Blog posts of '2018' 'November'

How about a cute and festive appetizer made easy! We're using our Slice of Heaven Za Mix and turning it into a delicious Christmas Tree appetizer, complete with 'branches and leaves' and of course that delicious dipping sauce too!

• Ingredients
• 1 Slice of Heaven Za Box mix by Do You Bake?
• 1 can of your favorite tomato sauce (marinara works the best!)
• 1 bunch fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons Do You Bake? For the LOVE of Garlic
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups Mozarella Cheese (shredded)
• 1 cup water (warm) and 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/3 cup butter, melted

Directions!

1. Follow the directions on your box mix : Using your Do You Bake? Slice of Heaven Za mix along with your warm water and olive oil. 
2. Once your dough is ready to go, pinch off 23 equal portions of your dough.
3. Flatten each portion of dough into a disk and fill with 1 tablespoon shredded mozzarrella cheese.  Pinch the ends and roll into a ball.  Repeat with all your dough balls
4. Arrange your dough balls as a Christmas Tree Shape as shown in the photo. 
5. Melt butter and add your Do You Bake? For the Love of Garlic and a pinch of salt
6. Brush garlic butter mix onto your Christmas Tree
7. Preheat oven 425 degrees F
8. Bake for 15 minutes and then add any additional cheese to your tree. Bake for an additional 5 - 7 minutes until cheese is bubbly
9. Remove your tree from the oven and chop your parsley coarsely.  Sprinkle parsley over tree
10. Serve with a bowl of marinara sauce

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Get game ready with this amazing baked buffalo chicken dip recipe that takes less than 10 minutes to prepare.  This has all the big flavors of chicken wings without the fuss of fat and frying!

To add some crunch, top with crispy toasted onions or crispy jalapenos the last 5 minutes of baking.  For a reduced calorie option substitute Neufchatel cheese for the cream cheese and greek yogurt for the sour cream.

Hot dips are the absolute best this time of year! Whether you're getting ready for game day or having a big holiday gathering, there is something warming about a delicious and incredibly flavored hot dip served alongside crackers, chunks of bread and other fun dippers

Ingredients :

• 2 packages (8oz) cream cheese, softened
• 1 package Do You Bake? Butermilk Ranch Salad Dressing Dip Mix
  
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup red hot sauce (3/4 cup for spicier version!)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded chicken breast (optional)

Nothing worse than a million leftovers after your Thanksgiving or holiday gathering.  Especially pumpkin pie. There always seems to be way too many pumpkin pie leftovers, right? 

So what do you do when you have all this orange pie but no one to share it with? .. you make a delicious spiced up pumpkin pie smoothie, you'll just go crazy over!

Our Holiday inspired protein spiked frozen smoothie!

Here's what you do! Cut up your leftover pumpkin pie into individual slices.  Toss your slices onto a cookie sheet and freeze. Once frozen add your slices of pie into individual zip top bags and toss back in the freezer. One slice per smoothie!

Following a low carb or KETO diet? We have a KETO variation for you too!

For the Regular Smoothie

Smoothie Ingredients

• 1 Slice frozen pumpkin pie
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1 scoop Vanilla Creme Caramel Crave It 0 Sugar Protein Smoothz blend
• 1/2 package Do You Bake? Pumpkin Spice Latte Blend

Add all the above ingredients to a blender and blend! Add an extra ice cube or two if you would like a frostier and much more frozen blend.

For your KETO Pumpkin Pie Smoothie Variation, freeze leftover Do You Bake? KETO Pumpkin Pie 2 ways (individual slices) and omit the Do You Bake? pumpkin Pie Latte Blend. Instead add additional pumpkin pie spice as desired.

Now through January, expect pears to be everywhere in your grocery stores! Asian, Bosc, Red Pears and more! A ton of varieties for the choosing to add to all your delicate and delicious dishes. From poached to salads, they make a delicious and beautiful ingredient component.

Our guide below offers great tips on buying the best pears, preparing them and storing your pears to maintain ultimate freshness

BUY PEARS:

Go for firm, unblemished pears.  This beyond those bartletts too!  Golden Bosc pears taste like honey.  Asian pears are super crispy. Anjou pears have a beautiful red skin.  So many variety of pears offers so many different flavors and textures. Try them all!

STORE YOUR PEARS:

Pears are harvested early and shipped to your local grocery stores.  They will ripen as they sit about with their pear partners and await your picking.  We often will pick up our pears under-ripened in the store and a sure-fire way to get them to ripen quicker is to leave them on your counter next to your bananas or apples.  To determine ripeness, press the top of your pear near the stem.  If its slightly soft, then its ready to eat.  Once soft, store your pears in the friste for 3 to 5 days

PREPARE YOUR PEARS:

Just like apples, a delicious pear can be sliced and enjoyed without anything addition.  They are delicious with a squeeze of lemon (the citrus rings out the flavor) and are great poached for dessert or sliced thin as part of a peppery salad with arugula, a light vinaigrette, slivered almonds and of course shaved parmesan or feta cheese.

