These are a Few of My Favorite Things

As you already know, I love cooking and baking.  I always like to try new recipes, but there are several old faithful crowd pleasers I know I can always count on.  I pinkie promise I will do some DTR studying today, but after a long 40 hour week I wanted to post something  for you foodies.  I added pictures to entice you and provided a link to each recipe.



Grilled Chicken Thighs with Ancho-Tequila Glaze
This a BBQ recipe from the magazine Cooking Light.  If you've never checked out the magazine, I highly suggest you do!  The recipes are on the lighter side, but always deliver on taste and the "yum" factor.  These are AMAZING.  Since I've moved back home, we've probably had them at least five times.  We usually skip the wood chips, use honey instead of agave, and regular chile powder instead of ancho; do what you want!  Promise me you will try these.  I can guarantee you will come back to them again and again.  

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/grilled-chicken-thighs-50400000122078/


Avalanche Bars
This recipe comes from the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.  They are extremely quick and only require a microwave, in fact the first time I made these was during the Super Bowl halftime this year.  If you are a fan of Rice Krispie treats and think they are easy, wait until you make and eat these.  When you cut them you are left with lots of yummy avalanche crumbs-don't even think about tossing them!  They are a great snack for the deserving cook. 

http://www.thesweetslife.com/2012/07/avalanche-bars.html



Pioneer Woman Restaurant Salsa
I'm completely obsessed with Ree Drummond, the "Pioneer Woman."  She is an unintentional cowgirl who lives on her family's cattle ranch.  Her food is simple yet satisfying and scrumptious.  Knock on wood, but everything I have made from her has been FANTASTIC!  I have tried her stuffed shells (delicious), shortbread cookies (the PERFECT recipe), dreamy apple pie (can you say whiskey whipped cream?)and tortilla soup (great to make for the whole week).  I have been on the wait list for her cookbook at the library, which is finally ready for me today.  I guess Christmas came early this year!  Anyways, this salsa is incredible and very easy to make; you will never buy pre-made salsa again.  This ingredients are mostly canned, with some fresh items that bring it to life.  Throw everything in the Cuisinart and you'll have about 2 jars of homemade salsa!  I hate spicy foods but accidentally doubled the jalapenos and didn't have a problem with the result.  I use this salsa everyday by mixing it with egg beaters, then scrambling them.  ¡Muy delicioso!

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/01/restaurant-style-salsa/



Baked Monster Cookies
Baked is a fantastic bakery in Brooklyn that makes these cookies containing peanut butter, oatmeal, chocolate chips, and M&M's.  This makes a ton of cookies, but they are a total crowd pleaser!  Just make sure people with nut allergies are aware they contain peanut butter.  I also think everyone should have a copy of at least one of their cookbooks.  They have fantastic classic dessert recipes.

http://www.annesage.com/blog/2009/01/to-die-for-recipe-monster-cookies.html


Green Goddess Tabbouleh 
This recipe looks and tastes healthy.  It's chock full of fresh herbs and I like to make it with quinoa for added protein.  I used to make it in college to have as a quick lunch or dinner during the week.  You can make it on Sunday and it holds very nicely throughout the week. 

http://www.greenlemonade.com/recipes-juices/green-goddess-quinoa-tabbouleh/


Vegan Blueberry Pie Pancakes 

These come from a great website called Chocolate Covered Katie which has tons of creative and yummy healthy dessert recipes.  I happen to love these with orange zest and toasted chopped almonds on top, yum!  Best thing (for me) about this recipe, is it only makes a single serving so you're not stuck standing over a stove and left with 27 extra pancakes.  You could make a couple little pancakes, but I like to make one huge and satisfying vegan blueberry masterpiece!

http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2011/06/09/blueberry-pie-pancakes/

Made these while nannying over the summer

Soft Pretzels
These are 100% impressive and from Alton Brown.  The recipe is surprisingly easy and produces the most beautiful pretzels you have seen, not to mention the smell that will fill your kitchen is going to make you think you died and went to heaven.  They look like pretzels you find on carts or at baseball games because they come out golden brown.  However, these taste ten times better than those you can buy from a vendor.  You actually boil these for about 30 seconds in water and baking soda prior to oven baking, similar to how bagels are made.  Don't hold the mustard either, it's a must for these golden beauties!  If you want, the link has a video from Alton's show where you can watch how the pretzels are made.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/homemade-soft-pretzels-recipe/index.html

A batch I made three weeks ago

Cake Mix Doctor's Mom's Layer Cake with Fluffy Chocolate Frosting
This has been my go to birthday cake and cupcake recipe for 5 years.  It's that good.  Yellow cake with chocolate frosting is the ultimate birthday cake to me, and this recipe has never failed me.  It's just as simple as making a cake with a cake mix, except you use whole milk (no other kind of milk will do) and melted butter instead of oil and water.  You also beat the batter until it is nice and fluffy.  The chocolate frosting is exceptionally fudgey and will cause you to turn your nose at those of the canned variety after you try it.  After I frost these cupcakes, I like to dip them in a plate full of rainbow sprinkles.  These will make you feel five years old and bring you back to a time where you looked forward to turning another year older.  

http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/moms-layer-cake-with-fluffy-chocolate-frosting-679347/


Ina Garten's Potato Salad
I have never been a fan of potato salad.  Whenever I saw it I always thought of mass amounts of mayonnaise .  This recipe was a game changer for me; Ina's recipe is light and tastes fresh with all of the herbs utilized.  You can also sub in Greek yogurt for the mayonnaise (Greek yogurt is absolutely amazing and full of protein, please please try it if you haven't!  In general yogurt is a great sub for sour cream or mayo in savory recipes.) http://www.food.com/recipe/ina-gartens-old-fashioned-salad-365727