Spiced Carrot Muffins

I made these muffins with some leftover carrot puree I had and everyone in my family loved them!  They thought they were pumpkin muffins because of the color and the spice, and you can also add shredded carrots as well if you don't have pureed.  A great way to sneak in some vegetables!

Ingredients:
1 3/4 - cups all purpose flour
1/2- cup sugar
1/2 - cup brown sugar
2 - teaspoons baking powder
3/4 - teaspoon baking soda
1/2 - teaspoon salt
2 - teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
3/4 - cup plain or greek yogurt
4 - tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/2 - teaspoon vanilla extract
1 - large egg
1/4 - cup milk
2 - cups peeled, shredded carrots or
3/4 - cup pureed carrots
1/2 - cup raisins, optional

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375. Line 12 cups of a standard muffin tin with paper liners; set aside. If not using muffin liners spray each muffin tin with baking spray.

In a large bowl, stir together flour, sugars, pumpkin-pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

In a separate bowl, whisk together yogurt, milk, butter, egg and vanilla. If using pureed carrots add the pureed carrots to the wet ingredients.

If using shredded carrots fold into the batter last. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add yogurt mixture. Stir until just combined. Fold in shredded carrots and raisins if using.

Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups and bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown or when a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

If you want to use less sugar in this muffin recipe you can decrease the sugar amounts to 1/4 cup each.

Cook's Note: You can also use half whole wheat and half all purpose flour.

Personalized Peanut Butter Pancakes

This is a great recipe for kids, this would be really cute to do for their birthday or if they're having another important event to "cheer them on" or just to make them feel special.

2 cups original Bisquick
1 3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
2 eggs

Stir Bisquick, milk, peanut butter, and eggs until blended.  Pour about 1/2 cup batter into plastic squeeze bottle with narrow opening.  Squeeze batter from bottle onto hot griddle to form a letter.  (Make letters backward so they will appear "right" when pancakes are served.)  When bottom side of letter is brown, pour 1/4 cup batter in circular motion over letter to form pancake.  Cook until edges are dry.  Turn, cook until golden brown.  Serve with peanut butter maple syrup if desired.

Peanut Butter Maple Syrup:
1 cup maple syrup
3 Tbsp. creamy peanut butter
Heat ingredients to boiling over medium heat, stirring frequently.  Boil and stir 3 minutes.

Gingerbread Pancakes

For my spring cleaning I am getting rid of some cookbooks, one of them being "Betty Crocker's Bisquick Cookbook" which I've only maybe used like 3 times.  But before I do, I am going to copy a few recipes.

2 1/2 cups original Bisquick
3/4 cup apple butter
1 cup milk
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
2 eggs

Heat griddle or skillet; grease if necessary.  Stir all ingredients until blended.  Pour batter by a little less than 1/4 cupfuls onto hot griddle.  Cook until edges are dry.  Makes 6 servings.  1 serving of 3 pancakes=350 calories, 14g fat

Pumpkin Pancakes

This recipe is thanks to Martha Stewart.

1 1/4 cup flour
2 Tbsp. sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. each of cinnamon, ginger, and salt
pinch cloves
1 cup milk
6 Tbsp. pumpkin puree
2 Tbsp. melted butter
1 egg
Sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder and spices. In a seperate bowl, mix the milk, pumpkin, butter and egg. Fold together and cook on a greased griddle over medium-to-medium-high heat. Use about 1/4 cup batter for each pancake.

Banana Chocolate Chip Bread

• This recipe is from Nie Nie.  I make it all the time.
• 
  
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, at room temperature, plus more for pan
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup mashed very ripe bananas
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup chocolate chips (if desired)

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees;. Butter a 9-by-5-by-3-inch loaf pan; set aside. In an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, and beat to incorporate.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to the butter mixture, and mix until just combined. Add bananas, sour cream, and vanilla; mix to combine. Stir in chocolate chips and pour into prepared pan.
3. Bake until a cake tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, about 1 hour 10 minutes. Let rest in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack to cool.

Carrot Cake Pancakes

Does anyone post on this blog anymore but me? Does anyone even READ this blog anymore?

