grapefruit margaritas.

Serves 2.

8 oz frozen grapefruit juice concentrate, thawed

4 oz tequila

2 oz triple sec

3 c. ice

sugar for dusting your rim

Blend together ingredients using food processor (or magic bullet).  Blend until smooth.  Go around the rim of your margarita glass with a damp paper towel.  Dump 1 t. sugar into a plate.  Roll the rim in the sugar.  Fill glasses with blended margs. 

variation- any frozen juice concentrate.

virgin- 1 to 2 t. grapefruit concentrate, add sprite.  

xx

val

fajitas.

Marinate 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (or 6 to 8 chicken cutlets) for 30 minutes to 1 hour in:

4 T olive oil

4-6 shakes hot sauce

2 limes, juiced

1-2 cloves garlic, minced

2 T fresh cilantro, chopped

1 T cumin

1 t. oregano

2 t. salt

1 t. pepper

Grill your chicken - either on an outdoor grill or in a grill pan over med high heat.  Chicken is done with internal temperature reaches 170 degrees.  Let rest.  Slice chicken into strips.

Build your fajita- I like to use whole wheat Guerrero brand tortillas, but any tortilla you like will do.  If desired, grill any color bell pepper and onion in thin slices.  Pick your toppings-  cheddar, salsa, taco sauce, pico de gallo, guacamole, sour cream, green onion, cilantro, lettuce, tomato, etc. 

xx

val

whole wheat oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.

1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
2 to 2 1/2 cups oatmeal, food processed
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
12 oz. chocolate chips

Cream the butter, sugar and brown sugar.
Add eggs and vanilla. Mix.
Add flour, oatmeal, salt, baking powder and baking soda.
Add chocolate chips.

Place balls of dough 2 inches apart on cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes at 375.


emily.

first attempt at cake decorating.

So no real recipe here. My sister-in-law Tina and I have wanted to try cake decorating for a long time. Here's our first attempt playing with fondant. We had fun!





emily.

whole wheat cottage cheese pancakes.

Even with the whole wheat flour, these pancakes are so light I was able to roll them up.  A very posh little breakfast!  

1 c. whole wheat flour

1 t. salt

1/2 t. baking powder

1/4 t. baking soda

1 c. cottage cheese

3 eggs

4 T melted butter, plus more for the griddle

1/2 c. milk or water

maple syrup

powdered sugar

Fluff whole wheat flour before measuring.  Sift together flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda.  Set aside.  In another bowl, blend together cottage cheese, 3 eggs, and 4 T melted butter.  Slowly add dry ingredients to wet.  Mix together.  Add 1/4 c. milk or water at a time to thin batter out and reach desired consistency.  Be careful not to over mix.  The batter does not need to be completely smooth- just all ingredients blended together.     

Set griddle to 350.  If using a frying pan on the stove, turn heat to medium low.  Spray griddle or pan with cooking spray or move a pat of butter over the cooking surface.  When the griddle or pan is heated up, measure out 1/4 c. batter per pancake.  I got 9 pancakes out of this recipe using 1/4 c. batter per pancake.  The pancakes are ready to be flipped when bubbles start forming in the batter.  Double check before flipping by pulling up an edge of a pancake with your turner.  If it looks golden brown and you can lift the pancake from the surface easily, they are probably ready to be flipped.  The second side will take half as much time as the first side. 

To keep the pancakes warm, place them on a cookie sheet and into a 200 degree oven.  Cover with foil.     

I drizzled my pancakes with warm maple syrup and then sprinkled 1 t. powdered sugar over top for finishing touches.  

xx

val

southwest chicken.

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (defrosted) or 8 chicken cutlets (defrosted)

3 T olive oil

1 lime, juiced

1 T cumin

2 t. chili powder

1 t. oregano

1 t. paprika

1 t. salt

1/2 t. pepper

Mix spices together in a shallow pan. Place chicken breasts in between layers of plastic wrap. Pound chicken with a mallet until 1 inch thick. Juice one lime. Brush each chicken breast with lime juice then roll each chicken breast in the spices. Heat olive oil in a skillet over med heat. Cook the chicken a few minutes on each side. Chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 170 degrees. Juices should run clear when you cut into it. This chicken is great as a main dish or you could dice or shred it and toss into any dish of your choice.

xx

val

'little boy blue'berry cupcakes.

Anna and Matt recently found out they are going to have a little boy!  Francie and I made these cupcakes for Anna to celebrate the good news.

