Chocolate Chip Cookies in a Cup

I have a new passion – or perhaps it would be more accurate to say addiction – for single serve, microwave desserts in a cup.  This is absolutely the most brilliant invention ever.  It's quick - from the decision to make it, to eating is less than five minutes.  It's easy - all you need is a measuring spoon and a mug, really; and it leaves no more mess behind than that, either, and no extras to store.  And it's delicious!  It is easily as good as most storebought cookies, and better than many homemade ones I've tried.

This particular recipe is the first one I tried, and while it is not perfect, it is easy to try, and quite good enough to hook me!

Super Simple No Fail Fudge

Who doesn't love fudge? But it's a treat that can only be bought in a store, not reasonably made at home for the vast majority of people, right?

Wrong.

With this super easy recipe, anyone can make fudge at home; and more than that, you can make a huge array of kinds of fudge, from strawberry lemonade fudge for a summer picnic, to ultra decadent chocolate hazelnut fudge to give away at Christmas.

Cream of Mushroom Chicken and Rice Recipe

 This is an extremely easy meal, and quite inexpensive, but healthful and very tasty!  This is easily enough for six generous servings.  This lovely chicken recipe was a fond memory from my childhood, one of my favorite dinners growing up; now that I am the one cooking, I can understand why my mother was happy about that.

Simple Stovetop Healthy Popcorn Recipe

With all of the hype recently about the health benefits of popcorn, it is increasingly obvious why people love and crave popcorn so much.  Of course, without a doubt, the healthiest popcorn to eat is air-popped, with no toppings.  However, let’s face it: air-popped popcorn, with no oil, butter, or salt, is not very appetizing.

So what is the best compromise between “naked” popcorn and the butter-laden salty kernels from the movie theater?  Stove top popped popcorn.

Made with a little thought, it can be made with a minimum of unhealthy aspects while still being tasty.  You can also add a wide variety of flavorings that are both delicious and still healthy — most cooking spices, like chili powder, cumin, curry powder, garlic powder, Cajun spice, garam masala, or even combinations of spices are wonderful ideas.

Stovetop popcorn is a wonderful compromise between healthy and tasty

Cheater Microwave Raspberry Cake Recipe

Easy Dessert Recipes Perfect for Dorm or College Food, or Any Time

This easy cake recipe using fruit preserves is quick and simple, but can be modified to fit any taste for sweets.

This super easy cake recipe is perfect for satisfying a sweet tooth without lots of preparation and mess, or a lot of technical know-how, as with most baking recipes. This makes it ideal as a beginner college recipe for a young adult just off on their own and living in the dorms, or any time you have limited space or equipment for baking. No oven or specialized equipment is necessary, just a couple of bowls, a glass or ceramic dish, and a microwave. It is also very quick to make, so can be easily used to just throw together if you decide at the last minute that a meal just has to have a dessert, or whenever you don't have the time to deal with the mess that most baking results in.

Try experimenting with different preserves, in addition to the recommended raspberry. Apricot, blackberry, plum, strawberry or even apple would probably be wonderful. Just be sure to use the seedless preserves, not jams with the seeds, nor jellies, as these are likely to give the finished cake undesirable tastes or textures. Above all, have fun with it! Try combining different flavors in the cake and the frosting, like apricot in the cake and plum in the frosting. Or try a triple-berry cake, with raspberry, blackberry and strawberry. With a recipe this easy to put together, it isn't hard to get creative.

Making Fresh Whipped Cream

Is it very simple to make fresh whipped cream; it takes only a minute or two, easy enough anyone can do it, and the taste is far superior to anything you can buy in a can.

Simply take the desired amount of heavy whipping cream — one cup is plenty for most needs — and put it in a mixing bowl. Remember that it will increase in size considerably, so use an appropriately larger bowl.

Quinoa with Peanuts and Sesame Seeds

 This is an absolutely delightful Indian inspired dish, that can be made mild with just a hint of spice, to as hot as you desire, simply by adjusting the amount of green chili you use.  The peanuts, sesame and cumin all accentuate the subtle nuttiness of quinoa, which is itself a remarkable food, considered one of the top superfoods, as it is very close to a complete source of nutrition. 

Savory Indian Yogurt

This is (currently) one of my favorite recipes. A bit of this mixed with unsweetened oat cereal (generic cheerios work wonderfully) is quite delicious, and very healthy!

Based on the recipe 'Quinoa Yogurt Salad'.