Tag: InstaFood

Strawberries and Cream Stuffed French Toast
March 9, 2026

Strawberries and Cream Stuffed French Toast

Strawberries and Cream Stuffed French Toast is a sweet, comforting breakfast that feels like a special occasion on a plate. Golden slices of French toast are filled with a rich, creamy center and topped with fresh strawberries, creating the perfect balance of fluffy, fruity, and …

Breakfast
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by CookDiaries
Madeleines
March 6, 2026

Madeleines

These little brown butter bourbon madeleines are the cutest. They’re rich and satisfying despite being only a bite or two, and every single morsel is loaded with flavor- first butter and then bourbon, followed by rich chocolate and pecans. These treats are entirely decadent to …

Sweet Treat
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by CookDiaries
Baked Pears with Almonds, Honey and Ricotta
March 4, 2026

Baked Pears with Almonds, Honey and Ricotta

Baked Pears scented with cinnamon, nutmeg and clove are dressed up with toasted almonds, a drizzle of honey and just a touch of ricotta. This baked pears recipe is so easy to make and works for breakfast or dessert. 

Prep – 20minutes mins
Cook – 30minutes mins
Serves – 12

Ingredients

For the Baked Pears

  • ▢6 medium Bosc pears
  • ▢1/4 cup brown sugar
  • ▢1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ▢1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • ▢1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • ▢1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ▢Juice from half a lemon
  • ▢1 teaspoon almond extract

For the Candied Nuts (optional)

  • ▢2 teaspoons honey
  • ▢1 1/4 teaspoon olive oil
  • ▢1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • ▢1/2 cup slivered almonds

To Serve

  • ▢Whole milk ricotta cheese
  • ▢Honey

Instructions 

  • Heat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F
  • Prepare the pears: Slice the pears in half and use a spoon to scoop out the tough core and seeds in the center.
  • Prepare the sauce: In a 9×13 baking dish add brown sugar, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, juice from half a lemon, and almond extract. Stir to combine. Do your best to push it along the bottom off the baking dish so you have a thin layer on the bottom of the dish.
  • Bake the pears: Place the pears cut side down into the brown sugar mixture. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the pear meets little resistance.
  • Make the candied nuts: While the pears bake, place a small skillet over medium heat and add the honey, olive oil, and salt. Swirl the pan around a couple of times then add the almonds. Use a rubber spatula to stir the almonds around and coat them. Let them cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are fragrant, and a deep, golden brown. Keep an eye on them as they can go from toasted to burnt in an instant. Transfer to a parchment-lined plate and let cool.
  • To serve: Spoon some ricotta into a shallow bowl and spread it around a little bit. Place one or two pear halves cut side up, spoon some of the sauce from the baking dish over the pears, sprinkle the candied almonds on top and finish with a drizzle of honey.

Notes

  • I used 6 medium size Bosc pears in this recipe, and they fit snugly in the baking dish. It’s a bit like playing Tetris but you want to make sure the cut surface of each pear is resting on top of the sugar spice mixture. Use two baking dishes if needed.
  • This recipe is pretty simple as it is, but you can simplify it further by skipping the nuts. 
  • I used ricotta cheese because it’s not too sweet and balances the sugars with a little fat and protein, but you can just as easily use a scoop of ice cream, whipped cream, or sweeten some Greek yogurt with honey.

Nutrition

Calories: 103.3kcalCarbohydrates: 20.2gProtein: 1.3gFat: 2.8gSaturated Fat: 0.3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.7gMonounsaturated Fat: 1.8gTrans Fat: 0.001gSodium: 99.3mgPotassium: 145.6mgFiber: 3.5gSugar: 14.3gVitamin A: 22.9IUVitamin C: 3.9mgCalcium: 26.4mgIron: 0.4mg

Desserts
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by CookDiaries
Chocolate Cake
March 3, 2026

Chocolate Cake

The most amazing, ONE BOWL, Best Fudgy Chocolate Cake is rich and decadent, with the perfect balance of fluffy and fudgy! Prep Time:25minutes minsCook Time:50minutes minsServings:16 people Ingredients CHOCOLATE CAKE: CHOCOLATE GANACHE: Instructions  CHOCOLATE CAKE: CHOCOLATE GANACHE: Notes BAKING POWDER: This cake is meant to be super moist and …

