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Chop Happy Hi I am Jay in NYC! Happy Comfort Food Recipe Food Blog! www.ChopHappy.com

10/14/2026

How to make Greek lemon potatoes like the ones me and Tom had on our honeymoon in Santorini!
-This super easy one dish recipe It’s so good and makes your whole kitchen smells like lemon fabulousness.
🎉 follow for more easy recipes for busy people with a dash gratitude
Greek Lemon Potatoes

Ingredients
• 4–5 large russet potatoes, peeled and cut into wedges
• 3 lemons, juiced (about ½ cup juice total)
• 8 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons salt
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1½ tablespoons dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• ½ cup olive oil/ 3 tbsp butter

Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Prepare the potatoes:
Peel and cut russet potatoes into thick wedges. Set aside.
3. Make the marinade:
In a large casserole dish (the one you’ll bake in), whisk together the lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, Dijon mustard, vegetable broth, and olive oil until well combined.
4. Add potatoes:
Place the potato wedges directly into the marinade in the casserole dish. Toss well to coat all the potatoes evenly.
5. Roast:
Bake uncovered for 40 minutes. Remove from the oven, stir the potatoes gently, and spoon some of the sauce over them.
6. Continue baking:
Return to the oven for another 30–40 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender, golden brown, and most of the liquid has been absorbed or thickened.
7. Finish & serve:
Optional — squeeze a little extra fresh lemon juice over the top and sprinkle with a pinch more oregano before serving.

Tip: For crispy edges, broil for 5 minutes at the end of baking.

10/14/2026

🍅 VIRAL SMASH VODKA PENNE SAUCE 🍝🔥

My spin on the viral smashed tomato sauce! Creamy, spicy, garlicky & SO good. 🤤 And despite the name, this version has NO vodka!

SAVE THE RECIPE ⬇️

INGREDIENTS:
1 lb penne
5 tomatoes, halved
1 shallot/small onion, finely diced
6 garlic cloves, chopped
2 tbsp EVOO
2 tbsp tomato paste
¼ cup pasta water
2 tsp each: salt, pepper, red pepper flakes & oregano
2 tbsp butter
1 can coconut cream
1 tsp additional red pepper flakes
¼ cup Parmesan
5 basil leaves, chopped

DIRECTIONS:
Cook penne until al dente & reserve ¼ cup pasta water.

Heat EVOO over med-low. Add seasonings, tomato paste, garlic & shallot. Place tomatoes cut-side DOWN and add pasta water. Once sizzling, cover & cook on medium for 15 min.

Remove tomato skins with tongs, then SMASH the tomatoes right in the pan. 🍅💥

Add butter, coconut cream & 1 tsp red pepper flakes. Mix until creamy. Add penne, toss & cook in the sauce for 2 min.

Finish with Parmesan + fresh basil. Serve & ENJOY! 🌿🧀🍝

SAVE + SHARE this one! ❤️

10/13/2026

🌭 WHAT’S FOR DINNER?

Want to save money? Turn a basic pack of hot dogs into 3 easy, budget-friendly meals! SAVE THIS 👇

🔥 1. BBQ AIR FRYER DOGS
4 hot dogs
2 tbsp mustard
2 tbsp BBQ rub
½ cup BBQ sauce

Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Make small cuts in the hot dogs. Coat with mustard + BBQ rub and air fry 8 min. Toss with BBQ sauce and air fry 4 more min. Sweet, smoky & juicy! 🔥

🥑 2. GUACAMOLE DOGS
4 hot dogs + buns
4 avocados
¼ cup chopped red onion
1 chopped jalapeño
¼ cup cilantro
Juice of 2 limes
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp salt
2 tsp pepper
1 tsp vinegar
1 cup crushed tortilla chips

Mash and mix the guacamole ingredients. Add hot dogs to buns, pile on the guac and finish with crushed chips! 🤤

🧅 3. IN-N-OUT–STYLE DOGS
4 hot dogs + buns
4 slices American cheese
Shredded lettuce

Sauce: ½ cup mayo + ½ cup ketchup + 2 tbsp mustard + 2 tbsp relish + 2 tsp garlic powder + 3 tsp paprika + salt & pepper.

Onions: Cook 1 sliced onion with 1 tbsp butter + a pinch of salt over medium-low heat for 15–20 min.

Add cheese + hot dog to each bun and top with lettuce, caramelized onions & sauce!

✨ One basic hot dog, 3 totally different dinners — without spending a ton!

Which one are you trying first: BBQ, GUACAMOLE or IN-N-OUT? 👇

10/13/2026

Skip the extra pots and the mountain of dishes! 🍝 This one-pot pasta is inspired by Meghan Markle’s viral pasta recipe, with my Mediterranean twist. Everything cooks together in one pot, giving you bold, fresh flavor, less cleanup, and dinner on the table in about 30 minutes. Save this recipe for your busiest weeknights and follow for more easy meals!

