Alex's Edibles

Saucy Mama # Three

2011-05-23T19:25:00.000-07:00

This Saucy Mama recipe is my favorite so far! Its super easy, quick and refreshing. The crunchy cabbage mixes perfectly with the sweetness of the slaw. The Tarragon Lemon Mustard gives this coleslaw a delicious twist that makes it irresistible. I can't wait to make this for a summer get together to share!

Sweet and Saucy Slaw

ingredients:
12 oz. bag coleslaw mix
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 Tablespoons Tarragon Lemon Mustard
1/4 cup sugar
3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
teaspoon salt
1/4 cup chopped onion

Mix ingredients and serve chilled! Its even better the next day when all the flavors meld together.

Saucy Mama #2

2011-05-23T12:44:00.000-07:00

If you didn't catch my earlier post about the Saucy Mama contest, check it out and make sure to enter my giveaway!

My second round of Saucy Mama recipes feature two different takes on a portobello mushroom melt; one featuring the Pacific Rim Ginger Dressing and the other the Sweet Heat Marinade. Both sandwiches are full of flavor from the dressings, melty cheese and juicy portobello mushrooms. Now all you have to do is decide which one to make!

Pacific Pineapple Portobello Mushroom Melt

Ingredients:
2 Rolls of choice ( I used multi grain)
2 Slices swiss cheese
2-4 can pineapple rings
2 Portobello mushrooms
1/4-1/3 cup Pacific Rim Ginger Dressing

The night before, clean portobellos (scrape out the gills) and place in a container with the dressing to marinate overnight in the refrigerator. When ready to make the sandwiches, place mushrooms and pineapple rings on the grill for about three to four minutes on each side, or until done. In the last minute, place a slice of cheese on each mushroom to melt, and if you like your roll crispy, place on grill at this time also. To assemble sandwich, place a portbello on the roll, followed by one or two slices of pineapple and extra dressing to taste. Cut, eat, enjoy!

Sweet Heat Portobello Mushroom Melt

Ingredients:
2 Rolls of choice ( I used multi grain)
2 ounces goat cheese
1-2 roasted red peppers (make homemade! You won't be sorry)

2 Portobello mushrooms
1/4-1/3 cup Sweet Heat Marinade

The night before, clean portobellos (scrape out the gills) and place in a container with marinade overnight in the refrigerator. When ready to make the sandwiches, place mushrooms on the grill for about three to four minutes on each side, or until done. In the last minute, if you like your roll crispy, place on grill at this time also. To assemble sandwich, place a portbello on the roll, followed by a generous helping of roasted red peppers, crumbled goat cheese, and the top bun. Slice. Mmmmm.

Saucy Mama

2011-05-22T13:54:00.000-07:00

If you haven't already heard, Saucy Mama is holding a contest challenging 50 food bloggers to come up with a quick, easy, delicious recipe using one of their new products and containing five ingredients or less. Saucy Mama's new products are...
- Pacific Rim Ginger Dressing
- Apricot Ginger Mustard
- Tarragon Lemon Mustard
- Santa Fe Creamy Chipotle Dressing
- Dijon Mustard
- Sweet Heat Marinade

They have also generously offered a reader a chance to win some of these new products! To enter the Saucy Mama giveaway leave a comment before May 30th letting me know what food you currently can't live without.

Now onto the recipes!

My first entry showcases everything you could want in a recipe...bold flavors, zero complicated preparation, and an end result giving you a delicious dish perfect for sharing at any party or get together. I give you...

Saucy Southwest Salad

Ingredients:
1 16 ounce can Black Beans (drained and rinsed)
1 10 ounce can tomatoes with green chilies (drained)
1 16 ounce can Corn (drained and rinsed)
1/3 cup Santa Fe Creamy Chipotle Dressing
3-4 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Directions:
Combine ingredients in a bowl...that's it! Serve with tortilla chips for a great appetizer.

Simple Salad

2011-03-26T19:28:00.000-07:00

This is my go to salad when I want a quick, delicious, filling lunch. It's easy, nutritious, and most importantly makes me want to eat some more. The veggies are super healthy and you get a nice protein boost from the garbanzo beans and egg.

Simple Salad

Ingredients:

Lettuce (romaine, spinach, spring mix, whatever you like)

1 hard boiled egg (you can just use the whites if you want)

black olives

red onions

garbanzo beans

craisins

For the dressing:

EVOO

balsamic vinegar

white wine vinegar

kosher salt

black pepper

Directions:

Throw all the salad ingredients into a bowl. Drizzle with a little EVOO (a little goes a long way. I actually spray mine with an olive oil sprayer), then with balsamic, white whine vinegar, and season with kosher salt and pepper to taste. Mix it up and enjoy!

