anna's bananas

Perfect Popcorn

2014-05-29T07:39:00.003-07:00

Popcorn is literally (and I mean literally) one of my favorite foods in the whole world. I'm one of those people who takes the popcorn bag home from the theater rather than waste a single precious piece of popcorn.

I've always really loved homemade popcorn as well, but it usually required some kind of bulky, frivolous contraption. Then I discovered a super easy way to make the most delicious popcorn ever. While this hasn't helped my popcorn addiction at all, it has helped me make some new friends – not to mention the cupboard space it has freed up.

Perfect Popcorn

½ c popcorn kernels

¼ c canola oil

2-3 tbsp. butter

salt, to taste

Large (6 qt) pot, with lid

Put kernels, oil, and butter in the pot & place on the stove. Turn temperature to high, and shake the pot back and forth continually while oil heats up & butter melts. Once the kernels start to pop, make sure to continue shaking the pot as the rest of the kernels pop. You will know the popcorn is done when the pot is nearly full and the popping begins to slow down. Remove from heat and let sit until kernels have stopped popping. Remove lid & pour popcorn into a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle with salt and mix with a spoon. Taste & add more salt until desired saltiness is achieved (I usually do 2-3 rounds of salt).

Just for the record – I can eat this much popcorn by myself. You may want to make at least two batches if you're sharing.

Adapted from original recipe here

Carmelitas

2014-05-25T21:12:00.000-07:00

This recipe is simply a no brainer. Easy [check]. Scrumptious [check]. Aesthetically pleasing [check]. Foolproof [check]. If you're looking for an easy way to impress your dinner party guests, handsome next-door neighbor, or your visiting-from-out-of-town relatives, look no further.

Carmelitas
32 caramel squares, unwrapped
1/2 c heavy cream
3/4 c butter, melted
3/4 c brown sugar, packed
1 c flour
1 c rolled oats
1 tsp baking soda
6 oz semisweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together butter, brown sugar, flour, oats, and baking soda until thoroughly combined. Pat 1/2 of the mixture into a greased 8x8 pan, and bake in the oven for 10 minutes.

2. While the crust is baking, combine caramels & heavy cream in a medium saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until completely smooth. Remove from heat.

3. Pull crust out of the oven and sprinkle with chocolate chips. Pour caramel mixture over chocolate chips, and crumble the rest of the oatmeal mixture over the top. Return to the oven for 15-20 minutes, until the edges are browned. Allow to cool completely before cutting (you can put it in the fridge if you need to serve quickly).

*To make a 9x13 pan, double ingredients.

Original recipe from Lulu The Baker

Salted Caramel Cupcakes

2014-05-12T22:28:00.002-07:00

Okay, so I know salted caramel is super trendy right now - and with good reason. I know for me, personally, I just can't get enough of it. I'm the kind of person who doesn't like things too sweet (I know I'm mostly alone in this) - so I like to find the combination of sweet & savory perfect. Like Junior Mints in your movie theater popcorn (if you haven't tried this yet, please do so now).

Salted Caramel Cupcakes
Cupcakes:
1 box Betty Crocker butter pecan cake mix (if you can't find any, use yellow)
3 eggs
1 stick melted butter, cooled
1/2 c water
1/2 c caramel macchiato creamer (preferably Coffee-Mate brand)

Frosting:
1 pkg cream cheese, softened
2 cans Nestle dulce de leche caramel (Look in the hispanic aisle. See pic for reference.)
5-6 cups powdered sugar
1 stick butter, softened
Sea salt (make sure it's chunky)

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line cupcake pan with liners. Mix together all cupcake ingredients on low for one minute. Scrape sides, turn mixer to medium, and beat for 4 minutes.

2. Pour cupcakes into liners (somewhere between 1/2 and 2/3 full). Bake cupcakes for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool.

3. For the frosting - put the butter in the mixer and mix until smooth. Add cream cheese & cream until thoroughly combined. Add 1 can of caramel, and mix until combined. Add powdered sugar one cup at a time, and adjust amount according to your taste.

4. Frost cupcakes. (I like piping this frosting because not only is it pretty, you get more of it. And you're going to want more of this frosting.) Warm up the other can of caramel in a microwave-safe container, and use a spoon to drizzle over top of cupcakes. Sprinkle with sea salt, and devour.

Altered from recipe found at tidymom.com

Deviled Eggs: Three Ways

2014-04-16T22:01:00.002-07:00

One of my favorite Easter-time foods has always been deviled eggs - my grandma's recipe, of course. (It's normal to eat 10-15 in one sitting, right?)

