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Avocado Hummus
I have always loved hummus. I have also always loved avocado. Guacamole and hummus separately are always my go to snack choices. So, why not put them together? The creaminess of the lusciousness of the avocado with the creaminess of the pureed chickpeas is such a perfect match. The acid from the lime cuts through perfectly and the hint of cumin makes you go, wait… what is that? I love it! What do you need to make avocado hummus? You only need a few ingredients, that if you are anything like me, you probably usually already have on hand. Avocados-Kind of essential in avocado hummus Canned chick peas-You can also use cooked chick…
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Summer Tomato Pasta
I love a meal that I don’t have to think too much about. That I really don’t even need to plan too much ahead. A meal that comes together quickly and easily with little effort but tastes like I just walked into my favorite restaurant. Well, here you go… This recipe is all of the above and did I mention delicious? It is so delicious. I adapted this from Ina Garten’s Summer Garden pasta recipe. I love Ina Garten. I have loved her and her recipes for years. Yet, the thing about Ina is that almost all of her recipes are either time consuming or take a lot of ingredients and/or steps. This…
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Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies
Yay!! Chocolate, times 3! Oh yes, sign me up all day, every day! I am not actually much of a sweet tooth. I usually prefer salty foods to sweet desserts. Yet, if chocolate is involved, it is very hard for me to pass up. If there is white chocolate involved, it is even harder for me to pass up. And if it is a fudgy, yet crisp cookie… let’s just say, I am not passing it up! This recipe actually started as a double chocolate cookie recipe that I created for a class at work. They were a huge hit by those that attended the class as well as my coworkers. So, when…
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Gluten Free Oreo Dirt Cake
Yep, that is correct. You did not read that incorrectly. It says gluten free. In this case, you can absolutely not tell the difference between regular and gluten free. Oreo has done an incredible job with there gluten free cookies. I am not much for making things gluten free, normally. However, in this case, why not? The cookies taste exactly the same as the original and now when you bring this yummy dessert to your next gathering; everyone can enjoy it! How is this gluten free? Well, it is simple… gluten free Oreo’s. Yes, Oreo makes a gluten free variety and it is perfect. It tastes just like the original and it can…
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Best Stove Top Mac and Cheese
I feel like getting a really good mac and cheese recipe is like striking gold when you have kids. There are a million recipes out there and for the longest time, my kids would only eat the blue box! Yes, even having a chef as their mom, they wanted the blue box! I tried so many different recipes for mac and cheese and this s hands down the winner! My kids love this mac and cheese, my husband loves this mac and cheese. I not only love this mac and cheese because it is creamy and delicious, but because it comes together super quickly and right on the stove top. Mom-win for sure!…
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Best Pesto Recipe
I love pesto on everything from pasta to sandwiches. In pasta salads or even mixed into an aioli. I also really love to add it to butter and melt it over grilled fish in the Summer time. We are just getting into basil season and if you grow your own, you are going to be looking for something to do with it. I love making this pesto recipe and freezing it in ice cube trays so that I can pop out however much I need depending on what I am going to make with it. Here’s what you need for pesto sauce Basil-This is a great way to use up all of that…
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The Best Potato Salad Ever
This is my Dad’s famous potato salad recipe and I do mean famous for real. It was always the craze at parties and everyone always wanted him to bring it or make it. This will quickly become your Summer go to side and all of your family and friends will be asking you to bring it their houses. You are probably like yea, yea, yea… everyone thinks that what they grew up with is the best. But truly, this is not only my opinion. When so many people say how amazing it is, that they miss this dish, that they love this dish… that is how you know it is truly special. That…
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How to Stretch Fresh Mozzarella
I love teaching in person, hands-on cooking classes. I am super lucky that I have found a culinary school, where I am now the Culinary Director. That let’s me create my own classes! I created this hands-on Italian cheese making class and it has soon become a fan favorite! We get so many requests for more of these classes. Everyone is so excited when they get a spot in one before it is sold out! It is amazing! I teach how to make homemade ricotta and we also stretch fresh mozzarella from curd. This is so much fun and so satisfying. Not to mention a really fun show! It is a very simple…
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Tomato and Mozzarella Pie
I will start by saying, I am not a tomato fan! You are probably like, um… then why do you make this pie?!? The answer is… I cannot get enough of it! LOL I think because the tomatoes get nice and charred and do not have that raw flavor anymore. I don’t know, I just know that I am obsessed with this tomato mozzarella pie. The crust in this pie is flaky and light, the filling is mozzarella cheese, (how can that be bad) and the tomatoes as I mentioned get charred and sweet and a little tangy. This is the perfect dish to make as the weather continues to warm up. What…
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Caramel Pretzel Brownies
I mean really… do these even need more of an introduction after you read the title? These are the most fudgey, gooey, delicious brownies you will ever have. Not to mention simple… I use a box brownie base for these and they come out perfect every single time. The only thing that you are making here is the homemade caramel. You can use a store bought one if you can find a nice thick one that you love. Yet, this homemade caramel recipe could not be simpler and it comes out perfect every time. Check the Chef’s tips for help on the caramel, but honestly, anyone can do this. What Boxed Brownie mix…
