Hazelnut Chocolate Chip Cookies

Out of all the chocolate chip cookie recipes out there, I think Nestle Tollhouse chocolate chip cookies are my favorite. The recipe calls for nuts--usually walnuts--which I have always left out. Well, this time I decided to add in the nuts--hazelnuts. Let me tell you, they take the cookies to a whole other level. I handed Eric one fresh out of the oven; he took a bite and just starting nodding his head and said "Uh-huh," which in Eric-speak means: yep, you nailed.

Recipe adapted from here.

Ingredients:
2 1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 sticks butter, softened
3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 cups hazelnuts, chopped

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

You can shell your own hazelnuts (as I did), buy whole shelled hazelnuts, or purchase prechopped hazelnuts. Spread the hazelnuts out on a cookie sheet in a single layer. Bake for 5 to 10 minutes or until the nuts slightly brown. If you're using whole hazelnuts that still have the skins on them, wrap the hazelnuts in a dish towel and allow them to sit for about 1 minute. Then rub the nuts in the towel to remove the skins. Chop. (I like larger nut chunks, Eric like them small).

In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. In a large bowl, beat butter, white sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract until mixture is creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each egg. Gradually, beat in the dry ingredients. Fold in chocolate chips and hazelnuts.

Drop of rounded tablespoons of dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until the cookies are a golden brown. Allow the cookies to cool on the cookie sheet for about 2 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Enjoy!

~Krissy

More Cookie Recipes:
Soft Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Spiced Rum Brown Butter Cookies 
Creamsicle Chocolate Chip Cookies
Applesauce Cookies with Caramel Frosting
Brown Sugar Cookies
Baileys White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Parmesan Veggie Crisps

Yes, yes, yes! So yummy, so healthy for you, so easy to make! These might just replace my obsession with zucchini chips. I made them because I wanted something I could eat with hummus, other than crackers and chips, something that wasn't bad for me. These are just zucchini, carrots, and Parmesan cheese. And you could easily change up the taste by sprinkling them with a little garlic powder or other seasoning. What makes them even better--they're made in the microwave!

Recipe adapted from here.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup grated zucchini
1/2 cup grated carrot
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
seasonings, if desired (garlic powder, rosemary, etc.)

Directions:
Remove the excess moisture from the zucchini and carrots by placing them between a couple of paper towels and squeezing out the extra liquid.

Mix all the ingredients together. Line a microwave-safe plate with waxed paper and spray with cooking spray. Spoon about a tablespoon of the mixture on a plate then flatten with the bottom of the spoon. Repeat with the rest of the mixture. Microwave for 2 to 3 minutes on High. Every microwave is different so start at 2 minutes, then add 30 seconds as needed. 2 minutes worked perfectly for me. Allow to cool about a couple of minutes before serving.

Enjoy!

~Krissy

More Appetizer Recipes:
Buffalo Chicken Dip 
Cream Cheese Rangoons
Homemade Pizza Rolls
Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Kale Chips
Roasted Peas 

Spicy Bacon-Wrapped Chicken

I also call this dish Because I love my husband chicken simply because of the bacon and his mad love of bacon. I've actually never wrapped anything in bacon before. I don't know what I was waiting for because bacon just makes everything better.

Recipe adapted from here.

Ingredients:
10 chicken tenders (or about 3 chicken breasts cut into 10 strips), rinsed and patted dry
10 strips of bacon
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon chili powder

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a small bowl, combine paprika, black pepper, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Rub the spices evenly over the chicken strips so they are completely coated. Wrap each piece of chicken in a strip of bacon. Place the bacon-wrapped chicken in a baking dish.

In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and chili powder. Sprinkle this mixture over the top the chicken then press it down. Flip the chicken over and repeat.

Bake for 30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.

Optional: Transfer chicken to a cookie sheet and place under the broiler for 3 to 4 minutes to give the bacon extra crispiness.

Enjoy!

~Krissy

More Chicken Recipes:
Pizza Inspired Chicken 
Potless Chicken Pot Pies
Provincial Chicken
Zesty Shredded Chicken (Crockpot) 
Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Chicken
Tomato and Artichoke Chicken 

Strawberry Chocolate Chip Muffins

I had originally planned on making strawberry rhubarb muffins but the rhubarb at the grocery store was looking a little rough, so I decided on strawberry chocolate chip muffins. I sent these to work with Eric, and they were quite the hit. He said he caught one person practically licking the plate.

Recipe adapted from here.

Ingredients:
Muffin
1 1/2 cup flour
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
1/3 cup milk
1 1/2 cup fresh strawberries, diced
1 cup dark chocolate chips

Crumble Topping
1 tablespoon butter, room temperature
1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
2 tablespoons flour
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.

In a small bowl, combine all the crumble topping ingredients until you have a texture of coarse crumbs. Set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder.

In a second bowl, combine egg, oil, and milk. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir (be careful not to over mix). Fold in blueberries.

