Food Archives - Host The Toast

Hot Cocoa Bombs

Learn how to make Hot Cocoa Bombs and DIY all of your Christmas gifts this holiday season. These hot cocoa mix and marshmallow stuffed confections will have your friends and family oohing and ahhing as they melt away in warm milk to create the perfect cup of hot chocolate. WHAT ARE HOT COCOA BOMBS? Hot…

Tostones (Fried Green Plantains)

Tostones are crispy, savory, salty, golden coins of pure deliciousness. Popular throughout the Caribbean, twice-fried plantains are a snack that will make you feel like you’re walking on sunshine. And once you know all the tricks, they’ll come out perfectly every time. It’s no secret that I didn’t grow up in the Caribbean, but (probably…

Mojo Verde (Canarian Green Mojo Sauce)

I’m not exaggerating– Prepare to put Mojo Sauce on EVERYTHING. This version, called Mojo Verde, is a tangy, garlicky, herb and chile pepper sauce that adds fresh-flavored magic to all it touches. Added bonus: it only takes a few minutes to make. WHAT IS MOJO SAUCE? Mojo is an uncooked, fresh and vibrant sauce that’s…

The Best Fudgy Homemade Brownies

These fudgy homemade brownies feature crisp, crackly tops and chewy, dense, super chocolaty centers. If you want decadent brownies that taste leagues better than boxed mix but don’t require a ton of effort, this is the brownie recipe for you! THE ABSOLUTE BEST HOMEMADE BROWNIES Extensively testing baked goods is kind of my thing (you know,…

Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork

This slow cooker pulled pork recipe is extremely easy to make, but yields fall-apart tender, flavorful bbq pulled pork. It’s perfect for a stress-free dinner, or for serving at a party. (Who can complain when pulled pork sandwiches and pulled pork nachos are on the menu?) I’m not a food snob. I eat freezer meals…

Crispy Baked Chicken Wings

These Crispy Baked Chicken Wings are so shatteringly crisp that your guests will hardly believe that they’ve never been battered, breaded, or fried. This healthier and hassle-free chicken wing recipe is a major must-make for parties, and it’s all thanks to one simple, special ingredient. Alright, internet skeptics. I know the deal, I’m one of…

Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps (Larb Gai)

Savory, salty, spicy, sweet, and sour– these Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps have it all. The classic fresh, flavorful, and easy-to-make filling is also known as Larb Gai, and it’s so delicious that you’ll almost forget that it happens to be healthy, too. IT’S ALL ABOUT THE THAI FOOD, BABY The most common question I’m asked…

Crispy Baked Carrot Fries

At only 170 calories per serving, Crispy Baked Carrot Fries are the perfect healthy side dish to satisfy your french fry cravings without the guilt. These surprisingly delicious, seasoned carrot fries are made without the hassle (and excess oil) of deep-frying, and they taste like sweet potato fries! FRIES MADE FROM CARROTS? If you had…

The Best Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies

If you’re looking for the ultimate recipe for soft and chewy sugar cookies, you’ve come to the right place. Not only are these cookies fantastically buttery, tender, and doughy; but they also stay soft for days on end. They’re incredibly easy to make and require no rolling out! Just like your favorite bakery cookies, but…

Pretzel Shortbread Cookies

Inspired by the iconic cookies from Philly’s Lost Bread Co., these Pretzel Shortbread Cookies are a melt-in-your-mouth mashup that’s half pretzel, half shortbread, and 100% unlike anything you’ve ever tasted. Whatever you think Pretzel Shortbread is going to taste like, you can’t really prepare yourself for your first bite. Or at least that’s what almost every…

Harira (Moroccan Chickpea and Lentil Soup)

Harira is a comforting Moroccan soup that features chickpeas, lentils, and plenty of deep flavors from harissa paste and toasted spices. Typically, Harira soup includes ground meat, but this easy version is vegetarian (and vegan) friendly! Even better– it mostly makes use of pantry staples, so it’s easy to stock up ahead of time and…

Make-Ahead Mashed Potato Casserole

This Make-Ahead Mashed Potato Casserole is a holiday miracle. Cooked in herbed half-and-half and topped with fried sage, you’ll swoon over the crispy-yet-creamy texture as much as all of the avoided last-minute stress. MAKE-AHEAD MASHED POTATO CASSEROLE I spend 150% of the holiday season stressed out because time management is not the strong suit of…

Croissant Sausage Stuffing

Forget everything you thought you knew about stuffing. This Croissant Sausage Stuffing– with its ultra-buttery, herbaceous flavors and flaky, fluffy layers– is changing the Thanksgiving game. CROISSANT SAUSAGE STUFFING I’m a carb fiend by nature, so Thanksgiving, with its glorious mounds of mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, and (most importantly) stuffing is a day straight…

Perfect Garlic and Herb Roast Turkey

This Perfect Garlic and Herb Roast Turkey recipe is engineered for perfection. Three simple tricks guarantee juicy meat, tons of flavor, and ridiculously crispy skin for a Thanksgiving turkey that’s easy as pie. I’ve made my share of turkeys in the past. Brined, butterflied, tied, trussed, you name it. Two versions — Cider and Sage…

Chipotle Butternut Squash Soup with Chorizo

If you want a comforting fall recipe that doesn’t skimp on the spice, this Chipotle Butternut Squash Soup with Chorizo is for you. This delightfully creamy butternut squash soup gets a huge punch of flavor from spicy, smoky Mexican ingredients. Canned chipotle peppers in adobo and crumbles of Mexican chorizo balance the squash’s natural sweetness,…

Chicken and Sweet Potato Skillet with Smoky Maple-Dijon Sauce

In this easy Chicken and Sweet Potato Skillet, tender-crisp chicken thighs are nestled into an autumn bounty of sweet potatoes, apples, onion, and bacon, then finished off with a finger-lickin Smoky Maple-Dijon Sauce.