Manly Mini Cheesecakes {Whiskey + Chocolate}

Sometimes I get these ideas and these ideas tend to come to me at the last minute. They almost always come to fruition at the very last minute actually (drives Ryan nuts). Enter these little cuties. I finished cranking them out about 5 minutes before we were supposed to leave for the party. That's right we were late. But they were totally worth it. 

They're rich, creamy, and manly. Men will devour a cute little dessert like this, pinkies in the air, if you tell them there's whiskey in it. And they're the perfect size. You can enjoy the richness of cheesecake without committing to a huge slice. I'd say they're about the size of a 50 cent piece.

Our friend Marty was turning the big five zero. That's right, he's now officially over the hill. As friends arranged a huge shindig complete with lots of boozy karaoke, I asked Marty what edible delight I could bring. He told me he looOoves cheesecake. It was the perfect excuse for me to buy the mini cheesecake pan that I'd been eyeing for years.

Marty has a boozy love affair with Crown Royale, which triggered my decision to make a sampler of boozy infused mini cheesecakes. Sweet treats + alcoholic ingredients = very happy party-goers. 

The beauty of this basic cheesecake recipe is that you can pretty much add whatever you'd like to it. I made toppings out of what I had in my cabinets and fridge. My fiancé has a ridiculous sweet tooth, so there are always mini candy bars and ice cream toppings laying around.

Roasted Balsamic Sweet Potatoes

I love sweet potatoes. I used to shy away from them, because they were always served with those weird little marshmallows on top. Was it dessert? Was it a veggie side? Let's just say that I'm much more of a savory sweet potato person. I tried these savory little buggers last night. So easy. So yummy in my tummy.

These sweet potatoes are cubed up and tossed in a balsamic reduction, sweetened with a little brown sugar, sprinkled with kosher salt, and then roasted to perfection in the oven. They're sweet and savory. This side dish is easy to make, but does take 40 minutes in the oven, so don't wait until the last minute to throw it together.

Roasted Balsamic Sweet Potatoes

Adapted from Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide

Tequila Jalapeno Crab Dip

I'm so so sorry to those of you who are kind enough to check back for new postings. I know I've been M.I.A. I'm teaching high school again and while I love it, planning and grading occupy most of my time. This little delicious dip has been waiting to be posted for the last three weeks.

I made this tequila jalapeno crab dip for my first Pinterest party. Everyone had to bring some grub and something crafty to make that they had pinned. I've had this dip pinned for awhile and finally pulled the trigger. Result = pure deliciousness!

I made a few changes to the original recipe. I'm not a fan of mayo, so I used sour cream instead. I also added some red bell pepper, doubled the garlic, and used green salsa instead of the Tabasco. It ended up being so damn tasty! My Pinterest craft of bedazzling my iPhone charger however... a bust. You win some, you lose some.

I might consider nixing the sugar next time. The crab meat is sweet and the red bell pepper added an additional sweetness. I'm not sure the sugar is necessary...either way this dip is too good to pass up. Kick ass really.

To make the dip, start by seeding the peppers. Throw some jalapeno, Anaheim, red bell pepper, roma tomato, onion, and garlic into the food processor.

Goat Cheese Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms

Do they look incredibly pretty? No. In fact, they kind of look like giant cocoons. But don't let their sad and frumpy appearance fool you. These zucchini blossoms, filled with a creamy mixture of goat cheese, cream cheese and herbs, are rich and delicious!

Ryan and I like to go to the local farmer's market in Chico as often as we can. Our most recent visit resulted in a bag of zucchini blossoms, some purple Chinese long beans, and a purple basil plant. The basil is now growing at warp speed in my back yard, waiting to be used for purple pesto (so cool). The Chinese long beans shriveled in the veggie drawer of my fridge before I could think of a way to use them. That's a dollar I'll never get back. And the zucchini blossoms...well we decided to stuff 'em with  cheese and fry 'em.

We decided to try out Giada De Laurentiis' recipe. A few things we did differently: we used herb flavored goat cheese instead of plain, we used milk instead of cream, and we left out the green onions (only because they were forgotten on the grocery list).

They went from delicate flowers to little deep-fried torpedoes of gooey goat cheese. The marinara was the perfect compliment for me. Ryan mixed up some olive oil and balsamic vinegar for his dip of choice.

Holy Monkey Bread!

Saturday morning I sat starving, as usual, and wished that I had a sweet little chef in my kitchen that I could summon to make pure breakfasty deliciousness. Unfortunately, I had no tiny chef, but I did have refrigerated biscuits in the fridge. It hit me - monkey bread!

I remember my mom making monkey bread once or twice when I was a kid. I also remember thinking what did I ever do to deserve this plate of heaven? So if you want your kids (or hubby) on their best behavior, just throw out two little words: monkey bread. 

