Salted Chocolate Espresso Brookies (Brownie Cookies)

Where do I start? These are by far, my very favorite cookie recipe. They contain chocolate, coffee and are salty and sweet. Who doesn't like all of those ingredients!? I have to plan ahead when I make these because they sit for one hour prior to baking, but can still be completed in an afternoon for dessert. 

Ingredients

• 10 ounces bittersweet chocolate, roughly chopped
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons instant espresso powder
• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• ¾ cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Sea salt, for sprinkling

Directions

1. Melt 8 ounces of chocolate, the butter, and espresso powder in the top of a double boiler placed over simmering water, stirring until smooth and melted. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl to combine.
3. Whisk together the eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl to combine. Add the melted chocolate mixture and whisk until fully incorporated. Fold in the flour mixture and remaining 2 ounces of chocolate and mix until just combined. Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or overnight.
4. Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a few baking sheets with parchment paper. Drop the dough onto the baking sheets, spacing the cookies 1-inch apart. Bake for about 10 minutes, until the tops are dry and cracked. Remove from the oven and top with a pinch of sea salt. Let cool for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely.

http://www.mydailymorsel.com/2014/08/21/salted-chocolate-espresso-brookies/

Marcona Almond Pesto

Ingredients:

2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
½ cup marcona almonds (I bought these at Costco)
½ cup grated Natural & Kosher parmesan
2 garlic cloves, peeled
juice of 1/2 lemon (about 2 tbsp)
1/2 tsp lemon zest
1/2-3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

Place all ingredients except the olive oil in a food processor or blender and blend until roughly chopped. Slowly add the olive oil until the mixture turns into a creamy spread. 

Grilled Peaches with Cinnamon Marscapone

INGREDIENTS
1 cup mascarpone cheese or cream cheese
2 tablespoons milk or cream
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons honey, warmed
1 tablespoon butter, melted
1 tablespoon peach brandy (optional)
6 ripe freestone peaches, halved and pitted
Mint sprigs, for serving



DIRECTIONS
1) Start the Traeger on Smoke with the lid open until the fire is established (4 to 5 minutes). Set the temperature to High and preheat, lid closed, for 10 to 15 minutes.

2) Using an electric mixer, beat the mascarpone cheese, milk, brown sugar, and cinnamon until light and fluffy. Set aside. (Can be made up to 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.)

3) Combine the honey, butter, and peach brandy, if using, in a small bowl. Brush the cut sides of the peaches with the mixture.

4) Grill the peaches, cut sides down, for 10 to 12 minutes, or until they are nicely marked.

5) Transfer to plates or bowls (two peach halves per serving) and top with a dollop of the mascarpone cheese mixture. Garnish with mint sprigs.

Easy Roast Chicken

Ingredients
1 whole chicken, broken down into 8 pieces (skin on and bone-in preferable)
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp light brown sugar
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
3 tbsp olive oil
4 shallots, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
Handful of fresh parsley (Free from the garden!)
Salt and Pepper

Directions*
We cooked ours in an aluminum pan on the Traeger Grill for 45 minutes. You can cook it in the oven with the directions below:

1. Preheat oven to 425º

2. In a large baking dish, combine marinade and toss with chicken. Season well.
3. Place chicken pieces skin side up and roast for 30 minutes until it begins to brown. Remove and baste with marinade. Flip pieces and bake a remaining 10 minutes or until chicken is cooked.
4. Garnish with lots of fresh parsley

Details
Cooking Time: 50 Minutes  |  6 Servings  |  328 Cal  |  2g Carbs  |  12g Fat  |  50g Protein
Original recipe here: http://www.myfridgefood.com/Recipes/21222/Easy-Roast-Chicken#OjLCv6CVgim6b6fz.99

Pineapple Cucumber Salsa

My kids and I eat at Moe's Southwest restaurant often and I was hesitant to try this salsa. I do not like cucumbers at all. Something told me to try it and I fell in love with it. I ran home and picked the cucumbers from my garden and made my first batch. 

I recommend using fresh pineapple but it's super important to be sure that it's ripe. It has the most flavor but the can will do just fine if you don't have the time to cut and core a pineapple. 


Ingredients
1-1/2 Cups finely chopped fresh pineapple
1 Cup finely chopped seedless cucumber
1/4 Cup lime juice

1/4 Cup finely chopped red onion

2 Tablespoons minced fresh cilantro

4-1/2 Teaspoons chopped seeded jalapeno pepper

1 Garlic clove, minced

1 Teaspoon grated lime peel

1/4 Teaspoon salt

Directions
Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate for at least 2 hours

Adapted from: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/pineapple-cucumber-salsa#ixzz38tEqyU51

Chocolate Cherry Chip Ice Cream

Ingredients

3/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
pinch salt
1 cup whole milk
2 cups heavy cream
1/2 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

1/2 c Black Cherries, chopped (I used a bag of frozen, black cherries that were already pitted)

1 Hershey Chocolate bar, chopped

Instructions

In a medium bowl, whisk together the cocoa, sugars and salt. Add the milk and, using a hand mixer on low speed or a whisk, beat to combine until the cocoa, sugars and salt are dissolved. Stir in the heavy cream and vanilla. Pour the mixture into the ice cream maker and let mix until thickened, about 15 to 20 minutes. I added the cherries and chocolate chips with about 5 minutes left. The ice cream will have a soft, creamy texture. If a firmer consistency is desired, transfer the ice cream to an airtight container and place in freezer for about 2 hours. 

Notes

Adapted from https://www.cuisinart.com/recipes/desserts/6006.html

Cinnamon Raisin Energy Bites

Ingredients

3/4 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup honey
1 cup rolled oats

1/4 cup ground flax seed
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup raisins
1/4 cup Protein Powder (Optional - I used Chocolate)

Instructions

Pour peanut butter and honey into a medium bowl and microwave for 20 seconds to soften. Add remaining ingredients and stir until thoroughly mixed. Let mixture chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Roll into 1″ sized balls and place on wax or parchment paper.

Notes

Store in an airtight container and refrigerate them. Adapted from: http://blog.candiquik.com/cinnamon-raisin-energy-bites/