Basic Whole Wheat Cake (or Cupcake) Recipe:

1 c. sugar

1/2 c. butter, at room temperature

1/2 c. milk

2 eggs, at room temperature

2 t. vanilla extract

1 1/2 c. whole wheat flour

2 t. baking powder

Cream together sugar and butter.  Add milk and eggs, one at a time, and beat well.  Beat in vanilla.  In another bowl, sift together whole wheat flour and baking powder.  Fluff your whole wheat flour before measuring.  Slowly add whole wheat flour mixture to wet ingredients.  Blend well.  Spray muffin tins or line tin with cupcake liners.  Fill each 3/4 of the way full.   Bake for 20 minutes at 350.  If making a cake, you will have to bake for longer.  In a 9 by 13 or 9 by 9 pans, try 30 minutes.  Let cake or cupcakes cool before icing.

Blueberry Frosting:

1 c. heavy whipping cream

1/2 c. powdered sugar

1 t. vanilla extract

2 (4 oz) packages fresh blueberries (or 8 to 12 oz frozen blueberries)

2-3 drops blue food coloring

Crush the fresh blueberries.  Beat together heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla.  You will need to beat until firm peaks form.  Fold in crushed berries.  Add a few drops food coloring to reach the shade of blue you desire.  Ice the cooled cupcakes.  

Garnish with fresh blueberries and a light dusting of powdered sugar.  

xx

val

whole wheat banana bread.

Making breakfast healthy again, but keeping it tasty!  This recipe makes a mini loaf (1/2 a regular loaf).  Double it for regular loaf size.

1/2 c. maple syrup

1/2 c. butter, at room temperature

1 egg, at room temperature

1/2 t. vanilla extract

2 bananas, mashed

1 c. whole wheat flour

1/2 t. baking soda

1/4 t. salt

Cream together maple syrup and room temperature butter.  Beat in egg and vanilla.  Mash two bananas.  Beat in bananas.  In another bowl, sift together whole wheat flour, baking soda and salt.  Fluff the flour before measuring it out.  Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients while mixing.  Pour batter into greased loaf pan.  Bake mini loaf for 30 to 35 minutes at 350.  Bake full loaf for 50 to 60 minutes at 350.

xx

val

open faced tomato and peanut butter sandwich on whole wheat bread.

I know this sandwich sounds strange, but you just have to try it.

1 medium tomato, thinly sliced

1 - 2 T peanut butter- creamy or crunchy

salt and pepper

2 slices whole wheat bread

Spread peanut butter of your choice on whole wheat bread. Top with tomato slices. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

xx

val

smoothie.

So this is a smoothie I've made up from trial and error, the hubby and I often make this a healthy dessert alternative.

Combine ingredients in a blender. This is the one I usually make, but obviously you can substitute ingredients for different flavors. The one above is strawberry/blueberry.

Per person, blend:
-1 cup frozen strawberries
-1 cup nonfat yogurt, strawberry or strawberry/banana
-1/2+ cup skim milk (or orange juice, if you want a tangy flavor)
-can add 1/2 banana
-can add frozen or fresh blueberries or other berries

makes a tall glass of smoothie goodness!


emily.

carrot cake.

This recipe is one mom has made as long as I remember, it's from an old cookbook but I'm not sure which one. It's so moist and delicious! I am soon going to attempt to make this recipe whole wheat and healthier in the near future, so stay tuned! But for now here's the real deal:

2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/4 cup vegetable oil
3 cups grated carrots (5-6 carrots)
4 eggs
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional- I omit!)
2 tsp. vanilla

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, soda, salt, and cinnamon in large bowl.
Add oil to flour mixture while mixing. Then add carrots and the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in nuts and vanilla. Mix well. Pour into greased and floured pan. Bake at 350 for 50 to 60 minutes. Cool in pan, frost.

Cream Cheese Frosting
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup (1/2) stick butter, softened
2 cups confectioners sugar

Mix together. If you like to be generous with frosting, I suggest you double the recipe.



emily.

sangria.

1 part Wine- red or white

1 part Sprite, club soda or sparkling water

Fruit - grapes, apples, peaches, strawberries, blueberries, etc

Stir together equal amounts wine and sprite.  Add fruit of your choice.  I like grapes, apples and strawberries in red wine.  And peaches and blueberries in white wine.  

xx

val

tuna salad on whole wheat bread.

