Homemade Cocoa Puffs

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“a delicious childhood memory”

Chocolate for breakfast – yes, please!

We’ve had our fair share of chocolate goodies for breakfast, from pancakes in many different ways to cronuts and lovely chocolaty muffins. Today, we’re making a healthy twist of one of our most memorable childhood breakfasts – cocoa puffs!

We’ll be doing a homemade version that still offers the same amazing taste only without the additives and artificial sweeteners. You can actually make these homemade cocoa puffs for your kids and let them enjoy their beloved breakfast without you having to worry about their health! Will that make you a real supermom? I say, yes!

The cocoa powder combined with the agave syrup (you can use honey as an alternative) gives an intense chocolate taste, while the vanilla enhances the flavor notes of chocolate by making it more sugary and sweet. I personally found that these homemade cocoa puffs taste so much better than the originals, but they’re not crunchy, and instead remind me of brownies – for which I can’t complain. The homemade cocoa puffs are a wonderful way to start your day!

For this recipe, you’ll need a large mixing bowl, parchment paper, baking sheet, and an airtight container to store the cocoa puffs. The whole recipe is really easy-to-follow, and you’ll be done in half an hour, so let’s begin!

The first thing you want to do is preheat the oven to (180°C) 350°F. This way, you won’t have to wait for it to heat later, or cook the cocoa puff longer.

After this, combine all of the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Mix together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. If you’re using vanilla powder, add it now and mix it together with the dry ingredients. However, if you’re using vanilla extract, stir it in after the dry ingredients are well combined.

Once the dry ingredients are mixed, stir in the egg, milk, agave syrup, and melted butter, one-by-one, to have better control over the batter. Whisk for a minute or two until you have a solid dough-like batter. The batter will be a little drier than a typical pastry dough, but that’s good.

Let the dough rest while you prepare the baking sheet. Cover it with parchment paper and spray it with cooking oil or melted butter. After this, you can start making the cocoa puffs and sorting them into the baking sheet. To do this, simply pinch a little bit of the dough and roll it in your hands until you make a marble-size ball. Repeat the same procedure until you run out of dough.

Finally, sprinkle a little bit of cocoa powder over the cocoa puffs. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 15 minutes.

When they’re done baking, let the cocoa puffs chill at room temperature for 15 minutes before you store them in an airtight container. The cocoa puffs can be stored for around a week, so you can eat them anytime you want during that period. Of course, you can also make them for a family breakfast and eat them immediately afterward! Enjoy!


Prep Cooking time Total Servings
20 minutes 15 minutes 35 minutes 5

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup of cocoa powder
  • 1 egg white
  • ¼ cup milk (alternative: almond milk)
  • ¼ cup agave syrup
  • ¼ cup butter (melted)
  • 1 tsp vanilla powder or extract
  • ½ tsp salt

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to (180°C) 350°F.
  • Take a large mixing bowl and combine all of the dry ingredients – the flour, cocoa powder, salt, and vanilla powder (if using extract, stir it in with the other wet ingredients).
  • Stir in the egg white, milk, agave syrup, and melted butter.
  • Whisk all the ingredients until you have a solid dough-like batter (it might be a little drier).
  • Pinch off a little bit from the batter and roll it into a marble-sized ball. Repeat the same procedure until you’ve used up all your batter.
  • Take a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper, then spray it with cooking oil.
  • Place the balls on the baking sheet and sprinkle some cocoa powder over them.
  • Bake for 15 minutes.
  • When the baking process is complete, take out the baking sheet and let the cocoa puffs cool at room temperature for at least 15-20 minutes.
  • After this, serve immediately or store them in an airtight container.

Raspberry Turnovers

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“a puffy raspberry pastry turns your stomach growls into pleasures”

If you’re a sucker for sweet pastries, this little raspberry delight is going to knock your socks off. The recipe itself is very easy-to-follow, and before the hour is gone, your kitchen will smell like sweet heaven.

Whether you have guests coming or you want to treat your close ones, the raspberry turnovers are a little heart-warming snack that will put everyone in a good mood.

The pastry itself is puffy and has a very light texture, while the raspberry filling is thick and has a very intense flavor. I found that apple juice is a wonderful addition that really enhances that tarty quality for which we all know and love the raspberries. The powdered sugar on top gives an extra sweet feeling before the juiciness kicks in, which is quite a powerful contrast, which I especially adore!

Everything that you’ll need for this recipe is one saucepan, baking sheet, parchment paper, and of course, the ingredients listed below.

The first step is to preheat the oven to around 180°C (350°F). While the oven is heating, you’ll make the raspberry filling and prepare the pastry turnovers for baking.

Start by adding the sugar and half of the raspberries in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir well until the sugar dissolves completely, and the raspberries soften became juicy, which is around 5 minutes.

Once the sugar is dissolved, stir in the apple juice, cornstarch, and the remaining raspberries. Mix everything well until all the ingredients fuse together, and all of the raspberries are melted. Make sure there are no lumps from the sugar.

You’ll begin to notice as you stir that the juice becomes thicker, so be careful not to overdo it. It actually depends on how you prefer the filling, so continue to cook for a couple of minutes and when it gets to a consistency you’re okay with, turn the stove off and set it aside to cool. I personally like it thinner, because it makes the pastry moister. However, if you like them drier, cook it for a minute or two longer.