However, with the help of Pinterest, other peoples' creative ideas, and binging on Chopped episodes, I have discovered a whole new world of deviled eggs. Apparently, deviled eggs can be whatever you want them to be.

I was a little nervous to venture outside of my comfort zone, but these following recipes were a good different (much like Elsa). Enjoy these glamorized deviled egg recipes - though I can't promise they will be able to create beautiful ice castles and adorable snowmen (sorry, I can find a way to connect anything to Frozen).

Oh, and in case you're needing an easy way to get perfectly hard-boiled eggs, check this out.

Buffalo Chicken Deviled Eggs

(find original recipe here)

12 eggs, hard boiled

2 tbsp mayonnaise

1/4 c Frank's hot sauce

1/2 c shredded chicken

1/4 c carrot, finely diced

1/4 c celery, finely diced

2 tbsp onion, diced

1/4 c bleu cheese, crumbled

Salt & pepper, to taste

Cut each egg in half, and set aside whites. Mix together yolks, mayonnaise, hot sauce, chicken, carrots, celery, and onions. Scoop a heaping spoonful of the filling into each egg half. Sprinkle each egg half with bleu cheese & drizzle with extra hot sauce.

Bacon Cheddar Deviled Eggs

12 eggs, hard boiled

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 tbsp mustard

1/4 c sharp cheddar

6 slices bacon, chopped

Salt & pepper, to taste

Start by frying the bacon until it's crispy (save the bacon drippings). Cut each egg in half, and set aside the whites. Leaving a handful of the bacon out to sprinkle over the top, mix together egg yolks, mayonnaise, mustard, cheese, bacon, and some of the bacon drippings. Mix in some of the bacon drippings to the filling. Scoop a heaping spoonful of the filling into each egg half, and then sprinkle bacon over the top.

Red Curry Deviled Eggs

(find original recipe here*)

12 eggs, hard boiled

1/2 c mayonnaise

1 tsp champagne or white wine vinegar

2 tsp Dijon mustard

1/2 tsp dry mustard

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tbsp red curry paste

Salt & pepper to taste

1/4 c fresh parsley or chives, chopped

Paprika

Cut each egg in half and set aside whites. Mix together the rest of the ingredients until throughly combined and smooth. Scoop into a pastry bag or large Ziploc bag, and pipe filling into each egg half. Sprinkle with paprika for extra color.

*This recipe was discovered during a Chopped-watching marathon. In Season 6, Episode 6, Lisa Garza spends all her time on a perfect deviled egg recipe. She literally gets no other basket ingredients on the plate, but the judges are so impressed by her deviled egg that she almost moves on. I thought, "That's a deviled egg recipe I'm gonna need to try."

Perfectly Hard-Boiled Eggs [the EASY way]

2014-04-16T20:51:00.001-07:00

I've searched the Internet so many times for a simple way to get perfect hard-boiled eggs. I've read a lot of articles that included several complicated steps and dishes, and I thought, "Surely, there's a better way."

I'm not going to lie, I never attempted any of the complicated methods. My grandma taught me how to boil eggs, so I do it her way. Three simple steps, one dish.

1. Place eggs in a pot and cover with water (make sure no part of any egg is out of the water).

2. Bring water to a boil, and let boil for 10 minutes.

3. Cool the eggs (THIS is the most important step). I've found that the best way is to cool it down with water first (pour out hot water & fill pot with cold water & ice). Transport the eggs to the fridge & let sit in fridge for at least half an hour.

If your eggs are cooled enough, the shells will come off easily without damaging the egg white at all. To crack the shell (another trick my grandma taught me) - wrap the egg in a paper bowl or napkin, roll on a hard countertop until the egg is softly cracked all over, then peel - the shell will come off easily.

Whole Grain Peach-Banana Muffins

2014-04-12T14:20:00.001-07:00

It's about time this special ingredient debuted on my blog.

That's right.

It's banana time.

In order to honor my blog's title, as well as my lifelong compulsory epithet, I'm going to be doing more banana recipes. After all, bananas are the fruit of life. (That statement may or may not be true, but it sounds cool.)

Whole Grain Peach-Banana Muffins
(adapted from recipe)

Muffins
1/2 c brown sugar

1/4 c real maple syrup
3/4 c peach yogurt

2 very ripe bananas, mashed
1/4 c melted butter
1 egg, beaten
1/2 c steel cut oats
1 c flour
3/4 c whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1 c ripe peach, chopped

Topping
1/2 c chopped pecans
1/2 c whole wheat flour
1/4 c brown sugar
1/4 c butter, melted
1 pinch ground cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat muffin pan with non-stick baking spray, or use muffin liners.

