So Long, Winter!

While it may still be cold in quite a few states, we can at least officially say goodbye to winter. Before jumping into all our favorite spring foods (fresh salads, get ready!) we wanted to highlight the recipes our fans were most interested in this winter. Go ahead and enjoy one yourself this week - don't worry, we won't tell Spring you're cheating!

Spicy Buffalo Chicken Dip
Santa Fe Chicken Tortilla Soup	Baked Potato and Broccoli Soup
Comfort Chicken Noodle Soup	Almost Lasagna

We might cozy up to some of these recipes this week, but then it's so long winter, hello spring!

The FunnySpoon Five: Faves of the Season

It sure feels like winter has been here for a while already, but it's only just now officially here. Welcome to the season of over-indulgence and cozy comfort foods. Curious what our most popular fall recipes were? Check out the round-up of the top five most-viewed recipes of the season:

S'mores Cookie Bars	Spicy Buffalo Chicken Dip
S'mores Cupcakes	Sophisticated' Grilled Cheese
World's Best Grilled Cheese

Tried any of them yet? If not, what are you waiting for? If so, share what you thought about them!

And now let's gear up for winter ...

Tips for Tuna Salad

Someone once told me that tuna sandwiches were her comfort food. While I thought it was a bit weird (I mean, hello, mac and cheese anyone?) I can't deny that a good tuna sandwich is, well, good! So here are some quick tips to make any tuna sandwich tasty, no matter what recipe you use:

1. Canned or those snazzy bagged packages are both good, just be sure you go for "chunk light". You're already eating packaged fish - let's not go cheap.


2. Get the kind packaged in water instead of oil - you'll add flavor with the ingredients in your recipe (mayo, relish, etc.) and will save a ton of calories. Remember, fish is supposed to be good for you!


3. Don't worry about draining every last drop of water out - leaving a little bit (but just a little) will keep your tuna salad more moist, which means having to add less mayo.


4. Separate the tuna well before adding the other ingredients. If you don't mind getting your hands dirty (but wash them first!) then fingers really are the best way. However, using a fork to pull apart the chunks works, too.

Hungry yet? Then check out some of our favorite tuna salad recipes:

Veggie-Packed Tuna Salad


Tuna Melt


White Bean Tuna Salad


Worcestershire Tuna Wrap


Six Ingredient Tuna Salad

If you try one of the recipes above, be sure to let us know how it was! Just be sure you don't bring them for lunch!

The FunnySpoon Five: Faves of the Season

Whether it's still warm where you live or starting to get cold, we have to admit summer is technically over and fall is here. Curious what the most popular recipes of the summer were? Check out the round-up of the top five most-viewed recipes of the season:

1. Almost Lasagna


2. Best Party Dip Ever


3. Mexicorn Bean Salad


4. Sophisticated Grilled Cheese


5. "Homemade" Pizza


So try some new and easy recipes and see them turn up on our fall recipe round-up!

Hump Day with Bradley: Top 5 Aphrodisiac Foods

Hey ladies! It's not all beer and barbecue over here - I do have a softer side. Check out today's tips on the top five aphrodisiac foods. Be sure to tell me which ones you'd like to try ...
- Bradley


You've probably heard rumors and myths about certain foods having aphrodisiac qualities. While the FDA says there are no aphrodisiac foods, I say that takes all the fun out of it. So here are 5 foods to try next time you're in the mood to, er, get in the mood. Can't hurt, right?

1. Chocolate. The sedative in this dual-action treat helps with relaxation (thus lowering inhibitions) while the stimulant helps increase desire for physical contact. Considering it was banned from monasteries in the past, my bet is there's something to this myth.


2. Garlic. Bad breath? Sure. But it might be worth it for the increase in blood flow it encourages. Cue in more stamina and extra energy.


3. Caviar. Loaded with zinc, this delicacy aids in the production of testosterone, which can help increase stamina. Not big on fish eggs? Pine nuts also have a large dose of zinc, so toss a few on your pasta for a romantic dinner.


4. Honey. While "boron" may not be the sexiest word, honey is jam-packed with it, which means honey can stimulate estrogen production in women and testosterone production in men.


5. Almonds. It's not the almonds themselves so much as the aroma. Whip up some pastries with almond extract and fill the air with a sweet, sensuous smell.

Ready to try at home? Start with these easy Chocolate-Covered Strawberries and see where the night takes you!

Don't be that person: 5 things NOT to bring for lunch

We all know that guy/girl in the office who's completely oblivious and brings something for lunch that ends up stinking up the joint all day. Don't be that person! Here are 5 foods to avoid to make sure you keep your lunch to yourself:

1. Tuna. This one's pretty obvious yet people continue to bring tuna sandwiches on a regular basis. We're sure it tastes good to you, but not everyone is a fan of fish, and even those who are don't necessarily want to smell yours! If tuna is really your thing, consider enjoying it on a park bench - it's a great excuse to get outside anyway!


