holidays

Strawberry Balsamic Dessert Salsa with Cinnamon Sugar Chips

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Strawberry Balsamic SalsaIt’s February! Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, which means…well if you have kids it probably means just another day of the week. BUT, you can change that thought with this beautiful strawberry balsamic dessert salsa. It’s about taking that 10 minutes with the person/people you love to enjoy each other and enjoy this food. Don’t forget the food. Very important. 

Strawberry Balsamic SalsaI do love a little chocolate-y goodness around Valentine’s Day. Yes, I sure do. BUT, this is a special, festive dessert recipe that requires no chocolate! The chocolate is optional, of course, for those of you who just can’t part with it. Like me. I do have to say though that the strawberry “salsa” along with the cinnamon sugar tortilla chips brings more than enough enjoyment for one dessert. 

Strawberry Balsamic SalsaI love that this is a little bit of a more adult-y dessert in that there are fancy* ingredients and it doesn’t make you feel like you’ve eaten so much sugar that you might throw up afterwards. It’s delectable and lovely and the balsamic vinegar helps bring out the natural sweetness of the strawberries and vice versa. It just makes me so happy! *Side note: Balsamic vinegar definitely qualifies as “fancy”. So don’t judge. Thanks 🙂

Strawberry Balsamic SalsaI will say that even though this seems like a “grown up” dessert, the kids will be sure to enjoy this too. Our little guy was begging for tortilla chips after his first bite! So if the people you love include your kids, don’t go about making them the leaning tower of chocolate for Valentine’s Day. Give them (and yourself) a little sweet treat with this gorgeous strawberry dessert!

Strawberry Balsamic Salsa

Strawberry Balsamic Dessert Salsa with Cinnamon Sugar Chips
Serves 10
Cinnamon Sugar tortilla chips served up with a delectable strawberry and balsamic "salsa"
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Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
10 min
Total Time
1 hr
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
10 min
Total Time
1 hr
Ingredients for the Strawberry Salsa
  1. 2 1/2 cups finely diced strawberries (about 1 pint of strawberries)
  2. 3 tablespoons white sugar
  3. 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  4. 1 teaspoon minced fresh mint, optional
  5. 1/4 teaspoon lemon zest
  6. Chocolate sauce, optional
For the Tortilla Chips
  1. 10 (8-inch) tortillas
  2. cooking spray
  3. 1/2 cup white sugar
  4. 2 tablespoons cinnamon
Instructions
  1. Mix together the ingredients for the strawberry salsa. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
  2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  3. Spray the tortillas with the cooking spray. Mix together the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and evenly distribute over the tortillas.
  4. Use a pizza cutter to cut each tortilla into 8 wedges.
  5. Bake on ungreased baking sheets (in a single layer) for 8-10 minutes, until they start to crisp.
  6. Let cool on cooling racks.
  7. Serve chips with strawberry salsa and chocolate sauce (optional).
Notes
  1. I used olive oil cooking spray but you can use any kind you have. You could also melt a few tablespoons of butter and brush it on before sprinkling with the cinnamon sugar mixture.
Flavor From Scratch https://www.flavorfromscratch.com/

Christmas Eve Hot Chocolate

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Christmas Eve Hot ChocolateEvery year growing up we used to leave milk and cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve. That tradition is sure to continue with our little one. However, I don’t think Santa would mind ONE bit if we left him some of this hot chocolate instead of milk along with his cookies. In fact, I’m POSITIVE he would love it. 

Christmas Eve Hot ChocolateThis is a *super* rich and creamy version of hot chocolate that will leave your whole body warmed. Notice the sweetened condensed milk pouring into this pot of cream and whole milk…Yeah. It’s rich. In fact, I’d say it’s on a totally different planet than the “hot chocolate” packets that often pop up. Don’t get me wrong, I still use powdered hot cocoa and love it. But for Christmas Eve, this version is certainly a treat worth having. Santa will leave your house so, so happy. 

Christmas Eve Hot ChocolateThe only comparison I can come up with is the hot chocolate Travis and I had on our final night in Italy a few years ago. We were sitting in a cozy cafe near the leaning tower of Pisa. Stop right there. Picture that stunning image for a second…Okay, proceed. We wanted to treat ourselves to a little something and decided on hot chocolate. That was a genius idea. I think had the best hot chocolate of my life there. Now, this might not be an identical recipe, but it sure did bring me back to that little cafe. All the good feels came back real quick.

