Granola Chocolate Bark (Small Batch with Low Carb Options)

This easy-to-make chocolate nut butter candy will have your heart at first bite! It’s a small batch dessert recipe, but there is plenty to share with your sweetheart (or not)! And, only three ingredients! Visit the 15-sec video HERE!

Treat yourself (and a sweetheart) to this share-sized dessert that features only three ingredients (chocolate, nut butter, and granola)! Easy-peasy, the only ‘cooking’ is melting chocolate chips in the microwave! A fun Valentine’s Day treat, or for chocolate bark any day of the year! Low carb and sugar free options, very flexible.

Rich, creamy, and studded with your favorite granola (use plain packaged granola, a fancy granola with all the fixings, or your special homemade granola recipe).

Treat yourself (and a sweetheart) to this share-sized dessert that features only three ingredients (chocolate, nut butter, and granola)! Easy-peasy, the only ‘cooking’ is melting chocolate chips in the microwave! A fun Valentine’s Day treat, or for chocolate bark any day of the year! Low carb and sugar free options, very flexible.

Basically, a no-bake dessert (except melting chocolate chips in the microwave for about 1 minute), you’ll find this is a quick, easy, and uncomplicated way to soothe a chocolate-lover’s sweet tooth. Plus, you may already have all the ingredients in your pantry!

 This small-batch recipe is featured in my newest book, Cooking for One for Dummies (which can be pre-ordered NOW, and releases March 8, 2023).

In the cookbook, I show the Granola Chocolate Bar spread out thinly, using a silicone sheet or parchment-lined loaf pan or free-form on a lined cookie sheet.

Treat yourself (and a sweetheart) to this share-sized dessert that features only three ingredients (chocolate, nut butter, and granola)! Easy-peasy, the only ‘cooking’ is melting chocolate chips in the microwave! A Low carb and sugar free options, very flexible. Featured in Cooking for One for Dummies by Jennifer Fisher, thefitfork.com

Today, for a Valentine’s treat, I thought it would be cute to do in a heart-shaped ramekin! This creates a “thicker” result. If going this route, use an approximate 10-oz Crème Brulé-style ramekin or two smaller 6-oz low-side ramekins.  I’m kinda a ramekin collector freak, they are so fun and can be used for lots of smaller-scale recipes for one or two; using to hold prepped ingredients while making a recipe; for holding your everyday snacks for portion control.

Approximate macros for sugar-free chip version (will vary some based on nut butter and granola choices): 191 calories, 13g fat, 14g net carb, 3g protein

Treat yourself (and a sweetheart) to this share-sized dessert that features only three ingredients (chocolate, nut butter, and granola)! Easy-peasy, the only ‘cooking’ is melting chocolate chips in the microwave! A fun Valentine’s Day treat, or for chocolate bark any day of the year! Low carb and sugar free options, very flexible.
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PRO TIPS FOR GRANOLA CHOCOLATE BARK

Tip 1: There is so much flexibility, you can mix and match ingredients to suit your dietary preferences (for example there are lots of swaps if looking for low carb dessert ideas):

  • Chocolate: I used sugar-free dark chocolate chips, but feel free to substitute traditional chocolate chips. Also, try milk chocolate, white chocolate, cinnamon chip and all the other flavors out there!
  • Nut Butter: The only real requirement is to use a natural-style nut butter and NOT the solid kind with hydrogenated fats and sugars.  I used a cinnamon-flavored almond butter in my recipe today, but peanut butter, walnut butter, cashew butter, protein-boosted nut butters and most all types of blends will work!
  • Granola: For convenience, use packaged granola from your favorite brand. Of course, homemade granola is excellent too! If you don’t want to use granola, swap in an equal portion of things like coconut shreds, toasted chopped nuts, dehydrated or freeze-dried fruit pieces, little candies of choice, etc.

Tip 2: For less mess making granola bark, it’s highly recommended to oil the ramekin or, if using a baking sheet, use parchment paper or a silicone matt. You can also make in silicone candy molds, but I haven’t personally experiment with that.

