Tag: home chef

Lemon Cupcakes with Blueberry Frosting

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One of my favorite co-workers turned back to work from being on maternity leave, so I wanted to do something special to welcome her back. I decided on cupcakes as they are easy to share! This recipe comes from Baked By Rachel, Rachel’s cupcakes feature a lemon curd that I decided to leave out, but follow along with her recipe if you’d like to add. I added a little extra lemon juice & zest as I like my cake really punchy. I also ran out of powdered sugar when making the frosting, so it wasn’t my best, but we are all works in progress.

Ingredients

Blueberry Puree

  • 1 1/2 Cup Blueberries,
  • Zest of 1 Lemon
  • 2 TBSP Lemon Juice
  • 1/4 Cup Sugar

Lemon Cake

  • 1/4 Cup Unsalted Butter, softened
  • 1/2 Cup Sugar
  • 2 Eggs
  • 2 TBSP + 2 TSP Lemon Juice
  • Zest of 1 Lemon
  • 1/2 TSP Salt
  • 1/2 TSP Baking Soda
  • 1 1/4 TSP Baking Powder
  • 1 1/4 Cup Flour
  • 1/2 Cup Sour Cream

Frosting

  • 1 Cup Unsalted Butter, softened
  • 3 Cups Powdered Sugar
  • 3 TBSP Blueberry Puree

Let’s Get Baking

To make the blueberry puree: combine blueberries + lemon zest + lemon juice + sugar in a small saucepan. Cook over MED heat, stirring occasionally. As the blueberries begin to soften, mash them and continue cooking until the sauce thickens. Once thickened, press the mixture through a mesh strainer into a clean bowl and allow to cool.

Preheat your oven to 350F and prepare your cupcake cups.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter + sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the eggs + lemon juice + lemon zest, scraping the bowl as needed. Add in salt + baking soda + baking powder. Alternate the additions of flour & sour cream, mixing until combined.

Divide the batter into prepared cups and bake for 16-18 minutes. Allow cupcakes to cool before frosting.

To make the frosting: beat the butter, adding in 1 cup of powdered sugar at a time. Drizzle in 1 TBSP of blueberry puree at a time. Mix until fully combined & no streaks remain. Transfer to a piping bag and decorate as you desire.

Enjoy!

Made with Love,

Hannah

“Romaines of the Day Burger”

Categories burgers, Recipes2 Comments on “Romaines of the Day Burger”

A Caesar salad with chicken and some french fries is a summer staple for me. That tangy Caesar dressing and those croutons are just so complimentary. Rather than croutons, grab some hamburger buns, and let’s turn this salad into a delicious burger. The best part is, with the leftover romaine and dressing you have, you can make your adored chicken Caesar salad with the leftovers! and yes, Caesar salad dressing is made with anchovies, so just get over it, you’ve been eating it this whole time anyways.

Ingredients

  • 1 2oz Tin or Jar Anchovies packed in water
  • 2 TSP Garlic, minced [I used 2 cloves]
  • 1 TSP Dijon Mustard
  • 1 TSP Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 Cup Mayo
  • 1/2 Cup Parmesan Cheese, finely grated
  • 3 TBSP Lemon Juice
  • 1 TBSP Olive Oil
  • 1 LB Ground Beef
  • 4 Hamburger Buns
  • 1 Head Romaine Lettuce, leaves chopped

Let’s Get Cooking

Grab your food processor and dump the tin of anchovies and the water in, blend into a paste.

In a small bowl, combine 3 TSP of the anchovy paste + garlic + mustard + Worchestershire + mayo + parmesan + lemon juice + olive oil. Set aside, I let mine sit for about 3 hours in the fridge, you don’t have to let yours sit that long!

Mix the remainder of the anchovy paste in with the beef and form 4 patties. Season both sides with salt & pepper and cook the burgers according to your desired doneness.

BUILD YOUR BURGER: Bottom bun, chopped romaine, burger, Caesar dressing, top bun.

