Whole Grain Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

           Here's another muffin recipe!  Like I said before - smoothies and muffins.  We've been                     consuming a lot of both, yum!  I only post the recipes that make the cut.  There are a lot of things I've made lately(like other muffin recipes) that I won't make again so I don't bother posting those.

Whole Grain Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

YIELD: MAKES 12 MUFFINS

If your bananas are super ripe (and really sweet because of that), you could probably get away with decreasing or even eliminating the sugar. Also, these freeze magnificently!

INGREDIENTS

• 2 average-sized bananas, peeled and mashed
• 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar (optional, see note)
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 to 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin or line with cupcake liners (lightly grease the muffin liners if using).
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the bananas, sugar, yogurt, egg, and applesauce.
3. In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and chocolate chips.
4. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and stir just until combined. Don't overmix.
5. Spoon the batter evenly into the muffin cups. Bake for 16-18 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean.
6. Remove the muffins from the tin and let them cool completely on a wire rack.

Recipe Source: Mel’s Kitchen Cafe

Oatmeal Buttermilk Muffins (with endless mix-ins options)

The batter of these seem a little too runny so I have been adding a little extra flour.  I think I just need to let the oatmeal soak longer, or trust that the oatmeal will soak up the extra liquid while baking. The cinnamon and sugar sprinkled on top before baking is a must!  I forgot it last time and they just weren't as good. I always double this recipe.


Oatmeal Buttermilk Muffins

1 cup old-fashioned oats
1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 2 Tbsp. white vinegar)
1 egg
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup whole wheat flour 
1/2 heaping teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup oil
2/3 cup blueberries or walnuts and craisins 
  cinnamon and sugar to sprinkle on top to give a bit of crunchy sweetness

Soak the oatmeal in the buttermilk in a large bowl for 20 minutes. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and grease a 12 muffin pan. Add the egg and sugar to the bowl and whisk until combined. Add flour, salt, cinnamon, baking soda and baking powder and gently mix. Stir in oil until well combined (being careful not to over mix). Gently mix in fresh blueberries (about 1 cup) or other desired ingredients. Bake for 15 minutes. Makes about 12 regular sized muffins.

http://elizabethbryant.blogspot.com/2014/08/oatmeal-buttermilk-muffins-with-endless.html

Toffee Apple Dip

Toffee Apple Dip

• PREP TIME: 10 min
• COOK TIME: 0 min
• TOTAL TIME: 10 min
• YIELD: 8-10
• DIFFICULTY: easy
• RECIPE TYPE: Appetizer

Ingredients:

• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 Heath Bar broken in small pieces

Directions:

1. Using a hand mixer on medium speed, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the vanilla and brown sugar and beat again to combine. Just before serving stir in the toffee bits. Refrigerate any left overs.

Adapted from Eat it and Say Yum

 http://eatitandsayyum.com/toffee-apple-dip/

Spinach Blueberry Smoothie

Scott and I have been on a big smoothie kick lately.  Our usual go to easy-use our ripe banana up smoothie is bananas, ice, milk, walnuts, vanilla and a tiny bit of sugar.  Its super good and a pacifier when I'm craving ice cream.  This spinach smoothie has the benefit of the leafy greens and blueberries which are a natural anti-inflammatory agent. I usually add the oats and don't add sugar.  If I want extra protein I put in extra greek yogurt and then it does take a little sugar to cut the yogurt's tartness.

Spinach Blueberry Smoothie

1 cup spinach
1 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
1 ripe banana
1/2 cup milk
1-2 Tbl oats (optional)
2 tsp. sugar (optional)

Blend all ingredients and enjoy!

Stir-Fried Chicken and Vegetable Lo Mein

I made this for dinner the other night.  I only had a little green pepper frozen to use.  I think it would be better with more pepper and to use the yellow or red like the recipe calls for.

Stir-Fried Chicken and Vegetable Lo Mein

Ingredients

Sauce and Marinade:
• 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil or toasted sesame oil
• 1 1/2 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch
Stir Fry:
• 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
• 10 ounces spaghetti, broken in half (I used whole wheat)
• 2 teaspoon canola, vegetable or coconut oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1-2 cups broccoli florets, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 red or yellow bell pepper, diced
• 5 cloves garlic, finely minced or pressed
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, toasted or not

Directions

1. For the marinade, whisk together the broth, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, brown sugar, and cornstarch. Place the chicken in a resealable ziploc bag and pour 1/2 cup of the marinade over the chicken. Seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes or up to 4 hours or so, reserving the rest of the sauce.
2. Cook the noodles in a pot of boiling, salted water. Drain and rinse lightly with cool water. Set aside.
3. In a large 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer with space in between each piece so that the chicken browns nicely (you may need to cook the chicken in two batches), seasoning with a light touch of salt and pepper as it cooks. Cook until the chicken is browned on all sides and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken pieces. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
4. To the hot skillet, add the broccoli, bell peppers and garlic. Stir fry, stirring often, for 2-3 minutes.
5. Add the reserved sauce, noodles, and chicken. Cook, tossing every so often so the ingredients are evenly coated in the sauce, for 3-5 minutes, until the sauce thickens and the noodles are heated through.
6. Serve and garnish with sesame seeds.

2.6

http://www.melskitchencafe.com/chicken-and-vegetable-lo-mein/

Oatmeal Cake

I've been on a big oatmeal kick lately and this cake didn't disappoint!  It's so moist and delicious!

Oatmeal Cake

Ingredients

• 1¼ cups water
• ½ cup butter
• 1 cup quick oats
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1⅓ cups flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1½ teaspoon cinnamon

TOPPING

• 6 Tablespoons butter, softened
• ½ cup sugar
• ¼ cup evaporated milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• ½ cup shredded sweetened coconut
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Spray a 9x13 inch baking pan with cooking spray and set aside.
3. In small sauce pan, bring water and butter to a boil.
4. Once boil is reached pour into a large mixing bowl, add oats and let cool for 3 minutes.
5. Beat in sugar and brown sugar and eggs until well mixed.
6. Add flour, salt, baking soda, nutmeg and cinnamon and mix until well combined.
7. Pour into prepared baking pan and bake for 30 minutes.

While baking, make topping.

1. Cream butter and sugar together in a medium mixing bowl. Add evaporated milk, vanilla coconut and nuts and mix until well combined.
2. After cake has baked, spread topping very carefully over hot cake. Place under a broiler for about 2-3 minutes until golden brown. Watch constantly and carefully so as not to burn.

-Chef in Training

Apple Peanut Butter Delights

These make a great after school snack.  The kids really like them.

Apple Peanut Butter Delights

Ingredients

• 6 whole Whole Wheat English Muffins, Split
• 1 cup Creamy Peanut Butter
• 2 whole Apples, Cut Into Thin Slices
• 1/2 cup Sugar
• 2 teaspoons Ground Cinnamon

  Preparation Instructions

  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

  Spread each English muffin half with about 1 tablespoon peanut butter. Lay slices of apple on top, overlapping and stacking a few.

  Mix together the sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle a teaspoon or two over each English muffin half.

  Bake them for 10 minutes, then broil (watch them constantly!) until the top is nice and bubbly and starting to caramelize. (You can sprinkle on a little more cinnamon sugar after the initial 10 minutes of baking if you want to add a little more!)

  Allow to sit for 5 minutes, then serve!
   | The Pioneer Woman on January 5 2015