Perfect Rice Krispie Treats

 Ingredients:

  • 12 oz. (340g) Kellogg's Rice Krispies
  • 20 oz. (567g) Jet-Puffed mini marshmallows
  • 6 Tbsp. (85g) Land o Lakes butter

Directions:

Melt 6 Tbsp butter in a large pot.

Add 20 oz marshmallows and stir until melted.

Remove from heat.

Stir in 12 oz Rice Krispies until coated.

Press gently into a buttered 9×13 pan.

Cool 30–60 minutes before cutting. Enjoy!

Zucchini Lasagna

 Ingredients:

  • 1 lb. 93/7 lean ground beef
  • 3/4 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. olive oil
  • 1/2 large onion, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil
  • black pepper to taste
  • 3 medium (8 oz each) zucchini, sliced 1/8" thick
  • 1 1/2 cups part-skim ricotta
  • 1/4 cup Parmigiano Reggiano
  • 1 large egg
  • 16 oz (4 cups) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Directions:

In a medium saucepan, brown meat and season with salt. Remove from pan and drain to remove any fat.

Add olive oil to the pan and sauté garlic and onions about 2 minutes.  Return the meat to the pan, add tomatoes, basil, salt, and pepper.  Cover with a lid and simmer on low for at least 30-40 minutes.  Do not add extra water, the sauce should be thick.

Slice zucchini into 1/8" thick slices, salt lightly, and set aside for 10 minutes to let the salt draw out the moisture.  After 10 minutes, blot the excess moisture with a paper towel.

Preheat a gas grill or grill pan to medium high and grill 2-3 minutes per side, until slightly browned.  Place on paper towels to soak any excess moisture.

Preheat oven to 375°F.  

In a medium bowl, mix ricotta, Parmigiano Reggiano, and egg.  Stir well.

In a 9x13 dish, spread 1/2 cup of sauce on the bottom and layer the zucchini to cover.  Spread 1/2 cup of the ricotta mixture, then top with 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese.  Repeat until all of the ingredients are used, reserving 1 cup of mozzarella.  The last layer should be the remaining zucchini and sauce.  

Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes.

Remove the foil and bake 20 minutes more.

Place the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella on top of the sauce and bake until melted, about 10 minutes.

Let cool 10-15 minutes before serving.  Enjoy!

Andes Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies

 Ingredients:

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (113 g)
  • ½ cup granulated sugar (100 g)
  • ½ cup packed dark brown sugar (110 g)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract (5 g)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (125 g)
  • ½ cup + 2 Tbsp cocoa powder (55 g)
  • 1 tsp. baking soda (5 g)
  • ¼ tsp. salt (1.5 g)½ cup unsalted butter, room temp (113 g)
  • 2 Tbsp. milk or heavy cream (30 g)
  • 1 cup Andes Crème de Menthe baking chips or chopped Andes mints (170 g)
  • ⅓ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (or mint chips for more mint flavor) (60 g)
  • Extra Andes pieces for topping

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.

Beat in the egg and vanilla.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until combined.

Mix in the milk or cream.

Fold in the Andes baking chips and chocolate chips.

Scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie and roll into balls. Place on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart.

Press a few extra Andes pieces onto the tops of the dough balls.

Bake for 10–11 minutes.

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes:

If the dough is sticky, refrigerate it for 30–60 minutes before scooping. If the cookies spread too much, chill the shaped dough balls for 10–15 minutes before baking. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.


Yield: About 20 cookies. 

Bread

Ingredients:

  • 1 packet active dry yeast (7 g or 2¼ tsp)
  • ½ cup warm water (120 g)
  • 1 tsp sugar (4 g)
  • ½ cup melted Crisco (102 g)
  • 1½ Tbsp salt (27 g)
  • ½ cup sugar (100 g)
  • 2½ cups warm water (592 g)
  • 7 cups flour (840 g)

Up to 1 cup additional flour for kneading (120 g)

Directions:

Dissolve the yeast in ½ cup warm water with 1 tsp sugar. Let stand 5–10 minutes until foamy.

