Chocolate Cinnamon Muffins

A nice little muffin for when you get the munchies. I like the cinnamon, but instant coffee granules would be nice too - a "Mocha Muffin".

CHOCOLATE CINNAMON PROTEIN MUFFINS

1 cup almond flour

1/2 cup ground flax meal

1/2 cup chocolate protein powder

2 TB cocoa powder

1 heaping tsp cinnamon (I recently discovered Vietnamese cinnamon - wow, this is great stuff)

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup splenda

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup canned pumpkin (for moisture - you don't taste this - PROMISE!)

1 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

1/4 cup milk

3 TB canola oil

1/4 cup sugar free chocolate chips or 1/4 cup chopped SF chocolate bar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a mini muffin pan with cooking spray. Mix wet and dry ingredients separately and combine. Fold in chocolate chips. Fill muffin tins almost to top with batter. Bake for 13 - 15 minutes. Cool in pan for 5 minutes and then remove to rack to cool.

It's not potatoes!

I was so excited to find this recipe from theworldaccordingtoeggface. I love anything with salsa and cheese. 3 of 5 family members really liked this. Since one is a picky 9 year old who "just doesnt have the same taste as you, Mom" and one is still sucking down Similac, I think I did pretty good.

My modifications (Cuz you know I'm not going to make a recipe "as is") were to use chili seasoning instead of cumin, add a layer of Mexican blend cheese under the topping and use cottage cheese instead of ricotta. Eating leftovers for lunch.

I really like the topping on this. It's much more "mashed potatoey" than a whipped cauliflower topping. I'm glad I added the cheese too.

Easy Asian Bake

Nothing fancy here and no offense to those who want real Asian food. Just threw together for dinner. I didn't plan anything for dinner tonight - which can usually get me in trouble. However, having that pre-cooked hamburger in the fridge made this easy. I really like the flavor, but it was a bit dry. I think next time a bit of cream of (insert name here) soup would make it better or just more liquid and some corn starch to thicken. Thumbs up from hubby, neutral from daughter ("Why are there bread crumbs?" - sigh).

Asian Burger Bake

1 pound ground beef, browned

1/2 small onion chopped

2 TB soy sauce

1 TB Worsteshire sauce

1 TB vinegar

1 cup hot water

1 beef bullion cube

1/4 cup heavy cream (or half and half)

3 cups frozen veggies (I used a blend of edamame, broccoli, sweet red pepper, corn and carrots)

Seasoning salt and pepper to taste

1/2 cup panko bread crumbs

2 TB butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

In a skillet brown burger and onion then drain. Return to skillet and add the sauces and vinegar. Dissolve the bullion in water and put in skillet. Simmer ground meat for a few minutes while you are microwaving veggies to thaw. Add in veggies and simmer all together. Add cream. Put into a casserole dish and top with crumbs. Dot butter on top and bake until top is golden. (20 minutes or so).

Orange Pineapple Cheesecake - No bake

I have previously posted this recipe using peaches HERE . I just used mandarine oranges instead. To get the pumpkin shape, I used a pumpkin cookie cutter, buttered the outer edges and pressed it into the cheesecake half way. I then poured the gelatin mixture and removed the cookie cutter after it set. Decorate with mandarine oranges and you're good to go. By the way, this is a DELICIOUS dessert. I'll do with some green and red jello for Christmas. I wonder if you used a second color of jello for in the middle of the cookie cutter if it would stick or look cool... hmm have to try that.

Pumpkin/TVP "Faux"tmeal

I love oatmeal, but hate the carb cravings it gives me. I was wanting something warm in my tummy on a cold morning and came up with this recipe. TVP is just defatted/dehydrated soy flour. It comes in little protein packed granules (remind me of Grape Nuts) BUT they have to be rehydrated to use. Full of protein and fat free, they are a great substitute for many things, including meat.

Joni's TVP Pumpkin Treat

1/4 cup TVP granules (I use Bob's Redmill)

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup pumpkin

Pumpkin pie spice

2 TB fat free cream (or dairy product of your choice)

1 packet of Splenda

Raisins or dried fruit for topping (optional, of course)

First rehydrate the TVP by combining with the water and covering with plastic wrap. Heat in microwave for about 1 1/2 - 2 minutes. Combine with pumpkin, spice and Splenda. Heat in microwave for another minute. Top with dried fruit, toasted coconut or granola.

A Week of Family Dinners

So, I haven't been posting a lot. Getting back to work full time with the baby has been an adjustment of major proportions. (Especially since we haven't done this is 9 years!)

I wanted to let you know what I've been cooking. It is possible to get dinner on the table for your family even if you aren't uber organized (that would be me!).

MONDAY: Chili - 1lb ground beef w/ onions and green pepper (I just precook and freeze ground beef to use during the week, making this dish super easy), 1 large can pureed tomatoes, one can kidney beans, one can beef broth, add seasonings (chili powder, garlic powder, turmeric, cumin and a pinch of cayenne). Simmer for about 15 minutes and you're done. Top with sour cream and shredded cheese and we have a complete meal.

TUESDAY: Broke out the crock pot. I put in a pound of stew meat, some baby carrots, cut up turnips and a can of mushrooms (drained). Then the magic ingredient - French onion soup mix (Yes, it is high in sodium...). Sprinkle the soup mix on top and cook on low all day. What a great smell when you walk in the door!

WEDNESDAY: Leftovers- this is our late night, so DH and I had leftovers and I put a frozen pizza in for the kids. Made them eat some carrots and fruit with it - so I guess I'm not a total loser mother!

THURSDAY: Stir fry over cauliflower fried rice.
Peanuty Stir Fry - Kyoto Blend Veggies from Market Day, chicken, 1 can lite coconut milk, 2 TB soy sauce, 1 TB red curry paste, 1 heaping TB peanut butter, garlic powder. I browned chicken and set aside and put veggies in microwave to cook. I then mixed sauce ingredients and simmered a bit. I added back in chicken and veggies. We enjoyed this a lot. I'm eating leftover stir fry today over some angel hair cabbage.

FRIDAY: TGIF - going out to eat! I tend to cook over the weekend, so we usually eat out on Fridays. Mom is ready for a kitchen break by then.

OK - so, fairly nutritious food. All done in about 30 minutes with no fuss. You can do this. You can save money and shed pounds by cooking at home. TRY IT!

Punkin' Puddin'

This is just a throw together recipe. I really just wanted an excuse to post this picture! I also wanted a recipe that didn't use Cool Whip.

Joni's Easy Punkin' Puddin'

4 oz 1/3 fat cream cheese

1/4 cup splenda

1 tbl vanilla DaVinci syrup

1 cup milk

1/2 cup pumpkin puree

1/2 tsp cinnamon (I just discovered Viatnamese Cinnamon - wowza, so good)

1 envelope SF vanilla pudding mix

Soften cream cheese and beat in Splenda with blender. Add the pumpkin and then the liquids. Add liquids slowly and beat well, or your cream cheese will be lumpy. Then add cinnamon and pudding mix. Refrigerate until set.