2. Mix together brown sugar, maple syrup, peach yogurt, bananas, butter, eggs, & oats until well blended. Allow mixture to sit so that the oats will soften - about 10-20 minutes. Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl, then add to banana mixture, along with the peaches, until just combined. Fill each muffin cup about 3/4 of the way full.

3. Mix together topping ingredients. Sprinkle over the top of each muffin until it is used up (you can be generous). Bake the muffins for 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

[DQ Copycat] Ice Cream Cake

2014-04-11T13:31:00.000-07:00

I've never been a fan of the out-of-the-box-mix cake with the store-bought frosting. When I was little and my mom would ask me what kind of cake I wanted for my birthday, I would always want an ice cream cake. And the best was when she would get me my very own custom-designed cake from Dairy Queen. Well, when I asked my brother what kind of cake he wanted this year, I recognized the look in his eye - he didn't want just any old birthday cake. "Ice cream cake?" I asked him. He didn't have to answer - I knew I was on the path to "favorite sister" status. Hence, my first experience making an ice cream cake began. Though it had its challenges, I hope my tips below will help you (or me next time) successfully execute a delicious and beautiful ice cream cake - DQ style.

[DQ Copycat] Ice Cream Cake
2 1&1/2 quart containers of ice cream, softened at room temperature (Vanilla & chocolate are the default, but you can use your favorite - you will do one layer of one flavor, and two of the other. You can even use three different flavors like I did, but you will have some left over. Darn.)
1 pkg Oreo cookies (I used the birthday cake flavor)
1 bottle chocolate shell ice cream topping
2 pints whipping cream
1/4 cup powdered sugar
4 tsp vanilla
Sprinkles for topping

YOU WILL ALSO NEED: one 9-inch springform pan, one very cold freezer, and at least 5 hours.

1. Put springform pan in the freezer for 15 minutes. The ice cream should be soft, but not melted. Pull the pan out of the freezer, and spread your first layer of ice cream on the bottom of the pan and up the sides of the pan (each layer should be about 1/2 inch thick). Put back in freezer for 45 minutes.

2. In the meantime, crush the Oreos. I did not use a food processor, as I wanted them to still be crunchy. I just put them in a Ziploc bag & used my hands to crush the cookies. Mix in the chocolate shell topping until cookie crumbs are moistened. Remove pan from freezer, and spread the next layer of the cake on top of the hardened ice cream. Crumble the Oreo cookie mixture over the second layer, and put back in freezer for about 1 hour.

3. After an hour, remove the pan and spread the last layer over the top. Smooth the top with a rubber spatula, and put back in the freezer for about 2 hours (or overnight).

4. Before taking the cake out of the mold, you will need to get the whipped cream ready. Whip together whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until the cream forms stiff peaks. Remove the cake from the freezer, and wipe the outside of the pan with a hot cloth. Run a knife around the inside of the pan, then remove the pan. If it is not frozen enough, stick it back in the freezer for 30-60 minutes. (Trust me, you do NOT want to try and frost a melting cake.)

5. Use a rubber spatula to quickly frost the outside of the cake. Do not waste time on this step - the cake will begin to melt if you take too long. Return to freezer for at least 20 minutes after frosting. Add your decorations. (If you need to cover up a messy frosting job on the sides, feel free to get creative. Oreos saved my cake.) Leave the cake in the freezer until ready to serve - then remove 15 minutes before serving.

[Grandma's] Deviled Eggs

2014-03-31T21:28:00.000-07:00

This is Part I of my Deviled Eggs series… stay tuned for some serious fun (think bacon, curry, hot sauce).

However, before I share any non-traditional recipes, I have to share the recipe that is near and dear to my heart. Some people like pickles in their deviled eggs. Some like olives. In my family, we like sugar. My grandma is notorious for this - she used to add sugar to the sugar-free Kool-Aid mixes (and let me tell you, that's a real rush).

Grandma's Deviled Eggs

8 eggs, hard boiled*
1/2 cup Miracle Whip (if you're doing it Grandma's way, you won't use mayo)
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp mustard
1/8 tsp pepper
Paprika

Peel eggs & cut in half. Scoop yolks into a bowl and mash with a fork. Add the rest of the ingredients, and mix until smooth. Scoop or pipe into eggs, and sprinkle with paprika.