Black Bean Yam Soup

2011-03-24T10:58:00.000-07:00

This. Soup. Is. Amazing. The first time I tried it, my mom had received a jar of it homemade from a friend. It was love at first bite. I begged her to get the recipe, and when she did, we made it right away. Its thick, warming, and has an incredible taste. Served with a piece of fresh, crust multi-grain bread, it's pure perfection.

Black Bean Yam Soup
Ingredients:
1 tsp Extra Virgin Oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 1/2 red/ green pepper, chopped
1 dry chipotle pepper, coarsely chopped (use red pepper flakes if you don't have this)
2 cups Vegetable Stock or broth
3 cans (15.5 oz each) Black Beans, undrained
1 can (14.5 oz) Diced Tomatoes with Roasted Garlic & Onion
2 medium yams or sweet potatoes, peeled, diced 1/2-inch
2 Tbsp Red Wine Vinegar
1 clove (or more) garlic, chopped
1 Tbsp Hot Cocoa Mix
2 Tbsp Honey
1 1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:
Heat oil in medium stockpot on medium-high. Add peppers & onions and chipolte pepper. Cook, stirring, 3-4 min until soft, but not browned. Add stock, beans and liquid, tomatoes, yam, vinegar, garlic, cocoa powder, honey, chili powder, cumin, and cinnamon.

Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer on low, uncovered, 25-30 min or until beans are tender. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with a crusty piece of bread. Yum.

Granola

2011-03-01T17:22:00.000-08:00

I'm kind of obsessed with fruit and yogurt parfaits. I have one for desert almost everyday after dinner. They consist of a container of Yoplait light yogurt (Chobani greek yogurt if I'm insanely lucky) blueberries, and a topping. I used to use crunched up Honey Bunches Of Oats, which tastes great, but my true love is granola. The nutrition facts make me weary of buying too much, however, so I decided to try to make my own the way I wanted it. I wasn't sure how well it would work but it's delicious. I made it for myself and sure enough its almost gone. And I've eaten it once. Thanks mom and dad.

Maple Cinnamon Granola

Ingredients:

1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup quick cooking oats
1 cups brown rice crisp cereal
1 T (at least) ground cinnamon (I love cinnamon. Use it to taste)
1 tsp sea salt (make sure its sea salt. Every few bites you'll get a delicious salty crunch)
1/2 cup fruit puree (I used a half of an apple and a half of a banana blended together)
1/2 t maple extract (if you don't have, omit. But if you can get your hands on it, its worth it or sub maple syrup, but that adds sugars)
drizzle of honey (optional)
1/3 cup truvia, splenda, or stevia (brown sugar if you want sugar)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup whole almonds (or other nuts of your choice although the almonds were delicious)
1/2 cup dried fruit (cranberries, raisins, blueberries, currants, etc)

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 300 F .
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the 2 kinds of oats, rice crisp cereal, cinnamon and sea salt. Stir to mix well.
In a medium bowl, combine the fruit puree, honey (if using), truvia (or other sweetener), vegetable oil and vanilla extract and maple extract. Stir to mix well.
Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ones, and mix until completely blended (it's best to use your hands to get everything evenly coated.)
Spread the mixture out evenly between the two prepared baking sheets. Squeeze clusters of granola together with slightly damp hands, allowing for space between the clumps in order for air to circulate while baking. Make the clumps as big as you like. They will stay the way you make them.
Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 20 minutes. Flip over the granola with a large spatula and add the almonds. Bake for another 30 minutes (or more, depending on how thick the layer of granola) until completely dry and just golden brown.
Let cool on baking sheets, and store in an airtight container when completely cool. Add in the dried fruit.

Split Pea Dal

2011-03-01T16:22:00.000-08:00

Mmmmm....I love Indian food. I would eat it everyday if I could. It's so full of complex and interesting flavors. I ate this particular dal everyday for lunch until it was gone. And then I wished for more.

Split Pea Dal

Ingredients:

3 1/2 cups water, divided

1 cup dried yellow split peas

1 bay leaf

2 cups chopped cauliflower

1 1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon olive oil

1 teaspoon vegetable oil

1 cup chopped onion

1 1/2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger

3-4 garlic cloves

1 tablespoon cumin seeds or powdered cumin

1 tablespoon brown mustard seeds

2 teaspoons ground coriander

2 teaspoons turmeric

1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper

1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

1 cube chicken bullion (DO NOT simply omit this to make it vegetarian. Replace with some other similar seasoning)

4 cups torn spinach

Combine 2 1/2 cups water, peas, and bay leaf in a large saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer, partially covered, 50 minutes or until tender. Add 1 cup water, cauliflower, and salt, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, 20 minutes or until cauliflower is very tender, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; discard bay leaf.