Not sure who came up with the monkey title. I'm thinking of renaming it to Stop My Heart Bread, both from the insane deliciousness and the overload of calories. Either way, it's an incredibly special breakfast that should only make a grand appearance every few months.

Coconut Lime Macaroons

These lime macaroons are the perfect baked good for summer. They require only a few ingredients and are super easy to make. The tartness of the lime pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the coconut. I had originally planned to dip the bottoms in dark chocolate...but why mess with a good thing? 

Perhaps, in the future I'll bathe them in chocolate, but for now I love these macaroons just the way they are.

Start with one can of sweetened condensed milk.

Dutch Oven Bread

Did I make this beautiful-looking bread? I think I did! It was beyond easy (no kneading) and it looks so artisan - makes me feel fancy. All you need is a dutch oven, like my beloved orange Le Creuset above, which also makes me feel fancy.

The loaf comes out with a crunchy golden crust and soft and chewy inside. The most amazing part: you get to choose the flavor! The flavor combinations are endless, so let your imagination and pantry contents run wild! 

We tried a rosemary Parmesan and cracked black pepper loaf with the agrodolce pork chops we made the other night. As well as, a sharp cheddar and jalapeno loaf that made for some killer garlic bread to accompany our spaghetti. 

Seriously though, what smells better than fresh baked bread throughout your house? Nothing. 

No Ordinary Cream Corn

About a month ago, I was frustrated and couldn't think of what to make for dinner. So Ryan volunteered to come up with something that night. I could hear him scavenging through our fridge and pantry, thinking to myself good luck. 

Then he walked out of the kitchen with this:

This is my Instagram photo of dinner that night. Look how delicious! I really do have the most amazing man. He stuffed a chicken breast with fresh jalapenos and grated cheese and served it over a bed of cream corn. I pretty much inhaled my plate and I never eat that fast.

Juicy Pork Chops with Agrodolce Sauce

Typically when you say "pork chop", I say "not interested." The majority of pork chops, at least that I've encountered, have been dry and tough (sorry, mom).

That was before I was introduced to using a brine. A brine, if it's new to you (like it was to me), is a heavily salted water that you soak meat in before cooking. It helps to break down the muscle fibers and keep the meat juicy...really juicy.

These pork chops are served with an agrodolce sauce. Agrodolce is a traditional Italian sauce that has sweet and sour elements. In this case - honey and balsamic vinegar. Oh yeah, it's incredible.

We paired it with mashed sweet potatoes. Perfection. And the guys really loved the flavor and crunch of the green onions on top. If you avoid pork chops like the plague, as I once did, you have to give the recipe a shot. You just might change your mind.

It all starts with some kosher salt and a little molasses in a pot full of water.

Add some fresh rosemary and little black peppercorns. 

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

I stumbled upon this recipe late last night. So, of course, Ryan and I made 'em first thing this morning. It was a total team effort and we rocked it! These pancakes pack all of the flavor of a baked cinnamon roll, while feeling less heavy and dense. They're also super easy to make. Go on, try 'em...you know you want to!

Check out that short stack of deliciousness! YUM.

After pouring your pancake batter on a hot griddle, it's time to hit it with a swirl of cinnamon! Use a ziplock bag with the corner cut off or a squeeze bottle (if you have one lying around like we did). And who says you have to stick with the swirl? You could get creative and draw a heart, a happy face, or a secret love note of cinnamon.

Refreshing Blue Ta-Ta Cocktail

Warning: drinking a Blue Ta-Ta will result in a fantastic mood!

To be honest - I'm not a huge fan of wine, I can't stand beer, but I sure do love a mixed drink. I'm a big fan of experimenting with different liquors and mixers, always in search of my new favorite cocktail. This pretty Blue Ta-Ta just happens to be the drink of the moment around here.

The Blue Ta-Ta has become extremely popular among my friends (even with the guys!). The reason behind the name shall remain a secret, but trust me, this cocktail is pure DELICIOUSNESS! It's the perfect cocktail for a hot summer's day. It's light, refreshing, and a lovely color.

Caramelized Chicken with Jalapeno Cream

It's late...and I have to be up bright and early in a couple of hours. So let's just get to it, shall we? 

This sauce is incredible! Despite being a cream sauce, it tastes somewhat light and it has a refreshingly subtle jalapeno taste (says the one with oh-so-heavy spicy hand). I paired it with spicy fried rice, but Ryan and I both agreed, it would be better with pasta next time. It's yummy...make it!

Start by pulsing fresh jalapenos, shallot, and garlic in the food processor. Try not to lean over the top, to take in it's beauty, as I did. The shallot/jalapeno fumes will punch you in the face and make your eyes water uncontrollably. You've been warned.

Brussels Sprouts with Sriracha Honey and Lime

Don't be afraid! They're just tiny, little cabbages. 

