Pumpkin Bran Cake

Image source: Wikipedia

I've had this recipe in my collection for quite some time...when the leaves start to change color, I am reminded of its deliciousness.  Maybe it's time for you to try it, too!

Banana Boats

This is a great...and probably pretty common treat at the campfire. But did you know that you can create the same gooey goodness in the microwave?  Try it, you're in for a real treat.  This one is not particularly waistline friendly, so try not to get hooked on them.

Image source: People.com

Banana Boats

1 banana per serving

1 banana

1/4 c mini chocolate chips

1/4 c mini marshmallows

 Optional: chopped nuts, for garnish

Leave the skin on the banana.  Peel back a section of skin and cut into the banana on the inside curve, leaving about an inch on top and bottom intact.  

Stuff the mini chocolate chips and min marshmallows into the cut.  Place on a microwave safe plate, cut side up, for 30 to 60 seconds.  You know it's done when the chocolate chips and marshmallows are melting.  Garnish with nuts if you like.  Probably the easiest way to enjoy is with a spoon.

Alternately you can wrap the banana in foil and bake at 350 ℉ until chocolate and marshmallow is melted..about 5 minutes.  You can also cook foil wrapped banana over a campfire or on a grill.

You can also experiment with other fillings...caramel, M & M's, or white chocolate chips for example. Use your imagination...many combinations are possible!

Splurge! Espresso Brownies

This is another Giada De Laurentiis recipe;  I first tried it after I watched her make them on her show, Everyday Italian...some years ago.  Since that time we don't eat that many sweets around here, but these are a great desert to make when you are having company or taking to a pot luck.  You'll be the star of the show!

Image source: Wikipedia Commons

Espresso Brownies

yield: 36 bite sized brownies

Nonstick vegetable oil cooking spray

1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons water

1/3 cup vegetable oil

2 large eggs

2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons espresso powder

1 (19.8-ounce) box brownie mix (recommended: Duncan Hines)

3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1 tablespoon unsalted butter, room temperature

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Spray a 9 by 13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray. Whisk 1/3 cup of water, oil, eggs, and 2 tablespoons espresso powder in a large bowl to blend. Add the brownie mix. Stir until well blended. Stir in the chocolate chips. Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the brownies comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, about 35 minutes. Cool completely.

Meanwhile, dissolve the remaining 2 teaspoons of espresso powder in the remaining 2 tablespoons of water in a medium bowl. Whisk in the vanilla. Add the powdered sugar and butter and whisk until smooth. Pour the glaze over the brownies. Refrigerate until the glaze is set. Cut into bite-size pieces. Arrange the brownies on a platter and serve.

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/espresso-brownies-recipe.html?oc=linkback

Skinny Shake

This beverage is a great substitute for a real milkshake when you are watching your waistline.  It's thick,creamy, and very satisfying!

Image source: Wikipedia

Skinny Shake

2 servings

3/4 cup vanilla almond milk, unsweetened

1/3 peeled ripe banana

15 ice cubes

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1/2 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder

Combine all ingredients in a blender; process until smooth. Pour into a glass, add a straw, and enjoy!

WW points/serving: 2

Watermelon Cake

I wanted to post the written recipe for this cake...usually I try these recipes before I post them so that I can tell you my version of a recipe.  Well, I haven't gotten around to making this one yet, and summer is half over. So here is a YouTube video that will help you create this "cake" for your next picnic!

Source:YouTube

Creamy Coconut Pineapple Popsicles

Perfect for those who follow Weight Watchers and/or a vegan diet, these popsicles are the perfect treat on a hot summer day!

Creamy Coconut Pineapple Popsicles

yield: (12) 3 ounce popsicles

13.5 ounce can coconut milk (use lite coconut milk for Weight Watcher version)

20 ounce can chunk pineapple, packed in pineapple juice

1 large ripe banana

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Place all ingredients into a blender; blend until everything is mixed well.  Pour mixture into popsicle molds and place into freezer for at least 8 hours or until frozen solid.

WW points: 1 point if using lite coconut milk, otherwise 2 points per popsicle

Recipe source: Laloosh.com

Image source: pixabay

Chunky Microwave Applesauce

This recipe is from "The Silver Palate Cookbook." I have always liked this recipe; I have made it several times--it always comes out tasting great!

Chunky Microwave Applesauce

4 servings

2 McIntosh apples (halved and cored; you can peel them if you desire)

2 Granny Smith apples (halved and cored; you can peel them if you desire)

Juice of 1/2 lemon

1 cup water

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Cut each half apple into 6 wedges.

