Tag Archives: recipes

The Weekender: Anxiety, Avocados, & Facebook

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One word to describe this week: hectic. It’s the end of the semester, the most dreaded, anxiety-riddled time of every college kid’s life when there’s so much work that you just don’t do anything because success is impossible. There’s no sleep, no food, and no showers. Lucky for you, you don’t have to look at or smell me.

On top of that, my family is preparing for a move to New Jersey that is happening literally the day after my last final. I feel like I’m being pulled in a million different directions; College is tugging on my right arm, New Jersey is tugging on my left arm, this Blog has my left leg, and Personal Health and Hygiene have my right one. Do you see how this is a problem? At some point, something has got to give.

On a happier note, let’s talk about food, the greatest solace I know. This was an excellent week for comfort foods. From grilled cheese to adorable penguin-shaped cookies, we covered all the heart-warming, soul-feeding essentials.

Let’s review, shall we?

Continue reading →

The Weekender: Manic May, Grilled Cheese, & Your Cat Fix

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Well folks, we made it through another week, and we’re just about to cross the threshold into May. Can you believe it? I like to call it Manic May because it’s the end of the semester, I have finals, and everyone I know decided to be born at once, so I have a million birthdays to celebrate AND Mother’s Day to prepare for. Deep breaths; we can do this.

Nothing is better for stress reduction than food. Thank goodness I know a thing or two about that. This week, we indulged, we ate healthy, and we celebrate spring with a recipe round-up.

Let’s review, shall we?

  1. 4-Cheese Sun-Dried Tomato Mac & CheeseDSC_5287
  2. Double Milky Way Cake BarsDSC_5443-2
  3. Smart Cookie Shopping: Bruschetta, Carrot Cake Treats, & More
    Psst…Have you checked out Smart Cookie Shopping yet? It’s my NEW bi-weekly features where check out all the best new products at the grocery store that I’m loving.Smart Cookie Shopping 4-10-131
  4. Spring Veggie Medley SoupDSC_5667
  5. Spring Recipe Round-Up!spring recipes-2

Which recipe are you drooling over? It’s kind of hard to pick between those Double Milky Way Cake Bars and the 4-Cheese Sun-Dried Tomato Mac. And if photos aren’t mouth-watering enough, join me for my latest video to see just how that indulgent mac & cheese is made.

Now, I apologize for being so cryptic in last week’s Weekender, but I promise I will elaborate soon. Bear with me for just a little bit longer, okay? In the meantime, enjoy some adorable pictures of Mr. Poe & Mina:

photo(25) photo(24)DSC_5509

There, don’t you feel better now?

So what’s in the line-up for next week? Be on the lookout for a BEHEMOTH of a grilled cheese, along with the world’s cutest cookies, and of course, a brand new video.

How is everyone liking the new look? I’ve sorted out the majority of the kinks, and I think things are looking great.

Listen, you guys are lacking in the Facebook department. Be sure to like Smart Cookie on Facebook so you never miss a single bite! Also follow on Twitter & Pinterest. Tell your friends!sccfb-2

How was your week? What good stuff did you eat? Tell me all about it!

 

The Weekender: Decisions, Mac & Cheese, and Firefly Pose

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I’ll be honest with you; this has been the week from hell. It was seven days where everything that could go wrong did. Usually, once you reach the third day in a row of crap, you realize you’re probably in for a generally bad week, so you saddle up and prepare for the ride, because what else are you going to do? I’ve just been rolling with the punches, doing my best to survive the past seven days.

I am currently facing one of the most difficult decisions I ever had to make, and the fact that I am a horribly indecisive person as is does nothing to aid the situation. I have a lot to figure out in a short amount of time, but I know that whatever comes of it is what’s meant to be. I am going to do the opposite of what I normally do and not stress about it; the answers will make themselves clear somehow. And in the meantime, here’s hoping next week will be better!

It might have been a rough week for me, but it was a great week for food. Isn’t it wonderful to always have that much to comfort us? Continue reading →

The Weekender: Milestones, Pizza Hut’s Crazy Crust Pizza, & Ice Box Cake

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This was a big week for us at Smart Cookie. We celebrated my 500th post, which is quite the milestone!  I also debuted a brand new bi-weekly feature, Smart Cookie Shopping, where I take you down the grocery store aisles and talk about my favorite food finds lately. Are you overwhelmed by all the awesome food happenings this week? Well then you better brace yourself, because we’ve still got to recap every delicious recipe in case you missed it.

