Everyone has that go-to dinner meal when time is limited and tummies are rumbling. The best part? This mustard and maple syrup glazed chicken recipe only requires four ingredients. The sweetness infused by the maple syrup appeals to those with sweet tooths (and picky eaters!). If you’re more about the bite and less about the sweet flavor, be sure to load up the glaze with mustard. Either way, you won’t be disappointed.
Ingredients for Mustard and Maple Syrup Glazed Chicken:
6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (you can use bone-in too)
one large shallot, minced
3 tablespoons of real maple syrup
1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard with seeds
Method: 1. Pre-heat broiler. Sautee shallot with olive oil over medium heat in a saucepan. Salt and pepper both sides of the chicken on a foil-covered baking sheet.
2. After shallot softens (about 1-2 mins), add maple syrup and mustard until glaze thickens and bubbles, stirring occasionally, about 2-3 mins. You can use as much maple syrup or mustard as you like — we suggest making it so it’s 2:1 ratio of syrup to mustard.
3. Brush one side of the chicken with glaze and broil for 5-6 mins. Turn chicken over and cover with glaze. Broil another 5-6 mins until chicken is cooked through. Serve with rice and veggies.
Winter in Chicago is all about parkas and your kid’s mittened hand clutching a glorious cup of hot cocoa. The weather gets downright artic some days, but a steaming cup of hot chocolate will definitely make Jack Frost’s nipping a whole lot easier to handle. If your kids love cocoa—or need a good introduction to it—check out these local restaurants or cafes that make their own from scratch. Scroll to find our favorites.
When this local confectioner isn’t busy making mouthwatering truffles and caramels, it's drawing people with delicious hot chocolate in flavors like bittersweet, semisweet or salted caramel topped with homemade ‘mallows. The secret? Steamed whole milk and a cream-top cream that has 45% butterfat.
Previously named Mindy's HotChocolate, Chef Mindy Segal of Mindy's Bakery switched things up and is now specializing in handcrafted sourdough bagels and bialys, babka, za'atar challah and seasonal pastries. Lucky for us, Mindy still has a sweet spot for the roasty-toasty drink she serves with a house-made marshmallow on top.
It was named one of the five best cups of hot chocolate in NYC by CBS New York. No need to travel to get your own cup, order the cioccolata con panna at their Lavazza café, which is rich, dark, and sweet. It's a perfect place to take a pause from holiday shopping or while your table is being set in the restaurants upstairs.
Oh, yes, Firecakes offers more than donuts. The next time you head here for a chocolate old fashioned or a season favorite, double the decadence with Chef Jonathan Fox's frothed-to-order, Parisian-style hot chocolate. It balances Belgian bittersweet chocolate with organic milk, a touch of vanilla and cane sugar, and is topped with a house-made, Tahitian vanilla bean marshmallow. Be on the lookout for the roaming bakery they loving refer to as Billy the Truck.
Locations in River North, Lincoln Park, Naperville & Oak Park or look for Billy the Truck; Online: firecakesdonuts.com
Little Branch Cafe
Before or after a trip to The Field Museum, head to this neighborhood cafe for a warm-up. It serves creative American favorites for breakfast, lunch or dinner, and is great brunch alternative to nearby Yolk, which always has a longer wait. No matter the time of day, you can't go wrong with hot chocolate made from a tasty combo of vanilla syrup, Ghirardelli chocolate powder and milk, topped with whipped cream and cocoa powder.
1251 S. Prairie Ave., Prairie Avenue Historic District; Online: littlebranchcafe.com
The San Francisco-based icon is known for its chocolate bars. It also knows a thing or two about the drinkable version. Stop by its Mag Mile location for chocolate mocha, double chocolate or chocolate caramel hot cocoa (or some seasonal favorites!). While you're on a roll, pick up the mixes to take home—and don't forget chocolate and caramel sauces.
Chances are you're already familiar with this restaurant known for its organic food and neighborhood charm. The hot chocolate is a new reason to try it. Made from omanhene chocolate and topped with whipped cream, you can have it served in a soup bowl for great slurp-ability.
3800 N. Clark St., Lakeview & 1401 W. Devon Ave., Edgewater; Online: uncommonground.com
While its name is the Mexican slang for "little sister," chef Rick Bayless’ restaurant is a big shot in the hot chocolate scene. The Mexican hot chocolate is made from cacao imported from Tabasco, which is put through a grinding process more meticulous than the judges on Top Chef Masters. One sip and your whole family will be crying olé!