Tip 3: Don’t skip the sticking in freezer step to firm up the chocolate bark before eating. Store leftovers in fridge.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

Granola Chocolate Bark (Small Batch with Low Carb Options)
Prep Time
5 mins
Total Time
35 mins
 

Treat yourself (and a sweetheart) to this share-sized dessert that features only three ingredients (chocolate, nut butter, and granola)! Easy-peasy, the only ‘cooking’ is melting chocolate chips in the microwave! A fun Valentine’s Day treat, or for chocolate bark any day of the year! Low carb and sugar free options, very flexible.

Course: Dessert, Snack
Keyword: candy, chocolate, holiday, low carb, valentines day
Servings: 4
Calories: 191 kcal
Ingredients
  • 1/3 cup chocolate chips sugar-free, if desired
  • ¼ cup natural-style nut butter peanut, almond, cashew, etc.
  • ½ cup of your favorite granola any type or your own toppings
Instructions
  1. In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips on high in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
  2. Stir in nut butter until smooth. Pour the chocolate mixture into a 10 to 12-ounce low ramekin*
  3. Sprinkle granola evenly over the top of the chocolate mixture and press down lightly so that it stays put. Freeze for 30 minutes to 1 hour, or until the bark has firmed up.
  4. Slice into pieces; store the leftovers in the refrigerator.
Recipe Notes

* Instead of a ramekin, spread chocolate mixture out thinly on a silicone mat (on baking sheet) before topping with granola. After freezing, break up into free-form pieces. You can also use silicone baking and candy molds for a different effect.

Approximate macros for sugar-free chip version (will vary some based on nut butter and granola choices): 191 calories, 13g fat, 14g net carb, 3g protein

Garlic Butter Salmon and Mushrooms – Low-carb, 15-min Recipe

Salmon fillets are a mainstay on on my weekly dinner menu. Whether fresh or from frozen, salmon is a quality protein that makes the perfect blank canvas, ready to be “painted” with colorful vegetables and the seasonings that suit your mood of the moment!

When it comes to seasonings and flavor, garlic can’t be beat. It has a host of functional health benefits, is umami-friendly and maximizes the flavor of everything it’s paired with, from veggies, to proteins, to grains, pastas and bread . . ahh, garlic bread. Distinctively pungent, yet more mellow upon cooking, garlic is probably the “first reach” seasoning in my kitchen. If I could only pick one seasoning (other than salt and pepper) for a dish, it would be garlic — that’s how I keep life easy! Fresh minced or crushed garlic is the best, but when I’m making a quick dinner recipe, I rely on the convenience of minced garlic in a jar, garlic paste in a tube, or pre-portioned frozen crushed garlic.

Minced fresh garlic if you have the time, but purchased garlic in jar, tube or frozen portions is convenient!

I drooled earlier about buttery garlic bread, but buttery garlic MUSHROOMS – ohhhhyeah! Low-cal and low-carb, can be a little bland on their own — but with just a little butter and garlic, any mushroom side dish becomes heaven! You can use white button mushrooms or baby bellas (cremini) mushrooms in this low-carb salmon recipe — both act like little sponges that soak up all the rich flavor.

A quick little 15-second tutorial!

Pro-Tips:

1) Leave bottom skin on salmon, this makes a richer recipe and makes the cooking process easier (less sticking). You can remove it later . . . but remember, the brown/gray “gunk” between the skin and salmon flesh is salmon fat and where most of the beneficial Omega-3 fatty acids reside.

2) Salmon is cooked in 2 steps. First a sear with the skin side up. Then the par-cooked salmon rests on a plate while the veggies cook. Second, the fish is finished off by cooking skin side down among the vegetables, with a lid on top of the skilled to expedite the process. Make sure to have the lid nearby.

3) You can substitute peeled, de-veined jumpo shrimp. Those will cook for 3 to 4 minutes UNTIL DONE on the first step, and then you add back into the recipe when the vegetables are finished. Don’t add cooking time after this, or they will become rubbery.

