Mtdl

Double Decker Grilled Cheese Sandwich

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One of my favorite childhood memories is getting a double decker grilled cheese sandwich in the café at our local grocery store. Three level of golden brown edges and two layers of cheese!

6 tablespoons butter
6 slices bread
1/2 cup freshly shredded mozzarella (or use your favorite)
1/2 cup freshly shredded cheddar jack cheese (or use your favorite)

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Cilantro Lime Margaritas

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I combined my two loves to make these cilantro lime margaritas, cilantro and tequila. Kidding! Cilantro and lime will always be my favorite flavor combo! Now they're together in an adult beverage that I can sip!

1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves with stems
1 cup fresh lime juice (about 8 large and juicy limes)
1/4 cup agave syrup (more or less to taste)
4 ounces tequila silver (more or less to taste)

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Tomato Florentine Soup

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Tomato florentine soup is perfect for spring. Carrots, celery, fresh tomato, garlic and spinach swimming in a tomato infused vegetable broth. Just add rice!

1 cup diced yellow onion
1 cup sliced carrot half moons
3/4 cup diced celery
1 medium tomato (chopped)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
2 quarts vegetable broth
2½ ounces baby spinach (about 2 handfuls)
1½ teaspoons kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1½ cups cooked long grain white rice
freshly grated Parmesan Reggiano (for serving)
minced fresh parsley (for garnish)

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Caramelized Apple Dutch Baby

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Light, fluffy and sweet! This Caramelized Apple Dutch Baby is just what the weekend was made for. This dutch baby recipe comes straight out of my dear friend and fellow food blogger, Megan's [Country Cleaver] newly released cookbook Cast Iron Gourmet. The recipe can easily be cut in half for one, left as is to feed 2 one or doubled to feed 4 (you may need a few skillets for this). Feel free to use whatever seasonal fruit to top your German pancake. It's apple season in the mitten so I decided to top my Dutch baby with caramelized apples and a sprinkle of powdered sugar and cinnamon. Simple, straightforward and beautiful!

2 medium apples (like Gala, honey crisp or granny smith)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 tablespoons light brown sugar]
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons butter*
powdered sugar (for serving)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (for serving)

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Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

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This Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice is a healthy alternative to rice. It's bursting with flavor from fresh garlic, lime and cilantro and takes a fraction of the time it takes to cook regular rice. Serves 4 in 10 minutes

1 medium cauliflower (cut into florets)
2 cloves garlic (finely minced)
1 lime (juiced)
1 handful cilantro (roughly chopped)
kosher salt (to taste)

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Berry Spring Salad with Raspberry Balsamic Vinaigrette

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What has bacon, three kinds of berries and a REAL raspberry balsamic vinaigrette? This fresh berry spring salad! A mix of spring greens is topped with crispy bacon, sliced avocados, fresh strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, goat cheese, pistachios and the most amazing raspberry balsamic vinaigrette!

6 ounces raspberries (rinsed and drained)
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 (small) clove garlic (grated)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (more or less to personal taste)
1/4 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1 to 2 pinches red pepper flakes
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar (raspberry infused )
1 tablespoon honey
6 tablespoons light olive oil
5 ounces mixed spring salad green
4 slices thick-cut bacon (cooked and chopped)
1 avocado (halved and sliced)
8 ounces fresh strawberries (raspberries and blackberries (more or less to preference))
2 ounces goat cheese (crumbled)
1/4 cup chopped pistachios
balsamic rosemary grilled chicken breasts (sliced)

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Homemade Turkey Stock

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Don't discard your turkey bones, instead make Homemade Turkey Stock! Add leftover turkey bones, vegetables, herbs and spices with water and cider vinegar into your slow cooker and let it do the work. Yields approximately 12 cups in 6 hours.

1 turkey carcass (from a 4 to 6 pound turkey)
2 medium unpeeled yellow onions (root end trimmed and discarded)
2 medium unpeeled carrots (chopped into 2-inch pieces)
2 stalks celery (chopped into 2-inch pieces)
2 to 4 cloves smashed unpeeled garlic
6 sprigs parsley
4 sprigs thyme
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon black peppercorns
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
12 cups filtered water

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Christmas Goat Cheese Trio

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Spread the love this holiday season with this Christmas Goat Cheese Trio! Three logs of goat cheese, one is rolled in cinnamon and dried fruit and is atop maple syrup. Another is rolled in 3 different types of chopped nuts and sits on top honey. While the last is rolled in black pepper and fresh dill. Get your crackers ready for the perfect spreadable appetizer!

12 ounces goat cheese
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/3 cup finely chopped dried cranberries
2 tablespoons finely chopped hazelnuts
2 tablespoons finely chopped pistachios
2 tablespoons finely chopped walnuts
1/3 cup finely chopped fresh dill
1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 tablespoon honey

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Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing

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This Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing is a light, creamy and made healthier! Greek yogurt mixed with a little mayonnaise and a blend of dried herbs and spices are blended for a super quick and flavorful salad dressing.

1/2 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
1/4 cup mayonnaise (use your favorite)
1/4 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup milk (whole, 2% or skim)
2 dashes Worcestershire sauce (homemade or store bought)
1½ teaspoons dried chives
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried dill weed
3/4 teaspoon dried parsley
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon paprika

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Kung Pao Chicken Stir-fry

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Why order take-out when you can make this homemade Kung Pao Chicken Stir-fry in the comfort of your own kitchen? A delicious sweet and spicy dish consisting of tender pieces of chicken, peanuts, zucchini and bell pepper in a flavorful sauce! Serve over rice or noodles.

1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon ground Szechuan peppercorns
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (more or less to preference)
6 cloves garlic (peeled and grated)
2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1/3 cup Chinkiang vinegar
1/4 cup low-sodium tamari (or substitute with low-sodium soy sauce)
1/4 cup shaoxing wine
1 tablespoon peanut oil (cold pressed, I use Spectrum)
1¼ pound boneless skinless chicken breast (diced into bite-size pieces)
1 egg white
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
4 teaspoons cold pressed peanut oil (I use Spectrum)
2 medium zucchinis (quartered and diced)
1 medium red bell pepper (diced)
1 bunch green onions (cut into 1-inch strips)
1/3 cup roasted peanuts (lightly salted or unsalted)

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