This year Alex and I are hosting Easter for our families, and we are trying to decide on a menu. Right now we are leaning towards an Easter brunch, but have been testing some more traditional recipes too. One of our favorite side dishes are these Rosemary Truffle Potatoes. They are so simple to make, and the rosemary and truffle flavors add so much to any meal! These would pair well with a traditional Easter ham or tenderloin. Enjoy! xoxo

Images via Alex Phillips.

Print Rosemary Truffle Potatoes Recipe 

2-3 cups of chopped new potatoes

1 Tablespoon canola oil

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon rosemary

1/2 teaspoon truffle oil (either black or white truffle)

In a large skillet, heat canola oil on medium heat. Canola oil works best because it has a higher smoke temperature and will not over power other flavors like olive oil would. Add chopped potatoes to warm skillet with salt and pepper. Let simmer on medium heat until golden brown, flipping potatoes periodically. Add rosemary and truffle oil and let simmer for about 2 minutes (you do not want the rosemary to burn). Serves 3-4 people. Best when served warm.

I actually owe this recipe to my dad, who came up with this on the fly one night for dessert. These choco tacos have been a family favorite since and are so simple to make! I like to mix milk and dark chocolate in my choco tacos, but occasionally I add other flavors for a different filling. My favorite fillings include peanut butter (with chocolate), raspberries (with chocolate), blueberries, blackberries, coconut (with chocolate), and peaches. Enjoy! xoxo

Images via Alex Phillips.

Print Choco Tacos Recipe

1 sheet Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry (thawed)

1/2 cup chocolate chips (milk or dark)

1 egg

Once the puff pastry sheet is thawed (instructions on package), lay flat and cut the sheet into four even squares. Place about 3 tablespoons of chocolate chips in the center of each square. Fold the puff pastry diagonally over the chocolate chips to form a triangle. Crimp the edges of the puff pastry (I use a fork) and score the top of the pasty with a sharp knife. In a small bowl, whisk the egg and use a brush to apply egg wash to the top of the puff pastry. Bake at 375 degrees for 18-20 until flaky and golden. Best when served warm.

A few months ago I shared my Toasted Brussels Sprouts recipe, which is perfect for the fall and winter months. Since spring is quickly approaching, I am sharing my Summer Brussels Sprouts recipe. This version of Brussels sprouts is a little lighter and the perfect base for a salad. With the help of Trader Joe’s (of course), it is super easy to whip up using their pre-shaved Brussels sprouts and sliced almonds. This side pairs well with chicken or fish, and I added my simple pesto salmon on top. I just top each piece of salmon with pesto, bake at 425 degrees for 12-16 minutes and boil for 2 minutes to finish. I have included the full recipe for Summer Brussels Sprouts below. Enjoy! xoxo

Images via Alex Phillips.

Print Summer Brussels Sprouts Recipe

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

3 cups shaved Brussels sprouts

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

3/4 cup of sliced almonds

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, and add shaved Brussels sprouts. Toss with lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Add sliced almonds and cover, and let simmer until Brussels sprouts start to soften. Remove from heat and serve warm. Top with shaved parmesan cheese.

I get asked for my classic brownie recipe all the time, so I thought I would share it here. I used to be a “boxed brownie” girl and baked with the premade mix until I gave a Ghirardelli homemade recipe a try. This is my modified version of that recipe and it is so simple to make. I love the blend of dark and milk chocolate, but if the flavor is too rich, you can substitute for the Semi-Sweet Baking Bar and Baking Chips. I also love to add toasted pecans to the batter for a little extra crunch. Enjoy! xoxo

Print Classic Brownie Recipe

1/2 cup (1 stick) of butter, cut into pieces

4-ounce Ghirardelli Chocolate 60% or 70% Cacao Baking Bar

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 large eggs

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate Baking Chips

Chop baking bar into pieces and melt with butter over medium heat, stirring continuously. Stir brown sugar and vanilla into the chocolate mixture. Remove from heat, add eggs and mix well.

In a bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add flour mixture to chocolate mixture, mixing until well blended. Stir in chocolate chips and pour batter into a greased 8-inch, square baking pan.

Bake for 25 to 28 minutes at 350 degrees. Let cool before cutting into squares.

Images via Alex Phillips.

Valentine’s Day is tomorrow! If you have a sweet tooth like me, these peanut butter heart cookies are the perfect way to celebrate. I love the peanut butter and chocolate combo and these Hershey’s hearts will literally melt in your mouth. You may have seen a similar version of these cookies with a Hershey’s Kiss, but with the hearts, you get some chocolate in every bite. These cookies are great for a girl’s night, to take to the office, or as a sweet treat after dinner. Enjoy and Happy Valentine’s Day! xoxo

Print Peanut Butter Heart Cookies Recipe

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 brown sugar

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 cup sugar

1 bag of heart chocolates

Cream 1/2 cup sugar, brown sugar, butter, and peanut butter until fluffy. Add egg, vanilla, and salt, and mix well. Add flour and baking soda until thoroughly combined.

Roll dough into 1-inch balls and dip in 1/4 cup sugar. Place 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.

Bake 8-10 minutes at 375 degrees. Remove from the oven and immediately press chocolate heart in the center of each cookie.

Images via Alex Phillips.

Today is National Pizza Day, and you don’t have to tell us twice to eat pizza! One of our favorite date nights is making homemade pizza and watching a movie at home. So, we might cheat a little on the “homemade” part because Trader Joe’s provides everything including the dough, but we do build and bake it ourselves! We really like the Trader Joe’s Garlic & Herb Pizza Dough, but Trader Joe’s also has a great cauliflower pizza crust in the frozen section (when Alex will let me buy it). We top our pizza with Trader Joe’s Marina Sauce and Light Mozzarella Cheese. We change up the other toppings depending on what we want, but this time we added pepperoni, sliced onion, spinach, parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes! Enjoy celebrating with your own pizza! xoxo