Russian Tea Cakes

My mom always made a plethora of amazing cookies during the holidays. Its so hard to pick my favorite, between her almond roca, sugar cookies and peanut brittle....I chose one that is easy and really beautiful (and I was able to actually find her original recipe card).  Some call them Mexican wedding cakes, snowballs, southern pecan butterball...my mom called them Russian tea cakes so thats what I will stick with.  I used pecans, but feel free to switch it up w almonds or walnuts if you'd like!

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/4 flour
3/4 cup chopped nuts
1/4 tsp salt
1/4  tsp baking powder

Preheat oven to 400F. Cream butter, vanilla and 1/2 cup of powdered sugar. In separate bowl mix flour, salt, baking powder and nuts. Gradually add to creamed mixture. Chill dough for approximately 2 hours (can be made 2 days ahead). Shape dough into 1 inch balls and place on non-greased cookie sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. While warm, roll in powdered sugar. Makes approx 4 dozen.

Casserole-style Mashed Potatoes

I usually make my mashed potatoes in the pot with butter, milk, salt and pepper. Just like my mom did. Of course there is nothing wrong with this standard method but I found a recipe that was not only amazing but easy to make even a whole day ahead! Hands down the BEST mashed potatoes I have ever made. 

4-5 lbs of yellow potatoes

1 cup of milk (appox)

3/4 stick of butter 

12 oz cream cheese 

1 1/2 tsp granulated garlic

Salt and pepper to taste

1/4 cup finely grated parmesan 

Peel and chop potatoes into 1-2 inch chunks. Drop into cold, salted water and bring to a boil. Cook until tender, about 15 mins. Drain water and add butter and cream cheese. Mix with hand mixer to break up lumps. Add milk until desired consistency. Add garlic, salt and pepper and mix. Place mashed potatoes in casserole dish (can be done a day or two ahead). Sprinkle parmesan on top of potatoes and place in preheated oven at 350F and bake for approx 15-20 mins until golden brown. You can serve with gravy if you want, but they don't need it! Enjoy! 

Tomato Tortellini Soup

This may be the best soup I have EVER made. So warm, so hardy and the perfect winter meal! I basically saw two recipes and combined them. My philosophy with cooking is to make it your own. Add more veggies, use ground turkey instead of sausage, add a bit of cream... I encourage you to make it yours!

1 Lb ground Italian sausage
1 6 oz can tomato paste
2 12 oz cans Italian chopped tomatoes
32 oz chicken stock
2 cups water
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 tsp parsley, chopped
1 tsp oregano, chopped
1 Tbsp basil, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
12 oz three cheese tortellini
1 cup shredded parmesan

In a large pot, brown italian sausage. Once cooked all the way through, add the rest of the ingredients EXCEPT the tortellini. Let soup come to a boil and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for approximately 10 minutes. Add pasta and let simmer for approx. 10 minutes or until the pasta is done. Serve with a sprinkling of parmesan and enjoy!

Spaghetti Squash Carbonara

I have made spaghetti carbonara before, but with the new diet and pasta out of the question, I had to get creative. This was my first time cooking with spaghetti squash and it was soooo easy! Here is pretty much the same recipe as my spaghetti carbonara only with a healthy spin!

1 spaghetti squash
4 slices of bacon, chopped
2 Tbsp butter
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
1 cup 2% milk
1 Tbsp flour
2 garlic cloves, chopped
2 egg yokes
1/2 cup shredded parmesan
1/4 cup green onion, sliced
Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 375F. Slice squash in half and lightly oil each side and bake for approx an hour and a half. Do ahead of time. Once cool, Using a fork, shred the squash and place in bowl.
Meanwhile cook bacon and let rest. Sautee mushrooms in butter. when softened, add flour to create a rue. After butter and flour mixture starts to bubble, add milk and whisk. Bring to boil and it should start to thicken. Add garlic, bacon, egg yokes, cheese and squash. Remove from heat, add salt and pepper to taste and stir. Serve with a light sprinkling of green onion and parm and enjoy!

