Hi Reader,

Today, we're excited to share some delicious recipes with 5 ingredients or less. Who doesn't need a few of these in your back pocket for a hectic weeknight? We have mains, sides and even an easy breakfast option.

This week's tips tackle the often misunderstood expiration date labels and guide you on which foods you can safely enjoy (within limits) past the 'best by' date. You might be surprised! 😮

As always, we hope you find something you like!

Cheryl and Jenna

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Latest Hit

Chocolate Chip and Walnut Cookies (Levain -ish)

Get ready for delicious chocolate chip and walnut cookies that are buttery, chewy, packed with chocolate and walnuts, and BIG! Grab a cold glass of milk for the perfect treat. 1 hour (including chill time)

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Recipes With 5 Ingredients Or Less

Baked Cauliflower With Cheese and Brown Crispy Edges

For weeknight or company fare, baked cauliflower with cheese is a simple, delicious vegetable side dish with lots of crispy caramelized bits. Just 5 minutes prep and 4 simple ingredients (plus salt and pepper). 30 minutes.

Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Wings

Step up your wings game with golden, crispy, sweet, spicy hot honey chicken wings. Perfect for game day, family gatherings or a weeknight dinner. Choose your cooking method – baking, air frying or grilling, then toss with a 2-ingredient glaze. 55 minutes.

Easy Fried Potatoes and Onions (20 Minutes)

Fried potatoes and onions – also known as home fries – is a quick and easy recipe with a couple of time-saving tricks. Crispy golden outsides, creamy insides, and a mild onion flavor in just 20 minutes.

Gordon Ramsay Scrambled Eggs (Foolproof!)

I am totally hooked on Gordon Ramsay scrambled eggs. Creamy, silky, custardy, perfectly cooked every time in just 4 minutes. He absolutely nailed the technique - and it's easy. 4 minutes.

Sous Vide Roast Pork

Tender, succulent and perfectly cooked the way you like it every time. That’s the beauty of the sous vide cooking method. I make this every week or two! 4 hours.

Microwave Green Beans (7 Minutes)

Microwave green beans have to be one of the easiest ways to make green beans. Dress them up the way you like – or don’t. They’re a popular and simple way to add something healthy and green to the plate. 8 minutes.

Want more? Check out our full list of 5-ingredient recipes!

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What do expiration dates on food really mean?

Expiration labels are NOT safety dates. And they are NOT regulated by the Federal Drug Administration in the US. There are also no Canadian government regulations for determining shelf life. The onus is on manufacturers.

Labels indicate freshness or peak quality, not safety or inedible, as long as they are stored properly. Confusion over labels causes most of us to trash perfectly safe food.

Some definitions...

• "Best-by/before" and "Use by": When food is estimated by manufactured to be at its best in terms of flavor or quality. Exception: infant formula is regulated.
• "Sell by" - This is a retail (not consumer) label. It tells the store when to circulate and reorder items.
• "Expiration date" (used less these days) - mostly use for baby foods, vitamins, over-the-counter medications, cake mix, baking powder, yeast, and pectin - where the products will still be safe but may not perform as expected. Except infant formula which is regulated.

Here is a good article on which foods are ok to eat past expiration dates (within limits) and expiration dates in general. Examples: eggs (!), bread, milk (!), hard cheese, cereal, yogurt and more.

New York City-based dietitian, Brooke Alpert, RD, author of The Diet Detox, explains that you can trust your instincts: "A good rule of thumb to follow is to use your senses; if something smells, feels, tastes, or looks bad, it probably is," says Alpert. "If you are not sure, always err on the side of caution to avoid foodborne illness."

What You're Saying...

This is super delicious! I did add the sherry and also 3 chopped garlic cloves when sautéing the onions, mushrooms, and thyme. Thanks! Debra

​Chicken and Cream of Mushroom Soup (Baked)

...One more thing... If you're a fan of simple fast recipes (who isn't?), click the button below for our BEST QUICK & EASY RECIPES which will be sent straight to your email over the next several days.

Have a great week!

Cheryl and Jenna

jenna-cheryl@twokooksinthekitchen.com

Website: https://twokooksinthekitchen.com/​

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