Tag: #EasyandQuick

Posted in #Recipes

Chocolate Lava Cookies

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Are you or someone you know an unapologetic chocolate lover? If so, then these chocolate lava cookies are sure to please. Just like our favorite chocolate lava cake, these cookies are a decadently rich and fudgy dessert that has a surprise inside: a river of luxurious, warm dark chocolate ganache. They’re just as satisfying as their cake counterpart, but because they’re handheld, they’re easier to eat—and, therefore, they’re that much harder to resist.

If you’ve never made a stuffed cookie before, this chocolate cookie recipe is a great place to start. You begin by making a simple homemade chocolate ganache that’s partially frozen and shaped into balls. Then, you wrap the tender chocolate cookie dough around the ganache balls. After baking, the final cookies are supremely moist and indulgent with a puddle of molten chocolate waiting to escape inside. These molten chocolate lava cookies will quickly top your list of favorite chocolate desserts.

Ingredients for Chocolate Lava Cookies

  • Cocoa powder: Cocoa powder flavors the cookie dough with an intense chocolate flavor. Adding a small amount to the ganache thickens the mixture and gives it some body.
  • Heavy cream: Heavy cream helps ensure the chocolate ganache does not set completely solid at room temperature but remains soft and fudgy.
  • Dark chocolate: Since the chocolate cookie dough is rather sweet, using dark chocolate for the molten lava center offers a nice balance. For a sweeter taste, consider using semisweet chocolate.
  • Unsalted butter: Butter adds flavor, richness and moisture to the cookie dough. A small amount is also added to the fudge filling to give the “lava” a silkier, richer consistency.
  • Granulated sugar: Granulated sugar adds moisture and contributes to the cookies’ moist and chewy texture.
  • Eggs: Eggs provide structure and stability to a cookie as it bakes. Adding an extra egg yolk to the recipe incorporates additional fat, which helps keep these cookies extra soft and tender.
  • Vanilla extract: Even though chocolate is the dominant flavor in these cookies, using a high-quality brand of vanilla helps give the cookies excellent added depth and complexity.
  • All-purpose flour: When making cookies, make sure you’re measuring your flour accurately. Using too much or not enough flour can drastically change the taste, texture and consistency of the baked cookies.
  • Espresso powder: Espresso powder is the secret to better chocolate desserts. Adding a small amount of espresso powder amplifies the flavor of the chocolate.
  • Baking soda: Baking soda acts as a leavener, keeping the cookies light and airy.
  • Salt: A few pinches of salt help balance the sweetness and enhance the flavors of the cookies.
  • Confectioners’ sugar: A light dusting of confectioners’ sugar is the perfect sweet finish to these molten chocolate lava cookies.

Taste of Home

Posted in Book Reviews

Muffin Tin Chef

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Learn to make quick, easy, and utterly delicious mini meals (without the clean up!) in this collection of muffin tin recipes.
Acclaimed chef Matt Kadey proves that the muffin tin is not just for desserts anymore! In the same way it transforms a single cake into a dozen cute cupcakes, your muffin tin is the secret to making tasty and fun mini versions of all your favorite foods.
Filled with full-color photos and easy-to-follow recipes, this handy cookbook shows how to whip up pop-in-your-mouth, perfectly portioned dishes. From crowd-pleasing appetizers and enticing side dishes to mouth-watering entrees and delectable desserts, Muffin Tin Chef features 101 creative recipes, including:
• Baked Eggs in Prosciutto Cups
• Peach-Stuffed French Toast Bowls
• Spinach Dip Bowls
• Jalapeño Cheese Rolls
• Butternut Squash Soufflés
• Chicken Italiano Pizza Bites
• Lasagna Rolls
• Crab Cakes with Corn-Tomato Relish
• No-Bake Cheesecakes with Raspberry Sauce

Posted in #Recipes

30 Bright Winter Salad Recipes You’ll Crave All Season

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

There’s nothing I love more than enjoying a fresh salad that celebrates fruits and vegetables at their peak. In summer salads, that might mean bowls filled with sweet corn and peppery arugula or a sun-ripened peach Caprese salad with juicy tomatoes. As the weather cools, it’s all about roasted squash, blue cheese and crunchy pepitas. The best salad ingredients should shift with the seasons, and these winter salad recipes prove there’s zero excuse for sad meals, even in the coldest months.

