Better Than Olive Garden Fettuccine Alfredo

Comfort food at it's best, creamy and utterly satisfying Fettuccine Alfredo!  Simple to make yet exquisitely divine.  This dish to me is proof of how a few basic ingredients can create an unforgettable dish.  An exciting meal doesn't have to be extravagant or expensive to be incredible. 
In my opinion this Fettuccine Alfredo is better than that of Olive Garden's.  You wouldn't believe how easy it is to make, you could have it made 5 times before you'd have it plated in front of you ready to eat at Olive Garden =).  Also, with this recipe you can basically feed your entire family for what it costs to buy one bowl of it at Olive Garden.  That's one reason I created this recipe, I'd rather make it myself at a lower cost.
Another way I love to enjoy this dish is with diced, grilled chicken breast.  So, if you'd like to add a protein to your meal toss in some seasoned grilled chicken.  You could even add in steak or shrimp for delicious alternative protein options, if desired.  I hope you and your family or friends enjoy this alfredo as much as I do!  Watch my future posts for my other Olive Garden recipe favorites: their bread sticks and salad (I've said it before home-made croutons make every salad better, the home made version is awesome.  Not to mention you don't have to be stingy with the tomatoes and olives like they are).
PS all you professional chefs out their don't judge my recipe =), I know I used two thickening agents and that isn't so common.  But, when you are the chef/recipe creator you get to make it exactly as you like which is what I did here.  I wanted the thickness of about 5-6 egg yolks without the added fats and cholesterol.  Some of you may be thinking whats the point with a dish this hearty, but I say every calorie counts.  I love how this sauce uses half milk, half cream and no butter.  Many Alfredo sauce recipes use all cream, add butter and sometimes even add cream cheese, for a pasta sauce that's too thick and shockingly fattening.  So, I guess you could say this Alfredo sauce is slightly lightened up, a great bonus.

Fettuccine Alfredo
Yields 4 Servings


Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 cups whole milk
3 large egg yolks
2 tsp cornstarch
1/4 tsp garlic powder (you can add an additional 1/4 tsp for more garlic flavor)
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
2 oz freshly, finely grated Parmesan Cheese (1/2 cup)
2 oz freshly, finely grated Romano Cheese (1/2 cup), plus more for serving
2 oz freshly, finely grated Mozzarella Cheese (1/2 cup)
Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
1 lb Fettuccine Pasta, uncooked


Directions:
Cook pasta according to directions listed on package, scoop out and reserve 1/4 cup pasta water into a small bowl before draining.
In a large saucepan combine cream and milk.  Scoop out and reserve 1/4 cup cream mixture into a small mixing bowl.  Scoop out and reserve another 1/4 cup cream mixture into a separate small mixing bowl.  Bring cream mixture in saucepan to a simmer over medium heat (a gentle bubble just below boiling).  Reduce heat to medium low.  Add 3 egg yolks to one of the small mixing bowls containing 1/4 cup cream mixture and stir egg yolks until very well blended, about 30 seconds.  Add 2 tsp cornstarch to separate small mixing bowl containing remaining 1/4 cup cream mixture, whisk mixture until well blended and smooth.  Add 1/4 cup hot cream mixture from saucepan to egg yolk mixture and blend, then add 1/4 cup hot cream mixture to cornstarch mixture and blend.  Pour both mixtures into hot cream mixture in saucepan.  Cook mixture over medium low heat for 3 - 4 minutes, stirring constantly until mixture has thickened and coats the back of a wooden spoon.  Reduce heat to low and sprinkle in garlic powder, onion powder, salt and finely grated cheeses.  Cook, stirring constantly until cheese has melted.  Thin sauce, if desired with pasta water that was reserved (I only add 2 Tbsp pasta water, just add to your desired consistency).  
Pour Alfredo sauce over drained pasta, toss to evenly coat.  Plate and garnish with additional grated Romano Cheese, optional chopped fresh parsley and sprinkle with fresh cracked black pepper.  Serve immediately.


