chocolate lava cake, take two

My first chocolate lava cake attempt was an epic fail. My cakes turned to mush in a matter of seconds, and I was so depressed. Today I decided I was going to be optimistic and try again. I used a different recipe, and it was very simple. I'm so happy I tried these again, because this time they came out close to perfect.

madeleines

Finallllly, I bought a Madeleine pan! I actually bought it tonight. Then rushed home to make the Madeleines. Simple, easy, light and delicious. Madeleines are now my go-to dessert when I'm in the mood for something sweet and easy to make. Next time I'm going to try the chocolate version! Yum.

quinoa & black bean salad

Anyone ever cooked with quinoa? This was my first time, and I couldn't be happier with the results. This is an easy, vegetarian/vegan dish. I adapted the idea from this recipe, and I substituted red peppers for the green ones. You could add any vegetables you want to this salad, and it would be just as good. The lime dressing for this salad is amaaazing. This is a very healthy dish full of whole grain and protein, and it doesn't taste like your average, boring healthy meal. Don't you just love healthy, guilt-free dishes that are packed with flavor!? I know I do.

{before mixing}

{not so pretty, but SO tasty}

fruit pizza

My boyfriend actually introduced me to this recipe a of couple years ago. Very shocking, considering he doesn't even like to bake/cook! I'm not sure where he got the idea, but he made it for me (yes, he made it!) and I have loved it ever since. It's very simple, and not too much work is required. The most work you will do is rolling the cookie dough out, and cutting the fruit. 

Ingredients:

• 1 box Krusteaz sugar cookie mix
• 1 egg
• 1 stick of butter
• 1 package cream cheese (8 oz)
• 1 tsp sugar
• Fruit(s) of your choice, however much you want.

Follow directions on cookie mix box, roll out cookie dough onto a cookie sheet. Bake for 10-13 minutes. Add 1 tsp sugar to cream cheese and mix together. Let cookie cool completely then spread cream cheese on top. Then add your fruit, as little or as much as you desire! Yum!

{This cookie is amazing after it has been sitting in the refrigerator for a while!}

chocolate lava cake... or not

I should rename this post chocolate mush cake. This weekend I found a four set of ramekins for $11! Talk about a steal. I've been needing some, and sale prices are always the best. Now, I could eat chocolate all day long. Literally. So I figured I'd try out this chocolate lava cake. Let's just consider this recipe a big fat fail on my part, I'm actually pretty sad (and embarrassed) over it. Though it tasted amazing, I could not get the cakes out of the ramekins to save my life. They ended up flattened and mushy. Maybe if I let them cool off completely, but I was far too impatient for that. There's gotta be some trial and error in baking, right? Let's all have a laugh now.

{my failed attempt of removing the cake.. wommmp, tried to take it out too early?}

{what it was supposed to look like via cupcakesandcashmere}

Anybody have tips on how to remove these cakes!? I'd love to know.

baked zucchini fries

I have never been a huge fan of french fries. Mainly because they are always so over-salted, that I just can't stand it. I hate salty foods. I love sweet potato fries, and had actually been thinking about making some until I found this recipe, and quickly changed my mind. I didn't have italian-style Panko bread crumbs, so I used what I had on hand (plain, original Panko), and seasoned with salt, pepper, and grated parmesan cheese. These fries are so easy to make, and way healthier than your everyday over-salted french fry. (Yes, I watch what I eat, though this blog probably doesn't make it appear that way). It's probably un-American to say this, but I hate ketchup. For the dipping sauce, I used plain goat cheese. It might sound weird, but goat cheese and zucchini go amazingly together. Pretty a much guilt-free fry!

{I'm really wanting a better quality camera!}

s'mores pie

Forget camping, I've got all I need for campfire treats right here in my kitchen. S'mores have always been one of my favorites, and I'm always using the microwave to create make-shift s'mores when the craving for one hits. I found this recipe here, and followed it how it reads. The only difference was, when baking the chocolate, mine required about 25 minutes. I don't want to toot my own horn here, but I think mine turned out pretty close to perfect ;). I will definitely be going back for seconds!

**Update: After a full day in the refrigerator, this pie is ten times more ah-mazing!**

chocolate covered oreos

More Oreos? Yup. After work today I was craving something sweet! (as if the Oreo stuffed cookies from last night weren't enough). I decided to make simple use of the leftover Oreos. I've never tried milk (or semi-sweet) chocolate covered Oreos, though I did see a commercial for these. Naturally, I couldn't stop thinking about trying them. I melted semi-sweet morsels, in 30 second intervals, then dipped the Oreos in the melted chocolate, added sprinkles, chilled in refrigerator, and wa la! For a simple, quick, and fun dessert... Try these! I suggest, tonight. Maybe my next recipe will be healthy... Maybe not.

{chocolate}

oreo stuffed chocolate chip cookies

I have been eyeing this recipe for quite a while now. Oreos just so happen to be one of my favorite store bought cookies, so making these cookies was a no brainer. I love sweets so much, and these will definitely fulfill any sweet tooth. The cookies are so sweet, I could only eat one. (Shocking, I know!) Because this was my very first attempt at these cookies, I cheated and used Betty Crocker chocolate chip cookie mix. I didn't see the trouble in baking something from scratch, when I wasn't sure how the final result would turn out. So, sue me.

{calorie bombbb!}