Tag Archives: easy

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Brownie Sundaes

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Guys, I know Valentine’s Day gets a bad rap for being too sweet, too commercial, too much…but! I’ve always been a believer in celebrating this day of love and appreciation, whether one is coupled or not. Before I met Sean, all of my Valentine’s were more of a Leslie Knope a la Galentine’s situation…which isn’t bad at all, if you ask me. I love my friends and my girlfriends are so very near and dear to my heart. Girlfriend’s are my spirit animal. It’s just the truth.

So, basically  what I’m saying is that even if you’d rather scrooge the day away, don’t do it alone. Or at least, don’t eat dessert alone. This brownie sundae was made for sharing, you can double up on the brownies and the ice cream and the fudge and just attack it with two spoons–as singles, as friends, as couples, whatevs! and whether it’s romantic or platonic, it’s the day to celebrate the loves of your life! Hugs and sundaes all around!

 

Brownie Sundaes

I cut the brownies out with heart cutters and mini heart cutters to up the festive/cute factor. This is a totally optional step, you can simply cut them into generous squares. These sundaes come together quickly using store-bought ice cream. You can use whatever brownie recipe you love, below I have my favorite. The fudge sauce really is no-nonsense, it comes together perfectly and swiftly in the microwave. The brownie and fudge recipe make enough for several sundaes. 

Brownies (recipe below)

No Nonsense Hot Fudge (recipe below)

Ice Cream (softened slightly for easy scooping)

Toasted Almonds (optional)

If the brownies are room temperature or chilled, pop in the microwave in 10 second bursts until just warm. Place a brownie (or two) in the center of a bowl, spoon a bit of warm fudge over the top of the brownie. Dish out 2-3 scoops of ice cream, top with more hot fudge and almonds (if using). Serve with two spoons.

Spiced Cocoa Brownies

adapted from this recipe. 

10 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 1/4 cups sugar

3/4 cup cocoa plus 2 Tablespoons

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

2 cold eggs

1/2 cup flour

1 tablespoon of sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon cayenne

Preheat oven to 325*F. Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment and grease well. Set aside.

In a saucepan over medium-low heat melt the butter. Stir in the sugar, cocoa, salt and vanilla, to moisten and combine well. Remove the pan from heat and allow to cool a few minutes–until no longer hot, but still warm to the touch. The mixture may appear grainy and a bit greasy.

Once the mixture has cooled to warm and the pan is no longer burning-hot, vigorously whisk in the eggs one at a time until completely incorporated–the mixture should be smooth and shiny. Fold in the flour, fold about 40 times. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan.

In a small bowl whisk together the tablespoon of sugar, cinnamon, and cayenne. Sprinkle the sugar mixture evenly over the top of the brownie batter. Bake in the center of the oven for about 20-24 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the brownie comes out with a few moist crumbs. Cool completely before cutting.

No-Nonsense Hot Fudge

recipe from Take a Megabite

2/3 (1, 5 oz. can) cup evaporated milk

4 Tablespoons unsalted butter

pinch of salt

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup confectioner’s sugar

In a large, heatproof measuring cup combine all of the ingredients. Using the microwave on high, microwave the mixture in 30 second bursts, stirring after each, until the mixture is melted, smooth, and mixed well–about 2 minutes total. Allow the fudge to set up a 1-3 minutes for the best consistency.

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Easy + Light Potato Soup

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Happy 2013, y’all!

As always, I am striving for balance in the new year. After weeks of hearty meals and many cookies, I’m realistic enough to know that while a few weeks of lighter meals may be on the horizon–I’ll never give up dessert.

So, in an effort to find and maintain some balance, I made you this soup. Actually, I’ve made this soup 5 times in the last 3 weeks. It’s so dang good and filling! It’s the first potato soup I have ever made, myself. A lot of recipes call for cream or half-and-half, but when it comes to dinner, I struggle with the thought of consuming cups of either as part of a balanced meal. Instead, I subbed in reduced-fat milk, making the bulk of the soup with stock. There are some vegetables in there for good measure–and I bet you could sub some of the potatoes with cauliflower with great results. Even without the heavy dairy, this soup is creamy and satisfying. Topping the soup with some choice garnishes–bacon, green onions, and greek yogurt, in this case–make this simple potato soup a totally flavorful and filling meal.

Easy Potato Soup

Serves 4-6

I use reduced-fat milk in this recipe with great results, but to keep it from separating once it boils, I mix the cold milk with cornstarch to bind it. 

2-2.5 pounds potatoes, peeled and diced into 1/2-1/4 inch cubes

1 Tablespoon olive oil

1 celery stalk, diced fine

1 carrot, diced fine

1/2 large onion or 1 small onion, diced fine

3 cloves garlic, minced

salt and pepper, to taste

4 cups stock (I like to use either vegetable or chicken)

2 cups reduced-fat milk (I used 2%)

1.5 Tablespoons cornstarch

Garnishes I’m into: crisp bacon, green onions or chives, cheese, sour cream or greek yogurt, roasted tomatoes, croutons.

Place the peeled and diced potatoes in a large bowl of cool water, to prevent from oxidizing. Set aside.

Measure out the milk and whisk in the cornstarch, to combine and dissolve completely. Set aside.