Taco Meatballs with Cheese Sauce

Alright. So I didn't lose the weight I wanted over the summer. I haven't given up yet though! With a Hawaii vacation just weeks away, I started the Duncan Diet (more info on that here: http://www.dukandiet.co.uk/). The first few days are a protein-only diet so coming up with ways to feel full and satisfied can be tricky. Luckily its not all about eating boiled chicken! Here is a recipe I tried last night and my husband, who was a skeptic, loved it! Its also perfect for kids, parties & gluten free peeps! Makes 10-12 hearty meatballs.

Meatballs:

1.5 lb Ground Turkey
2 eggs
1/4 cup Tapioca flower (or any gluten-free flour)
1 packet taco seasoning

Mix all ingredients in bowl and form into 1 1/2"-2" round balls. In frying pan, drizzle 1Tbsp olive oil and heat to medium-high. Place meatballs in frying pan and cover. Flip meatballs when browned and brown other side.

Cheese sauce:

1 Packet cream cheese
1 small can green chilies
1 Tbsp chili powder
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp garlic salt

Place all ingredients in sauce pan at medium heat. Stir until bubbly and serve over meatballs.

BBQ Dessert Pizza

Summer is here again! I don't know about you but I am really unprepared for it. Not ready for swimsuit season, BBQ season, and completely let my garden go over the winter and spring. Well, its time to de-winterize that grill, get out there and embrace the nice weather we Northwesterners have been lucky to have! Here is a really fun dessert I made for Fathers Day. There are may ways to spruce this dessert up. Use any fruit in season, use ricotta or mascarpone cheese, and even use puff pastry instead of pizza cough if you'd like!

1 pizza dough ball
3-4 peaches, sliced
1/4 cup brown sugar (or honey)
1/4 vanilla yogurt
2 Tbsp whipping cream
3 sprigs basil, coarsely chopped

Preheat oven to 425F. Roll out dough on floured surface. Place dough on greased pizza pan or stone. Bake for approx 10-15 mins until lightly browned. Don' over cook it because we will be putting in on to the BBQ after we have topped it! While the dough is baking, placed sliced peaches in a bowl with the brown sugar and toss, coating all the slices. In another bowl, take the yogurt and whipping cream and stir together until it looks slightly viscus.
Once you have taken the pizza dough out of the oven, top the pizza by first drizzling half the yogurt mixture, then arrange the peaches so pizza is covered. Next sprinkle the chopped basil over and end with another drizzle of the yogurt mixture.
Place the pizza on a pizza stone or right on to a lightly oiled grill on LOW. Close the lid and cook for approx 5-8 minutes until bubbly. Take off the grill and let sit for a couple minutes until you slice. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Finding the Light

Paint colors, Furniture, moods, can all be changed in an instant with just the right lighting. Here is a great article that will help you find the light in your home! I didn't know that lighting was so important until I read this article...not to mention the lighting expert is one of my besties, Lara Proctor ;)

Read the article on Apartment Therapy here:
Apartment Therapy

Pulled Pork Ragu Gnocchi

So this is a little more labor intensive, but so versatile! I made the pork and used it in tacos first. I used the leftover pork for this ragu. You can serve the ragu with any type of pasta! I chose to use gnocchi because I had some potatoes to get through. So here it is!

Pork:
1 5lb bone-in pork shoulder (butt)
1 onion, coarsely chopped
4-5 garlic cloves, whole
1 Tbsp sea salt
3 tsp ground pepper
1 can of beer

Place all above ingredients in crock pot and set for 6 hours. Once it is done (165F), let cool for approx 5-10 mins and using two forks, pull the pork apart into shredded pieces.

Ragu:
Pulled pork
1 Tbsp olive oil
 carrots, chopped
3 celery ribs, chopped
1/2 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 Tbsp oregano
1 20 oz can tomatoes
1 1/2 Tbsp tomato paste
1 cup dry red wine
Salt & pepper to taste

Set aside approx 4 cups of pulled pork. In sauce pan, add oil, carrots, celery and onion and sauté until softened, about 5-8 mins. Add garlic, oregano, tomatoes, tomato paste and red wine. bring to a simmer for approx 15 mins. Add pork, salt and pepper to taste. Serve over any type of pasta or gnocchi with fresh grated parmesan.