Leave the filling aside while you unfold and cut the pastry into four equal squares. Usually, one packaging has two sheets of puff pastry inside, which means you’ll get eight raspberry turnovers. Brush the squares with melted butter and spoon the raspberry filling in the center of each square. Then, take one corner of each square and fold it diagonally to make triangles. Don’t forget to press the edges with a fork to seal the raspberry filling inside the pastry.

Finally, take a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. Place all of your raspberry turnovers in the baking sheet and brush them again with melted butter, then sprinkle powdered sugar on top. This extra step will give them a very nice golden-brown shine and make them even sweeter. However, if you want your pastry lighter, you can simply skip this step.

Place the baking sheet into the preheated oven and let them cook for 20 minutes. When cooking is complete, let the goodies cool for at least 5-10 minutes at room temperature before serving. It will be hard, but don’t fall for the temptation as I don’t think a burned tongue can feel anything.

One raspberry turnover goes perfectly with a cup of coffee or a glass of freshly-squeezed orange juice. Enjoy!


Prep Cooking time Total Servings
5 minutes 35 minutes 40 minutes 8

Ingredients

  • 1 package puff pastry
  • 350g (3 cups) of raspberries
  • 3 tbsp cornstarch (in 2 tbsp of water)
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar (optional: regular sugar)
  • 2 tbsp butter (melted)
  • 3 tbsp apple juice
  • Powdered sugar (optional, to sprinkle on top

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
  • Place half of the raspberries in a saucepan over medium heat and add 2tbsp of apple juice and the sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves and the raspberries soften (around 5 minutes).
  • Add the remaining raspberries, cornstarch, and apple juice. Continue to cook until the juice begins to thicken. Stop when you reach your desired consistency.
  • Set the raspberry filling aside.
  • Unfold the puff pastry sheets and cut them into 4 equal squares. Brush each square with butter. Spoon the raspberry jam in the center of each square.
  • Take one corner of each square and fold over to make triangles. Press gently on the edges to seal the pastry packets.
  • Brush the raspberry turnovers with the remaining butter and sprinkle some powdered sugar (optional).
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the raspberry turnovers on it.
  • Bake for 20 minutes until the pastries turn golden brown.
  • Cool for 5-10 minutes at room temperature before serving.

Brownie Batter Waffles with Strawberry Syrup

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“crunchy on the outside, soft and fluffy from the inside”

Have you ever thought about eating chocolate brownies for breakfast? Most people would agree that although it sounds delightful, it would be very unhealthy. Brownies are the ultimate guilty pleasure we get to enjoy in moderation as a dessert snack or over an afternoon coffee. So, can we really enjoy guilt-free brownies for breakfast? Brownies, no, but a brownie batter waffles, hell yeah! With this tasty recipe, you’re getting that sweet, fudge-y, and chocolate-y brownie taste with a much lighter and airy waffle-like texture.

Best of all, you’ll only spend around 30 minutes making this delicious brownie batter waffles with strawberry syrup – works as a breakfast option or an afternoon snack! You’ll need a waffle iron, a saucepan (for the strawberry syrup), two mixing bowls, and a blender (optional). The blender helps smooth out the strawberry puree, but you can totally skip that step if you don’t have one.

Let’s cook those brownie waffles!

You can turn on the waffle iron right from the start so you don’t wait for it to heat after you’ve made the batter.

And, while the waffle iron heats, prepare the waffle batter by mixing together the flour, baking, powder, cocoa powder, sugar, salt, and ground almonds in a large mixing bowl.

After this, gradually stir in the eggs, then the vanilla extract, butter, and milk. Stir until smooth and creamy. Once the butter and sugar are completely melted, you can start cooking the waffles.

Use ⅓ cup of the batter for each waffle if you have a 7-inch round waffle iron or similar.  Usually, you need to cook each waffle for around 5 minutes, but most waffle irons have a cooking progress indicator, so cook them as you would every other waffle.

Once the waffles are cooked, place them on a serving plate, and set them aside.

It’s time to prepare the strawberry sauce. Simply, take a medium-size saucepan and place it over medium to high heat. First, add the strawberries – make sure they’re well washed and chopped. After this, add the lemon juice, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Stir all the time because you can easily burn the ingredients.

If the sauce is too thick, add a little bit of water. Cook the strawberry mixture for around 10 minutes. When you notice that the strawberries are softened and start to break down, remove the saucepan from heat.

You have two options here. The first option is to transfer the mixture into a blender and pulse until smooth. The other option is to use a potato masher so you can easily mash the strawberries, then beat the mixture until smooth. Once you get the desired texture and consistency, simply pour over the served waffles and decorate with fresh strawberries. Enjoy!