Heat oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat . Add onion, ginger, and garlic; sauté 3 minutes. Add cumin and next 5 ingredients (cumin through cloves); cook over low heat 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add onion mixture to pea mixture. Simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes or until thick. Stir in spinach; cook 3 minutes or until spinach wilts.

I ate this with a whole wheat pita sprayed with olive oil and crisped up in a pan. You can eat this with naan (my favorite), roti, or simply a pita. I highly recommend crisping it up in a pan. The outside gets nice and crunchy and the inside stays soft.

Fried Rice

2011-01-24T12:20:00.000-08:00

I love Chinese food. But one bite would send me into what I like to call a grease coma. Not fun. So yesterday I made this Shrimp Fried Rice for lunch and it was delicious. You can add whatever mean you want, such as chicken, beef, tofu or whatever else you like. You can also mix up the veggies in here. I went for the traditional peas and carrots, but peppers or broccoli would be delicious too. I found the recipe here and followed it exactly, except with not as much oil.

Chili Dog

2011-01-24T12:07:00.000-08:00

Alright, not the prettiest, I know. But the taste makes up for it. This is your average meaty, cheesy, chili dog, but a lot lot lot better for you. It took me about five minutes to make these for my mom, my little bother and I, and we all thought they were wonderful.

Chili Dog

Ingredients:

Ball Park Smoked White Turkey Franks ( 45 cals, fat free, all white meat, no fillers!)

light wheat rolls

can of chili (use any kind. I used turkey, but vegetarian would also work)

diced onions

relish

mustard

light cheddar cheese

Directions:

These can be made in the oven at 350 for in the toaster oven if your lazy like me. Place buns in a heatproof dish and toast until a little crispy. Remove and squeeze some mustard and relish into the buns. Next place the hot dogs and top with chili. Dice some onions and place on top. Finish the dogs with a sprinkle of light cheddar cheese. Put the dogs in the oven or toaster until the buns crisp up, the filling is hot, and the cheese is melty, about 5-7 minutes.

Spicy Chicken Bowl

2011-01-24T11:55:00.001-08:00

So this recipe may seem a little strange. But I love it. Whenever I got to one of my friends house, I always see her brother eating the same thing. I mean for every meal, five times a day, every day. He's buff, healthy, and addicted to working out. I was curious one time so I had him make me one. It was so good! (Which was kind of a bummer because I always made fun of him for it) This is definitely not a gourmet dinner, but it is a fast healthy, and tasty lunch anytime.

Spicy Chicken Bowl

Ingredients:

Brown Rice

Boneless, skinless chicken breast (or rotisserie chicken)

Frank's Red Hot Sauce

Fat Free or Light Mexican cheese blend

Cook rice according to directions. You can cook a bunch and leave it in the fridge along with extra chicken, or just make a little for one serving. If you are cooking your own chicken, put a few pieces in a slow cooker in the morning on low and they will be done when you get home. If you're not this organized (like me) you can pan fry them, boil them, or stick them in the microwave for a few minutes with some water. Shred the chicken and place roughly the same amount of rice and chicken in a bowl. Add hot sauce to taste (I like a lot) and top with some cheese. Put it all in the microwave for Minuteman until the cheese is nice and melty.

Mexican Eggs

2011-01-24T11:48:00.000-08:00

My mom lived in Mexico for a summer and brought back all kinds of good recipes. This one has become a family favorite. There are not many things that all three men in the house beg for, and these eggs are one of them. We make a ridiculously large amount of these, leave them on the counter, and they don't last an hour. Expecting a "thanks!", my mom and I usually just get a "is that it?" These eggs are perfect for breakfast, lunch, or even a quick dinner. We even served them at a football party and they were a hit.

Mexican Eggs

Ingredients:

1 T olive oil

1 oz can rotelle tomatoes (diced tomatoes with green chili), drained

1 14.5 oz can petite diced tomatoes, drained

1 medium onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic

10 slices canned or fresh jalapeños, minced

Lowry’s seasoning salt to taste

Pepper to taste

12 eggs, beaten

Corn tortillas

Hot sauce

Directions

Sauté onions in olive oil until transparent. Add garlic. Continue to cook until garlic is soft. Add both cans of tomatoes and cook thoroughly. Add salt and pepper. Add eggs and cook just like you would make scrambled eggs.

Warm tortillas on a skillet or over gas burner, turning frequently. They should be crispy and begin to bubble.

