Happy 4th of July: Patriotic 7-Layer Dip

Happy 4th of July everyone! (Although it’s not quite July 4th yet… But in order to ensure you have time to make this dip, I can’t just post this on July 4th because then it would be too late to bring this awesome 7-layer dip to the party…) So yes. I know. This dip is really predictable. You’re probably thinking, Wow, so patriotic. She must be very ‘Merican. Well, no. I’m not very ‘Merican, but I do think that it’s great to be a little festive once and awhile. Personally, I think this dip is very cute, and it’s so easy to make! It’s sure to impress, and who doesn’t love a good 7-layer dip?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spicy & Sweet: Chicken Tenders with Mango Curry Sauce

I love fried chicken tenders. Last time I made chicken tenders, I went big and bold with my Chocolate Fried Chicken. This time, the fried chicken is normal, but the sauce it’s served with is out of this world fantastical! It is spicy and sweet, a jazzed up mango chutney with such an interesting flavor profile. The orange juice adds extra acidity to the store bought mango chutney, the soy sauce adds salt, the jerk seasoning adds spice and depth of flavor, the gochujang adds a spicy, funky flavor, and the lime adds acidity and brightness. This sauce is so amazing that you’ll be glad it makes more than you can dip your chicken tenders in. I mean, it truly is perfect for any application.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I Can’t Even: Chinese Chicken and Brussels Sprouts Egg Rolls with Sweet Chile Pomegranate Sauce

Wow is pretty much the only word coming to mind right now. I mean these egg rolls are wow. Here’s some background on the situation: I love egg rolls. You probably do too. If you don’t, well we can’t be friends. But anyway… These egg rolls take the egg rolls your thinking of and elevate them to a whole new level. Like above ten. I mean, these Chinese Chicken and Brussels Sprouts Egg Rolls with Sweet Chile Pomegranate Sauce are at least an eleven. I can attempt to describe how good these are to you, but it would never do the actually thing justice. So, I’ll attempt, but it won’t nearly be as close as when you bit into one of these egg rolls dripping in sauce: The crispy exterior of the egg roll contains an explosion of sweet, salty, and spicy chicken cubes, bright and crunchy brussels sprouts and carrots, and umami rich mushrooms, all coated in a sweet and slightly spicy pomegranate sauce.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perfect Any Time of Day: Deep Dish Spinach and Prosciutto Quiche with Sesame Crust

I’m a huge fan of quiche. What’s not to love? The creamy egg filling, the flaky buttery crust, and all the different combinations of add-ins make quiche one of the most versatile foods. It’s perfect for breakfast, lunch, snack, or dinner and can be eaten hot, room-temperature, or cold. My basic, go-to quiche recipe has already been posted (click here), but recently I decided I would take a bit of a risk and try out this recipe for a deep dish spinach and prosciutto quiche with a sesame crust. What intrigued me about this recipe was that there was yogurt in the custard as well as the prospect of a nutty, sesame crust. I decided to give it a go, and let me tell you, it is now one of my favorite savory recipes. Give it a try (it makes a very large quiche, so save this recipe for your next gathering)!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Updated Veggies: Buffalo Cauliflower

Let’s be real here. Vegetarian meat substitution products that claim to taste like the real thing really suck. Companies just can’t seem to make these frozen foods any good. And buffalo chicken wings? Best thing ever! But for those vegetarians or people watching their meat consumption, those spicy, saucy, finger-lickin’ good buffalo chicken wings have to be resisted. And that is one reason why this Buffalo Cauliflower is absolutely amazing! It tastes just as scrumptious as buffalo chicken wings, but is completely meat free! They are tender yet crunchy, smooth yet spicy. They are completely addictive and a healthier option to those tempting buffalo chicken wings!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More Chocolate: White Chocolate Mac ‘n’ Cheese

As I’ve proven when I made Chocolate Fried Chicken, chocolate isn’t just for desserts. And white chocolate, that sweet, creamy, luscious treat, has its place in the savory world as well dark chocolate. And what better pairing could their be than white chocolate and mac ‘n’ cheese? If you think about it, it makes sense. Mac ‘n’ Cheese is rich, decadent, creamy, and very salty. White chocolate is also rich, decadent, and creamy, but very sweet. Together, they make the perfect sweet and savory hybrid. So let’s get cooking!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chocolate Rebel: Chocolate Fried Chicken

Chocolate isn’t just for dessert anymore. Chocolate can add depth of flavor, a hint of bitterness, and an extra somethin’-somethin’ to any savory dish when applied correctly. So why not combine two of the most extraordinary foods into one? This, ladies and gentlemen, is a match made in Heaven. Say “hello” to Chocolate and Fried Chicken’s baby, and don’t plan on saying “bye” anytime soon!

 

 

 

 

 

Everything But The Kitchen Sink: Completely Customizable Quiche

Quiche, what a funny word. And what a funny concept: a pie made of cheesy eggs and any other random savory ingredients desired. But those funny things in life are some of the best things in life. I love quiche. I make it all the time. It is so easy and so delicious (I mean, what’s not to love about a savory cheesy custard pie with any meat and veggies of your choice?). I love it hot, room-temperature, or left-over straight from the fridge. And as a bonus, it uses up all those odds and ends stuck in the back of your refrigerator. So what’s keeping you from making it? Turn up that oven and start whisking!

Mug Cakes Don’t Have To Be Savory: Completely Customizable Microwave Mug Cornbread

What? A microwave mug cake that isn’t cake? A microwave mug cake that is, in fact, cornbread??? How is this possible? Yes, it is true. And it is, like the title states, completely customizable. You can add cheese and jalapeno to make the cornbread gooey and spicy, or you can add bacon and maple syrup to create the perfect sweet-savory balance. And no matter your taste buds, I recommend adding fresh or frozen corn kernels to add a sweet pop of extra corn flavor. So what are you waiting for? Let’s make some cornbread!

A Labor of Love: Beet Pasta with Braised Kale and Italian Sausage

Oh those recipes. Those recipes for those special occasions. Those recipes that take forever, but are so worth it. Well, you’ve found one of those. Those recipes that are purely a labor of love. Here it is: Beet Pasta with Braised Kale and Italian Sausage.

I love beets. Pickled beets, fresh beets, pureed beets, you name it. Beets go with everything (especially some cool beats).

I love pasta. Homemade, out of the box, you name it. Pasta goes with everything (especially some beets).

I love pink. On clothes, on walls, on food, you name it. Pink goes with everything (especially some beet pasta).

So let’s cut to the chase and get started making this perfectly pink pasta!