Prep Cooking time Total Servings
15 minutes 20 minutes 35 minutes 4

Ingredients

For the brownie batter:

  • ½ cup of all-purpose  flour
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 cup of cocoa powder
  • ¼ cup of brown sugar
  • ½ cup of ground almonds
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter (cubed)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup of milk
  • A pinch of salt

For the strawberry sauce:

  • 2 cups strawberries
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Take a large mixing bowl and whisk together the flour, baking, powder, cocoa powder, sugar, salt, and ground almonds. Mix well the dry ingredients until fully combined.
  • Gradually stir in the eggs, butter, vanilla extract, and milk.
  • Beat the batter until smooth and creamy.
  • Turn the waffle iron on and brush with vegetable oil.
  • Pour ⅓ cup of the batter in the heated waffle iron and cook until done.
  • Repeat the procedure for the remaining batter.
  • Wash and chop the strawberries.
  • Place a saucepan over medium to high heat, then add the strawberries, lemon juice, sugar, and vanilla extract. Stir constantly.
  • After 10 minutes, when the strawberries start to break down and the sugar is completely dissolved, remove from heat.
  • Transfer the sauce into a blender and pulse in completely smooth (optional).
  • Pour the strawberry syrup over the warm waffles and serve.

Homemade Doritos

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“the perfect company for every tv show, movie, or video game”

There are many ways you can make Doritos at home, but there are only a handful of recipes that can make homemade Doritos taste as good or even better than the real deal. I’ll toot my own horn and say that my homemade Doritos recipe is one of the crunchiest recipes out there with one-of-a-kind seasoning combination – which makes these Doritos practically irresistible.

I know I’m not the only one here when I say I don’t have control over myself when I’m eating chips. I just can’t stop, but then when I see the bag empty, I feel guilty! The additives, the number of calories… Oh, I’m getting a headache just thinking about it. So, making baked Doritos at home is one way to compensate for our control issues.

To make this recipe you’ll need half an hour, although your job in the kitchen is no more than 10 minutes. It’s a really easy-to-follow recipe that anyone can master.

You’ll need a baking dish, a mixing bowl, a saucepan, and all the ingredients listed below. Keep in mind that when it comes to seasoning, you can always add or remove some of the ingredients to better suit your taste.

To start, preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).

While the oven heats, take a large mixing bowl and combine the tomato powder, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and salt. Stir until all of the ingredients are well mixed. Set it aside.

After this, take a baking sheet, line it with parchment paper, and grease it with cooking oil. Set it aside.

Take the tortilla wraps and stack them in a pile. Using a big knife or a pizza cutter, cut the tortillas into three strips, then use zig-zag movements to cut each strip into small triangles.

Now that everything is ready, take a tortilla triangle, brush it with vegetable oil on both sides, then toss it into the bowl with seasonings until fully covered. After this, place it in the baking sheet.

Repeat the same process with the rest of the tortilla triangles. Once you get the hang of it, it’s a really fast process. The only thing you need to keep in mind is that the triangles shouldn’t overlap in the baking sheet, so they can bake completely and end up really crunchy.

When you’re done, simply place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 20 minutes. Keep an eye on your Doritos, as you don’t want to burn them.

When they’re baked, take the tortilla chips out of the oven and leave them at room temperature so they can cool completely.

To resist the temptation to eat them while still hot, keep yourself busy with the cheesy dip that goes hand in hand with Doritos.

To make it, take a saucepan, place it over medium heat and stir in the half-and-half and corn starch. After a few minutes, when the mixture gets smooth, reduce the heat and fold in the cheese. Stir for a minute or two and remove from heat when the cheese melts.

Transfer the dip into a serving bowl and serve together with the cooled Doritos.

Enjoy them over your favorite TV show or a small gathering with your close friends and family!


Prep Cooking time Total Servings
5 minutes 20 minutes 25 minutes ~ 50 pieces

Ingredients

  • 5-6 corn tortillas
  • Vegetable oil
  • 1 cup half-and-half (half milk/half cream)
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese (grated)
  • 1 tbsp corn starch
  • 2 tsp dried tomato powder
  • 1 ½ tsp chili powder
  • 1 ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp salt

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
  • Take a large mixing bowl and combine the tomato powder, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and salt. Stir well, until all of the ingredients are well combined. Set aside.
  • Stack the tortilla wraps in a pile and cut them into four stripes. After this cut each stripe into triangles using zig-zag movements.
  • Take a baking sheet, line it with parchment paper, and spray with cooking oil.
  • Brush a triangle with vegetable oil on both sides, then toss and turn into the bowl with mixed seasonings until fully covered. Finally, place it on the baking sheet.
  • Repeat the same procedure with each tortilla triangle. Be careful not to overlap the triangles in the baking sheet.
  • Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 20 minutes.
  • Check the chips every five minutes – make sure they don’t burn.
  • After baking, let the tortilla chips cool at room temperature for at least 20 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, make the cheese dip.
  • Take a saucepan and stir in the half-and-half with the corn starch.
  • Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir until the mixture boils.
  • Once the mixture is smooth (4-5 minutes), reduce the heat and stir in the cheese.
  • Cook for a minute or two until the cheese melts completely.
  • Transfer the cheese dip into a small serving bowl and serve together with the freshly made Doritos.

Greek Yogurt Chocolate Chip Cookies

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“a crispy chocolate bite that melts in your mouth”

 

It’s well known that chocolate chip cookies are the most popular and loved sweet snack in the world. So, it doesn’t come as a surprise that there are many recipes and variations to the traditional formula that all claim to be the best chocolate chip cookies recipe.

However, I believe it all comes down to personal preference. For example, just when I thought I’d tried every recipe out there, I found yet another way to make mouthwatering chocolate chip cookies using greek yogurt. Have you ever cooked cookie dough with greek yogurt? Trust me, it makes super soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies. Best of all, the yogurt makes the cookie formula healthier.

