Chocolate Chocolate Chip Brownie Cookies

Chocolate lovers, gather 'round. I have a wonderful story for you.

The story is Chocolate Chocolate Chip Brownie Cookies. Double the chocolate, double the fun.

I have this problem with brownies. I tend to overcook them. I don't know why this happens specifically for brownies considering they are one of the easiest things to cook. But, alas. I just can't master the cooking of brownies in my oven.

That all changed when I came across this recipe for brownie cookies. These are rich and fudgy and full of deep chocolate flavor just like a brownie, only they are bite-sized! When these cookies are done baking, they have a thin crispy shell on the outside and an ooey gooey center.

These cookies have a pretty traditional brownie base--butter, eggs, brown sugar, and 2 types of chocolate (unsweetened and semi-sweet). I add in a bunch of mini chocolate chips because there is nothing wrong with a little extra chocolate in our lives (RIGHT!?)

I totally love these cookies. I sprinkled a generous bit of powdered sugar on the top to cut a bit of that chocolate richness. I think that is just what these cookies need to take them to the next level.

Share these with that special person in your life who is a choco-holic. Bring them to a friend who needs a sweet pick me up. Make these and devour them. You're worth it!

Caramelized Onion, Sausage, and Ricotta Frittata

Eggs have never looked as good as they do right here in this frittata.

I love these pictures. They are making my mouth water all over again. This lovely frittata was our Easter brunch this past Sunday. I would say to save this recipe for a special occasion but it's far too good to wait. Whether you need a fun and easy breakfast, lunch, brunch, or dinner--this is just the ticket.

Caramelized Onion, Sausage, and Ricotta Frittata is rich and hardy, with depths of flavor that will keep you coming back for seconds (and thirds...and fourths). Brown and buttery caramelized onions get this party started. Crumbled Italian sausage is earthy and rich and full of spices. Lots of eggs are beaten together with salt, pepper, fresh parsley, fresh thyme, whole milk and asiago cheese. Breakfast. It is near.

I became obsessed with frittatas when I first got my cast iron skillet. The cast iron will make the bottom of this frittata brown and crispy. It's like making a quiche, without the added pressure of making, rolling, and decorating a pie crust. Everything comes together in the skillet and then it is popped in the oven to bake.

Oh, I almost forgot. Before everything goes in the oven, I added a few dollops of ricotta cheese around the frittata. More cheese, please! The creamy ricotta blankets the soft and tender onions and will make your heart melt. 

My Favorite Green Smoothie

Have you noticed how everyone on Pinterest just LOVES green smoothies? Right after mason jar crafts and high end fashion a normal human could never pull off, green smoothies are the IT thing, if we take Pinterest's word for it.

I la-la-love a good smoothie. When the weather gets warmer, smoothies are a great quick meal or snack.

Green smoothies are super popular because you are generally adding a protein packed veggie such as kale or spinach. I have tried smoothies with both and find spinach to be the better of the two. Spinach is much softer and more tender than kale and the flavor is gentler.

My Favorite Green Smoothie is sweet and fulfilling and packed with goodies. Like all smoothies, a frozen banana is a great place to start. I also add frozen mango chunks for their tangy sweetness, half of an avocado for a rich smoothness, a handful of fresh spinach and bind it all together with unsweetened vanilla almond milk.

Whether you need to refuel after a workout, are looking for a breakfast to take on the go, or need a quick meal that is tasty and satisfying, this smoothie is for you!

Grilled Salmon with Coconut Lime Rice and Mango Pico

Spring has sprung so let's eat our fruits and veggies!

If this dish is not a tropical vacation on a plate, I don't know what is. If you've been craving sandy beaches and warm sunshine, this meal is for you.

Alright. Let me be honest for a minute. You guys SHOULD know that prior to enjoying this meal I had a major fire alarm incident in my apartment. Like...indoor grill pan + 3 room apartment = "WARNING! SMOKE IN MASTER BEDROOM!"

I am very grateful that my fire alarm works, but it is next to impossible to get it to stop even from cooking smoke. I had every window open plus the porch door and was using all of my upper body strength to wave a pillow in an attempt to get the horn to stop beeping. Thank God my landlord is also the best, because she came to my rescue. And then, it was time to eat.

So this Grilled Salmon with Coconut Lime Rice and Mango Pico was actually worth all the trouble. In fact, if you monitor your grill pan carefully, this meal is no trouble at all! Sweet and tangy mango pico is the perfect compliment to a soft coconut jasmine rice and a lightly marinated salmon fillet.

The salmon marinade is simple yet delicious. I combined agave nectar with lime juice and a splash of soy sauce and minced garlic. When the salmon goes on the grill, the agave caramelizes and the lime juice becomes bright and lovely. This is my new go-to salmon preparation (minus the fire alarm...). Dinner for one is served!