Divide equally between the 12 cups. Generously sprinkle crumble on top of the muffins. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the center of the muffins set.

Strawberry chocolate chip muffins and blueberry muffins

Strawberry chocolate chip muffins and blueberry muffins

Strawberry chocolate chip muffins and blueberry muffins

Enjoy!

~Krissy

More Breakfast Recipes:
French Toast in a Mug  
Homemade Hash Browns  
Individual Bacon and Cheese Quiches
Monkey Bread Muffins  
Only the Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls 
Pancakes with Raspberry Sauce 
  Pumpkin Oatmeal
Quiche in a Mug

Blueberry Muffins

Blueberry pancakes and blueberry muffins, two of my favorite breakfast meals. When I saw the blueberries, all pretty and plump and blue, at the grocery store--and on sale--I had to get some. First thing I did with them was make muffin (I will soon be making blueberry pancakes and maybe even chocolate covered blueberries). I love these muffins because they aren't super sweet and they have a delicious crumble on top.

Recipe adapted from here.

Ingredients:
Muffin
1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
1/3 cup milk
1 1/2 cup blueberries*

Crumble Topping
1 tablespoon butter, room temperature
1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
2 tablespoons flour
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

*You can use fresh or frozen blueberries, but if you're using frozen blueberries, do not thaw; just toss them in frozen.

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.

In a small bowl, combine all the crumble topping ingredients until you have a texture of coarse crumbs. Set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder.

In a second bowl, combine egg, oil, and milk. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir (be careful not to over mix). Fold in blueberries.

Divide equally between the 12 cups. Generously sprinkle crumble on top of the muffins. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the center of the muffins set.

Strawberry and chocolate chip muffins and blueberry muffins

Strawberry chocolate chip muffins and blueberry muffins

Strawberry chocolate chip muffins and blueberry muffins

Enjoy!

~Krissy

More Breakfast Recipes:
French Toast in a Mug  
Homemade Hash Browns  
Individual Bacon and Cheese Quiches
Monkey Bread Muffins  
Only the Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls   
Pancakes with Raspberry Sauce 
Pumpkin Oatmeal \
Quiche in a Mug

Buffalo Chicken Dip

This recipe comes from Eric's aunt Sally. Every year his family has a Christmas celebration/family reunion a few days after Christmas, and Eric's aunt always makes this amazing buffalo chicken dip (she also makes chocolate chip muffins to die for). Eric took some to work for the lunch and said all his co-workers were jealous.

Ingredients:
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup buttermilk ranch dressing
1/2 cup Buffalo style hot sauce
1/3 cup mozzarella cheese
20 ounces canned chicken, drained

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In an 8x8-inch pan, combine the cream cheese, dressing, hot sauce, and cheese. Stir in the chicken.

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until dip is thoroughly heated.

Serve with chips or crackers.

Enjoy!

~Krissy

More Appetizer Recipes:
Homemade Pepper Jack Cheez-its
Homemade Pita Chips 
Homemade Pizza Rolls
Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Fried Dill Pickles

Blueberry Chocolate Chip Brunetties

So what is a brunettie? Short story: something my husband made up.

I told Eric I was making blueberries blondies and he asked why they were called blondies. I told him because they were like brownies but without the cocoa--so blonde instead of brown. But didn't that make them cookie bars? he asked. Same difference, I told him. Well, the discussion went in circles until Eric decided he would call them brunetties (I don't think I ever quite caught on to his rationale) but the name stuck. I even found myself referring to them as brunetties.

P.S. I can't wait to make these again with black cherries and raspberries.

Recipe adapted from here.

Ingredients:
1 stick butter, melted
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 egg
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup flour
1 cup chocolate chips,
1 cup blueberries

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8x8-inch pan with tin foil then grease with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine the melted butter and brown sugar. Add the egg and vanilla and stir. Pour the flour and salt and combine, but be sure not to over mix (this will make your blondies more tough than chewy). Fold in the chocolate chips and blueberries.

Pour batter into prepared dish. Smooth surface with a spatula so it's even.

Bake for approximately 30 minutes or until the blondies brown and the center is set.

Enjoy!

~Krissy

More Bar/Blondie/Brownie Recipes:
Caramelitas
Chocolate Caramel Shortbread Bars (Twix Bars) 
Congo Bars, Blondies, or Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars?
Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies with a Strawberry Sauce
Michigan Cranberry Brownies
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Brownies
Pumpkin Swirl Brownies
Skinny Peanut Butter Brownies 

Parmesan Turkey Meatballs

This recipe finally converted Eric--he has resisted ground turkey for years, but these Parmesan turkey meatballs have changed his mind. I've always been a fan of ground turkey, but even I will admit that it tends to dry out. But these meatballs couldn't have been more tender and moist and cheesy. We had all of four meatballs leftover and even a day old they were still delicious.

Recipe adapted from here.

