The Hungry Wife

My Best Chocolate Chip Cookies have finally made an appearance on The Hungry Wife!  There are many recipes for Chocolate Chip Cookies out there, and most are pretty similar with slight changes in ingredients that make them special.  Best Chocolate Chip Cookies are rich and hearty thanks to the dark brown sugar, whole wheat pastry flour, sweet butter, and extra vanilla.
Best Chocolate Chip Cookies, continued…

With temperatures dropping, there is nothing better than heading indoors and warming up with a mug of Triple Delicious Hot Chocolate.  Seriously, this is without a doubt the most amazing hot chocolate my husband and I have ever had.  It is everything a delicious hot chocolate should be, creamy, sweet, and of course, chocolaty.  Initially my husband wanted me to add in a little extra chocolate, but after some taste testing we decided against it.  Triple Delicious Hot chocolate, has more than enough chocolate just the way it is.
Triple Delicious Hot Chocolate, continued…

Recently I got the opportunity to review some baking products from Naturally Nora.  I asked them to send me the cake and frosting mixes necessary to make their recipe, Peanut Butter Chocolate Layer Cake.  My husband chose this one to fill his sweet tooth craving, and I must admit, chocolate and peanut butter is one of the best dessert flavor combinations.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Layer Cake, continued…

Just by adding fruit, nuts, and/or chocolate chips, humble muffins can be transformed into a mutisensory treat, like this Mango Banana Chocolate Chip Muffin.  This is actually a pretty basic muffin recipe that leaves plenty of room for creative inspiration; there is endless possibilities to these muffins.  I’ve listed some additional delicious variations in case mangos and bananas are not your favorite combination.

The streusel topping adds a special touch.  It can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks, so if you anticipate baking Mango Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins regularly, make extra topping and you’ll save time later.

For a vegan variation, omit the egg and use soy margarine and soy milk in place of the butter and milk.

Mango Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins, continued…

This  Chocolate Espresso Cheesecake is super delicious, and I was thrilled that it turned out so well.  If your a cheesecake lover, make sure to give this one a try.  I was a little nervous because I made a couple mistakes during the cooking process.  First of all, I forgot to melt the chocolate chips until I had poured half of them into the mixing bowl with the eggs and sugar.  I proceeded to melt the remaining chocolate and added it to the rest of ingredients.  Then, the cream cheese probably could have been softened a little more than it was.  I have only made a couple cheesecakes before in my life, so when the filling came out a bit soupy I was really nervous, because I thought the last time I made a cheesecake it was thicker.  I almost scrapped the entire project, but luckily I pushed through.  It is really yummy, and I suggest using espresso to really give it a nice coffee flavor.
Chocolate Espresso Cheesecake, continued…

It’s that time of year again, holiday baking time!  We all have our favorite cookies to make and share during the holidays, but it is always fun to find new recipes for delicious cookies.  Pumpkin Cookies is a simple recipe that everyone is sure to love.  What you get and moist, chewy cookies with a little bit of spice.  Perfect for the winter season, and a great way to use all the canned pumpkin you can find plentiful in the stores.

Pumpkin Cookies Recipe, continued…

Pumpkin Pie Dip is the perfect treat for all those up-coming holiday parties, a perfect way to celebrate the season.  I am so excited to post this amazing and easy appetizer recipe.
If you are a fan of pumpkin pie, you will be in love with this dip.  Plus, it is so easy to make anyone can whip it up fast.
Pumpkin Pie Dip, continued…

I was given the task of supplying a dessert for my husbands company picnic this year.  Last year I brought a strawberry pie, which was excellent and went over really well, but the picnic also took place in June during strawberry season.  Since they moved the picnic to September this year, I decided to come up with something a little different.  Root Beer Float Cake was just what I was looking for.
Root Beer Float Cake, continued…

Banh mi is a Vietnamese sandwich made with a baguette.  There are several things that make this sandwich extra special: the meat has a super flavorful lemongrass marinade, which is excellent with pork, steak, or chicken; the pickled radish and carrots along with cucumber add a tart and cooling flavor that helps to counteract the spicy  jalapenos.  I promise you, you will fall in love with the Banh mi sandwich and will be craving one all the time.
Banh Mi Sandwich, continued…

Wander through the city of Paris, and you’ll find shop windows piled high with brightly colored Almond Macarons.  Unlike the big, brash coconut version most of us are familiar with, these little jewels are all about finely crafted restraint.  In France, however, most macarons are filled with buttercream, so preparing them is a fairly labor-intensive process.  To make these Parisian Almond Macarons, The Hungry Wife simplified the fillings by using marmalade, jam, ganache, and curd.  There is a single batter that could be used to prepare five different cookies.
Parisian Almond Macarons, continued…