Let’s review, shall we?

Continue reading →

The Weekender: Easter Recap, Mini Potatoes, & Animals Amuck

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Have you noticed the little facelift I underwent this week? No, not me; my face is untouched.  I am talking about the website, of course. I was beginning to think we would never get the new look implemented, but at last, here it is in all its bright, fresh, and appetizing glory. Now, there are still a few things that we are in the process of tweaking, so bear with me.

How do you guys like the new look?

I posted a trifecta of recipes this week, three truly sublime dishes to knock you taste buds into next Tuesday.

Let’s review, shall we? Continue reading →

The Weekender: Happy Easter, Cat Beds, & Sweet Potatoes

 

Winter 20126Happy Easter to all you little bunnies and chicks! Did the Easter Bunny pay you a visit? I sure hope he brought a plethora of Cadbury Crème Eggs, jelly beans, or whatever Easter confection tickles your fancy. But if you’re still hungry even after all the treats the Bunny bestowed upon you, then get a gander at this week’s mouth-watering Smart Cookie recipes. Perhaps these will satisfy your hunger.

Let’s review, shall we? Continue reading →

20 Easter Bunny-Approved Recipes

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In less than a week, the world’s most beloved bunny will be hopping down that bunny trail to your home and mine, baring whimsical eggs and glorious tooth-rotting confections. Side note: does anybody else find it odd that the Easter Bunny gives out chocolate versions of himself for us to merciless decapitate with our bare teeth?

Easter definitely crept up on us this year, and it falls earlier than usual, so don’t feel bad if you aren’t quite prepared. In fact, I’ve got you covered with a round-up of my 20 best Easter recipes, all Easter Bunny-approved of course. Would I cook you something that the Head Bunny himself didn’t love? Of course not.

From fresh lemon mousse shaped like little spring chicks to a cake shaped like a chocolate bunny to the perfect Easter dinner mac and cheese, there’s a little bit of everything in this line-up. You’ll want to shake your cottontail straight to the kitchen to get cooking after you chick it out. Continue reading →

The Weekender: Easter Week, Furry Friends, & Peanut Butter

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It’s Sunday, which means Easter Week at Smart Cookie has drawn to a close. I hope you all had as much fun as I did! We had enough delicious and festive recipes to make the ol’ Easter Bunny proud. Next week, he’ll be hopping to our homes bearing baskets of Easter sweets. Are you ready for his arrival? If you’re not, never fear. My Easter Week recipes are a great jumpstart, plus I’ll be bringing you an Easter recipe round-up next week, as is customary here at Smart Cookie. But until then…

Let’s review, shall we? Continue reading →

Bacon Guacamole and 9 More Green Recipes for St. Paddy’s Day

DSC_3248-2To my meat eaters out there, this Bacon Guacamole is for you. Being a vegetarian makes it harder for me to take care of you guys, so I apologize if you’ve been feeling neglected. I’m hoping this bacon-studded guac will make it up to you.

This is the creamiest guac you’ll never eat, and the secret is white beans. Not only do they make this guac heartier and add protein, but they also make it nice and velvety smooth. As a bonus, this guac’s vibrant green color makes it perfect for St. Paddy’s Day. What Leprechaun wouldn’t get down with some of this?

I may be a vegetarian now, but I had my share of bacon back in the day, and I’d be a fool if I said it wasn’t the meat equivalent of crack. Avocado and bacon were made for each other, and they create the most glorious Guacamole you’ll ever eat.