Made with Love,

Hannah

Sweet Potato Breakfast Casserole

Categories Recipes1 Comment on Sweet Potato Breakfast Casserole

Though it’s just me I have to get ready in the mornings, sometimes that can be more than enough. Anything that makes mornings easier, I am about, and this breakfast casserole from ChewoutLoud is one of them. First off it’s so easy to prepare, and secondly, I feel like I am getting all my necessary nutrients in the morning, which is always a win. What I also love about these casseroles is you get to tweak them based on what you have in the kitchen; don’t have kale? Use spinach! Don’t have peppers? Cool, don’t use them! Make it your own! I added some extra spices to my sweet potatoes because I feel at times they can be bland.

Ingredients

  • 4 TSBP Olive Oil
  • 1 LB Sweet Potatoes, peeled and cut into bite-sized cubes
  • 2 TSP Turmeric
  • 2 TSP Chili Powder
  • 1/2 Cup Yellow Onion, diced
  • 4 Garlic Cloves, minced
  • 1/2 Cup Bell Peppers, diced
  • 1 LB Ground Breakfast Sausage
  • 2 Cups Kale, chopped
  • 14 Large Eggs
  • 1/2 Cup Milk
  • Salt & Pepper

Let’s Get Cooking

Preheat the oven to 400F

On a baking sheet, combine sweet potatoes + 2 TBSP olive oil + turmeric + chili powder + salt + pepper & toss to coat. Bake for about 20 minutes or until soft.

While the sweet potatoes are cooking heat the remaining 2 TBSP of oil and add in the onions + garlic and cook until translucent on MED heat. Add in the peppers & cook for about 1 minute more. Transfer the mixture to a large baking dish.

In the same skillet, cook the breakfast sausage until cooked through. Drain and add to the baking dish. Add in the roasted sweet potatoes + kale, toss to combine.

In a bowl, whisk together the eggs + milk + salt + pepper. Pour into the baking dish and bake uncovered for about 25-30 minutes or until the eggs are set.

Serve immediately, or cut once cooled and wrap in foil and freeze!

Made with Love,

Hannah

Bleu is the Warmest Cheese Burger

Categories burgers, Recipes2 Comments on Bleu is the Warmest Cheese Burger

There are some things that America gets right, like BBQ, Chicken Wings, & Burgers. Now just combine the best of those things, a homemade buffalo sauce + a DELICIOUS blue cheese sauce & don’t forget the celery, to get this amazing burger that will WOW you. [You also get tons of extra buffalo sauce that you can use to make air fryer chicken wings.] All I have to say is Bob [Bob’s Burgers] knew what he was doing with this one.

Ingredients

  • 2/3 Cup Frank’s Red Hot sauce
  • 1 Stick + 1 TBSP Butter, divided
  • 2 TBSP White Vinegar
  • 1/4 to 1 TSP Cayenne [ I like it hot so I do 1 TSP]
  • 1/2 White Onion, finely chopped
  • 2 TBSP All Purpose Flour
  • 1 Cup Whole Milk
  • 1 Cup Crumbled Blue Cheese
  • 3 Stalks Celery, finely chopped
  • 1 LB Ground Beef
  • 4 Sesame Buns
  • Green Leaf Lettuce

Let’s Get Cooking

Make the Buffalo Sauce

Combine the Frank’s Red Hot + butter + vinegar + cayenne in a small saucepan & stir over MED heat until the butter is completely melted. Remove from heat and let stand until cool.

Make the Blue Cheese Sauce

Melt the remaining TBSP of butter in a saucepan over MED heat. Add the onion and cook until softened. Add in the flour & stir vigorously. Slowly add the milk, stirring constantly. Add in the blue cheese and mix until it melts completely. Allow the sauce to sit on low, often stirring until it thickens up and coats the back of a spoon.

Make the Burger

Mix the celery and 1/2 cup of the buffalo sauce into the beef and gently form into 4 patties. Season both sides with salt & pepper. Cook as you normally would, I do about 6 min each side on MED heat. Be extra careful when you flip, this burger is a little softer due to the buffalo sauce.

Build your Burger

Start with your bottom bun [I like mine toasted] + lettuce + burger + blue cheese sauce + buffao sauce + top bun.