Note: You will probably have some leftover pork so feel free to use for tacos! Its deish!

No Bake Granola Bars

Easiest, best homemade granola bars ever! Found this recipe on Pinterest and tweaked it a bit. It only took a couple minutes to make and doesn't need to be baked! Well, I did roast the oats first but that totally isn't required ;) Enjoy for breakfast or for a snack!

3 cups oatmeal
1 cup honey
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup Nutella

Mix all the ingredients on a bowl. Press the mixture into an 8x8 pan, lined with parchment paper, and let sit overnight. They will harden up and you will be able to turn the pan upside down and cut into 2x4 bars. No need to refrigerate however eat within a week or two.

Healthy Chocolate Mint Truffles

So for the past two weeks I have been doing an intense diet and workout plan called P90X. I hope to continue it for 90 full days! Valentines Day is tomorrow and to avoid all the candy and processed sugars, here is a recipe for mint truffles that are not only good, but good for you. Here it is! 

1 Cup Dates
1 Cup Slivered Almonds
1 Tbsp Coco Nibs 
1Tbsp Cocoa Powder
1/2 tsp Mint Extract
1/3 Cup Dark Chocolate Chips/Chunks

In food processor, mix all ingredients except chocolate chips until it looks like cookie dough. Manually fold chocolate chips. With your hands (if you wet your hands, the dough won't stick) roll into cookie dough balls. Roll balls into cocoa powder and enjoy!

Makes approx 16. Store in the refrigerator or freezer.

Egg Cups with Dill Hollandaise

This is so easy and is also perfect for groups. Best thing, its gluten free (unless you serve it with toast, which I do), but not fat free...we have to compromise somewhere ;) You can use  Canadian bacon, prosciutto, even turkey if you so desire! This recipe serves 2, but double it or triple it if you'd like!

4 slices deli ham
4 eggs
4 egg yokes
4 Tbsp melted butter
1 Tbsp lemon juice
pinch dill
pinch white pepper
pinch salt

Preheat oven to 350. Place ham in greased cupcake pan (or use an un-greased silicone cupcake pan). Press the ham into the cup and drop eggs into the ham. Place into preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, depending on how well you would like your yokes cooked.
While the eggs are cooking, create a double boiler with a pot half full with water and either a glass or stainless steel bowl. Make sure the bowl doesn't touch the water. With the double boiler on the stove on medium-high heat, place 4 egg yokes in bowl and whisk until opaque. Be sure not to scramble the egg! Slowly drizzle butter while whisking. Add lemon juice, dill, white pepper and salt. Pull from the heat and cover until the egg cups are done.
Once the eggs are done, using a spoon, scoop from pan and place two per plate. Drizzle hollandaise onto egg cups and enjoy!!!

Winter Blues Busters!

The days are getting longer now but the cold, cloudy, gray days are not behind us yet! Some of you may suffer from SAD (seasonal affective disorder) and some of you just may feel tired and unmotivated some days in the midst of the winter. Either way, here are some good remedies to fight off those winter blues.

1) Buy full-spectrum light bulbs and use them in your home or at your desk at work!

2) When the sun is out, even if it's cold as heck, get out and soak it up! 20 minutes of sun can completely change your mood. Go get that natural vitamin D!

3) Exercise! Ok, ok, I know it's hard to get out there when its cold, rainy or snowy but even doing a few jumping jacks and push-ups in the house can get that serotonin pumping. Picking a winter sport like snowshoeing, skiing, snowboarding or cross country skiing can be an easy way to get a workout in while having fun!

4) When all else fails, take supplements. Magnesium, omega-3, 5-HPT and melatonin can help your mood and energy levels. Ask your pharmacist for supplement dosages.

5) Vacation. A lot of northern hemisphere dwellers like to pick mid-February as a perfect time to hit the road and take a trip. Somewhere sunny like Hawaii, Mexico or even southern California can help reset your mind and body and get you through until spring.