Desserts
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by CookDiaries
Blintzes
March 2, 2026

Blintzes

Blintzes are a refreshing crepe-like pancake that is the perfect breakfast for any occasion! The filling is made of a cream cheese and ricotta mixture that is irresistible and topped with a sweet berry sauce, this breakfast dish is the ultimate crowd-pleaser! Prep Time:5minutes minutesMaking Crepes:15minutes minutesServings:12 …

Breakfast
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by CookDiaries
Crispy Skin Slow Cooker Turkey
March 1, 2026

Crispy Skin Slow Cooker Turkey

Crispy Skin Slow Cooker Turkey is THE MOST succulent Turkey, WITHOUT brining OR marinading! This Turkey will have EVERYONE talking!

Prep Time:10minutes mins
Cook Time:4hours hrs 20minutes mins
Servings:8 people

Ingredients

  • ▢8-10 pound whole turkey skin on
  • ▢2 heads garlic cut in half horizontally
  • ▢4 sprigs thyme
  • ▢4 sprigs rosemary
  • ▢1 slice lemon

Herb Butter

  • ▢4 tablespoons salted butter
  • ▢1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves chopped, or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • ▢2 teaspoons garlic minced
  • ▢1 pinch salt
  • ▢1 pinch cracked pepper

Homemade Gravy

  • ▢2 cups turkey broth from the slow cooker
  • ▢1/4 cup butter
  • ▢1/4 cup flour
  • ▢1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ▢1 pinch salt only if needed
  • ▢1 pinch pepper only if needed

Instructions 

  • Combine the Herb Butter ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Reserve half of the Herb Butter in the refrigerator for later.
  • Arrange the garlic cut-side down in the bottom of the slow cooker bowl. Add the sprigs of thyme and rosemary, and slice of lemon.
  • Using paper towels, pat the turkey dry as much as you can. Rub all over with the remaining herb butter, season generously with salt and pepper all over, then place the turkey on top of the garlic and herbs in the slow cooker bowl. 
  • Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours, or LOW for 8 hours.
  • (About half an hour before the end of cooking time, arrange oven shelf to the lower half of your oven. Preheat your oven broiler/or grill in Australia to crisp the skin.)
  • Carefully transfer turkey to a roasting tray by inserting tongs on either side of the turkey into the carcass; lifting and placing straight into the roasting tray (have your tray sitting right next to the slow cooker for an easy transition). Remove 2 cups of the liquid from the slow cooker bowl, strain and reserve for your gravy. Pour any remaining juices over your turkey.

Crisp the Skin

  • Using the reserved herb butter, use a spoon to spread it over the top of your turkey for extra flavour (the turkey will be hot and the butter will melt nicely over the skin). Broil for about 10 minutes, OR until the skin is crispy and golden browned all over. Leave it longer if needed, but if you see it start to burn, turn the broiler off and turn the oven on to 420°F | 220°C, and continue roasting until the turkey is golden browned (about 15 minutes).
  • Allow it to rest for 5 minutes before carving and serving.

Gravy

  • Melt the butter in a small pot over low-medium heat. Whisk in the flour until combined. Allow to cook for about a minute, while whisking occasionally. Pour in 1/2 cup of the Turkey liquid and whisk until it forms a paste. Add remaining liquid in 1/2 cup increments, whisking in between, until the gravy is smooth. Allow to simmer over medium heat until thickened. Take off heat and mix in the Worcestershire sauce. The gravy will continue to thicken as it cools.
  • Season with salt and pepper, only if needed.

Notes

Recipe Notes

1. Turkey Size Guide

  • Standard Slow Cooker (6-7 qt): Stick to a turkey between 8–10 lbs (4–5 kg).
  • Large Slow Cooker (8-10 qt): You can fit a bird up to 12 lbs (5.5 kg).
  • Lid won’t close? Cover the gap tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil to trap the steam.

