Tasty Tuesday: Baked Strawberry Doughnuts

Ingredients

2 tbsp butter, at room temperature

2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for doughnut pan

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 cup buttermilk

1/4 cup + 2 tbsp vegetable oil

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 large eggs

2/3 cup finely chopped strawberries

Strawberry Glaze

3 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup finely chopped strawberries*

1/2 cup freeze dried strawberries, finely crushed to powder (place in a Ziploc bag, crush with rolling pin)**

Thirsty Thursday: Sugar n' Spice White Russian

If you're getting into the holiday spirit a little late this year (like me), here is a quick and easy last minute idea for something festive to sip on Christmas eve. I don't know about you, but I imagined myself sipping on this drink curled up in a blanket on the couch, wearing really warm, really embarrassing fuzzy Christmas socks. Is that weird? Enjoy!

Ingredients

1 oz. Smirnoff Cinna-Sugar Twist

.5 oz. Kahlua

.5 oz Half and Half

Cinnamon Stick or Cinnamon Spice to garnish

Directions

1. Add Vodka, Kahlua, and Half and Half in ice-filled shaker.

2. Shake, Shake, Shake.

3. Pour over ice, garnish with cinnamon, enjoy.

Recipe & photo via Waiting on Martha.

Tasty Tuesday: Crusty Parmesan-Herb Zucchini Bites

Ok you guys, easiest snack ever? This recipe from nutritionella is the perfect snack that doubles as a healthy side for any meal. Enjoy!

Ingredients

4 medium, fresh zucchini, sliced in half

1/2 cup fresh Parmesan cheese, grated

1-2 tablespoons fresh rosemary & thyme, minced

smidge of olive oil

salt & pepper to taste

Directions

Pre-heat oven to 350F,  lightly brush both sizes of the zucchini with olive oil and place on a foil-lined baking sheet. Mix cheese and herbs together in a small bowl and sprinkle over the zucchini along with salt and pepper to taste. Bake for 15 minutes and place under the broiler for the last 3-5 minutes until cheese is crispy and browned.

Thirsty Thursday: Autumn Apple Cider & Champagne Sangria

YOU GUYS. How delicious does this sangria look? Nothing sounds better than this fruity drink paired with a delicious Thanksgiving feast or for late night sipping by the fireplace. All you need is a handful of ingredients, two simple directions, and a little time to relax and unwind. Enjoy!

image via kirantarun.com

Ingredients:

• 3 honey crisp apples, sliced
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup halved dried figs
• 1 cup Cabernet Sauvignon (any fruity red wine would do)
• 3 cups apple cider
• 4 whole cinnamon sticks
• 1/2 tbsp whole cloves
• 1/8 tsp grated nutmeg

Directions:

1. In a tall pitcher, add all ingredients. Mix and refrigerate overnight.
2. To serve, add sangria in a fancy-schmancy glass and top it with some bubbly champagne!

Recipe via kirantarun.com

Edible Obsessions: Brown Sugar Baked Peaches

via The Kitchen is My Playground

Ingredients

per serving:

1 fresh peach

1 tsp. unsalted butter, divided

2 to 4 tsp. brown sugar, divided

sprinkling of brown sugar, to taste

Directions

Halve peaches and remove pit. Place in baking dish, skin side down.

Place 1/2 teaspoon butter in the hollow of each peach, top each peach half with 1 or 2 teaspoons brown sugar, and sprinkle with cinnamon.

Bake at 375 degrees until peaches are tender, about 30 minutes. Serve warm.

Sweet Treats: Strawberry Peach Vodka Collins Popsicles

via Endless Simmer

Ingredients

6 oz pureed strawberry (about 10 strawberries)
2 oz peach syrup (recipe follows)
12 oz tonic water
2 oz plus 3 oz vodka (divided use)

Directions

1. Stir strawberry puree with 2 oz. of vodka. Place three teaspoons of strawberry mixture in the bottom of popsicle form; set aside.