2 cans tuna, liquid drained* 

1/2 c. chopped celery

1/4 c. chopped onions

1/4 c. chopped carrots

1 T fresh lemon juice

4 T mayo

1 t. dried parsley**

1 t. dried dill 

pepper to taste

6 pieces whole wheat bread, toasted

lettuce, tomato, and cheese (optional)

*What kind of tuna is best to buy?  Everyone has a different theory about what tuna is the healthiest for you.  There are basically two different kinds of canned tuna- canned chunk white Albacore and canned chunk light.  Canned chunk white Albacore is what it says it is - Albacore fish; canned chunk light is mostly Skipjack fish.  Albacore does contain more mercury than Slipjack, but albacore also has higher omega 3 levels than skipjack.  I don't eat tuna that often so I go for the Albacore to get the higher omega 3's.  If you do eat tuna often, you will need to be careful with the mercury levels.  For canned chunk white Albacore, 1 year olds to 6 year olds should only have it once a month.  6 to 12 year olds can have it twice a month.  Adults are fine to eat it once a week.  The exception is pregnant or nursing women.  High levels of mercury effect brain development in children - including babies inside the womb.  For that reason, ask your doctor before eating tuna if pregnant or nursing.  For canned chunk light, 1 year olds to 6 year olds should have it no more than 3 times a month.  Kids age 6 to adults are fine to have chunk light once a week.  Packed in oil or packed in water?  If you are concerned with buying tuna that is healthy for you, buy it packed in water.  Oil mixes with tuna's natural fat, so when you drain the oil packed tuna you also drain off some of the omega 3's.        

  

** Fresh herbs are wonderful to use.  Just triple the amount- 1 T parsley and 1 T dill, both finely chopped.

Mix ingredients together.  Chill if desired.  Serve on whole wheat bread with your choice of toppings.     

 

xx

val

black bean soup.

2 cans black beans

1 can rotel (tomatoes and green chilis)

1 T cumin

1/2 c. to 1 c. milk, if needed

Garnish - cheese, sour cream, green onion, cilantro, tortilla strips etc.

In a food processor (or the magic bullet), process 2 cans black beans with their liquid, 1 can rotel and 1 T cumin.  If it is too thick to process, add 1/2 c. of milk at a time.  Blend until very smooth.  Pour into a saucepan.  Heat the soup on med low heat until completely warmed through.  If you didn't add milk before or the soup is too thick for your liking, you may want to whisk in milk at this time - 1/2 c. milk at a time until you reach your desired consistency.   

When the soup is warmed through, pour into bowls to serve.  Garnish to your liking.  My soup has a sour cream and green onion garnish.  I whisked together 1 T milk and 2 T sour cream.  This thinned out the sour cream enough so I could pour it over the surface.  Little touch of elegance to your black bean soup.  

xx.

val

homemade taco sauce.

1 (12 oz) can tomato paste

1 1/2 c. water

2 T white vinegar

3 T Frank's hot sauce

2 t. cumin

1 t. chili powder

1/2 t. paprika

1/2 t. pepper

Whisk all ingredients together.  

Variation- Use tomato sauce rather than paste.  You won't need to add as much water with tomato sauce.  

xx

val

diana's mexi dip "animal style".

Diana & Vince recently came for a visit and I begged her to make her yummy mexi dip for me.  I added my southwest chicken and homemade taco sauce to the mix.  The results are worthy of the label "Animal Style".  (FYI, at In & Out Burger you can order anything Animal Style - which means your burger, fries or both comes with sauteed onions and extra of their amazing sauce.  Adding more goodness to goodness).

Spicy Cheese: (Make a few hours ahead so the cheeses can soak up the spices.)

8 oz cream cheese

8 oz sour cream

4 oz cottage cheese

1 taco seasoning package mix OR 1 T cumin, 2 t. chili powder, 1 t. oregano, 1/2 t. paprika, and 1/2 t. pepper

Mix ingredients together thoroughly.  Refrigerate until ready to assemble.

You will also need: 

1 recipe for Southwest Chicken (1/2 recipe will do)

1 recipe for Homemade Taco Sauce (or a jar of store bought taco sauce)

Suggested Toppings:

Cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, olives, green onions, fresh cilantro

Assemble- In a 13 by 9 pan, layer spicy cheeses, southwest chicken, taco sauce, and then toppings.  Serve with chips.

xx.

Val

easy pina coladas.

1 can (14 oz) coconut milk (Check the Asian food aisle)

1 pineapple, cut into cubes

1 c. rum

Ice

In your food processor add first three ingredients, blend.  Once smooth add ice one cup at a time until you reach your desired consistency.  Pour into fun glasses.  Pink straw and little umbrella are not required, but strongly suggested! :)

Variation- 

Add bananas or strawberries into the mix.

xx.

val

mini dessert pizzas.

Lori makes a great large dessert pizza which consists of a sugar cookie "pizza", cream cheese & cool whip "sauce", and fruit "toppings". I didn't put any sugar in these cookies though. Can't really call them a sugar cookie without the sugar, right?! Let's just call them Whole Wheat Honey Cookies. I'll have to make some adjustments before these Honey Cookies will be good all on their own. The combo of cookie, frosting and fruit was perfection though.