Ingredients:
20-ounce package of ground turkey
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons green onions, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 egg, scrambled
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
3 tablespoon olive oil

Tomato sauce or marinara sauce

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease a cookie sheet with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, panko, Parmesan, green onions, garlic, parsley, egg, salt and pepper. Shape meat into golf ball size meatballs (I made 20) and transfer them to the cookie sheet. Brush meatball with olive oil.

Bake for 20 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through. Serve with tomato or marinara sauce. (To freshen up my spaghetti sauce, I sauted some onions and garlic and threw in some oregano and basil. It's make a world of difference).

Enjoy!

~Krissy

More Dinner Ideas:
Jalapeno Popper Chicken
Margarita Chicken and Steak Fajitas 
Turkey Burger with Avocado Sauce
Spicy Parmesan Sausage Meatballs with a Whiskey Barbecue Sauce 
Cheesy Tomato Zucchini Bake 

Captain Morgan Chicken with Ginger Rice

I might have to start a compilation of boozy entrees because I feel like I've been cooking with alcohol a lot lately. Whether it's in a main dish or a dessert I just love the extra kick liquor gives to a recipe. I've especially fallen in love with spiced rum, which is the inspiration behind this dish. The ginger rice--made from instant rice--is the perfect side for this chicken.

Recipe adapted from here.

Ingredients:
Chicken
3 tablespoons lemon juice
4 ounces Captain Morgan's spiced rum
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon cayenne powder
1/4 teaspoon ground clove
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
4-5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1-2 tablespoons olive oil

Rice
4 cups water
2 tablespoons butter
4 cups instant white rice
1/2 to 1 teaspoon ground ginger
salt, to taste
 
Directions:
Chicken
Grease an 8x8-inch dish with cooking spray.

In a small bowl, mix together cayenne pepper, clove, cinnamon, ginger, pepper, salt, and thyme. Brush chicken breasts with olive oil then rub both sides of the breasts with the spices. Place chicken breasts in prepared pan, cover, and refrigerate for at least 3 hours (overnight is even better).

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, rum, and brown sugar.

Uncover the chicken and pour the lemon mixture over the chicken breasts. Bake for approximately 1 hour or until chicken is cooked through, basting with juices every 10 to 15 minutes.

Rice
Bring the water and butter to a boil in a saucepan. Remove from heat, add rice, and cover. Let the rice sit for 5 minutes. Stir in ginger (for me, a little ginger goes a long way) and salt until you get the desired flavor.

Serve chicken over the ginger rice.

Enjoy!

~Krissy

More Chicken Recipes:
Lemon Pepper Chicken with Garlic Potatoes
Jalapeno Popper Chicken
Lime Mustard Chicken 
Margarita Chicken and Steak Fajitas 
Pizza Inspired Chicken 
Orange Chicken with Fried Rice 

Fries with Garlic Cheese Sauce

I'm normally a ketchup girl when it comes to my French fries. No ranch dressing, mayo, or mustard for me. But when I made this garlic cheese sauce, I was willing to change my ways. I usually make my own French fries, but I don't quite have the skill or tools to make my own curly fries so when I saw curly fries on sale at the grocery store, I indulged. And what's better, the hubby was out of town when I made this so, I got all the sauce and fries to myself.

Recipe adapted from here.

Ingredients:
2 ounces cream cheese
2 to 4 tablespoons milk
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions:
Melt cream cheese in a small sauce pan on the stove over medium high heat. Stir in 2 tablespoons milk and garlic powder. Add cheddar and stir until smooth. If you want a thinner sauce, add more milk until you reach the desired consistency.

Drizzle over your fries or serve on the side as a dipping sauce.

Enjoy!

~Krissy

More Side Recipes
Pepper Jack Cheez-its 
Homemade Bread Sticks 
Roasted Peas 
Bacon Barbecue Green Bean Casserole 
Baked Parmesan Tomatoes
Pull-Apart Spinach and Cheese Bread
Ranch, Cheddar, and Bacon Potatoes

Black Bean Veggie Burgers

Last month I made chickpea veggie burgers, this months it's the same recipe made with black beans.

Ingredients:
1 15-ounce can black beans, drained, rinsed, and dried
1 cup herbed stuffing mix (I used Stouffers)
2 tablespoons minced onion
2 to 4 tablespoons lemon juice (or water)
salt and pepper, to taste.

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease a cookie sheet with cooking spray.

Coarsely mash the beans with a potato masher so you have a paste with some bean chunks in it. Stir in stuffing mix and onions. Add lemon juice a tablespoon at a time until the mixture holds together. Salt and pepper to taste. Shape into patties (I made five).

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, flip burgers, and bake for another 10 to 12 minutes.

Dress your veggie burger up however you'd like--cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, bun (I had mine with cheese and caramelized onions).

 

 

Enjoy!

~Krissy

More Burger Recipe:
Chicken Patties
Spicy Cheese-Stuffed Turkey Burgers
Tuna Burgers
Turkey Burger with Avocado Sauce