Recipe Source: Cooking Classy

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Almond Poppy Seed Pancakes with Almond Syrup

I speak the utter truth when I say these are one of the best stack of pancakes I have ever eaten!  They are undeniably incredible!  If you like almond poppy seed muffins then you will love these pancakes.  I created this recipe because I myself adore almond poppy seed muffins, but sometimes I'd just rather have pancakes so I wanted to combine the two delicious breakfast foods into one amazing dish.  I adapted the syrup recipe for these pancakes from my Vanilla Cream Syrup recipe, so it is a creamy, perfectly sweet, almond syrup that is a must with these pancakes.  If you are looking to switch up the ordinary buttermilk pancakes then you are definitely going to want to try these pancakes.  Once you try them it's likely you are going to want them every week.  

I love adding twists on pancakes, you may also like to try my Cornbread Pancakes with Honey Butter Syrup.  Everyone I've ever made them for loves them!

Almond Poppyseed Pancakes
Yields about 15 pancakes


Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup poppyseeds
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
1 cup milk*
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
2 Tbsp applesauce
2 tsp almond extract
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 Recipe Almond Syrup
1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted (optional)
Poppy seeds, for garnish (optional)


Directions:
Preheat a griddle to 350 degrees.  In large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, poppy seeds, baking powder, baking soda and salt.  In a separate mixing bowl whisk together buttermilk, milk, sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, applesauce, almond extract and vanilla extract for one minute.  Pour buttermilk mixture into dry mixture and stir just until combine, batter should be slightly lumpy (just be careful not to over-mix so you'll have fluffy pancakes).  Pour about 1/3 cup mixture at a time onto buttered preheated griddle (if you have a good non-stick griddle buttering isn't necessary).  Flip pancake when golden on bottom (bubbles wont appear on the surface much with these pancakes so mostly you just need to check the bottom for color).  Cook opposite side until golden.  Serve warm drizzled with Almond Syrup and garnished with optional toasted, sliced almonds and a light sprinkling of optional poppy seeds.


*Note: if you like thinner pancakes I recommend adding an additional 3 Tbsp milk (which is what I prefer) and if you like really thick pancakes omitting 1/4 cup milk.


Almond Syrup


Ingredients:
1/4 cup salted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup buttermilk
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp almond extract


Directions:
Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.  Whisk in sugar, cream and buttermilk.  Cook mixture, stirring frequently, until mixture begins to boil and sugar has dissolved.  Remove from heat and stir in baking soda and almond extract, whisk for about 10 seconds until mixture becomes foamy and frothy.  Serve warm.  Note: Mixture can be stored in the refrigerator up to one week and reheated before serving.


Recipe Source: Cooking Classy

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Banana Mug Cake with Simple Cream Cheese Frosting

Can something this good really be this easy to make?  Yes!  Oh how I love mug cakes. Simple yet divine.  This cake is like banana bread meets vanilla cake, then it's smothered in a rich cream cheese frosting and of course it's finished of with some chopped pecans. If you haven't gotten into the mug cake craze yet then now is the time. This mug cake it unbelievably satisfying!  Curb that banana bread craving in a number of minutes and add a new recipe to your quick desserts recipe collection.  

Banana Mug Cake

Yields 1 large mug cake

Ingredients:

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/8 tsp cinnamon

1 pinch salt

1/2 overripe banana, mashed very well (scant 1/4 cup)

1 tbsp vegetable oil

1 tbsp applesauce

1 tbsp buttermilk

1 large egg yolk

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

1 recipe Quick Cream Cheese Frosting, recipe follows

1 Tbsp chopped pecans or walnuts, optional

Banana slices, optional

Directions:

Prepare Simple Cream Cheese Frosting according to directions listed, set aside.  In a large mug, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.  Add in mashed banana, vegetable oil, applesauce, buttermilk, egg yolk and vanilla, stir mixture until well blended (being sure to mix in the flour at the bottom of the mug well).  Cook mixture in the microwave on HIGH power for 2 1/2 - 3 minutes until done being careful not to overcook or your cake may be spongy.  Dollop with Simple Cream Cheese Frosting, sprinkle with optional nuts then garnish with optional banana slices.  Enjoy warm (once mug cakes cool they aren't quite as good).

