Iced Oatmeal Cookies

3 cups rolled oats

1½ cups flour

½ tsp baking powder

½ tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

1 tsp cornstarch

1 tbsp cinnamon

1 cup softened butter

1 cup packed brown sugar

¾ cup white sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

In a food processor, add flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cornstarch & cinnamon & pulse until oats are blended. 

In a mixing bowl, add butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla. Mix until combined. Stir in dry ingredients.

Scoop w/ medium scoop & place on parchment lined cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. 

Bake at 350⁰ for 10-12 minutes. Let cool. 

Frosting:

2 cups powdered sugar

1/4 cup heavy cream

2 tbsp milk

1 tsp vanilla 

Mix together & dip cooled cookies into frosting mixture. Let frosting harden.

Black Forest Cake

Cake:

1 pkg chocolate cake mix

1 pkg brownie mix

4 eggs

1½ c water

1 c oil

Chantilly Cream:

8 oz cream cheese, softened

2 c whipping cream

1 c powdered sugar

2 T instant vanilla pudding mix 

1 tsp vanilla

Chocolate Ganache:

½ c heavy cream 

1 c chocolate chips 

Canned cherry pie filling

Chocolate shavings

Preheat oven to 350⁰. Mix all cake ingredients (Do not use the ingredients listed on the back of the box mixes) together & divide batter into two 9" round pans & bake for 30-35 minutes. Remove from oven & let cool. 

Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add whipping cream & beat until it's not soupy. Add powdered sugar, pudding mix & vanilla & continue whipping until thick. Refrigerate until ready to use. 

Cut cake layers so you have 4 layers. Place one layer on a cake stand & top with ¼ of the cream mixture & ¼ of the cherries. Repeat remaining cake layers, cream & cherries 3 more times. Frost outside with Chantilly cream. Place chocolate chips in a small bowl. Heat cream in microwave for 30 seconds & pour over chocolate chips. Let sit 5 minutes & stir. Top cake with ganache & decorate with remaining chantilly cream & fresh cherries. Place chocolate shavings on outside of cake. 

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers

2 lbs chicken tenders, thighs or breast

2 tbsp olive oil

Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce:

1 stick butter

8-10 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup parmesan, grated

1 tbsp hot sauce more if desired

2 teaspoons red pepper flakes

1/3 cup fresh parsley, minced

Chicken Seasonings:

2 teaspoons paprika

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

Before you start, make sure to soak your wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes.

Start by combining your chicken seasoning mixture in a small bowl and set aside. Prep your chicken by cutting in 1-2" pieces. Place them in a large bowl or ziptop bag and toss in olive oil and the spices, coating well on all sides.

Pack the chicken onto each skewer, making sure they are tightly packed with no space in between to ensure maximum juiciness. 

Make the Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce

Add the butter and garlic in a microwave-safe bowl and heat until partially melted. Add in red pepper flakes, hot sauce, parsley, and parmesan. Whisk together until combined. (If sauce separates, add 1-2 tablespoons of softened butter and stir to re-emulsify.)

Scoop out 1/3 of the sauce and use that for basting the par-cooked chicken. Reserve the remaining sauce for basting the cooked chicken so you don't cross contaminate. 

Cook 2-3 skewers at a time. I grill them or pay fry using a cast oron skillet. 

Flip them back, baste with more sauce and cook another 5-6 minutes or until the internal temp reaches 165⁰. Total cook time of 12-14 minutes.

Once they are finished cooking, hit them with a final pass of the garlic sauce (the clean reserved sauce) and sprinkle with some extra parmesan and serve.

Caesar Dressing

Ingredients

1½ cups mayonnaise

1 tbsp yellow mustard

1 tbsp anchovy paste

1 tbsp + 1/4 tsp worcestershire

4 garlic cloves, minced

½ lemon, juiced

1 tsp lemon zest

1¼ cup parmigiano-reggiano, finely grated

1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions 

• In a medium bowl, whisk all ingredients except the parmigiano-reggiano until smooth and well combined.

• Once the base is creamy, gently stir in the parmigiano-reggiano until everything has been thoroughly combined.

• Refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Crumb Topping

3 T butter, melted 

⅓ cup + 1 T flour 

¼ cup sugar 

1 T brown sugar 

½ teaspoon cinnamon (the spice I use here is dependent on what flavor of roll I’m making. Example: apple pie rolls > apple pie spice, pumpkin pie roll > pumpkin pie spice, etc. 

