finding time for cooking

for the time-starved or curious culinary adventurer

Peanut Butter Cake with Chocolate Ganache & Peanut Butter Frosting

I have allllllll the peanut butter for you today!  It is one of my favorite flavors in desserts, and today we have a one-two punch of peanut butter with a chocolate surprise in the middle.

This peanut butter cake with chocolate ganache and peanut butter frosting is indulgent and packed with flavor, but NOT too sweet.  It’s perfect for any occasion, and somewhat strangely I’ve now made it for two separate baby showers.

Peanut Butter Cake with Chocolate Ganache & Peanut Butter Frosting | This delicious peanut butter chocolate cake is perfect for any occasion. Fluffy peanut butter cake recipe with a salted dark chocolate ganache filling, and then slathered with super peanut butter-y frosting! Maybe the best cake ever! #peanutbutter #cake #ganache

It starts with an easy and super moist, fluffy peanut butter cake.  Then we whip up a dark chocolate ganache (which like, sounds fancy, but is seriously the easiest thing in the world) and sandwich that in the middle.  

Top that all off with my most amazing peanut butter frosting ever, and you’ve got a winner!

Peanut Butter Cake with Chocolate Ganache & Peanut Butter Frosting | This delicious peanut butter chocolate cake is perfect for any occasion. Fluffy peanut butter cake recipe with a salted dark chocolate ganache filling, and then slathered with super peanut butter-y frosting! Maybe the best cake ever! #peanutbutter #cake #ganache

For me, this is everything I want in a cake.  And that moistness is a big part of it…I just find so many cakes dry and unappetizing.  But between using oil (instead of butter), the peanut butter, and buttermilk, everything about this peanut butter cake recipe ticks my boxes.

You could even experiment with other fillings and frostings (I have plans for my salted honey custard…).  A chocolate glaze would be delicious, or maybe a Chambord-flavored icing??

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Simple 3-Ingredient Classic Gin Gimlet Cocktail

I have a couple beloved variations of a gin gimlet on this site, but realized the other day that I’d never actually posted the O.G.  And since the gin gimlet is one of the great classic cocktails, I need to rectify that.

An Easy 3-Ingredient Gin Gimlet Cocktail | The classic gin gimlet cocktail is a must-have in your recipe repertoire. An easy gin cocktail recipe, just lime juice, gin, and simple syrup, and two minutes is all you need. Best cocktail recipes ever! #gin #gimlet #cocktail #drinkrecipe

I was doing some digging into the history of the gin gimlet and stumbled across this Chilled article that I loved…as someone who loves classic films, learning that gimlet was associated with Philip Marlowe was pretty cool. 

But also wasn’t surprised to find that it somewhat ties back to the British navy and scurvy prevention (like another of my favorite gin cocktails, the “Army and Navy”).READ THE POST

How to Make Traditional Cauliflower Crust Pizza

If you’d told me a few months ago that cauliflower crust pizza would be making up like…25% of my diet, I’d have asked what you were smoking.  And yet here we are.  

Traditional Cauliflower Crust Pizza | How to make cauliflower crust, an easy homemade recipe (does include some squeezing)...this cauliflower crust pizza only takes a few ingredients and is full of fiber & vitamins. Grain free, gluten-free, low carb and keto recipe option. #cauliflower #keto #grainfree #cauliflowercrust #gf #glutenfree #pizza

This cauliflower crust only takes a few ingredients (most of which you have on hand).  It’s is high in vitamins K and C, low-cal, high in fiber and antioxidants, and (like all cruciferous vegetables) good for detoxing the liver.

Your topping options are also really versatile, though I stay away from super wet/soggy ingredients.  Here are a few things I typically throw on:

  • I often keep cooked hamburger on hand to throw on any dish
  • I use both shredded (parmesan, cheddar, mozzarella), and a soft cheese (there’s a sheep/goat one that’s AMAZING)
  • I usually will throw a pan of roasted vegetables in the oven along with the cauliflower crust (brussels sprouts, peppers, and onions are my fave)
  • You can use sauce, but I’m not a fan and it does make things soggy.  Sometimes I will spread a bit of dijon mustard on though for extra flavor.