2. Herb Substitutions

  • If you don’t have fresh herbs, you can use dried herbs for the butter rub.
  • Ratio: Use 1 teaspoon of dried herbs for every 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs.
  • Note: I still recommend using fresh herbs (even just parsley) inside the cavity for better aroma.

3. Gluten-Free Gravy Option

  • Replace the all purpose flour with cornstarch.
  • Method: Mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry. Pour this into the simmering turkey liquid and whisk until thickened.

4. Storage & Reheating

  • Fridge: Store leftover meat in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
  • Freezer: Freeze in portions with a little gravy to keep it moist for up to 3 months.
  • Reheating: To prevent drying out, place turkey in a baking dish with a splash of broth (or leftover gravy), cover with foil, and bake at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.

5. Troubleshooting

  • Skin browning too fast? If the broiler is burning the skin before it’s crispy, switch your oven to Bake at 420°F (220°C) for 10-15 minutes to finish gently.

Nutrition

Calories: 586kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 71g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 263mg | Sodium: 690mg | Potassium: 782mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 572IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 3mg

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

Chicken
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by CookDiaries
Espresso Brownies
February 28, 2026

Espresso Brownies

Espresso Brownies are rich, fudgy, and packed with deep chocolate flavor with a bold coffee kick. The espresso intensifies the chocolate, creating a decadent dessert that’s perfect for coffee lovers, late-night treats, or anytime a little extra indulgence is needed. Prep Time:10minutes minsCook Time:30minutes minsServings:16 slices Ingredients Brownies: …

Sweet Treat
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by CookDiaries
Tailgate Tots
February 24, 2026

Tailgate Tots

Buffalo chicken dip and wings are game day must-haves, but if you’re looking for something different to snack on this year, then these tailgate tots are just the thing. Not only do they look (and sound) adorable, but their individual serving portions make them so easy to eat while you’re …

Simple
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by CookDiaries
Ebelskivers
February 23, 2026

Ebelskivers

Ebelskivers are a Danish pancake that is cooked into a sphere using a special pan. They are fluffy and silky smooth on the inside, and you can fill them with anything from fresh berries to cream cheese. Flipping them in the pan is almost as fun as eating them!

Prep Time:15minutes minutes
Cook Time:15minutes minutes
Servings:12 people

Ingredients

  • ▢3 egg whites
  • ▢2 ½ cup all purpose flour
  • ▢2 tablespoons sugar
  • ▢2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ▢½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ▢1 teaspoon salt
  • ▢¼ cup butter melted
  • ▢3 egg yolks
  • ▢2 ¼ cup buttermilk
  • ▢Additional melted butter for greasing the aebleskiver pan.

Instructions 

  • In a medium bowl, using a hand mixer, whisk the egg whites until stiff peaks form, set aside.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together your flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add in your melted butter, egg yolks, and buttermilk and whisk until just combined.
  • Gently fold the egg whites into the rest of the batter until it all comes together.
  • You will need an ebelskiver pan to cook these, heat your pan over medium heat and brush each cup with some of your melted butter then fill each cup nearly full, about 2 tablespoons.
  • Once the ebelskivers begin to bubble, flip each one half way over using a wooden skewer or fork, allowing the batter to slide out of the cooked portion of the ebelskiver and into the cup to cook, you will repeat this step once more to complete the ball. Continue to rotate the ebelskiver around until they are all an even golden brown and completely cooked all the way through.
  • Remove the finished ableskivers from the pan and enjoy fresh! These are typically dusted with powdered sugar and eaten with jam, but you can pair them with any of your favorite toppings.

Nutrition

Calories: 149kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 6gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 54mgSodium: 302mgPotassium: 173mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 139IUCalcium: 91mgIron: 1mg

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

Breakfast
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by CookDiaries
Chicken Protein Bowls
February 21, 2026

Chicken Protein Bowls

Hearty Chicken Protein Bowls – Made with nutty quinoa, tender rotisserie chicken, vibrant purple cabbage, plump edamame, sweet mango and it’s all drizzled with a creamy peanut sauce. It’s a filling and nutritious way to pack in the protein and the flavor! Prep30minutes minutesCook15minutes minutesServings: 4 Ingredients Bowls Peanut Sauce …

Chicken
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by CookDiaries