Greek yogurt is sometimes used as a substitute for butter (like in this recipe) in order to reduce fat, while still keeping the cookie moist and soft. It will add a rich tangy flavor, plus all the health benefits that come with it. The only thing you need to keep in mind is that too much yogurt and too little flour can result in soggy cookies, so don’t be shy on the flour. Also, don’t beat the dough too much! Mixing too much can make the cookies rise and then sink in the oven, and we don’t want that!

To make this Greek yogurt chocolate chip cookies recipe, you’ll need a baking sheet, parchment paper, and two mixing bowls. The preparation and baking time are 10 minutes each, which means in 20 minutes, you’ll have fresh-out-of-the-oven delicious treats. So, let’s see just how ridiculously easy this recipe is.

The first step is to preheat the oven to (180°C) 350°F.

After this, take a large mixing bowl and combine the brown sugar, butter, shortening, and eggs. Next, stir in the vanilla extract and Greek yogurt. Be careful not to overmix the batter. Stir slightly, just until the ingredients are combined.

Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in another mixing bowl and gradually stir it in the batter. Beat very lightly just until the dough gets a little dense. If it’s too sticky, add a little bit of flour.

Set the dough aside while you prepare the baking sheet. Line parchment paper over the baking sheet and grease it with cooking oil or melted butter.

After this, take a tablespoon and scoop from the dough, then drop it in one corner of the baking sheet. Repeat the same procedure and spread cookie dough drops all over the baking sheet. Just keep in mind that the dough is going to rise and spread while baking, so don’t place them too close to one another.

Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 10 minutes. Pull the rack a bit and check whether the cookies are done. Touch the edges just slightly with a spatula or your finger. If the cookies are firm and stay in place, then they’re done. If the edges still feel a little soft on the touch, then let them bake for 3-5 minutes more.

Once the cookies are done baking, let them cool on a rack for about 20 minutes, or until they reach room temperature. I know it will be hard to resist the temptation, but the waiting is worth it! Never store warm cookies, as you’ll lose the crunchiness. The cookies will go soft and will feel gooey while eating.

Keep yourself busy while the cookies cool, then serve and enjoy!


Prep Cooking time Total Servings
10 minutes 10-15 minutes 25 minutes 30 pieces

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups of chocolate chips
  • 3 tsp baking powder
  • 2 eggs
  • ¾ cup of plain, non-fat Greek yogurt
  • ¼ cup of shortening
  • 1 ½ cup of brown sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • A pinch of salt

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to (180°C) 350°F.
  • Cream together the brown sugar, butter, shortening, and eggs in a large mixing bowl.
  • Stir in the greek yogurt and vanilla extract. Mix lightly until just combined. Don’t beat the batter too much.
  • Take another small mixing bowl and mix the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the batter while stirring. Once you add the flour beat very lightly.
  • Finally, fold in the chocolate chips and set aside.
  • Take a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. Grease with cooking oil.
  • Use a tablespoon to scoop up from the dough and drop it on the baking sheet.
  • Leave enough space between the drops of cookie dough because they’ll grow while baking.
  • Bake for 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Place the cookies on wire racks to let them cool completely. It usually takes around 20 minutes at room temperature.
  • Serve and enjoy.

Flourless Dark Chocolate Brownies

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“an extremely fudgy bite that simply melts in your mouth”

I know how frustrating it can be to see all these amazing chocolate brownie recipes and not be able to try them because of your diet. Gluten is the major protein in flour, which means it can be hard for people that are on a gluten-free diet. Whatever your reason is for avoiding flour, this flourless dark chocolate brownie recipe is here to show you that everything is okay, and you can still enjoy the same delicious food like everyone else – only healthier and if you let me argue, even tastier.

It’s a simple recipe that produces around 8 to 10 extremely fudgy and soft chocolaty brownies that melt in your mouth. I used raw cocoa powder as a topping, but if you don’t like the bitter touch of raw cocoa, you can skip it or make a hot chocolate fudge to pour over each brownie.

Yes, the baking process takes around 40 minutes, but your job is done in five minutes tops.

Start by preheating the oven to 180°C (350°F). After this, take a large microwave-safe bowl and mix together the chocolate chips and butter. Microwave them for 2 minutes. Be careful when taking the bowl out of the microwave, because it will be hot. Stir again and check if the chocolate chips are fully melted. There should be no lumps.

Slowly and gradually stir in the eggs, then the sugar, vanilla powder, and only half of the cocoa powder. Beat the batter until you get a smooth but dense consistency. Set the bowl aside.

Prepare the baking sheet by lining a parchment paper and greasing it with cooking oil or melted butter. Then, simply fill it with the batter you’ve just made. Make sure the batter spreads evenly in the baking sheet.

Let it bake for around 30 to 35 minutes.

Once the brownies are baked, take the baking sheet out of the oven and let it chill at room temperature. Spatter the remaining cocoa powder over the brownie dough in a thin layer.

Don’t cut the brownies while they’re still hot or warm. First, let them cool completely. You’ll know they’re ready for cutting and serving when you stick a toothpick in the dough, and it comes out clean. Usually, it takes around 10 to 15 minutes.

Finally, carefully cut the brownies into equal pieces and serve two pieces in one serving plate. Decorate with fresh fruit or a scoop of ice-cream. Enjoy!


