Cheeseburger Flatbread

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Start to finish: 45 minutes
Impresses: 4

Ingredients
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 white onion, thinly sliced
½ pound ground beef
2 flatbread pizza crusts
1 cup The Creamery Colby Jack Cheese, shredded
¼ cup thousand island dressing
½ cup dill pickles, chopped

Method
Bring a skillet to medium-low heat. Add in butter to melt.

Once butter has melted, add in onions and toss to coat. Cook slowly, stirring constantly until translucent and caramelized — about 18–22 minutes.

While the onions caramelize, brown the hamburger. Drain and set aside.

Heat oven to 450 F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

Set flatbread crusts on sheet pan. Build pizzas by dividing onions amongst crusts and top with hamburger, then cheese. 

Bake 10–12 minutes or until the bottom has crisped and cheese has melted.

Remove from oven and drizzle with thousand island and chopped pickles. Slice and serve.


Fried Cheddar Cheese Curds

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Start to finish: 8 hours, 25 minutes, Active: 25 minutes, Inactive: 8 hours
Impresses: 4

Ingredients
½ cup flour
4 eggs, lightly beaten
4 cups panko bread crumbs
1 pound The Creamery Cheddar Cheese Curds
2 quarts vegetable oil
Honey mustard, for dipping

Method
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.

Add flour, eggs and half of panko breading to 3 separate shallow dishes. 

Add half the curds to the flour and toss to coat. Transfer to the egg mixture and toss to coat. Remove the curd in small batches to fully drain the excess egg. Add to the panko and toss to fully coat — gently pressing on curds so the panko adheres. Place in a single layer onto prepared cookie sheet.

Discard the panko and replenish with the remaining bread crumbs. Repeat with other half of curds.

Place pan in freezer and freeze at least 8 hours before frying.

When ready to fry, heat at least 2 quarts of vegetable oil to 350 F. Fry curds in small batches for roughly 1 minute 10 seconds, until browned, and drain on a plate lined with paper towels. 

Serve immediately with honey mustard or another condiment for dipping.

Margherita Noodles

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Start to finish: 35 minutes
Impresses: 1

Ingredients
2 ounces soba noodles (also known as buckwheat noodles, available in the health aisle of your grocery store)
1 tablespoon pesto
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
¼ cup mozzarella pearls, halved
¼ cup grape tomatoes, halved

Method
Bring a medium-sized pot of water to a boil and cook soba noodles to 1 minute shy of package directions.

Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.

In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together pesto, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Add in noodles and toss to coat. Add in mozzarella and tomatoes and toss again. Keep refrigerated until ready to enjoy.

Greek Potato Salad

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Start to finish: 35 minutes
Impresses: 4

Ingredients
1 pound baby potatoes, halved
1 teaspoon salt
¼ cup olive oil
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
¼ teaspoon black pepper
4 ounces feta cheese, cubed
¼ cup kalamata olives
¼ cup green olives
¼ cup fresh dill, chopped
4 cups arugula

Method
Place potatoes and salt into a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil and cook until fork tender — about 13 minutes.

While potatoes boil, make the dressing by whisking together olive oil, red wine vinegar, dijon mustard and pepper in a large bowl until emulsified.

Drain potatoes completely upon cooking and place immediately into the bowl with dressing. Toss to combine. Store in the bowl overnight or until ready to serve. 

When packing lunches the next morning, toss in feta, olives and dill. Place 1 cup arugula on the bottom of your containers and divide potato salad on top.

Tip: If you’re only making lunch for yourself, still prep four servings and store potato salad, tossed with mix-ins. Add arugula when packing lunch the day of.

Veggie Spring Rolls with Peanut Sauce

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Start to finish: 15 minutes
Impresses: 1

Ingredients
For the spring rolls:
2 sheets rice paper (available in the Asian food aisle of most grocery stores)
2 pieces lettuce or ¼ cup spring mix
¼ red bell pepper, thinly sliced
¼ cucumber, cut into narrow spears
¼ cup shredded carrots
¼ cup shredded cabbage
1 green onion, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped

For the sauce:
¼ cup Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons peanut butter
½ lime, juiced
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon hoisin sauce


Method
For the spring rolls:
Fill a shallow dish with warm water and set next to your prep area. 

