Jackie's Happy Plate | Recipes | Creative Cooking Ideas

Vegan Chile Colorado Tostadas with Crispy Tofu

May 26, 2021 Comments Off

How to make vegan Chile Colorado. This recipe was “veganized” from the beef version published in Taste of Tucson. […]

Taste of Tucson Resource Guide

April 6, 2021 Comments Off

Where to find the ingredients and tools used in the making of the Taste of Tucson Cookbook by Jackie Alpers […]

Molletes

February 7, 2021 Comments Off

These open-faced breakfast sandwiches are made by slathering refried beans onto toasted bolillo rolls and then heaping avocado slices, a fried egg, hot sauce, and lots of cheese on top. If you can’t find bolillos at your local bakery, use a sweet French roll instead. […]

Sonoran Style Vegetarian Nachos Supreme Stuffed Bell Peppers

December 22, 2020 Comments Off

Nachos supreme stuffed bell peppers! Outtake from the Taste of Tucson cookbook. Recipe and food photography by Jackie Alpers. […]

Brigadeiro: Brazilian Chocolate Truffles With Sprinkles!

December 12, 2020 Comments Off

How do you say “delicious” in Portuguese? Brigadeiro, that’s how! These easy-to-make balls are fun to roll in chocolate jimmies. Box them up for the perfect gift. […]

BLT Lettuce Wraps: THE BEST Late Summer Meal

August 31, 2013 20

I had no idea when I made this yesterday that today, AUG. 31st, was NATIONAL BACON DAY. All I had been thinking was how the BLT is the perfect end-of-summer meal. Tomatoes are at their best, […]

Mexican Shakshuka: Eggs Simmered in Tomato Crema

October 3, 2012 6

Breakfast I think it’s interesting how similar variations of dishes develop in different parts of the world. I’d never heard of Shakshuka until recently, but it’s very popular in the Middle East and Israel and […]

Parmesan Crisps with Caviar and Crème Fraîche

August 18, 2015 5

Festive enough for New Year’s Eve, this pretty appetizer only takes about 5 minutes to make. Bacon infused caviar adds an unique smokiness that will intrigue your guests and is fairly inexpensive, but any decent quality caviar will […]

Low-carb Bacon-Wrapped Mexican Hot Dogs on Cheesy Cloud Buns

June 9, 2013 4

I made this low-carb bread replacement (often called “Oopsie Bread”) out of eggs and cream cheese from a recipe I’ve seen all over the internet. It turned out great. It smells like cheesy-bread while it’s […]

The Muddler

June 17, 2012 4

I’m a bit muddled thanks to the help of my friends, and it smells a little bit like tequila in here. Lately, people have been sending me wonderful presents and coincidentally two of them were […]

The Sparkling Pearl Tropical Cocktail

December 8, 2013 4

A variation of the Bushwacker glamorized with sparkling sprinkle bits and pearl sugar dragées in tropical hues, this is a seafaring drink said to be invented on a Caribbean island founded by pirates. Ahoy! This […]

Mini German Pancakes with Greek Yogurt, Berries & Stone Fruit

November 12, 2014 3

These healthier German pancakes are topped with fat-free Greek yogurt and fresh fruit, reducing the sugar content. I added a little spreadable fruit and garnished them with confectioners’ sugar so they still taste sweet. This […]

Fair Food At It’s Easiest: Fudge Puppies Recipe

June 29, 2014 2

Covered in chocolate, whipped cream, and all your favorite toppings, Fudge Puppies are a carnival and state fair food classic. Here’s how to make them at home. I like to make them mini so they […]

How to Cover Easter Eggs in Sprinkles!

