Sheet Pan Chicken Gyros

I ADORE Halfbaked Harvest. She makes the best recipes, that at first glance seem complicated, but when you get down to it, they are easy & so freaking delicious. I made these gyros over the last week, and being one person, I had them for dinner multiple nights in a row. Usually, I get bored with eating the same thing over and over again, but I was excited for dinner every night! Tiegan uses feta in her tzatziki, I did not have any & it turned out delicious, but feel free to add it if you like! Don’t forget to set some time aside so the chicken can marinate! For serving, I added lettuce, homemade pickled red onion, and dill.

Ingredients

  • 1/3 Cup Plain Yogurt [She calls for full fat, but I used low-fat and it worked perfectly]
  • 1/4 Cup Olive Oil
  • 1 1/2 LBS Boneless, Skinless, Chicken Thighs, or Breasts, cubed
  • 1/4 Cup Lemon Juice
  • 6 Garlic Cloves, chopped
  • 2 Shallots, chopped
  • 1 TBSP Smoked Paprika
  • 1 TBSP Oregano
  • 1 TSP Turmeric
  • Red Pepper Flakes
  • Salt & Pepper
  • Pitas or Naan, warmed

Tzatziki

  • 8 oz Feta Cheese
  • 1/4 + 1/3 Cup Greek Yogurt
  • 2 Garlic Cloves, grated
  • Juice from 1 Lemon
  • 1/2 Large Cucumber, shredded
  • salt

Let’s Get Cooking

In a bowl, combine yogurt + olive oil + cubed chicken + lemon juice + garlic + shallots + paprika + turmeric + oregano + chili flakes + salt + pepper. Mix well to combine and let marinate for at least 15 min at room temp or overnight in the fridge.

Preheat the oven to 425F.

Arrange the chicken on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Toss and bake for another 5-10 minutes/ until cooked through. Switch the oven to broil and cook until the chicken chars on the edges, about 1-2 min WATCH CAREFULLY.

Make the tzatziki while the chicken cooks. Combine feta + 1/4 cup yogurt + garlic + lemon juice in a blender and blend until creamy. Stir in the 1/3 cup yogurt + cucumber + pinch of salt + red pepper flakes. Always taste test to be sure.

To assemble: spread the warm naan with tzatziki, then lettuce, and chicken [ I like to sprinkle some dill on top]. Add on red onions & a little cilantro.

YUM YUM YUM

Made with Love,

Hannah

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

Minty Lime Bars

I grew up having a contest with my brother to see who could eat the most Sour War Heads in one sitting. The roof of my mouth was always destroyed and it was worth it every time. It is safe to say that I love all things sour and anything that highlights citrus flavors. I found this recipe from our girl Claire Saffitz in her Dessert Person cookbook and I was intrigued; not many desserts highlight limes, so I had to give it a try. These bars are so refreshing & also TART, these are the perfect dessert for a person like me who loves a good lip pucker, if you are like me, I HIGHLY recommend them. You need an 8×8-inch pan for this recipe.

Ingredients

Shortbread Crust

  • Butter for the pan
  • 2 TBSP finely grated Lime Zest, takes about 3 limes
  • 1/4 Cup Granulated Sugar
  • 1 Cup All Purpose Flour
  • 2 TBSP Finely Chopped Fresh Mint
  • 1/4 TSP Baking Powder
  • 1 Stick Unsalted Butter, cut into 1/2-in pieces, chilled
  • Salt

Lime Curd Filling

  • 3/4 Cup Fresh Lime Juice, about 7 limes
  • 1/4 Cup Fresh Lemon Juice, about 1 Large Lemon
  • 1 TSP Cornstarch
  • 1 Cup Sugar, divided into 1/2 cups
  • 5 Large Egg Yolks
  • 1 Large Egg
  • 6 TBSP Unsalted Butter, cut into tablespoons, chilled
  • Salt
  • Powdered Sugar & Lime Zest for serving

Let’s Get Baking

Place the oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350F. Line the baking pan with two sheets of foil, crossing one over the other. Butter the bottom of the sides of the foil and set the pan aside.