Christmas Eve Hot ChocolateChristmas Eve hot chocolate is almost like a pause button on life. With all the stress of Christmas – running around to see family, wrapping presents, making endless food, traffic, decorating, etc. – this hot chocolate will force you to sit and enjoy the little things of life. Even if just for a minute. And it will put a SMILE on your face! What more can you ask for?! Maybe some peppermint truffles to go with it?? Yeah. That’s what you can ask for 🙂

Christmas Eve Hot Chocolate
Serves 8
Rich and creamy hot chocolate recipe from scratch
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Prep Time
2 min
Cook Time
10 min
Total Time
12 min
Prep Time
2 min
Cook Time
10 min
Total Time
12 min
Ingredients
  1. 3 cups whole milk
  2. 2 cups heavy cream
  3. 1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 ounces)
  4. 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted*
  5. 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  6. pinch of salt
Instructions
  1. Whisk together milk, cream, and sweetened condensed milk in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat until tiny bubbles just begin to form along the edges.
  2. Whisk in the melted chocolate chips, vanilla extract, and pinch of salt until evenly distributed.
  3. Serve warm with whipped cream, marshmallows, or your topping of choice!
Notes
  1. To melt the chocolate chips, you can either melt them over a double boiler or in the microwave. To microwave, heat in 30 second intervals, mixing each time, until the chocolate chips are melted.
Flavor From Scratch https://www.flavorfromscratch.com/

Peppermint Chocolate Sandwich Cookie Truffles

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peppermint sandwich cookie truffleDecember is holiday time! Yay! When I think holidays (especially Christmas), I think peppermint. It’s just so festive and fun! You will definitely get your peppermint fill with these peppermint chocolate sandwich cookie truffles. OH. MY. YUM. If you’re confused what I mean by “chocolate sandwich cookie”, it’s just a very generic way of saying peppermint “Oreo” truffles. I decided not to play favorites because I did indeed use the generic brand that was labelled “chocolate sandwich cookies.” Guaranteed delicious no matter the brand. For reals.

peppermint sandwich cookie truffleI remember making chocolate sandwich cookie truffles in middle school home ec. class (Am I dating myself here? Do they still have that class??). In fact, I think that’s the only recipe I remember making in that class because, well, chocolate. You can’t forget a delicious chocolate recipe. Also, the original recipe literally has 3 ingredients…sandwich cookies, cream cheese, and chocolate chips. You don’t even really need a recipe for that. SCORE!

peppermint sandwich cookie truffleI used my homemade peppermint extract in this recipe. Amazing! Couple notes if you use a homemade extract…First of all, this isn’t baked so if you use an alcohol base in your extract, it will have a very small amount of alcohol in the final recipe (split over about 50 truffles). Also, I actually used a little extra extract than the recipe calls for (about 3 teaspoons instead of 2 teaspoons) because I find the homemade stuff isn’t quite as strong as store-bought. However, you also have peppermint candy cane dust to bring the peppermint flavor home so it’s not a huge deal if the extract isn’t super strong.

peppermint sandwich cookie truffleI love a strong peppermint flavor so you know for sure that something is peppermint. I ended up adding more and more peppermint to get the right flavor. I think I finally got there with this final recipe! Don’t forget a little candy cane garnish so everyone knows what deliciousness there is in that perfect little truffle!

peppermint sandwich cookie truffleIf you love a peppermint and chocolate combo, check out these chocolate mint crinkle cookies. You will not be disappointed. I plan on making them again this weekend because you can never have enough!