Whole Wheat Honey Cookies-

2 c. whole wheat flour

1 t. baking powder

1 t. baking soda

1/2 t. salt

3/4 c. honey

1/2 c. butter

2 T milk, or less*

1 t. vanilla

1 egg

*Since honey is a liquid, you might not need this much milk. Add milk last and only as much as necessary to blend ingredients.

Bring butter and egg to room temperature. In a bowl, combine whole wheat flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda. Fluff the flour before measuring. In another bowl, combine honey, butter, vanilla and egg. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients 1 cup at a time. Add milk if necessary. Blend thoroughly. I found that refrigerating the dough for a few hours helps the cookies bake beautifully. But you can make them right away without refrigerating. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 375. Roll dough into balls. Flatten the balls with the palm of your hand. Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet for 8 minutes. Let cool.

Variations: You can roll dough through cinnamon, sugar and nutmeg mixture before baking if desired. Either orange or lemon zest would be a great addition to the dough, too.

Cream Cheese & Cool Whip Frosting-

8 oz cream cheese

8 oz cool whip

1 t. vanilla extract

1 T honey

Blend ingredients thoroughly. If you add orange or lemon zest to the dough, add 2 t. to 1 T fresh orange or lemon juice to the frosting.

Fruit-

Cut any fruit into small pieces. Suggested: strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, nectarines, peaches, kiwi, banana, grapes, etc.

Assemble mini dessert pizzas - Frost the cooled whole wheat honey cookies with a thick layer of cream cheese & cool whip frosting. Top with chopped fruit pieces.

xx.

val

whole wheat chocolate chip cookie bars.

These yummy chocolate chip cookie bars aren't burnt.  The whole wheat flour turns them a darker shade, but they are soft, chewy and delish just like a good cookie bar should be!

2 c. whole wheat flour*

1 1/2 t. baking soda

1 t. salt

1 c. butter

3/4 c. honey**

3/4 c. brown sugar

1 t. vanilla

2 eggs

2 c. chocolate chips

*When substituting whole wheat flour in recipes that call for white all purpose flour, the exchange rate is 7/8 c. whole wheat flour to 1 c. white flour.

**Honey instead of white sugar? Yes! Honey is unrefined, natural and contains more vitamins and minerals than white sugar. Some things to keep in mind when subbing honey for sugar: Honey is sweeter than sugar, so a lot of times you won't need to use quite as much. Moreover, for every cup of honey used, add 1/2 t. baking soda. Even though I only used 3/4 c. honey, I added an extra 1/2 t. baking soda (1 1/2 t. baking soda total) to the recipe.

Bring butter and eggs to room temperature. Grease a 13 by 9 pan. Preheat oven to 375. In a bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. Fluff your whole wheat flour before measuring. Make sure to make an exact measurement. In another bowl, combine butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla and eggs. Blend together. Add the dry ingredients a cup at a time to the wet ingredients. Blend thoroughly. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour mixture into greased 13 by 9 pan. Bake for 17 minutes.

xx.

val

"best ever" whole wheat muffins.

I got the recipe called "Best Ever Muffins" from Doodle long ago. So I adapted this recipe to be whole wheat:

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. salt
1 well beaten egg
3/4 cup milk
1/3 cup oil
1 cup blueberries OR chocolate chips (pictured above)

-Mix dry ingredients in large bowl, mix wet ingredients in another bowl. Add wet ingredients to dry, mix until moistened, then add blueberries or chocolate chips.

Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 min.


emily.

easy bean dip.

The Sars and I got this from someone in high school and adapted it, and it has been a long time favorite.

The Classic Recipe: choose your own amounts, use a glass or metal pan, any shape.
-layer of cream cheese (I always use 1/3 less fat, tastes the same and makes me feel better about myself.)
-layer of refried beans
-layer of salsa
-layer of cheese-- cheddar or monteray jack

--bake until melty.

The variation in this picture:
-Substitute seasoned black beans for the refried beans.


emily.

pasta salad.

8 oz dried whole wheat pasta (I used Farfalle, but any pasta of your choice will work)

1 1/2 c. broccoli, chopped

1 large tomato or 2 small tomatoes, chopped

3- 4 oz feta cheese

1/4 c. extra virgin olive oil

2 T balsamic vinegar

1 lemon, juiced

salt and pepper, to taste

Cook pasta according to directions on the box.  When the pasta has 5 minutes left to cook, add the broccoli to the pasta.  Drain pasta and broccoli.  Add tomatoes and feta to the warm pasta and broccoli.

In a bowl, combine olive oil, vinegar and lemon juice.  Toss pasta in the olive oil/ vinegar mix.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Serve warm or cold. 

Add 1/2 recipe Balsamic Chicken to the mix and you have a great meal.  

xx.

Val