2. Stir peach syrup with tonic water stir to combine. Add vodka and stir to combine.

3. Pour peach and vodka mixture over strawberry mixture and stir to combine.

4. Freeze for about 2 hours or until mixture starts to solidify enough to hold a popsicle stick upright. Insert popsicle sticks and finish freezing popsicles overnight. To release popsicles run hot water on the outside of popsicle molds for a 2-3 seconds.

Peach Syrup

½ cup sliced peaches (about 4 medium size peaches)
1 cup water
1 cups sugar

Instructions:

1. Wash, peel, and pit peaches. Place peaches in a blender or food processor and process until peaches are pureed.

2. Place water, sugar and peach puree in a pot and bring to a boil and continue to boil for 5 minutes.

Good Eats: Grilled Asparagus & Ricotta Pizza

via Martha Stewart

Makes one 10-inch pizza

Ingredients

1/4 cup ricotta

1/2 a bunch asparagus, grilled

1 tablespoon grated lemon zest

Herb Oil

Basic Grilled Pizza Dough

Directions

1. Heat it up: Set up a grill with heat source, coals or gas, on one side over medium-high. Clean and lightly oil hot grill.
2. Stretch it: On a lightly floured work surface, stretch or roll 1 piece basic grilled pizza dough or 4 ounces store-bought dough into a 10-inch-long oval or other desired shape. Brush one side lightly with herb oil or olive oil and season with coarse salt and ground pepper.
3. Grill it: Using your hands, place dough, oiled side down, directly over heat source. Brush dough with herb oil or olive oil and cook until underside is lightly charred and bubbles form all over top, 1 to 2 minutes. With tongs, flip dough and cook until lightly charred, 1 to 2 minutes. Slide dough to cooler side of grill.
4. Top it: Top with desired cheese and toppings; cover grill. Cook until cheese melts and toppings are heated through, 2 to 5 minutes.

Sweet Treats: Pumpkin Dump Cake

photo and recipe via Cookies and Cups

Ingredients

1 15 oz can Pumpkin Puree

1 10 oz can Evaporated Milk

1 cup light brown sugar

3 eggs

3 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1 box yellow cake mix

1 cup (2 sticks) butter melted

1 cup coarsely crushed graham crackers or pecans

1/2 cup toffee bits (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350

Spray a 9×13 baking pan lightly with cooking/baking spray

In a large bowl combine the pumpkin, evaporated milk, sugar, eggs and pumpkin pie spice. Stir to combine.

Pour into your prepared pan.

Sprinkle your entire box of cake mix on top, followed by your nuts or graham crackers and toffee chips.

Pour your melted butter evenly on top.

Bake for 45-50 minutes until center is set and edges are lightly browned.

NOTE: serve with ice cream or whipped cream.

Sweet Treats: Nutella Berry Crunch

Ingredients

• 1 cup Nonfat Ricotta Cheese
• 2 heaping tablespoons Nutella 
• 14 graham crackers, split in half (squares)
• 4 cups strawberries, thinly sliced
• 28 blueberries
• whipped cream 

Directions

1. In a small bowl, mix together ricotta and Nutella until smooth.
2. Spread ricotta-Nutella mixture over each graham cracker.
3. Place 4 strawberry slices on each cracker.
4. Top with whipped cream or your favorite whipped topping such as Cool Whip.
5. Finish off with a blueberry and enjoy!

photo and recipe via Lauren Conrad

Edible Obsessions: Peanut Butter Banana French Toast

photo & recipe / via Tasty Comforts of North Georgia

This is for one serving so multiply the eggs per person

Two slices of two-day old bread

(not necessary if you just bought the loaf the day you make this)

Make a sandwich of peanut butter and banana

Egg mixture:

One whole egg whisked together

2 Tbls juice from fresh orange or ready-made OJ

pinch of freshly grated nutmeg

pinch of cinnamonpinch of cayenne

Whisk egg mixture together. Dip both sides of sandwich in egg mixture.

Place sandwich in a heated iron skillet or non-stick that has had a small pat of butter melted. Allow to brown for 60 seconds or slightly longer on each side.

For the garnish:

Pour syrup and sprinkle powdered sugar.