*There are a lot of articles with very specific and complicated ways to boil eggs, but I just do it my mom's way: put eggs in cold water, bring to a boil, boil for 10 minutes, take off heat & submerge in cold water. Once cool, you can peel them (you can put them in the fridge to help with the cooling process).

Tzatziki

2014-03-22T19:30:00.002-07:00

Greek food and I are really great friends. I remember the first time I tried tzatziki; despite my inability to pronounce it, I found it extremely delightful. And because I've since learned to speak its name with confidence, I decided it was about time to learn how to make it.

This fresh, cucumber-y spread is good on everything - crackers, pitas, sandwiches, vegetables, your fingers, etc. - and is healthier than its counterparts.

Tzatziki (adapted from recipe)

Ingredients:
-1 (32-oz) container plain Greek yogurt
-1 cucumber
-1/2 clove garlic, diced
-1 1/4 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
-1 tbsp. olive oil
-1/2 tbsp. salt
-1/2 tsp. pepper
-2 tbsp. fresh dill, chopped

1. Start by straining the yogurt. Use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth, and place it over a bowl. Scoop yogurt on top, and allow to sit for about an hour to drain all the liquid into the bowl (the warmer the yogurt is, the faster it will strain).

NOTE: I have made this without straining the yogurt & it tastes fine - it just gets really watery after sitting.

2. While yogurt is straining, wash cucumber & chop off both ends. Use a cheese grater to grate the cucumber, and place on a paper towel. Using your hands, squeeze the excess water out of the grated cucumber while holding over the sink. Throw a bit of salt on top & wrap in a paper towel until ready to mix into the yogurt.

3. Once yogurt is done straining, put in a bowl & whisk until smooth. Add remaining ingredients, including the cucumber, and mix thoroughly. Eat immediately, or refrigerate. It's delicious right away, but gets even better as it sits.

St. Patrick's Day Mint Oreo Truffles

2014-03-17T09:16:00.002-07:00

I don't feel that these bad boys need much of an introduction. If you've had Oreo truffles before, you know two things:

ONE - they are deceptively easy

TWO - they are ridiculously addicting

The mint version is no exception. In fact, I thought they were more delicious than the original. (Didn't think it was possible? Try them.)

Oh, and they can be green without being unappetizing. This will be my new go-to easy-to-make-and-impress-people-with St. Patrick's Day treat.

Mint Oreo Truffles

Ingredients:

1 box Mint Creme Oreos

1 pkg cream cheese (8 oz.), room temperature

1 bag green-colored melting candies (I used Wilton candy melts)

1 bag white chocolate chips

1. Blend the Oreos together in a food processor. Put in a bowl & mix thoroughly with the cream cheese.

2. Roll into little balls and place on a greased cookie sheet. Place in freezer & let freeze for at least an hour. (They will need to be hard to dip in the chocolate - otherwise it's just a mess.)

3. Melt the chocolate (do this one color at a time) using a double boiler, if you have one. If not, you can do it they way I do - bring a pot of water to boil, then remove from heat. Place chocolate in a glass/metal bowl on top of the pot, and allow to melt slowly, while mixing. If the chocolate is not smooth enough (can be caused by overheating or water getting in it), add vegetable oil (about 1/4 tsp at a time).

4. Roll the balls in the chocolate, and place on a non-stick surface (I found that silicon baking sheets work really well). Allow to cool, then use a spoon to drizzle the alternate color on top. Or just sprinkles some cute sprinkles on top before chocolate dries. Enjoy!

German Chocolate Pie [Happy Pi Day]

2014-03-14T18:20:00.001-07:00

Math. It's never been my favorite (in fact, I'm pretty sure I suffer from math anxiety). However, there is one mathematically-related holiday that has never disappointed me: pi day. (If you are a normal person who celebrates normal non-math-related-holidays, read more about "pi day" here. And start celebrating now.)

This year to celebrate, I'm sharing one of my all-time favorite pie recipes: German Chocolate Pie. This rich coconut-y concoction was shared with me by a lady who baked pies her whole life for a local restaurant. Needless to say, it was a best seller.

German Chocolate Pie

Ingredients:

-3 c. sugar

-6-7 tbsp cocoa

-1 13-oz can evaporated milk

-4 eggs, beaten

-1/2 c. melted butter, cooled

-1 tbsp. vanilla

-3 c. shredded coconut

-1 c. chopped nuts (I used sliced almonds this time, but walnuts are good too)

-2 pie crusts (this recipe makes two pies… you're welcome)

Combine sugar and cocoa. Add evaporated milk, butter, and vanilla. Mix well. Stir in the coconut and nuts. Pour in half in each crust. Bake at 350 degrees for an hour, or until set (sometimes it takes 5-10 minutes longer).