Place a rice paper sheet into the water, fully saturating until the sheet softens and becomes pliable. Don’t soak too long, otherwise the sheet will become too moist to work with.

Remove from the water and lay flat on a cutting board or clean surface.

Begin layering on the vegetables on the bottom third of the sheet. Start with lettuce, place red pepper and cucumber on top of lettuce, then carrots and cabbage, then green onion and cilantro.

To wrap, fold the sides in, on top of the edges of the veggies. Pull the end closest to you over the veggies toward the opposite end of the rice paper. Tuck under the vegetables then tightly roll, just like a burrito. Cut in half crosswise. 

Repeat with the next sheet of rice paper and remaining vegetables. Serve with peanut sauce.

For the sauce:
Whisk all ingredients together in a medium-sized bowl until fully combined. Serve with spring rolls. 

Tip: Buy pre-cut vegetables from the grocery store produce section for even quicker assembly. 

Churro Cheesecake

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Start to finish: 1 hour 30 minutes
Impresses: 1 9-inch cheesecake

Ingredients
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
8 tablespoons butter (1 stick), melted
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1¼ cups sugar, divided
4 8-ounce blocks cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup Mexican crema
4 eggs

Method
Heat oven to 325 F.

Mix together graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, cinnamon and ¼ cup sugar in a large bowl until combined. 

Press graham mixture into the bottom of the springform pan, using the bottom of a measuring cup to evenly distribute and press into the sides. Set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together remaining sugar, cream cheese, vanilla and cinnamon on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 4–5 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl and add in crema. Beat to combine. 

With mixer on medium-low speed, add in eggs one at a time until combined.

Pour mixture into pan over crust and bake 50–60 minutes or until top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool completely before topping with raspberries and slicing.

Special tools: 9-inch springform pan

Roasted Cauliflower with Oaxaca Salsa

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Start to finish: 45 minutes
Impresses: 4

Ingredients
For the cauliflower:
1 head cauliflower
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon oregano

For the salsa:
½ lime
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ teaspoon celery salt
4 ounces Oaxaca cheese, diced
½ avocado, diced
½ jalapeño, thinly sliced
¼ small red onion, diced
¼ cup parsley, chopped

Method
For the cauliflower:
Heat oven to 450 F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
Set aside.

Slice cauliflower into four 1-inch thick slices, discarding or saving the crumble florets. Lay on parchment-lined baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil.

Mix together spices in a small bowl and sprinkle on top of cauliflower before rubbing in to evenly coat.

Roast for 25–30 minutes, until tops are browned. Remove and top with salsa to serve.

For the salsa:
Juice lime into a medium-sized bowl and whisk in olive oil and celery salt until emulsified.

Add in remaining ingredients and toss to combine.

Place a large spoonful on top of roasted cauliflower to serve.

Snappy Veg Toss

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Start to finish: 35 minutes
Impresses: 6

Ingredients
2 cups apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon kosher salt
¼ cup sugar
4 large carrots
10 radishes
½ red onion
4 ounces queso fresco

Method
In a large measuring cup, stir together vinegar, salt and sugar until dissolved. Set aside.

Peel carrots and slice in half and then down the middle lengthwise before slicing each piece into thirds. Place into a shallow dish.

Slice radishes into thin rounds and onion into ¼-inch thick slices and add to dish with carrots.

Pour vinegar mixture over veggies and cover with plastic wrap. Place in the fridge for 15–20 minutes, or until ready to serve.

When ready to serve, arrange on a platter and top with crumbled queso fresco. 

Note: If making in advance, you can pickle veggies separately in jars and store in the fridge.