Prep Cooking time Total Servings
5 minutes 35 minutes 40 minutes 8

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of dark chocolate chips
  • ½ unsalted butter
  • 3 eggs
  • ½  cup of brown sugar
  • 1 cup of cocoa powder
  • 2 tsp vanilla powder
  • A pinch of salt

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
  • Take a microwave-safe bowl and combine the butter with the chocolate chips. Microwave for 2 minutes. Stir well once you remove the bowl from the microwave.
  • Gradually stir in the eggs, then the sugar, vanilla powder, and half of the cocoa powder. Mix until the batter is smooth and there are no lumps.
  • Take an 8×8-inch baking dish, line it with parchment paper, and spray it with cooking oil.
  • Pour the batter into the baking sheet until it has filled the sheet evenly.
  • Bake for 30 to 35 minutes.
  • Once the brownies are baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool at room temperature for at least 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Use the rest of the cocoa powder to sprinkle it over the freshly baked brownies.
  • Carefully cut the brownies into squares and serve.

Single Serve Healthy Raspberry Ice Cream

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“happiness and pleasure wrapped up in a healthy and exquisitely delicious treat”

We all scream for ice cream – can we have more, and more, please? Well, ice cream is a sweet and refreshing treat but it comes with a high amount of calories, sugar, fats, and don’t get me started on the additives and artificial sweeteners. This brings us to an unfavorable verdict for ice creams. Don’t get me wrong, ice cream is a perfectly nice treat in the hot summer as long as it’s eaten in moderation. The problem starts when the cravings kick-in or when we use ice cream as a coping mechanism. It’s okay, I’ve been there – something goes wrong, the ice cream is here to make you feel better until the guilt comes of how much you’ve eaten. It’s a struggle, which I found that this little single-serving healthy raspberry ice cream recipe might solve.

First of all, it’s a single serving, which means you make it, you eat until it’s gone and everyone’s happy! There’s no temptation there! Second of all, it’s actually healthy, because it’s homemade with only 3 natural ingredients! There’s no refined sugar, no additives, nor artificial sweeteners. Finally, and most importantly, it’s finger-licking good! The raspberries make it taste sweet, yet slightly acidic. The sour cream enhances that tangy flavor, while the honey makes it even sweeter with a floral taste. To tell you a little secret, raspberries are my favorite flavor, but you can make the recipe with any fruit you prefer, like blueberries, blackberries, cherries, strawberries, and so on. Even more, you can use a different sweetener. I chose honey because it’s healthy and super nutritious, and I like its taste, but you can also use maple syrup, agave, corn syrup, and many other natural sweeteners. Be brave, experiment and find the combination that’s to your taste.

However, maybe the most impressive thing for this little dessert is that it’s done in less than 5 minutes. If you’re using frozen raspberries you can actually eat it right away, as a cold creamy delight, but if you want to the real ice-cream experience than you’ll have to leave it in the freezer for at least an hour. Can you resist the temptation for that long? You know what they say – the bigger the challenge, the bigger the reward!

I posted two methods on how you can make this recipe, just in case some of you don’t have a blender. Now, for the first method, you’ll need a blender and a small container or ice cream molds, while for the second method, you’ll need a small mixing bowl, a container or ice cream molds.

The first method it literally takes a few seconds, as all you have to do is put the raspberries, the sour cream, and the honey in a bowl and mix with a stick blender. Once you get the consistency you want, transfer into a container or an ice cream mold, and place it in the freezer.

The second method can only be used if you have fresh raspberries, as you can’t puree frozen raspberries by hand. So, take the fresh raspberries and crush them into a small mixing bowl. Once you make a puree out of the raspberries, add the sour cream and honey. Mix well until all of the ingredients are combined, and you have a smooth blend. Transfer the blend into a small container or an ice cream mold, and place it in the freezer.

Finally, after an hour you can enjoy your healthy raspberry ice cream! Of course, if you like to share this treat with your friends and family, simply double or triple the ingredients and make more servings.


Prep Chill time Total Servings
5 minutes 1 hour 1 hour, 5 minutes 1

Ingredients

  • 1 ½  cup raspberries
  • ⅔ cup sour cream
  • 1 ½ tbsp honey (alternatives: maple syrup, agave, corn syrup)

Instructions

Method 1: Frozen raspberries

  • Add the raspberries, sour cream, and honey to a bowl and mix with an immersion blender until you get a smooth and creamy consistency.
  • Transfer the blend into ice cream molds or a small cup and place it in the freezer.
  • Let it chill for at least an hour before you serve.

Method 2: Fresh raspberries

  • Take a small mixing bowl and crush the raspberries until you get a purée.  Whisk in the sour cream and honey. Stir well until all of the ingredients are well combined and you have a smooth and thick blend.
  • Transfer the blend into ice cream molds or a small cup and place it in the freezer.
  • Let it chill at least an hour before you serve.

How to Use a Vacuum Sealer?

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Vacuum sealing has become a new trend in the past few years due to its money-saving benefits that enable you to buy food in bulk and divide it into smaller serving sizes. This not only helps you plan your meals easily, but it also helps you make more room in your freezer.

