Month: October 2021

Olive Oil and Maple Syrup Nut Granola Bars

Olive Oil and Maple Syrup Nut Granola Bars

This week I decided to try baked granola bars.  These granola bars are filled with whole nuts and held together with an olive oil, maple syrup, peanut butter mixture.  You can substitute any nuts you prefer and add chocolate chips or dried fruit. Recipe adapted 

Southwestern Sweet Potato Tofu Scramble

Southwestern Sweet Potato Tofu Scramble

I had never thought of scrambling tofu, but I definitely will scramble tofu again in the future.  This tasted great in a bowl and would also make a filling breakfast burrito. Ingredients: 1 14 ounce block extra firm tofu 1 sweet potato peeled and cut 

Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes with Pumpkin Pudding Frosting

Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes with Pumpkin Pudding Frosting

What’s better than pumpkin pie in a cupcake under a spoonful of pumpkin pudding?

Ingredients:

Cupcakes-

1 15 ounce can pumpkin puree

¾ cup fat free evaporated milk

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

¼ teaspoon baking powder

¼ teaspoon baking soda

¾ cup all purpose flour

Frosting-

1 3.4 ounce pumpkin pudding mix

1 ½ cups milk

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line muffin tins with liners.
  2. Add pumpkin puree, eggs, milk, and vanilla extract to stand mixer.  Mix on medium for 30 seconds to combine.
  3. Whisk flour, sugar, pumpkin spice, baking soda, and baking powder in a medium bowl.  Gradually fold in the flour mixture. Use a spatula to scrape the edges of the bowl.
  4. Use a medium cookie scooper to fill the muffin tins about 1/3.  I filled 16 muffin tins.
  5. Bake 20-25 minutes until cupcakes are set.
  6. Let cool on a wire rack then transfer to the refrigerator.
  7. Once cupcakes are cooled whisk pudding mixture and milk in a medium bowl.  Once the pudding has set add a spoonful or two to each cupcake.
  8. Store cupcakes in the refrigerator.
  9. Enjoy! Feel free to top with sprinkles, candy corn, etc…
Steak and Scrambled Eggs Tacos

Steak and Scrambled Eggs Tacos

I make tacos all the time, but I had never thought of making tacos with scrambled eggs and steak.  These are a tasty dinner and would definitely make a filling breakfast. Ingredients: 2 New York strip steaks 1 teaspoon steak seasoning 1 tablespoon espresso balsamic 

Cheesesteak Wrap

Cheesesteak Wrap

I made cheesesteak empanadas for my family with half of the steak and other ingredients in this recipe.  I was craving a cheesesteak, but I didn’t want all of the carbs from the puff pastry.  My dinner was just as delicious, but much lighter in 

Cheesesteak Empanada

Cheesesteak Empanada

My family loves steak what’s better than cheese and puff pastry. The recipe I adapted said to use sirloin steak.  I didn’t realize the steak I thawed from my freezer was actually filet mignon until I was ready to marinate it.  However, my family didn’t complain.

Ingredients:

8 ounces sirloin steak (or 3 filet mignon small filets)

1 tablespoon espresso balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

2 teaspoons steak seasoning divided

½ sweet onion

1 bell pepper diced

4-6 slices provolone cheese

Egg whites from 1-2 eggs

2 sheets frozen puff pastry thawed

Optional: Fresh Queso or Cheese Whiz for dipping

Directions:

  1. Place steak in a covered container or zip-lock bag.  Add olive oil, vinegar, and steak seasoning.  Marinate for 4 hours or more in the refrigerator. 
  2. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
  3. Preheat a grill to high heat.
  4. Spray the grill with nonstick spray.
  5. Grill the steak for 3-4 minutes per side.  Allow steak to rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing.
  6. Meanwhile, spray a nonstick pan with olive oil spray.  Spread out the onion, peppers, and garlic. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon steak seasoning.  Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes stirring often.
  7. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  8. Lightly flour a surface. Spread out one sheet of puff pastry.  Roll out to get a little more surface area.  Use a pizza cutter to cut the pastry into 2-3 long strips.
  9. Lightly paint the dough with an egg whitewash.
  10. Spoon steak, peppers, and onions in the center of each strip.  Top with a slice of provolone cheese.
  11. Fold the puff pastry over and seal the edges.
  12. Paint the crust with the egg wash. 
  13. Transfer each cheesesteak gently to the prepared baking sheet.
  14. Repeat with the second puff pastry.
  15. Bake for 15 minutes until puff pastry is puffed and golden brown.
  16. Optional serve with fresh queso or cheese whiz sauce.
Grilled Shrimp with Romesco Sauce

Grilled Shrimp with Romesco Sauce

Grilled shrimp are a popular food in my house.  For this dish I marinated the shrimp, grilled them, and topped them with a homemade Romesco sauce.  I served broiled asparagus as the side for this meal. Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: Romesco Sauce- 2 

Sunflower Butter and Chocolate Balls

Sunflower Butter and Chocolate Balls

One of my sons is allergic to peanut butter and made the comment that he had never tasted my favorite combination of peanut butter and chocolate, so I decided to make him some “peanut butter” balls with his sunflower butter.  You can use peanut butter 

Sweet Potato Muffins with Pecan Crumble

Sweet Potato Muffins with Pecan Crumble

These muffins remind me of sweet potato casserole and sweet potato pie, but they sneak in a little protein and don’t have the fat and sugar.

Recipe adapted from Food Network


Ingredients:

Muffins-

1 sweet potato roasted and mashed

½ cup whole wheat flour

½ cup almond flour

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

1 large egg

¼ cup truvia or ½ cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground ginger

½  teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon cloves

Zest from 1 orange

¼ cup orange juice

1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping-

½ cup pecans

½ cup old fashioned oats

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Pierce a sweet potato all over with a fork.  Roast for 45-60 minutes until potato is soft.  Let cool then peel and mash.  You can also microwave the potato for 5-8 minutes rotating halfway through.
  2. Spray muffin tins with nonstick baking spray.
  3. Add sweet potato, egg, orange zest and juice, and vanilla extract to a stand mixer.  Mix on medium for 1 minute to combine.
  4. Add flours, baking soda, protein powder, salt, sugar, ginger, cloves, and cinnamon in a medium bowl and whisk to mix. 
  5. Gradually fold in the dry ingredients and mix on low to combine.
  6. Use a large cookie scooper to fill muffin tins.
  7. Add pecans, brown sugar, oats, and maple syrup to a food processor.  Pulse to mix.
  8. Add a tablespoon or so of topping to each muffin.
  9. Bake 20-25 minutes until muffins are firm in the center.
  10. Let cool for ten minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
  11. Store in an air-tight container and refrigerate after 24 hours.
Chai Muffins with Chai Crumble Topping

Chai Muffins with Chai Crumble Topping

Crisp fall mornings have reawakened my cravings for chai tea, so I decided to start my mornings off with chai muffins this week.  Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: Topping- ½ cups all purpose flour ½ cup oats ¼ cup light brown sugar 2 teaspoons