There are many, many recipes for pound cake, but The Hungry Wife thinks we have the very best – rich, buttery, dense, and finely textured.  Here at The Hungry Wife, we love to make and eat a wide variety of pound cakes, all adapted from a recipe we found in Family Circle magazine for a pound cake that won a blue ribbon for Mrs. McCollum at the Rockingham County Fair.  Our hats off to you, Mrs. McCollum, wherever you are!
Orange Pound Cake, continued…

These Red Velvet Cupcakes were the first thing that came to mind when I was planning my birthday dessert. Cupcakes are growing in popularity with speciality shops popping up everywhere. To me, cupcakes have always been one of my favorite treats. They are little personal-sized cakes from heaven, that will travel with you and not make a mess.

Red Velvet Cupcakes, continued…

This Green Tea Smoothie is another favorite of ours on hot sunny days.  Fruit of any color is delicious in a smoothie made with green tea, but at The Hungry Wife we lean toward pale green honeydew, and sometimes we add kiwi, too.  Be sure to use a food processor when making smoothies with kiwi: Blenders are more likely to crush the bitter kiwi seeds for this Green Tea Smoothie.

Green Tea Smoothie, continued…

Smoothies are a quick and delicious way to give yourself a refreshing pick-me up at any time throughout the day.  They can be a simple duet of frozen fruit and soy milk or an elaborate blend of several fresh ripe fruits juice, milk, vanilla, and peanut butter.

Smoothie combinations are endless, and the basic directions are simple:  In the blender, whip up 1 to 2 cups of fruit, a cup of liquid, and maybe a teaspoon or two of a flavoring and/or sweetener.  Let the suggestions below inspire you, and your smoothies will be thick, frosty, and refreshing.  Refrigerate any extra and stir or re-blend if needed.

• Fruits: fresh or frozen strawberries, peaches, plums, bananas, pears, blueberries, cherries, melons
• Liquids: orange, apple, apricot, berry, or cherry juices; soy milk, dairy milk, buttermilk, yogurt, flavored yogurt; greet tea; tropical fruit “nectars” such as mango or papaya
• Flavorings: pure vanilla or almond extract, chocolate syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, peanut butter
• Sweeteners: maple syrup, sugar, honey

You know you should eat breakfast.  But what if you can’t face solid food so early in the day?  Try drinking a smoothie as your morning meal.  This smoothie is easy to make and easy to consume.  You can even take it along to work to sip on the commute or at your desk.
Banana Fruit Smoothies, continued…

Cooking Substitutions

Has this ever happened to you?  You just found a delicious sounding recipe that you really want to make, but you are missing a key ingredient.  Now what?  Well, here is a list of cooking substitutions for when this situation arises.

This is in the format of:  <Recipe calls for this, but you don’t have it>:<Substitute with this instead>

Foods that provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition are called “functional foods.”  Functional foods do more than meet your minimum daily requirements of nutrients.  They can also play roles in reducing the risk of disease and promoting good health.

Phytochemical:  Sources – Potential Health Benefit

Allylic sulfides: Garlic, chives, leeks, onions, shallots – Detoxifies; antiviral properties; offers cancer resistance

Beta-carotene: Apricots, carrots, peaches, squash – Enhances immunity; helps prevent cataracts

Catechins: Green and black teas, chocolate – Reduces risk of cancer

Diadzein: Soybeans, tofu – Prevents estrogen from binding to receptors; has anticancer potential

Ellagic acid: Blackberries, cranberries, grapes, strawberries, walnuts – Provides antioxidants

Genistein: Tofu, soymilk, soybeans – Inhibits tumor growth; protects against heart disease

Isothiocyanates: Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, cabbage, cauliflower) – Reduces risk of cancer

Lutein: Spinach, collard greens, kale – Promotes against age-related eye disease; decreases risk of lung disease

Lycopene: Tomatoes, kiwifruit – Reduces risk of prostate cancer

Monoterpenes: Orange and citrus oils, kale – Slows growth of cancer cells

Omega-3 fatty acids: Fish oil (mackerel, salmon, trout) – Reduces risk of heart disease

Proanthocyanidins: Cranberries, cranberry products, cocoa, chocolate – Improves urinary tract health; reduces risk of cardiovascular disease

Resveratrol: Grapes, red wine, peanuts – Lowers blood pressure and risk of heart disease

Saponins: Soybeans, soy foods – Helps to lower LDL cholesterol; controls blood sugars; prevents cancer

Zeaxanthin: Arugula, collards, horseradish, yellow corn, mustard, sorrel – Provides antioxidants; boosts immune function