Ask and ye shall receive, my fellow coconut cookie lovers. Remember the Homemade Samoas Girl Scout Cookies from February? Remember their buttery shortbread base, caramel-coconut topping and dark chocolate drizzle? Well, they’re back, and in bar form, all thanks to your requests!

Over the past three months, I’ve received countless emails, Facebook messages, Tweets and Instagram pleas for an abridged version of the iconic cookie recipe. Long story short: While the homemade Samoas cookies are spot-on for taste and texture when compared to the real deal, I wouldn’t exactly put them in the “quick and easy” dessert category.

I’ve spent the past few weeks transforming the original recipe into a cookie bar recipe, eliminating the need to refrigerate and roll out the dough, as well as cut it into shapes. I’ve whipped up a basic shortbread base for a 13-by 9-inch baking pan, reworked the coconut-to-caramel ratio and upped the amount of dark chocolate. I dip the bottom of each cookie bar in chocolate, but you could just as easily skip this step and shave off even more time in your quest for homemade Samoas success

Continue reading: Homemade Samoas Cookie Bars

Stumped on food styling? Looking to increase traffic to your food blog? Wondering how to bring home the bacon with ad revenue? Join me on Wednesday, July 17 at the Center for Food Media at The Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) in New York City for a 3-hour intensive course on taking your food blog to the next level.

I’ll be providing individual blog consultations as well as group instruction focused on growing, refining, marketing and profiting from your food blog. Tickets are $75 and on sale now, so head over to ICE for more info and to sign up!

What: Taking Your Food Blog to the Next Level

When: Wednesday, July 17 from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

Where: The Institute of Culinary Education in New York City

Continue reading: Summer Food Blogging Class in NYC

Back in high school, when I had a little something called a “metabolism,” my after-school snack was Cheez-Its and a Diet Coke. There was just something about that salty-sweet combination that made the neon orange crackers disappear faster than my dignity at an *NSYNC concert.

But I have no shame in sharing my enduring love of the iconic cheddar cracker, which in my later years now does double-duty as a flavorful replacement for breadcrumbs. I believe there is no such thing as having too many quick, easy chicken dishes in your recipe repertoire. And these Baked Cheddar Dijon Chicken Tenders deliver on the quick and easy promise while also paying homage to a favorite childhood snack

Continue reading: Baked Cheddar Dijon Chicken Tenders

Ever since I moved to New York five years ago, Peter Luger Steakhouse has held the top spot on my restaurant bucket list. I’ve spent months trying to finagle my way into the notoriously difficult reservation schedule, but this past Monday at 7:45 p.m., I made my way from Manhattan to the borough of Brooklyn to take on the holy grail of steakhouses.

Walking in the front door of Luger’s, I had all I could do not to break into an energetic, off-tune rendition of Phil Collins’ In the Air Tonight. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for all my life … Oh, Lord.” (Someone cue the drums.

Continue reading: Easy Strawberry Shortcake with Whipped Cream

Please join me in welcoming the word “skinny” to the site today. She’s making her much anticipated debut just in time for Cinco de Mayo. Rumor has it she’s a bit nervous since the folk around here tend to be the deep-fried, cheese-stuffed, chocolate-dipped types. But don’t let her presence intimidate you. Say it with me now: “This is not a diet blog. This is not a diet blog. This is not a diet blog.”

I do have a confession to make. OK, two confessions:

1. My obsession with Dance Moms has recently crossed the “I can’t attend social functions on Tuesday nights because if Chloe messes up her solo I need to see if Miss Abby will be pissed” threshold. Send help.
2. I’d rather eat my calories than drink them.
Continue reading: Skinny Margarita Popsicles

]]> http://www.justataste.com/2013/05/skinny-margarita-cocktail-popsicle-recipe/feed/ 45 http://www.justataste.com/2013/05/skinny-margarita-cocktail-popsicle-recipe/