 

Combine flour, both sugars, and cinnamon. Mix in melted butter until crumbly.  

 

Sprinkle over cinnamon rolls before baking. 

 

This yields enough crumble for about 8-12 cinnamon rolls or muffins. 

High Protein Mud Cake (for two)

8 oz cottage cheese,  blended smooth

2 eggs

¼ c mknkfruit sweetener 

4 T cacao powder

½ t vanilla

Sugar free chocolate chips (optional)

Stir all ingredients in a bowl. Top with chocolate chips. Bake 350⁰ for 33 minutes

Makes 2 servings 

Each serving:

190 calories

22 g protein 

Yum Yum Sauce

1 cup mayo

2 tsp ketchup

1 tsp rice vinegar

1 tsp sugar

½ tsp onion powder

½ tsp garlic powder

½ tsp paprika

3-4 T water, if needed

Fluffy Flour Tortillas

6 cups flour

1 tsp Baking Powder

2 tsp Salt

½ cup Fat such as lard, vegtable shortening, avocado oil shortening, butter or beef tallow

2 - 2 ½ cups hot Water

Add all ingredients to a bowl. Mix until combined. Knead for 1-2 minutes. Let rest 10 minutes. Divide into 16-20 balls. Flatten each ball into a circle. Cook on hot, dry griddle or skillet for 30-60 seconds per side & flip over. 

16-20 tortillas

Ninja Creami Vanilla Ice Cream Base

1 can condensed milk or (14oz)

1 cup heavy cream, cold

2 cups milk (whole)

1 T vanilla extract

Blend all ingredients in a blender. Pour into ninja creami containers. Freeze 24 hours.

Korean Soy Sauce Noodles

200 g Somyeon 소면 thin korean dried noodles (2 cups cooked thin noodles)

1½ Tbsp soy sauce

1½ Tbsp sugar

1 Tbsp sesame oil

½ Tbsp sesame seeds

1-2 tsp crunchy red chili oil 

1 green onions sliced

Boil a pot of water. Add dried noodles to pot and cook per package directions. For ssal somyeon, you just need to cook for 4 minutes. Drain.

In a bowl, add the sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar, sesame seeds and mix. Pour over noodles until they're evenly coated. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Feel free to try other toppings to this very basic noodle dish. You can add a soft boiled egg, cooked veggies, chicken, beef, whatever you want to try!

Noodles - I like to use Sempio Ssal Somyeon 쌀소면 which is gluten-free and delicious. But you can use any other thin wheat Somyeon noodles or even angel hair pasta. 

Buttermilk Biscuits

2 c flour

1 T baking powder 

1 T sugar 

1 t salt

½ c butter,  grated

1 - 1½ c buttermilk

Preheat oven to 375⁰. Mix dough. Press out on counter with hands. Fold in thirds. Rotate & repeat. Cut into biscuits. Place on greased baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Brush with melted butter 

High Protein Chocolate Pudding

1 cup egg whites

1 teaspoon MCT oil (optional)

Adds a metabolism boost while staying low fat

3 tablespoons Gentle Sweet (xylitol-free recommended) or 1/3 Cup of other sweetener

½ teaspoon extract (vanilla, maple, or chocolate)

¼ cup cocoa powder

Pinch of salt

½ cup unsweetened almond milk

(Use slightly less for the egg-white-only version)

Gently soft-scramble the egg whites in a skillet over low heat until just set.

You may also cook them in the microwave (about 2 minutes, stirring at 1 minute).

Do not overcook. Overcooked eggs can cause an eggy taste and gritty texture.

Add the cooked eggs and all remaining ingredients to a blender.

Blend until completely smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.

Chill for 30 minutes to thicken.

If your pudding doesn’t set, blend in ½ teaspoon gluccie or xanthan gum, then chill again.

Buttermilk Pancakes

3 cups flour

⅓ cup sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

2 large eggs

2½ cups buttermilk

1 teaspoon vanilla

½ c butter, melted and cooled, plus more for brushing

Butter and maple syrup, for serving

Whisk the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Whisk the eggs, buttermilk, vanilla and melted butter in a medium bowl until incorporated. Stir the egg mixture into the dry mixture until just combined (it's OK if there are a few lumps).