Bomb-Diggity Bacon Salsa

2014-03-10T17:27:00.001-07:00

The other day I was watching the Food Network (shocker), and saw that my old friend Trisha Yearwood now has a cooking show (coincidentally, she also does Zumba). I already had an appreciation for Trisha, but this knowledge brought it to a whole new level. Turns out she's a pretty bomb cook too, and makes her salsa with...

wait for it...

bacon.

I've been dying to try the recipe ever since. Needless to say, I finished off my bag of chips (I'm going to need to start looking for something else to put this salsa on).

Below is a slightly modified version of her "Salsa Ranchera" (see original recipe here). Salsa Ranchera just didn't quite capture the greatness of the recipe... so I also modified the title.

Bomb-Diggity Bacon Salsa

6 slices thick-sliced bacon, cut into strips

4 medium tomatoes, chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

1 serrano pepper (see note below), de-stemmed, de-seeded, and finely diced

1/2 tsp cumin

1 1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp salt

In a large saucepan, cook the bacon until it gets brown, but before it gets crispy. Add tomatoes, onion, garlic, pepper, cumin, salt, and pepper to the pan. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer for ten minutes. Serve warm or cold. Probably warm, since you're not going to want to wait (I prefer it warm anyway).

Note: I know everyone's spiciness preference is different, so you will want to adjust this recipe to your taste. I thought two peppers made it just a little too spicy (my lips were burning). If you don't like any heat at all, I would probably just replace the serrano pepper with a green bell pepper. If you're not as much of a pansy as I am, go for two.

Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Ever

2014-03-01T09:02:00.002-08:00

So, I know this post features a fairly lofty title, but these cookies turned out perfectly. I've been searching for a chocolate chip cookie recipe that I know will work - every time. And here it is. If you're a person who doesn't like chewy-in-the-middle, melt-in-your-mouth, pee-your-pants-a-little-because-you're-so-happy cookies, then you probably won't like these. The rest of you will.

Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Ever

(adapted from recipe at food.com)

Ingredients:

-3/4 cup white sugar

-1 cup brown sugar

-1 cup butter, room temperature

-1 tbsp vanilla (use the real stuff)

-2 eggs

-3 cups flour

-3/4 tsp baking soda

-3/4 tsp salt

-1 bag milk chocolate chocolate chips (the best are the Guittard brand - they are HUGE chunks of
chocolatey goodness)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream together butter & sugars until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).

2. Add eggs one at a time, then the vanilla, beating thoroughly after each addition.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined. Add gradually to creamed mixture while mixing.

4. Stir in chocolate chips.

5. Roll into balls and place on cookie sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes & move onto cooling rack.

Eat warm, cold, in the rain, in the sunshine, in bed late at night, standing up, sitting down - you're not going to want to stop.

Wild Mushroom Bisque

2014-02-28T20:52:00.003-08:00

One of my absolute favorite places to eat is Zupa's - especially when I'm in the mood for soup. They have a wonderful selection of soups, but I always tend to order the same thing - their Wild Mushroom Bisque. Sadly, I have moved outside of the radius of any Zupa's locations… so I had to come up with my own replacement. I used Season with Spice's Homemade Mushroom Soup recipe as a base, and I have to say, it turned out quite splendidly. It is definitely helping with my Zupa's separation anxiety.

Wild Mushroom Bisque

Ingredients:
-1 lb mushrooms (I used Cremini) - I diced half of the mushrooms, then cut the rest in half (I like my soup chunky)
-1 tbsp olive oil
-3-4 cloves fresh garlic, diced
-1 tbsp butter
-1/2 tsp thyme
-2 bay leaves
-2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
-3 cups chicken stock
-3 tbsp flour dissolved in 4 tbsp water
-1/2 pint whipping cream
-dash of nutmeg
-salt & pepper to taste
-green onions or fresh parsley to garnish

1. Heat olive oil in pan - add butter & garlic and sauté over medium heat (be careful not to burn).
2. Add mushrooms, bay leaves, thyme, and Worcestershire sauce to pan. Continue to cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes.
3. Add chicken stock & let boil - then turn down heat to simmer. Let simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Whisk in diluted flour, and add salt, pepper, and nutmeg to taste. Add cream, bring back to a simmer, then remove from heat.
5. Serve warm & garnish with green onions or fresh parsley. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Coconut Curry

2012-11-25T07:02:00.000-08:00

Okay, two things: I love pumpkin, and I love curry. Every time I go to a Thai restaurant and pumpkin curry is an option, I order it. And it's always an amazing experience. However, it's not always an option at every Thai restaurant... so I decided to give it a try myself.