Five Spice Turkey Meatballs

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Start to finish: 25 minutes
Impresses: 4

Ingredients
For the meatballs:
1 pound ground turkey
1 egg, lightly beaten
½ cup 4% milk fat cottage cheese
½ cup plain, whole wheat bread crumbs
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
¼ teaspoon Chinese five spice

For the sauce:
¼ cup hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons sesame oil
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1 teaspoon fresh ginger
1 teaspoon chili paste

For serving, optional:
Sesame seeds
Cooked white rice
Steamed green beans

Method
For the meatballs:
Heat oven to 450 F and line a baking pan with parchment paper. Set aside.

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl until fully combined. 

Using a cookie scoop or 1 tablespoon measuring spoon, make meatballs the size of a golf ball. Place onto prepared pan and bake 15 minutes.

Remove from oven and place immediately into a large bowl with 1/2 cup sauce (recipe below). Toss to combine and place back onto the pan and bake 3 more minutes to slightly caramelize. 

Remove from oven and serve immediately.

For the sauce: 
Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl to combine.

Place 1/2 cup into a large bowl for meatballs (instructions above) and save the remaining for serving.

For serving:
Drizzle with additional sauce and sprinkle with sesame seeds, if using. Serve as an appetizer or with rice and green beans for a complete meal. 

Roasted Red Pepper Gnocchi

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Start to finish: 35 minutes
Impresses: 4

Ingredients
8-ounce package gnocchi pasta
2 cups 4% milk fat cottage cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup roasted red peppers
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1 sprig rosemary, leaves removed from stem
¼ cup dry red wine
½ cup fresh mozzarella pearls, halved

Method
Bring a large stockpot of water to a boil and cook gnocchi for 1 minute. Drain and set aside.

Heat oven to 400 F and spritz a baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.

Add cottage cheese, Parmesan, roasted red peppers, garlic, crushed red pepper, salt, rosemary and red wine to a blender. Pulse to combine before blending on high for 2 minutes, or until smooth. 

Toss cooked gnocchi with 2 cups sauce and pour into prepared baking dish. Pour remaining sauce on top and dot with mozzarella pearls.

Bake 15 minutes or until bubbly and cheese has melted. Let set 5 minutes before serving.

Steak N' Egg Burritos

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Start to finish: 10 minutes
Impresses: 2

Ingredients
2 tablespoons light-roast coffee, ground
1 teaspoon paprika
1 tablespoon kosher salt
8-ounce sirloin steak
¼ cup butter
1 russet potato, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
½ red onion, diced
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 eggs
¼ cup milk
1 cup pepper jack cheese, shredded
4 large flour tortillas

Method
Combine ground coffee, paprika and salt in a small bowl. Rub seasoning on both sides of steak. Let set at room temperature until ready to cook.

Add 2 tablespoons butter to a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat.

Once melted, add in potatoes, stirring to coat all potatoes with butter. Cover with a lid and let steam 5 minutes, stirring halfway through. 

Remove lid and add in peppers and onion. Stir to coat and let cook until potatoes are fork tender and onions translucent, about 8-10 minutes.

Remove from pan and place pan back on burner.

Raise heat to high and pour in oil. Place steak in hot pan and let sear — 3 minutes on each side for steak done medium temperature. 

Remove steak and let rest.

Wipe out pan and turn heat to medium-low. Add in remaining butter. 

Beat together eggs and milk and pour into pan once butter is melted. Scramble until eggs are soft set. Remove from heat.

Slice rested steak across the grain and start building your burritos. Place equal amounts potatoes, steak, eggs and cheese on each tortilla. Roll up by folding in the sides and the top. Pull the top and filling toward you before rolling taught.

Toast or serve as is.

Prepping ahead?
Prepared burritos can be wrapped in paper towels and stored in a zip-top freezer bag for up to a month. To reheat, place wrapped burrito on a microwave safe plate and cook for 3 minutes. Let stand 1 minute before removing paper towel and enjoying. Careful: Filling will be hot.


French Toast Casserole

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Start to finish: 10 minutes
Impresses: 2

Ingredients
For the French toast:
1 loaf French bread
8-ounce block cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons sugar
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
8 eggs
2¼ cup whole milk
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
⅔ cup packed brown sugar

For the streusel: 
⅓ cup packed brown sugar
⅓ cup flour
6 tablespoons butter
½ teaspoon of cinnamon

Method
For the French toast:
Slice the bread into bite sized pieces and put in a gallon-sized, zip-top bag.

