Stumbling upon Matt Robinson’s inspired creations was a treat. The foodie dad of three growing, energetic boys and the husband of a food blogger, Matt delights his steadily growing following with his creative but simple creations.
We’ve put together 11 of our favorites from his famous blog, Real Food by Dad. Enjoy!
1. Pizza Bombs
This fun recipe can make up to 10 pieces of pizza bombs. We haven’t tried it but it looks very promising: an explosion of goodness from the first bite to the last.
A photo posted by matt | orange county, ca (@realfoodbydad) on
source: realfoodbydad on instagram
What you will need
- 10 slices of organic, whole grain bread, crusts removed
- 1½ cups of mozzarella cheese
- 20 slices of pepperoni
- 1 egg, slightly beaten
- 6 cups of canola oil
How to make it
- Smash each bread until flattened
- Place 2 slices of pepperoni in the center of each bread layer adding 1 tbsp of mozzarella cheese
- Fold corners to the center and pinch together
- Brush and seal it with egg with your fingers
- Place assembled pizza bomb with the edges facing down
- Repeat assembling, until all the pizza bombs are assembled
- While making the pizza bombs, heat canola oil in a pot over medium-high heat (until 350 degrees)
- Drop pizza bombs into oil one by one
- Cook until browned and puffy, 3 to 4 minutes. (Remember to turn it once.)
- Transfer to wire rack using a slotted spoon
- Let it cool for a bit
- Once it’s warm, serve with pizza sauce
Learn how to make delectable Philly Cheesesteak Wraps on the next page
2. Philly Cheesesteak Wraps
Matt takes two universal favorites and merges them into a unique and exciting dish. This sumptuous recipe makes up to 4 wraps and only takes a couple of minutes!
A photo posted by matt | orange county, ca (@realfoodbydad) on
source: realfoodbydad on instagram
What you will need
- 3 tbsp oil
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 lb. rib eye steak, thinly sliced
- 6 slices of provolone cheese
- 2 pcs of Flatbread
- 1 tsp salt
How to make it
- Heat 3 tbsp oil in a large pan over medium high heat
- Add sliced onions and green bell peppers; cook until onions are soft and translucent
- Add salt and pepper; stir to combine. Push vegetables to one side of pan
- Add rib eye steak slices and cook until browned. Once browned, combine onions, bell peppers and meat
- Divide mixture in half. Place three slices of provolone on top of half
- Layer second half of meat onto first half. Add remaining three slices of cheese on top
- Place a bowl over layered meat mixture for 1-3 minutes until to allow cheese to melt
- Spread ¼ of mixture onto Flatout Flatbread leaving ½ inch border all the way around
- Starting from one end roll one edge to the other; slice in half
- Serve immediately
A yummy cheddar chicken ranch and bacon melt sandwich? Yes, please! Find out how to make one on the next page
3. Cheddar Chicken Ranch and Bacon Melt
We dare you not to drool over this tower of cheesy bacon goodness. Thanks to Matt, you now can make some right at home!
A photo posted by matt | orange county, ca (@realfoodbydad) on
source: realfoodbydad on instagram
What you will need
- 1 tbsp sour cream
- 1½ tsp dry ranch dressing
- 2 slices bacon, crushed
- 1 chicken breast, cooked and cubed
- 1 oz shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 slice of extra cheddar cheese
- 2 slices of organic whole grain bread
How to make it
- Heat medium pan over low heat
- Mix sour cream and ranch dressing in a small bowl
- Then add crushed bacon, chicken and cheese
- Spread butter on both sides of each piece of bread in equal amounts
- Take one piece of bread and place it buttered side down on the warm pan
- Take sliced cheese and place it on top then add sour cream-ranch mixture
- Then place a second slice of bread and put it on top; this time, with the buttered side facing up
- Turn up the heat to medium and cook until brown and crispy (about 2-4 minutes)
- Flip the sandwich and cook until second slice of bread is just slightly brown. (Place bowl on top sandwich for an additional minute or so to melt cheese)
- Serve immediately
Ever craved a pepperoni pizza and a grilled cheese sandwich? Check out how to make a hybrid of the two on the next page
4. Pepperoni Grilled Cheese Sandwich
This is pretty much the stuff of our comfort food dreams: a merging of savory pepperoni pizza and a gooey grilled cheese sandwich!
