great websites

Well, i haven't posted anything in a few months b/c i've been so nauseous that I haven't really cooked and most of the time I don't want to eat anything at dinner time (except refried beans & cheese, fried rice, or cereal). So i have only made a few new things (recipes to come).

HOWEVER, i have been surfing around and found two cute recipe sites. Food Gawker & No Special Effects. Enjoy.

I cannot wait to make THESE!

egg muffins & quinoa

So i started working through my new cookbook and have 2 ideas to share!

Egg Muffins- never thought to bake eggs in a muffin pan before! Just mix egg whites & eggs with a little milk, pour into muffin cups and bake for 12-15 min at 400 degrees! Sprinkle with bacon- yum! Jessica Seinfield suggests adding chickpeas for added protein without the fat, but we didn't really like the taste. I would add more cheese to bake into the egg!

Quinoa- my new favorite super food- a protein rich seed that's gluten free! It's a little pricey so I am keeping my eyes open for sales. I cook mine for dinner with chicken broth to give it a great taste instead of cooking with water. Jessica has a recipe for breakfast made of cooked quinoa, sweet potato puree, little maple syrup, milk, cinnamon and pinch of salt! So yummy, i loved it!

microwave cake- i know, weirdest post i'll ever make

I am a little embarrassed to even be putting this up, but i'm making it right now for the second time and there's a chance I might make it again and I don't want to lose the recipe. Especially since I googled my way around and found it on www.elder-one-stop.com= Your one-stop Resource for elderly issues & Seniors. hahah- i was afraid i would forget the website name.

I made it one night for alex when he really wanted a dessert and we had next to nothing but whole wheat pastry flour, butterscotch chips & carob powder. I'm sure i could have found a recipe a little healthier, but this is what i tried and alex liked it!

Microwave Cake

by Marta

This extra rich, natural microwave cake is an easy 5 minute cake-for-one recipe, made in a mug...with options.

This is perfect for both elderly and kids to make, it's so easy. Great when you're in a hurry or just want a quick but home-made tasting treat. Make sure you use a microwavable mug!

Ingredients
4 Tablespoons of flour (healthy option: whole wheat pastry flour- i used this)
4 Tablespoons sugar (or splenda they said)
2 Tablespoons coco (or try carob powder- i used this)
Pinch of salt (optional)
1 egg
3 Tablespoons of oil
2 Tablespoons of milk
About 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 Tablespoons chocolate chips (healthy option: carob chips)- i used butterscotch
1 Tablespoon dried fruit (optional)- didn't do this

Put the dry ingredients into a microwavable mug. Mix well.
Next, add in the egg and mix together thoroughly.
Then add in the milk, oil and vanilla, mixing well.
Add in the chocolate chips and dried fruit, if using.
Give it one final mix.

To bake your microwave cake, just put your mug into the microwave.
Cook for about 3 minutes at 1000 watts.
NOTE: The cake will rise over the top! This is normal.
Let it cool before eating. You can dump the mug upside down and put the cake on a plate or in a bowl. This may also be enough for 2 people depending on their appetites, especially if you add ice cream!
FEEL FREE TO ADD ICING TOO!

broccoli salad

This is from Publix Apron's Recipes. A friend made it for a party and i like it! Simple, raw broccoli, yum.

Ingredients
12 oz fresh broccoli florets
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
3 tablespoons cooked bacon pieces
8 oz light Vidalia onion dressing (1 cup) - INSTEAD of this dressing, the lady at publix said they were told to use this Naturally Fresh POPPY SEED dressing. that is what I used. try each if you want!


Steps

1. Cut broccoli into bite-size pieces, if desired; place in medium bowl.
2. Add remaining ingredients; toss to coat. Chill until ready to serve.

CALORIES (per 1/4 recipe) 270kcal; FAT 16g; CHOL 20mg; SODIUM 430mg; CARB 27g; FIBER 3g; PROTEIN 8g; VIT A 50%; VIT C 130%; CALC 20%; IRON 4%

New fav smoothie

So my new fav smoothie is:

1 cup kale
1 orange peeled
1 cup another fruit
1 cup apple juice
1 cup ice

blend...
yummy

Greek Chicken & Orzo

A group of friends & I do this thing called "Meals in Heels". See my friend Danielle's post about it.

One of our favorite meals to make & freeze is Pampered Chef's Power Cooking Recipe for Greek Chicken & Orzo!

What you need:
1 lb. of cooked chicken (cut chicken into cubes and cook over olive oil on med-high heat until no longer pink)
2 medium zucchini, cut into
1/4 in. pieces
1 can (15 oz) garbanzo beans,
drained and rinsed
1 can (14 oz) garlic and onion-
flavored diced tomatoes
3 tbsp Greek Seasoning (found at Publix & Walmart)
2, 14oz cans of chicken broth
1 box (16 oz) Orzo pasta (found at Publix prob walmart too)
Feta Cheese for topping
Kalamata olives for topping if you like

Directions:
• Add tomatoes, garbanzo beans, greek seasoning, two cans (14 oz each)
chicken broth and 1/2 cup water to (12-in.)
Skillet; cover. Bring to a simmer over
medium-high heat.
• Reduce heat to medium; add 1 lb uncooked
orzo. Cover and cook 5 minutes (or halfway
through cooking time according to package
directions), stirring occasionally.
• Add chicken & zucchini. Cover and cook 5-7
minutes or until orzo is tender and zucchini
begins to soften. Remove from heat; top with
2 oz crumbled feta cheese. Sprinkle with
coarsely chopped pitted kalamata
olives, if desired.

yummmmmmmy! We've made it without chicken and it's great. we've made it without chicken or beans and it's STILL great! so for all you veggies out there, this is a good one!

veggie burgers anyone?

Hey again! I tried to take off my comment about not having made them before, and the whole post disappeared! We tried them, but used our own black beans we soaked & cooked- didn't work too well.

Just use canned black beans and canned corn and it should be great!

Thanks Dawn!

Vegetarian Black Bean Burgers

1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained, rinsed and mashed

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

1/3 cup whole kernal corn

1/4 cup think and chunky salsa

1 garlic clove, pressed

2 tablespoons snipped fresh cilantro
1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 cup unseasoned dry bread crumbs

2 egg whites, lightly beaten

1. Mash beans. Finely chop onion. Add onion, corn, salsa, garlic, cilantro, salt and pepper to beans. Mix well. Add bread crumbs and egg whites to bean mixture; mix well. Form bean mixture into four round patties, about 1/2 inch thick.

2. Heat skillet over medium heat until hot. Lightly spray pan with nonstick cooking spray; cook patties 6-8 minutes or until lightly browned.