2. Leftover Indian/Chinese/Mexican takeout. It was great last night. Today its smell is traveling at the speed of light throughout the office, affecting everyone in a one-mile radius. Bonus? Its smell lingers in the microwave, making whatever the next person microwaves taste exactly like your leftovers. Consider packing a more office-friendly lunch and saving your leftovers for dinner.


3. Cabbage/Broccoli/Cauliflower. Let me give it to you straight. You think you're eating something healthy. We're thinking you just let one rip in the kitchen. Is that what you want us to think? No. Switch over to carrots, corn, or green beans and we'll stop whispering behind your back about whether we think it was you or your lunch that made that smell.


4. Fried/Fast Food. You can almost see the trail of smell this food leaves behind. Half the people find it disgusting, half the people (the ones eating protein bars and salads) are secretly jealous. However, 100% of the office will still be smelling it 3 hours after you toss the grease-soaked packaging in the trash. Eating out is fun (and in some cases essential), but try to opt for something less greasy, like a sandwich or wrap.


5. Popcorn. You've probably been proudly reading this list thinking "I never eat anything offensive at work". News flash - popcorn is an offender, too! Why? Think of all the people in your office who are trying to watch their weight and avoid snacking, and then you prance around with your buttery goodness. True, at least it doesn't stink like pickled herring but you're still making it tough for your coworkers. Opt for pretzels or pre-popped popcorn instead.

Am I being overly sensitve? Possibly. But the ultimate in courtesy is to have as little impact on your coworkers as possible. There are tons of neutral things you can bring for lunch that won't bug your neighbors, and you have 7 nights a week where you can indulge in whatever foods you want. Trust me, your coworkers will thank you (or will at least stop talking about you behind your back).

The FunnySpoon Five: Faves of the Season

Where did spring go? How is it already summer? Time sure does fly! We hope you enjoyed all our spring recipe recommendations and are all geared up for summer! But before we say goodbye to spring, here's a round-up of the top five most-viewed recipes of the season:

1. Rotel Tilapia






2. "Sophisticated" Grilled Cheese






3. "Homemade" Pizza






4. Almost Lasagna






5. 1-2-3 Cookie Bars

Be sure to check out our easy summer recipes and see them turn up on our summer list!

5 Tips for Decadent Desserts

A lot of desserts are made to be shared, such as for birthdays, work parties, or dinner parties. So there's that little extra desire to add a few finished touches to make them that much more special. Here are 5 easy tips to spruce up your desserts:

1. Use dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate. It's not any more expensive or difficult to find, yet it still makes desserts feel more exotic and decadent. Try: Chocolate-Covered Strawberries



2. Use a combination of whole and chopped nuts. The whole nuts look prettier but the chopped nuts are easier to eat. So combine them for the perfect dessert! Try: Pecan Pie Bars



3. Top with nicely sliced fruit. Fresh fruit is always a treat, and when sliced fancy shcmancy, you can really impress. Try: Red, White, and Blue Cookies



4. Drizzle chocolate sauce on each plate before serving. In less than 30 seconds, your dessert has restaurant-quality appeal! Try: 1-2-3 Cookie Bars



5. Decorate each dessert uniquely. Guests get to choose their fave and everyone wins. Try: Mint Chocolate Brownies

What are your favorite tips for fabulous desserts?

Got a minute? Check out more delicious recipes from the creator of the Pecan Pie Bars.

The FunnySpoon Five: Tips for Party Dips

Dips are an easy snack to include in your party spread. Done right, they can impress the crowd and the bowl will be scraped clean. Done wrong, and you'll be left with a whole lotta dip. So here are five easy tips for the perfect party dip:

1. Serve it in style. Spoon the dip into a hollowed out red pepper or bread bowl and you've got instant wow-factor. Bonus: You can eat the bowl, too.




2. Don't forget the dippers. What you dip IN is just as important as the dip itself. Vary up your dippers to include carbs (chips, breadsticks, pretzels, etc.) and veggies (carrots, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, etc.). Try to serve everything in "one-dip" sizes to prevent double-dipping; if your carrot sticks are bite-size, guests will be less tempted to go for round two on the same dipper.


3. Make the dip a part of the theme. Cinco de Mayo party? Serve Spicy Corn Dip at your fiesta. Summer luau? Celebrate with Aloha Cream Cheese Dip. Holiday party? Deck the platter with green and red veggies.



4. Serve in portions. After sitting out for a while, cold dips get warm and warm dips get cold. And after people have been dipping, it can start to look unappetizing. You can easily avoid this by setting out only a portion to start with, and then refreshing it halfway through the party. Keep cold dips in the fridge and hot dips in ready-to-heat dishes. It's a little extra work but it's more appetizing for your guests, which will mean less leftovers!