Sipping hot chocolate at the Euro-inspired cafe is a special experience. When you dine in, drinks are served on silver platters with glasses of water on the side. The smooth, rich flavor of the hot chocolate is also worth talking about. It's made from steamed milk and milk chocolate powder shipped from Austria. Ask for it topped with whipped cream and homemade marshmallows.
1920 W. Montrose Ave., Ravenswood & 3601 N. Southport Ave.; Online: juliusmeinlchicago.com
Get ready for sugar bliss. This Naperville cafe serves a wide variety of decadent hot chocolates, along with cases of baked and chocolate goodies. We highly recommend their carrot cake, one of the best around.
Unicorn and mermaid waffles are so last year. Now it’s time to get down to breakfast business with Kellogg’s new Narwahl waffles!
The raspberry-flavored breakfast treat boasts a blue hue that would look great with a dollop of whipped cream. Like its plain-colored counterparts, these waffles need just a quick trip in the toaster before enjoying with a little syrup and a glass of milk.
Perfect for picky eaters or enjoying on the go, these fun waffles put a new spin on breakfast (and make you an uber cool mom or dad!). We found the six-pack of waffles at Walmart for just $2.96.
An elf’s four major food groups are candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup. General Mills holiday cereals are hitting shelves now and that includes the return of your coveted Elf cereal.
To add to the excitement, everyone’s winter favorite, Sugar Cookie Toast Crunch is back by popular demand.
This maple-flavored cereal (Buddy’s favorite flavor) offers delicious green and red holiday tree marshmallows and maple-flavored corn puff cereal pieces in every spoonful.
You can find Elf Cereal in grocery retailers nationwide for a limited time this holiday season. Boxes retail for $2.50 for a mid-size box and $3.99 for the family size.
Sugar Cookie Toast Crunch is returning to shelves again for another sweet and festive winter season. Sugar Cookie Toast Crunch brings its classic holiday flavor to Cinnamon Toast Crunch for a whole new way to enjoy the delicious taste of sugar cookies – perfect for a festive breakfast or cozy afternoon snack.
You can find Sugar Cookie Toast Crunch in grocery retailers nationwide for a limited time. Boxes retail for $2.50 mid-size / $3.99 family size.
What if you could make Cinnamon Toast Crunch even better? That’s what General Mills is promising this fall and it sounds absolutely delicious. Apple Pie Toast Crunch will be hitting store shelves for the first time ever next month, plus a couple other seasonal favorites!
Using the crunchy whole wheat and rice cereal base of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, the new cereal will offer the taste of apple pie in every bite. Ready to up the ante? General Mills recommends mixing it with Dulce de Leche Toast Crunch to create a caramel apple in your bowl.
But if you’re ready to skip straight ahead to the holidays, you’ll love this next piece of news. Sugar Cookie Toast Crunch and Elf Cereal are coming back to a store near you! The Elf in particular sounds amazing: it’s maple flavored cereal with four new marshmallow shapes in candy, candy corn, candy cane and syrup.
You’ll be able to scoop all of these cereals starting in early October at retailers nationwide. Boxes will retail at $2.50 each for a midsize, or $3.50 for a family size. The most important meal of the day is getting a serious upgrade!
Calling all Potterheads! A visit to Universal Studios not in the cards right now? Never mind, because you can still get your Butterbeer fix: at Dairy Queen.
Tiktok User @thedairyqueenking has been wowing fans for quite some time with DQ creations but the newest magical creation takes the cake. Pay attention, because this concoction is not on the official menu!
To treat your Butterbeer craving, start by ordering a Blizzard with vanilla syrup, butterscotch syrup, Butterfinger pieces and whipped cream. That’s it!
Be forewarned that not all DQ locations carry butterscotch, so you might want to check before getting too excited, or just order it with caramel instead.
Vroom vroom! If your breakfast looks like a car, then it is perfectly acceptable to play with your food. CucinaPro has a waffle maker that turns your batter into edible toy cars.
The Cars & Trucks Waffle Maker Iron has seven unique molds to make everything from a police car to a monster truck and school bus. The non-stick electric waffle make not only makes breakfast a breeze but fun, too!
Simply pour your favorite pancake or waffle batter into the non stick molds and soon you’ll have seven different cars and truck shaped mini waffles. Cover them in powdered sugar or “drive” them through puddles of syrup.