Using a mixer, beat together cream cheese, sugar and ¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract. Pour into bag with bread.

Beat together remaining vanilla, eggs, milk, cinnamon and brown sugar. Pour over bread mixture. Close the bag and store in the fridge overnight or for a minimum of 3 hours.

For the streusel: 
Using a mixer, beat together brown sugar, flour, butter and cinnamon and pour in a different bag.

Seal and store overnight in the fridge.

The morning of:
Heat oven to 350 F and grease a 9-by-13 pan with butter or non-stick spray.

Pour bag of French toast evenly in prepared dish and top with streusel mixture.

Bake uncovered for 45–55 minutes or until golden brown.

Oatmeal Pancakes

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Start to finish: 15 minutes
Impresses: 6

Ingredients
2¼ cups rolled oats
1 cup whole milk
1 cup 2% milk fat cottage cheese
1 egg
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1½ teaspoons baking powder
Butter, for greasing pan

For serving, optional:
Sliced bananas
Walnut pieces

Method
In a blender, combine all ingredients except butter and blend until smooth — about 30 seconds.

Bring a low-sided skillet to medium heat. Melt 1/2 tablespoon of butter in pan and pour 1/4 cup scoopfuls of pancake batter onto skillet — cooking no more than three pancakes per batch. Cook 2 minutes, or until the top has began to bubble and is slightly set, before flipping and cooking a remaining 1–2 minutes.

Repeat process, including melting butter for each batch, until batter is gone. 

Serve immediately or keep warm in a 200 F oven. Top with sliced bananas, walnut pieces and additional syrup if desired.

California Cobb Chicken Salad

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Start to finish: 10 minutes
Impresses: 2

Ingredients
½ avocado
½ cup Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon ranch seasoning
6 ounces rotisserie chicken, diced
¼ cup bacon, cooked and crumbled
¼ cup sunflower seeds
¼ cup blue cheese, crumbled
2 tablespoons parsley, chopped

Method
In a medium sized bowl, mash avocado until smooth with a fork. Add in yogurt and ranch seasoning and mix to combine. 

Toss in chicken, bacon, sunflower seeds, blue cheese and parsley, and stir to completely mix and coat. Serve with crackers.

Tip: Grab just what you need for this recipe off the salad bar to save time and reduce food waste.

Mocha Granola

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Ingredients
½ cup butter, melted
½ cup maple syrup
1 tablespoon instant espresso powder
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups rolled oats
1 cup slivered almonds
1 cup chocolate-covered coffee beans

Method
Heat oven to 300 F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, mix together butter, syrup, espresso powder, cocoa powder, salt and vanilla until combined. Stir in oats and almonds.

Pour onto prepared baking sheet and bake 30-35 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.

Let cool and stir in coffee beans. Store in an airtight container and serve with yogurt or milk.

Apple Butter Waffle Topped with Stewed Apples

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Apple Butter Waffle Topped with Stewed Apples
Start to finish: 35 minutes
Impresses: 4; 2 waffles each

Ingredients
For the stewed apples:
1 pound golden delicious apples
2 tablespoons butter
¼ cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon

For the apple butter waffle:
1½ cups water
4 tablespoons butter, melted
2 eggs
½ cup apple butter
2⅓ cups No-fail Waffle Mix


Method
For the stewed apples:

Peel and core apples, then cut into ¼-inch slices. Bring a cast iron skillet or Dutch oven to medium heat and add butter to melt. Toss in sliced apples, brown sugar and cinnamon. Cook, stirring constantly, until apples soften, about 20 minutes. While apples cook, prepare waffles.

For the apple butter waffles:
Bring a waffle iron to medium-high heat.

Combine water, butter, eggs and apple butter in a large bowl. Add in waffle mix and whisk until just combined; a few lumps are OK.