Winter salads have their own magic. This is the moment for hearty greens like kale, radicchio and escarole that hold up beautifully to thick and creamy or light and zippy homemade salad dressings, as well as craveable add-ins, such as roasted root vegetables, caramelized squash, toasted nuts, warm grains and crumbly cheeses. It’s also peak season for citrus, pomegranates, pears and apples, bringing juicy sweetness, bright acidity and pops of color.

To add more heft and satiety to these leafy creations, top with your favorite protein, such as grilled chicken tenders, sliced flank steak or sauteed shrimp. With that in mind, get ready to bookmark these recipes that hit the sweet spot of seasonal produce, vibrant flavors and weeknight ease. They’re hearty enough for cold days and colorful enough to brighten your table.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

Copycat Sweet Kale Salad

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

A few years ago, a mysteriously delicious, healthy, sweet salad started appearing at every single party I attended. This sweet kale salad was loaded with a sturdy blend of winter vegetables, including kale, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and broccoli slaw, and was adorned with jewels of dried cranberries and pepitas for crunch. It was a salad I couldn’t escape from. After it made four or five consecutive appearances at social gatherings, I realized this wasn’t a trendy viral recipe I missed on social media; it was, in fact, a sweet kale salad kit from the grocery store.

Actually, it was several very similar salad kits—all made with kale, cranberries, and a tangy and sweet creamy poppy seed dressing. From Costco to Trader Joe’s and pretty much every grocery store in between, each has their own version.

While delicious, the salad itself isn’t overly complex, which is why I implore you to skip the kit the next time you’re craving this sweet kale vegetable salad and to try this copycat recipe instead. It’s jam-packed with the same ingredients, but at a fraction of the cost. (Does anyone else feel as if those salad kits are getting smaller and smaller?)

Ingredients for Copycat Sweet Kale Salad

  • Kale: There are many varieties of kale. For the best taste and texture, choose Tuscan or Lacinato for this kale recipe.
  • Broccoli slaw: While you are welcome to shave or shred broccoli stems yourself, a package of broccoli slaw is a fantastic shortcut. Use any extra to make a delicious Asian ramen coleslaw.
  • Brussels sprouts: Brussels sprouts are another sturdy vegetable that stays crisp for a long time, even after being coated in dressing.
  • Green cabbage: Green cabbage adds another layer of crunch and texture to this healthy salad recipe.
  • Radicchio: Radicchio doesn’t taste that much different from kale or cabbage, but its vibrant purple-red hue offers a beautiful contrast from the other green vegetables in the recipe.
  • Dried cranberries: A few handfuls of dried cranberries add little bursts of sweetness to every bite.
  • Toasted pepitas: Often packaged and labeled as pumpkin seeds, pepitas add a nice, subtle nuttiness to this sweet kale salad along with a wonderful crunch.
  • Creamy poppy seed dressing: This sweet and tangy homemade dressing beats the ones that come sealed in pouches with the kits. It’s made with mayonnaise and sour cream for a creamy tang, sweetened with sugar, and mixed with milk, apple cider vinegar and plenty of poppy seeds.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

Ultimate Super Bowl Snack Ideas for Game Day

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Be the MVP of game-day eats with these party-perfect snacks. You can choose wings, dips, nachos, or guac. These recipes are guaranteed to make this your best Super Bowl spread yet.

Our Best Super Bowl Snack Ideas

It’s the biggest game of the season and you’re no doubt expecting a houseful of hungry fans. Even if you’ve enlisted the help of your guest and are planning a potluck-style spread of all the classics. These include chili, chicken wings, and fun desserts. You’re going to need to make a few snacks and small bites for your party, too. You’ll find all the recipes you need in this roundup. We’ve got dips, jalapeno poppers, pigs in a blanket and more. A guaranteed winner? This flaky, golden ring of crescent dough, packed with all the flavors of a cheesy, chicken enchilada. It’s portable (so your guests can eat by the television!) and sure to please — making it perfect for parties.