Ryan was unsure when I first uttered the words: Brussels Sprouts. But as soon as I mentioned that I would be dousing them in Sriracha, he was more than willing to try 'em. And they turned out to be outrageously good! Now I can't wait to drizzle other veggies with this Sriracha honey lime sauce. It almost tastes like an eggroll, minus all those extra calories.

If you have non-believers-in-Brussels-sprouters in your house, try this one out on them. You just might make them believe...

Asian Mexican Fusion

That's right we're mixing it up. A few nights ago for dinner we combined Sriracha Fried Rice with Chorizo and Asian Marinated Fajitas. Asian and Mexican flavors collided and Ryan and I could not get enough of the leftovers. They were a match made in heaven! Simply delicious. 

This fried rice uses Sriracha, which Ryan loves. It's a spicy Thai hot sauce, very tasty...very tricky to spell and pronounce. Just one more reason that Ryan and I were made for each other: we both love spicy food. I mean burn-your-lips-off spicy. I feel bad for those we love, who come over for dinner. We try to tone it down, but it's difficult (especially for me). I'd rather it be too spicy than bland.

BUT... before you run away, let me just say that this fried rice is not spicy (at least not to us, but I do suppose our taste buds may have burnt off by now). It's got an incredible amount of flavor and a very subtle heat. If you're still worried about the spice level, just nix the serrano peppers (replace with green onions for color) and reduce the Sriracha to 1 Tbsp.  

Caramel Pretzel Brownies with White Chocolate Mousse

*UPDATE: I won Iron Baker! Thank you SO much to all that voted, you all are the best! And thanks to Melissa @ 20 Going on 80 for creating and hosting the event!

Go vote for your favorite entry in Iron Baker!

Hopefully it will be this handsome little devil below: 

Gooey Brownies with a Caramel Pretzel Crust and White Chocolate Frangelico Mousse

I'm entering these little sweet and salty treats in the Iron Baker Challenge over at 20 Going on 80. The secret ingredients were white chocolate and caramel. Head over there and check out all of the other fabulous entries that others came up with, then cast your vote for your favorite (voting is closed)!

I adore sweet and salty combinations! And I was so impressed with myself that I pulled this off. It was my first time making caramel and mousse from scratch. Sure I used a box mix for brownies, but so what. In doing so I saved time, energy, and dirty dishes. Plus I think that boxed brownies taste delicious, so I just jazzed them up with a buttery caramel pretzel crust. Perfection!

Since the mousse needs to chill for awhile, that's your starting point.

Melt some white chocolate in a double-boiler along with a little water and Frangelico liqueur. It smells heavenly. Set aside and let cool.

Whisk cream until soft peaks form. I started with an electric whisk, then decided a hand whisk was better. Fold cream into cooled chocolate mixture. Then whisk egg whites and fold in as well. Now stick that mousse baby in the fridge and let it chill out.

I Wanna Marry You Cookies

You may be wondering about the name. I know I did when I first came across this recipe. Well, it turns out that these cookies are just sooooo delicious, that anyone you bake them for, will want to propose to you. You can read about it here in the cook's note.

Not only are these cookies addictive and delicious, but they also dirty less dishes. That's right folks, these cookies only require one pot! The way to a girl's heart (at least this girl's heart) is less dishes to wash.

I love that these cookies are filled with both white and milk chocolate chips. And I was excited to see that the recipe calls for cinnamon, since I always add cinnamon anyway when I make chocolate chip cookies (or waffles...or pancakes...or lasagna, wait maybe not lasagna). 

Brown Butter Parmesan Chicken Linguine

This pasta dirties A LOT of dishes. And despite that horrifying image, I would make it again. 'Cause I liked it...I liked it A LOT. Unfortunately, Ryan was sick, all stuffed up, and couldn't taste anything, so he obviously didn't appreciate this pasta as much as I did. You best believe I had no problem finishing the leftovers all by myself. Mmmm...so good.

Sweet caramelized onions, decadently rich brown butter, wine-soaked mushrooms, topped off with salty Parmesan = one kick-ass pasta! It's mighty delicious and definitely an indulgence. I tried to tell myself "well at least the pasta is whole-wheat."  It's that kind of thinking that led to these little love handles of mine. Oh well...I indulge, then I Zumba!

Pink Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats

Our friend's little girl, Donna, turned three-years-old yesterday. I wanted to bring something fun, for her birthday dinner. So I glanced through my kitchen cabinets and came up with these little cuties. They incorporate 3 things, that I know, little girls love: sprinkles, chocolate, and pink!

You'll notice the recipe doesn't follow the traditional one on the Rice Krispies box. I've learned from Ryan's mom that one should always add more marshmallows and more butter. It's a little indulgent, I know. But, unless you're planning on eating the entire batch, it's not going to make that much of a difference in calories. At least that's what I tell myself.

They're cute, they're gooey and they were a hit even with the adults (including those who claim to "not be a sweets person"). The white chocolate adds a nice touch and you can change the color depending on the occasion (for example: green for St. Patty's Day that's coming up).