How to make this traditional cauliflower crust pizza

Why do I call this “traditional”?  It’s because it involves manually squeezing all the liquid out before mixing and baking.  I’ve recently found an alternative recipe that doesn’t, and I’ll share that down the road once I’ve perfected it.

The thing about making a traditional cauliflower crust is that it’s not super fast.  Now, it’s not HARD, it just has a few different steps and ALL THAT SQUEEZING.  What I’ve found helpful in how to make cauliflower crust is to break up into a few key phases or steps so I can plan my timing around it.  

  • Rice/food processor your cauliflower (if necessary) and cook it
  • Squeeeeeeeze your cauliflower to get all the liquid out, then mix together the dough
  • Bake the dough mixture by itself, then top and bake just long enough to melt the cheese

So I’ll often do the first step earlier in the day so it can cool, then just throw the cooked cauliflower in my nut milk bag and come back to it later.  Then when I’m ready to actually make dinner, I turn my oven on and start the squeezing. 

I’ll squeeze once, let it rest a couple minutes, come back and squeeze some more…you want to get as much liquid out as possible.

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Soupy Creamy Golden Rice With Crispy Spiced Chickpeas

Some dishes just scream “comfort food”, and this creamy, soupy golden rice topped with crispy spiced chickpeas ticks all the boxes for a hearty and comforting vegetarian meal any time of year.

Soupy, Creamy Golden Rice with Spiced Chickpeas | This delicious hearty, comforting, and also still light dish is a perfect vegetarian dinner any time of year. Perfect Meatless Monday dinner recipe. #turmeric #chickpeas #vegetarian #meatlessmonday

It’s super easy and doesn’t require a ton of hands-on work.  The flavors are quite subtle, not the kinds of spices that punch you in the face.  In fact if you’re not careful it can be a tiny bit bland, so I recommend being a little heavy-handed on both layering salt as well as the red pepper flakes.

What really elevates this soupy turmeric rice dish is the crispy, crunchy chickpeas that are PACKED with flavor.  Used as a topping, these chickpeas first provide protein, but also have a salty and spicy flavor, some intensity from the shallots, and little crispy bits from the coconut as well.

These delicious spiced chickpeas provide the crisp against the soupy golden riceREAD THE POST

Tahini Pistachio Biscotti with Dark Chocolate & Sea Salt

I kind of forget about biscotti a lot of the time.  In fact it’s been almost three years since I last posted a new biscotti recipe.  But that accidental streak breaks here and now…because these tahini pistachio biscotti are the BOMB.

Add a drizzle of dark chocolate and a sprinkle of sea salt, and you’ve got a winner.  

Tahini Pistachio Biscotti with Dark Chocolate & Sea Salt | These super unique tahini biscotti are dipped in dark chocolate and sprinkled with sea salt...a perfect treat with coffee or tea! Easy biscotti recipe you'll love. #biscotti #tahini #darkchocolate

The thing about making biscotti is that, while the overall time from start to finish can look daunting, the actual hands-on time is pretty minimal. 

The dough comes together in just a few minutes, you make dough logs (nothing fancy!), then some slicing.  Chocolate dipping if you like.  Bing bang boom.

Tahini Pistachio Biscotti with Dark Chocolate & Sea Salt | These super unique tahini biscotti are dipped in dark chocolate and sprinkled with sea salt...a perfect treat with coffee or tea! Easy biscotti recipe you'll love. #biscotti #tahini #darkchocolate

Biscotti dough can sometimes be a little temperamental from a texture standpoint, and in this case I had to add an extra egg to the original recipe (and that’s reflected in my recipe below). 

You don’t want your dough too wet, but you DO need it to hold together in your dough logs.  But obviously that extra egg (plus the tahini in the recipe) makes these a little more moist even after the second bake. 

So you won’t get these tahini pistachio biscotti truly dried out and crunchy like some biscotti recipes, but that doesn’t matter—they’re delicious.