Simple Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:

1 1/2 Tbsp Cream Cheese, softened in the microwave several seconds

4 Tbsp powdered sugar

Directions:

In a small mixing bowl, using a fork,  whisk together softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth.

Recipe Source: Cooking Classy

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Funfetti Popcorn (or Bunny Bait for Easter)

I'm going to warn you now so you can't say I didn't warn you later, this festive, sweet treat is HIGHLY addictive!  Isn't it fun?  It's perfect for birthdays and holidays because not only is it amazingly delicious but it makes a huge bowl full so you'll have enough for a crowd of people.  It is also easy to switch it up for different holidays, I listed a few alternate variations below.  No matter what holiday it is, you are going to want this stuff around!  Both kids and adults alike will absolutely love it, and you will love how easy it was to make!

Funfetti Popcorn




Ingredients:
1/2 cup unpopped popcorn kernels, or 2 bags tender white popcorn
12 oz. Plain Vanilla Candy Melts, such as Wilton*
1 1/3 cups pretzel squares, broken into pieces
1 12 oz. bag plain Milk Chocolate M&Ms or Mini M&Ms (for Bunny Bait use pastel M&Ms)
Multicolored Sprinkles, about 1/4 - 1/3 of a 2 oz. container


Directions:
Pop popcorn in a popcorn popper into a large bowl (or alternately in the microwave if using microwave bags of popcorn) according to manufactures directions.  Remove any unpopped popcorn kernels.  Toss in broken pretzel pieces and M&Ms.  
Melt Vanilla Candy Melts in a microwave safe bowl on 50% power in 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval until melted and smooth.  Drizzle half of melted chips over popcorn mixture, then stir, tossing gently a few times with a rubber spatula.  Then drizzle remaining half of melted chips over popcorn, and gently stir mixture until evenly coated (don't over stir though or your sprinkles wont stick if the white chips begin to set and harden).  Pour mixture into a single layer onto wax paper.  Sprinkle entire mixture evenly with sprinkles before vanilla chips set.  Allow to cool and harden, then gently break into pieces and store in an airtight container. 
Note: I was able to fill 8 - 9 1/2"x 4" party treat bags about 2/3 full with this recipe, just to let you know so you have an idea for gift giving.


*These can be found in the cake decorating section of some supermarkets, at craft stores or at specialty kitchen kneads stores. 


Recipe Source: Adapted from Bake at 350




Switch it up (and name accordingly =)


Christmas - Christmas Crunch
Use 1 12 oz bag green and red Milk Chocolate M&Ms
Optional - add in crushed hard or soft (such as Bob's) peppermint candies
Use green and red sprinkles



Valentines - Love Lure
Use 1 12 oz bag pink, red, white Milk Chocolate M&Ms
Use red and pink sprinkles
Optional - add in cinnamon imperial hearts candy or pink, red and white conversation hearts


St. Patricks Day - Leprechaun Lunch
Use 6 oz green and 6 oz. yellow M&Ms, or 12 oz. green (available at craft stores)
Use green and yellow sprinkles 


Easter - Bunny Bait
Use 1 12 oz bag pastel colored Milk Chocolate M&Ms 


July Fourth - Fourth Fireworks Crunch
Use 6 oz red M&Ms and 6 oz blue M&Ms (available at craft stores)
Use multicolored red, blue and white sprinkles mix
Optional - sprinkle with red Poprocks candy once chocolate has almost set (so they don't just dissolve)


Halloween - Bat Bait
Use 12 oz brown and orange M&Ms
Use black and orange sprinkles
Optional - add in crushed Oreos in place of pretzles


Thanksgiving - Turkey Treats Mix
Use 12 oz. Reese's Pieces in place of M&Ms
Use brown, yellow, orange, red sprinkles


...That's just my random list I thought up but you could change these up (Bunny Bait not my own idea, adapted from Bake at 350) and add your own ideas.  You could even replace the M&Ms with jelly beans, skittles or Sixlets.  I hope you have fun holidays throughout the year and a great upcoming Easter!

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