Bulletproof Coffee is a rich, creamy coffee drink filled with healthy fats.

We've taken the concept of bulletproof coffee and turned it into a KETOGENIC green tea matcha latte. 

The principle behind a bulletproof coffee for KETO followers is this : When you add additional fat into your morning routine, you will feel fuller longer.  If you are not a morning breakfast person, this is a good go to breakfast when following a KETOGENIC diet to maintain healthy fats and reduce your sugar cravings.

It has been said to help with weight loss for those that nibble all day long or are much more used to snacking on sugary snacks.

Our Bulletproof Matcha Latte Recipe :

1 scoop Do You Bake? KETO Matcha Ginseng Latte Mix

10oz almond milk (0 sugar)

1 tablespoon heavy cream

1/2 tablespoon unsalted grassfed butter

1/2 tablespoon coconut oil or MCT oil

In a large mug add your milk, butter, coconut oil and heavy cream. Heat in the microwave for about a minute.  Pour in your scoop of Matcha Ginseng latte (1 - 2 tablespoons) and stir away. 

Enjoy!

There is nothing like a perfect appetizer spread at your holiday gathering.  Hard cheeses, soft cheeses and dips adorn our holiday tables for our pre dinner munchies.

A few great tips to keep in mind as you select your cheeses and prepare your cheeseboards for your guests feast!

Cheese Rule #1 : How Much!

A good rule of thumb is 2.5oz or 75g of cheese per guest. 

Cheese Rule #2 : For Best Tasting!

Cheese definitely tastes best when warmer.  Remove your cheeses from your fridge an hour before you are ready to serve your appetizers.

Cheese Rule #3 : Wine Pairings!

Wine definitely goes best with cheese, right?  Make sure you pick the right wine!  An easy rule of thumb is to match the intensity and bold flavor of your cheese with the intensity and boldness of the wine.  So what does that mean exactly? Pair a bold big red wine, like your cab sauvs with a big bold cheese like blue cheese or a sharp aged gouda

Cheese Rule #4 : Best Way to Keep Leftovers

If you do have any cheese left, its best to wrap your cheese in parchment paper followed by a layer of foil. Store in your cheese drawer / crisper in the fridge.  The parchment paper encourages air flow around your cheese to help with moisture control and prevent spoilage

#1 : Let Your Bird Rest

Don't be tempted to cut into and carve your turkey right out from the oven gates.  Your turkey needs some resting time to allow the juices to distribute evenly throughout the bird.  Remove your turkey from the oven, tent it with foil and let it rest for 30 minutes at room temperature before you go carving crazy.

#2 : Hold the Turkey with Your Hands

Carving forks just don't do it when it comes to a large turkey.  They don't have enough grip or strength to keep your turkey from shifting all around. Use your one hand to keep your turkey steady while you carve.

#3 : Your First Cuts

Remove the drumsticks.  Slice through the skin that joins the leg to the body (that little knob of joints) Cut down to the legs second joint and lightly give your knife a twist to sever the drumstick from the body.  Slice through the meat parallel to the high bone and transfer meat to a platter.  Repeat with your other leg

#4 : Wing Time!

Remove the wings second.  Insert the knifepoint at the first wing joint and twist lightly to separate the wing. Repeat on the other side

#5 : White Meat Carving

To slice the white meat, cut from the neck end to the tail end of the breast, right beside the breastbone.  Angle the knife and run it alongside the rib cage.  Slice the meat crosswise so that there is a section of skin with each slice.  Repeat on the other side.

Party Appetizers are fun bites of flavor explosions. Those quick eats before your main dish and the reason we don't eat all day so we can enjoy all the delicious variety of foods upon us at our holiday gathering.

Party appies don't need to be difficult! In fact our meatball duo can be made ahead in the slow cooker and ready in an instant when your guests arrive. 

Plus .. the house will smell so incredibly delicious as the air is filled with all meatball cooking glory. 

If sweet is your thing, we have the answer!  If savory and healthier is your thing, we've got that option too!

Sweet With a little heat! The perfect combination for any meatball party appetizer.  Even better? These babies just simmer all day long in the slow cooker and get sexy with flavor!

Sweet with a lil Heat Meatball Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 2 egg yolks
• 1 tablespoon Do You Bake? for the LOVE of Garlic Seasoning Blend
• 1/2 cup Do You Bake? Rib EZ
• 1 cup grape preserves
• splash hot sauce (if you like extra heat!)