Let batter rest for 10-15 minutes.

Heat a griddle to 350⁰ . Lightly brush with butter. Pour 1/2 cup batter onto the griddle for each pancake and cook until bubbles form on top and the bottom is lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Flip and continue cooking until golden on the other side, about 1 more minute. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with the remaining batter, brushing the pan with more butter as necessary. Serve with butter and syrup.

Easy Queso

1 lb white American cheese

1 cup milk

½ c butter

2 cans diced green chiles 

Add all ingredients to a saucepan & cook on low heat stirring occasionally until melted & smooth. 

Cooookie Crisp Cereal

10 T salted butter, softened

⅔ cup brown sugar

½ cup granulated sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour

½ tsp baking soda

½ tsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

1½ cups chocolate chips, finely chopped

Preheat the oven to 350°.

In the bowl of a stand mixer or with an electric mixer, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.

Scrape the sides of the bowl and then add in the egg and vanilla. Mix until incorporated.

Next, add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mix until a soft dough forms.

To the dough, fold in the finely chopped chocolate chips.

Portion the dough out into small, 1/4-1/2 tsp balls. I find it easiest to use a rolling pin and roll the dough out, freeze for 10 minutes and then cut into small squares. Take each square and roll it into a ball and arrange on parchment lined cookie sheets.

Bake at 350°F. for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.

Allow the cookies to cool on the pan completely. Serve with a bowl of milk and enjoy! 🙂

These can be stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Pizza (Bulk freezer batch)

4 c warm milk 

3 T yeast 

9 c flour

4 T olive oil

3 T salt

Mix milk & yeast together & let sit for 6-8 minutes until yeast blooms. Add flour, olive oil & salt. Mix in mixer for 10 minutes. Place in greased bowl & let rise for 2-3 hrs. Preheat oven to 400⁰. Punch down dough & divide into 4 pieces. Shape each piece into a ball & let rest for 10 minutes. Roll each ball into pizza shape & place on a baking sheet or pizza pan. Add a little ledge to the dough. Pierce with fork all over. Bake for 8 minutes. Remove from oven & top with sauce, cheese & toppings of choice. 

Wrap pizzas in plastic wrap & freeze. Remove plastic wrap & place frozen pizza in pizza pan. Bake frozen pizza at 425⁰ for 35 minutes. 

Spanish Rice

2 T oil

½ onion, diced

2 c rice 

1 8oz can tomato sauce 

2 garlic cloves, minced

4 c chicken broth

1 t salt

1 t cumin

Add oil to a pan over medium heat. Add the onion & cook until slightly softened. Add the rice & toast until it's golden brown. 

Add seasonings, tomato sauce & broth to the rice and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low then cover for 20-25 mins.

Fluff with a fork & serve!

Creamy Crockpot Tomato Soup

2 (28 oz) cans of peeled whole tomatoes

1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce

1 qt chicken broth 

2 T oil

1 diced onion

2 T minced garlic

1 packet of Italian dressing mix. 

Pepper to taste

1 c heavy cream

3 T cornstarch

3-4 T hot sauce (optional) 

1 c shredded parmesan cheese

Saute onion in oil until tender. Add garlic & cook another minute. Add tomatoes, sautéed onions & garlic, seasoning packet & broth to the crockpot. Season with pepper.

Cook on high 4 hours or low 6 hours. Then take an immersion blender or a regular blender (just be careful) and blend the soup until smooth.

Now whisk heavy cream & cornstarch together. Add to soup. Add optional hot sauce & parmesan cheese. Mix and let cook another 30 minutes. 

Serve! Add croutons, shredded Parmesan etc.

Crockpot Beef Tips and Gravy

Meat:

1½-2 lbs stew meat

Black pepper, to taste

Other seasonings, to taste (we like Kinders woodfired blend seasoning) 

2 T brown sugar

Gravy:

2-3 T butter

1 medium onion, sliced

2 T minced garlic 

2-3 c Beef broth 

1 packet au jus mix

Worchestershire sauce 

¼ c butter, divided 

2 T cornstarch

2 T water 

In a large skillet brown meat for a few minutes then flip and brown another few minutes until a little crispy. Remove meat to a plate. To the same skillet add 2-3 T butter & sliced onion. Sauté for a few minutes then add minced garlic. Deglaze pan with 1 c beef broth. Scrap any brown bits off your pan. 

