Stephanie, Author at Stephanie Recipes

Sugar Free Zucchini Bread

Sugar Free Zucchini Bread – A Recipe That Completely Changed My Baking Habits

The first time I made sugar free zucchini bread, I was not trying to create something healthy. Instead, I was standing in my kitchen holding a single zucchini that had been ignored for days. It had rolled quietly to the back of the refrigerator drawer, and each time I saw it, I told myself I would use it tomorrow. Eventually, tomorrow came, and I knew I had to do something with it. At first, I hesitated. Zucchini bread, in my mind, had always been sweet, rich, and comforting. Therefore, the idea of making a sugar free zucchini bread felt like a compromise. I worried it would taste flat or disappointing. However, curiosity pushed me forward.

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Baking

Nutella Mug Cake Microwave

I remember the exact evening when the Nutella Mug Cake Microwave first entered my life. It was raining steadily outside, and the sound tapped gently against the kitchen window. Meanwhile, I stood barefoot on the cool tile floor, staring into my pantry without much hope. I wanted something sweet, but I did not want to commit to baking a full cake. Then, my eyes landed on that familiar jar. The brown lid, slightly smudged with fingerprints from past cravings, suddenly felt like an invitation.

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Dinners

Chicken Noodle Soup Crock Pot

Chicken Noodle Soup Crock Pot – the recipe that changed how I cook at home

The first time I made chicken noodle soup in a crock pot, I did not expect it to become part of my weekly routine. At that time, I simply wanted something warm that did not require constant attention. The day felt heavy and slow, and I remember wanting food that matched that pace. So, I placed the chicken into the slow cooker early in the morning, added vegetables almost absentmindedly, and turned it on before stepping away.

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Dinners

Penne Pasta Salad Recipe

Penne Pasta Salad Recipe That Tastes Like Summer

The first time I made this penne pasta salad recipe, it was for a last minute family barbecue. I remember standing in my kitchen, sunlight pouring across the counter, wondering if something so simple could really be memorable. However, as soon as I tossed the warm pasta with the marinated tomatoes and caught that scent of garlic and basil rising up from the bowl, I knew I had something special.

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Appetizers & Snacks

Protein Zucchini Bread

The first time I baked this protein zucchini bread, I had more zucchini than I knew what to do with. It was late summer, and my kitchen counter was lined with glossy green squash that I had picked up at the market that morning. At first, I thought I would sauté them. Then I considered grilling them. However, as I stood there holding one in my hand, I remembered how much I love a good zucchini loaf, especially when the air begins to cool and I start craving something warm and gently spiced.

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Healthy

Turkey and Cheese Sandwich

I did not grow up thinking much about this turkey and cheese sandwich. For a long time, they lived in the background of my kitchen life, reliable but forgettable. However, one afternoon changed that completely. I was standing at the counter, hungry but uninspired, staring at a few basic ingredients that did not look exciting on their own. Then, instead of rushing through it, I slowed down. I melted butter gently, stirred in Dijon, and suddenly the kitchen smelled warm and savory. At that moment, something simple turned into something intentional. That small pause made a noticeable difference.

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Dinners

Ground Beef Veggie Skillet

Ground Beef Veggie Skillet and the Way It Entered My Weekly Routine

The first time I made this Ground Beef Veggie Skillet, I did not plan for it to become anything special. In fact, I was simply hungry, slightly tired, and staring into a refrigerator that looked uninspiring at best. However, once the skillet started heating and the olive oil loosened across the surface, my mood shifted almost immediately. Cooking has always done that for me. It creates a sense of order when the day feels scattered.

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Baking

Chocolate Caramel Cupcakes

Chocolate Caramel Cupcakes and Why I Keep Coming Back to Them

Some recipes come and go in my kitchen, but chocolate caramel cupcakes have stayed with me for years. The first time I made them, I was not chasing perfection. Instead, I wanted something comforting, something rich, and something that felt familiar without being boring. At that point, I had baked plenty of chocolate cupcakes before. However, adding caramel felt like crossing into slightly more serious baking territory.

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Dinners

Greek Style Chicken

Greek Style Chicken and the First Time I Truly Understood Lemon

The first time I made Greek Style Chicken, I did not expect it to stick with me the way it did. At that point, it was just another dinner idea scribbled on a grocery list, however something shifted once the cooking started. First, there was the sharp, almost floral scent of lemon zest filling my kitchen, and then there was the way the olive oil carried that aroma into every corner of the room. At that moment, I realized how much impact simple ingredients can have when treated with care. I remember standing by the counter, fingers sticky with citrus oil, thinking that this already felt different from my usual weeknight meals.

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Dinners

Easy Shrimp Fried Rice

I still remember the first time shrimp fried rice truly worked for me at home. It was one of those evenings where the day felt long, the kitchen felt quiet, and takeout menus were tempting me from the counter. However, instead of ordering food, I reached into the freezer and pulled out a bag of shrimp. At that moment, I did not expect anything special. I simply wanted dinner on the table. What happened instead was the beginning of a recipe I now return to again and again.

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