Peppermint Chocolate Sandwich Cookie Truffle
Yields 50
Mint and chocolate truffle
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Prep Time
30 min
Total Time
1 hr 45 min
Prep Time
30 min
Total Time
1 hr 45 min
Ingredients
  1. 1 package chocolate sandwich cookies (14.3-ounce, such as Oreos)
  2. 3 peppermint candy canes (plus 1-2 more for garnish)
  3. 8-ounce package of cream cheese
  4. 2 teaspoons peppermint extract
  5. 12-16 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate chips*
Instructions
  1. Crush the sandwich cookies with a rolling pin (or in a food processor) until they are a fine crumb. Set aside.
  2. Use a food processor to pulverize 3 candy canes into fine pieces. You are almost looking for a dust-like consistency but a few fine pieces are okay (you definitely don't want someone to bite down on a large chunk of candy cane).
  3. Using a stand mixer or a handheld mixer, beat together the cream cheese and peppermint extract until blended.
  4. Beat in the crushed cookies and candy cane.
  5. Form into 1" balls using a cookie scoop and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  6. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  7. While the truffles are cooling in the refrigerator, prep the peppermint garnish by crushing or food processing 1-2 candy canes into small pieces to sprinkle over the top.
  8. Right before the truffles are ready to come out of the refrigerator, melt the chocolate chips over a double boiler. Alternatively, you can melt the chocolate in a microwave in 30-second increments, stirring after each increment.
  9. Dip each truffle into the chocolate using 2 spoons to help the excess chocolate drip off. Place truffles on a parchment-lined baking sheet and immediately top with the peppermint garnish.
  10. Let the chocolate set before storing in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator.
Notes
  1. I ended up using one 12-ounce bag of chocolate chips plus about another 1/4 cup. You might be able to make it with just the 1 bag, but I'd recommend having more handy, just in case.
Flavor From Scratch https://www.flavorfromscratch.com/

Corn Casserole from Scratch

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Corn CasseroleI’m pretty sure any blog is incomplete without the obligatory corn casserole recipe around this time of year. Sometimes, if I’m feeling fancy I call it a corn souffle. Because, you know, casseroles get a bad rap a lot of times (they really deserve more, if you ask me). And maybe sometimes I call it spoon bread. Just because. Who knows?! Regardless of whatever I decide to call it at the moment, I have to admit that I find myself drooling a little bit every time I see corn casserole/souffle/spoon bread. SO, SO GOOD! Most recipes use a corn muffin mix as a base, which is scrumptious. BUT this one is just as amazing and made completely from scratch! YAY!

Corn CasseroleI haven’t made this recipe more than like one other time in our marriage because I was SURE that Travis wasn’t a fan. It’s funny how notions like that get stuck in our heads because as it turns out he really does like it. He even asked why I haven’t made it more. At that point I wasn’t sure if I should cry a tear for all the missed corn casserole opportunities or jump for joy for the many corn casseroles in our future. I just played it cool in reality. Didn’t want to seem like a total food dork, even if I am one.

Corn CasseroleThe real test was on our 1-year-old son, who has decided corn is on the “do not eat” list. He literally finds every piece of food he doesn’t like (a.k.a. almost every vegetable) and promptly drops them on the floor. I like to tell myself he’s a future scientist and is testing the laws of gravity, but I think I have to accept that he just likes dropping food he thinks is disgusting on the ground. We ate this casserole 3 times during different meals. The 1st two times the corn casserole ended up on the floor. BUT, 3rd time is a charm because….SUCCESS! My child actually ate corn! Without any sort of manipulation or begging on my part. Major win.

So I’ve learned a few lessons here. First, make sure to ask your husband/significant other/whoever you cook for if they like or dislike something before assuming one way or another. Next, persistence is key with a 1-year-old. Finally, I’ve learned that my love of corn casseroles is for reals and I will be making many more variations in my near future. 

Corn CasseroleSide note…We ate a random helping of sides with this including orange pomegranate coleslaw and my recently posted Thanksgiving dinner rolls. Sometimes side dishes are where it’s at! I just realized my “side note” talked about sides. HA! I crack myself up sometimes.

Corn Casserole from Scratch
Serves 8
Traditional corn casserole from scratch
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Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 5 min
Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 5 min
Ingredients
  1. 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
  2. 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
  3. 1 tablespoon baking powder
  4. 1/2 teaspoon salt
  5. 15.25 ounce can sweet corn, drained
  6. 14.75 ounce can cream style golden corn
  7. 1 cup sour cream (plus extra for garnish)
  8. 2 eggs
  9. 1/2 cup melted butter (1 stick)
  10. 3 tablespoons sugar
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl (flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt).
  3. Mix together wet ingredients in a medium bowl (corn, cream style corn, sour cream, eggs, butter, and sugar).
  4. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir until combined.
  5. Pour mixture into an 8x8" greased baking pan. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the center is set and the top just starts to lightly brown.
  6. Serve warm with sour cream on top.
Flavor From Scratch https://www.flavorfromscratch.com/