Since this is a relatively new thing, many people don’t quite know how to use a vacuum sealer, and if this is you, our article will help you out. We’ll go into the nitty-gritty of different models, how you can use them, and cover their benefits. After reading this article, you’ll be able to use your vacuum sealer to store meat and other produce, pack food so you can cook it using the sous vide method, and much more. Let’s get started.

What Is Vacuum Sealing and Why Is It Useful?

Vacuum sealing is removing the air from a container or bag to protect what’s stored inside. You can vacuum seal anything, though vacuum sealers are most commonly used in the kitchen. Since oxygen exposure is the main cause of food spoiling and promotes the growth of microorganisms that lead to yeast and mold growth, vacuum-sealing food delays the deterioration of fruits, veggies, meats, and legumes that comes from oxygen exposure. 

Types of Vacuum Sealers

There are a lot of vacuum sealers on the market today, but they all fall into one of these three categories:

  • Handheld vacuum sealers – these vacuum sealers have a pistol-like device that extracts the air from the bag, container, or jar that you’re using to store your food or other items.
  • Bar sealers – these vacuum sealers are used mostly for vacuuming dry food as liquids can get sucked inside the machine.
  • Chamber vacuum sealers – these vacuum sealers are the most sophisticated of the three and they work by sucking out the air around the vacuum bag instead of sucking it in, making them ideal for both dry and liquid food.

How to Use a Vacuum Sealer?

Now that you know more about what type of vacuum sealers there are, you can start using one by following these easy steps.

1. Use the Right Vacuum Bag

Before you do anything else, you need to find the right vacuum seal bags, jars, or containers that you plan to use to vacuum seal your food. This will make a lot of difference since using containers or bags that let air come in defeats the purpose of using a vacuum sealer. 

You can choose between brands such as WeVac, FoodVacBags, and Food Saver, which are some of the most popular manufacturers on the market. Additionally, you can use glass jars and containers with your vacuum sealer, just make sure that the container you’re using is vacuum sealer-friendly and freezer-safe. Finally, choose the right container size for the amount of food you’re sealing to ensure that the seal works optimally.

2. Prep the Food 

The next step is prepping the food before sealing it. If you’re vacuum-sealing meat, make sure that the cut is clean, remove all the fat, and cut the meat into smaller portions. If you’re vacuum-sealing things that have sharp edges, make sure that you wrap them in a paper kitchen towel to prevent the sharp edges poking through the bag. 

3. Fill the Bag 

When filling the bags with food, it’s important to leave some room in the bag to get a good seal. It’s optimal to leave between three to five inches at the top to ensure that the seal will hold efficiently.

4. Use the Vacuum Seal Correctly

This step will vary depending on the machine you use, so if you have an instructions manual, it’s best to read it through. But if you don’t, we’re here to help. 

The first step will be laying the bag flat on the counter. Next, you’ll need to open the lid of the sealer and place the opening on the sealing strip. Then close the lid, press the button for the seal function, and wait for the indicator to tell you that the bag has been vacuum-sealed completely. If there are additional buttons and settings on your sealer, you can do a quick Google search to find the specific model and the online manual to help you figure out what the settings mean.

Handheld vacuum sealers work a bit differently than the bulkier models. The first step is similar, and that’s laying the sealer bag flat. Then, take the vacuum sealer, press it on the surface of the sealer bag, press the button, and wait until all the air has left. Some models will even have an indicator that shows you when the bag is sealed.

5. Store the Food

The best thing about vacuum-sealing your food is that it will be fresher for longer. Generally, vacuum-sealed food tends to last between two to five times longer if stored correctly. So, after it’s been sealed, write the date of sealing and the type of food you’re freezing, and immediately place it in the freezer. This will save you a lot of time when you search through the freezer at a later time.

6. Clean the Vacuum Sealer After Use

Similar to other kitchen equipment, vacuum-seal machines get dirty as well. Food sips out of the bag and gets into the small crevices, so if you want to keep it in the best shape, clean it after every use. This can be done by wiping down the sealing strip, drip tray, and the opening of the vacuum chamber with a damp cloth. You should also wipe down the top and sides of the sealing machine, and wait for the vacuum sealer to completely dry before storing it away.

What to Use a Vacuum Sealer For?

Now that you know how to use a vacuum sealer, here is what you can vacuum seal with this appliance.

Meat

One of the things that people often vacuum seal is meat and fish due to the fact that they last longer in the freezer. Vacuum-sealed meat and fish can keep in the freezer for up to two years without oxidizing or getting a freezer burn. 

Seasonal Ingredients

When you buy food that’s in season, you can stock up on your favorite fruits and veggies and use them throughout the year at a lower price. To prevent fresh fruit from clumping up when you vacuum seal it, it’s best to first freeze it lying flat on a baking tray and then lay it inside a sealed bag. 

Reseal Food Packages

Another good use for the vacuum sealer is resealing food packages from opened spices, potato chips, coffee brands, and other food. This way, you can store them in the pantry without them going bad or losing flavor.

Store Leafy Greens and Salads 

Salads and leafy greens can also be vacuum-sealed to keep them fresher for longer.

Shelf-Stable Foods

Shelf-stable foods, such as lentils, beans, rice, pasta, chickpeas, and other kitchen staples, can also be vacuum-sealed to give them an even longer shelf life.

Pickling and Preserving Canning Jars

Another great use for the vacuum sealer is pickling and canning foods in vacuum-sealable jars, so you can enjoy delicious pickled foods at your convenience.

