Author: CookDiaries

Pesto Salmon

Pesto Salmon

Pesto Salmon is a fresh, flavorful dish that comes together with almost no effort. Tender, flaky salmon is topped with vibrant pesto and baked or grilled to perfection, creating a meal that feels light and healthy while still packed with bold, delicious flavor—perfect for quick 

Tropical Green Smoothie

Tropical Green Smoothie

This tropical green smoothie is packed full of mango, pineapple, banana, vanilla yogurt, orange juice and of course spinach for a beautiful healthy green smoothie that is also delicious! Great for a light breakfast, lunch or snack! Servings 3 Ingredients Instructions

Oatmeal Raisin Breakfast Cookie Sandwiches

Oatmeal Raisin Breakfast Cookie Sandwiches

Oatmeal Raisin Breakfast Cookie Sandwiches are soft, chewy, and packed with wholesome flavor. Sweet raisins and warm spices are sandwiched with a creamy filling, making them a satisfying breakfast or snack that feels indulgent yet perfectly portable for busy mornings.

Prep Time:15minutes minutes
Cook Time:12minutes minutes
Servings:24 Cookies

Ingredients

  • ▢1 cup whole wheat flour
  • ▢1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • ▢1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • ▢1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • ▢1/4 teaspoon salt
  • ▢1/2 cup canola oil
  • ▢1/2 cup brown sugar packed
  • ▢1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • ▢1 egg
  • ▢1 cup rolled oats
  • ▢1 cup carrots finely shredded
  • ▢1/2 cup raisins
  • ▢8 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese softened
  • ▢2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • ▢1 tablespoon powdered sugar
  • ▢1 teaspoon vanilla
  • ▢1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper. In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, combine the oil, brown sugar, granulated sugar, egg, oats, carrots, and raisins. Slowly add in flour mixture and stir until combined.
  • Drop rounded tablespoons of dough two inches apart onto prepared cookie sheets. Bake each sheet for 12 minutes or until cookies begin to brown. Let stand 1 minute on cookie sheet, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • In a small bowl combine softened cream cheese, maple syrup, powdered sugar, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice. Spread filling onto half of the cookies and top with remaining cookies to create sandwiches.
  • Wrap and chill in refrigerator up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 136kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 2gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 100mgPotassium: 116mgFiber: 1gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 953IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 31mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Mini Caprese Deep Dish Pizzas

Mini Caprese Deep Dish Pizzas

Mini Caprese Deep Dish Pizzas are bite-sized, flavorful twists on a classic Italian favorite. With crisp crusts, melty cheese, fresh tomatoes, and fragrant basil, they bake up into fun, satisfying little pizzas that are perfect for parties, appetizers, or an easy snack that feels both 

Curry Chicken Salad

Curry Chicken Salad

This is a deliciously flavorful twist on the classic chicken salad! It’s taken up a notch with those aromatic Middle Eastern spices, and it’s lightened up by using Greek yogurt for most of the mayo. Perfect served in bread or lettuce leaves. Prep: 20minutes minutesServings: 4 Ingredients 

Hot Crab Dip

Hot Crab Dip

Hot Crab Dip is creamy, cheesy, and full of savory seafood flavor. Served bubbling from the oven with a golden top, it’s the ultimate appetizer for parties, game days, or cozy nights in—perfect for dipping with crackers, bread, or veggies.

Prep Time:5minutes minutes
Cook Time:20minutes minutes
Servings:8 servings

Equipment

  • 1 1 or 2-quart baking dish

Ingredients

  • ▢16 ounces high-quality, well-drained lump crab meat You can use fresh lump crab meat or canned
  • ▢1 (8-ounce) package softened cream cheese
  • ▢¼ cup sour cream
  • ▢¼ cup mayonnaise
  • ▢1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • ▢½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
  • ▢1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ▢1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
  • ▢½ teaspoon paprika
  • ▢2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • ▢1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ▢1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • ▢salt to taste, after tasting the dip without it
  • ▢¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and spray the inside of a 1 to 2-quart baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
  • Combine 1 (8-ounce) package softened cream cheese¼ cup sour cream¼ cup mayonnaise1 cup shredded cheddar cheese½ cup shredded parmesan cheese1 teaspoon garlic powder1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning½ teaspoon paprika2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce1 tablespoon lemon juice1 teaspoon lemon zestsalt, and ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper in a medium bowl.
  • Gently stir in 16 ounces high-quality, well-drained lump crab meat until fully combined.
  • Spread the crab mixture into the prepared baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes until heated through and bubbling around the edges. Serve with a sliced baguette or tortilla chips.