4) For this garlic mushroom salmon skillet recipe, a non-stick skillet/fry pan with lid (10″) works well to keep the garlicked up salmon from sticking to the pan on the searing step. However, if you don’t have a non-stick or don’t want to use a non-stick, and end up with some bits burned onto the pan, there is a solution. After removing fish to rest on plate, add a splash of water to the hot skilled to sizzle and then quickly scrape off with spatula.

5) This mushroom salmon recipe scales up easily. To make 4 servings, just double the recipe (fine to be loosy-goosey on vegetables) and use a 12″ non-stick skillet/frypan with lid.

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Macros per serving: 469 cal, 34g fat, 6g net carb, 33g protein
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Note: This post contains affiliate links.

5 from 8 votes
What's better than garlic butter? Garlic butter all over salmon, mushrooms and delicious veggies! This easy one-dish salmon skillet is sure to become your favorite 15-minute meal.
Garlic Butter Salmon and Mushroom Skillet
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
15 mins
 

What's better than garlic butter? Garlic butter all over salmon, mushrooms and delicious veggies! This easy one-dish salmon skillet is sure to become your favorite 15-minute meal.

Course: dinner
Keyword: garlic, mushrooms, one dish, salmon
Servings: 2
Calories: 469 kcal
Ingredients
  • 2 5- ounce salmon filets skin on
  • ¼ teaspoon each salt and black pepper plus more for seasoning at end, if desired
  • 2 tbsp. garlic divided
  • 1.5 tbsps salted butter
  • 8 ounce white or cremini mushrooms cleaned and halved ½ red onion, chopped coarsely
  • 1/2 cut coarsely chopped red onion
  • 3 cups fresh spinach coarsely chopped
Instructions
  1. Season salmon with salt, pepper and 1 tbsp. of the garlic.
  2. Heat olive oil in skillet over med-high heat.
  3. Add filets skin side up; sear for 3 minutes or until crust forming on flesh. Set par-cooked fish aside on plate (will finish cooking later).
  4. Melt butter in skillet over med-high, add mushrooms and onions and saute for about 3 minutes; add remainder of garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Stir in spinach; set salmon back in skillet, skin side down this time. Cook on medium for about 3 to 5 more minutes (with lid on for several minutes to help speed process). Actual cook time will depend on thickness of salmon filets.

  5. Season with additional salt and pepper, as desired.
Recipe Notes

2 servings. Each serving: 469 cal, 34g fat, 6g net carb, 33g protein

Sheet Pan Mixed Berry Clafoutis (No Added Sugar)

Ooh-la-la! I really love my easy Mixed Berry Sheet Pan Clafouti recipe. My take on the famous French dessert is easy, it’s bursting with beautiful berries, has been “low carbed” with sweetener alternatives and a portion of the flour with almond meal. This berry sheet pan breakfast also features a good amount of protein thanks to six eggs in the recipe.  

Based on a famous French dessert, but with mindful low-carb tweaks, this Berry Clafoutis makes a delicious brunch, breakfast or healthy dessert. It reminds me of a hybrid flan-pancake. Lower cal and lots of protein from eggs. Size up for a sheet pan to make a little more than the traditional recipe.

For all these reasons and more, I declare my Clafouti in a sheet pan suitable for breakfast or brunch, any day!  Macros on a generous-sized serving come in at 250 calories, 12g fat, 24g carbohydrates, 4g dietary fiber, and 12g protein.

Based on a famous French dessert, but with mindful low-carb tweaks, this Berry Clafoutis makes a delicious brunch, breakfast or healthy dessert. It reminds me of a hybrid flan-pancake. Lower cal and lots of protein from eggs. Size up for a sheet pan to make a little more than the traditional recipe.
Use berries . . . or another favorite fruit!

If you’ve never heard of clafoutis, it’s one of those French things. Clafoutis (the “S” is silent) is a baked dessert classically featuring black cherries (but most any fruit will work) arranged in a buttered dish and covered with a thick flan-like batter. It’s served slightly warm or room-temperature, with a dusting of powdered sugar or whipped cream.

