Saturday, May 5, 2012

Chocolate Crackle Cookies

Chocolate Crackle CookiesYield: 4 dozen cookies INGREDIENTS: 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped or 1 cup chocolate chips. (I used Callebaut bittersweet) 1 cup brown sugar, packed 1/3 cup vegetable oil 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1 cup AP flour Optional: ½ cup nuts of your choice, chopped 1/2 cup of powdered sugar in a bowl for rolling DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare 4 sheets of parchment and place one sheet on doubled pans. 2. Place the chocolate in a large stainless steel bowl and set on a sauce pan containing 1 inch of simmering water. Do not let bottom of bowl...

Carrot Cake

Carrot CakeINGREDIENTS: FOR THE CAKE: 1/4 cup canola oil 1/2 cup sugar 1 large egg 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 1/4 cup packed grated carrot (from 1 small carrot) 1/2 cup flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 cup chopped walnuts FOR THE FROSTING: 3 ounce block of cream cheese, softened 2 tablespoons butter, softened 6 tablespoons powdered sugar 1/4 teaspoon vanilla DIRECTIONS: Grease a 6” round cake pan with shortening or cooking spray. Preheat the oven to 350°. In a medium bowl, beat together with an electric mixer the canola oil and sugar. Beat very well, about 1 minute. Add the egg, cinnamon and vanilla and beat another 30...

All-American Protein Powder toast

All-American Protein Powder toastINGREDIENTS: 1 scoop vanilla protein powder, 2 slices of bread, ½ cup egg whites, ¼ cup milk cinnamon DIRECTIONS:  Mix egg whites, milk and protein powder together in a small bowl. Add cinnamon to taste. Dip the slices of bread into the mixture. Place the batter-covered bread on a non-stick skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, then remove from heat. **You can also add strawberries and honey instead of banana and syr...

(Earl Grey) Shortbread Cookies

(Earl Grey) Shortbread CookiesINGREDIENTS: 2 cups flour 3 Tbsp Earl Grey Tea ½ Tsp Salt ¾ Cup Confections Sugar 1 Tsp Vanilla Extract 1 Cup Butter, room temp DIRECTIONS: In a food processor blend together flour, tea, salt and sugar until tea is evenly distributed. Add vanilla and butter, blending until dough forms. Dough should be in either one or two large clumps, if not, blend longer. Remove dough onto a sheet of plastic wrap and roll into a log. Depending on how big you want your cookies to be adjust diameter accordingly. Wrap log in the plastic wrap, twisting or rubber banning the ends tightly, and refrigerate for 30-45 minutes. Preheat...

Red Potato Soup

Red Potato Soup INGREDIENTS: 2 1/2 pounds unpeeled small red tators, cut into 1 inch cubes 1 large onion 3 celery ribs, diced 3-4 bacon strips, diced 2 quarts milk 4 cups water 3 TBSP chicken bouillon granules 1 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. pepper 3/4 cup butter or marg. 3/4 cup flour 1 cup whipping cream 1/2 cup minced fresh parsley shredded cheddar and chopped green onions DIRECTIONS: Cook potatoes in saucepan till tender. Drain and set aside. In soup kettle or dutch oven, saute onion, celery and bacon till veggies are tender; drain well. Add milk, water, bouillon, salt and pepper; heat through (do not boil). In saucepan, melt butter; stir in flour...

Scottish Fudge

Scottish Fudge INGREDIENTS: Serves: 20 2 1/2 cups (450g) caster sugar 50g dark brown sugar 2 tablespoons golden syrup 1/2 cup (125ml) sweetened condensed milk 1 1/2 tablespoons (30g) unsalted butter or margarine 6 tablespoons water 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla essence DIRECTIONS: Prep: 5 minutes | Cook: 30 minutes | Extra time: 4 hours, setting 1. Place all of the ingredients in a large saucepan and bring to the boil over medium heat, stirring constantly to stop the mixture sticking to the saucepan. 2. Lower the temperature and allow the mixture to not simmer but boil at a lower temperature; continue stirring in a circular motion. 3. Keep...

