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Pierogi
June 14, 2026

Pierogi

Pierogi with a sour cream dough and a classic potato and cheddar filling. Boiled until they float then pan fried in butter and caramelized onions until golden and crispy. Serve with sour cream. Makes about 30 pierogi and freezes beautifully. Prep: 45minutes minutesResting Time: 20minutes minutesCook: 20minutes minutesServings: 6 …

Simple
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by CookDiaries
Cheese Sticks
June 13, 2026

Cheese Sticks

Skip the restaurant wait and make these easy, homemade cheese sticks right in your air fryer. Inspired by the giant Chili’s favorite, this simple recipe delivers a golden, extra-crunchy crust and an epic, molten cheese pull, finished with a spectacular buffalo hot honey drizzle. Prep Time:15minutes minsCook …

Simple
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by CookDiaries
Matcha Doughnuts
June 12, 2026

Matcha Doughnuts

Matcha Baked Doughnuts are soft, lightly sweet, and infused with the earthy flavor of green tea. Baked instead of fried, they have a tender crumb and a subtle depth that pairs beautifully with a simple glaze or dusting of sugar perfect for a cozy treat with a modern twist.

Cook Time: 30minutes mins
Serves 6

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup melted coconut oil
  • ⅓ cup cane sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • ¾ teaspoon baking powder
  • ⅛ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon matcha powder
  • ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
  • Heaping ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla
  • 1⅓ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup almond milk

Decorating option 1: Matcha Glaze

  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon matcha powder, depending on desired green color
  • 1 tablespoon almond milk

Decorating option 2: Matcha Cane Sugar

  • ½ cup cane sugar
  • ¼ to ½ teaspoon matcha powder, depending on desired green color
  • ⅓ cup melted coconut oil

Decorating option 3: Matcha Powdered Sugar

  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • ¼ to ½ teaspoon matcha powder, depending on desired green color

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Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 425°F and lightly grease one standard 6-hole doughnut pan.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the coconut oil and sugar. Add the egg and whisk to combine. Add the baking powder, baking soda, matcha powder, nutmeg, salt, and vanilla and whisk to combine.
  • Alternately add the flour and the milk, beginning with the flour, until thoroughly combined. The batter will be thick, and a spatula drawn through the batter should leave an indentation.
  • Spoon the batter into the doughnut pan (it will be thick and sticky). Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes before removing from the pan. Remove from the pan and place on a wire rack to continue cooling.
  • Make your desired decorating option:
  • Matcha Glaze: In a small doughnut-sized bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and matcha powder, then whisk in the almond milk until smooth. Dip each doughnut in the glaze and let the excess glaze drip off.
  • Matcha Cane Sugar: In a small doughnut-sized bowl, mix the cane sugar and matcha powder. Add the melted coconut oil to a separate bowl and dip both sides of each doughnut first into the coconut oil, and then into the sugar mixture. The coconut oil helps the sugar adhere and it also produces the most fried-doughnut-like taste.
  • Matcha Powdered Sugar: In a small doughnut-sized bowl, mix together the powdered sugar and matcha powder. Dip both sides of each doughnut into the sugar, tapping off any excess.

Notes

Note: Different types of matcha vary in bitterness and in color. Best choses: AIYA Matcha, Ippodo Matcha, and Jade Leaf Matcha

Donuts
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by CookDiaries
Polenta
June 11, 2026

Polenta

Polenta is a comforting Italian staple known for its creamy texture and versatility. Warm, rich, and satisfying, it can be served soft and velvety or cooled and crisped to perfection. Whether paired with hearty sauces, roasted vegetables, or enjoyed on its own, polenta transforms simple …

Appetizers
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by CookDiaries
Swordfish Steaks
June 10, 2026

Swordfish Steaks

Swordfish, with its meaty texture and strong (not in a bad way) flavor, can stand up to other robust seasonings like these. In its place, choose another firm-fleshed type, such as cod, halibut, or salmon. Recipe information Ingredients 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided 1–2 1-inch-thick …

Seafood
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by CookDiaries
Crispy Smashed Potatoes
June 9, 2026

Crispy Smashed Potatoes

Crispy oven-roasted smashed potatoes are boiled, pressed flat, and baked until crunchy. They are served over a base of smooth lemon garlic whipped feta, making this an easy holiday side dish that pairs hot potatoes with a cool dip.

Prep Time:20minutes mins
Cook Time:40minutes mins
Servings:8 serves

Ingredients

The Potatoes:

  • ▢2 lbs baby potatoes Baby Yukon Gold or Dutch Yellow potatoesWaxy skins hold together best.
  • ▢3 tbsp Olive Oil.
  • ▢1 tsp Kosher Salt.
  • ▢½ tsp Black Pepper.
  • ▢1 tbsp Fresh Thyme leaves.

The Whipped Feta:

  • ▢8 oz Block Feta in Brine Drain the brine. Do not use pre-crumbled; it’s too dry.
  • ▢½ cup Full-Fat Greek Yogurt Cuts the saltiness.
  • ▢1 clove Garlic grated (zest it with a microplane so there are no chunks).
  • ▢1 tbsp Lemon Juice
  • ▢1 lemon zest
  • ▢2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

The Garnish:

  • ▢Fresh dill or parsley chopped.
  • ▢Red pepper flakes for color.