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Mini Pavlovas with Grapefruit Curd & Berries

For whatever reason, pavlovas feel super fancy, and I always have to remind myself that they’re actually really simple.  And these mini pavlovas piled high with tart grapefruit curd, berries, and pillowy whipped cream are sheer heaven no matter the occasion.

So whether you want an easy make-ahead dessert for a dinner party, or just want to treat yourself, you need these in your life.  

Simple Mini Pavlovas with Grapefruit Curd & Berries | These individual pavlovas are super easy to make, and can be made the night before. I make the mini pavlova recipe topped with tart citrus curd and fresh berries plus plenty of whipped cream, they're an indulgent and easy dessert for a dinner party, Passover, Easter, Mother's Day, or any special occasion...or any night of the week! #pavlova #unleavened #glutenfree #gf #dairyfree #dessertrecipes #gfdessert

What’s pretty great is that they’re also naturally gluten-free, dairy-free (though you’d need to top them with something else), and unleavened.  WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE???

If you’re wondering how the chemistry works in this mini pavlova recipe, here are a few things to know about it:

  • The vinegar (or some recipes use lemon juice, cream of tartar, some kind of acid) helps stabilize the egg white foam, and interferes with clumping; it helps prevent the effects of “overbeating” as well, usually where the egg whites collapse and weep (boy, don’t we all).  Ultimately, it helps make the meringue a little chewy.
  • Adding cornstarch to the egg white foam interferes with the egg proteins and provides a buffer to prevent overcooking.  But too much cornstarch can make it almost chalky and too chewy, so don’t overdo it.
  • The cornstarch and vinegar both act as stabilizers and help create that soft marshmallow-y center that the pavlova is known for.

Delicious mini pavlova recipe for any occasionREAD THE POST

Grilling Tips For First-Timers & How To Use A Gas Grill

I am a massive fan of grilling, and actually run my grill almost every night, year-round.  Why, you ask?  Well, 1) it’s the best way I’ve found to consistently eat healthy, 2) it’s super fast and easy, and 3) it requires very little clean-up.

Did you need more reasons than that??

A First-Timer's Guide to Grilling...How to Use a Gas Grill, Easy Grilling Recipes, & More | If you're newer to grilling, these easy tips and my favorite recipes will make you a grillmaster in no time. Grilling is a healthy, easy, and fast way to cook. How to grill moist chicken, how to grill steak and salmon, vegetables, and amazing grilled pizza. Grilling tools you'll need & more! #grilling #gasgrill #howto

Since I moved into my house a few years ago and finally got a real gas grill, I’ve been working to become a grillmaster of sorts, testing all kinds of different recipes. 

So I wanted to share some of my favorite grilling tips and recipes here, particularly for grilling newbies…and I’m always looking to up my game so feel free to send me YOUR best ones too! 

(I feel like I need to caveat here, that I’m not one of those amazing obsessed grilling nerds…but that’s why this guide is perfect for newbies)

What this post covers

  • Grilling tools for success
  • General grilling tips
  • Tips for grilling various meats
  • Marinades
  • Vegetables
  • Pizza

Tools you need

It goes without saying that a good grill is a good starting point.  I use a gas grill, so all the tips here will be geared toward that, I can’t speak to charcoal.  I upgraded to a Weber recently but had a Charbroil for a few years, they’re only a few hundred bucks, and it did great.READ THE POST

Most Amazing Peanut Butter Frosting Ever

I’ve found it, guys.  A frosting that I adore…I guess I shouldn’t be surprised it’s peanut butter.

I really hate frosting.  I actually had a co-worker at my last job that was my perfect match—whenever there was cake around, she’d eat the frosting and I’d eat the cake.  But this peanut butter frosting is one of the best things I’ve ever eaten.  Crazy peanut butter-y, some good saltiness, not too sweet.  

I could eat it by itself with a spoon.  Until I look at the calorie count, but still…

The Best Peanut Butter Frosting Ever | This super peanut butter-y icing is delicious and packed with flavor, super easy to make and great on tons of different cakes. If you're looking for a peanut icing recipe, this is the one. #peanutbutter #frosting #cakeicing

It’s packed with flavor and a little goes a long way.  If you’re wanting to frost a cake more traditionally (which takes a LOT of frosting) then this may not be quite the right frosting…a truly traditional buttercream or cream cheese frosting might be better. 