Football Cheese Ball and Charcuterie Board

This fun board will feed the whole team and then some. You can prep the fruit and vegetables earlier in the day. Make the cheeseball in advance, too. Then, all you have to do is put everything together on the board before the big game. If you have one, a large wooden carving board is ideal. Ensure it has a well around the edge that catches carving juices. You can tuck the folded charcuterie in the well. This helps it stand up and create the edge of your “stadium.”

Food Network

Posted in #Recipes

Popcorn Chicken

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Popcorn chicken is one of those dishes that I simply cannot resist. The bite-sized morsels of chicken are crispy on the outside. They are juicy on the inside. Since they’re boneless, they’re super easy to pop into your mouth. Like picnic-style buttermilk fried chicken, these tiny fried chicken bites are soaked in buttermilk. Then, they are dredged in flour and fried. They’re a perfect game day snack or potluck recipe. They also happen to make a great family meal when served with some sauces and your favorite sides. Your kids will love how savory and bite-sized they are, and you’ll love how easy they are to make.

Popcorn Chicken vs. Chicken Nuggets

While these fried chicken bites are similar, there are some key differences between popcorn chicken and chicken nuggets. Chicken nuggets are made of ground chicken bound into uniform pieces. On the flip side, popcorn chicken uses boneless chicken breasts cut into large chunks and marinated in buttermilk before being fried. The fry coating on each piece of popcorn chicken is a little different, which is part of what makes them so tasty, and they tend to have a thicker coating than chicken nuggets. The most famous nuggets are probably the McDonald’s chicken nuggets, and popcorn chicken originally comes from KFC.

Ingredients for Popcorn Chicken

  • Chicken breast: Use boneless skinless chicken breasts cut up into 1-inch cubes.
  • Buttermilk: Buttermilk tenderizes the chicken, imparts a tangy, delicious flavor, and keeps it moist, so you don’t have to worry about dried-out chicken. If you don’t have it on hand, you can always make buttermilk from scratch.
  • All-purpose flour: Seasoned all-purpose flour gives the chicken a delicious crispy coating. You can use gluten-free flour for gluten-free popcorn chicken.
  • Seasonings: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and cayenne pepper make the dredge super flavorful.
  • Oil: The best oils for frying are neutral in flavor and can stand up to high heat, like canola or grapeseed oils.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

White Pizza Dip

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

I think we can all agree that a hot, cheesy pizza is the ultimate party food. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday or gathering around the TV for a big game, nothing beats a fresh slice—except maybe some ooey-gooey pizza-inspired snacks.

This white pizza dip is the perfect shareable appetizer. It’s creamy, loaded with melty mozzarella, and bursting with all the garlic and herby flavor of a sauceless pizza. It comes together in just a few simple steps, and there’s no dough rolling required. Serve it with crispy toasted baguette slices or fresh veggies for a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

White Pizza Dip Ingredients

A baking tray with toasted baguette slices sits on a counter next to bowls containing diced pepperoni, shredded cheese, cream cheese, and sour cream. A red-striped towel and a small bowl of dried herbs are also visible.
Taste of Home
  • Sour cream: Tangy sour cream gives the dip a silky, spoonable texture. Full-fat sour cream works best, but reduced-fat can be used if needed—just expect a slightly looser dip.
  • Ricotta cheese: Mild, milky ricotta adds body and balances the tang of the sour cream. Whole-milk ricotta is our choice for an extra-rich pizza-like dip, but you can use part-skim for a lighter version. If your ricotta is a little watery, drain it first in a fine-mesh sieve before mixing it with the sour cream.
  • Mozzarella cheese: Shredded mozzarella melts in the oven, giving the dip its classic pizza-style stretch and gooey finish.
  • Pepperoni: Use your favorite variety to add savory, meaty bites throughout the dip—regular, spicy and turkey pepperoni all work well here. Chop the slices finely for even distribution, or use mini pepperoni for a shortcut.
  • Soup mix: This recipe calls for a packet of Lipton Savory Herb with Garlic soup mix. It’s a convenient all-in-one seasoning option that includes dried herbs, garlic and onion with no measuring required. If you can’t find it, you can experiment with other varieties or substitute a blend of Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper to taste.
  • Baguette: Slice and toast a fresh baguette to create crisp, sturdy dippers for scooping up the warm, cheesy dip. Crackers, crostini, crunchy breadsticks and raw veggies are also great options.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

