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Crave-Worthy Recipes

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Red velvet pizzelle are a perfect cookie for February

Pizzelle are the ultimate holiday cookie. In my family, we eat them for Christmas and New Year and always, always, always around Easter. We can even count on them for birthdays. Valentine’s Day was feeling left out so I put a red velvet twist on this traditional Italian cookie. The bright red color and crispy, rich chocolatey taste make them perfect for sharing with your better half. Dunk these Red Velvet Pizzelle in ice cold milk or savor with your morning coffee for a combo that will have you believing in love at first bite. Red Velvet Pizzelle Makes about 3 dozen Ingredients 3 large eggs 3/4 cup granulated sugar 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 cup + 1 tbsp cocoa powder 1 tsp baking powder 2 tsp vanilla 2 tsp red food coloring Directions Preheat pizzelle iron and set aside. Lay a few low-lint…

Heart-shaped peanut butter cookies

Soft, sweet, and chewy, who can resist peanut butter cookies? This recipe is packed with peanut flavor, sure to satisfy that peanut butter craving. They taste as delicious dunked in ice cold milk as they do all on their own. Plus, you’ll fall in love with the little heart-shaped design. This is my go-to recipe for peanut butter cookies. While I don’t always take the extra time to make them into hearts, you simply have to this time of year. It’s so easy, and no cookie cutter or rolling out dough necessary. It makes them extra fun for kids and coworkers, plus, it gives you an excuse to get baking in the first place! You can put this creative twist on just about any peanut butter cookie recipe (some of the 3-ingredients recipes are a little too crumbly to hold up). How to make heart-shaped peanut butter cookies Step 1…

Honey soy glazed salmon

If you want a fancy-yet-easy main dish, look no further than baked salmon fillets. It can be a midweek date go-to as much as it can  be an al fresco meal with friends, or even a romantic night in. Salmon pretty much always suits the occasion. This baked salmon comes out beautifully with little-to-no effort. The marinade is an interesting blend of sweet and sour flavors. It’s similar to a teriyaki sauce, though it takes its main spice ingredients from Chinese and Thai cuisine. Also try these Spicy Thai tuna stuffed avocados. To cook, let your fillets soak up the marinade for about 2 hours before baking (no less than 30 minutes), then place in preheated oven (350ºF). Even thick salmon fillets cook quickly, so don’t stray too far from the kitchen. As a rule of thumb, salmon needs four to six minutes cook time per half-inch of thickness. Start…

Detoxing celery, apple, ginger juice

What’s the point of a healthy juice if you can’t stand drinking it? So many of those green juices are great for you, but they taste like a liquid salad. If that’s your sort of thing, good for you! The rest of us are jealous. Me? I need some sweetness, and a juice I can actually look forward to. This celery, ginger, apple juice definitely checks all of  the boxes. Did you know, the timing of your meals throughout the day also plays into your overall health? I’ve been making this juice for years, so I wasn’t surprised when celery juice started getting tons of national attention. Here are just a few reasons why you should drink it too: It may lower inflammation. Celery is loaded with antioxidants, which are thought to combat free radicals that contribute to inflammation. It’s good for your liver. Celery has diuretic properties, so it’s…

Immunity boosting orange carrot turmeric ginger juice

It’s official. It’s sickness season in the North East. There is no denying winter is here. Once the winter gloom sets in and you’re cooped up inside, it doesn’t take long to start feeling the sniffles set in. But food is your first line of defense against that expensive, unwanted trip to the doctor’s office. What you eat REALLY matters! Staying on top of your health and eating a generally healthy diet full of immunity-boosting foods can be the difference between floating through February and laying in bed for weeks managing a raw, red nose. There are lots of immunity boosting foods, including yogurt, green tea, almonds, garlic, and broccoli, but it’s probably citrus that most people turn to after they’ve caught a cold. And for a good reason! Citrus is full of vitamin C, which is through to increase the production of white blood cells—you body’s way of fighting…

