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Crispy Smashed Potatoes

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Crispy Smashed Potatoes

I like to think of these as the grown up version of hash browns. They’re crispy and salty on the outside, soft, creamy and steamy on the inside. That was borderline food erotica for me to type. Let me take a second. 
Haha these are amazing. They’re so simple to make, and are the perfect snack to serve for #SuperBowlSunday, or as a great side dish to any meal. They’re also so versatile - why didn’t I cook up a bunch of bacon to toss on top of these?! You can keep them simple with coarse salt, fresh ground pepper and chopped herbs, or get fancy wit it and treat them like baked potatoes, topping them with cheese, sour cream, bacon, anything your tummy desires. K my mouth is watering - let’s get cookin! :) 

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Skinny Enchilada Stacks

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Skinny Enchilada Stacks

I’m not going to claim that I know how to make authentic enchiladas, or hell, Mexican food. These Enchilada Stacks are a great way to satisfy your craving for Mexican food without the extra work that comes with rolling each enchilada. The recipe is delicious - it tastes just like I remember, and is so easy to throw together. It might not look like the traditional thing, but trust me, it tastes just like the classic. Top off each serving with fresh Queso Fresco, tomatoes, avocado, lettuce, olives, and cilantro - the whole enchilada.

Believe it or not, this recipe is also #GlutenFree! Traditional yellow corn tortillas keep this nice and simple. I also used ground turkey instead of ground beef, and made my own taco seasoning. This is such a fun dish for entertaining or for a weeknight meal with your family. Chop up all the toppings and set up a little enchilada bar! That way everyone can customize their own :) Let’s get cookin :) 

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One Skillet Mediterranean Orzo

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One Skillet Mediterranean Orzo

One-skillet dinners are domestic salvation. Personally, I loathe pre-heating the oven. This dish is done in 15 minutes on the stovetop - easy enough for the guys in your life ;)  I love the idea of not having to boil pasta or wait for dinner to bake up in the oven! Most of my favorite recipes are done in one pan - check out my One-Skillet, No-Bake Lasagna! I love simple tricks that help you cut down on time and save extra steps in the kitchen! :) 
This recipe made me almost cry into my bowl. I’m serious - it’s so good. It’s packed with rich Italian flavors that remind you of your favorite baked pasta dish. Tender orzo pasta, hearty ground beef, tomatoes, bright spinach, and the glorious nuttiness of grated Parmesan. In 15 minutes. It’s easy, I promise :) Let’s get cookin! 

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Asian Chicken Meatballs

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Asian Chicken Meatballs

I’ve been on this never ending quest for delicious meatballs that aren’t dry. I’ve tried turkey and beef, and never quite get the flavor and consistency I am craving. I think I’m chasing this dreamy little meatball I had while overseas in Hong Kong…it was tender, packed with flavor, and so juicy. The elusive meatball, if you will :) 
These meatballs turned out really great, and satisfied my craving for the slow heat of ginger, balance of sweet and saltiness from a homemade teriyaki sauce, and the tender texture of ground chicken. 

I frequent a variety of supermarkets for different needs. My local Asian markets for most produce and some protein, Safeway and Whole Foods for organics, chicken, and seafood, and TJ’s for when I’m cooking just for myself. I love their small serving sizes. I have never really cooked with ground chicken before, but was delighted to find ground dark meat at my local Asian market, Sunset Super. A pound and a half was an alarming $3.49. I mean, you can’t really beat that. If your local butcher doesn’t have ground chicken readily available, feel free to ask the butcher to grind up 1 ½ lb of chicken breast for you. It’s actually best to always have a butcher grind your meat in front of you. I happened to use dark meat because it was available, but this works with ground chicken breast as well. 

Anyways, these meatballs are super easy to throw together. The secret is a ton of minced ginger and crushed pineapple, which give it the kick it needs, while staying moist! Let’s get cookin :) 

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The Best Chicken Piccata

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The Best Chicken Piccata

Happy New Year! I hope you all had a great end of the year. I’m looking forward to sharing some amazing recipes with you this year. Personally, I’ve been working hard to make better diet choices and cultivate healthier habits and it feels great :) 
One of my favorite dishes lately is classic Chicken Piccata. I’ve always thought it was a really difficult dish and have never attempted to make it for myself. Recently I gave it a try and loved how it turned out. I love being able to enjoy this at home without the restaurant price. 