Add the meat to your crockpot then your onions and broth. Add au jus mix, a few dashes of Worcestershire sauce & 1½-2 c of beef broth. Top with ½ stick of sliced butter.

Cook on high 3-4 hours or low 6-7 hours.

If broth isn’t thick enough, combine corn starch with water and mix together then add to your crockpot. Cook another 30 minutes or until thickened.

✨Double recipe for large family✨

Enjoy over mashed potatoes!

Mashed Potatoes:

5 pound bag russet potatoes, peeled and cubed

8 oz cream cheese 

1 c sour cream 

½ c butter, divided

½ c shredded parmesan cheese 

Salt, pepper and garlic powder to taste 

 

Boil potatoes in water until fork tender. Once your potatoes are done drain water & add cream cheese, sour cream & ¼ c butter.

Mash or use electric mixer until potatoes are smooth.

Butter a 9x13 pan. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on bottom of pan. Be generous!

Scoop potatoes into pan and top with more parmesan cheese. Generously! Top with ¼ c of butter, cut into slices.

Bake at 350⁰ for about 35 minutes or until golden. Top with beef gravy!

Crunchy Granola

 

14 cups rolled oats

 1 cup raw pumpkin seeds

 2 cups coconut flakes

 2 cups sliced or slivered almonds

 1½ teaspoons salt

 2½ cups brown sugar

Wet Ingredients

 1 cup honey

 3 T almond or vanilla

 ½ cup oil

 ⅔ cup water

 Preheat oven to 225°.

 In a very large bowl, combine all dry ingredients.

 In a separate bowl, whisk together all wet ingredients until smooth.

Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until everything is evenly coated.

Spread the granola mixture evenly onto large cookie sheets.

Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring every 20 minutes for even toasting.

Increase oven temperature to 250° and bake for an additional 10 minutes.

Let cool completely before adding any optional mix-ins like dried fruit or chocolate chips.

Store in an airtight container.

Notes:

 • This recipe makes about 6–7 pounds of granola — perfect for meal prep.

 • You can easily halve the recipe if needed.

 • Swap nuts, seeds, or extracts to fit allergies or taste preferences.

 • Delicious over Greek yogurt, with milk, or straight from the jar.

Gooey Ramekin Brownies

(Serves 2)

Recipe can easily be doubled or tripled.

 ¼ cup butter

 ½ cup + 2 tsp semisweet chocolate chips

 1 Tbsp cocoa powder

 ½ cup sugar

 ¼ tsp salt

 1 large egg, room temp

 1 tsp vanilla extract

 ¼ cup all-purpose flour

 Optional: sprinkles for topping

 Vanilla ice cream or homemade whipped cream, for serving

Preheat oven to 350° and lightly grease two 6-oz ramekins.

In a saucepan over low heat, melt the butter and ½ cup chocolate chips, stirring often.

Remove from heat and whisk in cocoa powder, sugar, and salt (mixture may look grainy).

Whisk in the egg and vanilla until smooth and glossy.

Gently fold in the flour just until combined.

Divide batter evenly between ramekins. Press 1 tsp chocolate chips into the center of each.

Add sprinkles on top if using.

Place ramekins on a baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes, until tops are set but centers are gooey.

Cool for about 15 minutes, then serve warm — plain or topped with ice cream or whipped cream.

Fluffy Blueberry Pancakes

2 cups all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon baking soda

1 tablespoon baking powder

 ½ teaspoon salt

 ¼ cup sugar

 2 cups buttermilk

 2 eggs

 ¼ cup oil

 Fresh blueberries

In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and sugar.

In a separate bowl, whisk the buttermilk, eggs, and oil.

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and gently mix just until combined (don’t overmix).

Heat a griddle over medium heat and lightly grease with coconut oil.

Scoop batter using a ¼-cup measuring cup, sprinkle blueberries on top, and cook until bubbles form. Flip and cook until golden.

Serve warm — or let cool and freeze for later.

Soft Breadsticks

 2 Tbsp active dry yeast

 2½ cups warm water

 2 Tbsp sugar

 2 Tbsp oil

 1 Tbsp salt

 6 cups all-purpose flour

 ½ cup melted butter (for brushing)

Garlic bread seasoning, to taste

In the bowl of your mixer, dissolve the yeast in warm water.