Combine the apple wedges, water and lemon juice in a deep 1 1/2 quart microwavable dish. 

(I prefer a glass or ceramic dish for this.)

Toss the sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl, then stir into apple mixture.

Cook apple mixture uncovered at 100% power for 5 minutes. Stir, pressing the apple into the liquid.

Return apples to microwave and cook at 100% for 5 additional minutes.

Use a potato masher to mash the hot apple mixture until the mixture is coarsely mashed. Allow to cool

to room temperature, then place into the refrigerator until chilled.

Source: Silver Palate Cookbook

Amazing Banana Bread!

The beauty of this recipe is that it contains no added sugar and no grains...it is gluten free!  My husband follows the Paleo/Primal diet. He found this recipe on one of the sites he looks at regularly, and asked me to make if for him.  I think it's a keeper because it's good for dieters, diabetics, and those with gluten intolerance--and for me, too!

No Added Sugar, No Grain Easy Amazing Banana Bread

12  gluten free servings

 4  medium banana(s), very ripe, mashed   

1/3 cup(s) regular butter, melted   

  4  egg(s), organic, free range   

 1 tsp vanilla extract   

1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon   

 1 tsp baking soda, heaping tsp   

1/4 tsp table salt   

1/4 cup(s) chopped pecans, optional ingredient   

 8 tbsp (1/2 cup) Bobs Red Mill Organic Flour, Coconut, High Fiber... DO NOT SUBSTITUTE another ingredient

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Throw everything together in a medium bowl and mix until combined. Pour into a lightly greased (use butter) bread pan and bake for about 45 min. Bananas should be extremely brown almost to the point where you would throw them away or freeze them. If they are NOT overly ripe, your bread will not be as sweet so you can add about 1/2 c maple syrup to the batter. optional add ins: dark chocolate chips, walnuts, pecans,slivered almonds, raisins, etc.

Note: Sometimes when I have very ripe bananas around, I peel and mash them up, then put them in a plastic bag in the freezer.  Then when I want some banana bread, I am ready to go!

 4 WW points per serving

Source:Primally Inspired

Cranberry Hootycreeks

It's time to post another "splurge" recipe...and these cookies are just soooo good!
They are really a variation of oatmeal raisin cookies..so I guess you you want to eat more oats this is one way of doing it!

Craisins
Image source: Mt. Craisin

Cranberry Hootycreeks

yield: 18-24 cookies

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1⁄8 cup sifted flour, all-purpose flour
1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1⁄2 cup rolled oats, uncooked
1⁄3 cup granulated sugar
1⁄3 cup brown sugar, packed
1 cup dried cranberries
1⁄2 cup white chocolate baking chips
1⁄2 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped



Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease cookie sheet or line with parchment paper.
Sift flour before measuring. In a small bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.


In a medium bowl, beat together 1/2 cup softened butter, 1 egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla 
until fluffy. Mix with brown sugar. Add dry ingredients and mix until well blended. Add oats. Fold in cranberries, white chocolate chips, and nuts.


Drop rounded tablespoons onto the prepared cookie sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until 
edges start to brown.

Cool on wire rack. 


Option:  These cookies can make a great gift in a jar...for details, click the photo caption above.

Almond Rice Pudding

This recipe is a recent discovery; I had some almond milk in my fridge that I didn't want to waste, and some rice as well.  I went on a web search and came up with a recipe that I used as a "template" for my version.  Almond milk is gluten free and is also suitable for vegan diets. It has a low glycemic index as well. 

Almond Rice Pudding

Serves 6

3 c. Almond Breeze unsweetened vanilla almond milk

1 c. uncooked white rice

2 T. honey

1 t. almond extract

ground cinnamon, to taste.

optional: toasted sliced almonds, for garnish

Combine almond milk and rice in a medium saucepan; bring to boil.  Reduce to very low heat; cover and simmer about 30 minutes, or until rice is softened.

Remove from heat; stir honey, almond extract, and cinnamon.

Can be served warm or cold; sprinkle with sliced almonds and cinnamon (if desired) prior to serving.

Some extra ideas:

• Use 1/4 c sugar in place of the honey
• Replace almond extract with vanilla extract
• Top with fresh berries
• Substitute arborio (short grain) or brown rice for the white rice
• Use up to 4 cups of almond milk for creamier texture
• Non-fat or low fat milk can be used in place of almond milk

4 WW points per 1/2 cup serving