian White Cheese Blend (Mozzarella, White Cheddar, Provolone, Asiago)
•     parsley or chives or green onions, finely chopped

Read More : Creamy Four Cheese Garlic Spaghetti Sauce

Make Ahead Pepperoni Pizza Sliders

Make Ahead Pepperoni Pizza Sliders are a super easy and fun way to serve pizza. I’m not sure which I fell in love with first, the extra cheesy fillings, or the crispy Italian topping on the bread! Either way these are a winner with kids and adults!

I have grown to love sliders. In fact, Hot Ham and Cheese Sliders and Hot Breakfast Egg and Cheese Sliders and two of the most popular recipes on my blog. I totally understand why too.
Sliders can be made ahead, that’s a big deal to me, especially if I am serving them for a party.You can make enough to feed an army, or a fifteen year old and his friends which can feel like feeding an army, or you can make just one for you.
These sliders are so easy to make that I think my kids can do it themselves!
Since I use frozen rolls, and I freeze pepperoni and grated mozzarella cheese, I always have the ingredients on hand.

Cut rolls in half. Put the bottom halves of rolls in a greased baking sheet or pan. Start the inside goodness by layering pizza sauce, grated mozzarella cheese or slices, and pepperoni slices.
Set the tops of the rolls on the last cheese layer. Make a little Italian garlic butter concoction and brush it over the tops of the rolls. The tops of these sliders are like eating a cheesy bread stick! It’s icing on the cake, or something like that. Whatever it is, it’s GOOD!

I asked my boys to tell me all the foods they want to eat while watching the big game this weekend. Loaded tater skins, shrimp, pizza, and bean dip were on the list. I’m going to give them at least one of the foods they listed and it’s going to be pepperoni pizza, in slider form.

Make Ahead Pepperoni Pizza Sliders

Make Ahead Pepperoni Pizza Sliders are a super easy and fun way to serve pizza. I’m not sure which I fell in love with first, the extra cheesy fillings, or the crispy Italian topping on the bread! Either way these are a winner with kids and adults!
Recipe type: appetizer, Pizza, sandwiches
Cuisine: American, Italian
Serves: as many as you want

Ingredients

•     Rolls (I actually use bake frozen rolls and use those most of the time.)
•     Pizza sauce or marinara sauce
•     Pepperoni slices
•     Grated, or sliced mozzarella cheese
•     Olives, peppers, onions, mushrooms, sausage, etc. (optional toppings)
•     ¼ c. butter
•     1 cloves garlic, minced
•     1 tsp. Italian seasoning
•     2 T. Parmesan cheese
•     sea salt

Read More : Make Ahead Pepperoni Pizza Sliders

Caramel Magic Cake

This delicious recipe has been generously shared by one of our great cooks, Carina. She’s always coming up with great recipes, and here we have a recipe for Caramel Cake Flan. It’s a cross between a Leche / Flan / Egg Custard and a cake! Carina first saw the recipe being shown on Pati’s Mexican Food TV Show, and decided after scribbling down the recipe whilst watching the cook show, she would make it and see how it turned out, and here is the final product!
Carina says it is really AWESOME and yes, the possibilities are endless!
You could even line the bottom with apple or pear slices in the caramel so it comes out like an upside down cake!


Caramel Magic Cake

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 – 55 minutes
Yield: 8 moulds
*** I used ceramic moulds / ramekins ( mine are 4 inches diameter and 2 inches deep) and because I don’t have 8, I used 5 and added the remaining mix into one large baking dish.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 1/4 cup butter
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• Pinch of salt
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 1 tsp vanilla

For the Flan:

• 1 12-oz can evaporated milk
• 1 14-oz can sweetened condensed milk
• 4 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla

For the base of the moulds:

• 1 cup dulce de leche

Read More :  Caramel Magic Cake

Pumpkin Lasagna

Have you noticed that I’ve already been posting PUMPKIN recipes?!

Don’t go hating on me for it. I like to be ahead of schedule to make sure you guys have plenty of time to see all of the recipes before the actual holidays and seasons. ;D

Pumpkin Season is something I’ve been gearing up for for awhile now. Some of the most popular recipes on this site are pumpkin recipes, which tells me you guys LOVE pumpkin. With that in mind, I have to make sure I’m providing loads of delicious, mouth-watering pumpkin recipes to keep you guys coming back. I’m hoping I’ve done that for you, and I think it’s working because I’m officially a pumpkin dessert convert myself. I’ve always liked pumpkin recipes but would have called myself a chocolate kind of gal before. Recently, all I want is pumpkin! I think it all started when my mom got me a Pumpkin Muffin Top from Kneader’s right after we moved back to Arizona in June. I thought I’d give it a try, and I LOVED it. Now, I order the muffin tops all the time, and after becoming obsessed with them and working on pumpkin desserts for the last 6 weeks, I officially LOVE pumpkin. My favorite recipe so far has to be today’s recipe for Pumpkin Lasagna. It’s very similar to the White Chocolate Lasagna and Lemon Lasagna I’ve posted on the site – this is just a pumpkin version.

I’m happy to report that everyone who tried it loved it!! In fact, I took some over to my cousin’s family (because the hubby and I were eating the whole thing by ourselves) and her husband wasn’t too happy with me after he ended up eating several pieces a. LOL!

