Marble Fudge

This is my favorite treat to make and give this time of year.  I always send some to work with my husband.  It is THE most smooth and delicious fudge I have ever made.  The secret is the cream cheese!

Marble Fudge
Adapted from {Betty Crocker}

6 cups sugar
1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk
1 cup butter
1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese, softened
2 (7 oz) jars marshmallow creme
1 Tbl vanilla
1 cup (1 pkg) white chocolate chips
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 Tbl baking cocoa powder

Directions
Line a 9x13 baking dish with aluminum foil
Pour bag of white chocolate chips in a medium size bowl and set aside
Heat sugar, milk, butter and cream cheese to boiling in a large pot over medium-high heat
Stir constantly until mixture reaches 225º on a candy thermometer (approximately 15 minutes)
Quickly stir in marshmallow creme and vanilla
Remove from heat
Pour 4 cups hot marshmallow mixture over white baking chips and stir to mix
In the large pot with remaining marshmallow mixture stir milk chocolate chips, semisweet chocolate chips and cocoa
Pour half of the white mixture into the bottom of the 9x13 pan, spreading evenly
Quickly pour half of the chocolate mixture over top, spreading evenly then repeat
Swirl a knife through mixtures for marbled design and smooth the top
Cool until set
Turn pan upside down on cutting board to remove fudge
Peel off foil and cut into desired size pieces

*I like to trim the sides to make the pieces square

Roasted Butternut Squash with Tahini

This is a very warm and comforting side dish with a twist.  The flavors compliment each other perfect for the fall season...and it's good for you too!

Roasted Butternut Squash with Tahini

Recipe From {qkatie}

1 Butternut Squash, peeled and chopped into bite-size pieces

1 red onion, cut into wedges

3 Tbl olive oil

salt & pepper to taste

3 Tbl *Tahini

1 1/2 Tbl lemon juice

1 tsp garlic, chopped

3 Tbl sliced almonds, toasted

1 Tbl *Zaatar

1 Tbl fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Preheat your oven to 475°F

Place squash and onions on a foil lined baking sheet

Drizzle with oil and toss to coat and sprinkle on salt & pepper

Bake for 35-40 minutes or until squash and onions caramelize

In a small bowl whisk Tahini, lemon juice and garlic

Add water 1 Tbl at a time until the Tahini is the consistency of honey

Remove veggies from oven and drizzle over Tahini mixture

Sprinkle on the almonds, Zaatar and parsley

*Tahini is ground sesame seeds

*Zaatar is a blend of Middle Eastern herbs

Pumpkin Bundt Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

It is my favorite time of year...PUMPKIN SEASON!  This is an awesome cake my mom use to make for us when I was little.  Funny enough she made it for me recently and when I took a bite it was so amazing how familiar it was even though it had been such a long time since I had tasted it.  It is so good!

Pumpkin Bundt Cake

2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 cup canola oil
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 (15 oz.) can pure pumpkin

Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F
In a large bowl blend sugar and eggs
Pour in oil and mix on medium speed until incorporated
Add in flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt
Stir in pumpkin until well blended
Pour batter into a well greased bundt pan and bake for 1 hour
Let cake cool completely before frosting

Cream Cheese Frosting

1 (8 oz.) block of cream cheese, room temperature
1 stick butter, softened
2 tsp vanilla
1 (16 oz) box powdered sugar

Directions
In a large bowl blend cream cheese and butter until combined
Add vanilla and sugar and blend until smooth

Thai Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce

A long time ago I had some really delicious chicken lettuce wraps with a peanut dipping sauce at a restaurant when we lived in Arizona.  I have never had anything close to as good...until now.  These turned out amazing and we all devoured them!

Thai Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce
Adapted from {emily bites}

4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast, cut in chunks

Marinade
3 Tbl soy sauce
2 Tbl honey
1 Tbl sesame oil
2 Tbl lime juice
2 tsp garlic, minced
1/4 tsp sriracha
2 Tbl cilantro, chopped

Peanut Sauce
1/4 cup natural peanut butter
1 Tbl rice wine vinegar
1 Tbl soy sauce
1 Tbl honey
1/4 tsp sesame oil

Directions
In a medium bowl whisk soy, honey, oil, juice, garlic, sriracha and cilantro
Place chicken into gallon zip bag
Pour marinade over chicken and refrigerate 4-6 hours or longer
Remove chicken and discard marinade
Grill on medium-high heat until chicken is no longer pink (about 10 minutes)
Turn the skewers half way through
In a small bowl whisk peanut butter, vinegar, soy, honey and oil
Add about 1 Tbl hot water to thin adding more slowly to desired consistency

Cauliflower Fried Rice

So this is misleading...there is absolutely no actual rice in this dish at all, even though it looks like it.  But it taste so dang good, I don't even miss it!

Cauliflower Fried Rice

2 Tbl coconut oil
1 small head cauliflower
1 rib of celery, petite diced
2 green onions, petite diced
1/2 red* pepper, petite diced
2 tsp garlic, minced
1 zucchini, chopped
1/2 tsp pink himalayan salt (or to taste)
sprinkle of pepper
sprinkle of chili powder

Directions
Cut stems off head of cauliflower
Pulse in two batches in a food processor
Be careful not to over chop, you want the consistency of rice
In a large skillet heat oil
Place half the cauliflower to cover the bottom of the pan
Allow to brown, stirring occasionally
Add additional cauliflower, celery, onion, red pepper and garlic
Allow to cook for 2-3 minutes until soft
Add zucchini, salt, pepper and chili powder
Cook until zucchini is fork tender
Makes approximately 3 cups

*You can also use orange and yellow peppers or a mixture for color

Raspberry Dijon Glazed Pork Chops

It's getting to be that time of year again when I don't want to turn my oven on as much.  So we do a lot of grilling in the summer. These chops are a nice balance of sweet and tangy!  This sauce would also go great with chicken too.

Raspberry Dijon Glazed Pork Chops

Adapted from {Kraft Recipes}

6 pork chops

salt and pepper to taste

1 (8oz) bottle Raspberry Vinaigrette

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 Tbl yellow mustard

2 tsp dijon mustard

Directions

In a medium bowl pour in vinaigrette
Whisk in brown sugar and both kinds of mustard
Salt and pepper your chops to taste
Place chops in a large zipper bag
Reserve about 1/3 cup of sauce and pour remaining over pork chops and seal bag
Let marinate for at least 1 hour
Place chops on a hot grill and discard used sauce
Let chops cook on each side for about 5 minutes or preference of doneness
(If they are very thick or bone-in it will be longer)
Glaze chops with reserved sauce each time you turn them
Remove from grill and let sit for 5-10 minutes for juices to redistribute
Serve with extra sauce

Zuppa Toscana Soup

This is such a really delicious soup.  It has pretty simple prep but is big on flavor!

Zuppa Toscana Soup

1 lb ground Italian Sausage
1/8 tsp crushed red pepper (or to taste)
1 large onion, diced
6 slices bacon, diced
2 tsp garlic
5 tsp chicken bouillon
8 cups water
1 cup heavy cream
1 (15oz) can diced potatoes, drained
1/4 bunch kale, roughly chopped
Parmesan (for garnish)

Directions
In a large pot brown sausage and crushed red pepper until no longer pink
Remove sausage from pot and drain off fat
In the same pot, cook bacon, onion and garlic until onions are soft
Stir in chicken bouillon, water and cream and bring to a simmer
Add potatoes, sausage and kale
Cook for 15-20 minutes
Garnish with grated Parmesan