5. Get fruity. Savory dips aren't the only kind out there! Try a sweet and fruity dip for a little variety.

So go ahead and get dipping at your next party!

The FunnySpoon Five: Kids' Sleepover Treats

Remember having sleepovers as a kid! Ghost stories, silly games, talking all night? They were the best! I'm sure we had good food, too, but for some reason I don't recall it. It was most likely just some delivery pizza. So why not make your kids' sleepovers more memorable by creating a tradition with these fun (and easy!) foods?

The FunnySpoon Five: Kids' Sleepover Treats

1. Mini Meatballs Subs: Easy to prepare, healthy and filling, and kids think they're so fun!

2. Ooey Gooey Bars: SUCH a delicious treat, and guaranteed no leftovers!

3. Party Punch: Make one batch and they're set for the night. And it has less sugar than other punches, so they won't get too hyper!

4. Candied Popcorn Balls: Prepare these in advance so they're ready when the kiddos get the late-night munchies!

5. Cinna Whirls: When breakfast rolls around, feed the gang a batch of these and send them on their way!


What are your favorite sleepver treats?

The FunnySpoon Five: Meals for Last-Minute Guests

Ever have the neighbors drop by for a "quick chat" and end up staying longer than expected? Have the in-laws over in the early afternoon yet somehow they're still there at dinner time? Go out to a movie with friends and decide to head back to your place to finish the evening? These are all times when having an easy back-up plan for getting a meal on the table really comes in handy! So check out our top picks for recipes you can whip together quickly with ingredients you probably already have on hand!

The FunnySpoon Five: Meals for Last-Minute Guests

1. Salmon Burgers 3-Ways











2. Homemade Pizza










3. Spinach Fettucine Alfredo & Chicken









4. Shrimp Tempura & Rice









5. Five-Minute Burrito

Meatless Monday: Vegetarian Pantry Stockers

Here are a few things that all good vegetarians have on hand at all times. And even you carnivores would be smart to stock up on these because a) you never know when you might want to have a veggie, eco-friendly dinner, b) you never know when a vegetarian friend might pop over for dinner and c) these are pretty basic staples that will even pair with your meat, poultry and seafood!

1. Nuts. They're an excellent source of protein, great for a snack and a nice complement to a meal (sliced almonds on a salad, chopped cashews or peanuts in a sauce). Also, how can you go wrong with a delish PB&J? Like this Grilled PB&J. YUM!


2. Beans. Again, a great source of protein, but also very high in fiber and iron. Beans are great in soups and salads - vegetarian dishes that may otherwise be low in these nutrients. They're also great in all sorts of dips (hummus!!) and snacks (edamame!)


3. Whole Grains. Really simple foods that do so many great things for your body. Whole grains help lower cholesterol, reduce risk for heart disease and decrease hypertension. We all eat grains, but switching to whole grains will give you tremendous health benefits - whole grain pasta, quinoa, brown rice, oatmeal, etc. These are the base of MANY vegetarian staple meals. And probably found in many non-veggie dinners, too!


4. Veggies. We all eat these ... well, at least we should. And no, potatoes don't count! It's great to have a variety of fresh veggies on hand (broccoli, kale, spinach, squash, peppers), but frozen works just as well (read this post from last year where we break down fresh vs. frozen vs. canned). Veggies are super important for everyone, but even more so for vegetarians to ensure they have good, natural sources of protein, iron, fiber and all the other good-for-you stuff.


5. Soy Products. These are a vegetarians best friend. And this is also where most of the meat-eaters will stop reading this post ... they just can't go there on the soy stuff. Well, don't knock it until you try it. Tofu is such a chameleon and will take on the flavor profile of whatever you're mixing it with (stirfry, smoothie, grill). Soymilk, yogurt and all the other dairy stand-ins are truly magnificent developments for vegetarians and people with lactose intolerance. And all those Morningstar Farms and Boca products are amazing. Seriously - I know tons of major meat lovers who go nuts over those (just ask Vicki!). Give them a whirl.

So there you have it - 5 categories of things that all vegetarians keep in their pantry, fridge or freezer. If you haven't tried any of these then you should ... before you turn up your nose.

One last thing - you should try this Summer Mediterranean Pasta for dinner tonight. A tasty dish ... with whole grains and veggies!

The FunnySpoon Five: Faves of the Season

Raise your hand if you're glad winter's over! To wrap up the season and send it off until next year, we've done a quick round-up of what you and your fellow FunnySpooners picked as your favorite recipes this winter! Here are the top five most-viewed recipes of the season:

1. Rotel Tilapia






2. "Homemade" Pizza







3. Spicy Buffalo Chicken Dip







4. 1-2-3 Cookie Bars






5. Almost Lasagna

So start diving in to all our fabulous spring recipes and see them turn up on our spring list!