Nutella Hot Chocolate

Nutella Hot Chocolate

I’m in looove with the cocoaa! Hahah, it’s almost Christmas! The holidays can be difficult for some, and nothing helps quite as much as a cozy cup of hot chocolate. This is the time of the year to indulge in sweets and surround yourself with loving family. This rich, decadent recipe for Nutella Hot Chocolate is the perfect thing to cuddle up with on a cold night. It kicks up regular hot cocoa a bit with the hazelnut goodness of Nutella. A pinch of salt creates a lovely balance, and you can top it off with a ton of homemade whip, marshmallows, and chocolate syrup if you wish. Easy peazy and great for entertaining :) 

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My Grandma's Yams

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My Grandma's Yams

These yams are simple and guaranteed to be delicious. Every family has their own version of yams. Some are really candied, sweet like dessert. Growing up, I loved my Grandma’s yams because they seemed to be enhanced versions of their natural sweetness. They weren’t glazed, or topped with marshmallows. The yams were addictive to me, and I think that’s because they weren’t crazy sweet. 

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Sweet Potato Chicken Hash

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Sweet Potato Chicken Hash

The holidays are my favorite time of the year. Despite cold weather and much needed rain, some of my favorite fruits and vegetables are in season, and it’s an overall cozy time :) I love sweet potatoes. They’re sweet, of course, packed with Vitamin A, and are really versatile. They can be used in both sweet and savory dishes, and are actually really easy to deal with in the kitchen. 
I’d like to share a few of my favorite sweet potato recipes with you all this winter. I usually have a stash in the pantry year round; I love to cook them in the microwave for the quickest Sweet Potato Mash you’ll ever have. I’ll be sharing that recipe soon!

For today’s recipe, I am sharing a yummy dish that can be eaten at any time of the day: a sweet potato hash, bulked up by tender chicken thighs and seasoned to perfection. You can, of course, top it all off with an egg, as any dish always gets better with the addition of runny yolk. This dish is the perfect comfort food, made healthier. The sweet potatoes become slightly crisp on the outside, filled with steamy sweetness, and the chicken is the perfect partner. Fresh parsley brings brightness and a pan-fried egg melds it all together into the most delicious and satisfying meal. Now let’s get cookin! :)

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Chicken, Kale & Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

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Chicken, Kale & Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

I admit, I skipped the #quinoa craze a few years ago. I thought it would be very similar to couscous, which I don’t have the taste for. Over the years I have of course, come to love quinoa, and its adaptability. So what is quinoa (keen-wah)? Well, officially, it’s a seed. However, it can be prepared just like whole grains such as rice or barley. It tastes great on its own, but is delicious when tossed in salads, stir-fries, or even to coat protein. It provides all 9 essential amino-acids, making it a complete protein. It’s also gluten-free and cholesterol free.

Cooking quinoa is super simple. Just remember that it’s a two-to-one ratio, just like rice. For every cup of quinoa, you will need 2 cups of water or broth. This will yield 3 cups of cooked quinoa. Rinse raw quinoa in cold water, and then bring the 1 cup of quinoa and 2 cups of water to a full, rolling boil. Once it reaches a boil, turn the heat down to a gentle simmer. Cover and let it cook for 15-20 minutes, depending on the package instructions. Once your timer is up, fluff with a fork. Simple!

DIY Medusa Halloween Costume

DIY Medusa Halloween Costume

Happy Halloween! I love that Halloween landed on a Friday this year! Plenty of parties to go to all weekend. This year I wanted to do a really fun DIY costume that didn’t take too much effort. I have always loved the powerful glare of Medusa’s stare. As a kid I loved learning about mythology and Medusa was definitely one of my favorites. Sexy, powerful, and iconic.