Peanut Butter Cup Rice Krispie Treats

In brainstorming for the weekly gift to whip up for Callie's secret buddy at work, Rice Krispies Treats came to mind. One pot, no bake, no stress. I am not talkin' your typical plain Rice Krispies Treat. I'm talkin' doctored up, chocolatey, peanut butterey goodness. This is what I came up with...

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Rice Krispies Treats


What You Will Need:

3 Tablespoons butte
4 cups mini marshmallows
6 cups Rice Krispies
2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
1 bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted
1 bag of mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, chopped
Non-stick spray

What To Do:

• Spray a 13x9 inch baking dish with non-stick spray
• Melt butter in large pot on the stove
• Add marshmallows, melt completely, add creamy peanut butter and stir
• When marshmallows are all melted, remove from heat and stir in Rice Krispies cereal
• Transfer to the 13x9 in pan
• Pat down with metal utensil
• Melt chocolate in microwave safe bowl, in 30-45 second intervals stirring each time
• Pour melted chocolate over Rice Krispies Treats and spread evenly
• Sprinkle chopped Reese's on top while chocolate is still soft
• Let set, then DIG IN and ENJOY!!!

I had forgotten how gooey and delicious Rice Krispies Treats are! But these? These are somethin else. If you are as big a fan of peanut butter, chocolate, and marshmallow as I am, you are in for a treat. Make them and you will be very happy. I guarantee it!

Enjoy!

Butternut Chicken Foil Pack

I am a little embarrassed to say that Food Network is the first channel I go to when the TV is turned on. It is great background TV, its mindless, and does not require a lot of brainpower to follow what is going on. Plus, everything looks so delicious! It was just recently that I was introduced to Lisa "Hungry Girl" Lillien, who shares delicious low calorie recipes with genius substitutions. Everything she makes is a healthy spin on all things delicious, but guilt-free. So, I had to buy her cookbook "300 under 300." I think you should too!

Roaming through the great collection of healthy recipes, I came upon the chapter "Return of the foil packs." Foil pack? Never made that before. Time to try something new! I suppose I have baked fish in foil, but never a whole dinner! Callie and I made "Dreamy Butternut Chicken Foil Pack" and I was pleasantly surprised by this super creamy and decadent recipe. Pay attention...

Not a fan of cutting raw meat

Ingredients: makes 2 servings

• 1/2 cup canned 98% fat-free cream of chicken condensed soup
• 1/4 cup fat-free sour cream
• 1 teaspoon chopped garlic
• 2 cups peeled and sliced butternut squash
• 1 1/2 cups chopped cauliflower
• 3/4 cup chopped onion
• 8 ounces raw boneless skinless lean chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1/8 teaspoon salt, or more to taste
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, or more to taste

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees
• In a large bowl, combine condensed soup, sour cream, and garlic. Mix well. Add squash, cauliflower, and onion, and stir to coat. Set aside.
• Lay a large piece of heavy-duty foil on a baking sheet and spray with nonstick spray. Lay veggie mixture on the foil sheet and set aside.
• Season chicken with salt and pepper, and place it on top of the veggie mixture.
• Place another large piece of foil on top. Fold together and seal all four edges of the two foil pieces, forming a well-sealed packet.
• Place baking sheet in the oven and bake for about 35 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and veggies are tender.
• Allow packet to cool for a few minutes, and then cut to release steam before opening it entirely.
• Mix well and serve it up! 

Per serving, this recipe only has 3g of fat and 292 calories. It really seems too delicious to be true, but I do not lie! Enjoy!

Cookie Dough Dip

So, I have been a little naughty this past week. I have been choosing the indulgent and decadent over  the healthy and balanced. I suppose it happens. Here is a little taste of what I have been up to...

My new friend Rebecca and I were needing a relaxing wid-week night in. After having dinner, we quickly whipped up some cookie dough dip to scoop up with square pretzels. It was the perfect accompaniment to re-viewing Season 1 of the not-so-forgotten OC. I love Seth Cohen.

The ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 8 oz cream cheese (regular or 1/3 reduced fat, not fat free!)
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips (or more

Heat the butter and brown sugar on stove top until bubbling. Cream together cream cheese and powdered sugar, then add the vanilla. Pour in butter/brown sugar mixture and stir well. Stir in some chocolate chips for melty chocolatey goodness, cool the dip in the refrigerator, and add the rest of chocolate chips. Serve with pretzels, apples, graham crackers, animal crackers, whatever!

This dip is fantastic. It is creamy, crunchy, and oh so addicting! It is rich, but not overpowering; sweet but won't make your teeth ring; and gives you the power to take as much or as little as you want in every bite.

Pull out your Kitchen Aid and try it! This cookie dough dip is great for a dessert, a sweet snack, or your contribution to a picnic or dinner party. It is a great finger food that is easy to make and pleasing to all! Enjoy! 

-Austen

White Dog Cafe

Just read this menu item, visualize, and drool....


Bananas Foster Stuffed French Toast

Caramelized Flambèed Bananas, Philly Cream Cheese, Pastry Cream, Wet Walnuts

Did you picture this??? 

At White Dog Cafe, conveniently and dangerously located just down the street from me in University City, they are committed to serving local, seasonal ingredients from farms that practice sustainability. Not only do they use organic and fresh ingredients, but they cook from the heart and create deliciously decadent cuisine. This french toast was phenomenal, and the best I have ever had...

The bread had a slight crunch on the outside, encrusting the doughy and soft brioche slices. Two pieces were sandwiched together encasing perfectly melting cream cheese and caramelized bananas. On top, they drizzled real maple syrup, and generously sprinkled enough candied walnuts for each and every delectable bite. You want melt-in-your-mouth-die-and-go-to-heaven french toast? GO HERE if ever in Philadelphia. Great service, cute outside dining area, amazing food, reasonable prices. 

Rebecca and I did it right....we split the sweet french toast and the savory biscuits and gravy. Slightly odd combination, but great balance in taste. I realized that splitting meals is the best, because then you get to try two instead of one! Plus, I always seem to get jealous of what my meal partner orders, so its just better to split two and share.