April 17, 2014 1

I made fancy sprinkles covered Easter eggs, and you can too. It’s easy! Learn how in my latest article for the Food Network. http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2014/04/how-to-decorate-easter-eggs-with-sprinkles/

Breakfast Popsicles + A Goodreads “Sprinkles!” Cookbook Giveaway

August 10, 2013 1

Looking to kick start a hot summer day? These chocolate & coffee frozen pudding pops are just the ticket! Take an average cup of joe and turn it into a stick of WHOA! Sugar-free instant […]

BLT Lettuce Wraps: THE BEST Late Summer Meal

August 31, 2013 20

I had no idea when I made this yesterday that today, AUG. 31st, was NATIONAL BACON DAY. All I had been thinking was how the BLT is the perfect end-of-summer meal. Tomatoes are at their best, […]

I’m a bit muddled thanks to the help of my friends, and it smells a little bit like tequila in here. Lately, people have been sending me wonderful presents and coincidentally two of them were […]

Low-carb Bacon-Wrapped Mexican Hot Dogs on Cheesy Cloud Buns

June 9, 2013 4

The Sparkling Pearl Tropical Cocktail

December 8, 2013 4

Classic Caesar Salad Recipe and Photo by Jackie Alpers

March 27, 2011 3

CAESAR SALAD DAYS This is a story about choices, creativity, personal power, and a salad. Specifically, the Caesar salad from the 1967 Joy of Cooking. My mother made it table side at a dinner party […]

Tom Kha Gai: Thai Chicken and Vegetable Soup with Coconut Milk Recipe

April 13, 2011 3

I believe in the healing power of both chicken soup and Thai food. Combining the two will cure whatever ails you and the spicier you can make it the better. If you are healthy, this […]

Easy Grilled Mini Pizzas With Edible Flowering Herbs

May 11, 2014 3

One of the best ways to learn how to cook is to follow other people’s recipes, and since I cook, style and then photograph chef’s recipes for the Food Network’s website, I’m constantly learning new things. […]

Mini German Pancakes with Greek Yogurt, Berries & Stone Fruit

November 12, 2014 3

Sonoran Style Chunky Guacamole Recipe

May 23, 2011 3

Chunky Guacamole for the win! I swear the recipe from my cookbook Taste of Tucson is the best ever… it’s spicy, salty and creamy yet crisp and bright with lots of citrus and just a […]

Crustless Quiche With Five Kinds of Peppers

September 25, 2013 2

Sometimes in the morning when I want a little treat, I drive down the street to my favorite coffee shop where they make the most amazing quiche. I’ve been doing it so much lately that […]

Homemade Thin Crust Pizza

April 13, 2011 2

More often than not, Sunday night is Pizza Night at my house. It took me forever to figure out how to make a thin crust pizza at home. I practiced stretching the dough for months. […]

Recipe for Spicy Citrus Shrimp Ceviche Tostadas

June 6, 2012 2

When life gives me lemons (and well, shrimp) I make ceviche. Sometimes life, (or a really cool sponsor), gives me something really awesome. This time it was O Clementine Olive Oil… and “O” my gosh […]

Arizona Lentil Caviar

February 29, 2012 2

I have a long-standing distrust of any food that contains lentils. Lentil soup has always been my go-to answer when asked about my most hated food. I first experienced the suspicious discs floating aimlessly among […]

Mini Pumpkin Goat Cheese Cheesecakes

September 25, 2012 2

Saying that I don’t eat a lot of sweets is perhaps not the best way to start a post about dessert. Cake in general is not really my thing. I prefer fruit, though I do […]

Fair Food At It’s Easiest: Fudge Puppies Recipe

June 29, 2014 2

Black & White Nachos

May 4, 2011 2

This recipe makes a white nacho cheese sauce instead of the traditional yellow. Black beans add contrast, fiber and a bit more protein. There are more colors here than just black and white. but you […]

Thai Green Papaya-less Salad Recipe

May 14, 2011 2

Som Tum (Green Papaya Salad) is my very favorite Thai dish. It’s crunchy, salty and spicy and I swear that it will cure whatever ails you – known or unknown. Here in Tucson it’s really […]