(And if you were curious, I ate a ton of this creamy stuff before adding the bacon, but not afterwards)

If this Bacon Guacamole isn’t green enough for you, here are 10 Leprechaun-approved St. Paddy’s Day eats:

  1. Shamrock Spinach Pesto PizzaDSC_1585-2
  2. Pot o’ Gold Ice CreamDSC_1776
  3. Easy Pesto Garlic Knots

    Easy Pesto Garlic Knots

  4. Tortellini Dippers w/ Pesto_DSC8275
  5. Andes Mint Fudge Brownie Ice CreamDSC_0472
  6. Personal Spinach-Bean Pesto Pizza

    Personal Spinach-Bean Pesto Pizza

  7. Spinach Artichoke Veggie BurgersDSC_0328
  8. Spinach-Nut Pesto w/ Roasted Tomatoes & Rotini

    Spinach-Nut Pesto w/ Roasted Tomatoes

  9. Classic Kale Greens

    Classic Kale Greens

  10. Bacon Guacamole (see below!)DSC_3289

A Few Tips Before You Get Cooking:

  1. If you don’t like the taste of lemon, it’s totally optional. It’s just there to keep the avocado from turning brown.
  2. Leave out the bacon for some classic guacamole!
  3. Diced tomatoes would be a delicious addition.
  4. If you don’t have a food processor, you can use a blender or chop the garlic and shallot very finely then mash everything together by hand. You could even use a hand beater.
  5. Leave this a bit chunkier if you prefer; just process it less. DSC_3173

Bacon Guacamole
By The Smart Cookie Cook

Ingredients:

  • ½ a shallot
  • 2 cloves fresh garlic
  • 1 cup white beans, drained & rinshed
  • 2 ripe avocados
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • ¼ tsp. salt
  • 1/8 tsp. pepper
  • ¼ tsp. lemon juice (to prevent browning)
  • 3 strips of bacon cooked bacon, on the crispier side (I used turkey bacon)

Directions:

  1. Place the shallot, garlic, and beans in a food process and puree until smooth.
  2. Slice the avocado in half. Stab the pit with a knife and pull it free from the avocado. Scoop the innards from the skin and into the food processor. Add oil, salt, pepper, and lemon and puree just until smooth.
  3. Transfer to a medium mixing bowl and fold in the bacon. Serve with chips, veggies, or pita bread. Store in fridge in an air-tight container.DSC_3283

The Weekender: My 1st Giveaway, Wegmans, & Cat Antics

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This week, we had a Smart Cookie first: a giveaway! In honor of Extra Gum’s Simple Swaps campaign, they provided me with a tote bag full of their assorted gum flavors, a notebook for keeping track of your simple swaps, and a $40 giftcard to Whole Foods. If you missed that boat, never fear. The giveaway is still going on. You have until Friday, March 15 to enter, so get on it! The winner will be announced in next week’s Weekender.

Along with my first ever giveaway, there was also a slew of mouthwatering recipes on Smart Cookie this week. You might have missed a bite or two, but that’s okay; I’ve got you covered.

Let’s review, shall we?

  1. Bunny Butt Peanut Butter Pretzel BitesDSC_2323
  2. Spinach-Artichoke CalzoneDSC_1155-2
  3. Super-Sized Sausage & Pepper CalzoneDSC_1224
  4. Stuffed Mediterranean Eggplant + a GIVEAWAYDSC_2751
  5. Fluffernutter Oatmeal BallsDSC_2650

Which recipe of the week was your favorite? I think I have to go with those Bunny Butt Pretzel Bites. They’re just too cute! Not to mention, they’re super easy to make. You can catch a step-by-step tutorial in this week’s brand new video!

Now, what’s on the plate for next week? I’ve got some special treats for you! Monday will bring the most delicious twist on a mozzarella stick you’ve ever seen. And on Tuesday, we’re taking a trip to Wegmans to see all the goodies I found this month. Spoiler alert: there’s brownie pops, chocolate, yoga socks, and more!DSC_2545

You guys might recall a few Weekenders ago I exposed the cat conspiracy going on behind the scenes while I’m trying to photograph. This week, while I was trying to take pictures of my smorgasbord of Wegmans finds, Mr. Poe was an especially annoying pain in the butt.DSC_2977DSC_2981

But he’s just so darn cute!

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And in other news, I got my hair dyed: subtle red & violet lowlights. Do you ever experiment with hair color?DSC_2853

The Weekender is great for catching up, but you don’t have to ever miss a bite during the week. Just like me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter to stay up-to-date! You can also follow me on Pinterest and subscribe to my Youtube channel. That should be enough to satisfy your Smart Cookie craving!

Tell me about the good stuff you ate this week. What was your favorite meal?

See you on Monday!