Anyway, tonight I had the inspiration to make these. Breakfast for dinner is the best! And they were very yummy and I thought I would share. P.S. I actually got this recipe off the Tasty Kitchen blog. If you haven't seen it, check it out!

1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. each of ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and ground ginger
1/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup buttermilk
1 Tbsp. canola oil
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 whole eggs
1-2 cups shredded carrot
1/4-1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Combine dry ingredients, down to the spices. Then add in the brown sugar, buttermilk, oil, vanilla, and eggs. Fold in the carrot and walnuts. Cook on a greased griddle.

*I didn't add as much carrot as the original recipe called for, and I added the walnuts. I served mine with maple syrup and whipped cream but some cream cheese frosting would've been divine as well! These made about 12 small pancakes when I used my 1/4-cup measuring cup to pour them on the griddle.

Jen's Power Smoothie

My friend Jen introduced me to these smoothies. She calls them green smoothies, but my sister and I have tweaked the recipe a little bit, and our's are more purple (which to me look more appetizing to eat than the green.) These smoothies have so many vitamins and nutrients in them, if you eat one in the morning, your fruits and veggies are taken care of, along with so many other good things like omega-3 and fiber, etc. These measurements are appoximations, so you can play with it to your taste and liking.

1 cup vanilla or plain yogurt
1/2-1 cup orange juice
1-2 ripe bananas
about 1 cup frozen berries (blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, or a combination of all)
1-2 Tbsp. flax seed (whole or ground meal)
huge handful of baby spinach
2-3 large kale leaves, removed from the hard stalk
2-3 large collard greens, removed from the hard stalk
large cup of ice
agave nectar or honey to sweeten

My friend Jen doesn't use yogurt or orange juice, but I feel like it just makes it taste better. Plus the yogurt and o.j. adds protein and vitamin C. I also add a few more berries than she does, and agave nectar because if it doesn't look or taste good, my kids won't drink it! She also adds a scoop of protein powder, and you can do this if you want, but I found it makes it taste grittier or chalkier and it brings out the taste of the greens, which you're trying to mask.

The key is to blend this really really really well so the greens are blended and hidden. Also, another key is the bananas because it makes it smooth and sweet. But you can play with this recipe to your liking, I have a ton of friends who eat this smoothie now and it seems like we all have our own version. But it is really tasty and so good for you, and makes me feel like I'm giving my kids some great nutrition!

Vegan Blueberry Pancakes

Sorry it's been FOREVER since I've posted on here! Since I last posted (as my sister mentioned below) my husband and I have eliminated nearly all meat (except for occasional fish) from our diets. It's been awesome! I don't even miss it! You can read why here if you'd like. Anyway enough about me, who knew there were so many delicious vegetarian and vegan recipes? When I didn't know much about it, I thought "What do vegetarians/vegans eat? Zucchini all day? Yuck! No thanks!" Now that I have been enlightened, these foods are so delicious I don't miss eating meat at all. Find out more at www.goveg.com.  Because eating less meat is: better for the enviornment, better for your health, kinder to animals, and cheaper on your grocery bill!

This is a Vegan Recipe: (if you don't want to go vegan, you can use normal cheese, eggs, milk etc. and these will turn out fine)

Blueberry Pancakes
These fluffy pancakes are packed full of delicious blueberries, and are the perfect start to your day.
2 cups white flour, preferably unbleached
3 Tbsp. sugar, preferably Sucanat
3 Tbsp. baking powder, preferably aluminum-free
1 tsp. sea salt
2 cups vanilla soy milk
3 Tbsp. canola or safflower oil
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 cup fresh blueberries
• Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl and sift together. Add the soy milk and oil and mix until the batter is smooth. 
• Ladle the batter onto a hot pancake griddle. Add frozen blueberries. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side.
• Serve with fresh blueberries.

easy easy cobbler for 1, 2...

1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup quick oats
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup walnuts (optional)

[mix all together (at this point i put in a Ziploc and put what i don't use in the fridge then when i want some cobbler i just take out what i need) take out 1/2 cup of mixture and put in microwave safe bowl cook for 1 minute (bubbly) stir. then get out some fresh or canned peaches (or any fruit you like) and put in bowl microwave for 30 seconds then add topping and micro for 30 more...
voila! yum yum!