Pumpkin Coconut Curry
2 small sugar pumpkins
3 chicken breasts, sliced into bite-sized pieces
2 tsp. olive oil
2 cans coconut milk

2 tbsp. red curry paste

1 1/2 tbsp. brown sugar (I used Splenda)

2-3 cups chicken broth

2 red peppers, sliced into strips

1 onion, sliced into strips

1 tsp. ginger

1 tbsp. lemon (or lime) juice

1 cup cashews
garlic salt

salt & pepper

Ground red pepper

Fresh basil

You will first want to tackle the pumpkin. Use a vegetable peeler to peel both pumpkins, then cut them into bite-sized chunks. Put the chunks from one of the pumpkins into a bowl and set aside for later. Put the others in a saucepan with about one inch of water, salt, and cover. Let steam for about 15 minutes, then drain & mash. You will also set this aside for later.

Start by cooking the chicken in the olive oil until it starts to turn just slightly white. Add the coconut milk, chicken broth, red curry paste, and brown sugar, and bring to a boil. Turn heat down and add the peppers, onions, ginger, cashews, lemon juice, pumpkin chunks, and mashed pumpkin. Add garlic salt, salt & pepper, and ground red pepper, to taste. The more red pepper, the spicier it will be. Allow to simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender & the chicken is thoroughly cooked. You will especially want to check the pumpkin; make sure it is still somewhat firm on the outside but soft on the inside (like a cooked potato). Serve with basmati rice. Enjoy!

Dried Young Coconut

2012-11-19T07:38:00.000-08:00

This delicious snack was introduced to me by one of my fellow Zumba instructors. We were on our way to a training, and I needed to stop at Costco. We ran in to get the few things I needed, but she got really excited when she saw a big crate of young coconut. I was wondering what all the fuss was about, and she informed me that it was delicious, and that you had to buy it quick because it would run out. She let me taste it, and I was hooked. Now, every time I'm at Costco and see these bags, I have to buy one.

I love the rich, semisweet taste of the coconut. Also, this yummy snack is PACKED with fiber. One serving gives you a whole 14 grams. AND, even though they taste like candy, there's only 1 gram of sugar. Yeah, you heard that right. I bet you're headed to Costco right now (if not, you should be)...

Pumpkin Better Than... Trifle

2012-11-18T17:43:00.000-08:00

Okay, so my family has this thing about BTS cake. My parents didn't like us saying the "S" word... so my mom calls it "Better than Robert Redford" cake or "Better than Brad Pitt" cake... I think I would probably call it the "Better than Ryan Gosling" cake. I think that should cover it.

Pumpkin Better Than Ryan Gosling Trifle
1 package yellow cake mix
1 can pumpkin puree
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 bottle caramel sundae topping
1 big container Cool Whip
1 package Heath milk chocolate bits

1. Mix together the cake mix & pumpkin, and pour into a greased 9x13 pan. Bake according to cake mix directions (it's better if it's just a tiny bit undercooked).

2. Once the cake is done, use the bottom of a wooden spoon to poke holes in the top (you can do this while it's still warm). Pour the sweetened condensed milk over the top, and spread around to fill in all the holes.

3. You can make this as one large trifle, or put it in individual cups to make mini, personalized trifles. I used the cups mostly because I don't have a trifle bowl, but also because I just love mini, personalized desserts. You will want to layer as follows: cake, Cool Whip, caramel, Heath bits. Repeat this sequence at least twice. Believe me... this cake won't last long. You may want to make two. Or three.

Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip

2012-11-05T19:37:00.000-08:00

Did I ever mention that I'm not a huge fan of vegetables? I've definitely learned to love them more as I've gotten older, but I still don't just get excited about them. Unless they're drenched in something like cheese, butter, or ranch dressing. So, today, I tried out a new snack. Instead of pulling out the bottled ranch dressing, I mixed a little bit of ranch dressing mix with plain Greek yogurt & a little bit of skim milk. The result? Awesome. I'm never using "real" ranch again.

Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip
1 packet ranch dressing mix
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 cup skim milk

Mix together in a storable container - and eat with whatever you would like! For a creamier dressing, use less milk.