Frozen (or not) No-Bake Chocolate Cheesecake Mousse with Summertime Sprinkles

June 27, 2013 1

It’s a healthy, frozen, chocolate treat that’s high protein, and low in calories, fat and sugar. What more could you want? Oh yeah, it has sprinkles! Lots of them in pretty summer colors that are […]

Snack of the Day: Cincinnachos! – Cincinnati-Style Chili Cheese Nachos

November 16, 2014 1

Ohio meets Arizona! Cincinnati style chili cheese nachos – Cincinnachos as they will henceforth be known. The best of everything for snacking season. Start with My Recipe for Cincinnati Style Turkey Chili, substituting ground grass-fed beef […]

How to Cover Easter Eggs in Sprinkles!

April 17, 2014 1

Postmodern Art Popsicles

October 6, 2013 1

What is the nature of art? Can it exist in popsicle form? Is it still art after the popsicle has been eaten? How does the process of melting affect the piece? These are some of […]

Pretty in Pink: Candied Lady Apples

December 5, 2012 1

These easy candied apples are a healthy, sweet treat that are fun for kids to make. I used Lady Apples, which are stunning, tiny, sweet apples that resemble crab apples. Also called Christmas Apples, they […]

Carb-Free Sausage, Egg & Cheese Muffin Cups

October 28, 2014 1

There’s no flour in these muffin cups, yet they’re still light and fluffy! The secret is to beat the egg whites with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. I mixed in spicy Italian chicken […]

Italian Style Grilled Chicken with Parmesan and Sun-dried Tomatoes

June 19, 2015 1

This is a healthy and extremely flavorful way to dress up boneless skinless chicken breasts. Adding just a small amount of butter on top, and using grated parmesan for a garnish, keeps the fat and […]

Sonoran Style Chipotle Chicken Salad

July 15, 2014 1

Like all regional cuisines, Sonoran style Mexican food is evolving. My spicy Sonoran style chicken salad could easily be served in tortas (sandwiches) alongside the pork or beef varieties, or in tacos, which are now available served on lettuce leaves at local restaurants as well as on traditional corn or flour tortillas. I used store-bought rotisserie chicken which has become a staple in Mexican home cooking. […]

Parmesan Pepperoni Crustless Pizza

April 30, 2013 1

If you bake a layer of Parmesan cheese in the oven it will crackle and pop after a while, turning into a crispy, brown cheese cracker that’s much tastier than any pizza crust I’ve encountered. I […]

I love brussels sprouts!

November 1, 2012 1

Brussels sprouts and bacon compliment each other so perfectly that this may be my favorite food of all time. You cook the bacon in with the sprouts so that a little bit of bacon grease […]

Breakfast Popsicles + A Goodreads “Sprinkles!” Cookbook Giveaway

August 10, 2013 1

Looking to kick start a hot summer day? These chocolate & coffee frozen pudding pops are just the ticket! Take an average cup of joe and turn it into a stick of WHOA! Sugar-free instant […]

Sprinkles!: Recipes and Ideas for Rainbowlicious Desserts

October 1, 2013 1

I’m super excited to announce that my cookbook Sprinkles!: Recipes and Ideas for Rainbowlicious Desserts will hit the shelves in less than three weeks! Pre-order it now to get it as soon as it’s released. It’s a […]

Thai Grilled Chicken Thighs

November 3, 2014 1

All of the ingredients for authentic Thai cuisine are available at most grocery stores. Sambal Oelek and Thai fish sauce can be found in most Asian food sections. This recipe was originally published on iVillage.com […]

5 Healthy Breakfasts in Cute Cups!

July 20, 2013 1

This week I put together five easy, healthy, breakfast recipes for iVillage. They are all in cute single size servings! There’s something for everyone; low-carb, no-carb, high-protein, gluten-free, vegetarian/vegan, low-fat, and/or low-sugar! Click on the […]

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