Rachel's Healthy and Delicious Waffles

I used to have a waffle maker that I loved.  His name was Warry.  I planned to love him forever, but then he died.  I have been mourning him for 2 years now.  The pain has just subsided enough to replace him.  Well, I don't know if anything could ever really replace him, but maybe ease the pain, fill the void a little.

Bake 52: Crème Brûlée

 There are some desserts that don't live up to the hype.  Everyone makes a big deal about it and then you taste it and it's eh.  Maybe people have hyped them up too much and you were expecting fireworks and rainbows, who knows.   Crème Brûlée isn't one of those desserts.  Everyone makes a big deal about it because it's a big deal.  It completely lives up to the hype.  There are fireworks and rainbows when you eat it and there wasn't a speck of chocolate in sight.  I was dreaming of putting some Nutella on top with these strawberries, but after taking a bite, I really couldn't remember who I was let alone what Nutella was.

Orange Chicken, healthier style

I have a confession to make.  I really like the Orange Chicken at Panda Express.  I know, it's ghetto.  I was thinking at one point about changing the name of my blog to Ghetto-delicious.  But alas, that domain name is taken.  Back to my ghetto-ness, I crave PE sometimes, but I am really trying to be good.  We have a month left with this Biggest Loser competition and I'm tellin' ya, this past little while, I haven't been doing so hot.  The opposite of hot, really.  More like cold.  

Cheesy Quinoa Bites with Avocado Cream Dip

 

 Tyler is not an easy sell when it comes to quinoa.  But I have a bag of it in the pantry that I need to use up!  And it's super healthy so when I saw this easy recipe I knew I needed to try it.  And it has "cheesy" in the title.  Isn't anything "cheesy" an automatic winner?  I think so.  Even though the name says cheesy, there are still only 50 calories in each one.  (According to Calriecount.com)

Coconut Lime Cupcakes (with Cream Cheese Frosting)

Happy Spring!  Okay, so I am a little late since the first day of spring was a couple days ago.  But I had every intention of not being late.  Does that make anyone feel better?   I have had cupcakes in my head for a while now, which is abnormal for me.  I know that they are a big deal, but I don't really make a lot of cupcakes.  Even though, I am pretty sure, Martha would hate me if she knew me, I can safely say she knows how to make a cupcake.  

Bake 52: Palmiers

 

We have made so many things in this baking group that I have never made before!  I am loving it.  I really thought I had baked a lot before starting this blog and joining these groups but I am learning new things with every recipe we make.  If you haven't guessed, I have never made Palmiers before.  I have never made the full version of puff pasty either (I have made a quick version).  Two new adventures with one recipe. 

TWD: Irish Soda Bread

This will not be my last time making this bread.  I can already think of adventures I would like to embark upon with this bread.  A couple weeks ago I saw this post on Just a Taste.  I knew we were making Irish Soda Bread for our group and I happen to have some cilantro pesto left over from these paninis.  It seemed like the stars were aligning.  

French Onion Soup

Tuesdays with Dorie has a kind of sister group called French Fridays with Dorie.  After seeing all of their beautiful photos of French onion soup, I had been thinking I NEEDED some. 

Nutella Muddy Buddies (Puppy Chow)

Last week I posted a version of Muddy Buddies that Tyler really loved, this week I am posting what my version would be.  Some people call this muddy buddies and some call it puppy chow.  Whatever you call it, if you like Nutella, you should give this a try. 

Italian-Style Cheesesteak Panini

Remember yesterday when I said my ciabatta bread had panini written all over it?  It's because I had been eyeballing this recipe.  I knew we were making the bread for Bake 52 and I wanted to find a panini recipe that could incorporate it.  I was flipping through my book and saw "cheesesteak" and it had me.  

Bake 52: Ciabatta Bread

One of the reasons I love this baking group is it encourages me to do and try new things.  I have never made bread with a sponge before.  I know, it's a sad story.  I mean, who hasn't made bread with a sponge?  I am probably the only one who has been intimidated by that word and associates it with a cleaning utensil.  (The word "sponge" just isn't really appetizing to me)  But lately I have noticed a lot of recipes that include this method of proofing and I have been planning on getting over myself and trying it; but I needed a nudge.  

Lasagna

Tyler has a list of recipes he keeps requesting I write down.  In case I die.  Romantic, right?  I think he is only half joking when he says it, but he says it a lot.  

Chex Cake Batter Buddies

My cute husband is addicted to Pinterest.  I think it's funny because because I have yet to master my addiction.  A little more work on my part and I am sure I will be good and hooked, I just need to put in the effort.  And I haven't really done it yet.  Don't worry, I did the same thing with Diet Coke.  It just took a little persistence and hard work and now I can't live without the stuff.  And now, I am trying to cut back....but that's another story.  Back to Tyler and Pinterest.  That guy puts up, so often, with my obsessive compulsive disorder in the kitchen that when he requests something made, I like to oblige.  (Even though we often have completely opposite taste in foods.)  So when he pulled this up on Pinterest and said this was what he wanted, I was happy to make it.  

Chicken, Mango, Avocado and Cilantro Pesto Panini

Say that three times fast!  (Actually I just did it, and it's not too bad)

I recently received a new panini maker and a cookbook.  Ever since I have been eyeing this recipe.  I have a love for mango and pesto and everything that has to do with this sandwich, really.  I had never made pesto with cilantro before but was completely confident in my premature love of it.  And I was right to love it even before making it.  

Bake 52: Lunchbox Brownies (with coconut pecan frosting)

See the coconut pecan frosting on there?  I did that for Valerie.  She loves it when I do that kind of thing. ;)  Actually if I am being honest, I did it for me.  One of the variations of this brownie (and there are quite a few in the book) was a "german chocolate" variation, but it just called for butterscotch chips to be added.  What about the coconut?  What about the pecans?  I am not sure

TWD: Rugelach

What is Rugelach?  

Dude, I don't know.

Is it supposed to look like that?

Dude, I don't know.

How do you say it? 

Dude, I don't know.  (There was some debate between rŭg’ə-ləKH and roo-ga-la. But dude, I don't know.  It's probably one of those words I would just point at on a menu so as not to sound stupid.)

What is apricot or prune levkar?

Dude, I don't know.  (Apparently it's like a fruit butter?)

Chicken Parmesan (a twist)

This really should be called something else.  It is a version of Chicken Parmesan, but not the regular version you would usually see.  How about Chicken with Marinara and Parmesan Cream Sauce?  Yeah, I thought it was a bit much too.

Dessert Pizza

{Some photos updated 4/26/2013}

Okay, this recipe is coming with a warning:  If you are trying to be "good" eating-wise, don't make this.  If you think you can make it and just eat one piece, I dare you.  (Tyler is a dessert snob and even he couldn't just eat one piece)

Marinara Sauce

We are a spaghetti-loving family, I feel like you should know that about us.

Calvin had a treatment on Tuesday so yesterday we (well just he had to but we all did) had to avoid meat.  He loves pasta and I knew he wouldn't miss the meat so I decided to make marinara sauce.  I usually make  meat sauce and in the past when I have made marinara, I have just thrown a few things together.  I remembered seeing Giada make her sauce a while back and have wanted to try it.  Yesterday was the day.