The CucinaPro Cars & Trucks Waffle Maker is available on Amazon for $49.95.
From pots and pans to must-have chocolate bars, Chrissy Teigen’s Cravings site is packed with abundant awesomeness—and you’re going to want it all.
As if we didn’t already love the supermodel/supermom enough already, Teigen’s newest online additions feature a drool-worthy collab with L.A.-based chocolate shop Compartés. The Cravings x Compartés chocolate collection is more than just a line of basic bars. These sweet sweets feature fab, fun flavors and pics of Teigen’s own family.
The flavor buffet includes one pick for each member of the Teigen-Legend clan—Chrissy’s Creamy Coconut Chocolate Bar, John’s Carrot Cake White Chocolate Bar, Miles’ Banana Bread Chocolate Bar and Luna’s Blueberry Pancakes and Syrup Chocolate Bar. Buy the bars from Teigen’s Cravings site ($12 each or $50 for a gift set of all four flavors) or from Compartés online store.
Along with Teigen’s family of chocolate bars, you can also pick up other crave-able treats on the Cravings site. The Poppin’ Off Popcorn Seasoning Kit ($36) comes with salt and vinegar, birthday cake, French onion and Gruyerè, extra-spicy cheddar and sweet and salty coconut flavorings. If you’re in the mood to make a meal, the Cravings Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner Spice Kit ($36) has the flavors you need to make balsamic roasted onion, honey lemon thyme, garlicky onion herb, tomato garlic basil and herby leek seasoned rice.
Your kids will be begging for more bricks when their breakfast is in the shape of blocks. Hammacher Schlemmer’s Building Brick Waffle Maker made its debut on Kickstarter and quickly surpassed its goal. Now it’s available for purchase!
The Building Brick Waffle Maker takes meals to the next level, literally. Create a house or a towering skyscraper made of delicious waffles, then cover it in syrup and demolish it.
Bake up interlocking bricks in this waffle maker that makes10 short bricks, two long bricks, and two individual bricks at the same time. The finished products can be easily stacked, making any structure you can dream of.
The Building Brick Waffle Maker is made from die-cast aluminum with a food-grade, non-stick coating that is easy to clean. It currently sells for $59.99 and the next batch will ship in January. Breakfast for dinner, anyone?
The sniffles, a bug, a common cold—no matter what you call it, being sick is a pain, and seeing your tiny human under the weather is tough on parents. While you may not be able to fully prevent your little one from catching a virus, there are some steps you can take to help your odds and ways to make things easier on your family when you have a child feeling out of sorts.
We talked to Dr. Amna Husain, a board-certified pediatrician at Pure Direct Pediatrics in Malrboro, New Jersey and mom of one, about her tips for making cold and cough season a little easier on her young patients. Read on for her ten tips to survive cold and cough season:
This post is sponsored by Children’s Delsym, the #1 pediatrician recommended children’s 12-hour cough suppressant* as well as the most recommended children’s cough medication by pharmacists.**
We’ll start with some tough news: your kid will likely get sick. “It is really normal to have a cold. The common cold is caused by a lot of different viruses,” says Dr. Husain. “There’s tons of viruses out there, and it’s very normal for a child to get eight to twelve colds a year.” The good news: The sniffles are usually not something to stress about, and the average cold will last three to seven days—so you don’t have to worry about them being under the weather for too long.
Remember the Basics
You already know the easiest way to prevent illness, and you child probably does too. “It really goes back to the mainstay of things that we’ve heard so commonly like wash your hands and cover your cough,” says Dr. Husain. Remind little ones to wash their hands when they leave the bathroom, before they eat, when they come in from being outside and after they sneeze, to name a few. Now is also a great time to refresh your kid’s memory about coughing and sneezing into their elbow or into a tissue, when possible.
Sanitize Smartly
As a mom herself, Dr. Husain knows the importance of on-the-go options: “Nothing will ever replace soap and water, but hand sanitizer is incredibly convenient.” If you’re using hand sanitizer, Dr. Husain says to look for a sanitizer that is at least seventy percent alcohol, which will be listed on the back of the bottle. It’s also important to use hand sanitizer correctly, which means rubbing it onto your hands until it dries naturally, as opposed to wiping off excess.
Each child and each sickness will look a little different, but there are a few things you’ll want to check no matter what.