Thanksgiving Dinner Rolls

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Thanksgiving dinner rollsAs it turns out, there are lots of different kinds of dinner rolls. There are light and fluffy ones, flaky ones, enormous ones…The list could go on, of course. But let’s get to business. These dinner rolls are the kind of dinner rolls that stick to your ribs and fill your belly. They are dense and bread-y, but not in a hard-as-a-rock way. They’re definitely more of a wow-I-could-eat-the-whole-pan-but-there-are-7-cups-of-flour-in-there way. Yeah…I said 7 cups of flour. That’s a lot, right?!? But if you read the title of the post, you know these are for Thanksgiving and I’ve heard calories don’t count on Thanksgiving so we’re good. *Fact: My last statement was definitely NOT a fact. Calories, do, indeed count on Thanksgiving but shhhh…no one has to know.*

Thanksgiving dinner rollsOne of the reasons I love these dinner rolls so much are that they came from Travis’ grandma, who, you guessed it…made them at Thanksgiving (and basically every holiday). It’s definitely a most delicious tradition to keep alive for many future generations if you ask me. As soon as Travis took a bite of one of these rolls, he went quiet except for the, “These rolls are so good” interjection. I’ll take that as a win for me for following a recipe well. However, I must say this process was not without help from my mother-in-law and Travis’ grandma for advice, of course. There may have been a few calls/texts involved. We got there. And the dinner rolls turned out wonderful!

Thanksgiving dinner rollsFunny story about these rolls…one time a few years back my brother-in-law unknowingly said to his grandma that he would’t need the recipe for her rolls since they were store-bought. Even after 20-some years of eating grandma’s beloved rolls, he was sure they had to come from the store because “they were so perfect” (that might be a paraphrase, but you get the point). Needless to say, he was quickly corrected and I’m pretty sure his appreciation of his grandma’s rolls grew even more. I’m also sure he won’t make that mistake again.

Thanksgiving dinner rollsI know we’re a couple weeks out from Thanksgiving. There is a WHOLE lot to do on Thanksgiving and Thanksgiving Eve (if that’s a thing). One great part about these rolls is you can take them out of the oven, cool them and freeze them. Then a day or so before Thanksgiving, defrost them, stick them in a warm oven for a few minutes to heat them up then brush the melted butter on top. So make them now and have them ready to go for Thanksgiving! Win, win!

Thanksgiving Dinner Rolls
Yields 24
Stick-to-your-ribs dinner rolls to please a crowd
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Prep Time
25 min
Cook Time
25 min
Total Time
3 hr 30 min
Prep Time
25 min
Cook Time
25 min
Total Time
3 hr 30 min
Ingredients
  1. 1 1/2 cups warm water (105-115 degrees Fahrenheit)
  2. 4 tablespoons sugar, divided
  3. 1 package active dry yeast (or 2 1/4 teaspoons)
  4. 7 cups all-purpose flour, divided
  5. 1 cup milk
  6. 3 tablespoons shortening
  7. 1 tablespoon salt
  8. 2 tablespoons melted butter, to brush on top
Instructions
  1. In a large bowl, combine warm water, 2 tablespoons sugar, and package of yeast. Stir in 2 cups of the flour, until the mixture is smooth. Let rise about 1 hour. The mixture should appear light and spongy when it's done rising.
  2. While the sponge mixture is rising, scald the milk in a saucepan over medium heat (until tiny bubbles just begin to form on the outside rim). Remove from heat and add shortening, salt, and remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar. Stir until the shortening melts. Let cool to room temperature.
  3. Once the sponge has risen, stir the milk mixture into the sponge. Stir in the remaining 5 cups of flour until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
  4. Place in a greased bowl and brush dough with oil or shortening. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.
  5. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 24 pieces (yes, this takes a little math planning. You can do it!). Shape each piece into a ball. Place all the dough balls in a greased 9x13 metal cake pan. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for about another hour.
  6. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  7. Bake rolls for 20-25 minutes, until they are golden brown on top and sound hollow when you tap on the top.
  8. Brush the tops of rolls with melted butter as soon as they come out of the oven.
  9. Serve warm.
Notes
  1. If the rolls are getting too brown on top but don't seem done, you can cover them with aluminum foil and continue baking until they are cooked through.
Flavor From Scratch https://www.flavorfromscratch.com/
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