Serve eggs with tortillas and hot sauce (I use Frank's red hot. Even if your not a fan of hot sauce, try it!). Tear the tortillas into quarters and pick up egg with tortilla sections or you can make mini burritos like my dad.

Turkey Reuben

2011-01-24T11:27:00.000-08:00

The only reason I can think of not to eat a Reuben is because of its rather unappealing nutritional stats. But don't worry. I've taken care of that. I use a much healthier turkey pastrami that is just as good regular, along with light swiss cheese and a light yogurt thousand island dressing. Trust me, if my brothers didn't notice a difference, neither will you.

Turkey Reuben

Ingredients:

2 slices Rye bread

Light Thousand Island Dressing

3 slices Turkey Pastrami

sauerkraut

light swiss cheese

Directions:

Turn on a panini press or mini grill. Spray the outside of the Rye bread (use Rye!) with cooking spray. Spread a few teaspoons of light thousand island dressing on both halves. Add a few slices of turkey pastrami, 1 to 1 1/2 slices of light swiss cheese, and a generous helping of sauerkraut. Place the second piece of Rye on top and grill sandwich until golden brown and crispy.

Greek Pizza

2011-01-24T10:32:00.000-08:00

Yum! We had a get together at my house yesterday and a friend brought a few of these delicious pizzas over. They were great! Full of Greek veggies, this "pizza" is light, quick and flavorful.

Greek Pizza

Ingredients:

whole wheat pita bread

purple onion, sliced

feta cheese (you can use fat free or regular)

green and/or Kalamata olives

mushrooms, sliced

green and red peppers, diced

artichoke hearts

fresh basil

Directions:

Brush the pita bread with a little olive oil and crisp it up, either in a pan, in a toaster oven, or in the oven for a few minutes until crispy but still soft. Remove pita and top with remaining ingredients to taste (the more the merrier!). Stick it back in the oven for a few minutes until warm.

Products I can't live without

2011-01-14T09:15:00.000-08:00

Peanut Butter Co. Cinnamon Raisin Swirl

I love peanut butter. Honestly, who doesn't? It's creamy, smooth, and tastes amazing. And this flavor is the best of them all. After trying this peanut butter, I can't go back to regular. The cinnamon goes perfectly with the peanut butter and the occasional raisin is heaven. I eat this on everything, from pretzels to a pb&j sandwich. PB and Co. has a bunch of great flavors, such as Bees Knees, which has honey, Mighty Maple, White Chocolate Wonderful, and Dark Chocolate Dreams. This peanut butter actually has the nutritional info to match any low fat peanut butter, but tastes way better. You can buy it most places, such as Walmart or Wegmans. Although it's about four dollars a jar, it's well worth it.

Reddi Whip Fat Free Light Whipped Cream

Theres something about whipped cream that makes everything taste better, no matter what you out it on. And with Reddi Whip fat free light whipped cream, you can put on as much as you want. 2 tablespoons have only 5 calories and 1 gram of sugar. Hallelujah. This goes on everything for me, whether it's pancakes, oatmeal, pie, shakes, or fro-yo. It never lets me down.

Act II Buttery Popcorn Salt and Kernel Season's Popcorn Seasonings

If you didn't already know, I'm addicted to popcorn. If I could have one thing on a stranded island, it would be my popcorn maker. Unfortunatly, popcorn gets a bad rep, due to it's horrid nutritional state when sold in movie theaters. To many people's surprise, popcorn is full of fiber and really very good for you. The trick is making it taste good without added oil or butter. First off, the popcorn needs to be crispy. Mine comes out perfect, due to my lovely Cuisinart Popcorn maker (if you don't have one...GET ONE). Next, the popcorn needs to have a good flavor without a ton of oil flavoring it. This is where my popcorn salt comes in. It has an insane amount of flavor and Kernel Season's has so many flavors to choose from. In the picture you can see White Cheddar and Nacho Cheddar, but they also have Butter, Garlic Parmesan, and Kettle Corn. They are all delicious, but I don't buy the Kettle Corn, as it's simply salt and sugar. You can find these little bottles of seasoning in most stores. I get mine at Walmart for about a buck. The second kind of seasoning I use is Act II Buttery Popcorn Salt. This stuff is strong, so I always sprinkle a little bit on before the Kernal Seasons just to get a good salt flavor. To find out exactly how I make my popcorn, look here.