Add sugar, oil, salt, and flour. Mix until a soft dough forms.

Knead in your mixer for about 10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.

Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface and cut into breadstick shapes & twist. No need to let rise.

Place on a greased baking sheet. Brush generously with melted butter and sprinkle with garlic bread seasoning.

Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes, until the tops are lightly golden and the breadsticks are soft and fluffy.

Baked Blueberry Breakfast Bowls

1½ cups low-fat cottage cheese

2 large eggs

2 tbsp Greek yogurt

2–3 tbsp honey, maple syrup, or monk fruit sweetener

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tbsp lemon juice or zest

1 scoop vanilla protein powder 

½ cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)

1 tbsp oat flour or almond flour (optional) 

½ tsp baking powder

Pinch of salt

Optional toppings: extra blueberries, coconut flakes, chopped nuts, drizzle of yogurt.

Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly grease 3–4 oven-safe ramekins or bowls.

Blend cottage cheese, eggs, yogurt, sweetener, vanilla, lemon, protein powder, flour, baking powder, and salt until smooth.

Fold in blueberries.

Pour into bowls and sprinkle a few berries on top.

Bake for 25–30 minutes, until set and lightly golden.

Cool 5 minutes and enjoy warm… or chill for later.

Protein Bagels

1 ¼ c flour

2 tsp baking powder 

½ tsp salt

¾ c non-fat greek yogurt

2 large eggs, whites and yolks separated, and beaten

everything bagel seasoning or sesame seeds

Preheat oven to 375⁰. Place parchment paper or a silpat on a baking sheet. If using parchment paper, spray with oil to avoid sticking.

In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking powder and salt and whisk well. Add the yogurt and egg yolks (not the whites) and mix well with a fork until well combined, it will look like small crumbles.

Lightly dust flour on a work surface and remove dough from the bowl, knead the dough a few times until dough is smooth and tacky, but not sticky, about 15 to 20 turns (it should not leave dough on your hand when you pull away).

Divide into 4 equal balls. Roll each ball into ¾-inch thick ropes and join the ends to form bagels.

Brush the top with egg whites and sprinkle both sides with seasoning of your choice.

Bake on the top rack of the oven for 25 minutes. Let cool at least 15 minutes before cutting.

Air Fryer Method:

Air fryer at 280° for 15 to 16 minutes, or until golden. No need to turn. Let cool at least 15 minutes before cutting.

Chopped Italian Salad

Lettuce 

Salami

Ham

Provolone

Red Onions 

Tomatoes

Olives

Chop up on a cutting board

Add:

Mayo

Hot hoagie spread

2 T red wine vinegar 

2 T oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

¼ c sliced pepperoncini

½ tsp each salt, pepper, red chili flakes & oregano

Mix & Enjoy!

Crispy Onion Rings

2 large onions, sliced into rings

2 c milk 

2 c flour

1 T Worcestershire sauce

1 T salt pepper garlic Kinder's 

1 T paprika

1 T baking powder

Whisk together batter ingredients. Heat oil in a pan. Dip onion ring into batter & place carefully into the hot oil. Flip over halfway & cook till golden brown.

Remove from oil & place on paper towel.

Enjoy!

Honey Butter Chicken

For the Chicken:

1.5 lbs chicken thighs boneless, skinless

2 T soy sauce

1 T honey

1 tsp garlic powder

¼ tsp salt

Freshly cracked black pepper

Honey Butter Sauce:

3 T unsalted butter

¼ cup soy sauce

¼ cup honey

4 garlic cloves, minced

¼ cup water

1 tsp corn starch

In a large bowl, add chicken thighs, soy sauce, honey, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Marinate for 10 mins up to overnight.

Preheat air fryer to 425⁰ for a few mins. Add chicken thighs (don’t overcrowd and cook in batches as needed) and air fry for 11-14 mins until browned and cooked through (internal temperature should be 165⁰ or more)

If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake it at 400⁰ for 20-25 min or panfry for 4-6 minutes per side. 

While the chicken is cooking, combine soy sauce, honey, garlic, water, and cornstarch in a cup or bowl and set aside. In a medium shallow pan on medium heat, add butter and let it melt down then add the sauce and cook down for 1-2 mins until thickened. Remove and set aside.