Spritz waffle iron with cooking spray then ladle in ¼–½ cup batter, depending on the size of the iron.

Let cook until crispy and browned on the outside — about 4–5 minutes depending on the iron.

Remove with a fork and serve immediately, or place on a baking sheet topped with a cooling rack and keep warm in a 250 F oven.

Fig Pop Tarts

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Ingredients
For the pop tarts:
1 package prepared pie dough
4 ounces whipped cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons fig jam

For the glaze:
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 cup powdered sugar

Method
For the pop tarts:
Heat oven to 350 F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Unroll each sheet of pie dough and trim the edges to make a rectangle. Using a sharp knife, slice each sheet into 6 equal rectangles. (Tip: Cut in half lengthwise and then into thirds.)

Combine cream cheese and jam in a small bowl.

Dollop 1–2 teaspoons of cream cheese mixture in the center of 6 of the pie dough rectangles.

Using your finger, brush the edges with a little bit of water before topping each rectangle with another piece of pie dough. 

Using a fork, crimp the edges to seal. Cut a few lines in the top to vent.

Place on prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart and bake 12–15 minutes or until golden.

For the glaze:
While pop tarts bake, combine lemon juice and powdered sugar in a small bowl by whisking together.

Once pop tarts are done, transfer to a cooling rack and drizzle with a good amount of glaze before serving.

Crescent Cinnamon Rolls

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Start to finish: 40 minutes
Makes: 8 rolls

Ingredients
For the cinnamon rolls:
1 can crescent rolls
½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1 tablespoon cinnamon
½ cup brown sugar, lightly packed

For the frosting:
1 8-ounce block cream cheese, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2–3 tablespoons milk

Method
For the cinnamon rolls:
Heat oven to 350 F and butter a round cake pan.

Unroll crescent roll dough onto a lightly floured surface. Layer each triangle slightly over the other in a two-by-four rectangle. Press to seal all edges together.

In a small bowl, mash together butter, cinnamon and brown sugar. Spread over crescent roll dough — edge to edge. 

Starting on the long edge, tightly roll dough into a log and press to seal the edge. Using a serrated knife, slice into eight equal rounds. 

Place in prepared cake pan, rolls touching, and bake 18–20 minutes or until golden.

For the frosting:
While the rolls bake, beat together cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until fluffy, about 3 minutes. 

Add in milk as needed to slightly thin the mixture. 

Once rolls are baked, let cool 5 minutes before coating in frosting.

Peanut Butter & Dark Chocolate Energy Bars

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Start to finish: 1 hour 30 minutes
Makes: 12 

Ingredients
2 cups quick oats
1 cup wheat germ
½ cup flaked or shredded coconut, unsweetened
½ cup flax meal
1½ cups peanut butter
½ cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla
½ cup dark chocolate chips
2 tablespoons butter

Method
Line a 13-by-9-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside.

In a large bowl, stir quick oats, wheat germ, coconut, flax meal, peanut butter, honey and vanilla until evenly distributed and mixture becomes thick. If you’re noticing that the mix isn’t holding together, add another ¼ cup of peanut butter and pour in a little more honey. Or, if it seems to be too gooey to hold together, add more oats. Once you’ve mixed the ingredients, press evenly into prepared dish and refrigerate for 1 hour. Once set, cut into bars.

In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt together chocolate chips and butter, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted. Using a fork, drizzle chocolate over bars and place in the fridge until chocolate has hardened — about 15 minutes.

Store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.


Oven Baked Eggs

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Start to finish: 15 minutes
Impresses: 4

Ingredients
8 eggs
1/2 cup half and half
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese,
grated
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons butter

Method
Heat oven to 375 F.

Place a medium-size, high-sided, oven-proof skillet over medium heat.

Beat together eggs, half and half, Parmesan, salt and pepper.

Add butter to the skillet and let melt. Pour in egg mixture.

Using a rubber spatula, gently scrape down edges and lift edges to let unset eggs flow into the bottom of the skillet.

Once the bottom is set, place in the oven.

Bake 8-10 minutes or until set.

Slice and serve.