PB2

Ahh. PB2. Also known as powdered peanut butter. Sounds weird right? Well, who cares. For all you people out there who want the delicious flavor of peanut butter without the large amount of fat and calories (even though it's good fat), PB2 is for you. Basically, its peanuts that are roasted, allowing the majority of oil found in the nuts to drain out. This leaves dry, low-fat peanuts that are then ground into a powder. Wallah. PB2. Besides the fact that PB2 has 85% less fat and calories that regular peanut butter ( 2T has 45 calories and 1.5 grams of fat), the powder is extremely versatile. By adding water, you can make your own low fat peanut butter, but I use mine mostly in shakes, sprinkled on popcorn, in baked goods, in oatmeal, in sauces, or whatever else I can think of. Honestly I don't know what I did without it. It's a little pricey, due to the fact that I can only find it on line (some stores sell it, just not around where I live), but once again, totally worth it.

Spriana Balsamic Vinegar

This stuff is liquid gold. Seriously. When a drop of this spills, you don't wipe it up. You lick it up. The first time I tasted this Balsamic Vinegar was at the Rochester Public Market. There were samples in little Dixie cups of three kinds of Balsamic Vinegar; Raspberry, Blueberry, and Traditional. The first two were delicious, but when I tried the Traditional, I fell in love. I literally drank balsamic vinegar. It's that good. This isn't your average balsamic. Its sweet and insanely flavorful. For some reason unknown to me, we didn't get a bottle that day and for months, I dreamed of tasting it again. When winter of that same year came around, I had assumed I would never again taste the wonderful vinegar. But on Christmas morning, while I was passing out gifts, I picked up a wine bottle box and asked my mom who it was for. She said it was for me. What? Wine? I opened it and there sat a wonderful 8.5 ounce bottle of pure joy. I couldn't believe it. We immediately tasted the balsamic on a little Italian bread ( I refrained from drinking it again) and it was as good as I remembered. People, you need to get a bottle of this. You can order all the flavors here. It won't let you down.

**The bottle for the original on the website looks different from mine, which was purchased at the market, but I believe it is the same because the flavored ones have to correct bottle. If I order a bottle and for some reason it is different, I will let you know.

Buttermilk Pancakes

2011-01-09T07:36:00.000-08:00

I love pancakes. I really do. But your average pancake does not contain the nutritional stats I would like them do. That said, not all pancakes are created equal. I have successfully made pancakes that are delicious and nutritionally sound. The real difference is in the flour used as the base for the pancake and obviously, the omitting of oil or butter. There are many options for a healthier flour and I have tried most of them. Oat flour is good, but it doesn't taste like a traditional pancake. Today, I made these pancakes that use whole wheat flour. The whole wheat, combined with flax and cinnamon give the pancakes a nice nutty flavor and they are extraordinarily fluffy. I don't have pancakes very often, but I'm glad I made these. My whole family ate them!

Buttermilk Pancakes

Ingredients:

1 cup whole wheat flour <---(I now use whole wheat white for both flours)

1/2 cup all purpose flour<---

2 tablespoon flax meal (optional)

1 tablespoon sugar substitute

1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

pinch of salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups buttermilk

1/4- 1/2 cups of milk

Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl. Whisk the wet ingredients in another (reserving 1/4 cup of the milk). Add the wet ingredients to the dry ones and mix just until combined (don't worry about lumps. Mixing too much creates excess gluten, which will make your pancakes less fluffy). Test the batter and add up to a fourth of a cup more milk to get your desired thinness ( I don't like mine thick at all. I think they are fluffier when they are thinner). On a hot skillet, pour 1/3 cup of batter and cook until bubbles show around the edges. Flip. Cook until golden brown.

I top mine with sugar free maple syrup and in this case, homemade raspberry preserves. If you want to make a fruit topping, simply add any kind of fresh/frozen fruit to a pot, add sugar substitute to taste, and add some water. Let the mixture cook until thick. If you want it a little thicker, whisk some corn starch into the sauce. My favorite fruits to do this with are blueberries and raspberries.

**Today, after I put my leftover pancakes in the toaster, I topped them with peanut butter and raspberry preserves. It was delicious. Reminded me of a pb&j sandwich.

Healthy One Ingredient Ice Cream

2011-01-06T09:46:00.000-08:00

Mmmmm...I just finished one of these and couldn't wait another minute to tell you about it. This ice cream is healthy, creamy, delicious, and made out of one ingredient: frozen bananas. It takes literally two minutes to make and is the perfect ending to any meal. You can add anything to it and make it any flavor you want. The picture happens to be my favorite, mint chocolate, but the possibilities are endless. Chocolate peanut butter, cherry chocolate, raspberry, banana caramel, ect.

Healthy One Ingredient Ice Cream

Ingredients:

1 frozen banana*

any flavor combo add ins**

fat free whipped cream (optional)

Place frozen banana and added ingredients into a high speed blender or food processor (the better the blender, the better the ice cream). Blend until creamy. Add any mix-ins desired (raisins, chocolate chips, cookie crumbs, ect.) Top with fat free whipped cream. If you want a thicker ice cream, stick it in the freezer until set.

