kelli zink

Zexy Mamma Bars

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One of my pregnant girlfriends has been craving nothing but cookies for weeks, opting to hit up health food stores for the more nutritious kind.

So I decided to try and make her something that would both hit the spot and be good for the little one and found this version and pretty much stuck to it, although there is a tiny Wifey Kitchen twist involved.

They are NO BAKE and BEYOND simple. I think they’d be perfect for a snack for kids or to bring to work in lieu of donuts or something less healthy.

what is that in your hand mom?

what is that in your hand mom?

I WANT!!! *these are actually dog safe as well*

I WANT!!! *if you skip the chocolate- then these are actually dog friendly as well, as long as your pooch doesn’t have a nut allergy*

*The only part that MAY trip you up happens with the dates* (our food processor happened to be broken so I used the blender)

Zexy Mamma Bars

What You Need:

  • a loaf pan (I got mine from Jewel Osco, it’s disposable- that way you don’t have to worry about getting it back)
  • a cup of dates (take out the pits)
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 3/4 cup almond butter
  • 1/4 cup toasted walnuts
  • 1 and 1/2 cup of rolled oats
  • a quarter of a bar of 70% dark chocolate bar
  • plastic wrap
  • a cookie sheet
  • *optional- a grater

What to Do:

  • lay the oats and nuts out evenly on a cookie sheet and toast them for about 12 mins at 350
  • put the dates into a food processor or blender and chop them finely
  • heat up the almond butter and honey on low in a small pot or in the microwave
  • take the oats and nuts out and combine them with the dates, honey, almond butter- stir until everything is equally mashed and while you do this either break your bar into chunks and drop them into the mix OR grate the bar in to the bowl while you mix it up
  • lay some plastic wrap at the bottom of your pan
  • put the mixture into the pan , spread it out then cover with another piece of plastic and mash it down into a thick bar
  • throw it in the freezer for around 20 mins, then cut and serve!

You’re My Obsession

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photo-12

The “It” girls in The Wifey Kitchen (pictured from left to right)

Real Good Juice (1) Juice-Tin Bieber, Jucille Ball, Lesser Evil (2) Feta and Black Olive Chia Crisps, Lesser Evil Jalapeño White Cheddar Chia Crisps, (3) Supremo Queso Sierra Cotija® Ground and (4) G & L Keses Halloumi Cheese.

Do I die over Cara Delevigne, Karlie Kloss and the other “It Girls” who dominate Fashion Week? DUH. But give me products that make me do a double take when I open the fridge and I’m happier than a B lister in a front row seat.

Here’s Why:

I’ve been on the hunt for the secret to the cheese that will make my Elotes taste authentic and I’ve finally found it. (3)

Chicago has been DYING for a juice-only zone. (1)

If you grew up thinking “OPA” was normal, but then tasted the real thing, now you can make it at home on the grill. (4)

And these “Crisps” are so good, you’ll sub them when you need a nacho fix. (2)

Killer Cinnamon Toast Honey Apple Crunch Kugel

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Whew- that sounds like a complicated mouthful, no? Well it’s not! This dish is truly simple to make.

I first tried Kugel in 2003 when my two wonderful Jewish roommates introduced me to both this dish and the holiday of Rosh Hashanah. Love at first bite was an understatement- I wolfed down half the pan!

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The best thing about Kugel is that there are 100’s of varieties and you can add your own twist on your dish based on who you’re serving it to, and it can be served hot or cold.

Since Rosh celebrated the Jewish New Year with apples and honey for a “Sweet New Year”, I added those into my Wifey version.

CONFESSION: I had to make this twice. The first time I didn’t use egg and something was …off. The second batch came out fluffy and tasted like the bottom of a bowl of finished Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal.

see how the one in front is fluffy?

see how the one in front is fluffy?

What You Need:

  • 9×13 baking dish- greased
  • a package of wide egg noodles
  • a mini box or about 1 cup of Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal
  • 6 tbsp of butter
  • a tub of sour cream (full fat really tastes better with this)
  • a tub of cottage cheese- I used Friendship Whipped style
  • 4 eggs, beaten
  • an apple , peeled and chopped into small pieces
  • 3/4 cup honey
  • 2 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1tsp nutmeg

What To Do:

  • heat your oven to 325 degrees
  • Boil noodles for half the normal time- make sure they are VERY al dente, add back to pot and add butter to coat and melt
  • dump the cottage cheese, sour cream, sugar, honey, vanilla, apple, nutmeg and stir them all together
  • fold in the egg mixture
  • add the noodles and mix/coat
  • dump it all into your pan and spread it evenly
  • crumble the cereal and sprinkle on top
  • bake for 45 mins, the top should be browning and when you stick a fork or knife thru, it should come out mostly clean
  • I like to let it sit a couple of hours, covered in foil. You can either serve this warm (re heated) or cold.
  • Toast to a sweet and happy New Year and your amaze and simple creation!