Red Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting

We swear we’re done eating junk after the holidays, and then BAM! Valentine’s Day goodies are everywhere. But I have to tell you, these red velvet brownies are totally worth it! If you’re a fan of red velvet, you’ll love these moist, chewy brownies. They’re 100 percent homemade, and ready in no time. Even the cream cheese frosting is homemade. Yes, you can leave your brownies bare, but red velvet and cream cheese are just meant to be together. If I can give you one tip, it’s when you go to cut your finished baked goods, clean your knife after each cut. Bonus points for warming it up a bit under the faucet first. A warm, clean knife will ensure your keeping the luscious crumbs and the cream, white icing in their separate layers. You can also make these in muffin tins for easy removal and less hassle. Red Velvet…

Snowman Donuts

Looking for an easy wintertime treat? These snowman donuts are so easy to make, even the kids can help. They’re a great no-bake dessert for last minute classroom parties or winter get-togethers with friends. Put these cute three-ingredient Snowman Donuts together faster than you can throw a snowball! Note: You can also use candy corn for noses if you still have some leftover from Halloween. Orange Starbursts can also be cut into triangles for another nose option. Snowman Donuts Ingredients 1 box or bag of mini powdered donuts handful of mini chocolate chips orange M&M’s You might also need:  skewers (if you just want to make the snowman heads, you can omit this item) Directions Remove donuts from their packaging. Skewer 3 donuts per stick and set aside. Put 1 orange M&M inside the hole of the first donut on each skewer. Place mini chocolate chips point side down into the…

Cheesy Cauliflower Soup with a kick

Blistering cold winter nights are made just a bit better with warm comfort food. This week’s weather calls for a delicious Cheesy Cauliflower Soup. Cozy up on the couch with a big bowl tonight or whip some up this weekend and stay in with your favorite movies. This soup does not disappoint. What makes this soup so special is the surprise kick. People may ask you what your secret ingredient is—It’s just the right amount of cayenne pepper. It gives tons of flavor without bringing overwhelming heat. Making this soup is super simple. Just some steamed veggies, a simple sauce/broth, and a slow simmer will have this homemade meal on your table in under 35 minutes. Also try, Easy Tomato Basil and Gnocchi Soup. Cheesy Cauliflower Soup Ingredients 1 medium head of cauliflower, washed and broken into florets 1 medium-to-large onion, diced 14 ounces of chicken broth 1 chicken bouillon…

Authentic Maldivian breakfast to try at home (mas huni)

Besides all of the fun and interesting people you meet, one of the most memorable aspects of traveling, for me, is the food (of course). I’m talking about enjoying local cuisines and new foods that can broaden your horizons and give your taste buds something brand new to crave when you get home. I discovered a super simple breakfast dish during a recent holiday in the Maldives I couldn’t wait to make it when I got home. Maldivian cuisine is an exotic blend of rich flavors and regional influences from neighboring countries like Sri Lanka and India. Dishes range from a mild spiciness to a delicate sweetness, often times straddling the two. Eat traditional Maldivian food and you’ll fall in love with complex curries and easy-to-eat coconut-oil fried finger foods. Maldivian cuisine, also called Dhivehi cuisine, is largely based on three items: coconuts, fish, and starches. This tasty dish, called mas…

How to make your own Old Bay Seasoning

Seafood recipes scream for a healthy dose of Old Bay Seasoning. If you don’t have that iconic tin hanging around the house, don’t fret. You can mix up your own with ingredients you probably already have in your cabinet. Plus, it’s always better to make your own spice blends because then you can adjust the heat according to your tastes. Old Bay Seasoning is the most beloved spice blends of the Mid-Atlantic, the South, and through parts of New England and the Gulf Coast — and for a good reason. It’s the perfect way to kick your seafood up a notch. But if you think it’s only for fish dishes, you’re missing out. Have some fun with it! Try it as a popcorn topper, add a pinch to melon slices, or sprinkle on top of your dinner rolls before baking. Rim the glass of your next Bloody Mary, dash it…