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Double Chocolate Banana Muffins
I am always on the lookout for a healthy, quick, grab and go breakfast. These double chocolate Banana Muffins are exactly that. My kids also love them for afterschool and afternoon snacks. Which is fine by me because I know what is in them and there is no added sugar at all! These double chocolate banana muffins are already better than most as they are made with honey or pure maple syrup instead of sugar. Yet, you can make them even more healthy by using whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour. Also, you go one step further in making them healthier by using coconut oil instead of vegetable oil. So, these double…
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Nutella Hot Cocoa
Who else is ready to cozy up with a mug of Nutella hot cocoa? The weather outside is frightful… is not just for a holiday song! If you are in the Chicagoland area, it is about to get very wintery. We are settling in for a snowy, rainy week here in Chicagoland. If you live in other wintery areas, hopefully you have not experienced too much “nasty” winter weather yet? If you have though, or if you are getting ready for it, get your favorite mug and get cozy with this amazing Nutella hot cocoa. This Nutella hot cocoa is so rich and so creamy, you will never want “regular”…
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Mini Nutella Christmas Trees
Every year I usually make a large, pull-a-part Nutella Christmas tree. This year I thought, why not do mini Nutella Christmas trees? These mini Nutella Christmas trees are so simple to make and they will be gone in an instant. I also changed up the finished product of these mini Nutella christmas trees. I would normally sprinkle powdered sugar at the end for decoration and finishing. On these mini Nutella christmas trees I uses cinnamon sugar to finish them off. Not only does it look really cute, but it makes them extra crunchy and delicious. Best Festive Desserts to bring to your Holiday Party So, these mini Nutella Christmas trees are a perfect…
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Thanksgiving Dinner-Prep like a Pro
Alright, Thanksgiving is a week away. Let’s get to it. Now, I am going to share all of my pro chef tips in this Thanksgiving dinner-prep like a pro post for you. I have cooked many Thanksgiving dinners in my day. Believe it or not, this is the first year I am actually hosting Thanksgiving at my house for my family. Now, I know what you are thinking. Umm… Chef Steph, didn’t you just say that you have cooked many Thanksgiving dinners in your day? How can this be the first year you are hosting? Yes, you read correctly. I have cooked 100’s of Thanksgiving dinners in my day, they just so happened…
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Pumpkin Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies
I am a sucker for a good chocolate chip cookie. I have to say, these pumpkin dark chocolate chip cookies may even be my favorite new chocolate chip cookies. The spices in these pumpkin dark chocolate chip cookies mixed with the dark chocolate. Then the texture that the pumpkin gives is a chewy and crispy texture. They are really almost the perfect chocolate chip cookie. I am not sure if you have ever used pumpkin in your cookies before, but I am here to tell you to go for it. The pumpkin adds a really nice texture along with a light flavor that is amazing. The pumpkin in these pumpkin dark chocolate chip…
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Better than Take out Beef and Broccoli
Now, don’t get me wrong, I am not saying you will never order Chinese food out again. Yet, this better than take out beef and broccoli will be a favorite weeknight meal in no time. My whole family loves this better than take out beef and broccoli. I love it because it is quick and easy to make any night of the week. During the week is so tough to get a good, healthy, home cooked meal on the table. It is even more difficult to make a good, healthy, home cooked meal that the whole family will enjoy. This better than take out beef and broccoli will accomplish both of these things.…
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Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
This soup screams Fall and could not be simpler to prepare. Also, if you are vegan or vegetarian you can enjoy this soup. It is creamy and delicious but does not actually contain any cream. Win-win! I am always trying to make restaurant quality meals that are quick and easy for anyone to make. This roasted butternut squash soup is the definition of a restaurant quality meal that is quick and easy to make. You literally just need to cut and roast all of the veggies in the oven. I remove the celery before I puree the soup. This will give you the flavor of the celery without the fibrous texture of the…
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Roasted Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Pancetta and Sage
Fall is here!! Shout it from the rooftops! My favorite season has finally arrived this year! WHOO HOO! Nothing says Fall like butternut squash and sage. That is why this roasted butternut squash gnocchi with pancetta and sage is one of my favorite Fall dishes. Truly I love everything about Fall in the Midwest. I was talking to my sister the other day and realized we are spoiled at Fall here in the Midwest. We really have the most gorgeous Fall’s. We have leaves changing colors from bright greens to deep, rich red, oranges and yellows. I love that the air turns a little crisp and cool. We have apple picking and pumpkin…
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The Perfect Pot Roast Recipe
I don’t know about you, but on a chilly Fall day I love a good hearty, slow cooked meal. Enter, the perfect pot roast recipe. This recipe is warming and soulful. The pot roast is melt in your mouth tender and juicy. Not to mention the perfect cooked carrots and the sauce, oh the sauce. I love everything about a perfectly cooked pot roast. I spent a lot of time perfecting the recipe and this is truly the perfect pot roast roast recipe. Here is why. How can I know this is the perfect pot roast recipe? For one thing, the roast itself needs to be perfectly tender, while staying juicy. I have…
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Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookies
Ok, all you PSL lovers out there… you know who you are! If you are someone who waits for this time of year, these pumpkin spice oatmeal chocolate chip cookies are for you. Believe it or not I am actually not a PSL lover, but I have discovered a love for pumpkin spice in baked goods. I especially love the pumpkin spice with the brown sugar and oats in this recipe. Not to mention the dark chocolate. Did you know that dark chocolate pairs well with pumpkin and pumpkin spice? I actually did not know this until about 11 years ago I started making a chocolate pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving. Here is the…
