What do you get for being lazy?

What do you get for having nothing prepared for dinner?

What do you get when you have frozen Eggo waffles in the freezer and some fresh strawberries?

You get a little concoction I call – Dessert waffles for dinner!

A waffle topped with a smear of nutella, a dollop of Greek yogurt, sliced strawberries, slivered almonds and maple syrup.   Was it good?  I would have to say it was delicious.  Was it a great dinner?  Umm No

But that is life.

What are some of the crazy things you eat for dinner that are definitely out of the ordinary?  Let me know.

I love hearing them

I will talk to you on Friday.

Take care

zesty

Download my Free Recipe Book: Simply Zesty

In a rush?

Need a quick cake?

I have a solution.

Now, I don’t think I can stand here and call this a recipe but I can definitely sit on my chair and tell you that this cake is delicious and the slight modifications to a cake mix are DELISH!  There is no question in the world…. if you cannot keep this cake moist you better throw in the bundt pan and step out of the kitchen.  OK that was harsh… but you get the idea!

Ingredients

• 1 package devil’s food cake mix
• 1package instant chocolate pudding mix
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil ( Could sub Apple sauce)
• 1/2 cup water
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Method

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 10 inch Bundt pan.
2. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, pudding mix, sour cream, milk, oil, water and eggs. Beat for 4 minutes, then mix in 2 cups chocolate chips.
3. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in the pan, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.
4. To make the glaze: Melt the butter and 1 cup chocolate chips in a double boiler or microwave oven. Stir until smooth and drizzle over cake.

Zesty Tip:  As an addition to the glaze, you could top with shaved chocolate or even some crushed nuts.  Hazelnuts would be an excellent choice or even walnuts.

Friday is upon us.  Spring break is about to begin.  I am going to go work hard today so I can relax a day or two next week.  Have a great weekend and talk to you on Monday.

Take care

zesty

Download my Free Recipe Book: Simply Zesty

OK.

It is Freezing.

I mean damn cold.  With the wind chill, -32 Celsius ( Fahrenheit conversion -25.6 ).  That is down right cold.

What better way to combat the cold weather than with a cold dessert.  I know, I know…. not really what you were expecting but that is part of the fun.

I poked around the freezer and I saw some fresh picked blueberries and raspberries - I was excited.  I popped them on the counter and let them thaw at room temperature I then knew that I had just bought some Vanilla frozen yogurt (which seems to go well with fruit ).  Then for some reason  I thought all this in a puff pastry would be superb.  Both light and slightly sweet but not too overwhelming after a big dinner. All I needed was some puff pastry – off to the grocery store I go.  Don’t go to far – I will be back!

And I am back!  This dessert simply rocked! Stupid easy yet so powerful. Here is how it came together.  I ended up finding some prepared fresh pastry at the bakery – so that was a bonus.

Ingredients

• 6 Puff Pastry
• 1 Cup Blueberries
• 1 Cup Raspberries
• 2 Tbsp. Apple Juice
• 1/4 Cup Brown Sugar
• 1 Tsp. Corn Starch
• 2 Tbsp. Water
• 6 Scoops of frozen Yogurt

Method

1. Warm a saucepan over medium heat; melt brown sugar, apple juice and berries.  Stir slowly for about 6-10 minutes.
2. Bring to a slow boil, as the berries break down the sauce will loosen.  If the sauce is too thin, mix the cornstarch and water together in a small bowl and add to the sauce.
3. Once you add it to the sauce bring back to a full boil to ensure the cornstarch will activate to its full thickening power.
4. Slowly monitor the sauce, if it becomes to thick, simply add more apple juice or water.
5. Place pastry in plate and spoon frozen yogurt inside, then cover with sauce.
6. ENJOY!

Zesty Tip: Buying fresh berries in season can be a great way to stock up for the winter.  To freeze them effectively,  line them on a cookie sheet with some parchment paper and freeze them for a few hours, than you can bag them (they will not stick together).

Alright, I better go here.  I am going to huddle by the fireplace, have some breakfast and get to work.  Talk to you on Wednesday.

Take care

zesty

Download my Free Recipe Book: Simply Zesty