bow ties in cream sauce

this is adapted from a "members only" recipe on tasteofhome.com. i changed it quite a bit but in case you're interested, over there it's called "creamy bow tie pasta recipe"


1 box uncooked bow tie pasta
2 tbsp salted butter
1-2 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp flour
2 cloves minced garlic
salt to taste
2 tbsp dried basil
1 tbsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/4-1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup vodka or white wine (i had vodka but i suspect white wine would be better)
1/4 cup water
1/4 shredded Parmesan cheese
2-4 tablespoon sour cream


Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, melt butter. Whisk in the oil, flour, garlic and seasonings until blended. Gradually add the milk, vodka/wine and water. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until slightly thickened. Add salt & pepper to taste.

Remove from the heat; stir in cheese and sour cream. Drain pasta; toss with sauce.

no-bake nutella cheesecake

i made this for easter this year and it was fantastic.

2 blocks neufchatel cream cheese, room temperature
1 (13 oz.) jar nutella
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 tsp salt

1 store-bought oreo cookie crust

blend together the first 4 ingredients until smooth. pour into crust and refrigerate at least 4 hours.

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i had more nutella in another jar, so i microwaved about 1/4 cup of it until runny and drizzled it over the top before putting it into the fridge.

chocolate lava cake in a mug! in the microwave!

this is adapted from this recipe at the Mennonite Girls Can Cook blog, which has become one of my favorite food blogs.

in a large mug, whisk together:

4 tbsp flour
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp white sugar
2 heaping tbsp cocoa powder

then add in:

1 egg
3 tbsp oil
3 tbsp milk
a splash of vanilla extract
a splash of orange extract (optional, but delicious!)
dash of salt

whisk together thoroughly until well combined.

chop approx. 2 oz. chocolate. i used 1 part dark chocolate to 2 parts milk chocolate, because that's what i had. dump on top of the batter but do not stir.

microwave for ONE minute, then stir. microwave another 20-30 seconds, and voila! chocolate cake in under 5 minutes.

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this would also be good with peppermint extract and/or a small handful of andes mints. i guess technically this isn't a lava cake because it's sort of lava throughout- some of it is solid and some is liquid, and that's exactly how i like it! this would be great to share because it's very rich.