December 10, 2015

Cherry Almond Bark

If you ever find yourself with some leftover melted chocolate, turn it into a very quick chocolate bark! I had leftover white chocolate from a recipe I was working on last week and so I made this Cherry Almond Bark. White chocolate is melted. A little dash of almond extract gets stirred in. Chocolate gets spread on a parchment lined baking sheet. Sprinkle a few dried cherries and almond slivers on top and pop it in the freezer for a couple of minutes. Instant bark! Serving size: ONE.

To see more of my Thursday Snack Ideas, follow my Pinterest Board!

And if you’re looking for some bark recipes for holiday gifts check out:

Crunchy Peppermint Bark

Cookies & Cream Peppermint Bark

Tropical Bark

recipes

December 9, 2015

Bacon Artichoke Dip

When I was a kid there were a few times when my mom took my brothers and I into the city to partake in some good ole market research testing. Yes, I do believe she let us keep all of the money. But I really didn’t need any because I had such a blast testing out different popcorn flavors and chocolate bars. I loved anything related to food when I was a kid and I had very clear opinions of how things should taste (nothing’s changed). Flash forward SEVERAL years and I found myself on a trip to Oregon to visit the Kettle Brand Chip factory. There was a wonderful dinner that was inspired by the Kettle Brand chip flavors and a tour of the facility where we got to see how chips are made from start to finish. I felt like I was in a hybrid movie of Willy Wonka and an episode of How It’s Made (we love that show!). It was fascinating!

Please, let’s not discuss how many potato chips I ate in a 24 hour period.

During our trip, there was a really fun breakout session with their “Flavor Architects” where we talked about all of their chip flavors- the ones that failed and the ones that have stood the test of time. We also got to mix our own flavors for chips. I think I made a wacko lemon pepper combination. It was good fun.

To be honest with you, I am kind of a chip purist. I always make fun of Casey for loving vanilla ice cream because I think it’s so basic, but I understand it now. In the way that you can measure how good an ice cream company is by their vanilla, you can measure a chip company by their base. In this case, I love Kettle Brand‘s Sea Salt. Although their Baked version is also ahhhhmazing and I wouldn’t say no to a bag (or three) of Pepperoncini.

I think it’s good to have a hot dip in your arsenal during the holiday season. When I think about the flavors of Christmas, I get nostalgic for my mom’s Baked Artichoke Squares. I wanted to take that flavor profile and turn it into Bacon Artichoke Dip. Same great taste like the artichoke squares, except it’s super creamy with a smoky infusion thanks to the bacon. Why not push it over the edge of deliciousness and serve this hot dip with some amazing chips?

recipes

December 8, 2015

Cinnamon Sugar Wonton Crisps

I’ve been working on a side gig- taking pictures for all of the recipes cards for my friend Catherine’s new company, One Potato. It’s an organic meal delivery service geared around families. I shoot about 5 new recipe cards each week. It’s been a fun project to work on because I get to make lists (favorite), take photos (hello FAVORITE), prepare great meals, and use my brain in a whole new way. I also really like that it’s introduced new ingredients into my kitchen repertoire like- wonton wrappers.

I worked on a mushu chicken recipe a few weeks ago and had to fry some wonton crisps for the shoot. I only needed a little bit, but I had a whole package of wontons so I fried the rest. I proceeded to eat a bunch and then tossed them in a combination of sugar, cinnamon in salt. Talk about ADDICTIVE. It was the first time I fried wontons and it most certainly won’t be my last!

We used to go to a Chinese restaurant down the street when I was a kid and they served us fried wontons. I always plowed through them…dipping them into Chinese hot mustard. These Cinnamon Sugar Wonton Crisps are like those fried wontons met a Taco Bell cinnamon crisp situation from my childhood. Remember those? Like…the ones from the 80s? They don’t make them like they used to. What I’m getting at is that my childhood dreams have come true. I am an adult who can make cinnamon sugar wonton crisps when I please.

Perfect for a crowd!

People can’t stop eating them.

I can’t stop eating them!

You’ll see what I mean.

Inspiration

December 7, 2015

Homemade Gift Ideas 2015

Holiday cards are ordered, tree is up, mantle is decorated and most of my holiday presents should arrive soon so I can wrap them all up…but what am I giving out for my homemade gift this year? Not sure! I have my on a coconut blondie recipe and am thinking of some type of infusion or something! I don’t know… we still have plenty of time to make homemade gifts. Let’s dip into my archives and brainstorm all the things we could easily make for our loved ones this holiday season!