One-Pot Mediterranean Pasta

Ingredients:
• 1 pound spaghetti
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 7 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 2 pints cherry tomatoes
• Handful of Kalamata olives
• 10 basil leaves, chopped (plus more for garnish)
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons black pepper
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
• Water, as needed, to completely cover the pasta
• Handful of crumbled feta cheese
• 1 tablespoon butter

Directions:
1. In a large Dutch oven or deep pot, add the spaghetti, onion, garlic, cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, basil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, oregano, red pepper flakes, lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, chicken broth, and enough water to completely cover the pasta.
2. Place the pot over high heat and bring everything to a rolling boil, stirring once or twice to keep the pasta from sticking together.
3. Once the pasta reaches a rolling boil, cover the pot, reduce the heat to medium, and cook for 8 minutes.
4. Remove the lid and continue cooking uncovered over medium-high heat for 4–5 minutes, stirring frequently. The tomatoes will burst, the broth will reduce, and a silky sauce will coat the pasta.
5. Turn off the heat and stir in the 1 tablespoon of butter until melted, then fold in the crumbled feta.
6. Let the pasta rest for 2 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra basil, feta, freshly cracked black pepper, and an extra squeeze of lemon if desired.

This recipe is fresh, creamy, packed with Mediterranean flavor, and best of all—you only have one pot to wash!

10/13/2026

3 EASY MEATBALL RECIPES THAT SOLVE DINNER 🍝🙌

Save time, money & cleanup with 3 easy meatball recipes using simple, overlapping ingredients. SAVE this for your next busy week!

🍅 VODKA MEATBALLS
3 lbs ground beef
½ cup ricotta
1 tbsp oregano
Handful parsley
10 basil leaves
4 tbsp Parmesan
1 tsp red pepper flakes
2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
2 eggs
½ cup breadcrumbs

Mix ricotta, herbs, Parmesan & spices. Gently mix in beef, eggs & breadcrumbs. Roll into balls. Bake at 425°F for 25 min.

SAUCE: Cook 6 oz tomato paste + 3 tbsp olive oil for 2 min. Add 3 chopped garlic cloves + 3–4 tsp red pepper flakes for 30 sec. Add 1 can coconut milk; simmer 2 min. Stir in ½ cup Parmesan. Add meatballs.

🍆 EGGPLANT PARM MEATBALLS
1 large eggplant
3 tbsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves
10 basil leaves
1 tsp oregano
Handful parsley
½ tsp red pepper flakes
1 egg
½ cup ricotta
½ cup Parmesan
2 cups breadcrumbs
Mozzarella cubes + tomato sauce

Cook chopped eggplant with oil, salt & pepper until soft. Cool, then pulse with garlic, herbs, egg, ricotta, Parmesan & breadcrumbs. Roll into balls with mozzarella in the center. Bake at 400°F for 20 min. Top with sauce; bake 15 min more.

🌶️ CREAMY RICOTTA CHICKPEA MEATBALLS
2 cans chickpeas, drained
2 tbsp ricotta
1 egg
½ cup breadcrumbs
4 tbsp Parmesan
1 garlic clove, grated
1 tbsp chili seasoning OR taco seasoning
Scallions, chopped
Handful parsley
Salt + pepper

Mash chickpeas, leaving some texture. Mix with ricotta, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic, chili or taco seasoning, scallions, parsley, salt & pepper. Roll into balls and bake at 400°F for 25–30 min.

3 EASY DINNERS. Less time, less cleanup & more flavor. Which one are you making first? 👇

10/13/2026

Air Fryer Shish*to Peppers

These blistered shish*to peppers are ready in just 10 minutes and make the perfect appetizer, snack, or side dish!

Ingredients:
• 12 oz shish*to peppers
• 2 tsp toasted sesame oil
• 1 tbsp neutral oil (or cooking spray)
• 2 tsp soy sauce
• Pinch of salt

Directions:
1. Toss the shish*to peppers with the toasted sesame oil and neutral oil (or coat with cooking spray).
2. Air fry at 400°F for 5 minutes.
3. Shake the basket and air fry for 5 more minutes, until blistered and tender.
4. Toss with the soy sauce and a pinch of salt.
5. Serve immediately and enjoy!

10/13/2026

You’ve been lied to about Alfredo.
The real Roman version has no cream, no flour, no garlic, no shortcuts, just three ingredients and a technique that turns them into the creamiest sauce you’ve ever tasted.

This is the Alfredo that became famous in Rome a century ago: silky, rich, and made right on the pasta.

THE RECIPE (serves 4)

Ingredients:
• 1 lb fettuccine
• 1 stick (8 Tbsp) really good cold butter, cut into pieces
• 2 cups freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano
• 5–6 twists black pepper (optional)

1. Cook fettuccine in well-salted water until just al dente.
2. Reserve 1–2 cups of pasta water (this is the magic).
3. Add hot pasta to a warm bowl with the cold butter. Toss until glossy.
4. Sprinkle in the Parmigiano Reggiano, tossing constantly and adding splashes of pasta water to create that ultra-silky emulsion.
5. Add black pepper if you like.
6. Serve immediately while it’s creamy and perfect. ✨

That’s it. Three ingredients, one technique, endless obsession.

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New York, NY

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