I don't look at my blog analytics very often but when I do, I'm always surprised at the diversity of people who are reading my blog.  I love the fact that my website reaches readers in Australia, Croatia, France and the Netherlands. Call me old fashioned but I'm still amazed at how the internet has given us access to information all over the world.  I'm thrilled that people all over the world can access my recipes but I cant help but wonder what my writing sounds like when translated into Dutch.???

For those of you who want to get regular blog updates, make sure that you click the subscribe button in the top right corner of the blog.  After you sign up, you will get an email from me every time I publish a new recipe with a link to that new post.  It's a great way to make sure that you don't miss out on the newest recipes.  

Speaking of new recipes - you're going to want to keep this one close by so that you can make it again and again.  A simple dish with ground turkey, sweet potatoes, pepper and onions is absolutely delicious.  

Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 lbs extra-lean ground turkey
1 tsp garlic clove, minced
½ cup onions, diced
½ cup yellow pepper, diced
1 ½ cup sweet potato, diced
Salt and pepper
A pinch of red chili flakes
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Fresh parsley for garnishing

Cover skillet and cook until potatoes are tender.  Stir occasionally.  Add water as necessary.  Add mozzarella and transfer skillet to 400 oven to melt cheese.

Serve.

I actually got to enjoy this yummy meal ALL BY MYSELF.  I had a pound of ground turkey and I split it in half.  I browned half of the turkey in a skillet for turkey tacos for Ben and Courtney.  The other half of the turkey, I used to make this yummy turkey skillet dinner.  It was a great dinner and an even better lunch the following day. 

Ciao!

Some days I just need to take an afternoon coffee and chocolate break.  And then there are days when I need an afternoon coffee and chocolate break WITH BAILEYS IRISH CREAM.   Let's face it, Baileys makes any afternoon better.  Turns out - it also makes biscotti better.  

These chocolate biscotti are packed with mini chocolate chips and a splash of Baileys.  What else do I need to say?  Chocolate chips, Baileys, Biscotti - enough said.  ​

Baileys Chocolate Biscotti
2 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup baking cocoa
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/3 cup mini chocolate chips
pinch salt
1/2 cup butter, room temp
1 1/3 cup sugar
3 eggs
3 Tbsp Bailey's Irish Cream

Bake 30 minutes at 350. 

Slice into 1/2 inch diagonal strips. 

Bake 10 minutes, flip.  Bake an additional 10 minutes. 

These biscotti are not going to last long in this house.  They are decadent and amazing.  

Baileys Chocolate Biscotti also freeze really well.  Freezing these treats might be the only way to make these last through the weekend.  :)  

​Ciao!

I've been searching out all of the sugar in my house this week.   Can you say stress eater?  I can't explain why I crave sugar when I'm stressed but I've also learned not to try and ignore it.  I'm really better off if I give in and allow myself to have a small amount of sugar because attempting to suppress my sugar cravings almost always results in an all out sugar frenzy by the end of the day.  It's not a pretty picture.  Trust me.

There is certainly no shortage of sugar in my house - as you might expect.  Open any cupboard or drawer in my kitchen and you're bound to come across something sweet and scrumptious.  I buy 20-30 pounds of sugar at a time so it's nearly impossible to hide the sweetness.  

Sometimes, a simple bowl of chocolate chips are sufficient to satisfy my need for sugar and there are other times when I need something more substantial.  My level of stress seems to dictate the type of sugar that I require.  

I've had a batch of these decadent shortbread bars in my refrigerator for a week now.  When I feel the need to stress eat all the sugar in the house, I slice a little piece off of one of these gooey, chocolate covered caramel bars and my cravings are satisfied.  

I'd like to tell you that one of these Millionaires Shortbread bars and a cup of hot tea in the afternoon will make your stress disappear but that would be a lie.  The truth is, these decadent bars will NOT make you stress-free - but it WILL add a little joy and sweetness to an otherwise stressful day.  

Millionaires Shortbread
Crust
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 sticks butter

Filling
14 ounce can condensed milk
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup corn syrup
1 stick butter
1/2 teaspoon salt

Chocolate
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted

Slice into 16 rectangles. 

Millionaires Shortbread bars will last for up to several weeks in the refrigerator so they're not only a great little treat to have on hand for sugar attacks but a nice little dessert to have on hand.  

These decadent bars make a great little hostess gift.  Put a couple of bars in a cellophane bag, tie with a pretty ribbon and hand out to your family, neighbors, teachers and friends.  You will absolutely love these shortbread bars. 

Ciao!

When I pick up a restaurant menu - THIS is exactly what I'm looking for.  Delicious, healthy, hearty, warm meals like these Greek Chicken Nachos.  All of the nutritious and big bold flavors of a greek salad on top of warm, toasted pita wedges loaded with protein packed chicken and sprinkled with melted cheese.  

And before you start messaging me - I know that for a lot of you, a sprinkling of feta over the top of these Greek Nachos would absolutely make these perfect.  But there are some of us (cough cough) who just really don't enjoy eating feta.  I actually considered putting sacrificing one of the Nachos and sprinkling it with feta because I think it would have made even better pictures but I just couldn't bring myself to it.  

I am going to be making these Greek Chicken Nachos a LOT.  It's a great way to use up leftover chicken and they're super quick to put together.  Luckily, my family shared my love of this new recipe because they are going to see this recipe again and again.  

Coat each side with cooking spray and cut each half into 6 wedges.

Arrange on a foil lined baking sheet and bake 8 minutes at 400.  These warm pita triangles are ridiculous.  I could NOT stop eating them.

Stir in lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber and olives.

Sprinkle chicken and mozzarella over pitas.  

Top with lettuce mixture and oregano.

I can see all sorts of possibilities for this recipe.  What about replacing the Greek salad with a Cesar salad?  Or swapping the chicken breast with shredded pork?  Or maybe even pizza pita nachos.  Those are just a few of my nacho ideas.  I'm sure that you've got so great ideas too and I want to hear them.  Send me your nacho recipes.  I can't wait to hear from you. 

Ciao!

Valentine's Day is right around the corner.  Don't worry - I've got you covered.  Here are a couple of my favorite easy Valentine's Day treats that will make your loved ones feel extra special.   (Click on any picture for the recipe.)

Need more sweet ideas?  (See what I did there?)  Check out my recipe index.  

As for me, I'm making some fresh strawberry cupcakes for my Valentines this year.  (Shhhh ... let's just keep that our little secret.)  Even though it's not strawberry season, there seems to be plenty of berries in the grocery store right now for Valentine's Day so I'm taking full advantage.  I've dipped a few (hundred) in chocolate and the rest went into these delicious cupcakes.  

Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes
2¾ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup cake flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
2¼ cups granulated sugar
1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
3 eggs
1 egg white
1 cup whole milk
2 cups finely chopped fresh strawberries

Add dry ingredients in batches, alternating with milk. 

Stir strawberries into batter. 

Bake 22 minutes at 350.  (My batter made 14 jumbo cupcakes.)

Happy (early) Valentine's Day to all of you and much love from your favorite blogger.  (hehehe)

​Ciao!