Cheesecake Factory Orange Chicken Copycat Recipe

8 / 7 / 208 / 7 / 20

Chinese food is the greatest cuisine ever. In the history of time, I don’t think I have left a Chinese restaurant without spending at least $60. I can’t just get one entree. No, no. I must get two of my favorite entrees (which is always a tie between General Tso’s, Orange Chicken, Sesame Chicken and Sweet & Sour Chicken) plus Lo Mein and an appetizer or two; spring rolls and pan fried dumplings. I am getting so hungry just talking about it.

Why am I making an Orange Chicken Copycat Recipe from The Cheesecake Factory of all places? I realize it’s a bit random to be sharing an orange chicken recipe from the Cheesecake Factory as it’s not an authentic Chinese restaurant or even a Chinese restaurant for that matter LOL but, they do have a really good version that’s widely loved.

So I decided to create a recipe for this dish so I can help all the people that adore this dish (myself included) make this at home! Read More

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Whole Foods Nutty Monkey Smoothie

8 / 5 / 208 / 10 / 20

I’m not sure what stands out more, this pretty purple smoothie or those gorgeous flowers. I bought these flowers at this cute little local market in Atlanta, Floral Park Market. The sweetest family runs this market and their flowers are super “gardeny” (as I like to call it) and unique.

Today I am sharing a very simple recipe for one of my favorite smoothies that I was introduced to at my local Whole Foods Market. I am not sure if they make this flavor at all locations, but it’s so wonderful that I had to share it with you. The associate at their juice and smoothie counter showed me how they made this and I still make this smoothie at home today two years later. Read More

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Keto Friendly High-Protein Chocolate Mug Cake

8 / 2 / 208 / 2 / 20

Can I just start by saying this keto friendly, high protein chocolate mug cake is only 200 calories?

I’ve been on a quest to find a complete replica of a brownie-like cake that could satisfy my instant gratification while not ruining all the hard work I’ve put into eating cleaner and working hard at the gym. Not a black bean brownie, nor fake sugar that leaves a gross aftertaste in your mouth. The past few years I’ve tried “healthy” sweets and yes, it can be good when you’re totally desperate, but I wanted better.

I was yearning for a true dessert that tasted like, well… dessert! There are really good keto recipes out there that are really good, but they are also high in fat and calories. Since I am not doing keto, I really don’t want the extra numbers in my dessert. So I am super excited to share this recipe with you today that can give us the best of both worlds.

Oh, and I forgot to mention this dessert is vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, low carb/sugar, low fat and high protein!

200 CAL • 6g FAT • 11g CARBS • 4g SUGAR • 15g PROTEIN

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School Cafeteria Brownies

7 / 8 / 207 / 8 / 20

These retro brownies make me reminisce on my elementary school days. I can taste the memories just by looking at these photos. Weren’t those school years just the good ole’ days!? When all you had to worry about was simple things (like , when is snack time?). It’s funny how we think back to our childhood and it’s often just the good stuff you remember. At least for me. Sure there were plenty of bad things too but I find it is interesting that I always look *back* when I think about the best times of my life. Total side bar, there is a quote from the final season of The Office when Andy says:

“I wish there was a way to know you are in the good ole days, before you’ve actually left them”.

Such a simple quote but I think about it often. Who knows what lies ahead for any of us, in just months or years from now you may look back on today and realize how lucky you are, how easy you had it, or how grateful you should’ve been. Sorry to get so deep on a post about brownies, LOL, but this feels very relevant to mental space lately. Read More

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Chicken Alfredo Fritta Olive Garden Copycat Recipe

5 / 21 / 20

The best appetizer at Olive Garden hands down, is the Chicken Alfredo Pizza Fritta. So it’s no surprise that today I will be remaking this recipe with a copycat version of my very own. Sorry OG, but this recipe is better than the original! My husband, Aaron, took a bite and said OMG THIS IS THE BEST THING I’VE EVER EATEN. Granted, he has said this more than once, but this still goes down as one of the greatest copycat meals I have made. Second of course to my Copycat Popeye’s Famous Chicken Sandwich Recipe.

Picture a hot pocket full of homemade chicken alfredo, but instead of hot pocket crust, it’s pillowy soft homemade (EASY) pizza dough. And to make it even better, YOU DIP IT IN HOMEMADE GARLICKY ALFREDO SAUCE!!! The only downside to this recipe is the urge to dive in before they cool off in the center. Guaranteed your impatience will result in burning your mouth with the molten alfredo inside – don’t say I didn’t warn you 🙂 Read More

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BBQ Brisket Sliders with Jalapeno Mac & Cheese

2 / 22 / 208 / 2 / 20

Who knew brisket could be so incredibly delicious in the oven!? This brisket recipe is fall-off-the-bone tender (although brisket cuts aren’t on the bone, but you get the point :)) and perfect for these cold months when you are not interested in being outside at the grill.

These sliders are sweet and spicy with a perfect combination of barbecue sauce, honey slider buns, and jalapeno spiked creamy skillet macaroni & cheese. This is essentially a whole meal in a tiny little slider. Um, yes! Read More

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Four Layer Peanut Butter Brownie Bars

2 / 15 / 202 / 15 / 20

There aren’t many combinations that go together like peanut butter and chocolate. Well, I could name a few others.. lemon and lime, sour cream and onion, butter and garlic, sea salt and caramel, chocolate and peppermint, french fries and milkshakes. But don’t we all agree that peanut butter and chocolate tops ALL of those? No. French fries and milkshakes might be the best actually. But that’s really another category. That just slipped into the list when I got carried away.

This Four Layer Peanut Butter Brownie recipe is fun because it adds a layer to the traditional peanut butter bars. Well, two layers actually = brownies and ganache. It’s essentially two desserts in one and I ain’t complaining about that! Read More

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Rib-Eye Sliders with Garlic Parmesan Cream Sauce

2 / 2 / 202 / 15 / 20

Super Bowl Sunday!!!!! Even when I don’t have a team I am rooting for, I still love Super Bowl Sunday every year. It’s basically another fun holiday to look forward to. Time with your friends and family, and most importantly, a reason to cook them awesome food! I’m super excited about these Rib-Eye Sliders with Garlic Parmesan Cream Sauce. It’s a lot of gourmet love packed into one tiny sandwich. But it’s really the perfect size, snackable, hand-held and finished in a few quick bites. Just enough to satisfy the steak urge while still leaving room for the hot corn dip, buffalo dip, brisket mac & cheese sliders and delicious desserts… that I plan on eating. Possibly all on the same plate 😉 Read More

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Chicken Egg Rolls with Sweet & Sour Sauce Recipe

1 / 25 / 208 / 25 / 20

The most important part of an egg roll is flavorful filling, without that, you say “meh” after you bite into it. You don’t want to have to drown it in sauce in order for it to be delicious. Even worse is oil-laden egg rolls where you can’t taste anything other than the oil that is coating your mouth.

If you want to make perfectly crispy, super flavorful egg rolls, my mom’s famous Chicken Egg Roll recipe is simply the best. And, they are just in time for the Chinese Lunar New Year which is today! Read More

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Holiday Moroccan Coffee Recipe

1 / 1 / 201 / 25 / 20

This deliciously intense Moroccan coffee recipe was made especially for my New Years blog post by my father who is an amazing cook. The only thing that tops his cooking is his mixology skills. Although he’d never refer to himself as a mixologist, that’s really what he is. Every detail is thought through from the infused salt rim of the glass down to the specific brands he is using. When I asked him to create a special drink recipe for my blog, I just knew he would be so extra! 🙂 Read More

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