Today we’re talking moist, not too sweet, double chocolate maple pear muffins that leave warm smidgens of chocolate all over your fingers– whole grain muffins, sweetened with chunks of pear and pure maple syrup, and lavished with dark chocolate morsels!

The finger-licking chocolate-y fruitiness going on in these muffins is a welcome treat any time of day. You could definitely serve them for dessert, maybe with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Tilt your head in a muffin-y nod to the classic French dessert, Poire Belle Hélène–perfectly poached pears with chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream.

You should see Robbie gobble these down, a guy who professes to not like chocolate. I had to hide them from ourselves in the freezer, which works for me, but after dinner he just reaches in, opens the container, and eats one frozen!

Fruity, salty, sweet, and tangy sharp, with pan-crisped croutons to absorb all that juicy flavor goodness, this Italian panzanella salad with Kalamata olives and cherry tomatoes is calling your name!

Click here to PIN Italian Panzanella salad with Kalamata olives and cherry tomatoes!
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Bits of diced cool cucumber, minced basil, and toasted walnuts swirled into creamy whole milk yogurt–this cucumber basil raita dip is a deliciously healthful appetizer. Scoop a spoonful onto your pita chip and you’ll know exactly what I mean.

What is raita?

Raita, RYE-ta, is a traditional palate-cooling yogurt “salad” to go with spicy Indian curry.

I used to make this light refreshing raita only for Indian curry theme dinners.  And then I discovered how awesome it is with pita chips and veggies. Wow–raita dip!

Click here to PIN Cucumber Basil Yogurt Dip!

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