My version is baked up in a sheet pan (actually a Jelly Roll Sheet Pan (10.5″ x 15″ x 1″), for a larger scale dish that can serve a big hungry family – or be meal-prepped to eat for breakfast, brunch or dessert throughout the week. This sheet pan clafoutis also freezes beautifully – just thaw out and warm up in the microwave on busy mornings.

The batter is pretty thin, it’s just eggs, flour (or gluten-free alternative), almond flour, and a low-carb sweetener that measures as a cup-for-cup for granulated white sugar. I really just see the atter as the binder to hold the berries together! You don’t need a mixer or blender to make it, in fact, that would over work the batter– all you need is a whisk. I’m in love with this kitchen-drawer space-saving Collapseable Whisk.

Based on a famous French dessert, but with mindful low-carb tweaks, this Berry Clafoutis makes a delicious brunch, breakfast or healthy dessert. It reminds me of a hybrid flan-pancake. Lower cal and lots of protein from eggs. Size up for a sheet pan to make a little more than the traditional recipe.

PRO TIPS:

  1. Let batter rest for 20 minutes to prevent a rubbery final product
  2. Use a mesh tea strainer to sprinkle on powdered sugar.
  3. Cut into 6 large slices (1 per serving) or 12 slices (2 per serving), your preference.
  4. Freeze leftovers, cut into portions and then warm up on defrost button for about 45 seconds until thawed and lightly warm.

Based on a famous French dessert, but with mindful low-carb tweaks, this Berry Clafoutis makes a delicious brunch, breakfast or healthy dessert. It reminds me of a hybrid flan-pancake. Lower cal and lots of protein from eggs. Size up for a sheet pan to make a little more than the traditional recipe.
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Sheet Pan Mixed Berry Breakfast Clafoutis (Lower Carb)
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
40 mins
Total Time
45 mins
 

Based on a famous French dessert, but with mindful low-carb tweaks, this Berry Clafoutis makes a delicious brunch, breakfast or healthy dessert. It reminds me of a hybrid flan-pancake. Lower cal and lots of protein from eggs. Size up for a sheet pan to make a little more than the traditional recipe.

Course: Breakfast, brunch, Dessert
Keyword: blueberries, clafoutis, low carb, sheet pan
Servings: 6 Servings
Calories: 250 kcal
Ingredients
  • 6 large eggs
  • 2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1/8 tsp. salt
  • ½ cup baking sweetener 1:1 cup measuring equivalency, I used a stevia blend
  • ½ cup unbleached all-purpose flour or gluten-free alternative
  • ½ cup packed almond meal
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • Baking spray for baking sheet
  • 1 lb. mixed fresh berries such as blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, sliced strawberries (rinsed and dried) about 3 to 3.5 cups
  • 1/2 cup sliced almonds about 2 ounces
  • Optional Powdered sugar for dusting (I used a zero-carb powdered sweetener)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350F.
  2. In large bowl, crack open eggs and whisk smooth. Whisk in milk until incorporated.
  3. Next, whisk in sweetener, flour, almond meal and salt until smooth.
  4. Spray 10” x 15” “jelly roll” sheet pan with baking spray. Do NOT try to use a standard 9” x 13” low-rimmed sheet pan, it will be too small and overflow. As an alternative, you can use a 9” x 13” ceramic or glass baking dish with HIGHER sides (cooking time will need to be increased).
  5. Pour egg batter into pan. Gently scatter berries as evenly as possible on top of batter. Next, sprinkle on sliced almonds.
  6. Bake on center rack for 40 minutes, or until turning golden on top and set. If using the 9”x13” glass baking dish, the batter will be deeper, so add on 5 to 10 more minutes of cooking time (so 45 – 50 minutes cooking time).
  7. Remove from oven at let cool 5 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar or alternative, if desired. Cut into either 6 large squares or 12 smaller squares (2 smaller pieces per serving).
  8. Store leftovers in fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in microwave for about 45 seconds.
Recipe Notes

No-Bake Protein Brownies with Real Strawberry “Sprinkles”

Satisfy your sweet tooth in a lower-carb and protein-boosted way with this easy recipe for No-Bake Protein Brownies with Real Strawberry “Sprinkles.”

