Grilled Kale Salad With Yogurt Dressing and Hazelnuts

Grilled Kale Salad With Yogurt Dressing and Hazelnuts

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 shallot, minced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 10 mint leaves, chopped
• 1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
• 3 to 4 tablespoons red wine vinegar, or to taste
• Zest of 1/2 a lemon
• 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice
• Salt
• Freshly ground pepper
• 1/2 cup raw hazelnuts (skin on)
• 2 bunches Russian or curly kale, stems removed
• 1 handful of halved cherry tomatoes

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 500°.

To prep the kale. First soak both bunches in a sink-ful of water for 10-15 minutes so the bugs and dirt fall to the bottom. Then take each stalk out one at a time, and holding the bottom of the inner rib, pull your other hand up the stalk to quickly strip the leaves from the rib. So much easier than slicing the leaves away from the rib one at a time! I will never go back.

For the dressing. Add the yogurt, shallot, garlic, mint, 1/4 cup of olive oil, and red wine vinegar to a bowl and whisk together. Then add a pinch of sea salt and pepper and taste. Add more as you like. This makes almost double the amount of dressing you need for one recipe. But you won’t be sorry because it’s delicious on anything.

For the hazelnuts. Toast the whole nuts in the oven or toaster oven until they are nice and golden and the skins are cracking. Dump them onto one half of a damp kitchen towel and fold the other half over the top so the nuts are covered. Roll the nuts between the towel with your hands until the skins come off. Yay! ANOTHER great kitchen tip. I love this one almost as much as the kale. Chop hazelnuts loosely.

For the kale. Lay the kale onto a large cookie sheet. Drizzle with remaining olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt and toss as best you can with your hands. Put the kale into your super hot oven, preferably under the broiler (once it’s had a chance to wilt a bit). The kale will cook super fast and it’s totally fine if a few leaves get burned. Turn the leaves as they cook so that all pieces are nicely wilted.

Arrange the kale on a platter. Sprinkle nuts and tomatoes over the top. Drizzle dressing generously. Top with lemon zest, lemon juice, sea salt and a few grinds of pepper.

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Thai Turkey Burgers with Peanut Sauce

Thai Turkey Burgers with Peanut Sauce

INGREDIENTS:
Makes 4 burgers

• 1 lb 99% fat-free lean ground turkey breast (I used Jennie-O)
• 1/2 cup shredded carrot
• 1/2 cup finely chopped broccoli
• 3 Tablespoons chopped cilantro
• 1 green onion, sliced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 4 buns (I toasted Arnold Sandwich Thins)
• baby spinach leaves
• For the peanut sauce:
• 3 Tablespoons smooth peanut butter
• 1 Tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 Tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 Tablespoon water
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce (could use siracha)
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

DIRECTIONS:

1. Create peanut sauce by combining peanut butter, rice vinegar, soy sauce, water, garlic, sesame oil, chili garlic sauce, honey and ground ginger in a food processor or blender. Blend until very smooth. Reserve 2 Tablespoons + 2 teaspoons and set aside.

2. Combine remaining peanut sauce with turkey, carrots, broccoli, green onion, cilantro, salt and red pepper flakes in a large bowl. Mix well and form into 4 patties. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and spray with non-stick spray. Cook patties for 3-4 minutes on one side, then spray the top with more non-stick spray. Flip and cook for 3-4 more minutes or until burgers are no longer pink in the middle.

3. Place a burger patty on each bun and top with 2 teaspoons of the reserved peanut sauce. Add baby spinach for crunch and serve.

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Black and White Cupcakes

Black and White Cupcakes

INGREDIENTS:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1/3 cup plus 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup miniature chocolate chips
• 1 & 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup warm water
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350°. Line 2 12-cup muffin tins with cupcake liners.

Beat cream cheese, egg, and 1/3 cup sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes). Stir in the chocolate chips. Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine flour, 1 cup sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Make a well in the center, and add water, oil, vinegar, and vanilla. Mix just until blended.

Fill each muffin cup one-third full with the chocolate batter. Top with a spoonful of cream cheese mixture, until cups are about two-thirds full. Bake 22 to 28 minutes, until the tops spring back lightly when touched.

Cool in pans for 10 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Makes about 24 cupcakes.

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Salted Caramel Chocolate Shortbread Bars

Salted Caramel Chocolate Shortbread Bars

INGREDIENTS:
Yield about 5 dozens
For the shortbread layer:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• ¼ tsp. salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• ½ cup sugar

For the caramel layer:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 tbsp. light corn syrup
• 2 (14 oz.) cans sweetened condensed milk

For the chocolate layer:

• 8 oz. semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 1 tsp. light corn syrup
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• Fleur de sel or sea salt, for sprinkling

DIRECTIONS:

To make the shortbread layer, preheat the oven to 325° F. Line a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. In a small bowl combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Stir with a fork to blend, and set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar on medium speed until well blended, about 1-2 minutes. With the mixer on low speed blend in the dry ingredients just until incorporated. Transfer the dough to the prepared baking pan and press in an even layer over the bottom of the pan. Bake 15-18 minutes or until golden. (If the crust puffs up a bit while baking, just gently press it down while it is cooling.) Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cool completely.