Sous-Vide Cooking

You can use the vacuum sealer to prepare your meats before you cook them using the sous-vide method. Just cut your meat, place it in the bag with the sauce, vacuum seal it, and it’s ready to go in the sous vide.

Store Away Clothes

Not only is the vacuum sealer great for storing food, but it’s also helpful in storing out-of-season clothes so they take up less room in your closet.

Protect Important Documents 

Vacuum sealing is perfect for storing documents and papers that you don’t want to risk getting wet, such as birth certificates, passports, social security cards, and other important papers. This is also useful in case of emergencies or when you move, as you’ll have all your essentials in one place.

Precious Belongings

Another great idea is to vacuum seal items that are valuable and need to be kept safe from humidity, such as antique books, comic books, etc.

Final Thoughts

To sum up, there are three main types of vacuum sealers, handheld vacuum sealers, bar sealers, and chamber vacuum sealers, and each one works best for a certain type of food. Now that you know more about how they all work and what you can use them for, you can choose the one that suits your needs the most and go out and purchase it. We have a comparison of the best vacuum sealers ready to help you with your purchasing decision.

How to Open a Pressure Cooker?

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It’s not a secret that pressure cookers have a decades-old, dubious reputation regarding safety. However, today’s modern appliances with primary and secondary valves and safety lids that open only after the pressure has been released have been game-changers. Plus, they have many automatic shut-down mechanisms that prevent them from overheating.

Overall, modern pressure cookers are loaded with safety features. However, knowing how to open your pressure cooker properly is still important, so we’ll share a quick guide.

When Is It Safe to Open a Pressure Cooker?

To safely open a pressure cooker, you first need to know when it’s safe to remove the lid. The pressure change when you open it may cause the gas inside to expand rapidly. Depending on the discrepancy between the pressure inside and outside, the expansion can be mild or cause an explosion-like release.

The most dangerous aspect of such an aggressive reaction is that the gasses trying to escape can forcefully eject liquids or food, causing a “violent food eruption.” Keep in mind that the temperature inside the pressure cooker is around 40 degrees higher than the boiling point of water. Such an accident can lead to severe burns.

To prevent such a violent reaction, you need to ensure that it’s safe to open the lid. Modern pressure cookers have a visual indicator signaling that the pressure inside the pressure cooker has dropped to a safe level.

What if there’s no indicator of the pressure level?

It is very uncommon for modern pressure cookers not to have a pressure level indicator. Still, this may be the case in older models. The general rule of thumb is to remove the pressure cooker from heat and wait for at least 10 to 15 minutes for the pressure to subside before opening it. However, we recommend following the instructions provided by the manufacturer or calling customer support to be on the safe side.

 

When you see the visual indicator turn on, it’s time to open the lid. Here are a few of the most common and secure ways of opening pressure cookers.

Pressure Cooker Opening Methods

There are several different ways to open a pressure cooker because the opening method will affect the food’s quality.

Moreover, some methods are more suited to specific food types for safety. It’s not the same if you’re steaming vegetables and legumes, cooking broth, thick meat, or matched potatoes.

Here’s a quick rundown of the six most common opening methods and their characteristics. After this, we’ll go into detail and explain these methods better, focusing on the most popular (not necessarily the safest): natural-release, quick-release, and water-release.

Method Speed Time (Electric Pressure Cookers) Time (Stovetop Pressure Cookers) Description
Water-Release Method Very Fast not applicable instant (seconds to a minute) Pouring cold water over the pressure cooker in the sink – not safe!
Base Immersion Very Fast not applicable 1-2 minutes Placing the base of the pressure cooker in cold water – not safe!
Quick-Release Fast 2-3 minutes 2-3 minutes Opening the pressure valve for a quick release of the pressure inside the pressure cooker.
Delayed Quick-Release Somewhat Fast 5-6 minutes 5-6 minutes Opening the pressure valve in time intervals.
Combined- Release Somewhat Slow 10-15 minutes 10-15 minutes Waiting 10 minutes (natural release) then opening the pressure valve.
Nature-Release Slow up to 30 minutes 15-20 minutes Waiting it out until the pressure naturally subsides.

 

The food doesn’t immediately stop cooking when you remove the pressure cooker from the stove or turn it off (electric pressure cookers). The food inside will keep cooking until the pressure subsides and the temperature inside cools. So, you need to consider the pressure cooker’s type (model), the kind of food you’re cooking, how filled it is, and the time for each method.

Water-Release and Base Immersion Methods

NOT SAFE

The water-release method and its alternative version, the base immersion method, are two old ways of quickly or almost instantly subsiding pressure inside the pressure cooker.

The technique is relatively simple and consists of carefully removing the pressure cooker from the stove and placing it in the sink under a stream of cold water. In the case of the base immersion method, people submerge the pressure cooker’s base in cold water for a minute before opening the lid.

Both of these methods are used for stovetop pressure cookers only and were invented out of convenience – a quick alternative to the slow (natural) release method when valves were still not a thing.

Nevertheless, we do not recommend opening a pressure cooker with the water-release or base immersion method due to safety concerns.

