Blueberry Cornbread Muffins April 19, 2013

Blueberry Cornbread Muffins

Blueberry Cornbread Muffins
with a hint of lime

Ingredients

– 1 1/4 cup GF ground cornmeal
– Just under 1/4 cup ground flaxseed
– 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
– 1 1/2 tbsp honey
– Pinch of sea salt
– 1 egg
– 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or chilled coconut milk)
– handful of fresh or frozen (de-thawed) blueberries
– juice squeezed from one fresh lime
-olive or canola oil (just enough to lightly coat baking tray)

Method

1) Preheat oven to 425°F. Combine ingredients in large bowl, mixing well.

2) Lightly coat 8 muffin baking tray spaces with olive or canola oil. You can skip this step if you have a non-stick pan. If you don’t have a muffin baking tray, you can use a regular baking tray and pour the mixture into about 8 muffin foil tins.

3) Bake at 425°F for 15-20 minutes. Mine only took 15 minutes. Enjoy hot and place the rest in a sealed container to store in the fridge. The muffins are great chilled as well. The perfect spread to compliment: earth balance organic coconut spread + fresh lime juice + light shake of salt. Enjoy!

Note: If you are serving these to individuals with gluten allergies, make sure that you purchase ground corn flour that is clearly labeled as gluten-free. While corn is naturally free of gluten, some unlabeled varieties may be processed in a facility that also processes wheat products. For those without an allergy or intolerance, any cornmeal is fine but go for one with a GF seal if anyone eating the muffins has celiac to be certain there’s no cross-contamination risk. 

The Coffee Mug Muffin June 19, 2012

Simple whole ingredients mix to make a healthy, delicious breakfast in minutes.

The Coffee Mug Muffin
with Oats & Egg

You only need two ingredients to make this basic muffin: oats & egg. The direction you take your flavor after that is full of possibilities. For a fruity start to the day, try adding blueberries and a dash of cinnamon and honey. For a savory flavor try artichokes and caramelized onions (or chopped green onions for a quicker burst of flavor).   Today’s muffin used 1/2 cup old fashioned (unflavored) oatmeal, 1 egg, 1 tbsp feta cheese, and 1 tbsp chopped green onion.

Method
Simply add ingredients to a microwave-safe mug and stir well. Microwave for 2 minutes. That’s it! To make clean-up a breeze, place your cooked muffin on a plate and immediately clean out the mug. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to clean. Enjoy your breakfast!

Savory Oatmeal April 30, 2012

Oats are really just another grain. Just as you wouldn't think twice about eating a savory sandwich with bread made from wheat (another grain) once you try savory oatmeal, you'll see that there are so many new breakfast possibilities!

Savory Oatmeal
with spinach & egg

Break free of your oatmeal rut! Sweet, fruity oatmeal dishes can be wonderful but there is world of other flavor possibilities that are just too good not to try. I got the idea to try this combination from an recipe in Women’s Health Magazine printed last fall by contributing editor and Nutrition Expert Keri Glassman, RD. (Love her!)

Here is my spin on the dish:

Ingredients

-1/2 cup plain oats
-1/4 cup water, milk, or unsweetened almond milk
-1/2 cup chopped frozen spinach (or other leafy green)
-2 spoonfuls of walnut or pecan pieces
-Dash of paprika and your favorite savory herbs & spices
-(Optional) A spoonful of Gorgonzola  or blue cheese or Daiya Dairy Free

Method

1) Place oatmeal, frozen spinach, and water (or milk, almondmilk) in a microwave-safe ceramic bowl. You don’t need a lot of liquid because the frozen spinach will also give off moisture when cooked. Stir ingredients together and microwave on high for 2 minutes.

2) Carefully remove bowl (hot!) and combine remaining ingredients.

3) Top it off with one egg: scrambled, sunny-side up, or your favorite style.  If you are also including the egg, start your egg cooking first so it will be done when the oatmeal is done. I often just take about 2 tsp. peanut oil to coat a saucepan and cook an egg on the stove-top.

Quinoa Black Lentil Endive Boats April 16, 2012

Black Lentils, Red Quinoa, & Hummus make these "Endive Boats" High-Fiber, High-Protein Vessels

Black Lentil & Red Quinoa Endive Boats
with avocado and hummus

Protein champions quinoa, black lentils, egg, and hummus combine with high fiber avocado, endives (and again the lentils, quinoa, and hummus) for a powerfully delicious creation.  Enjoy 3-5 of these “Endive Boats” as the main entree for a meal or much on 1-2 boats as a healthy snack.

Suggested Meal Pairings:
♥ 4 Endive Boats +Small Mixed Greens Salad + 1/2 sliced orange or mango
♥ 4 Endive Boats + Carrot Cinnamon Smoothie
♥ 3 Endive Boats + Cup of Fit French Onion Soup
♥ 2 Endive Boats + Aguacate Relleño de Atún

Ingredients

-1/2 cup dried black lentils
-1/2 cup dried red (or tricolor) quinoa
-1 small avocado (cubed)
-1 onion (chopped)
-2 eggs
– 1/4 cup almond meal (almond flour)
1/4 cup spelt or buckwheat flour
-4 tbsp curry powder

-1 tsp turmeric & 1 tsp cumin (optional)
-2-3 large endive heads
-hummus (for topping)
– crumbled goat’s cheese or blue cheese (optional topping)
-1 tbsp olive or peanut oil

Method

1) Boil water (amount determined by your lentil bag’s instructions– usually about 4x water to the amount of dried lentils). Add enough water for both the lentils and the quinoa. So if you are using 1/2 cup of each, try using 4 cups water. When the water reaches a boil add the rinsed dried black lentils. After 15 minutes add the quinoa. Cook for an additional 10-15 minutes.

2) Chop onion and sauté in a pan with 1 tbsp oil.When onions begin to brown slightly, add your two eggs and stir until eggs are cooked. Set this pan aside from the heat once eggs have cooked.

3) Combine all spices, avocado, and egg/onion mix once the quinoa and lentils have cooked to the pot with the cooked quinoa lentil mix. Note that if there is excess water remaining, drain the water before adding remaining ingredients. (Do not add the toppings or endive leaves yet).

4) Using a hand blender, slightly blend your ingredients together so that they are well mixed but a grain texture remains. If you do not have a blender, simply stir vigorously for 3-5 minutes until ingredients are well mixed.

5) Scoop out contents and add to your fresh endive leaves. Top with hummus, goat cheese (optional), and any additional herbs if desired. Enjoy!

Spinach & Artichoke Breakfast September 20, 2011

Veggies & Eggs Served in a different style for this breakfast dish.

Spinach & Artichoke Breakfast

Total prep/cook time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

1 “cage-free” egg
3 cloves garlic, chopped finely
3/4 cup frozen chopped spinach (pesticide-free or organic if possible)
1/4 cup frozen bell pepper slices (or fresh)
1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup fat-free European style or Greek plain yogurt
4-5 Artichoke hearts
Less than 1/4 cup fresh grated Parmesan or Parmesan blend

Methods

Heat the olive oil and chopped garlic in a skillet on the stove top at medium-low heat. When the garlic begins to brown slightly add in any frozen ingredients (spinach, bell pepper). Stir frequently. Crack the egg into a small mixing bowl and use a fork or whisk to whisk until the yolk and white are well blended. Add egg to pan and continue to stir frequently, continuing to cook at medium-low heat. When egg begins to cook (turns from clear to white) add in yogurt and stir well. After about 2-3 minutes add artichokes and, finally, the Parmesan cheese. Enjoy hot. Pairs well with toasted whole wheat pita slices.