Almond Protein Pancakes

Almond Protein PancakesINGREDIENTS: 1/4 c egg whites 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder 3 tbsp 0% plain greek yogurt 1 tbsp almond milk 1 tsp sweetener (I used stevia) 1 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp nutmeg 1/2 tsp almond extract (more or less to taste- it’s strong) 1 tbsp almond butter, for topping DIRECTIONS: 1. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl, except for chopped almonds 2. Spray skillet with cooking spray and heat at medium 3. Pour batter into center of skillet- you can make a few small pancakes or one large one 4. Cook until the bottom of the pancake is firm (bubbles form on the outside) 5. Flip pancake and allow it to cook through- until brown 6....

Red Pepper Sauce with Chickpeas and Pasta

Red Pepper Sauce with Chickpeas and PastaINGREDIENTS: 1 Red Pepper 2 - 4 Garlic Cloves Olive Oil 1/4 cup Tomato Paste 1/4 cup Water or Milk 2 Carrots 1/3 cup Whole Grain Pasta 1/2 cup Chickpeas 1/4 cup Mozzarella Cheese (grated) Salt, Pepper & Seasonings to Taste Serves 1. DIRECTIONS:  1. Preheat oven to 450 Degrees. 2. Cut bell pepper in half, remove the seeds and pith and wash. Skin the garlic cloves. Lightly coat pepper and garlic with olive oil and place in a glass baking dish, with pepper halves skin up. If you choose, you can grind a bit of pepper over top. 3. Roast pepper and garlic in the oven for 20 minutes. 4. Meanwhile,...

Zucchini ‘Crab’ Cakes

Zucchini ‘Crab’ CakesPrep Time: 20 min. Cook Time: 10 min. INGREDIENTS: 2 1/2 cups grated zucchini 1 egg, beaten 2 tablespoons butter, melted 1 cup bread crumbs 1/4 cup minced onion 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup vegetable oil for frying DIRECTIONS: In a large bowl, combine zucchini, egg, and butter or margarine. Stir in seasoned crumbs, minced onion, and seasoning. Mix well. Shape mixture into patties. Dredge in flour. In a medium skillet, heat oil over medium high heat until hot. Fry patties in oil until golden brown on both side...

Filled Maple Syrup Apple Muffins!

INGREDIENTS: 1 1/3 cup Flour 1 cup quick cooking oats 1 Tbsp baking powder few dashes of cinnamon 1/2 cup Milk 1/4 cup maple syrup 1/3 cup butter, melted 2 egg whites 1 apple, chopped Jam or Marmalade (I used orange marmalade, but strawberry, blueberry, apple and about any other flavor would taste just as good. If your looking for an even sweeter muffin try a chocolate chips!) DIRECTIONS: Mix all dry ingredients together, in another bowl mix all wet ingredients together. Combine the two different mixtures together, then fold in chopped apple. Grease or line a muffin sheet. Fill each muffin tin so the dough is half full and competely coating...

Friday, May 4, 2012

Cranberry Sweet Potato Breakfast Cakes

Cranberry Sweet Potato Breakfast CakesINGREDIENTS 2 sweet potatoes 1/2 cup dried cranberries 2 tablespoons fresh or dried parsley 1/2 red onion, diced 1/2 red onion, sliced thin 3 egg whites, beaten 6 eggs (or more if needed) Salt and pepper, to taste 2 tablespoon oil DIRECTIONS Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Use a fork to poke holes all around each one of your sweet potatoes. Throw the sweet potatoes on a baking sheet, throw in the oven, and bake for 25-35 minutes or until soft to the touch. In a large bowl, add your sweet potatoes and use a fork or masher to mash the sweet potatoes until smooth. Add your dried cranberries, parsley, onion,...

Cauliflower-Crust Pizza

Cauliflower-Crust PizzaServes 2 INGREDIENTS 1 cup cooked, riced cauliflower 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 1 egg, beaten 1 tsp dried oregano 1/2 tsp crushed garlic 1/2 tsp garlic salt olive oil (optional) pizza sauce, shredded cheese and your choice of toppings* DIRECTIONS: **To “Rice” the Cauliflower: Take 1 large head of fresh cauliflower, remove stems and leaves, and chop the florets into chunks. Add to food processor and pulse until it looks like grain. Do not over-do pulse or you will puree it. (If you don’t have a food processor, you can grate the whole head with a cheese grater). Place the riced cauliflower into a microwave safe...