Onto the shortbread crust: In a medium bowl, use your fingertips to massage the lime zest into the granulated sugar until fragrant oils are released and the mixture looks like wet sand. Add in the flour + chopped mint + baking powder + salt and toss to combine. Add in the pieces of chilled butter and toss to coat in the flour mixture. Use your fingers to smash the butter completely into the flour mixture, working until you have lots of moist crumbs that hold together easily when squeezed.

Transfer the shortbread dough onto the prepared pan and scatter the crumbs easily across the bottom. Use your hands to flatten the crumbs into an even layer across the bottom. Bake the shortbread until lightly golden across the surface, about 25-30 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven. Reduce the oven temp to 300F. Let the crust cool while making the filling.

To make the lime curd filling: In a small saucepan, combine lime juice + lemon juice + cornstarch + salt and 1/2 cup of the granulated sugar and cook over MED heat, whisking occasionally to dissolve the sugar. When the mixture comes to a boil, whisk constantly until it thickens slightly from the cornstarch, about 1 minute. Remove the saucepan from the heat.

In a medium bowl, vigorously whisk the egg yolks + whole egg + remaining 1/2 cup until the mixture is smooth, thick, and has paled in color a couple shades, about 1 minute. Whisking constantly, slowly drizzle the hot citrus mixture into the eggs a TBSP at a time to slowly raise the temperature, until you’ve added about half the citrus mixture to the eggs.

Whisk the egg mixture back into the saucepan, then set back over MED-LOW heat and cook, whisking constantly, until the curd turns opaque is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, and barely holds the marks of the whisk, about 3-5 minutes. Remove the curd from the heat and whisk in the butter a piece at a time, waiting until each piece melts before adding the next until the mixture is smooth.

Pour the hot curd over the crust and shake the pan gently so it settles in an even layer. Bake the bars until the sides have puffed & the center is set but still a bit wobbly when you shake it, about 30-35 minutes. Remove from the oven & let the bars cool completely in the pan.

Transfer the cooled pan to the fridge and chill until the bottom of the pan is cold to the touch, about 1 hour. Remove the foil & cut it into about 16 squares. Dust with powdered sugar and top with more lime zest before serving.

Made with Love,

Hannah

Potato, Cauliflower, & White Bean Soup

Hi, it’s been a minute. I’ve had to take the time to focus on studying for the National Counselor Exam (NCE) and I unfortunately, had to step away from the blog for a little but I am back! I am so excited to be back into my hobbies and doing the things I love. I found this recipe from the New York Times Cooking website; it caught my eye because of the soup being topped with sour cream & onion chips. The recipe calls for the soup to be made in a slow cooker, but I made it in a stock pot and it came out AMAZING. I top mine with extra cracked black pepper, cheese, & of course potato chips. This soup has such a different taste and it’s so creamy, it’s an automatic new favorite.

Ingredients:

  • 2 TBSP Olive Oil
  • 1 LB Yukon Gold Potatoes, scrubbed, peeled, and cut into 1in chunks
  • 1 LB Cauliflower, chopped into large bite-sized florets and stems
  • 2 15oz Cans Cannellini beans, drained
  • 1/2 Yellow Onion, minced
  • 6 Cloves Garlic, smashed & minced
  • 3 1/2 Cups Vegetable Stock
  • 3 TBSP Unsalted Butter
  • 2 TBSP Dry White Wine
  • 1/2 TSP Dried Thyme
  • 1/2 TSP Garlic Powder
  • 1 TSP Lemon Juice
  • 1 Cup Plain Greek Yogurt [ recipe calls for sour cream but I like the tang of the yogurt ]
  • Salt & Pepper
  • Sour cream & onion potato chips, for topping
  • Shredded cheddar, for topping

Let’s Get Cooking

Prep all your ingredients beforehand, chopping the onion, potatoes, cauliflower, and garlic.

