Posts

Chonky Boys: The Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches that Scream Summer!

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Featuring my thick and nuggy Chonky Boy Chocolate Chip Cookies, these ice cream sandwiches are the stuff that summer dreams are made of.  If you've ever had the Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich at Disneyland , you are going to LOVE these!  These big and bold chocolate chip cookies are based on a recipe from my culinary school studies at Auguste Escoffier, but with a few modifications to give them that Jennuine touch.  They make the perfectas book for a fat slice of real vanilla bean ice cream.  And those mini chips?  You just gotta have that extra cronch! Thank goodness this recipe only makes 8 sandwiches, otherwise I would be eating them for breakfast lunch and dinner.  This way, my big family can help save me from my inner child diet-saboteur.   Print With Image Without Image Chonky Boy Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches Yield: 8 Author: Jenn Erickson Loaded with chocolate chips and buttery, brown-sugary vanilla flavor, these mall-sized cookies form a perfect partnership with a

Recipe: Whipped Lemon Olive Oil Butter with Fresh Thyme

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   My husband and I had the most wonderful housemade butter at a local restaurant this weekend.  It was made with goat cheese, butter, and lemon olive oil. I had some heavy cream in the fridge, leftover from making truffles. It's just been sitting there, getting older by the day.  It was time to use it or lose it. So after enjoying that amazing butter, I decided to whip up a homemade version of my own, without goat cheese. Homemade butter is ridiculously easy to make. All you need is heavy cream, an electric mixer (stand or hand-held) and cheese cloth.   The beauty of this gourmet whipped butter is that it's made with both cream and olive oil.  The texture is smooth and silky and the flavor is light and fresh.  Because the lemon flavor comes from an infused oil, you don't get the pithy tastes that often comes from using fresh zest. If you're looking for a way to cut down on butter in favor of healthier fats, forget those processed groc

Feed your Body and Soul: Chicken Parmesan {Wheat Free}
With Barilla® and Feeding America

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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Barilla® .  All opinions are genuine and are my own.   Here's an easy and delicious supper recipe that everyone will enjoy -- whether they're on a gluten free diet or not.  The Parmesan crusted chicken breasts are crispy and tender.  You won't miss the soggy wheat .  This recipe uses ingredients that are whole; no preservatives, no junk.   My recipe uses Barilla® sauce, which is gluten-free, kosher, and preservative free.  The ingredients read like a recipe for homemade sauce.  Here's where this recipe gets even better:  Barilla® has partnered with Feeding America -- the nation's largest organization dedicated to fighting domestic hunger through their network of food banks.  You can "Taste the Difference and Make a Difference" with your purchase of Barilla® sauce.  For every jar purchased through the end of May 2014, Barilla® will donate $0.05 to Feeding America's National Produce

Happy Star Wars Day: The Making of Darth Chocolate

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  A long time ago In a galaxy far, far away... ...Before Star Wars candy and ice cube molds could be found at geek emporiums throughout the universe... ...Fans had to rely on their own creativity, and channeled the force to bring their Star Wars dreams to life... Back in 2010, I posted this tutorial for how to make your own chocolate molds using silicone plastique. Using a vintage Han in Carbonite action figure, I created this chocolate mold, from which delicious Solo Bars could be made. When I saw these Star Wars themed Easter treat containers at Target this year, I didn't know immediately what I would do with them, but I had to have them.  I cleared the shelf and stashed away my collection of mini Darth Vader helmets; as happy as a Wookie with a cookie. I'm not the only Star Wars fan in the family -- My husband and I have made sure to raise our kids right.  So, as Star Wars Day (May 4 -- "May the Fourth Be With You") ap

Recipe: Balsamic Glazed Mushroom Ragout Over Polenta

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This is one of my favorite meatless meals.  The balsamic glazed mushroom ragout makes for a hearty addition to the crisp-on-the-outside, creamy-on-the-inside panfried polenta.  The dish is table-ready in less than 30 minutes, is gluten-free and can be modified for vegetarian and vegan lifestyles.  Ready to dig in? Balsamic Glazed Mushroom Ragout Serves 2-3 1 Tablespoon butter (you can substitute oil) 1 Tablespoon bacon grease (you can substitute oil or butter) 1 pound Crimini mushrooms stemmed and cut into small cubes pinch of kosher salt 1 shallot, finely chopped 1 large clove garlic, minced 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped pepper to taste 1/2 cup chicken stock (or veggie broth), divided 3 Tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar (the thicker, the better) 1 Tablespoon heavy cream 2 teaspoons fresh parsley, chopped, plus more for garnish Step 1:  In a large skillet, melt butter and bacon grease (or substitutes).  Add mushrooms, salt and shallot, cooking on

The Perfect Mother's Day Gift for Creative Cooks ~ Cooking With Flowers
{book review and giveaway}

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Roses are Red Violets are Blue They're a treat for the eye And you can cook with them too! If you love to cook and experiment with beautiful, fresh, and homegrown ingredients, chances are, you're going to want a copy of Cooking with Flowers: Sweet and Savory Recipes with Rose Petals, Lilacs, Lavender, and Other Edible Flowers for yourself.  But my purpose today is to rave about this incredible new cookbook from Miche Bacher of Mali B Sweets as the perfect Mother's Day Gift. Flowers are a popular token of love for Mother's Day.  If the special mother-figure in your life enjoys cooking, baking, or gardening, I have an idea for how you can make your gift of Mother's Day flowers all the more special and long-lasting. Pair Cooking with Flowers with a palette of pansies, a bouquet of roses, or a selection of tulip bulbs.  It's a gift that shows love and inspires creativity.  Cooking with Flowers contains more than 100 flower

DIY: Handmade Mother's Day Gift ~ Dove Keepsake Box
{Inspired by DOVE Dark Chocolate}

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Compensation was provided by DOVE® Dark Chocolate via MomTrends.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions of Dove or Momtrends.  For thousands of years, and in many cultures throughout the world, the dove has been a symbol of nurturing, self-sacrifice, peace, devotion and motherhood.  These gentle birds are among the most maternal in the feathered kingdom, and are one of only a handful of birds that produce milk for their young.     What more fitting symbol to grace the top of a handmade Mother's Day Keepsake Box , and what better sweet treasure with which to fill it than DOVE ® Dark Chocolate ? Chances are, your mom is probably already a fan of DOVE ® Dark Chocolate , but do you know which of the four varieties is her favorite? Clockwise from top left: Silky Smooth Almond Dark Chocolate, Silky Smooth Mint & Dark Chocolate Swirl, Silky Smooth Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel, Silky Smooth Da