The Best Peanut Butter Frosting Ever | This super peanut butter-y icing is delicious and packed with flavor, super easy to make and great on tons of different cakes. If you're looking for a peanut icing recipe, this is the one. #peanutbutter #frosting #cakeicingREAD THE POST

Paul Hollywood’s Chocolate Cherry Bread

I’m obsessed with this pink, shaggy mess!  Ever since seeing Paul Hollywood make his chocolate cherry bread with Mary Berry on Great British Bake-Off Masterclass, I knew I needed it in my life.

Paul Hollywood's Chocolate Cherry Bread | This indulgent loaf of bread is full of sweet dark cherries and white and dark chocolate, but not too sweet or rich. From GBBO Masterclass, this delicious sweet braided bread is perfect for any occasion. I use Morello cherries. #chocolate #cherries #bread #paulhollywood #gbbo #breadrecipes

I *have* thrown in the towel on trying to make my loaf look beautiful and neat, though.  That shaggy mess becomes this golden, messy monster, and despite making it like 10 times at this point, nothing I do changes that.

But it is DELICIOUS and so its “informal” nature (to use a Mary Berry term) can be forgiven. 

Delicious loaf of Paul Hollywood's chocolate cherry bread, not difficult at all!

What elevates this from a basic loaf of bread is the incorporation of dark sweet cherries and a lot of dark and white chocolate. 

The dark chocolate and cherries pair wonderfully, and the white chocolate ends up kind of melting away into gooey sweet pockets of sweet that burst in your mouth.  I’M OBSESSED.

I have always started this in my stand mixer, but have tried mixing in the chocolate and cherries both in the mixer and kneading in by hand.  Personally the mixer is way better and less messy, so I recommend going that way.

This chocolate cherry bread is full of sweet dark cherries and white chocolate and dark chocolate chips

This sweet bread from Paul Hollywood is perfect for any occasion - chocolate cherry breadREAD THE POST

“43 Flip”: Creamy Whiskey Cocktail with Licor 43

Today we’re playing around with two different things that are pretty unique on their own…a traditional flip cocktail, and the vanilla-flavored liqueur, Licor 43.

Licor 43 is a Spanish liqueur, named after the 43 different flavoring ingredients (not just vanilla, but citrus and other fruits, spices, etc).  I was first introduced to it by a bartender in Chicago who made us coffee cocktails with it (delish!).

"43 Flip": A Licor 43 Cocktail with Bourbon | This twist on a flip cocktail with bourbon and a whole egg is creamy and indulgent without any heavy cream. This bourbon cocktail has got warm vanilla and spice notes and a boozy kick. A much better alternative to eggnog, drink recipe ideas. What to make with Licor 43 liqueur. #licor43 #flipcocktail #drinkrecipe #cocktails

What is a flip cocktail?

So I’d actually had one before (in Scotland), and didn’t realize that it was a classification rather than what the bartender had named that particular cocktail.  Today it’s a basically just a combination of spirit (or fortified wine), a form of sugar, and a whole egg shaken together with ice.

The much longer history is kind of weird, involving sailors, hot alcohol, ale, molasses, and egg…a heated iron rod, multiple pitchers, and…honestly, you have to read it yourself. 

I’ll definitely take today’s version.  Like eggnog without the cream (or my delicious milk punch minus the sweetened condensed milk), this is a rich and indulgent dairy-free creamy bourbon (in this case) cocktail.

With its vanilla flavor and warm spices, Licor 43 pairs nicely with whiskey and the rich “oomph” of a flip cocktail.  It’s like a less thick version of eggnog, without the cream that deadens the flavor.  It’s indulgent but not heavy. 

The sweet aromatics in a good bourbon pair nicely with the vanilla and spices as well…this cocktail is definitely a winner.

What to make with Licor 43 - cocktail ideas READ THE POST