Serve with french fries and extra napkins, but the mess is always worth it.

P.S Be sure to save that buffalo sauce!!!

Made with Love,

Hannah

Spaghetti with Lemon and Asparagus Sauce

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One of the guiding factors in choosing a recipe for me revolves a lot around what produce is in season. I wanted to make pasta that highlighted spring produce and I came across this recipe from my New York Times cookbook by Jean Yves Legarve. I am not sure who that is, and if I am uncultured I apologize, but I do know one thing, you need to make this pasta. Cream sauces can be daunting, but I promise not only is this dish so delicious with the perfect amount of citrus and cheese, but it is also so easy to throw together you can make it on a weeknight.

Ingredients

  • 6 TBSP Unsalted Butter
  • 8 Thick Asparagus spears, stalks peeled & cut into 1-in lengths [I could only find an ALDI package of asparagus so I used 1/2 the package]
  • 1 Lemon, Grated for zest & juiced
  • 2 Large Eggs
  • 3/4 Cup Heavy Cream
  • 2 TBSP Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
  • 1/2 TSP Nutmeg
  • 3 TBSP Chopped Flat Leaf Parsley [I used dried]
  • 1/2 LB Spaghetti
  • Salt
  • Fresh Cracked Pepper

Let’s Get Cooking

Melt the butter in a medium skillet over MED heat. Add in the asparagus and cook until tender, about 6 minutes.

Meanwhile, combine the lemon zest + half the lemon juice + eggs + cream + Parmesan cheese + nutmeg + parsley in a bowl and mix well. Be sure to taste the sauce, the lemon flavor should be subtle. I had to add all of the juice from my lemon so be sure to taste!

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Stir encough salt that the water tastes salty. Cook the pasta until al dente, according to your pasta package.

Drain the spaghetti well and return it to the pot. Add in the asparagus with the butter and lemon sauce. Toss well.

Turn the head to LOW and gently toss the pasta over the heat for 30 seconds, until the sauce thickens slightly & adheres to the pasta. Season to taste with salt & LOTS of cracked black pepper.

Made with Love,

Hannah

Blueberry Lemon Loaf

Categories Desserts8 Comments on Blueberry Lemon Loaf

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

I made it to 27, phew! Looks good from here. For my birthday I am soaking in the relaxation, but also the excitement of getting my own KitchenAid! I was so excited when my mom shared she would be getting me my own for my birthday. To celebrate my amazing gift, I broke in my mixer with this delicious & moist Blueberry Lemon Loaf by Glorious Treats. This bread is the perfect transition into spring baking, it’s tangy, it’s sweet, and I could eat it all day!

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 Cups All Purpose Flour
  • 1 TSP Baking Powder
  • 1 TSP Salt
  • 1/3 Cup Unsalted Butter, melted
  • 1 Cup Sugar
  • 2 Eggs
  • 1/2 TSP Vanilla Extract
  • 2 TSP Grated Lemon Zest
  • 2 TSBP Lemon Juice
  • 1/2 Cup Milk
  • 1 Cup Blueberries, I like using fresh but you can always use frozen
  • 1 TBSP All Purpose Flour

Glaze:

  • 2 TSBP Butter, melted
  • 1/2 Cup Powdered Sugar
  • 2 TSBP Lemon Juice
  • 1/2 TSP Vanilla Extract

Let’s Get Baking

Preheat the oven to 350F and line a loaf pan with parchment paper, or grease lightly

In a medium bowl, sift together the flour + baking powder + salt and set aside.

In the mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter + sugar + vanilla + lemon zest + lemon juice. Whisk until creamy.

With the mixer on slow, add in the flour mixture and milk, alternating until they are both incorporated.

Rinse the blueberries and toss with the 1 TBSP of flour, this will ensure that the blueberries don’t sink to the bottom of the batter while baking. Add to the batter and gently incorporate by hand.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and place it on the top rack. Bake for about 55-65 minutes, I only needed 58 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick until it comes out clean. Allow the load to cool for about 30 minutes.

Combine all the ingredients in the glaze and pour over the loaf after it has cooled. Let the glaze set for a few minutes before serving.