Watch the Step By Step Video Here (coming soon)

(Not) Risky Biscuit Breakfast Sandos

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I LOVE breakfast, but sometimes it just doesn’t make sense to get up and hit the drive thru.

These (not) Risky Biscuit Sandos are simple, quick and taste almost as good as the golden arches. Plus- it’s always fun to dance around in a Men’s dress shirt circa Tom Cruise, right??

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What You Need:

  • pre made biscuits from the refrigerated area of the super market
  • two slices of American cheese, but any cheese will work
  • two eggs
  • thick ham steak, bacon (turkey & veggie also work) or sausage patty (If You Want)
  • hash browns – from the refrigerated area or potatoes that go in the oven
  • a bit of oil
  • rooster sauce
  • salt & pepper
  • butter
  • orange juice, milk or any beverage. Bonus points for champagne & OJ combo
  • paper towels
  • a small skillet or two
  • cookie or baking sheet (non stick)
  • plate, napkin, fork, spatula, glass
  • an oven or toaster oven
  • lots of love

Step By Step (oo baby):

  • LAY OUT ALL OF YOUR INGREDIENTS- I can not stress how important timing is for this one
  • pre heat your oven to 325 degrees
  • if you’re making your hash browns in a pan then pour a little oil and heat on low. dump the bag of potatoes into the skillet and flatten them down into a giant patty, cover with a lid
  • once the oven is hot- slide in the biscuits and set a timer on your i phone
  • now you have a few moments to really get set up, get your cheese slices ready and if you’re using meat – check timing on package. Get that out and put the meat on the plate. Make sure your paper towels are ready for blotting
  • when your biscuits are 10 mins from being done, heat other skillet on low. flip hash browns and re cover them
  • crack two eggs and let them sit in the lightly coated pan, if they don’t look “perfect”- move them around with your spatula to “shape” them. Don’t touch or move them otherwise, until they start to crackle in the pan.
  • Pull two biscuits out of the oven, slice in half and place cheese slices on each. Put back in the oven for 1-2mins. Watch the cheese for bubbling/burning.
  • Pop the meat (if you’re using it) into the microwave.
  • Pour the oj or make the mimosa
  • Flip the eggs. (For eggs over medium- cook eggs until the yolks are almost all pale, with a little dark still in there). Take the meat out and blot on paper towel. Pull biscuits out of the oven. Turn the heat off under the hash browns
  • place the biscuits on the plate and on the dry half, drizzle a small amount of rooster or other hot sauce. then layer with one egg on top
  • Take a small scoop of hash browns and lay them over the cheese side, top that with the meat- if using
  • put another scoop of hash browns on the side of the plate and drizzle with rooster sauce (make a heart or smiley face if you’re feelin’ it).
  • sprinkle each half with salt and pepper then close it up and serve
  • accept kisses and lots of love all day!

Watch me make it step by step:

 

Cheater Chicken Noodle Soup

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This magic soup will cure any illness* and is perfect for chilly Football days or movie nights at home.

*it won’t but it will make you feel better!

What You Need:

  • a rotissere chicken from your local deli or market
  • a bag of egg noodles
  • a couple cans of chicken noodle soup or a large container of broth from your local deli or market, with most of the noodles and chicken strained- we’re looking for the liquid.
  • a quarter stick of butter
  • salt and pepper
  • crackers or bread
  • a pot with either a top or a strainer
  • a bowl
  • a fork
  • a ladle or big spoon
  • lots o love!

Step by Step (ooo baby):

  • set out all your stuff
  • fill the pot a little over half way with water and turn the heat on high , add a dash of salt
  • while you’re waiting for it to boil, take your fork and shred the breast meat off of the chicken into decent sized chunks
  • now your water is boiling? cool- time to add the noodles- I use about half the bag. Oh and maybe turn down the heat so the water doesn’t boil over.
  • stir the noodles about every min for around 7 mins or until they are soft but not mushy
  • strain the water out of the pot with your lid or dump the noodles in the strainer and shake it a few times
  • turn your heat to low and add the noodles back in- with a big chunk of the butter and stir till the butter coats the noodles
  • add the broth and chicken and stir over low heat until it’s all warm.
  • serve with crackers and accept praise!
  • MOST IMPORTANT STEP: while they slurp it down- shred or take the rest of the chicken off and store it in tupperware or on a plate with foil in the fridge. then throw away the chicken box and the deli soup container/cans, wrap up and store the noodles.

It’s our little secret, right??

WATCH STEP BY STEP HERE.

MAKE IT VEG:

Swap chicken for tofu or chickn’, and use veggie broth in place of chicken. Throw in some cooked carrots to add more substance if you like.