Directions

1. Preheat skillet to medium high heat
2. In a medium bowl combine ground beef, egg yolks and your seasoning blend.  Mix together
3. Pinch off 1" pieces of meat mix and roll in between your hands to form small balls
4. Grease pan with a little olive oil
5. Brown Meatballs in batches (don't over-crowd) on each side and toss them into your slow cooker. 
6. In a separate bowl combine grape preserves with your RibEZ Mix.  Reserve 1/4 cup and refrigerate
7. Pour your mixture over your meatballs and set your slow cooker to LOW.  Add lid and let cook for 4 - 6 hours until meatballs are fully cooked through
8. Right when your guests arrive, remove your meatballs and place them inside a shallow bowl.  Add a splash of hot sauce (if desired) to your reserved sauce. Bast remaining meatballs with your sauce until well coated.  Serve!

Savory Heathy Chicken Meatballs

Looking for a side of healthy? Opt for these healthier option for your holiday appetizer fest! Recipe to follow

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 2 egg yolks
• 1 tablespoon Do You Bake? For the LOVE of Garlic Seasoning Blend
• 1/4 cup Do You Bake? Creamy Garlic Sauce Mix
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise

Directions

1. Preheat skillet to medium high heat
2. In a medium bowl combine ground beef, egg yolks and your Do You Bake? For the LOVE of Garlic seasoning blend.  Mix together
3. Pinch off 1" pieces of meat mix and roll in between your hands to form small balls
4. Grease pan with a little olive oil
5. Brown Meatballs in batches (don't over-crowd) on each side and toss them into your slow cooker. 
6. In a separate bowl combine milk, sour cream, mayonnaise and your Do You Bake? Creamy Garlic Sauce Mix.  Blend until fully combined
7. Server 1/2 cup of your sauce and pour the rest over your meatballs
8. Set your slow cooker to LOW. Return lid to the cooker and slow cook for 4 - 6 hours until meatballs are cooked through
9. Right when guests arrive remove meatballs from slow cooker onto a shallow bowl or dish.  Baste / top with additional sauce. Warm sauce up in microwave for 1 - 2 minutes (stirring at 30 second intervals) for a delicious garlic dipper

Don't forget the toothpicks! Perfect meatball appetizers

Corn Chowder

What sets this chowder apart from most is the addition of potatoes, which is what gives this soup the thickness and creaminess without needing heavy cream. Of course, you CAN add cream if you want too, for an extra and even bigger creamy flavour, BUT it’s not needed.

Taking full advantage of the abundance of fresh corn available where we both live, this THICK and CREAMY Corn Chowder can be made with fresh corn, frozen or canned corn.

What is Corn Chowder?

Corn Chowder is a thick and creamy bowl of soup with textured or chunky ingredients throughout. Another added element in our corn chowder recipe is creamed corn, which just makes everything taste oh so much yummier

Slow Cooker Or Instant Pot

Whether using a slow cooker or instant pot, first you will sauté your chicken to get it crisp and golden. If using a slow cooker, do this in a separate pan (if your cooker doesn’t have a ‘sear’ function). For IP’s, sear in the pot before setting it to pressure cook. One pot to wash. No pans or skillets! After that, throw most of the ingredients in to continue cooking until the potatoes are fork-tender.

As soon as your chowder is ready, fry some bacon until it’s crispy

Tips

• For fresh corn, you will need 4 ears corn.
• If using frozen corn, make sure the corn is thawed.
• For canned corn, drain and rinse before adding to the chowder.

Full Recipe - Ingredients

• 1 pound (500 g) chicken thighs, diced into 1-inch pieces
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 2 carrots, peeled, and diced
• 3 cups fresh, frozen or canned corn kernels
• 15 ounces (420 g) can creamed corn
• 1 1/2 pounds - 2 pounds (800 g) red potatoes, chopped into 1 1/2 inch pieces
• 2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons Do You Bake? Vegetable Chicken Broth Mix
• 3 tsp Do You Bake? For the LOVE of Garlic Seasoning blend
• 1 1/3 cup light / reduced fat cream, (or heavy whipping cream)
• 2 cups milk, (2% or full fat)
• 1/4 cup cornstarch (or corn flour)
• Salt to season, (I use about 3-4 teaspoons -- adjust to your tastes)
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella,
• 1/2 cup diced bacon, trimmed of fat
• Cracked black pepper, to taste

Recipe Notes

Please keep in mind that this chowder will thicken a little more while it sits and cools to room temperature. Add a little broth, water or milk when re-heating.

Our Corn Chowder has so much flavor they’ll be going back for seconds or thirds. Now this is a family favorite! The recipe includes methods for a Slow Cooker or Instant Pot