Once chicken is done, pour the sauce over the chicken and coat evenly (save a little sauce for dipping later). Serve chicken with fluffy white rice & veggies.

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

 

1 medium Butternut Squash

7 fl oz Coconut Milk

1-2 Red Onions

2 Carrots

1-2 Bell Peppers

1-2 heads of Garlic

2 Tomatoes or 1 cup of Cherry Tomatoes

1 1/2 cups Vegetable Broth

1 tsp Fresh Ginger optional; grated

Olive Oil enough to drizzle over vegetables

Fresh Cilantro for garnish

Seasoning:

1 tsp Black Pepper

1 tsp Ground Cumin

1 tsp Paprika

1 tsp Dried Thyme

1 tsp Dried Rosemary

1 tsp Chili Oil

 

Preheat your oven to 390°. Cover and large baking sheet with foil. 

Peel and chop the butternut squash, or simply cut the squash in half. 

Add the seasonings (pepper, cumin, paprika, thyme, rosemary, and chili flakes) to the vegetables. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat evenly. If halving the squash, drizzle olive oil on the exposed flesh. Cover the dish with aluminum foil.

Roast for about 1 1/2 hours, or until the vegetables are golden and soft inside. If you've chopped the vegetables smaller, the roasting time can be reduced. If you've halved the butternut squash, expect a longer roasting time. For the last 10 minutes, remove the aluminum foil to allow the vegetables to caramelize slightly.

Once roasted, scoop out the flesh of the butternut squash (if halved) and transfer all the vegetables to a blender. Add the vegetable broth and ginger (if using), and blend until smooth and creamy.

Pour the blended mixture into a pot and place it on medium heat. Stir in the coconut milk and cook for about 2 minutes, allowing everything to warm through.

Adjust the seasonings to your taste. Garnish with fresh cilantro, a drizzle of coconut milk, and a pinch of chili flakes or some chili oil if desired.

Chewy Oatmeal Cookies

½ Cup Butter, Softened

½ Cup Brown Sugar

½ Cup Granulated Sugar

1 Egg

1 Teaspoon Vanilla

1 ½ Cups Flaked Coconut

1 Cup All-Purpose Flour

½ tspn Baking Soda

½ tspn Baking Powder

Pinch of Salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350⁰.

In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.

In a separate bowl, use a mixer to combine the butter, sugars, egg and vanilla. Once that is combined well, slowly add the sifted flour mixture.

When the flour and egg batter are well incorporated, add the flaked coconut.

Once that is combined, drop by teaspoonfuls onto parchment lined baking sheets and bake for about 8-10 minutes or until browned.

Let cool and serve.

Southwest Chicken Salad

1½ lbs chicken, cooked and shredded

¾ cup black beans, rinsed, drained and dried

¾ cup red bell pepper, diced

¾ cup chickpeas, rinsed, drained and dried

¾ cup whole kernel corn, rinsed, drained and dried

¾ cup cucumber, diced small

⅓ cup shallots, finely diced

¼ cup jalapeno, finely diced

¼ cup cilantro, diced small

¼ – ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

salt, to taste

cracked black pepper, to taste

Chili Lime Yogurt Dressing:

½ cup 0% Greek yogurt

2 T mayonnaise

2 T lime juice

2 T diced green chilis

½ teaspoon cumin

½ teaspoon chili powder

½ teaspoon garlic powder

Salt, to season

black pepper, to season

1-2 tablespoons water, add more or less based on your preferred thickness

Optional Garnishes:

2 T green onion

½ avocado, thinly sliced

1 lime, cut into wedges

tortilla chips, for scooping

Add beans & veggies to a large mixing bowl. Add chicken. Sprinkle with cheese.

Combine the 0% Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, fresh squeezed lime juice, mild canned diced green chilis (with the juice), garlic powder, cumin, chili powder, kosher salt, black pepper and water. Whisk well.

For a thicker dressing add less water, for a thinner dressing add more water. You can adjust based on your preference.

Pour dressing on top of chicken & veggies & stir.

Scoop with tortilla chips 

Beaver Nuggets

1 cup butter

1 ¼ cups brown sugar

⅔ cup light corn syrup

1 tsp baking soda

8 oz puff corn (like Old Dutch puff corn, for best crispiness)

In a two-quart kettle, combine butter, brown sugar & corn syrup.