In a large bowl, combine the melted Crisco, salt, ½ cup sugar, and 2½ cups warm water. Stir in the yeast mixture.

Add the 7 cups flour and mix until a dough forms. Knead for 10–15 minutes, adding additional flour as needed to prevent sticking.

Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled in size, about 1–1½ hours.

Punch down the dough and let it rise again until doubled.

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead briefly. Divide into 3 equal portions and shape into loaves.

Place the loaves into greased loaf pans. Brush the tops with a little melted Crisco. Cover and let rise until the dough crowns about 1 inch above the pans.

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30–35 minutes, or until golden brown and the loaves sound hollow when tapped.

Remove from the pans and cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.

Yield: 3 sandwich loaves.

Eggnog (Non-alcoholic)

 Ingredients:

  • 24 egg yolks
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 8 cups whole milk
  • 4 cups heavy cream
  • 3 Tbsp. nutmeg
  • pinch of salt
  • 2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp. rum extract (optional)
Directions:

Whisk egg yolks together with the sugar in a mixing bowl until creamy and a light color.

In a large saucepan, combine the milk, heavy cream, nutmeg, and salt, and heat over medium heat until it starts to simmer, with bubbles forming around the edges, but do not bring to a boil.

Slowly whisk 1/2 cup of the hot liquid into the eggs and sugar to temper the eggs.  Repeat until about 1/3 of the hot liquid has been mixed into the eggs.

Add the tempered egg yolk liquid back into the pan with the remaining milk and cream.  Heat until it reaches 160°F or just starts to coat the back of a wooden spoon.

Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and rum extract.

Transfer to a bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap, then chill completely in the fridge until ready to serve.  Best served the next day.  Enjoy!


Makes about 16 cups

Garlic Parmesan Roasted Broccoli

 Ingredients:

  • 1 lb. (454g) broccoli florets
  • 2 Tbsp. (28g) olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp. (15g) minced garlic
  • 1/4 cup (22-25g) grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 Tbsp. (15g) lemon juice

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425°F. and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, add all ingredients and mix until well combined.  

Place into oven and bake for 18-22 minutes, or until browned and crispy on the edges.  Enjoy!


Makes 4 servings

Mayak Eggs

These Korean Mayak Eggs are savory, slightly sweet, garlicky, and packed with umami flavor. The name "Mayak" means "addictive" in Korean, and after one bite it's easy to understand why. Serve them over hot rice, ramen, grain bowls, or enjoy them straight from the refrigerator as a high-protein snack.


 Ingredients:

  • 12 large eggs
  • 1 cup (290g) soy sauce
  • 3/4 cup + 4 tsp. (200g) water
  • 3 Tbsp. (45g) mirin
  • 1/3 cup (140g) honey
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp. (10g) Gochugaru flakes
  • 30-40g fresh chilis, finely sliced (2 green and 2 red)
  • 1/2 cup (90g) onion, finely diced
  • 4-5 (30g) green onion stalks
  • 2 tsp. (10g) minced garlic
  • 2 Tbsp. (20g) toasted sesame seeds
  • 1 Tbsp. (14g) sesame oil

Directions:

Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil. Carefully lower the eggs into the water and cook for 6½ to 7 minutes for jammy yolks.

Immediately transfer the eggs to an ice bath and let them cool for 10 minutes. Peel the eggs and set aside.

In a large container with a lid, combine the soy sauce, water, mirin, and honey. Stir until the honey is completely dissolved.

Add the diced onion, green onions, garlic, red chili, green chili, gochugaru, sesame seeds, and sesame oil. Stir well.

Gently place the peeled eggs into the marinade. Make sure the eggs are mostly submerged.

Cover and refrigerate for at least 12 hours, preferably 24 hours.

Serve over hot steamed rice with a spoonful of the marinade, onions, and peppers, or eat right out of the fridge!  Garnish with additional sesame seeds and green onions if desired.  Enjoy!

Store the eggs in the marinade in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Notes

  • 24 hours of marinating produces the best flavor.
  • For a milder version, reduce the gochugaru to 1 tablespoon.
  • The leftover marinade is excellent spooned over rice.