Morning Glory Muffins

This recipe I got from my friend Lauren. They are very good and very healthy, and a great way to sneak in veggies and fruit to your kids. This recipe makes a lot, but if you half it, it makes about 20 muffins.

4 C. Flour (2 C. white, 2 C. Wheat)
2 C. Sugar
4 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
4 tsp. cinnamon
1 C. raisins (or Craisins)
1 C. pecans (I like walnuts)
4 C. grated carrots (or use some zucchini)
2 apples shredded (Granny smith's are good)
2 C. oil (I use applesauce)
1 C. coconut
6 lg. eggs
2 Tbsp. vanilla

Mix dry ingredients. Stir in everything but liquid. Mix everything just to combine. Bake 20-25 min @ 350. Cool in tin for 5 min. Enjoy!

Dinah's Healthy Oatmeal

This recipe is from my friend Dinah.  We knew her and her family when they were in Baltimore for med school at Johns Hopkins the same time we were in law school.  Thanks Dinah for the recipe!

(Dinah's words):  "We love this oatmeal recipe. It has been a staple in our house since 2005. We eat it at least two times a week year round, but it's especially cozy on a cold morning. I love that it includes flaxseed which gives it a more nutty flavor not to mention the health benefits.
2 cups water
1 cup milk
1 1/2 oatmeal
1/3 cup flaxseed meal
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla
Combine all ingredients in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook until thickened and oatmeal is cooked, about 5 minutes.
Serve with milk. Add nuts, raisins, craisins, chopped dates, mini chocolate chips, or brown sugar. My favorite combo is nuts, raisins and a few mini chocolate chips. Another variation is to add 1 1/2 cups finely chopped apples to the saucepan with the other ingredients and follow the same directions.
FYI: The original recipe calls for 3 cups of milk and no water, but we were going through too much milk for our budget, so we water it down and I can't tell the difference. Also, its better to use regular oats, but we use quick oats because that's all we can buy in bulk at Sam's Club. If you are using quick oats be careful not to over cook it or else the oatmeal will get pasty. For our family I have to double the recipe, but my girls eat a ton of it.
So good and so good for you!"


P.S. I think it's really good if you add a splash of milk to it at the end, or better yet, half-n-half or heavy cream. Yummy!

yummy bread pudding

via picky palate While on our cruise I had the best bread pudding ever... this is the first that has even come close!! instead of chocolate chips use white chocolate... PURE HEAVEN!!!

1 lb loaf Cinnamon Swirl Bread, cut into 1 inch cubes

½ Cup semi sweet chocolate chips(I use white chocolate)

1 1/3 Cups 1% low fat milk

3 large eggs

½ Cup sugar

2 Tablespoons packed brown sugar

Pinch of salt

½ Cup powdered sugar

2 ½ Tablespoons 1% low fat milk

1 Tablespoon pure maple syrup

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Place bread cubes and chocolate chips into a large mixing bowl.

In a medium bowl whisk the milk, eggs, sugar, brown sugar and salt.

Pour over bread cubes. Stir to combine.

2. Spray a 12 cup muffin tin with cooking spray and spoon bread pudding mixture evenly into muffin tins. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from center of pudding. Remove and let cool for 10 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack.

3. In a medium bowl whisk together powdered sugar, milk and syrup until well combined. Drizzle over bread pudding and serve warm. Enjoy!

Homemade pancakes

I'm sure you all know how to make these! But just in case you don't, here's the recipe.  I craved pancakes every day when I was pregnant.

2 eggs well beaten

1/2 cup milk

2 tbs oil

3/4 cup flour

2tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp sugar

mix wet ingredients in a bowl, mix dry ingredients in another bowl, combine and make on a hot skillet.  YUM pancakes!

Whole Wheat Brown Sugar Muffins

I LOVE this recipe. It's one of favorite things to make for breakfast, it's always a big hit with my family, friends, and young women.