Applesauce Oatmeal Banana Muffins

Applesauce Oatmeal Banana MuffinsINGREDIENTS 1 cup flour 1 cup rolled oats 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 1/4 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 egg 1 ripe banana, mashed 3/4 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup applesauce (I used homemade) 1 teaspoon vanilla Topping: 2 tablespoons rolled oats DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease muffin pan. 2. In a large bowl mix together flour, rolled oats, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. In another bowl whisk together egg, banana, brown sugar, applesauce, and vanilla. 3. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Divide batter among...

Red Kidney Bean Curry [Rajmah]

Red Kidney Bean Curry [Rajmah]Adapted from an Arora spice blend This is an Indian cousin of your favorite spicy red bean chili. Serves 6 INGREDIENTS: 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/4 cup chopped fresh ginger (I use half this; I’m tepid in the fresh ginger department) 1 medium onion, finely chopped 1 plum tomato, diced 3 cloves garlic, chopped 1 large green chili, chopped (optional) 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground coriander 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds 1/2 teaspoon ground tumeric 1/4 teaspoon cayenne 8 ounce can of tomato sauce or 8 ounces of one of your choice 3 cups boiled red kidney beans or 30 ounces canned red kidney...

Mini Pizzas

 Ingredients: 4 whole wheat deli flats 1 hot house tomato, chopped 1 cup of shredded mozzarella 4 tbsp olive oil 1 clove of garlic, chopped Italian seasoning Procedures Separate the deli flats and place them face up. In a small chopper or food processor, mix the garlic, olive oil and 10-12 shakes of Italian seasoning. Pulse until a paste forms. Spread the paste on the flats. Sprinkle cheese and top generously with tomato. Pop in the toaster oven at 400 for 8-10 minutes. Drizzle olive oil over the top and ENJ...

Orange Cheesecake

Orange Cheesecake  Ingredients: 85g packet orange jelly ¾ cup boiling water 250g chocolate chip biscuits 125g melted butter 250g traditional cream cheese, at room temperature ½ cup caster sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ¼ cup orange juice Zest of 1 orange 1 cup cream 1 x 216g bag of crunchie bars Optional - handful of dark chocolate chips Instructions: 1. Make a jelly with the boiling water and cool for 10 minutes while you prepare the base and cream cheese mix. 2. Crush the biscuits in a food processor and combine with the melted butter. 3. Press the mixture into the bottom and halfway up the sides of a loose based 21cm tin....

Mentaiko (Fish Roes) Spaghetti Japanese Style Pasta

INGREDIENTS 120 grams mentaiko sacs aka spicy pollock roe (明太子) 60 grams butter melted 4 tsp sake 1 tsp Japanese shoyu or light soy sauce 4 tbsp Japanese mayonnaise 2 serving favourite pasta (I am using 140g spaghetti) shredded nori (roasted seaweed) for topping 1 carrot INSTRUCTIONS Make a slit on each mentaiko sac and scrap out the roe with a spoon. Discard the membrane. Set aside 1 tsp of roe for garnishing. Add the remaining roe along with mayonnaise, sake, shoyu and butter in a small bowl bowl; Stir well to combine. Cook pasta in salted water according to the timing indicated on the package...

Hummus & black bean toast

 What you'll need: 1/2 can black beans small handful chopped onion chopped cilantro “Pita Pal” plain hummus whole grain flat bread garlic powder black pepper sea salt DIRECTIONS 1. In pan, heat up the black beans, onions, and garlic powder. 2. Toast flat bread until crispy, then spread hummus on each slice. Sprinkle with pepper, garlic powder, and sea salt. 3. When bean mix is ready, top it on the hummus toast. 4. Top with the cilantro. Enj...

Coconut Cake

Coconut cake! For a round cake you’ll need: Batter: 2 dl (200 ml) sugar 2 eggs 2 dl (200 ml) flower 2 teaspoon baking powder 1 dl (100 ml) boiling water Method: Stir eggs and sugar until it’s fluffy. Mix flower and baking powder. Mix all of it together with the boiling water. Cover the inside of a cake form with butter and then coconutflakes and pour the batter in it. Put in the oven for 175 degrees Celcius for about 30 minutes. Topping: You need: 50 g melted butter 1 egg yolk (the yeallow of the egg) 1/2 dl sugar 2 tablespoon vanilla sugar coconut flakes Melt the butter and stir in the eggyolk, sugar and vanilla sugar. Use a...