In a soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the celery, carrot, and onion, sprinkle lightly with salt and sweat until translucent and tender–about 3-5 minutes. Add the garlic, stir, and cook another minute. Drain and add the potatoes, followed by the stock. Bring the pot to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer–taste for seasoning, add salt and pepper if desired–and cook for about 15 minutes–or until the potatoes are very tender. Turn off the heat and using an immersion blender (or regular blender), blend the milk/cornstarch mixture into the soup. Continue to blend until the soup is smooth and creamy. Return to the heat and bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer to keep warm until ready to serve.

Garnish as desired.

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Zucchini Boats – 3 Cheese and Roasted Tomato

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While I love warm, sunshiney summer days…I am a total fool for drizzly, overcast, cool weather. I blame the foolishness on so many dry, cloudless years in the desert. This weekend was a welcome (to me!) respite from heat and humidity in Michigan. It was rainy and a little cool, there were clouds and a bit of thunder, and just the teensiest hint of fall in the air.

As a fool for cool, autumnal days, I always eagerly anticipate the change of the season as summer winds down. I (prematurely) switch my candles, bust out a pumpkin or two, and begin to bake and cook with fall in mind. This recipe takes the late summer bounty of zucchini and tomatoes, and pairs it with plenty of baked and bubbly cheese–making this dish a transition from fresh summer fare to baked, cheesy, comfort.

Zucchini Boats with 3 Cheeses and Roasted Tomatoes

Not only does this dish pair fresh, summer vegetables with a warm, casserole situation, it’s super easy and meatless main or side dish. PS, there’s a lot of cheese in this dish…I just like it that way. 

1 pint grape tomatoes, or other small tomatoes

3 medium zucchinis

salt/pepper

1/2 cup ricotta

1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated

1/2 cup grated mozzarella

1-2 teaspoons finely chopped basil

1 1/2 cups prepared marinara–homemade or storebought

Preheat oven to 400*F.

Spread tomatoes evenly on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake tomatoes in the oven for 15-20 minutes until tomatoes begin to burst, release juices, and start to caramelize around the bottom. Remove from oven and set aside to cool.

In a medium bowl mix together ricotta, parmesan, mozzarella, and basil, season lightly with salt and pepper. Set aside.

Halve zucchinis, scrape out the seeds with a spoon creating a well–being sure to leave 1/4 inch or so of flesh around the edges, ends, and bottoms. Season zucchini boats with salt and pepper. Spread the marinara sauce evenly in a 9×13 inch baking dish. Nestle the zucchini boats into the sauce. Gently fold the cooled, roasted tomatoes into the cheese mixture. Generously fill each zucchini boat with the cheese and tomato filling. Bake in the 400*F oven for 20-30 minutes until zucchini become tender and the cheese is bubbling and starting to brown in spots. Remove from oven and cool 5 minutes before serving.

 

 

 

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Creamy Coconut Ice Pops {Plus, Giveaway!}

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First thing, these pops. They are easy going, laid back, summertime dudes. They are dairy free, egg free, gluten free, and totes vegan. I almost never try to make my food vegan, but sometimes it happens and it’s a total bonus. Second bonus, you can make these with just THREE ingredients, plus a tiny pinch of salt and spice.

These pops happened that way, I wanted to make an easy, frozen treat and since coconut milk is such a creamy-dream and super easy to find, I decided to make it into an ice pop. For extra goodness, I added a liberal amount of toasted coconut flakes and a pinch of cinnamon, since I find it amazing with toasty coconut, as well as pure maple syrup to sweeten the deal. The pops are super coconut-y, decadently creamy and sweet, and just a hint spicy. They are cooling, yet feel so indulgent…and are perfect for sharing with your coconut loving comrades.

Second thing…GIVEAWAY! This giveaway is just a few favorites that I love to bake with or just have around to fancy up my life. I purchased all of the items below from Bake It Pretty. You can enter this giveaway THREE times.

1. Leave me a comment, tell me what you’re obsessed with lately (I’m obsessed with ice pops, Game of Thrones, and pink nail polish, fyi…).

2. Follow me on Twitter and share this post…come back here and leave a comment to let me know!

3. Follow Hungry Girl por Vida on Facebook and share this post…come back here and leave a comment to let me know!

Please be sure to leave your email or a link to your own blog (if you have one), so I can contact you if you win. Giveaway closes on Tuesday, July 31st at midnight. Any entries after midnight will not be counted. I will choose a winner at random (via random.org) and announce the winner on my blog on Wednesday, August 1st. Good Luck!

And, HERE is what you can win…finally, jeez.

{PS…I won’t be responding to comments as-usual for this post since it’s a giveaway. Please feel free to email, tweet, or leave me a message on facebook if you have any pressing questions or comments.}

Creamy Coconut Ice Pops

Originally, I had the idea to use honey for the sweetener, but to keep it on the vegan side I used maple syrup instead. If you want to ensure vegan satisfaction, use 100% pure maple syrup. 

1 can coconut milk, stirred well

1/3 cup maple syrup

heaping 1/2 cup toasted coconut flake, unsweetened variety

tiny pinch each cinnamon and salt

Stir together all ingredients to combine well. Divide mixture among 6-7 popsicle molds and freeze for 30 minutes. Insert sticks and continue to freeze for at least 6 additional hours.