It’s a seemingly decadent strawberry chocolate brownie is actually a homemade brownie protein bar that is low in sugar and higher in protein. Macros for each generous slice of this homemade protein brownie: 219 calorie, 16g fat, 14g carb (6g net carb), 8g dietary fiber, 12g protein.

 Almond meal, unsweetened cocoa powder, and protein powder make the low-carb, protein-rich base that is held together by sugar-free syrup (or the sticky sweetener of your choice like real maple syrup or honey). There is no need to bake this homemade protein brownie, you simply press into the pan (I used a 1/8th sheet pan size with dimensions of about 9” x 6” – you can also use an 8”-diameter cake pan).

I came up with this chocolate protein powder recipe idea at the beginning of the year, as I was clearing out all our holiday treats but still craving a healthy sweet treat – I’m a chocolate lover for sure! You can use most any variety of chocolate protein powder (for example whey or plant-based).

I use Clean Lean Protein in Rich Chocolate flavor, a plant protein powder from Nuzest that is easy to digest, has a great texture, and can work with most types of diets including keto, gluten-free, paleo and more.

Here’s a don’t-miss-deal: you can always save 15% at Nuzest HERE with my code FITFORK

What makes this fudgy protein brownie extra special is the rich chocolate ganache topping. Making a ganache (a shiny thin layer of chocolate icing) seems so fancy and like you need major chocolatier skills – but it’s easy. The standard ganache formula is 2:1 chocolate to heavy cream. So, for a heaping ¼ cup chocolate chips, that would be 2 tablespoons of cream. It’s as easy as putting both in a microwave safe small bowl and heating at 70% power for about 1 minute, and stirring quickly afterward until smooth and glossy (return to microwave in 15 second increments if not melted thoroughly).

And, the strawberries on top! I’m calling them sprinkles – I took freeze-dried strawberries and coarsely crushed them before sprinkling on top of the still-warm ganache. You could substitute any other type of freeze-dried fruit, or swap out for nuts, seeds, and/or coconut.

Nuzest Plant-Based Protein Powder - save 15% with code THEFITFORK15

These no-bake protein brownies should be placed in the fridge for 30 minutes to set up before slicing. Store any leftovers in the fridge too, for up to 1 week. ENJOY!

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Note: This post contains affiliate links.

5 from 6 votes
Satisfy your sweet tooth mindfully with this easy recipe for No-Bake Protein Brownies with Real Strawberry “Sprinkles.” Deliciously chocolate and seemingly decadent dessert or snack, but only 219 calories, plus low carb with 6g net carb, and 12g protein.
No-Bake Chocolate Protein Brownies with Real Strawberry “Sprinkles”
Course: Dessert, Snack
Keyword: brownies, chocolate, fudge, protein powder
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 219 kcal
Ingredients
  • 1 cup almond meal
  • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ cup chocolate protein powder
  • ¼ cup sugar-free maple syrup or can sub real syrup, just more carbs
  • 3 to 4 tbsp water
Topping
  • 2 ounces sugar free chocolate chips about heaping ¼ cup
  • 2 tbsp heavy cream
  • ½ to 1/3 cup freeze-dried strawberries* or other freeze dried fruit (or nuts, seeds and coconut for a swap)
Instructions
  1. In bowl, mix together almond meal, cocoa powder and protein powder. Add syrup and 3 tablespoons of water. Stir until combined and making a cohesive dough. If too crumbly (like because of super thick syrup, mix in the additional 1 tbsp water).
  2. Press dough into approximate 9” x 6” rimmed pan. In ramekin, add chocolate chips and cream. Microwave for 1 minute on High. Stir until smooth and spread over top of protein mixture. Place freeze-dried strawberries in plastic bag and crush with bottom of cup or rolling pin until coarsely powdered. Sprinkle of chocolate topping. Set in fridge for 30 minutes before cutting into 6 squares.

  3. Store leftovers in air-tight container in fridge for up to 7 days

Recipe Notes

Air Fryer Crispy Chickpeas (for One)

Air Fryer Crispy Chickpeas make snack time a happy time and a healthy experience, especially when that craving for something salty-crunchy hits but are trying to stay away from chips.

