Cheesy Green Bean Casserole

• 28 oz can green beans
• 10.75 ounce can condensed  cream of mushroom soup
• 6 oz can french fried onions
• 112 grams (1 cup) shredded cheddar cheese

In a microwave-safe bowl, combine green beans and soup. Microwave on high for 3 minutes. Add in half (56 grams) of cheese, stir, then microwave for an additional 2 minutes. Transfer green bean mixture to a 7x11" or 9" square baking dish then top with french fried onions and remaining cheese. Bake at 350 degrees until cheese is melted.

Sweet Potato Casserole

• 5 cups cooked and mashed sweet potatoes
• 1/4 c. butter
• 1/4 c. milk
• 150 grams (3/4 c.) white sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 110 grams (1/2 c.) brown sugar
• 31 grams (1/4 c.) flour
• 2 tbsp butter, thinly sliced
• 30 grams (1/4 c.) walnuts

In a bowl, whisk together sweet potatoes, butter, milk, white sugar, vanilla, and egg. Spread mixture evenly into a 7x11" or 9" square baking dish. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, and sliced butter. Combine using your fingers until mixture is crumbly. Add in walnuts then sprinkle on top of sweet potatoes. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

Tiramisu

• 3 egg yolks
• 75 grams (3/8 cup) sugar
• 1/3 c. milk (or almond milk)
• 3/4 c. heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 8 ounces mascarpone cheese
• 3 Tbsp strong coffee
• 4 Tbsp rum 
• 3 ounces lady fingers (typically half of a package)
• 1 1/2 tsp cocoa powder

In a saucepan, whisk together yolks and sugar. Whisk in milk and stir constantly over medium heat until mixture boils. Gently boil for 1 minute, remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Cover tightly and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour. 

In a medium bowl, whisk whipping cream and vanilla until stiff peaks form. Cover and refrigerate.

After 1 hr has passed, remove yolk mixture from fridge and whisk in mascarpone. 

Spread lady fingers onto a cookie sheet in a single layer. In a small dish, combine coffee and rum. Drizzle coffee mixture over lady fingers evenly. Carefully transfer half of the soaked ladyfingers the bottom of a bread loaf sized pan. You may need a spatula to transfer them.

Spread half the mascarpone mixture over the first layer of lady fingers. Spread half the whipped cream mixture on top of the mascarpone layer. Top with remaining lady fingers, then mascarpone, then whipped cream.

Using a sifter or mesh strainer, sprinkle cocoa powder on the top. Cover the tiramisu then refrigerate overnight.

Soft Ginger Cookies

Entire batch contains 3540 calories and makes about 2 dozen cookies (148 calories per cookie)

• 312 grams (2 1/2 cup sifted) all purpose flour
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 3/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 3/4 c. butter, softened
• 200 grams (1 cup) white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp water
• 1/4 c. molasses
• 2-4 tbsp sugar

In a bowl, combine flour, spices, and baking soda. In a separate bowl, combine softened butter and 200 grams sugar. Beat in the egg, water, and molasses. Gradually add flour mixture to the butter mixture, stirring until thoroughly combined. Using two spoons, shape a spoonful of dough into a walnut-sized ball then drop into a shallow bowl containing the additional sugar. Coat completely then transfer the coated dough ball onto a greased cookie sheet. Cookies need to be spaced 2-3 inches apart. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. Once completely cool, store in an air tight container.

Taco Salad with Cilantro-Lime Dressing

Salad: really, feel free to add or omit any vegetables you'd like!

• 4 corn tortillas
• 6 cups chopped salad greens
• 1.5 cups cucumber, seeded and chopped
• 1.5 cups tomato, seeded and chopped
• 1 pint cooked black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 pint cooked pinto beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (15 oz) can corn
• 4 green onion, sliced
• 1 avocado, cubed

Dressing: entire batch contains 780 calories, 60 grams protein, and 32 grams fiber and is enough for 4  huge salads

• 1 pint cooked garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (4 oz) can diced green chilies
• 2 bunches cilantro
• 1 bunch parsley
• 64 grams (1/4 cup) peanut butter
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 clove garlic, peeled
• juice of one lime

Cut tortillas into thin strips. Arrange on a cookie sheet and bake in the oven for 3-5 minutes until crispy.

Layer lettuce, cucuomber, tomatoe, beans, and corn in a large serving dish.

In a food processor, blend all dressing ingredients.

To serve, place tortilla strips over the layered salad and if serving immediately, drizzle with dressing. Leftover dressing can be kept in the fridge for 4-6 days.

Healthy Creamy Jalapeño Dip

Entire batch contains 360 calories

• 2 c. fat free greek yogurt
• 3 tbsp ranch seasoning (or one 1oz packet)
• 2 jalapeño peppers, seeded 
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1 bunch cilantro
• 1 Tbsp lime juice

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth. Serve with tortilla chips or fresh veggies.

Pizza Sauce

• 1 (14oz) can stewed tomatoes
• 1 (12oz) can tomato paste
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp basil

Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes. Makes enough sauce for two large pizzas. This sauce freezes well.

Fondant

• 1 tbsp gelatin
• 1/4 c. water
• 1/2 c. corn syrup
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp shortening
• 965 grams powdered sugar

Place gelatin and water in a saucepan and melt over medium heat. Combine remaining ingredients in a bowl and mix. Add in gelatin mixture, stirring until combined. Knead until smooth and shiny then store in fridge for a few minutes. To color, knead in food coloring.

No-Knead Pizza Dough

Entire crust is 580 calories

• 1/2 c. warm water
• 1 tsp yeast
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 150 grams bread flour
• 1 tbsp corn meal (for flouring cast iron)

In a small bowl, combine water, yeast, and sugar. Allow to sit for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine salt and bread flour, Add in yeast mixture and stir until evenly combined. Set in a warm place for 10-15 minutes. 

Drop dough on a floured surface and roll out. Sprinkle large cast iron pan with corn meal and transfer the rolled out dough to the pan. Add sauce and toppings and cook at 475 degrees until cheese is golden (cooking time depends a lot on toppings)

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 128 g. crunchy peanut butter
• 120 g. sugar
• 100 g. brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 160 g. all purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 50 g. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Place mixing bowl on food scale, add butter, then tare the scale (zero it out). Add in each ingredient, one at a time, until reaching the correct weight. Mix after each new ingredient has been added and bring the scale back to zero. Once all the ingredients have been added, roll cookies into 1 inch diameter balls, slightly flatten each with your hands, and place on a greased cookie sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes at 375 degrees.

Calories per batch: 3193

Vegetarian Spaghetti Carbonara

• 1/2 lb spaghetti
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 6 slices vegetarian bacon (Smart brand bacon works perfectly), diced
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/4 c. grated parmesan cheese
• 1/4 c. dry white wine
• fresh ground pepper to taste

In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Once boiling, cook spaghetti until al dente. Drain well then toss with olive oil and set aside.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook chopped bacon until slightly crisp. Transfer bacon to a bowl while reserving the bacon fat in the pan. Add chopped onion to the pan and cook over medium heat until onion is translucent. Add minced garlic and cook 1 minute more. Return cooked bacon to pan. Add cooked spaghetti noodles and toss until coated and heated through. Add in beaten eggs and cook, tossing constantly with tongs or a large fork until eggs are barely set (2-3 minutes). Add parmesan cheese, wine and pepper and toss again. Serve immediately with additional parmesan sprinkled on top.