*Let your bananas ripen until they are black before you put them in the freezer. The riper the banana, the sweeter it is due to the higher amount of natural sugar. I let my bananas ripen for as long as possible, peel them (impossible to peal after frozen), and place them in a zip lock baggies in the freezer.

**Favorite Flavors- add before blending

Mint Chocolate- 2 drops peppermint extract (it's strong), squirt of sugar free chocolate syrup or a tablespoon of cocoa

Chocolate Cherry (or raspberry)- 6-7 frozen cherries, squirt of sugar free chocolate syrup or cocoa

Chocolate Peanut Butter- tablespoon of peanut butter (or peanut butter powder), squirt of sugar free chocolate syrup or cocoa

Caramel- spoonful of fat free/sugar free caramel

Try adding any other fruit, such as frozen raspberries or blueberries

I haven't tried it yet, but I plan on making a cafe mocha flavor by adding instant coffee granules

Roasted Veggies

2011-01-03T18:35:00.000-08:00

Roasted vegetables are one of my all-time favorite snacks. They are delicious, amazingly good for you, and you can eat a boat load of them and not feel guilty:) Making them is as easy as it gets and they are done in about a half an hour. The pictures show one of my favorites; brussel sprouts. Above, you can see the raw, seasoned veggies and below after they've been roasted (they must have literally just been taken out of the oven considering they're still there).

You can roast any kind of vegetable you want. Play with the seasoning to find your favorite. I promise they won't last long, as you can see below.

Roasted Veggies

Ingredients:

Vegetables (brussel sprouts, red peppers, carrots, broccoli, califlower, turnips, beets, green beans ect.)

Kosher Salt

Pepper

Olive Oil

Garlic Powder

any extra seasonings you like*

Directions:

Preheat you oven to 400 degrees. Cut your vegetables into a reasonable size. I like my brussel sprouts in half, or if they are very large in fourths. Place on a sprayed cookie sheet. Lightly drizzle olive oil and mix, making it so there is just enough olive oil to allow seasonings to stick (too much wont hurt). Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic powder (or another seasoning combo). Mix to combine. Roast vegetables for about a half an hour, checking every ten minutes untill your desired doneness.

Some great combos-

carrots-add fresh chopped rosemary (delicious!)

-leave out the garlic and pepper and glaze with honey

Broccoli-when almost done, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese

-add balsamic when seasoning

The Only Way to Eat Chili

2011-01-01T07:33:00.000-08:00

My mom makes the best chili. Hands down. (Alright, alright MY favorite chili). It's the perfect blend of everything that makes delicious chili; the spices, the beans, the tomatoes, the mushrooms...I could go on forever. Unfortunately, that recipe is still in the a hand full of this a pinch of that format. Next time we make chili we will be measuring out the ingredients so I can post the recipe. But in the meantime, I will be sharing the ultimate secret on how to maximize your chili enjoyment. And here it is (drum roll please) : a PB&J sandwich. Yup. That's it. Who would have guessed? I can remember the first time my mom forced me to try this heavenly combo. And I remember my skepticism. I couldn't have been more wrong. There's something about the sweetness of the sandwich that balances out the tartness of the tomatoes that creates perfection. Every time I try to convince someone new to try dunking a PB&J sandwich in their chili, I get the same reaction: disgust, followed by extreme skepticism, and hopefully (with an hour or so of convincing) a feeble promise to try it the next time the opportunity presents itself. And when that opportunity does come along, and they try this amazing duo, they eat their words. Along with the best bowl of chili they've ever had. Ever since my first PB&J/chili experience, I haven't been able to eat a bowl of chili alone. Its like it's naked or something. I'm begging you people, try it once and you will be converted.

Best Way to Eat Chili

Ingredients:

Peanut Butter

Jelly

2 slices of bread

Chili

an open mind

Directions:

Make your best PB&J sandwich. Grab a bowl of chili. Dunk. Eat. Be amazed.

Cut Out Cookies

2010-12-28T17:12:00.000-08:00

When it was time for my Brother's Graduation party, I knew it was the perfect chance to try my hand at decorating cut out cookies. The cookies came out better than I could have hoped, and I had a ton of fun experimenting with the tie-dye. Since the party, I've had a few requests to make cookies for other occasions and I decided to make some for my coach after she had her first baby girl.

The cookies I use are lightly almond flavored and delicious. They were practically attacked at the Grad party. I almost felt bad for the cake. You can find the recipe I use here and a tutorial of how to frost cut outs here.

