chocolate bowls

This week at the beach Ava and I had the chance to hang out with some pretty awesome ladies who are on staff with Young Life across SC & Charlotte. A few of them were assigned to our meals- all very yummy and I had to share this one:

Dessert!!! Chocolate bowls!
I found a recipe on this website: The Wicked Noodle!

We made icecream sundaes in ours!
Enjoy!

roasted sweet potatoes with honey!

Okay! i'm back! Pregnancy sure does mess with your desire to cook and eat! I'm back to wanting to eat healthy again and have deleted some recipes and will begin adding more soon!

This one comes from the referral of a friend Laurin. It's on the Food Network Site (Tyler Florence) and i'm making it tonight for the third time! So easy, simple and yum.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Honey! (link here)

Ingredients

• 4 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling potatoes after cooked
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Lay the sweet potatoes out in a single layer on a roasting tray. Drizzle the oil, honey, cinnamon, salt and pepper over the potatoes. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes in oven or until tender.

Take sweet potatoes out of the oven and transfer them to a serving platter. Drizzle with more extra-virgin olive oil.

Mexican Corn Dip

Can you tell i love dips?

1 (24oz) can of Whole Kernel Corn, drained
6 cups shredded mexican blend cheese
1 (4oz) can diced green chilies, drained
1 cup Hellmann's mayo (ewwww, but it will be good)
1 cup sour cream
3 green onions, chopped
1 jalapeno chili chopped
1/2 tsp garlic salt

Mix corn, cheese, chilies, mayo, sour cream, onions, jalapeno & salt in bowl. Chill & cover 4-10 hours. Serve cold or spoon into 9x13 dish and bake at 325 for 20-30 min. Serve with chips.

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%