If you’re like me, you’ll want to eat theses roasted chickpeas warm, right off the air-fryer and pop the lightly-seasoned, crispy delights into your mouth, one after one! Definitely one of my favorite single-serve snack ideas!

The good news is that unlike typical crunchy snack foods, you control the fats, the sodium, and the flavor. Nothing is processed or yucky, it’s just the goodness of garbanzo beans (the other common name for this legume) simply dressed up with a hint of flavor.  

This quick snack recipe for one makes a single serving (as hinted, lol) and uses ¾ cup of chickpeas (also called garbanzo), about half a can. To use up the other half of the can, check out this Small Batch Hummus recipe (or just easily double the ingredient list for the Air Fryer Crispy Chickpeas below).

PRO TIPS:

Remove skins from chickpeas to help oil & spices adhere.

Remove Skins:  Often canned chickpeas still loosely have their “skins” on. Most fall off during rinsing but any remaining can be removed by patting dry on a paper towel and loosely rubbing around until removed. You CAN eat chickpeas with the skins still hanging on, there is no harm! But removing helps the oil and spices cling onto the legume better in this recipe and for hummus recipes, it creates a smoother outcome.

Oven Option: If you don’t have an air fryer (I LOVE my Omni Pro Plus 18L), the general rule of thumb for crisping up garbanzo beans in the regular oven is to use the same temperature, but double the cooking time (shaking pan around every 10 minutes to promote even cooking).

Seasonings: Instead of smoked paprika, try curry powder, chili powder, Italian seasoning, Everything Bagel spice, or any other spice or blend you can dream up. Even homemade gingerbread spice with a pinch of stevia would make a delicious, unique chickpea snack.

How to Serve: Of course, eating warm off the pan is the obvious way to serve roasted chickpeas! They are also delightful tossed on a salad for extra nutrition and texture. Also try soups (instead of croutons) and as a garnish atop dips (like hummus) or your main entrée (like so yummy with salmon and greens)

How to Store: To maintain crunch, store roasted chickpeas covered at room temperature, for up to a couple days. If desired, pop back into a pre-heated 350F air fyer for 1 to 2 minutes to warm and re-crunch.

This post contains affiliate links.

5 from 5 votes
Air Fryer Crispy Chickpeas for One is a quick, easy and healthy snack with lots of dietary fiber plus protein, iron, and folate. A mindful way to satisfy that salty-crunchy craving when trying to stay away from chips and processed foods.
Air Fryer Crispy Chickpeas for One
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
20 mins
 

Crunchy, crispy and addictive! This fun and easy-to-make snack offers lots of dietary fiber and also is a good source of plant protein, iron, folate and other essential nutrients. Note: If you want to use up the entire can 15-ish ounce can of chickpeas, just double the recipe!

Course: Snack
Cuisine: healthy, Indian, Mediterranean
Keyword: air fryer, chickpeas, garbanzo beans, legumes
Servings: 1 serving
Ingredients
  • ¾ cup canned chickpeas about half a 15.5-ounce can
  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp lemon juice
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat air fryer to 390 F degrees.
  2. Drain and rinse chickpeas.
  3. Pour out on paper towel and dry, gently rubbing to release any skins; discard skins.
  4. Add chickpeas to small bowl and drizzle on olive oil and lemon juice, stirring to coat evenly.
  5. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika and stir around to adhere to chickpeas.
  6. Pour chickpeas out on rimmed baking sheet that fits in air fryer.
  7. Stick in preheated air fryer for about 15 minutes, stopping to shake around once halfway through. Chickpeas should be toasted and crunchy when finished. IF needed (because air fryer models vary in heating), cook for another 2 to 4 minutes.

  8. Remove and let cook a couple minutes before eating. Store leftovers in air-tight container at room temperature, for up to 3 days. If desired, you can warm up in air fryer preheated to 350 for 1 to 2 minutes.

  9. Note: For a conventional oven, cook at 390-400F degrees for 30 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy, stirring up every 10 minutes.

Recipe Notes