Brownie Cookie Dough Sandwiches and Exciting News!

I'm so excited! Melissa from Best Friends For Frosting has asked me to be their newest dessert trends contributor!! 

HAPPY DAAANNNCE

If you haven't checked out BFFF yet I suggest you do. Not only because I will be writing there but mostly because they feature the most delicious dessert recipes found via the web. 

These Brownie Cookie Dough Sandwiches from Heat Oven to 350 are one of their recent posts. And let me tell you, these cookies are as good as they sound. 

So go on over and check out Best Friends For Frosting. Just be ready for your sweet tooth to kick in. 

{Images via Pretty Plate}

{Recipe found here }

psst... for another delicious cookie sandwich recipe, click here



Enjoy!

A Daily Dinner

Being a food blogger, and a food obsessed person in general, people tend to believe my family and I eat elaborate, Sunday-dinner type meals every day. That, and that our house is full of fancy meats and expensive cheeses. 

The truth is, during the week I am usually scrambling to put together something quick and healthy with the ingredients that I have on hand. Sound familiar? 

I hate to waste food, hate it. So I tend to buy a lot of frozen veggies and beans. Not to mention, being from Italian decent I always have some sort of pasta on hand. Together, these ingredients make a quick go-to weekday dinner. Plus you can make this all in one pot. Plus it's healthy. Plus it's inexpensive. Can I get a hip-hip-hooray?!

So next time you are at the market, stock up on these long lasting ingredients. This way you won't be tempted to hit up the drive thru on your next weeknight dinner scramble. 

ingredients

1/2 lb pasta (I like orecchiette or ziti)

large bunch of frozen broccoli florets 

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 

1 (15 ounce) can white beans, drained and rinsed

juice and zest of 1 lemon

crushed red pepper flake

freshly grated Parmesan cheese

s&p

* This is one of those recipes I just throw together. The measurements are not precise so adjust the seasonings to your preference. 

In a large sauce pan bring a large amount of water to a boil. Add a large handful of salt to the boiling water and add pasta. Cook until just about done. Once pasta is al dente, add in frozen broccoli and cook for about 3 minutes until broccoli is defrosted and warm. Turn stove to low heat. Drain pasta and broccoli from water and return to pot. 

Add in beans and oil, stir. Add in red pepper, salt, and black pepper to taste. Add zest and juice of lemon to taste. Stir and continue to heat over a low heat. 

Once ready to serve sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. You may also want to add extra oil or red pepper at this point. 

Serves 2 people. 

Enjoy!

Have a great weekend everyone! 

Fried Goat Cheese

Remember this baked feta?

This fried goat cheese belongs in food Heaven too.

With its crispy crust and its warm and creamy inside, this fancy fried cheese is always a crowd pleaser.  I think it is the perfect accompaniment to your Easter or Mother's Day menu.

Here's how you can whip it up in no time:

ingredients 

16 ounce goat cheese log 

1 cup panko bread crumbs 

1/4 cup (more or less) extra-virgin olive oil 

2 eggs, beaten 

1/2 cup flour

s&p

Pop goat cheese in freezer for about 15 minutes to harden. 

While cheese is in freezer, arrange three bowls on your counter. To the first add the flour, the eggs to the second bowl, and 1 cup of panko bread crumbs to the third bowl.

Using a sharp knife, slice goat cheese into 1/4- 1/2 inch pieces. 

Dip each piece into the flour, egg, and breadcrumbs. 

Place on a parchment lined baking sheet. 

Once you are done dredging all the pieces, cover and chill in fridge until you are ready to serve. 

Right before serving heat olive oil in a large saute pan. (You will need enough to cover the bottom of the pan.) Once oil is hot fry the goat cheese, about 2 minutes per side. 

Serve on a bed of greens dressed with extra-virgin olive oil and lemon juice. 

Sprinkle with salt. 

Enjoy!

A little chill time

Is it just me or does it seem like the world is just going so fast lately?

 I really think if I don't slow down my head might fall off. I remember not too long ago in high school, I would always tell myself 'I'm not going to be one of those stressed out always frazzled mothers'. Yet here I am, two kids, a house, a move, and a blog later and I can barley keep up with the laundry. Then I thought (because we all know this) that if I just take 5 minutes to sit down someplace quite, have a cup of tea, and just take a little break I will have enough energy to keep going. 

I know I'm not the only one out there who needs this 5 minute reprieve. So here is your reminder. Even if it is 5 minutes before you turn in for the night, make sure you slow down and take 5 minutes of silence and peace... and maybe a little tea. 

XO, 

Jen 

Chop and Chomp Salad

I have to say, one of my favorite things about being a food blogger is the continuous stream, err flood, of inspiration. I'm talking the eating healthy kind of inspiration.  

I always thought I was a healthy eater, I ate a garden salad at least once a day. Truth is the old me was not very creative or adventurous when it came to cooking with healthy ingredients. Only after being surrounded, albeit virtually surrounded, by such talented food bloggers that my eyes have been open to a whole new world of veggies. 

Last week kale, this week purple cabbage. 

Bonus: Really healthy eating allows you to shop at Whole Foods and Trader Joe's without handing over your whole wallet. 

So thank you fellow food bloggers, this one is for you. And did I mention it is delicious? Just finished the bowl in under 2 minutes (now I just need to work on eating slower). 

ingredients

1/2 large red cabbage

2 green apples

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1/4 cup golden raisins 

goat cheese 

juice of half a lemon

3 tablespoons (or so) extra-virgin olive oil 

2 tablespoon (or so) balsamic vinegar 

pinch of sugar

s&p 

Chop green apple into a small dice. Drizzle with a little lemon juice to keep from browning. Chop cabbage into same size bite as apple and add both ingredients to a large mixing bowl. Add golden raisins and chopped walnuts. 

Whisk together oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, and sugar. Taste and readjust seasonings to your preference. 

Add dressing to salad and toss. 

Crumble goat cheese and add to top of salad. 

Serve. 

Enjoy!