Cook this mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until it reaches a boil.

Once boiling, stop stirring and reduce the heat slightly.

Let the mixture boil for 3 minutes without stirring to develop a rich caramel consistency.

Turn off the heat and quickly stir baking soda into the caramel mixture.

This will cause the mixture to bubble up, so be sure to stir well until fully combined.

Pour an 8-ounce bag of puff corn into a large roasting pan or a stainless steel bowl that is safe for use in the oven.

Pour the caramel sauce over the puff corn and stir thoroughly to ensure each piece is well-coated with the sauce.

Preheat your oven to 250°.

Place the caramel-coated puff corn in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 10 to 15 minutes.

After baking, remove the caramel puff corn from the oven and spread it out on two large sheet pans lined with wax paper.

Allow it to cool completely, which will also help the caramel set.

Once cooled, break apart any large clusters and store the caramel puff corn in an airtight container at room temperature.

Enjoy your delicious treat!

Peanut Butter Fudge

½ cup butter

2 cups brown sugar

½ cup milk

1 cup peanut butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 cups confectioners' sugar

Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar and milk. Bring to a hard boil and boil for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.

Remove the pot from heat & stir in peanut butter & vanilla.

Place confectioners' sugar in a large mixing bowl. Pour in peanut butter mixture and beat with an electric mixer until smooth.

Pour peanut butter mixture into a parchment lined 8x8-inch dish.

Chill until firm before slicing, about 1 hour.

Christmas Simmer Pot

1 Naval orange (sliced)

2 cups Cranberries

2 Sprigs Fresh Rosemary

1 Whole clove

1 tablespoon Star Anise

1 Whole nutmeg (grated)

6 cups water

Simmer in a pot on the stove to make your house smell amazing! 

THE Best Chicken Marinade

¾ c olive oil 

¾ c lemon juice 

¼ c minced garlic

¼ c Dijon mustard 

¼ c dried oregano

Mix together & marinate chicken for 24 hrs. 

Ina Garten's Chocolate Brownie Pudding Cake

www.blissfulmeals.com

½ pound (2 sticks) butter, plus extra for buttering the dish

5 large eggs, room temp

2 cups sugar

¾ cup good cocoa powder

½ cup all-purpose flour

1 ½ tsp vanilla 

Vanilla ice cream, for serving

Preheat the oven to 325⁰. Lightly butter a 2-quart (9 by 12 by 2-inch) oval baking dish. Melt the butter and set aside to cool.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the eggs and sugar on medium-high speed for 5 to 10 minutes, until very thick and light yellow. Meanwhile, sift the cocoa powder and flour together and set aside.

When the egg and sugar mixture is ready, reduce the speed to low and add the vanilla, cocoa powder and flour mixture. Mix only until combined. With mixer still on low, slowly pour in the cooled butter and mix again just until combined.

Pour the brownie mixture into the prepared dish and place it in a larger baking pan. Add enough of the hottest tap water to the pan to come halfway up the side of the dish and bake for exactly 1 hour. A cake tester inserted 2 inches from the side should come out 3/4 clean. The center will appear very under-baked; this dessert is between a brownie and a pudding.

Allow to cool and serve with vanilla ice cream.

Buttercrunch Toffee Bars

9 T butter

1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup light brown sugar

⅓ cup white sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup toffee bits, divided

1 pinch flaky sea salt

Melt butter on low/medium heat in a skillet. Once butter is melted and begins to crackle, start stirring; cook and stir until butter has a nutty aroma and begins to turn light brown or amber in color. Remove from heat and transfer browned butter into a large, heatproof bowl; set aside to cool until just warm to the touch.

Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt together in a bowl; set aside.

Whisk light brown and white sugar into browned butter until smooth, then whisk in egg and vanilla. 

Add flour mixture to butter mixture in increments, and fold together until a shaggy dough forms. Fold in 3/4 cup toffee bits until evenly dispersed.

Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment. Spread dough evenly into the pan, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until chilled, at least 45 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 350⁰. Sprinkle dough evenly with remaining toffee bits, and press them lightly into the dough.

Bake bars in the preheated oven until edges begin to turn golden brown and the middle looks set, 12 to 15 minutes.

Remove from the oven and sprinkle with flaky salt. Cool for 30 minutes before serving.