Nutella-Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies

You know what they say: a picture says a thousand words? Well, that's all I'm going to say about these Nutella-Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookie with brown butter! I'll just let the picture speak for itself.

Just kidding. . .

'Cause then I wouldn't be telling you the full story, would I?

Seriously, I was a little skeptical at first about whether the Nutella being stuffed in a chocolate chip cookie would even work. I mean, I've stuffed Nutella in crêpes, cupcakes, cakes, macarons, anything you can think of (well, not quite anything), but never in a cookie!

Until now.

And, quite frankly, it's the best thing ever!

In fact, this cookie was on my mind even the following day. . . that's how good it is! And luckily, I stashed a couple away in the pantry so we wouldn't eat the entire batch all at once. Do I dare say they tasted even better the next day?

And the sweet and salty combination? Oh.My.Gosh! I mean really, I'm down for anything sweet and salty: chocolate covered pretzels, kettle corn, sweet and sour chicken. Okay, maybe I've gone a bit too far with the chicken, but you know what I mean!

I can't really find the words to further describe how good this cookie is. I guess you'll just have to make it yourself to prove me right!

Food for My Soul:  "The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." Psalm 18:2

Grilled Mahi Mahi

Last week during Easter break, we visited Pier 39, located in San Francisco. It was my husband's first time ever driving on the Golden Gate Bridge and, low and behold, we were encountered by a large scene of fog all around. We could barely see the bridge!

But, we decided to make the most of it and stopped at Boudin Restaurant and had some of the best bread bowl soups around. Joey, our oldest had the clam chowder, and David, the chili. I enjoyed their tomato soup, which was delicious.

If you've ever been to San Francisco, you know that it literally costs an arm and a leg to pay for parking. Well, more like $12 per hour, but you know what I mean.

While walking around the pier, we found a restaurant that also sold fresh Mahi Mahi, but charged over $8 per piece. However, they also validate parking tickets for purchases over $15. So I bought a couple of fish and got free parking!

I was so excited that I made Grilled Mahi Mahi the next day. I served it with polenta and cucumber tomato and feta salad. There were definitely no left-overs on this one.

Food for My Soul: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6

Red Velvet Cake

Happy Easter, everyone!

I hope you're all doing great and taking it easy this week. I know I am. The kids are home from school and I'm enjoying just spending some quality time with them . . . which is quite wonderful!

We took a one-day trip to San Francisco and visited Pier 39, went shopping at the Roseville Fountains, and stopped to say hello to our oldest son, who worked hard all week at Chick-fil-A in preparation for their grand opening.

But for the most part, it's been a low-key week, and I like it!

I've been meaning to post my daughter's birthday cake for the past few weeks now, and just now am getting around to it. My daughter really knows what she wants and pretty much designed her own cake; she also requested that it be red velvet, which is her favorite.

I make red velvet cake differently then red velvet cupcakes. I like to use cake flour (instead of the all-purpose flour) and butter (instead of oil). The cake really comes out fluffy and light, just the way I like it. So without further adieu, here is my daughter's 11th birthday red velvet cake:

Food for My Soul: "He is not here; he has risen, just as he said." Matthew 28:6

Cucumber Tomato and Feta Salad

Spring officially starts salad season for me. There's something about eating a salad that makes me feel good about what I put into my body. I especially love all the fresh veggies and fruits available this time of year.

I'll be honest, I've made this cucumber tomato and feta salad for many years on many occasions, but mainly by "feel." I finally measured out the ingredients and decided to write them down. I don't always add in the sugar as called for in the recipe, especially if I want a more tangy taste, so its optional here.

This salad really works great as a side dish to accompany any meal. The best part: its very easy to make and so delicious!

Food for My Soul: Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." John 11:25-26

Nut Praline

I like to make praline and keep it on hand in my pantry. It's very versatile and can be used as a topping over ice cream, layered over a cake filling, or sprinkled on top of fruit. It really packs a great "crunch."

However, the trick to making the perfect praline is getting the sugar to be just the right color. If it's too light, the praline won't look right, and if it's too dark... well than it's pretty much over because it's burned. And then you have to start all over again...believe me, I know! I've burned it a few more times than I would've liked, but you live and learn!

The other day, I made a vanilla birthday cake, filled it with chocolate frosting, and topped it with walnut praline. The combination of chocolate, caramel and nuts . . . makes my mouth water. Simply delicious!

Food for My Soul: "May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance." 2 Thessalonians 3:5 (NIV)

Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

I think I'm getting more immune to the garlic taste since I eat it so much. And ever since I discovered the awesomeness of roasted garlic several months ago, I'm always on the look-out for recipes where I can add this ingredient to.

So it was no surprise that mashed potatoes were next on my agenda to experiment using the roasted garlic. I know you may be thinking: "We already love your buttermilk mashed potatoes. How can you even think of making roasted garlic mashed potatoes instead?"

Yes, I agree - my buttermilk mashed potatoes are delicious, but roasted garlic mashed potatoes are also just as delicious (or maybe even more, if I dare say so myself!). 

It's the garlic, I tell you!

I'll be honest, I actually make this version of mashed potatoes quite more often, especially since I don't always have buttermilk on hand, and I always have garlic stashed away in my pantry.  Even better - my kids can't even tell there's garlic inside. They just know it tastes amazing!

Food for My Soul: "Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12: 2

Winner of the Coffee & Cookbook Give-Away

The winner of the Starbucks gift-card and cookbook give-away is Nurse Frugal.

Nurse Frugal, please send me an e-mail at www.cuparoons@yahoo.com to arrange shipment of your prize.

Thank you for all those that participated and stopped by to post a comment.

Have a blessed day!