Thursday, March 16, 2017

Chocolate Churro Dip

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough
  • 4 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 1/2 c. cinnamon-sugar
  • 2 c. Nutella (chocolate-hazelnut spread)


DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an oven-safe 10” skillet with cooking spray.
  2. Cut each biscuit in half and roll halves into balls. Dunk each ball in melted butter then roll in cinnamon-sugar. Place around the perimeter of skillet to form a ring. The biscuit pieces should be touching!
  3. Dollop Nutella into the center of the biscuits. Bake until biscuits are golden and cooked through, about 25 minutes. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm.

Banana Pudding Poke Cake



INGREDIENTS

  • Cooking spray, for pan
  • Flour, for pan
  • 1 box yellow cake mix, plus ingredients called for on box
  • 2 boxes vanilla pudding mix
  • 3 c. milk
  • 2 c. heavy cream
  • 2 tbsp. sugar
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 3 bananas, thinly sliced
  • 20 Nilla Wafers, 4 crushed








DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 350º and grease and flour a 9-x-13" cake pan. Prepare yellow cake mix according to box instructions. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, prepare pudding: In a small bowl, whisk together pudding packets and milk until thick. Set aside.
  3. In another large bowl, beat cream, sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
  4. Using the bottom of a wooden spoon, poke holes all over the cake. Spread pudding mixture on top and top with a layer of banana slices. Spread whipped cream on top and sprinkle all over with crushed and whole Nilla Wafers and bananas.
  5. Slice and serve.

7 Minutes in Heaven Angel Food Chocolate Cake


INGREDIENTS

  • 1 box angel food cake
  • 2 boxes instant chocolate pudding (plus required ingredients)
  • 4 c. heavy cream
  • 1/4 tbsp. powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • chocolate shavings





DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Prepare boxed cake mix according to package instructions. Pour about two-thirds of mixture into a 9”-x-13” (ungreased) baking pan. Bake until slightly golden, about 25-30 minutes. Let cool.
  3. When the cake is cool, poke big holes across entire surface of the cake using the rounded end of the wooden spoon. Combine pudding mix and milk in a medium bowl and whisk until the mixture just begins to thicken. Pour over the cake and spread with a spatula to make sure the pudding pours into the holes. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.
  4. Make whipped cream: In a large bowl, combine the heavy cream with the sugar and vanilla extract and beat until stiff peaks form. Spread over cake and garnish with chocolate shavings.

Coconut Cream Cup Mini Pies

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 16.5 oz. tube refrigerated sugar cookie dough
  • 1 pack instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 1 can coconut milk, cold
  • whipped cream
  • 1 c. sweetened shredded coconut, toasted


DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 350º. Grease a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray.
  2. Slice the cookie dough into 12 portions. Press each disc of dough into a muffin cup, patting the sides down gently to form a well. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly golden.
  3. As soon as they’re out, use a shot glass (sprayed with cooking spray) to gently press down the center of each cookie. Set tray aside to cool for at least 20 minutes. Remove from baking tray to cool completely on wire rack.
  4. Meanwhile, make vanilla pudding. In a medium bowl, combine pudding mix and milk and whisk until the mixture just begins to thicken. Spoon pudding into cooled cookie cups. Top with whipped cream and garnish with shredded coconut.

Death by Cocolate Poke Cake


INGREDIENTS

FOR THE CAKE
  • Butter, for greasing
  • Flour, for pan
  • 1 box chocolate cake mix, plus ingredients called for on box
  • 1 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 c. semisweet chocolate chips, melted
  • Chocolate shavings, for garnish
FOR THE FROSTING
  • 1 c. butter, softened
  • 2 1/2 c. powdered sugar
  • 3/4 c. cocoa powder
  • 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
  • pinch of kosher salt
  • 1/4 c. heavy cream (plus more if necessary)





DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 350º and butter and flour a 9"-x-13” pan. Prepare chocolate cake mix according to package directions and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 26 minutes.
  2. Poke cake all over with the bottom of a wooden spoon. In a small bowl, mix together sweetened condensed milk and melted chocolate. Pour mixture into the holes.
  3. Make frosting: In a large bowl using a hand mixer, beat butter, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, and salt. Beat in heavy cream (adding more by the tablespoon until consistency is creamy but can hold peaks).
  4. Spread frosting all over cake with an offset spatula and sprinkle with chocolate shavings.

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Ranch Chicken and Rice



Ingredients                                        
  • 6 boneless chicken breasts
  • kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 c. buttermilk ranch dressing
  • 1/4 tsp. cayenne
  • extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 c. low-sodium chicken stock
  • 1 bunch kale, chopped into 1" pieces
  • 1 c. baby spinach
  • 1 c. white rice
  • 1/4 c. chopped parsley


DIRECTIONS

  1. In a large mixing bowl season chicken with salt and black pepper. Add ranch dressing and cayenne pepper; marinate 5 minutes. Remove chicken from marinade and pat dry with paper towels.
  2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat add 2 tablespoons olive oil and sear chicken skin-side down until golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate skin-side up; set aside. Drain skillet, reserving 1 tablespoon fat, and discard balance. Turn heat down to medium and cook garlic and onion for 2 minutes, until beginning to soften. Stir in stock, kale (if using), rice, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Place chicken in rice mixture, skin-side up. Simmer until rice is tender, about 20 minutes.
  3. Stir in baby spinach and parsley. Serve immediately.

Make Ahead Breakfast Cups

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground turkey sausage (or pork)
  • 6 large eggs
  • 1 cup egg whites
  • ½ red pepper, diced
  • 3 tablespoons minced onion
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup mozzarella cheese
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Brown turkey sausage over medium high until no pink remains.
  3. Spray a muffin tin with cooking spray. Divide the red pepper, onion, cooked sausage and cheeses over 12 wells.
  4. In a large bowl combine eggs, egg whites and salt & pepper to taste. Pour egg mixture over the sausage in each well.
  5. Bake 22-25 minutes or until set.
  6. Remove from cups and serve warm or let cool completely and refrigerate or freeze.
  7. To reheat from refrigerated, microwave about 30 seconds. To reheat from frozen, microwave 45-60 seconds. Note: Microwaves can vary greatly, time may need to be adjusted.