Notes

Storage, Reheating, & Make Ahead Instructions

  • Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Do not freeze.
  • Reheating: Reheat in the microwave in 20-second increments or bake at 350°F for 5–10 minutes, until heated through. Do not freeze.
  • Make Ahead: Prepare up to a day in advance by mixing the dip and adding it to a greased baking dish. Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight. When ready to bake, add about 5 extra minutes to the baking time to account for the chilled dip.

Nutrition

Calories: 295kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 18gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 78mgSodium: 822mgPotassium: 204mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 704IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 241mgIron: 1mg

Roasted Broccoli

Roasted Broccoli

Garlic Parmesan Roasted Broccoli is an easy side dish that makes vegetables the star of the table. Roasted until tender with crisp edges and tossed with savory garlic and Parmesan, it’s packed with bold flavor and perfect for weeknights, meal prep, or pairing with any 

Cannoli

Cannoli

Cannoli are seriously dreamy, crisp shells filled with a ricotta and chocolate mixture. They’re perfect for an elegant dinner party to serve as an eye-catching, impressive dessert. Prep – 45minutes minsCook – 15minutes minsServes – 24 cannoli Equipment Ingredients For the Filling For the Shell Instructions  Notes Nutrition Calories: 119.6kcalCarbohydrates: 18.1gProtein: 3.5gFat: 5.2gSaturated Fat: 3.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated 

Shrimp Tacos

Shrimp Tacos

These easy shrimp tacos are the perfect simple dinner for busy weeknights! Plump, juicy shrimp are cooked in a flavorful spice blend then wrapped in warm flour tortillas and piled high with your favorite toppings. 

Prep Time:15minutes minutes
Cook Time:7minutes minutes
Servings:4 servings

Ingredients

  • ▢1 pound deveined and peeled medium shrimp
  • ▢1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ▢½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ▢½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ▢½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ▢½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ▢½ teaspoon chili powder
  • ▢½ teaspoon salt adjust to taste
  • ▢¼ teaspoon ground black pepper adjust to taste
  • ▢8-10 medium flour tortillas

Instructions 

  • Before starting, prepare your toppings and make sure the shrimp is fully thawed (if frozen), peeled, and deveined.
  • Combine ½ teaspoon garlic powder½ teaspoon onion powder½ teaspoon smoked paprika½ teaspoon ground cumin½ teaspoon chili powder½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper in a small bowl.
  • Add 1 pound deveined and peeled medium shrimp1 tablespoon olive oil, and the spices to a 14-inch skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Stir the shrimp around for a minute or so until they are evenly coated in the spices before cooking until they are pink and opaque, flipping/stirring them occasionally, about 5-6 minutes total. 
  • Serve immediately with 8-10 medium flour tortillas and your desired taco toppings.

Notes

Suggested serving size: 2 tacos per serving

Store leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in 15-20 second intervals in the microwave, or for about a minute over medium heat in a skillet.

You can keep any leftover tortillas in an airtight container or bag for 2-3 days.

Make extra seasoning and store it in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 21gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 143mgSodium: 1379mgPotassium: 227mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 405IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 155mgIron: 3mg

Cranberry Muffins

Cranberry Muffins

These Cranberry Muffins are the perfect blend of tart and sweet, light, fluffy and perfect for your morning breakfast. All you need is one bowl and 30 minutes to whip these babies up from start to finish. Prep Time:10minutes minutesCook Time:20minutes minutesServings:12 muffins Equipment Ingredients Instructions  Nutrition Serving: 1muffinCalories: 177kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 3gFat: 6gSaturated