39 Easy Three-Ingredient Desserts for Sharing

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

I’ve always had a sweet tooth and love to end meals with a little treat. A square of dark chocolate or a scoop of ice cream usually does the trick, but making something from scratch is extra-satisfying. On those nights when even quick and easy baking recipes are out of reach, I turn to easy three-ingredient desserts. You’d be surprised what you can do with just a few simple pantry-friendly ingredients. From frozen treats to chocolaty fudge, there is a recipe here for every craving.

Each recipe in this collection has three ingredients or fewer, excluding water, salt, small amounts of oil and optional garnishes. These simple three-ingredient treats rely on clever shortcuts, like boxed cake or brownie mixes, and ingredients with bold flavors, like peanut butter and chocolate, to create something delicious. Some are as easy as melting and mixing a few ingredients together, but if you are in the mood to bake, there are a few classic cookie recipes, including one of my favorites: buttery shortbread.

Many of these quick three-ingredient sweets recipes adapt easily to dietary needs, so you can use dairy-free chocolate chips or gluten-free flour blends without missing a beat. These easy dessert ideas are perfect for taking to potlucks and parties, or when you make last-minute plans and don’t have time to run to the bakery. Whether you choose a frozen fruit-based dessert or a decadent chocolate truffle, you are only three ingredients away from your next sweet treat.

Posted in #Recipes

The 2-Ingredient “Lemon Bars” I Can’t Stop Making (They’re So Easy)

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Lemon angel bars are my go-to whenever I need to make a super-easy dessert with almost no effort. The fact that they only use two ingredients still surprises me every time I make them. Just stir together angel food cake mix and lemon pie filling, bake, and you’re done! The bars come out soft and airy, with a light texture and a bright lemon flavor. I make this recipe whenever I want something simple and not too heavy. Even better, it’s the kind of dessert I can easily throw together for a last-minute get-together or potluck.

What Makes Lemon Angel Bars So Great

This recipe works because the angel food cake mix provides structure and lift, while the lemon pie filling adds sweetness, moisture, and citrus flavor all at once. There’s no measuring, no mixers, and no complicated steps. The bars bake up fluffy and tender with a soft, cake-like crumb. Once they’re cooled, I like to dust the top with powdered sugar (although they’re just as good plain). These bars prove that minimal ingredients can still deliver big, delicious results.

The Kitch’n

Posted in #Recipes

Pizza Dough Focaccia

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

There’s nothing quite like a fresh loaf of homemade bread. The smell, the taste, the texture … it’s truly divine. However, it can be hard to find the time to make bread from scratch. While some yeasted bread recipes can be made more quickly than others, others require more of a time investment. That’s why this shortcut pizza dough focaccia is our new favorite.

This recipe requires no measuring or mixing; simply snag a ball or two of your favorite store-bought pizza dough, let it proof, and then bake it in the oven with plenty of olive oil, herbs and flaky sea salt. The result is a soft, spongy flatbread with an open crumb and irresistibly crisp, chewy exterior that will fool everyone into thinking that it’s a traditional focaccia bread recipe. Add this one to your list of creative ideas for using pizza dough.

Ingredients for Shortcut Pizza Dough Focaccia

  • Pizza dough: For this recipe, you’ll need two balls of fresh or frozen pizza dough. Store-bought pizza crusts that have been parbaked will not work for this recipe.
  • Olive oil: Focaccia derives much of its flavor from the olive oil in which it’s baked. Therefore, this is a great occasion to splurge on a high-quality olive oil for best results.
  • Rosemary: Rosemary is a classic topping for focaccia. It has an intoxicating aroma and a warm, woodsy flavor.
  • Flaky sea salt: Flaky sea salt is a must-have for topping focaccia. It doesn’t dissolve as quickly as table salt, so it imparts a great texture and bursts of salty flavor on the top of the bread. If you don’t have flaked salt, you can substitute coarsely ground Kosher salt.

Taste of Home