To tie-dye, you simply have to pipe a border like a normal cookie, drop different colors into various places around the cookie, and drag a tooth pick from color to color, making designs as you wish. For example, if you filled a cookie with white and dropped a few blue drops in a row on top of the white, you can drag a toothpick in a straight line across the drops to make heart shapes. Be creative!

Chocolate Mug Cake

2010-12-28T15:18:00.000-08:00

Beware of this recipe. It's so easy, it's hard to find an excuse not to make it. Not to mention the fact that is is super healthy, with no flour, fat or sugar. This cake is quick, easy, delicious, and a life savior for all my fellow health nuts. It takes me longer to eat this baby than to make it, and I enjoy every second of it.

Chocolate Mug Cake

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons cocoa (dark or regular)

3 tablespoons egg beaters

1 tablespoon pumpkin puree (you can also use applesauce)

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 tablespoon milk

2-3 tablespoons sweetener (truvia, splenda, stevia, ect.)

any add-ins- I like to use PB2 (or peanutbutter) or a few drops of peppermint extract

spray of fat free whipped cream

Directions:

Mix in a mug (or a bowl) and microwave on high for 1 minute. If you like a less-molten cake, go for a minute and a half. Add whipped cream to your hearts desire.

The only Carrot Cake

2010-12-28T13:56:00.000-08:00

People. Listen. If you are in search of a dessert to serve at a party, give as a gift, or just eat, your search is over. You are looking at the best carrot cake ever made. I have converted sworn carrot cake haters with this cake, I have made grown men cry, I have.....well you get the point. It's amazing. People request this cake constantly and I've made it more times than I can count. A word of caution...it is capable of feeding about thirty and lasts my family about a week. Which is unheard of in this house. Also, the leftovers always taste better than the first cake, so if your bringing this somewhere, make it a day ahead so the flavors can meld in the fridge overnight.

Carrot Cake

Ingredients:

3 cups all-purpose flour
3 cups sugar
1 tbsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. ground cinnamon
½ tsp. ground nutmeg
4 large eggs
2 tbsp. vanilla extract
1½ cups canola or vegetable oil
½ cup cream of coconut (I have used coconut milk if you cannot find this)
1½ cups peeled, shredded carrots
1½ cups shredded pineapple
1½ cups sweetened flaked coconut
1 cup macadamia nuts, coarsely chopped and lightly toasted(I use walnuts)

For the frosting:
4 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, at room temperature
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
5½ tbsp. heavy cream
5½ tbsp. cream of coconut
¾ tsp. salt

Directions:
To make the cake, preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Line three 9-inch cake pans with parchment paper and spray the sides.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg and mix. In another mixing bowl, combine the eggs, vanilla, oil, and cream of coconut. Whisk well to combine. Add the wet ingredients to the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir just until incorporated. Add in the shredded carrots, shredded pineapple (no need to drain), flaked coconut and macadamia nuts (or walnuts) . Fold in gently with a spatula until evenly incorporated.

Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes. The cakes are finished baking when golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Don't worry if the edges are hard, the frosting softens them up quite a bit. Cool the cakes 5-10 minutes in the pans, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

To make the frosting, in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment beat the cream cheese on medium-high speed until smooth. Add in the powdered sugar and mix until incorporated. Beat 1 minute more, until smooth and fluffy. Mix in the heavy cream, cream of coconut and salt until smooth. Make sure you do not over beat this frosting. The consistency changes and becomes hard to frost. Also, this makes ALOT of frosting. If you are not piping decorations, you will have some leftover.

To assemble the cake, place one cake layer on a cake stand or platter. Spread a layer of cream cheese frosting over the top (don't skimp!). Top with another cake layer, and more frosting on top of that. Place the final cake layer on top. (At this point, I always stick four to five cut up chopsticks in the cake to keep it stable.) Use the remaining frosting to cover the top and sides of the assembled cake, reserving up to 1 cup for detailing if desired.

adapted from annie's eats

Best Popcorn

2010-12-27T09:25:00.000-08:00

When I'm searching for a snack I always end up at the same place: my popcorn maker. Quite frankly I'm in love. I try not to think about the day when I go to college and have to leave my precious baby behind. I probably make popcorn a least three times a week and I haven't used the microwave in a few years, thanks to my popper. This popcorn is delicious, addicting, and best of all extremely nutritious. It's full of fiber, iron, vitamins, calcium and even protein. It's filling and very low in calories, making it my go to snack. People beg for this popcorn once they taste it and once you make it, you'll know why.