I hope you enjoy this DELICIOUS transition into spring!

Made with Love,

Hannah

Peanut-Butter Date Bites

Categories Recipes3 Comments on Peanut-Butter Date Bites

I am never never NEVER one to support recipe trends where people say, “WOW THESE ZUCCHINI CHIPS TASTE JUST LIKE POTATO CHIPS”. No, they don’t, and they never will. Stop lying to yourself and just eat a potato chip. But anyways, I have seen around the inter-webs people creating mini-desserts with dates, so I decided to make my own little creation. I am not going to agree with those people that these dates taste just like Snickers, because they don’t, but they are damn good. They are the perfect bite for when you want a little something sweet after dinner.

Ingredients

  • Peanut Butter
  • Dates, pitted and split on the side
  • 1/2 Cup Chocolate chips
  • 1/3 Cup Half & Half, or Milk, use what you have and use more if needed
  • Chopped Almonds or Walnuts
  • Flaky Sea Salt

Let’s Get Cooking

If your dates aren’t pitted, be sure to do that now. Prep a baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper. Cut a slit on one side of all the dates.

Using a spoon, place a small amount of peanut butter into the date, making sure it is enough that the date can still slightly close.
Once all the dates are stuffed, melt the chocolate + half and half in a microwave-safe bowl at 30-second increments until combined. Coat the stuffed dates into the chocolate, it’s going to be messy, but it’s okay.

Place onto the parchment paper, and top with the chopped walnuts/almonds and sea salt.

Place in the freezer for 12 hours.

ENJOY! It’s hard to eat just one

Made with Love,

Hannah

Winter Minestrone

Categories Recipes3 Comments on Winter Minestrone

Another day another soup. Perfect for a cozy winter weeknight, this Minestrone from the Barefoot Contessa takes advantage of all the winter veggies, making you feel as though you are getting your daily intake. Ina recommends that you serve the soup with garlic bread and extra parm.

Ingredients

  • Olive Oil
  • 4 oz Pancetta, 1/2 in diced, [I also used bacon]
  • 1 1/2 Cup Chopped Yellow Onions
  • 2 Cups 1/2 in Diced Carrots, 3 carrots
  • 2 Cups 1/2in Diced Celery, 3 Stalks
  • 2 1/2 Cups Butternut Squash, diced and peeled
  • 1 1/2 TBSP Mince Garlic, 4 cloves
  • 2 TSP Chopped Fresh Thyme
  • 26 oz Canned/Boxed Chopped Tomatoes
  • 6-8 Cups Chicken Stock
  • 1 Bay Leaf
  • Salt + Pepper
  • 1 15oz can Cannellini Beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 Cups Cooked Small Pasta
  • 8-10oz Fresh Baby Spinach
  • 1/2 Cup Dry White Wine
  • 2 TBSP Pesto

Let’s Get Cookin

Heat 2 TBSP olive oil over MED heat in a large dutch oven.

Add in the pancetta and cook over MED-LOW heat, for about 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add in the onions + carrots + celery + squash + garlic + thyme and cook over MED heat, cooking until the vegetables begin to soften.

Add in the tomatoes + chicken stock + bay leaf + 1 TBSP Salt + 1-1/2 TSP Pepper. Bring to a boil and then lower the heat and simmer, uncovered for 30 minutes.

Remove the bay leaf and add in the beans + cooked pasta and stir well to combine.

Add in the spinach + white wine + pesto. Take a taste test and add more salt if needed.

Serve with extra parm cheese & a drizzle of olive oil.

Made with Love,

Hannah

Crispy Fried Chicken

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Next to cheese fries and a few other amazing things, fried chicken is up there in my top 5 favorite foods. There is nothing better than that perfect crispy breading, and juicy meat, and you can’t forget all the delicious sides that go along. I found this Hot Honey at ALDI and I knew I had to have it with some fried chicken. I learned a life-changing trick from Meg’s Everyday Indulgence that makes sure the breading stays on the chicken while frying. I make this after pickle brining the chicken for 24 hours. You can always omit that or marinade with buttermilk. Serve this fried chicken up with your favorite sides, like mac & cheese, french fries, or a side salad.

