Deadly Dessert

This is a new family favorite, salted caramel brownies. I made these for my family last week and they were a hit. I did not make the batter from scratch, but this combination is amazing. If you are looking for a delicious dessert that everyone will love, these are right up your ally. 

Ingredients:
1 box of milk chocolate brownie mix
2 eggs
1/4 cup of water
1/2 of vegetable oil
caramel sauce
sea salt crystals

Steps:
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. 
Stir the brownie mix, eggs, oil, and water together. 
Put the stirred product into a 9x13 inch pan and put in the oven.
Let them bake for 20-23 minutes.
Remove them from the oven and let them cool.
Once cooled, drizzle as much caramel sauce as needed.
Sprinkle as much salt as needed.
Enjoy!

Skillet Chicken Lasagna

Last night I made one of my new favorite dinners, Skillet Chicken Lasagna. I once again found this recipe while watching the hit Food Network show The Pioneer Woman and i fell in love with it. Ree Drummond (host of The Pioneer Woman) never disappoints with any of her recipes. This spicy cheesy concoction will please any pasta lover. My family loves it and if I could eat it every night of the week i would. 

Ingredients: 

12 ounces of any pasta (penne shown above)

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced

1 tablespoon Italian seasoning 

1 medium onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup low-sodium chicken broth

1 jar good-quality marinara sauce (14 to 16 ounces)

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 cup grated mozzarella cheese, plus more if needed

1/2 cup whole milk ricotta cheese, plus more if needed

1/4 cup grated Parmesan, plus more if needed and for serving

Steps:

12 fresh basil leaves, chopped, plus more if needed and for serving

Cook the pasta according to the package instructions; drain and set aside.

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with the Italian seasoning and some salt. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove the chicken to a plate and set aside.

Add the onions and garlic to the same skillet and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Add the broth, then scrape the bottom of the skillet to loosen the bits. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes to let the broth reduce. Add the marinara sauce and red pepper flakes, bring to a simmer and simmer for 10 minutes.

Turn off the heat and add the drained pasta, mozzarella, ricotta, Parmesan and basil. Add the cooked chicken on top. Toss to combine, then add more of the mozzarella, ricotta, Parmesan or basil until the sauce is just how you like it. Serve with a sprinkling of Parmesan and a little basil on top.

Chocolate is good for the Soul

Hot Chocolate Lava Cake, need I say more? One of the most delicious creations known to man, chocolate lava cake is heavenly. With warm chocolate ganache dripping down the sides it is sure to please any chocolate lover. I try on a weekly basis to make this for my family; this dessert reminds me of my childhood and my grandmother. It is sure to please just about everyone, let me show you how to make it. 

The following recipe is courtesy of the Pioneer Woman, most of the recipes I love are based upon her amazing creations in the kitchen. 

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Spray four custard cups with baking spray and place on a baking sheet.

Microwave the butter, bittersweet chocolate and semisweet chocolate in a large bowl on high until the butter is melted, about 1 minute. Whisk until the chocolate is also melted. Stir in the sugar until well blended. Whisk in the eggs and egg yolks, then add the vanilla. Stir in the flour. Divide the mixture among the custard cups.

Bake until the sides are firm and the centers are soft, about 13 minutes. Let stand 1 minute. Invert on individual plates while warm and serve with vanilla ice cream.

Ingredients:

Baking spray, for spraying custard cups

1 stick butter

2 ounces bittersweet chocolate

2 ounces semisweet chocolate1 1/4 cups powdered sugar

2 whole eggs

3 egg yolks

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

Mint Chocolate Chip, for serving

Bolognese Pasta

One of my favorite easy meals to have during a busy week is Spicy Bolognese Pasta. This easy recipe makes a delicious sauce that can be topped on any type of pasta. Although it takes a little time to make, it is very worth the wait. The recipe makes a ton of food and it is very easy to reheat. I discovered this recipe on the show Pioneer Woman on the Food Network

Steps to Creating this Dish:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium-low heat. 

2. Add the onions and cook until starting to turn translucent, a couple of minutes. 

3. Add the garlic and stir, cooking 1 minute, making sure not to brown the garlic.

4. Add the ground beef and cook until brown. 

5. Drain off most of the excess fat. 

6. Add the ground thyme, red pepper flakes and some salt and pepper. Stir to combine. 

8. Dump in the canned tomatoes with their juices. 

9. Stir, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. 

10. Cook for 30 minutes, stirring a couple of times. 

11. Uncover the pot and cook an additional 30 minutes.

12. Cook the rigatoni according to the package directions--don't overcook! 

13. Stir 1/4 to 1/2 cup grated Parmesan into the sauce. 

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoon olive oil

• 1/2 large onion, diced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 pounds ground beef

• 1 teaspoon ground thyme

• Red pepper flakes (varying)

• Salt and black pepper

• Two 14-ounce cans whole tomatoes

• Any type of pasta

• As much Parmesan as you like