Ingredients:

1/4 Cup popcorn kernels

Popcorn seasonings- Act II buttery popcorn salt, Kernel Seasons popcorn seasoning

Directions:

Make popcorn in popper using a few drops of oil (that's all you need). If you don't have a popper, put popcorn in a pot on the stove top with a few drops of oil. Cover with a lid and stir until popcorn begins popping. When the popping stops, remove from pot. Season first with a small (it's potent) amount of Act II buttery popcorn salt. Mix. Spray popcorn with cooking spray and coat with your choice of Kernal Seasons seasoning (my favorite is White Cheddar). Toss popcorn, spray, and add more Kernal Seasons.

Variations-

Use Kernal Seasons Nacho Cheese or Garlic Parmesan

Sprinkle with Truvia, Cinnamon, and sugar free maple syrup for a sweet treat

Creamy Pumpkin Pie

2010-12-26T15:47:00.000-08:00

Around the holidays, when I get a craving, it's for one thing; pumpkin pie. I have two options. 1: ignore craving and dream of pumpkins. 2: make a healthy pumpkin pie that I can eat as much as I want. I think I'll go with two. After making a few decent pies that I enjoyed (can't say the same for my family) I finally got this one right. The filling is light, creamy, and just as good as regular pie. While nothing beats a flaky, buttery pie crust, this one is a nice, healthy substitute that goes well with the filling. Next time you're making a pumpkin pie, try this one. My family liked it(crazy, I know) and yours will too.

Creamy Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients:

3/4 cup pecans
3/4 cup oats (ground in food processor)
3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
pinch salt
1/4 cup canola oil (or less)
3 tablespoons maple syrup
2 tablespoons skim milk

Filling:
1 15 oz.can pumpkin
2/3 cup Truvia, Stevia, or Splenda
1 tablespoon cornstarch
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 egg yolk
1 cup unsweetened plain almond milk
2 egg whites

Preheat oven to 375.

Combine the pecans, flours, cinnamon and salt in a food processor and process until ground. In a medium bowl, whisk the oil and maple syrup. Add the skim milk. Add the dry ingredients and mix until combined. Press into a 9-inch pie pan, making sure the crust is of uniform thickness. mold the edges as you please and bake for 10 minutes. Cool.

Combine the filling ingredients, except egg whites, in a bowl and whisk until smooth. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Gently fold the whites (don't stir) into the filling mixture, until the egg whites are fully incorporated. Pour the filling into the crust. Bake about 45 minutes, until the center is set. Cool well before serving. Top with a dollop of light whipped cream.

(adapted from www.whatwouldcathyeat.com)

Icy Mocha Frappe

2010-12-26T14:54:00.000-08:00

When I'm searching for a really light treat, I always make this Frappe. It's a blended, icy coffee drink that's really satisfying despite it's lack of fat and sugar. You can add anything you want to the basic recipe, such as raspberries, bananas, peanut butter, caramel, vanilla, or peppermint extract.

Icy Mocha Frappe

Ingredients:

1 cup ice

3/4- 1 cup cold coffee

splash skim milk (substitute any kind)

few squirts of sugar free chocolate syrup

1 T (or to taste) Truvia, Stevia, or Splenda

Directions:

Throw all the ingredients into a blender and blend. If your feeling naughty top with a squeeze of light whipped cream.

Portobello Red Pepper Panini

2010-12-26T13:05:00.000-08:00

Every summer, when red peppers are in season, my mom and I buy large amounts (I'm talking five to ten bushels), spend way too long cleaning them, and freeze them for later months. When everyone else is paying ridiculous prices for peppers at the store, we simply grab a bag out of the freezer and roast them (heh heh). If any make it past the first five minutes they are out of the oven, they get added various recipes, such as this panini. It's one of my favorites, being quick, healthy, and incredibly tasty.

Portobello Red Pepper Panini

Ingredients:

2 slices of bread (I use Arnold Select Sandwich Thins)

Pesto

Roasted Red Peppers*

Light Swiss Cheese

Onions (I like to sauté mine first)

Portobello Mushroom

Directions:

To make roasted red peppers and mushrooom, slice peppers and coat lightly with olive oil. Season with salt, pepper, and granulated garlic to taste. Season the portobello in the same way and roast both in the oven at 400 degrees for about 20-30 minutes, or until beginning to blacken.

Heat a mini grill or panini press while assembling the sandwich. Spray the outside of the bread with cooking spray or lightly brush with olive oil. To assemble sandwich, spread a layer of pesto and cover with sautéed onions. Place the portobello mushroom on top, followed by a generous helping of roasted red peppers. Top with a slice of light swiss cheese(or your favorite kind) and add the other slice of bread. Cook until the outside is golden brown and crispy.

*if you do not have red peppers, substitute tomatoes

Also, if you don't have a portobello, you can use turkey or chicken (like in the photo:p)