Kid-friendly Pepperoni Pizza Grilled Cheese Sandwiches made with @daveskillerbread + Lakers game for an easy Sunday dinner. Who’s with me?! #DKBAmbassador
A photo posted by matt | orange county, ca (@realfoodbydad) on
source: realfoodbydad on instagram
One sandwich takes less than 15 minutes to make!
What you will need
- 2 slices organic whole grain
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp butter
- 2 slices mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp pizza sauce
- 6 pepperoni slices
How to make it
- Spread 1 tbsp of mayonnaise on one side of bread, repeat on second slice
- Melt ½ tbsp of butter in a non-stick pan.
- Once melted place a slice of bread, mayonnaise side down; then spread 1 tbsp of pizza sauce on top; add mozzarella cheese and pepperoni slices and remaining slice of mozzarella cheese on top; salt and pepper to taste
- Spread remaining tbsp of pizza sauce on second slice of bread, place on top of sandwich, still mayonnaise side up
- Cook until underside is golden brown (about 4 minutes) turn sandwich and add remaining ½ tablespoon of butter to the pan
- Slightly press down on the sandwich just to evenly brown bread and melt cheese
A different way to enjoy our all-time favorite mac and cheese awaits you on the next page!
5. Mac and Cheese Balls
These round morsels of pure joy is sure to be a hit with the family! Try the recipe below which makes about 12 to 18 balls.
A photo posted by matt | orange county, ca (@realfoodbydad) on
source: realfoodbydad on instagram
What you will need
- 3 cups Mac and Cheese, chilled
- ¼ sliced Tuscan peppers, finely diced
- ⅓ cup bread crumbs
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 3 oz. Kettle (Pepper) Chips, finely crushed
- How to make it
- Line a baking sheet tray with parchment
How to make it
- Mix chilled mac and cheese with diced peppers
- Scoop and form mac and cheese into 1½ inch ball; transfer to parchment lined bakesheet
- Continue until all balls are formed
- In another bowl, combine Kettle chips with bread crumbs
- Then, roll each mac and cheese ball into beaten eggs; then, coat with crumb-chip mixture
- Transfer each ball to parchment-lined bake sheet
- Fill pan with enough oil, so that mac and cheese balls can be submerged by at least an inch
- Slowly place just a few mac and cheese balls into the pan, making sure it’s not too crowded
- Deep fry for about 30-45 seconds, or until each turns golden brown
- Once done, remove from oil and transfer to a platter or cooling rack
- Serve and enjoy!
Love chicken and waffles? We give you a fresh take on the classic favorite on the next page
6. Chicken and Waffle Nachos
Chicken and waffles are great but chicken and waffles PLUS: nachos? What is this sorcery?!
A photo posted by matt | orange county, ca (@realfoodbydad) on
source: realfoodbydad on instagram
This savory treat serves up to 6 to 8 people!
What you will need
- Waffles
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1½ tsp salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 cups of milk
- 10 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1½ cups sharp cheddar cheese
- 7 slices cooked bacon
- 3 cups popcorn chicken
- 2 tbsp Sriracha, or more to taste
- 2 tbsp scallions
- 1½ cups cheddar cheese
- ½ Parmesan cheese
- Cheese Sauce
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp flour
How to make the make waffles:
1. Sift flour, baking powder and salt and mix into a large bowl; set aside
2. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and egg yolks until yolks are broken
3. Continue whisking while pouring in milk
4. Pour in the butter slowly while whisking and continue until mixture is well combined
5. Then pour egg mixture into flour mixture prepared earlier using a sturdy spatula or wooden spoon, fold until streaks disappear
6. Fill heated waffle iron with batter and cook until waffles are golden brown (duration varies with each kind of waffle iron)
To make cheese sauce:
1. Place butter in a medium-sized pan over medium heat
2. Brown butter until fragrant (or about 3-4 minutes)
2. Stir in flour; cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. Pour in milk and turn up the heat.
3. Cook and stir mixture until thick; Stir in cheese and cook until just melted.
4. Lift pan away from the heat; stir until cheese is completely melted and combined.
To assemble:
1. Cut waffles in 1/4 pieces and cover bottom of plate
2. Pour 3/4 of the cheese sauce and top with bacon and popcorn chicken
3, Layer with remaining cheese; finish with Sriracha and scallions
4. Serve immediately
7. Caramel Popcorn S’mores Krispie Squares
You’ll definitely want s’more of these sweet treats again and again!
A photo posted by matt | orange county, ca (@realfoodbydad) on
source: realfoodbydad on instagram
This recipe can make up to 16 servings!
What you will need
- 6 cups caramel popcorn (4 1/2 oz)
- 1 10 oz. bag mini marshmallows
- 1 10 oz. bag chocolate chips
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cups mini marshmallows (for the topping)
How to make it
- Line a 9×9 pan with foil, leaving an allowance of 1 inch on all sides
- Stir butter with mini marshmallows in a pan over medium low heat until melted
- Place in a microwave safe bowl and heat on high for 1-2 minutes (or until melted and smooth), stopping and stirring every 30 seconds
- Mix caramel popcorn; stir until well combined
- Press mixture into a prepared pan; set aside
- Place chocolate (with shortening) in a microwave safe bowl and heat on high for 1-2 minutes (or until melted and smooth), stopping and stirring every 30 seconds
- Layer and spread mixture on top then sprinkle remaining marshmallows
- Put under broiler set to high for 2-3 minutes (or until marshmallows turn golden and toasted). Remember to watch it closely as this happens quickly
- Allow to cool for ten minutes before serving
A cool dessert reminiscent of your childhood, on the next page
8. Oreo pudding pops
This iced treat is sure to transport any parent back to their childhood days! What’s great, too, is that it’s something you can enjoy making with the kids!
A photo posted by matt | orange county, ca (@realfoodbydad) on
source: realfoodbydad on instagram
This recipe takes a few hours to prepare and yields 16 servings but it is worth it
What you will need
- 1 5.1 oz. instant chocolate pudding
- 1 5.1 oz. instant vanilla pudding
- 6 cups milk, in separate bowls
- 1/4 cup Oreos, crushed (about 8 cookies)
How to make it
- Mix the chocolate and vanilla pudding according to directions on the package
- Divide the crushed Oreo into two equal bowls; mix one bowl into the chocolate pudding and the other into the vanilla pudding; combine
- Fill popsicle molds with resulting mixture
- Insert popsicle stick and let freeze until solid, 3-4 hours
- Remember that freezing time will vary depending on your freezer’s settings
A quick, delicious dinner? Turn to the next page!
9. Everything pasta dinner
This light, flavorful dish is packed with protein. Try it for your next weekend family dinner!
A photo posted by matt | orange county, ca (@realfoodbydad) on
source: realfoodbydad on instagram
This serves about 4 people
What you will need
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 2 cooked chicken breast, sliced
- 2 cooked sweet sausage, sliced
- 1 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1 cup chopped drained oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
- ½ teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup whipping cream
- 1 7.25-ounce jar roasted red peppers, drained, chopped
How to make it
- Heat oil over medium heat in a large saucepan
- Add garlic; sauté for 1 minute. Then add tomatoes, cream, red peppers and crushed red pepper; let it simmer over medium heat for about 2 minutes
- Stir in ½ cup basil and simmer 1 minute longer
- Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally
- Drain, reserving ¾ cup pasta cooking liquid. Return pasta to pot
- Add sauce, chicken, sausage, cheese and ½ cup basil and toss to coat
- Add enough reserved cooking liquid to pasta to moisten if dry. Season with salt and pepper
On the next page: A massively kid-friendly dessert for the whole family to enjoy making!