3-Ingredient Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

2012-11-02T12:03:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't LOVE pumpkin chocolate chip cookies? I know I'm not that person. Really, I love pumpkin ANYthing... but there's something about the delicious combo of semisweet chocolate and gooey pumpkin that I simply can't resist. I wanted to make some the other day, and realized I didn't have flour. Bummer. But, I had cake mix. I thought, "Surely there's a way to make these cookies with cake mix!" And you better believe, friends, there's a way. You can make these delicious cookies with the following ingredients:

Cake Mix Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 box cake mix (Preferably spice cake mix, but I used yellow and it was still delicIOUS)
1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin puree
1 bag semisweet chocolate chips

Okay, here it goes... Mix the cake mix & pumpkin puree. Since I used yellow cake mix, I did add a few extra ingredients to spice it up (but I'm sure these cookies would be delicious either way) - 1 tsp. nutmeg, 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, 1/2 tsp. allspice. Add the chocolate chips (I used about 2/3 of the bag, and there were plenty). Drop by spoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet (don't even worry about making them look pretty). Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

Roasted Garlic & Lemon Broccoli

2012-10-29T17:30:00.001-07:00

So, I've never been a big vegetable eater. I know I'm supposed to eat them, so I do, but I have a hard time enjoying them. I've really never been a broccoli fan. Until now. I found this recipe at The Amateur Gourmet, and it is AAA-MAZ-ING. I've also seen it called "The Best Broccoli of Your Life." I guess you'll just have to find out for yourself.

Roasted Garlic & Lemon Broccoli
1 lb. broccoli crowns
5-6 tbsp. olive oil
3 cloves garlic, diced
1 lemon
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
Salt & pepper

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Start by washing the broccoli, then chopping off the broccoli heads and arranging them on a cookie sheet covered in foil. Drizzle the olive oil and sprinkle the diced garlic over the top of the broccoli. Add salt and pepper. Cook in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the tops of the broccoli start to turn brown. Take out of the oven, and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Zest the lemon over the top of the broccoli, then squeeze the lemon juice over the top as well. You won't be disappointed.

Quinoa Shrimp Salad

2012-10-24T23:06:00.003-07:00

I enjoyed the last quinoa dish (Quinoa Burrito Bowls) so much, that I just had to try another one. This one is somewhat similar to the last, but it definitely has a different kick. Nothin' like healthy food that actually tastes good!

Quinoa Shrimp Salad
1 cup quinoa
2 cubes chicken bouillon

1 bag frozen baby shrimp (12 oz.)
1/2 cup butter, melted
Juice of 1 lemon
Salt & pepper

1/2 red onion, diced
1 can corn, drained
1 can black beans, warmed
2 oranges, peeled & chopped
1 bunch cilantro, chopped

Lemon Vinaigrette
Juice of 2 lemons
6 tbsp. olive oil
2 cloves garlic
pinch of stevia, or other sweetener
Salt & pepper

In a medium saucepan, combine the quinoa, chicken bouillon, and 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then turn down to low and simmer, covered, 15-20 minutes, stirring periodically. Remove from heat.

While the quinoa is cooking, begin the shrimp. In a small bowl, mix together the frozen shrimp, melted butter, and lemon juice. Cover a baking sheet with foil, pour shrimp mixture on top, and salt & pepper. Broil for 8-10 minutes, or until well done.

To make the vinaigrette, combine the ingredients in a container with a tight-fitting lid, and shake well.

Instead of sugar, sweeten the dressing with a calorie-free
sweetener, such as Truvia.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the shrimp, quinoa, and the rest of the salad ingredients. Pour the vinaigrette over the top & mix (you may not use it all). This salad can be enjoyed warm or cold. Yum!

This recipe was modified from the version found at Iowa Girl Eats.

Apples & Peanut Butter

2012-10-22T18:39:00.002-07:00

Okay, I don't know about you... but I am a snacking fiend. I think it's because I love eating... all the time. I've had my share of potato chips, candy, baked goods, etc. - but we all know what that kind of snacking leads to. In my quest for a variety of delicious, healthy snacks, I've decided to start a new series called "Zero Guilt Snacks." Along with my regular recipes, I'll post about healthy snack ideas every Monday.

The first is one of my favorite snacks of all time: apples and peanut butter. To make this snack especially healthy, I use natural peanut butter. I prefer Smart Balance (either creamy or chunky - both are delicious). When I'm feeling especially crazy, I'll even add a tiny bit of stevia to sweeten the peanut butter a little bit. Or a few chocolate chips, to get that "chocolate-covered apple" taste. Just make sure you don't go too crazy on the peanut butter... I usually have to measure it out to make sure I don't eat too much (it's just so yummy).