To make the caramel layer, combine the butter, sugar, corn syrup and condensed milk in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Heat, stirring occasionally, until the butter is melted. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to maintain a simmer, stirring constantly. Continue simmering and stirring until the mixture turns an amber color and thickens slightly. Pour the mixture over the shortbread layer, smooth the top, and allow to cool completely and set. (I chilled at this stage to ensure that the caramel layer would not melt when the warm chocolate was added.)

To make the chocolate glaze, combine the chocolate, corn syrup, and butter in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Heat, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth. Pour evenly over the caramel layer and use an offset spatula to smooth the top. Allow to cool for a minute or two and then sprinkle with fleur de sel. Chill, covered, until ready to slice and serve.

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Mint Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

Mint Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

INGREDIENTS:
For the Cupcakes

• 1 (18.25 ounce) package devil’s food cake mix
• 1 (3.9 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 4 eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 1 1/2 cups Andes Crème de Menthe baking chips

For the Frosting

• 4 sticks (2 cups) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1.5 pounds (28 ounces) confectioners' sugar, sifted
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 3-4 tablespoons heavy cream
• green gel dye
• 1/4 teaspoon pure peppermint extract
• 2 ounces semi sweet chocolate, melted and cooled
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• mini chocolate chips

 DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line muffin tin with paper liners or spray with non-stick cooking spray.

2. In the bowl of a stand mixer or a large bowl with a hand mixer, add the cake and pudding mixes, sour cream, oil, eggs, vanilla and water. Mix on medium speed for about 2 minutes until all ingredients are well combined and the batter is smooth. Stir in the Andes Crème de Menthe baking chips.

3. Using a large scoop distribute the batter between 24 muffin wells; about 3 tablespoons of batter per well.

4. Bake in preheated oven for 18-23 minutes or until the tops of the cakes spring back when lightly touched. Allow cupcakes to cool inside muffin tins for about 10 minutes.

5. Remove cupcakes from muffin tins and allow to fully cool on a wire rack. Once cupcakes are cool, prepare your frosting.

For the Frosting

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium-high speed for about 5 minutes.

2.Turn the mixture down to low speed and gradually add in the confectioners' sugar until it is completely incorporated. Add in vanilla and heavy cream. Turn the mixer back up to medium-high speed and beat the mixture for about 3-4 minutes or until light and fluffy.

4. Remove half of the frosting from the mixer bowl and set aside. Add a tiny amount of green gel dye to the remaining frosting (I used Wilton Leaf Green). Turn the mixer on and fully incorporate the dye. Slowly add more dye until you achieve a nice minty green color. Stir in peppermint extract.

5. Remove the mint frosting from the mixing bowl and set aside. Add the other half of the frosting back into the bowl of your stand mixer. Add in the cooled, melted chocolate and cocoa powder. Mix until fully incorporated.

6. For the two-toned effect, I used this method from GoodLife Eats. You can also carefully layer the two colors into the piping bag, but I find Katie's method to be much easier and cleaner.

7. Pipe the frosting onto the cooled cupcakes and garnish with mini chocolate chips.


Notes:

- Mint Chocolate Cupcakes are best served the day they are made. However, they will keep in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Remove to room temperature one hour before serving.

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Bread Thickened Sicilian Tomato-Basil Soup

Bread Thickened Sicilian Tomato-Basil Soup

INGREDIENTS:
Serves 3-4

• 2 1/4 cup water
• 10 scallions, white and green parts both chopped and separated
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 tomatoes, chopped
• 1/4 balsamic vinegar
• 20 basil leaves, 3/4 shredded and 1/4 left whole for garnish
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• salt and pepper to taste
• 8 oz. Italian bread, torn into small pieces

DIRECTIONS:

In large pot, heat 1/4 cup water over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook 3 minutes. Add the white part of the scallions, tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, shredded basil and cayenne pepper. Cook over medium high heat for 10 minutes, stirring often. Add the broth, 2 remaining cups of water, salt, pepper and bring to a boil. Stir in the pieces of bread, reduce the heat to medium low, and cook an additional 5 minutes. Stir in the remaining scallion parts and cover the cooking pot with a lid. Turn off the heat and let stand for 20 minutes before serving. Garnish with basil leaves.

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Double Chocolate Banana Muffins

Double Chocolate Banana Muffins

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1 1/4 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 large banana
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips.

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a muffin tin. I used a jumbo muffin tin. This recipe will make 12 regular-size muffins or 6 jumbo muffins.
In a medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
In a bowl of a mixer, whisk banana and sour cream together until combined. Add egg, brown sugar, oil, and vanilla extract, and whisk to combine. Fold in the flour mixture until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips. Fill each muffin tin a 1/3 of the way full.
Bake for 15-20 minutes until the tops of the muffins spring back, or a tooth pick inserted into the center of the muffin comes out clean.

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