Instructions 

Boil & Steam-Dry (The Secret to Crispiness):

  • Place potatoes in a large pot of generously salted cold water. Bring to a boil and cook until very tender (about 20-25 mins). A fork should slide out easily.
  • Drain the potatoes and leave them in the colander for 5 minutes.

The steam escaping dries out the skin, which is the absolute secret to getting extra crispy smashed potatoes.

Smash & Roast:

  • Generously coat a large metal baking sheet with olive oil and sprinkle with a little coarse salt.
  • Place potatoes on a large baking sheet, leaving at least an inch of space between them so they do not steam in their own heat.
  • Using the bottom of a heavy glass (grease it slightly), gently press down on each potato until it flattens but stays intact.
  • Drizzle the smashed potatoes generously with more olive oil. Sprinkle evenly with salt, pepper, and fresh thyme.
  • Roast for 30-40 minutes. Do not flip. We want the bottom to fry in the oil against the metal pan. They are done when deep golden brown and audibly crispy.

Whip the Feta:

  • While potatoes roast, combine feta, Greek yogurt, grated garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil in a food processor (a blender works, but a processor is better for texture).
  • Blitz for 2-3 minutes until completely smooth and fluffy. If it’s too thick, add 1 tsp of water at a time. It should look like thick frosting.

The Assembly:

  • Swoosh the whipped feta across a large serving platter.
  • Transfer the hot, crispy smashed potatoes directly from the pan and arrange them right on top of the whipped feta.
  • Top with lemon zest, fresh dill, and a pinch of red pepper flakes.

Notes

These are best enjoyed fresh, but you can definitely prep parts of this ahead of time.

  • Make Ahead: You can whip the feta up to 3 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. You can also boil the potatoes a day ahead and keep them in the fridge until you are ready to smash and roast.
  • Storage: Keep leftover potatoes and feta in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • Reheating: Reheat the smashed potatoes in the oven at 400°F (200°C) or in an air fryer for a few minutes until warmed through and crunchy again. Do not microwave them if you want to keep the texture.
Simple
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by CookDiaries
Cannoli Cheesecake
June 8, 2026

Cannoli Cheesecake

There’s something undeniably special about the flavors of a classic cannoli the creamy ricotta, the hint of citrus, the crunch of chocolate and pistachios. This no-bake cannoli cheesecake brings all of that beloved tradition into one effortless, shareable dessert Prep time: 15minServings: 8 Ingredients: For …

Desserts
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by CookDiaries
Crescent Roll Ups
June 7, 2026

Crescent Roll Ups

These Crescent Chicken Roll Ups are such an easy, and delicious dinner. They’re warm, and comforting pockets of bread and creamy chicken, that the whole family will love! Cook Time 20 minsPrep Time 10 minsServings 16 Ingredients For the Chicken Roll Ups: For the Chicken Gravy: Equipment Instructions For …

Chicken, Simple
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by CookDiaries
Teriyaki
June 6, 2026

Teriyaki

This Homemade Teriyaki Sauce is one of those simple recipes that instantly upgrades your meals. It is sweet, savory, a little tangy, and sticky, perfect for tossing it with chicken, veggies, rice, or even a burger. This sauce will bring big flavor with very little effort!

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup Low Sodium Soy Sauce
  • 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
  • 2 TBS Honey
  • 2 TBS Rice Vinegar
  • 1 tsp Minced Garlic
  • 1 tsp Fresh Ginger
  • 1/2 tsp Sesame Oil
  • 1/4 tsp Red Pepper Flakes (Optional)
  • 2 TBS Water
  • 1 TBS Cornstarch

Instructions

  • Add the soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes to a medium sauce pan. Heat over medium. 1/2 cup Low Sodium Soy Sauce , 1/2 cup Brown Sugar, 2 TBS Honey, 2 TBS Rice Vinegar, 1 tsp Minced Garlic , 1 tsp Fresh Ginger, 1/2 tsp Sesame Oil, 1/4 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
  • Let the mixture cook as it comes to a low boil, whisk together the water and cornstarch to make a slurry, and add it to the sauce. 2 TBS Water, 1 TBS Cornstarch
  • Bring the mixture to a boil and let it boil for a couple minutes until thick enough. The sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of a metal spoon.
  • Remove from the heat and let the sauce cool for about 10 minutes to use hot, or transfer to a container with a lid to store in the fridge.

Notes

  • Use as a Marinade: This sauce works great as a marinade for chicken, beef, or salmon. Marinate the meat in an airtight container or bag for at least 30 minutes in the fridge.
  • Strain: If you want a smooth sauce you can strain the sauce to remove the bits of garlic and ginger.
  • Double the Recipe: The sauce stores great, and if you double it, you’ll love having it on hand for easy weeknight dinners.

Nutrition

Calories: 85kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 2gFat: 0.3gSaturated Fat: 0.04gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 579mgPotassium: 81mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 19IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 18mgIron: 0.4mg

Liquid Gold
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by CookDiaries
Buttermilk Biscuit
June 5, 2026

Buttermilk Biscuit

Quick and easy 30-minute homemade biscuits recipe using grated frozen butter and a simple folding technique for maximum flaky layers. Perfect for sweet or savory spreads and completely beginner-friendly. Prep Time:15minutes minsCook Time:15minutes minsServings:12 biscuits Ingredients Cold Buttermilk (divided) Instructions  I recommend using a pastry cutter for this step. It …

Breakfast
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by CookDiaries