Easy Peasy Peach Cobbler

2012-10-15T08:38:00.004-07:00

Growing up, whenever my mom would ask us what we wanted for dessert, the answer was always, always, peach cobbler. We didn't waste time on no apple crisp or brownies. I was pretty sure my mom put crack in it, until I started making it myself. There's no crack... but this stuff is pretty dang good. And it's easy. Oh yeah, and did I mention delicious?

I made it this time with fresh peaches, and it was delicious! I swear,
though, the canned peaches are just as delicious. Probably all that
sugary syrup. Or nostalgia...

You should probably buy a ridiculously huge vat
of baking powder, because you're going to want to
be making this recipe a LOT.

Easy Peasy Peach Cobbler

1 cup sugar
1 cup flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. baking powder
1 cup milk
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 large cans peaches (or 6-8 fresh peaches)

Mix sugar, flour, salt, and baking powder together in a large mixing bowl. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly. Add melted butter to mixture. Drain fruit and pour in the bottom of a 9x13 pan. If you use fresh peaches, sweeten them with sugar before adding to the pan. Pour batter over the top of peaches (it's okay if they're not all covered).
Bake at 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown on top.

Royal Rice Krispie Treats

2012-10-09T22:43:00.003-07:00

I know what you're thinking. Really? A recipe for rice krispie treats? Can't you just read that off the back of the cereal box?

Well, my friend, you can do that - if you are willing to live a life of mediocrity. However, if you want life-changing, habit-forming, waistline-expanding deliciousness... you may just have to try the recipe below.

Royal Rice Krispie Treats
1 lb. butter
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 lb. bag marshmallows
15-16 cups rice krispies

Before you start, this recipe makes massive amounts of rice krispies (two cookie sheets worth). While I've never had a problem eating this many... you may want to cut the recipe in half if you're just making them for yourself.

To start off, pour the cereal into a large bowl (make sure there is extra room to stir in the marshmallow mixture later). Prepare two cookie sheets by spraying them with nonstick cooking spray. Combine the butter, sugar, and brown sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a gentle boil, and let boil until the mixture begins to caramelize. Remove from heat, and add the marshmallows. Stir together until marshmallows are completely melted. Pour the marshmallow mixture over the rice krispies and stir until the cereal is evenly coated. Divide half the rice krispie mixture into each cookie sheet, and use nonstick-cooking-spray-covered hands to spread the rice krispies into each sheet. Allow to harden (or not) and enjoy!

P.S. This recipe will make you famous. You may feel like a drug dealer when people start calling you up and asking you for a "fix." Don't worry, it's normal.

Quinoa Burrito Bowls

2012-10-03T18:49:00.002-07:00

So... I've been hearing all this hype about "quinoa." After finally learning how to say it (keen-wah), I decided I better get on this bandwagon and learn to cook it. I went to buy some at Wal-Mart, and the cashier was asking me all these questions about it. I felt like kind of like an idiot when I didn't even really know what it was, so here are some quick fun facts about quinoa before we start:

It is a species of goosefoot, which is a grain-like crop primarily grown for its edible seeds.
It is classified as a "chenopod," which makes it closely related to species such as beets, spinach, and tumbleweeds.
Nutritional value: high protein content (14%), and it is a complete protein (meaning it contains all nine of the amino acids necessary for our dietary needs). It is also a good source of dietary fiber, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, and calcium. Source

So, pretty much, quinoa is an amazing superfood. I feel good about that. And, turns out, it tastes pretty darn good.

Quinoa Burrito Bowls
1 cup quinoa
1 cube tomato bouillon with chicken flavor (you may find it in the store as "caldo de tomate")

Cook the quinoa as directed on the package, but add the bouillon to the water as the quinoa is boiling. This will give it an amazing flavor, similar to Mexican rice.Make sure to stir the quinoa as it is cooking, so it doesn't burn.

Toppings (serve these Hawaiian-haystack style):
Shredded chicken (as usual, I prefer rotisserie chicken - brown in a medium saucepan with a bit of olive oil)
Black beans (heat in a medium saucepan)
Lime juice
Corn
Cheddar or Jack Cheese
Shredded Lettuce
Greek yogurt
Diced tomatoes
Cilantro
Sliced avocados or guacamole
Hot sauce

I loaded all of this on my bowl, and it was AMAZING. I didn't even realize I was eating something totally healthy, which is the way I like it! This recipe yields about 4 servings.

This recipe was altered from the recipe found at The Shiksa In the Kitchen.