Super Delicious and Easy Truffle Recipe

I just had to share this!  I was tasked to bring a dessert to my parents for last Saturday evening and wanted to do something different.  My father-in-law absolutely loves chocolate so I knew it had to be chocolate.  So that narrowed down my criteria - chocolate and something easy to make.  I searched and searched until I found this.....  Oreo Truffles!  They are the most delicious thing to eat and you cannot stop eating them.  It's dangerous. 

I followed the recipe exactly except it only made 28 truffles.  I guess I made them a little larger than normal.  And I used chocolate sprinkles and oreo crumbs for the topping.  I did a mixture between the semi-sweet chocolate and white chocolate.  Unbelievable!

http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/easy-oreo-truffles/Detail.aspx

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Until next time. XO, the Cooking Foodie

An Alternative to the super easy Taco Dinner

Here is an alternative to the seasoning mix taco dinner.  And let me start of by saying... that I love the taco seasoning mix.  It makes delicious tacos and we usually have it once a week.  It's definitely one of our go to meals (and I even blogged about it!).   However, I felt like I needed something more.  I haven't cooked dinner in a couple of days because we have had a lot of night outs so I was craving a good meal at home... but nothing extravagant.  I was just in the mood to put on my apron and whip up a meal.

I googled ground beef taco recipes and I landed on one that I knew I had to try.  The reviews were fantastic and everyone who commented mentioned they wouldn't go back to the seasoning mix after they tried this.

It is Emeril's taco bar.  Although I didn't make the salsa or gaucomole (those reviews weren't AS POSITIVE...), I knew the taco seasoning was something that I had to try.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/taco-bar-recipe/index.html

It is tastes fresh and not full of sodium.  You know what you are putting into a dinner, not just throwing a seasoning mix into a pan!  

I made some yellow rice as a side dish and we had a delicious meal.  After we finished, we agreed that we wouldn't toss the idea of using a seasoning mix because it is helpful for a quick dinner, as this is a healthier alternative.

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Until next time. XO, the Cooking Foodie

A Penne alla Vodka Connoisseur

If there is penne alla vodka on a menu, you can be sure that is what I am ordering.  I have this obsession with this pasta dish and worked on finding/creating a recipe so I can make it anytime I have the craving.  I'd like to share these two wonderful recipes that I have.

Recipe #1

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 (28 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes

1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

salt and pepper to taste

crushed red pepper flakes to taste

1/4 cup vodka

1 pound penne pasta

1 cup heavy cream

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook garlic in olive oil until tender, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, breaking up a bit with fork. Stir in basil, salt, pepper and crushed red pepper and simmer 15 minutes. Stir in vodka and cook 15 minutes more.
2. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
3. Stir cream into sauce and cook 10 minutes more. Toss with hot pasta.

Recipe #2

1 pound penne pasta

1 stick butter

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1/2 tsp red pepper (cayenne)

3/4 cup vodka

2 (14-oz) cans crushed tomatoes

9 oz heavy cream

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 cup parmeasan cheese

1. Melt butter and saute garlic, add vodka and red pepper. Simmer 2 minutes on high.
2. Add crushed tomatoes and cook 5 minutes.
3. Add heavy cream and salt, cook 5 minutes.
4. Mix sauce with cooked pasta.
5. Add parmeasan cheese and let sit for 8-10 minutes.

Try them both!  The first recipe is a little healthier and includes some fresh ingredients.  The second recipe is a little more authentic and what I truly love the best, but I did have to throw in a "healthier" version.  Is that even possible with a vodka sauce?

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Until next time.  XO, the Cooking Foodie