Fantastic Food

I've been trying to cut out processed foods as much as possible from our diet and was looking for a way to use up a few of the 40 apples I have sitting in my fridge taking up valuable space, and I came across this amazing whole-grain, healthy breakfast muffin.  Low sugar, lots of fiber and flavor.  This is definitely my all-time favorite apple-muffin recipe I've made, so I had to add it to the blog so I know where to find it next time.  I hope you like it too... Recipe by Cookieandkate.com Ingredients 1¼ cups whole wheat flour 1¼ cups old-fashioned oats 1 teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon baking soda ¼ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon cinnamon ¼ teaspoon cardamom ⅛ teaspoon ginger 1 cup unsweetened applesauce ½ cup light coconut milk with the juice of half a lemon (or low fat buttermilk) ½ cup packed muscovado sugar (or brown sugar) 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil (or vegetable/canola oil) 1 large egg, lightly beaten ½ teaspoon vanilla extract 2 small Gala ...

Ingredients 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup yellow cornmeal 1/4 cup sugar 2 tablespoons baking powder 2 teaspoons kosher salt 2 cups milk 3 extra-large eggs, lightly beaten 1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted, plus extra to grease the pan 8 ounces aged extra-sharp Cheddar, grated, divided 1/3 cup chopped scallions, white and green parts, plus extra for garnish, 3 scallions 3 tablespoons seeded and minced fresh jalapeno peppers Directions: Combine the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, combine the milk, eggs, and butter. With a wooden spoon, stir the wet ingredients into the dry until most of the lumps are dissolved. Don't overmix! Mix in 2 cups of the grated Cheddar, the scallions and jalapenos, and allow the mixture to sit at room temperature for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9 by 13 by 2-inch baking pan. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smo...

Ingredients:  2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour 2 cups sugar 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice (OR 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, 1/4 tsp. nutmeg, and 1/8 tsp. cloves) 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 eggs, lightly beaten 1 cup canned pumpkin 1/2 cup butter, softened 2 cups finely chopped (or shredded) peeled apples TOPPING: 1/4 cup sugar pinch salt 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 tablespoon butter or margarine 1/2 cup pecans, chopped (optional) Directions: In a large bowl, combine flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda and salt. Combine sugar and butter, whipping until fluffy; add one egg at a time, incorporating fully before adding the next one.  Add pumpkin to wet ingredients.  stir in dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in apples. Fill greased & floured or paper-lined muffin cups three-fourths full. For topping, combine sugar, flour, salt, and cinnamon. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle cho...

INGREDIENTS:   3 Tbs. Olive Oil 1 cup minced yellow or white onion 1/2 c. chopped zucchini 1/2 c. frozen or fresh cut green beans 1/4 c. minced celery (about 1/2 stalk) 4 tsp. minced garlic (about 4 cloves) 4 c. vegetable broth (can use chicken) 2 15oz. cans red kidney beans (drained & rinsed) 2 15oz. cans small white beans (drained & rinsed) 1 15oz. can diced tomatoes 1/2 c. julienned or shredded carrot 2 Tbs. minced fresh parsley 1 1/2 tsp. dried oregano 1 1/2 tsp. salt (or more to taste) 1/2 tsp. black pepper (or to taste) 1/2 tsp. dried basil 1/4 tsp. dried thyme 2 bay leaves 3 c. hot water 1 to 1 1/2 c. cubed butternut squash** 4 c. baby spinach 1/2 cup small seashell pasta* (or other small pasta) DIRECTIONS: 1) Prep all veggies. 2)Heat olive oil over medium heat in large stock pot.  Saute onion, zucchini, green beans, celery, and garlic in the oil for 5 minutes or until onions begin to turn translucent. ...

M&M Chocolate Chip Blondies ingredients: 1 cup all purpose flour 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/8 tsp baking soda 1/4 tsp salt 1 stick butter, melted 1 cup packed dark brown sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon of vanilla 1/3 cup semi sweet chocolate chips 1/3 cup M&M's (optional) directions: 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 8X8 pan with cooking spray. I used a glass Pyrex dish. 2. Whisk together the dry ingredients in a medium bowl-flour, baking powder, soda, and salt. Set aside. 3. In a medium bowl, stir together the melted butter and brown sugar. Stir until smooth. 4. Add in the egg and stir. Next, stir in the vanilla. Stir until smooth. 5. Add the flour mixture and stir until the ingredients are combined. Stir in the chocolate chips and M&M's. 6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake the blondies for 23-25 minutes, until the blondies are set. A toothpick will come out clean when they are done. Let the blondies cool on a rack. When cool, cut and...

FRENCH ONION SOUP 4 Tbs. butter 5-6 yellow onions (4-5 if the onions are really big) 1/2 tsp. sugar 1 Tbs. flour 1 tsp. dried thyme (or 2 tsp. fresh) 6 1/2 cups beef broth 1 small baguette olive oil salt & pepper 8 oz. swiss cheese (sliced or grated), or gruyere if you want stronger flavor 1. Slice onions into half moons.  Melt butter in a large stock pot or a very large skillet over LOW heat.  Add onions and sugar to skillet and try to stir onions enough to coat with butter (pan will be very full of onions, but they will shrink down more than half so don't panic).  Keep heat on low, and don't cover with a lid.  Stir onions every 20 minutes or so.  It will take 2 to 3 hours for the onions to cook down and carmelize.  It is critical to leave the heat low and to take your time.  Don't rush this! **(If you want to make your own baguettes, now is the time! I used this recipe: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/homemade-french-baguettes.h...

Recipe by Our Best Bites 1 Tbs. olive oil 1 medium onion, diced (about 1 cup) 2 (15oz) cans white beans (great northern or white or cannellini) 1 pound boneless chicken breasts, cubed (about 3-4 normal sized chicken breasts) 3-4 garlic cloves, minced 1 (3.5oz) can green chilies 1/2 tsp. cumin 1/2 tsp. dried oregano 1/2 tsp. coriander 1/2 tsp. salt pepper to taste 1 (32 oz.) box chicken broth 1 lime juiced 1/2 cup chopped cilantro Toppings: sour cream, chopped cilantro, shredded Mexican cheeses, avocado, tortilla chips, lime wedges, tomatoes. 1.  Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.  Add the chopped onion and cook for about 2 minutes, until translucent. 2.  While the onions are cooking, drain the beans and rinse with cold water; set aside.  Sprinkle the chopped chicken with a little salt and pepper and add to pot.  Add the garlic.  Cook for 4-5 minutes or until there's no more visible pink on the chicken. 3.  Add green...