Cream together-
1 stick of butter
1 Cup of brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla

In a separate bowl combine and mix well,
2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder

Alternately add flour mixture and 1 cup of milk to creamed mixture. Mix well.
Pour into greased muffin tins and sprinkle brown sugar on top. Bake on 375 for 10-13 minutes

delicious homemade pancakes...

Ingredients
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup quick-cooking oatmeal
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup milk
1 egg
1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional)

Directions
Spray a skillet with nonstick spray and place on the stove over medium heat. Set a plate in the oven set to warm.

Combine
the dry ingredients, then slowly add the wet ingredients. Stir the
batter just enough to mix everything well -- don't mix it too much.

Easy Cinnamon Roll Muffins

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/3 cup sugar

1/4 tsp salt

4 tsp active dry or rapid rise yeast

2/3 cup warm milk (100-110F; low fat is fine)

3 tbsp vegetable oil

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 large egg

Filling/Topping
2 tbsp butter, room temperature

2/3 cup brown sugar

3/4 tsp ground cinnamon

pinch ground cardamom

Icing

1 cup powdered sugar

1-2 tbsp milk or cream

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar and salt. Dissolve the yeast in a measuring cup filled with the warmed milk, then stir milk mixture, vegetable oil, vanilla extract and egg into the flour mixture. Mix well, until very smooth. Pour into prepared pan and let rest for 15 minutes.

While the dough rests, mix together butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and cardamom in a small bowl using a fork until all the butter has been incorporated into the sugar and mixture is crumbly.

Divide the batter between 12 greased muffin cups. Sprinkle evenly on top of rested dough and press the mixture down into the dough with your fingertips (or swirl in with a spatula.)

Place pan into a cold oven, then set the oven temperature to 350F.

Bake for about 20 minutes, until bread is lightly browned at the edges and the center of the bread springs back when lightly pressed.

Some of the sugar mixture on top may still be bubbling.Cool for at least 30 minutes before whisking the powdered sugar and milk together to form an icing and drizzling it onto the bread.Serve warm.

Leftovers can be reheated in the microwave.

I love cinnamon rolls I just hate all the time it takes to make em! this speeds up the process and they taste SOO good!

yummy berry smoothie

I've been making the best little smoothies lately... and I just cant get enough of them...

Here's what I do...

1 cup berries (blue and rasp)
1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
1/4 cup milk
1 TBS agave nectar (or honey.)

mix this up and you have a great snack... I ate it 3 times yesterday... I say its better than me eating a candy bar...

My Favorite Syrup for Waffles

1 c. Sugar
1 Stick butter
1/2 c. Buttermilk
1 teas. Karo syrup
1/2 teas. baking soda

bring to a boil stirring constantly. then let it simmer for 5 minuteson low, keep stirring, remove from heat and add 1 teas vanilla. It is so good, you don't even need any butter (Cuz there's like a butt load in there already!) It is so good with your favorite waffle recipe, I love to top my waffles off with some bananas or raspberries and then drizzle this on the whole thing, sooo tasty!

Chocolate Oatmeal Chocolatechip muffin

1/2 c. quick cooking oats
2/3 c. boiling water
1 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. melted butter or marg
1 egg, lightly beaten
2/3 c + 2Tbsp all purpose flour
1 Tbsp. cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 pkg chocolate chips semi or milk ( I like to use half of each)

In large bowl, pour boiling water over oats. Let stand for 10 minutes. Stir in brown sugar and butter, mix in egg. In a seperate bowl sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Add flour mixture to batter, mix well. Stir in vanilla and half of the chocolate chips. Grease and flour a cupcake tin, I like the large ones the best. Sprinkle the tops with the remaining chocolate chips. bake at 350 for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes our clean. I like to wrap some in saran wrap and freeze them for later. Great for a grab and go breakfast!

Favorite Crepes

1 cup flour
1 cup milk
1/2 cup warm water
4 eggs
1/4 c butter melted
dash salt
3 TBS sugar

Blend


*I use this recipe for both sweet crepes and for dinner.
*I make sandwiches, burritos, any and everything I can think of... But I love crepes.