Ingredients

  • 16 oz Pickle juice
  • 1 Cup Water
  • 2 Smashed Garlic for Brine
  • 1 LB Chicken cut of choice, I used drumsticks, can use thighs or breast
  • 3 Large Eggs
  • 1/3 Cup Water
  • 1 Cup Hot Sauce
  • 4 Cups All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 TSP Salt
  • 2 TSP Pepper
  • 2 TSP Paprika
  • 1 TSBP Cayenne Pepper
  • Berryhill Hot Honey [can buy at ALDI]
  • Peanut or Vegetable Oil for fryer

Let’s Get Cooking

In a large bowl, place the pickle juice + garlic + 1 cup of water and add in the chicken. Cover with foil and place in the fridge to rest for 24 hours. Drain chicken from brine and pat dry when ready to use.

In a bowl, whisk together the eggs + water + hot sauce and set aside.

On a large plate, whisk together flour + salt + pepper + paprika + cayenne.

Dredge the chicken in the flour, then egg wash, then flour again and place the chicken on the wire rack or baking pan and let rest in the fridge for 30 minutes. Meg ensures that this allows the breading to stick to the chicken and she is absolutely right!

Heat the frying oil to 350F and work in batches frying the chicken for about 15-18 minutes or until cooked through.

Drizzle over with hot honey when warm and enjoy.

Made with Love,

Hannah

Malted “Forever” Brownies

Categories Desserts, Recipes2 Comments on Malted “Forever” Brownies

One of my best friends just took a job as the Director of Athlete Mental Wellness at Michigan State. We are all so freaking proud of her but going to miss her like crazy, so of course, there was a going away party involved. There is no better crowd-pleaser than brownies. It was finally time to break open Claire’s book for her ‘forever’ brownies as she claims that this is the only brownie recipe she will ever create. These brownies are extra chewy and you can add in the optional malted powder for a little extra dose of chocolate. You need an 8×8 in pan, Claire calls for preferably metal.

Ingredients

  • Butter for the pan
  • 1/4 Cup Dutch Process Cocoa Powder
  • 5oz Semisweet Chocolate [64-68% Cacao]
  • 6 TBSP Unsalted Butter, cut into pieces
  • 1/4 Cup Neutral Oil, vegetable
  • 1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar
  • 1/2 Cup Packed Dark Brown Sugar
  • 1 Large Egg
  • 2 Large Egg Yolks
  • 1 1/2 TSP Vanilla
  • 3/4 Cup All Purpose Flour
  • 2 TBSP Malted Milk Powder, optional
  • 1 TSP Salt
  • 1 Cup Milk Chocolate, coarsely chopped

Let’s Get Baking

Preheat the oven to 350F and line the pan with 2 sheets of foil, crossing one over the other and pressing into the corners. Lightly butter and set aside.

In a large heatproof bowl, whisk the cocoa powder into 1/4 cup boiling water until smooth.

Add in the semisweet chocolate + butter + oil into the large bowl with the cocoa mixture and set it over a medium saucepan filled with about 1in of simmering water, make sure the bottom of the bowl isn’t touching the water. Warm the mixture, gently stirring occasionally until the butter and chocolate are melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove the bowl from heat and let it cool until lukewarm.

Whisk in the granulated and brown sugar into the chocolate mixture. Add in the whole egg, egg yolks, and vanilla and whisk ‘vigorously’ until the mixture comes together and looks glossy and thick.

Add in the flour + malted milk powder [if using] + salt and whisk slowly until everything is combined. Add in the milk chocolate and fold in with a spatula. Scrap the batter into the prepared ban, spreading it into an even layer.

Bake the brownies until the surface is shiny and puffed, for about 25-30 minutes. [I had to bake for 35, it all depends on your oven].

Allow the brownies to cool for an hour before placing them into the fridge for another hour [allows for chewier texture]. Use the foil to lift out of the pan and cut into about 16 squares & enjoy.

Made with Love,

Hannah