If you love pumpkin and love layered desserts, I definitely think you should give this one a try. It is sure to be a hit at your next get together and will knock off everyone’s socks. Here’s the recipe:

Pumpkin Lasagna

INGREDIENTS:

•     2 rows of Golden Oreos
•     2 rows of Pumpkin Oreos
•     8 TB unsalted butter, melted
•     1 8 oz. PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese (softened)
•     ½ cup butter
•     1 cup powdered sugar
•     1 large container cool whip (16 ounces), divided
•     2 – 3.4 oz packages of pumpkin instant pudding
•     3 cups milk
•     white chocolate bar (to make curls with) – I use vanilla candy coating

Read More : Pumpkin Lasagna

Crispy Sesame Chicken

Crispy Sesame Chicken is easy to make with super crispy batter and delicious sesame sauce you’ll skip the takeout and done in just 30 minutes!

How do you make sesame chicken sauce?

There are a couple of ways to make sesame chicken sauce. This recipe includes soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, sesame oil, rice vinegar and cornstarch where more in depth recipes include dark soy sauce and shaoxing rice wine.

How do you make sesame chicken? A quick and easy tempura battered chicken is tossed with an easy sauce made with rice wine and soy sauce sweet and spicy mixture.

Can I make this recipe into a Sesame Chicken Stir Fry?

Absolutely! Skip the batter and simply coat the chicken in cornstarch before adding to a skillet with a couple of tablespoons of oil. Continue with the garlic and red pepper before adding the sauce and letting it thicken. This version is also an easy way to make this into a healthy sesame chicken recipe by skipping the breading.

Tools used in the making of this Crispy Sesame Chicken:
Wok: The best way to cook quickly and over high heat for Asian dishes, this wok is the perfect stir fry pan.
Rice Vinegar: Readily available in almost all grocers these days, this is a great vinegar to keep on hand. It does have a hint of sweetness to it, so don’t replace with any other vinegar except perhaps a red wine vinegar if you absolutely need to.
Soy Sauce: Nothing much to say here except Kikkoman has the best flavor overall and I always recommend reduced sodium.
Sesame Oil: The flavor of sesame oil in this dish is unmistakeable and not really able to be substituted. Some Asian grocery stores will try and sell less expensive options that aren’t actually sesame oil, so just be sure the one you’re buying is authentic sesame oil.
Pig Tail Flipper: This tool is one of three that I couldn’t live without. My chef’s knife, my tongs and this. It is a tiny sharp point thats curled like a pig’s tail. It allows you to pick up and flip foods without disturbing breading or crushing it with tongs and FAST.

Crispy Sesame Chicken

Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Crispy Sesame Chicken is easy to make with super crispy batter and delicious sesame sauce you’ll skip the takeout!

Ingredients:

Sesame Chicken Sauce:

•     1/4 cup soy sauce
•     1/4 cup rice vinegar
•     1/2 cup brown sugar
•     1 tablespoon corn starch
•     1/3 cup water
•     2 teaspoons sesame oil
•     1/2 tablespoon sesame seeds 

Tempura Batter:

•     1/2 cup cornstarch
•     1/2 cup flour
•     2 egg whites
•     1/2 cup cold seltzer water
•     Oil, for deep-frying

Chicken:

•     1 lb chicken thighs, boneless and skinless cut into 1″ chunks
•     2 teaspoons sesame oil
•     1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
•     1 tablespoon minced garlic
•     vegetable oil for deep frying

Read More : Crispy Sesame Chicken

Homemade Cinnamon Roll Coffee Creamer

Homemade Cinnamon Roll Coffee Creamer – a 5-minute coffee creamer that requires only 5 ingredients and tastes exactly like your favorite cinnamon rolls! Your mornings deserve to be a little sweeter!

Homemade coffee creamer (read that 5-minute coffee creamer) that tastes just like cinnamon roll. Can I get a high five?

Days are getting colder and I am craving my morning cup of coffee more than ever. It’s a part of our routine and let’s be real, as busy parents of three kids – we simply need it. Week days are not only shorter but busier and we definitely need the fuel. On the weekends we try to slow down. If you follow me on Instagram, you know that we have a little series going on called Sunday Mornings For 2. Every Sunday, we take time to enjoy our coffee and I always try to make pastry to go with it. Last weekend, we had cinnamon rolls. I will come clean and admit they were from a tube. Whomp whomp. It’s only because we are in the busiest time of the year right now and I am already baking and cooking a lot. I took a shortcut. But the coffee and cinnamon roll combo was so good, it gave me an idea. How about a homemade coffee creamer that tastes just like a cinnamon roll. I could add a splash to my cup on any week day and make my morning just a little bit sweeter.

Few weeks ago, I shared my recipe for Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer and so many of you made it and love it and took time to let me know via comments, emails and messages. THANK YOU! Inspired by the success of the pumpkin version, I wanted to share with you another one. For those days when we get a little tired of pumpkin everything and want something different. If you are obsessed with cinnamon rolls and crave them as often as I do – you will love this coffee creamer! As it’s pumpkin version, this one is also perfectly sweetened and spiced with cinnamon. It will take your plain cup of joe to a new level. Life is busy, especially now during the holiday season, and we all deserve a little treat. Better yet if it’s easy to make and perfect to start the day with!  If you decide to share your cup with someone, expect not getting it back! This coffee creamer is crazy delicious!

Enjoy, friends!

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Coffee Creamer

Prep Time :5 mins
Cook Time :4 mins
Total Time :9 mins
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 320 kcal

Ingredients

•     1 cup milk
•     1 cup heavy cream
•     2 teaspoon and 1/2 ground cinnamon
•     2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract use the good quality
•     4 Tablespoons packed light brown sug

Read More : Homemade Cinnamon Roll Coffee Creamer