Fudgy Brownies

These turned out deliciously fudgy and perfect, simply because I followed Molly's directions for a) how long to cook b)the ratio of chocolate + sugar and c) the number of eggs (4).

If you want to do any of the following.... 1) reduce the calories 2) convert her measurements from ounces to cups 3) use cocoa powder rather than fine quality chocolate, use my recipe.

If you want to do them perfectly, use the following recipe  ;)

1 ¼ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
3 tbsp. unsalted butter 
1/2 c. coconut milk
generous pour half and half
6 oz. or about 3/4 c. cocoa powder (
2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs

adapted and largely inspired by the recipe from Orangette


These were soooo delicious! My kids gobbled them right up.

Mama's Spaghetti and Meat Sauce

Here's my recipe for homemade meat sauce. 

Watch for high quality brands when buying meatballs frozen. It is all.about.the.brand. 

Ingredients:

1/2 diced onion

12 oz crushed tomatoes

fresh greek basil, chopped

fresh greek oregano, chopped

fresh rosemary, remove from stems

5-6 italian style meatballs, halved or chopped into pieces (from frozen)

sugar to taste

garlic salt to taste*

to prepare:

brown onions in olive oil

add crushed tomatoes

add 1/4 chopped fresh or dried herbs

simmer on the stove, slowly

add frozen meatballs

simmer until chopped meatballs are heated through

Serve over whole wheat spaghetti noodles.

*crushed fresh garlic is best, add to onion when onion is almost brown and let it cook for just a minute, that's all folks!

Peanut Butter Granola

Ok, so the title is a nod to one of my favorite bloggers (Hi Megan). I just read her amazing book, and I recommend it for sure! Go get yourself a copy right now!

And the granola? It is my recipe. And it's just stinkin' awesome. (Did I mention it's easy and quick?)

2 c. peanut butter

1 c. honey

4 scant cups quick oats (small rolled oats)

quick handful mixed nuts

a few squirts crisco spray all over top

1. Melt peanut butter on high for 20 sec., Add honey and microwave another 10-15 sec.

2. Add quick oats and stir

3. Add nuts and a few more squirts of honey

4. Add a few more squirts of crisco. 

5. Spread on a cookie sheet and press down a bit with a spoon.

5. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 15 min. Turn down to 325 and bake another 15-20 min. or until lightly browned. You might want to stir about half way through to keep from burning!

YUM!

Mocha Frozen Cappuccino & Coco-Banana Smoothie

So, number one, you need to know that I am addicted to caffeine.

Ok. Now, that we've got that out of the way, lets talk about some recipes I wanted to share with you, dear reader.

The first recipe was inspired by a book,* however, I think it turned out original.  Here's why. The first recipe didn't include cocoa powder, so it wasn't really a Mocha drink at all. I also substituted whole milk for skim, and used instant coffee instead of instant espresso powder. This last change was not a fault at all- the final product had the perfect- in my estimation, of course- amount of coffee flavor. I slightly increased the amount of instant coffee, as well.

Most important I think?  This.was.delicious.  That's really the only fault in our Mocha.

Southern Mocha Frozen Cappuccino

1 c. whole c. Mayfield milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tbsp. cocoa powder
1 heaping tbsp. instant coffee
2 tbsp. sugar or agave
1/2 c. ice cubes

Blend in vitamix. Start at 1 and slowly but gradually increase to high. Vitamix recommends blending for 5-10 sec. on high.

After trying a version that my aforementioned friend recommended, I changed the amounts (read: added more agave and cocoa powder than she originally recommended!), and came up with this delicious recipe. Cocoa powder may have a little bit of caffeine, but not more than a chocolate chip cookie, right?!

Coco-Banana Smoothie

4 frozen bananas
3 tbsp. agave
3 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 can coconut milk

Place all of the above ingredients in Vitamix and run Smoothie program until done.

Delicious!

*A photo of the Basil Lemonade that we made, recipe from the Vitamix cookbook. This particular cookbook came with our Vitamix, and it is entitled Savor: Recipes {by Vitamix.}

Saturday Superfood Smoothies

A friend of mine turned me onto the idea of Vitamix.  After a conversation about how great they are, combined with her generous idea of bringing us smoothies at the playground, I was sold. I asked for one for my birthday this year! I was especially sold as I watched my kids drink kale like it was going out of style.

Here is the recipe that sold us (me) on the idea of purchasing a Vitamix!

Triple Berry Smoothie

1 c. almond milk
2 bananas
1 c. frozen mixed berries
2 handfuls kale or spinach
1 tbsp. agave

Put everything in a vitamix on Smoothie program until done. Delicious and the kids gobbled it up!

Strawberry Smoothie

1 c. strawberry greek yogurt

1 banana

1 c. frozen strawberries

1 c. almond milk

Put everything in a vitamix on Smoothie program until done. Molly's favorite! :)

Turkey Sloppy Joe's

Turkey Sloppy Joe's

• 2 Tablespoons Butter
• 2-1/2 pounds Ground Turkey
• 1/2 whole Large Onion, Diced
• 1 whole Large Green Bell Pepper, Diced
• 5 cloves Garlic, Minced
• 1-1/2 cup Ketchup
• 1 cup Water
• 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
• 2 teaspoons Chili Powder (more To Taste)
• 1 teaspoon Dry Mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (more To Taste)
•  Worcestershire Sauce, To Taste
• 1/2 c. Tomato Sauce
•  Salt To Taste
•  Freshly Ground Black Pepper, To Taste
•  Kaiser Rolls
•  Butter

Add butter to a large skillet or dutch oven over medium high heat. Add ground beef and cook until brown. Drain most of the fat and discard.

Add onions, green pepper, and garlic. Cook for a few minutes, or until vegetables begin to get soft.

Add ketchup, brown sugar, chili pepper, dry mustard, and water. Stir to combine and simmer for 15 minutes, adding salt and pepper to taste. Also add tomato paste, Worcestershire, and Tabasco if desired. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Spread rolls with butter and brown on a griddle or skillet. Spoon meat mixture over the rolls,serve with kettle chips.

Adapted from The Pioneer Woman (except she uses beef!)

Teriyaki Salmon and Rice

Teriyaki Salmon

This salmon dish never gets old, and it is my husband's favorite.  A little goes a long way, especially the thicker the salmon.

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 salmon filets

• 
  
• In a small saucepan over medium heat, add soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, garlic powder, honey and 1 cup water; bring to a simmer. Stir in cornstarch mixture until thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 2 minutes; let cool to room temperature. Marinade overnight if desired.  Grill in a hot pan over high heat. Turn after 2-3 minutes. Sear and then cook to desired doneness.

Serve with rice and veggies, we like edamame.