Outrageous Chocolate Cookies

The name says it all. But wait, is it a mini brownie, or is it a cookie? Doesn't matter. Twenty ounces of chocolate for ~20 cookies? Outrageous.

Buffalo Pot Pie with Cheddar Cheese Biscuits

A true winter warmer, this recipe required more math than I typically tolerate in the kitchen. Fortunately it was worth the struggle because once it's done it's done and you won't have to do it. Originally designed to 'feed a crowd' I cut the recipe in half and dividing by 2 is usually within my abilities, but dividing a recipe in two that I added a bit to here and subtracted a bit from there... is tricky.

This dish also works well with ground beef, but I find buffalo to be more flavorful. Just decrease the ammount of butter used to cook the meat if you use beef since it is less lean than buffalo. You can also make this dish ahead of time- just assemble the meat and vegetable part of the pie, cover it, and refrigerate until you wish to eat it. Then prepare the recipe as written.

Chocolate and Pistachio Biscotti

I always prefer cookies that compliment my mid-morning latte. Enter biscotti. Bonus points if the biscotti flavors compliment the latte, like chocolate perhaps. I also like how biscotti keeps well in the fridge, you can make a batch and enjoy it for weeks instead of stomaching 2 day old stale cookies. Not every store will sell raw, shelled pistachios, but if you can find them I'd give this recipe a shot.

You can also be extra fancy and make gift worthy biscotti by dipping each cookie with chocolate and sprinkle on a few chopped pistachio pieces.

Broccoli Rabe and Goat Cheese Pasta

This dish is a great way to enjoy a creamy, cheesy pasta dish without the heaviness of cream-based sauces. A large helping of broccoli rabe, lemon zest, and oregano, lighten this dish and the goat cheese based sauce reheats very well. The original recipe calls for broccoli or broccolini, but I prefer broccoli rabe and used it instead.

Chocolate Bark with Cherries, Crystalized Ginger, and Walnuts

In a rush and need to bring a treat to a party? Try this chocolate bark and you'll bring a crowd pleasing dish that also is healthy, well, as healthy as candy can be.