Author Archives: damndelish

Foodie Fave: Avocado Chocolate Mousse

Posted on by

I recently bought a TUB of coconut oil. Completely by mistake, mind you. That’s what happens when you late-night shop on Amazon. Anyway, I’ve managed to use it for a couple of things – chapstick, moisturizer, hair mask. However, I’ve been a bit nervous about trying it out in food. I don’t necessarily want my eggs to taste like coconut by using it as an oil.

I’ve tried mixing it with peanut butter like this recipe calls for. But let’s just agree that you don’t want to see the blob it actually came out as. #nailedit

Luckily, I came across Anna Eastick’s blog Heart+Bowl. She has super healthy bowl recipes like this drool worthy chocolate mousse recipe, with coconut oil!  I’ve been seeing avocado mixed with chocolate for a while now, so it’s about time we give you a damn delish recipe for it.

  • 1 large ripe avocado (or 2 small)
  • 1 tbsp raw, unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/4 cup coconut milk (or any nut milk of your choice)
  • 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil, melted
To serve
  • 1 chunk of bittersweet dark chocolate, grated
  • 2 tsp cocoa nibs (optional)

In a food processor, purée the avocado until smooth. In a jug, combine the cocoa powder and milk until a smooth paste forms. Add the cocoa and milk mixture to the avocado, along with the remaining ingredients. Blend everything together until smooth and well combined. Transfer the mixture into individual bowls and chill in the fridge until ready to serve. Top with grated bittersweet dark chocolate and sprinkle over cocoa nibs.

Avocado Chocolate Mousse

Happy Eating, XO.

Goat Cheese & Chive Smashed Potatoes

Posted on by

For some reason I’ve always shied away from making mashed potatoes. They seemed too daunting – would I mash them enough? Would they be too dry?! There also was that one time I tried putting them in my mixer and covered our new kitchen in potatoes…

It wasn’t until I tried goat cheese and chive smashed potatoes at Bobby Flay’s Bar Americain that I knew I had to get over my fear. These were the best damn mashed, smashed, potatoes I’ve ever had. I needed them in my life. The good news is, with smashed potatoes you don’t have to worry about them being “perfectly whipped”. You want a little chunkiness in them. Which means you don’t need to use your mixer, just your muscles. Which also means you don’t need to spend hours wiping milk and potatoes from your ceiling.

  • 4-5 medium russet potatoes, skinned and diced
  • 1/4 cup chives, chopped
  • 1/4 cup goat cheese
  • 1 tsp salt
  • Dash of pepper

Boil the potatoes in a large pot for roughly 20 minutes, until soft. Drain water and place potatoes back in the pot. Begin to “smash” the potatoes with a wooden spoon, smasher, or I even used this pastry blender. Not what it’s intended for, but still does the job. Once chunky, add in the chives, goat cheese, salt and pepper. Stir until fully combined. These also make great leftovers. When ready to heat, crank the oven to 350 degrees and bake for 20 minutes.

Goat Cheese & Chive Smashed Potatoes_damndelish

 

Happy Eating, XO.

3 Ingredient Blueberry Chia Jam

Posted on by

A little while back, one of my co-workers brought in chia seeds. I tried them, but I can’t say I was a fan of them in just plan ol’ water. They’re too, slimy, if you will.

However, I did some research and found out just how healthy they are for you. Not only do they provide a ton of energy, they’re full of antioxidants, and they help you feel full longer. (Read all of the healthy details here.) So, now that you’re an expert in chia seeds, you can see why these tiny energizers are perfect to start your morning off with. We’ve put together a simple 3 ingredient recipe for a jam that you can use on toast, waffles, or to sweeten up plain yogurt.

  • 3 cups blueberries
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 3 tbsp chia seeds

In a small saucepan over medium heat, add the blueberries and maple syrup. Give it a stir every few minutes. You’ll notice the blueberries start to “melt”. Add in the chia seeds and stir until fully combined. You can store this in a jar for up to 2 weeks in the fridge.

Blueberry Chia Jam_damndelish

Happy Eating, XO.

Asparagus Tart

Posted on by

I wanted to pay homage to this amazing caramelized onion tartlet I had at a French restaurant (shout out to Benoit on the West side of Manhattan) with my boyfriend’s parents. Having said that I wanted something a tad quicker than having to sauté onions in wads of butter before hand. This is the perfect balance of that French decadence with the American need for quickness. I paired it with a seared sirloin and it just amped up the fancyness of the meal. Lovely side if you are ever looking for inspiration, hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

  • 1 sheet of frozen puff pastry
  • 2 cups of shredded Gruyere (I did a blend of caramelized onion cheddar from Trader Joe’s and Gruyere)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt & pepper to taste (I used truffle salt, again to amp up the bougie but also because Jess got me some for Christmas and what a better way to use it!)
  • 1.5 lbs. of thick or medium asparagus (the skinny stuff will just wilt)

The oven is at 400 degrees, bake the pastry on its own for 15 min. Remove from oven and then add shredded cheese. Trim the bottoms of the asparagus spears so they fit cross wise inside the tart shell. Arrange in a single layer over the Gruyere, alternating ends and tips. Brush with the olive oil & sprinkle the s&p. Bake for about 20-25 min until the spears are tender.

Happy Eating, XO.

Blackberry Jalapeño Margarita

Posted on by

I’m not typically one for New Years’ resolutions, but this year Sonia and I decided to give it a shot in a couple of different ways. (Stay tuned to read about hers shortly!). My resolution? No alcohol during the week. WHAT?! Ugh, I know. But a new year is all about trying to be a healthier you, right? (Cue eye roll).  Anyway, because of this resolution, when I do have a drink on the weekend, it better be damn good. I waited all week for it!

Another thing you should know is that I’m not a very patient person. Therefore, I really don’t feel like waiting for summer to come back around to have a margarita. I used to think it was so strange when someone ordered a margarita in the dead of winter. I thought they were strictly reserved as a refreshing drink on a hot day. I’ve changed my ways because, like I said, I’m not patient.

And that my dear friends is why I made this blackberry jalapeño margarita. Before you get up in arms about burning your tongue off with the jalapeños, I promise that it’s not that spicy. Just a little heat to add to the sweetness. Plus, it’s winter people. It’s the only way I could justify a margarita in winter – a little heat!

*Makes 6 cups or 1 small pitcher

  • 1 jalapeño (Through this recipe, I learned that the heat is in the seeds, not the pepper itself. Be sure not to throw them out!)
  • 4 cups of blackberries
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 1/2 cup triple sec
  • 1 cup tequila

Additions:

  • 1 cup seltzer water
  • 1 lime wedge and sugar for the rim

Chop the jalapeño and place off to the side, then muddle the blackberries to a juicy pulp. In a large shaker of ice (for single servings) or a pitcher (for single servings. JK.) pour in all of the ingredients, with the exception of the “additions”. When ready to serve, rim the glass with the lime wedge and sugar. Top with seltzer.

Blackberry Jalapeno Margarita_damndelish

Happy drinking, XO.