  1. Transporting a hot pressure cooker with contents hotter than boiling water from the stovetop to the water sink is incredibly dangerous. You might burn yourself or cause an explosion if you drop it.
  2. If the pressure cooker has safety and pressure valves – they might be damaged or blocked by the stream of cold water.
  3. The cold water might damage the metal or aluminum outside the pressure cooker. That compromises the integrity of the whole appliance, making it unsafe for future use.

Important: Do not attempt to cool down electric pressure cookers with cold water as this can damage the appliance and cause explosions.

Conclusion

Although water-release and base immersion methods are frequently used as a quick alternative to the natural release method for stovetop pressure cookers; we do not recommend them as they’re unsafe.

Quick-Release and Delayed Quick-Release Methods

SAFE (with exceptions)

Modern pressure cookers come with safety and pressure valves designed for releasing the pressure inside  safely and quickly. Instead of waiting for the pressure to subside naturally, which might lead to overcooking, you can release the pressure through the pressure valve.

Most pressure cookers come with a valve, but they can also have a lever, push, or slide button. Regardless of the release mechanism, it serves the same function – to quickly release the pressure/steam inside the pressure cooker.

But be prepared. When you use the pressure release valve, the steam coming off will produce a loud sound – that’s normal. What’s not normal is the bits of the food or liquid that start coming out. If you notice something like this, close the valve. Such scenarios can happen when the pressure cooker is too full or when you’re cooking with a lot of liquid  (for example, meat stew).

In this case, the slightly slower delayed quick-release method is a great alternative. You’ll still use the pressure valve, but you’ll open it halfway through or open it for short intervals to release bursts of steam.

This method is best for fast and light meals, such as cooking vegetables or liquid-covered foods. Thick and dry foods, such as rice, are unsuitable for the quick-release method. We recommend the natural release method for those dishes.

Combined and Natural-Release Method

SAFEST!

The natural-release method, i.e., waiting for the pressure to subside naturally, is the slowest opening method but also the safest. It’s the recommended method when you use a pressure cooker without a pressure valve or when cooking complex, slow-cooked meals. Also, it’s the easiest method to open a pressure cooker, which is excellent for first-time users.

Turn off the pressure cooker or remove it from the stove and let it cool down (and the pressure to subside) before opening it. Depending on the type of pressure cooker and the food, this method takes anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes. Stovetop pressure cookers are faster, and you can safely open them in around 15 to 20 minutes.

On the other hand, electric pressure cookers take around 20 to 30 minutes to be ready for opening. The exact time also depends on the food – the more food you have, the longer the waiting period will be.

It is the best method for slow-cooking and works well with rice, legumes, grains, and other foods that can dry out with quick evaporation.

Conclusion

Opening modern pressure cookers is a much easier and safer process than it was a decade ago, thanks to many safety features such as steam and pressure valves.

Nevertheless, you still need to understand how each opening mechanism works to prevent completely avoidable accidents and ensure the food’s quality.

Hopefully, our brief guide achieved that and made you feel at ease about using your pressure cooker.

There are three considerations readers need to pay attention to before opening the pressure cooker – the time, type of food type cooked, and pressure cooker model.

That being said, the two safest opening methods are natural and quick-release. Another popular release method for stovetop pressure cookers is the water-release method, but we do not recommend it due to safety concerns.

Finally, always read the instructions provided by the manufacturer because different pressure cookers might be more or less suitable for different opening methods. Don’t hesitate to call customer support if you’re still having doubts.

How to steam in an instant pot

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Follow these four basic steps to steam in an instant pot.

Step 1: Add Water

Adding water to the Instant Pot is rule number one when steaming. Use a cup or a jug to measure at least 240 mL of water and pour it into the bottom of your pressure cooker.

However, note that larger quantities of food, such as a whole basket of veggies, require at least 470 mL of water.

Step 2: Make Sure Not to Overfill Your Instant Pot With Water

Overfilling your pressure cooker with too much liquid might ruin your food. Too much water produces too much steam that clings to the surface of the food. As the pressure cooker temperature increases, these water molecules move rapidly and increase the inner pressure — and eventually cause your food to become mushy and tasteless.

Step 3: Set the Trivet & a Steam Basket

At the risk of stating the obvious, an Instant Pot trivet  is a stainless steel rack that allows you to heighten foods above the liquid in the inner pot. Set this tool at the bottom of your pot and just above the water level to hold the food properly.

If you think your food might start falling off when set directly on the trivet, you can place a steam basket above it for more security. When placing the basket, make sure its top is below the top edge of the pot to ensure the lid fits.

Note: Steam baskets don’t come with Instant Pots, so you might want to purchase one. You can also use a small colander instead.

Step 3: Adjust the Timing & Layer the Food Accordingly

All food has a different steaming time to cook well. Veggies such as broccoli require two minutes of steaming time to preserve their nutrients and retain their crisp-tender form, whereas thicker foods like potatoes, carrots, or turnips need much longer. Therefore, ensure you know how much time each vegetable requires to be cooked perfectly.

If you are cooking multiple veggies, layer the thicker foods at the bottom and those that take a shorter time to cook on top, away from the water.

Step 4: Ensure the Lid Is Sealed

It is crucial to seal the lid of an Instant Pot to cook with pressure. Place the lid on top of your pressure cooker and make sure its arrow mark lines up with the open lock icon on the control panel. Last but not least, turn the lid clockwise until you hear a snap to ensure it’s securely closed.

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