Fever: Kids can be sick with or without a fever, but if they are running a temp, Dr. Husain says the main thing to look for is that the fever is going away, either on its own or with proper dosing of acetaminophen or ibuprofen. If fever is not going down with the appropriate dosing of antipyretic medications or persists beyond 3 to 5 days, contact their pediatrician.
Hydration: When your little one is sick, there’s a good chance they won’t want to eat. Rather than focusing on appetite, Dr. Husain suggests closely monitoring their hydration. “When your child doesn’t get enough hydrating fluids and, they can get tired, lose energy and even begin to appear sick are much faster,” she says. If you have a young child, Dr. Husain says the number of diapers they put out is a good indicator—three to five wet diapers is ideal. With older kids, checking the color of their urine can let you know if they’re hydrated.
Energy: Parents know their children’s energy levels. When they’re sick but still playing, it likely means they’re fighting the virus off just fine. But if they’re truly lethargic and having difficulty waking from a nap, that’s when it can become worrisome. "As a pediatrician, that’s something I want to know about," says Dr. Husain.
This post is sponsored by Children’s Delsym, the #1 pediatrician recommended children’s 12-hour cough suppressant* as well as the most recommended children’s cough medication by pharmacists.**
Check for Retractions
You remember contractions, but do you know about retractions? “If your child is really struggling to get air in, you can see their muscles working,” says Dr. Husain. “We call these retractions.” Retractions can look like their belly popping in and out, the muscles in between their rib cage pulling in and out or their clavicles poking in and out. If you’re noticing retractions in your kiddo’s breathing, it may be a sign that they’re struggling to get air—and a reason to get in touch with your pediatrician.
If your kid is old enough, cough syrup can be a game changer on sick days. “I often tell parents you have to look at what’s in cough syrups because there is such a big variety,” says Dr. Husain. “You have to focus in on what you’re trying to treat.” If you’re using a cough syrup, first make sure that you are giving your child medication that is FDA approved for their age. Look for a cough medicine that covers the symptoms you’re trying to treat (cough, runny nose, nighttime relief) and double check the dosing.
Children’s Delsym® provides 12-hour cough relief and multi-symptom treatment just for kids. Children’s Delsym® has a single active ingredient, dextromethorphan, and is free from pain relievers, sulfites and alcohol—which some kids may be sensitive or allergic to. Whether your child has a cough, cold, or chest congestion, Children’s Delsym ® relieves their symptoms and helps little ones feel better. If you’re dealing with more than a cough, Delsym has Cough+ products for both adults and children with daytime and nighttime formulas. Plus, it comes in two flavors: orange and grape.
Stop the Snot with Saline
No matter how many times they blow their nose, the snot still stays. “Saline helps to clear the nasal passages, which loosens the mucus and helps them to breathe a little easier,” says Dr. Husain. She suggests using saline nasal drops and suctioning or a saline spray after bath time (when steam has helped loosen everything up) or before they go down to sleep to prevent a post-nasal drip that may cause middle-of-the-night coughs.
Sniffles mixed with exhaustion is a recipe for disaster. “If they’re in the safe age group, you can let them sleep near you,” says Dr. Husain. “That way you can keep an eye on them, and you’re able to comfort little ones.” A warm drink can also be your best friend before bed: think warm milk with honey, hot chocolate or tea.
This post is sponsored by Children’s Delsym, the #1 pediatrician recommended children’s 12-hour cough suppressant* as well as the most recommended children’s cough medication by pharmacists.**
Keep It Contained
What’s worse than a sick kid? Multiple sick kids. “The best thing you can do is make sure that your little one who is sick stays to their room, if possible,” says Dr. Husain. She also suggests designating their own bathroom apart from other kids and holding off on sharing toys, utensils and anything else for a few days.
If You’re Concerned, Call Your Pediatrician
As a parent, it’s stressful to wonder if it’s just the sniffles or potentially something more serious. “If you’re considering going to the emergency room or an urgent care, try to talk to your pediatrician before you make a decision go somewhere,” says Dr. Husain. Your pediatrician may be able to help you determine where to go next, if needed, and can help your little one get the care level they need.
Dr. Amna Husain is a board-certified concierge pediatrician providing quality pediatric care to children of all ages throughout Marlboro, NJ. At her private practice she offers a wide spectrum of services for young children including acute and non-acute sick and well-care visits, physical examinations, minor procedures, and lactation services for mothers.
* Based on the QuintilesIMS ProVoice Survey, 2016 ** Based on Pharmacy Times’ OTC Guide 2016-2017
