I swear, the first time I made these Puppy Chow Bars, my whole kitchen smelled like the after-school snacks I used to demolish as a kid — that mix of chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar that somehow always ended up everywhere except your mouth. You know exactly what I mean. The funny thing is… I wasn’t even planning to make them that day. I’d simply found a half-bag of Chex hiding behind my flour jar (classic), and instead of tossing it, my brain whispered, “Go ahead. Make something reckless.” And this happened. As the mixture cooled, I kept poking …

I made this on a weeknight when I was too tired to do anything complicated, but I still wanted something that felt like a small luxury — you know, the kind of dinner that makes you sit down slower, maybe light a candle even though you’re eating alone, maybe put on a playlist instead of the TV. It’s one of those meals that tastes like it took hours, but really, it doesn’t. It’s buttery and garlicky and creamy — but not heavy. The salmon gets that perfect golden crust, the mushrooms soak up all the flavor, and the spinach just …