DANIELLE AT HOME

Recipes

Guacamole

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Today I’m sharing with you my favourite recipe for guacamole. There has been a lot of trial and error to get here. On this mission I once dumped about a tablespoon of salt into a bowl of guac 5 minutes before party guests were to arrive. Everyone politely told me they liked salty guac, but it was barley eaten so I know they were a bunch of liars! But I have finally nailed it and we have been enjoying this recipe along side of our favourite Mexican dishes all summer.

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I like my guacamole to be fresh and cooling with a hint of heat, but feel free to add extra jalapeños if you like yours extra spicy. I also don’t add cilantro to my guacamole since I am in the percentage of people who hate cilantro and think it tastes like soap. It actually makes me sick. When I was in high school I was a cashier at a grocery store and whenever I would ring through cilantro I would hold my breath because even the smell made me feel sick, crazy right. Of course if you are a cilantro lover go for it! I wish I could join you!

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This recipes is the perfect amount for 2-4 people, I like to serve it with chips, hot salsa, fajitas and a margarita.

So do you love or hate cilantro?

Servings: 2-4 people

Ingredients:

  • 2 Medium Avocados
  • 1 Jalapeño, stem and seeds removed, minced (more or less to taste)
  • 2 Tablespoons Red Onion, minced
  • Juice of 1 Lime
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
  • Dash of Cumin
  • Optional: 1/4 Cup Cilantro, chopped

Directions:

In a bowl mash together avocados, minced onion, minced jalapeño, lime juice, salt, cumin and cilantro if using. Mix together until well combined and reaches your desired consistency. Serve with tortilla chips or alongside your Mexican favourites.

Adapted from, Saveur

Chocolate Chunk Cookies

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I am cookie obsessed! I really don’t think there is anything better than a warm cookie, well maybe pie… or pasta. Ok I’m just obsessed with food. But seriously a homemade cookie is one of the best comfort foods.

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I have tried a lot of chocolate chip cookie recipes. Soft, chewy, cakey etc. I have a few favourites, but I think this one is my favourite, at least right now. These cookies are soft, but not doughy or under baked. They also have slightly crispy edges and a slight caramel flavour.

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These cookies use mostly brown sugar which makes the cookies extra flavourful. I also only use egg yolks in this recipe which is why the cookies stay so soft. As for the chocolate, in my house we use a mix of milk and semi sweet chocolate chunks, but you can use your favourite. This recipe also calls for chilling the dough. Chilling the dough will stop the cookies from spreading too much and keep the cookies soft.

What kind of chocolate do you use in your cookies? Dark, milk or semi sweet?

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Servings: 24

Ingredients:

  • 1 Cup Unsalted Butter
  • 1 Cup Brown Sugar, lightly packed
  • 1/4 Cup White Sugar
  • 4 Egg Yolks
  • 1 Tablespoon Vanilla
  • 1 3/4 Cup All Purpose Flour
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
  • 1 Cup Chocolate Chips or Chunks (Dark, milk or semi sweet)

Directions:

Melt butter in the microwave for 30 seconds, or until just starting to melt. Cream butter and sugar together until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla, beat until combined.

Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt together in a medium-sized bowl. Add the dry ingredients to the butter and sugar mixture. Beat on low until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate dough for at least 3 hours or overnight.

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Using an ice cream scoop or two spoons to scoop out the dough, space the cookies 2 inches apart. Bake cookies for about 13 – 15 minutes until golden on top.

Adapted from Amanda Frederickson

Lemon Parmesan Green Beans

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Today I’m sharing with you my favourite veggie side dish. These green beans are tender and fresh with a cheesy bite. They are also super fast to wipe up, so they are not just for dinner parties.

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In this recipe I use french green beans, my favourite are by Manns. I like using french style green beans because they are smaller and more tender then traditional green beans. They also cook quickly which is perfect for a week night.

I par cook the beans in boiling water before pan frying in butter and seasoning with lemon juice. At the end I top the beans with freshly grated parmesan. It really is as easy as it sounds.

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What is your favourite easy and delicious side?

 

Servings: 4-6

Ingredients:

  • 1 lbs Fresh French Cut Green Beans
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • Optional: Chili Flakes

 

Directions:

Place the beans in a wok or fry pan, cover with water. Simmer for 5 minutes, then drain. Over medium heat add butter, beans, salt, pepper and chili flakes to the pan. Sauté the beans for 2 minutes. Add lemon juice and continue to sauté for 2-3 more minute until beans are tender and begin to crisp. Transfer the beans to a serving dish and top with freshly grated parmesan.