1o. Deep dish monster cookies
These delectable deep dish desserts are fun to make with the kids, according to Matt! Time to put this on your list of family bonding experiences to try!
A photo posted by matt | orange county, ca (@realfoodbydad) on
source: realfoodbydad on instagram
This recipe makes four 6-inch deep dish cookies
What you will need
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup old fashion rolled oatmeal
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ¾ cup brown sugar, lightly packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
- ½ cup mini M&Ms
- ⅓ cup sweetened shredded coconut
- ¼ cup toffee bits
- 1 large egg
How to make it
- Heat oven to 375 degrees
- In a large bowl, whisk flour, oatmeal and baking soda with salt; set aside
- Place butter in medium size saucepan; cook and stir over medium heat until melted. Turn off heat; stir in both kinds of sugar.
- Whisk egg and vanilla
- Slowly add flour and whisk until flour streaks disappear. Fold in remaining ingredients
- Scrape and divide batter into four shallow 6 inch small dishes
- Bake at 375 degrees until cookies are browned on top and center is just set. Remove from oven and let it cool
Your new favorite way to make pizza, on the next page
11. BBQ chicken pizza
This tasty, sweet BBQ chicken pizza can be made in less than an hour!
The simple recipe yields 2 pizzas, a total of 16 sumptuous slices. Perfect for your next family weekend get-together!
A photo posted by matt | orange county, ca (@realfoodbydad) on
source: realfoodbydad on instagram
What you will need
For the crust:
-
-
- 3/4 cup warm water
- 1 tsp Active-dry yeast
- 10 oz unbleached all-purpose Flour
- 1.5 tsp salt
For the toppings:
-
-
- 1/4 cup BBQ Sauce
- 1 tsp Apricot Jam
- 2 cups cubed, roasted chicken
- 2/3 cup Mozzarella Cheese
- 2/3 cup Fontina Cheese
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
- Cilantro for garnishing (optional)
How to make it
To make the crust:
- Preheat oven to 500° F, placing pizza stone in the middly tray
- Combine water with yeast in a mixing bowl; stir until it resembles miso soup
- Add flour and salt and mix until dough comes together
- Pour the dough onto a lightly floured surface
- Knead until flour is well-combined, about 5 minutes or until textures smoothens and feels elastic
- The dough should be moist and slightly tacky. (If it’s sticky, add in more flour 1 tablespoon at a time until smooth)
- Divide dough in half evenly (refrigerate one half for next time or you can choose to double the topping recipe to make two 10-inch pizzas)
- Take a sheet of parchment paper and grease lightly with olive oil. Transfer ball of dough to parchment
- Stretch out dough by hand as much as possible, lightly brush with olive oil; cover it with another piece of parchment
- Using a rolling pin, work from the middle of the dough outward to flatten dough to ¼ inch thickness
- Peel off top parchment paper. (Note: Extra ough can refrigerated for up to three days)
Time for toppings:
- Cook BBQ sauce and apricot jam in a saucepan and stir until combined. Set aside to cool
- Pour cooled BBQ sauce over crust and spread evenly, leaving a ½ inch border.
- Top with chicken, fontina and mozzarella (and red onions, if preferred)
- Place the pizza (with the parchment underneath) into the oven on to the hot pizza stone
- Bake until pizza crust starts to turn golden (about 3 to 5 minutes).
- Rotate and remove parchment, continue baking it for another 3 minutes
- Remove from oven. Optional: Garnish with cilantro.
- Slice, serve, and enjoy!
Open to trying any of these recipes? Share your creations with us!
All recipes by: Matt Robinson (@realfoodbydad)
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Also read: Luto ni Yan: Our 5 favorite recipes by Marian Rivera