In a large stock pot, heat the olive oil and add in the garlic + onion and let saute for about 2-4 min. Once fragrant, add in the potatoes + cauliflower. Let the vegetables cook for about 8 minutes on MED heat.

Add in the beans + vegetable stock + butter + thyme + garlic powder + dry white wine + salt + pepper and stir to combine. Bring the soup to a boil and allow to simmer for about 1 hour or until all the vegetables are soft. Using a potato masher, mash the vegetables until the soup has a chunky texture, allow to cook for another 30 minutes.

Using a blender, blend the soup [ in batches if you need to ] and return to the pot. Stir in the lemon juice + greek yogurt/sour cream. Top with more black pepper.

Serve with shredded cheddar cheese & sour cream & onion chips!

Made with Love,

Hannah

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

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

Spicy Tuna Dip

This spicy tuna tip is perfect for a holiday appetizer. The tuna is from Wild planet foods which you can find at Walmart, the tuna is caught sustainably and the product is quality! Check out the reel from my Instagram, @ahangryhannah for the how-to on an already simple recipe! Serve with crackers or chips.

Ingredients

  • 1 Clove of Garlic, minced
  • 1 Package of Cream Cheese, room temp.
  • 1 Can Wild planet foods Albacore Tuna, no need to drain!
  • 1/4 Cup Sour Cream
  • 3 TBSP Old Bay
  • Juice of 1 Lemon
  • Salt + Pepper
  • Squeeze of Sriracha
  • Parsley to Garnish

Let’s Get Cookin’

Combine the cream cheese + tuna + sour cream + old bay and mix well.

Squeeze in the lemon, add in the salt + pepper + sriracha, and mix well again making sure there are no clumps from the cream cheese.

Feel free to add in a little extra old bay and sriracha as needed.

Garnish with parsley and enjoy!

Made with Love,

Hannah

Crispy Fried Chicken

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

Fall Tortellini Skillet

When I make lunches for the week I love a dish that can be thrown together in one pan and be done. This recipe from Julia’s Album features roasted fall vegetables and chicken that makes for a perfect one-pan meal. I changed up the spices a little on the butternut squash, taking inspiration from my dad’s “Crack” Roasted Butternut Squash. Just because it’s your lunch for work doesn’t mean it has to lack flavor. For one person, this makes more than enough for 5 days.

Ingredients

  • 3 Cups Butternut Squash, peeled, seeded, cubed
  • Olive Oil
  • 1 TBSP Chili Powder
  • 1 TBSP Nutmeg
  • 1 TBSP Cinnamon
  • 1 TBSP Ginger
  • Honey
  • Salt + Pepper
  • 12 oz Brussel Sprouts [I used frozen Brussel sprouts, you can roast them off if you’d like]
  • 9 oz Cheese Tortellini
  • 1 lb Chicken Breast, cubed
  • 1 TSP Smoked Paprika
  • 2 TBSP Olive Oil
  • 3 TBSP Butter
  • 5 Garlic Cloves, minced
  • Fresh Thyme

Let’s Get Cooking

Start with preheating the oven to 400F.

In a large bowl toss together the butternut squash + 1 TBSP Olive Oil + Chili Powder + Nutmeg + Cinnamon + Ginger + Salt + Pepper + drizzle with honey. Once coated well, spread on a lined baking sheet and roast for about 30 minutes.

You can roast off the brussels sprouts, cut the ends off and in half, with olive oil and salt and pepper for 20-30 minutes in the 400F preheated oven with the squash. I used frozen brussels sprouts in the microwave to save some time.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the tortellini per package instructions. Drain and set aside.

In a skillet, add the 2 TBSP of olive oil. Add in the chicken breast when the oil heats. Season the chicken with paprika + salt + pepper. Cook the chicken through and remove from the pan when done.

To the same skillet add butter + 1 TBSP Olive oil + garlic, and cook until garlic softens. Add in the cooked tortellini and coat with butter. Add in the roasted vegetables + chicken and mix until everything is well distributed.

Top with fresh thyme and enjoy.

Made with love,

Hannah

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