Saturday, February 23, 2013

Parmesan Baked Potatoes

Parmesan Baked Potatoes from When The Dinner Bell Rings


I'm making these for dinner tonight. They look wonderful.

Parmesan Baked Potatoes
Ingredients
6 small potatoes, scrubbed and cut in half
1/4 cup butter
grated parmesan cheese
garlic powder
other seasonings (to personal preference)
Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Melt butter and pour into a 9x13 inch pan and spread evenly across the bottom. Generously sprinkle parmesan cheese and lightly sprinkle other seasonings all over the butter. Place potato halves face down on the butter and seasonings. Place in preheated oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan. Serve on a plate with a side of sour cream for dipping. 


Monday, February 18, 2013

3 Ingredient Cookies

3 Ingredient Cookies from Skinnytaste.com





A healthy cookie made with just three ingredients! Mashed ripe bananas, oatmeal and walnuts. OMG, these really ARE healthy!


Cookie's for breakfast, cookies for lunch, cookies, cookies coooookies.

I'm really so excited about these cookies, can't you tell? Thank you, thank you to the person who emailed me this recipe. It was actually a recipe for a two ingredient cookie, but walnuts and bananas really do it for me, think banana bread.. in a cookie.



The cookies are best right out of the oven, they are chewy and soft – just how I like my cookies.

I'm anxiously awaiting my next batch of bananas to get super ripe so I can make them again. This time, I'm going to add almonds and see how they turn out. Next time, maybe raisins? chocolate chips? Cinnamon, pumpkin spice, vanilla... can't wait!

Egg free, dairy free, gluten free (use gf oats), vegetarian, vegan, kid friendly... what else can I say??



Be sure your bananas are super ripe. I've only tested them with quick oats, so I'm not sure how they work with rolled oats. My gut tells me stick with the quick oats.

If you're on Weight Watchers; each cookie is 1 points plus. Quick breakfast to go; 5 cookies and a piece of fruit = 5 point plus! Leave the nuts out, they are still 1 point each. Replace the nuts with mini chocolate chips... still 1 point. Make these today!



Healthy Cookies
Skinnytaste.com
Servings: 8 • Size: 2 cookies • Old Points: 2 pts • Points+: 2 pt
Calories: 93 • Fat: 3.5 g • Carb: 15 g • Fiber: 2 g • Protein: 2 g • Sugar: 4.5 g
Sodium: 0.4 mg

Ingredients:


  • 2 medium ripe bananas, mashed
  • 1 cup of uncooked quick oats*
  • 1/4 cup crushed walnuts

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.  Spray a non-stick cookie sheet with cooking spray or use a Silpat.




Combine the mashed bananas and oats in a bowl. Fold in the walnuts and place a tablespoon of each on the cookie sheet.



Bake 15 minutes. Makes 16 cookies.

Black Bean Mushroom Chili

A great recipe from Clean Living Recipes



Slow-Cooker Black Bean-Mushroom Chili
10 cups

1 pound dried black beans, (2 1/2 cups), rinsed
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup mustard seeds
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons cumin seeds, or ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon cardamom seeds, or ground cardamom
2 medium onions, coarsely chopped
1 pound mushrooms, sliced
8 ounces tomatillos, husked, rinsed and coarsely chopped
1/4 cup water
5 1/2 cups mushroom broth, or vegetable broth
1 6-ounce can tomato paste
1-2 tablespoons minced canned chipotle peppers or fresh
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 limes, cut into wedges

Soak beans overnight in 2 quarts water. (Alternatively, place beans and 2 quarts water in a large pot. Bring to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand for 1 hour.) Drain the beans, discarding soaking liquid.
Combine oil, mustard seeds, chili powder, cumin and cardamom in a 5- to 6-quart Dutch oven. Place over high heat and stir until the spices sizzle, about 30 seconds. Add onions, mushrooms, tomatillos and water. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are juicy, 5 to 7 minutes. Uncover and stir often until the juices evaporate and the vegetables are lightly browned, 10 to 15 minutes. Add broth, tomato paste and chipotles; mix well.
Place the beans in a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. Pour the hot vegetable mixture over the beans. Turn heat to high. Put the lid on and cook until the beans are creamy, 5 to 8 hours.
Garnish each serving with a sprinkling of cilantro. Serve with lime wedges. Stovetop Variation: Total: 4 1/2 hours In Step 2, increase broth to 81/2 cups. Omit Step 3. Add the beans to the Dutch oven; cover and simmer the chili gently over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the beans are creamy to bite, about 3 hours.