Jan 15, 2012 Posted by Jennifer on Jan 15, 2012 in breakfast, cookies, dessert, dieting, kid friendly, oatmeal, recipe make over | 3 comments

Chocolate chip scone bites – 110 calories each!

I have a HUGE pile of cooking magazines in my house. Some are mine, but the majority I got from another Mom in my hometown, and I have at least 50 cooking magazines! Vegetarian times, Food & Wine, Cooking Light, Rachel Ray, Food TV, etc…

So, when I am looking for inspiration – I just grab a few and see what there is that I can make. This recipe is based off of a 2005 Vegetarian Times recipe. I used that as a guide, but added what I had on hand. Their recipe called for currants, and I was going to use fresh cranberries, but then I also wanted my kids to eat these, so I subbed in 1/4 cup chocolate chips instead.

You don’t even need to get your mixer out, you can mix everything in a bowl with a rubber spatula.

This made 19 mini scones

1.5 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup rolled oats
2 tablespoons ground flax seed
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 tsp. sugar
2 tablespoons corn syrup (the recipe asked for Maple syrup – but I didn’t have any…)
1/4 tsp. salt
3/4 cup skim milk
1/4 cup chocolate chips
5 tablespoons of butter
*Melted chocolate for drizzle if desired

In a big mixing bowl add all the dry ingredients and stir. I sliced the butter into small pieces and using your hands, just start incorporating the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles course crumbs.

Add the milk and corn syrup and stir until the dough comes together. On a floured surface, remove the dough and knead a few times until it’s all combined. I made it into a log, then sliced it with a pizza cutter.

Bake on cookie sheet coated with cooking spray for 15-17 minutes at 425 degrees – they will be golden brown on top.

These were great – not too sweet, but just the right thing to hit the spot if you want a little special treat after dinner, or make an afternoon hot chocolate/tea/coffee to go with these.

I will definitely make these again!

EACH SCONE IS:

110 CALORIES
4.3 GRAMS FAT
15 GRAMS CARBS
2 GRAMS PROTEIN
.9 FIBER

Dec 21, 2011 Posted by Jennifer on Dec 21, 2011 in a day in the life of me!, breakfast, cookies, dessert, party food! | 2 comments

Cinnamon-Sugar Cookie squares

I found this recipe from Gilt Taste. The other day they were featuring recipes from Momofuku Milk Bar in New York. If you aren’t familiar with Momofuku milk bar, they are famous for cookies, pies and shakes.

I wouldn’t really call this recipe cookie squares because to me they taste more like a coffee cake, but either way – these are great. I make all the gifts for teachers and crossing guards, so I’ve been trying some new things. Not only would these be great as teachers gifts, but also for guests staying at your house for the holidays, because it makes a lot!

Here is the recipe:

Cinnamon-Sugar Cookie Squares
Makes approx 150 bite-size cookies

½ cup butter, room temperature
2 cups granulated sugar
½ cup canola oil
2 eggs
½ cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
Cinnamon sugar, to garnish*

Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease an 11-by-15-inch pan.**
Mix all the ingredients together with an electric mixer, beginning with the butter, sugar, oil, eggs, milk and finally the dry ingredients.
Pour into the pan and spread evenly with a metal spatula or knife. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar all over and bake for 20 minutes or until the edges are light brown.
Allow to rest for 10 minutes, then invert onto a cutting board and cut into bite-size squares.
*To make cinnamon sugar, mix ½ tablespoon of cinnamon for every ¼ cup of sugar.

**Who has an 11×15 baking pan?? I don’t! I used an 11×17 jelly roll pan, or I’m sure you could use 9×13 pan – they would probably just need to cook a little longer.

It’s been such a busy time – I haven’t been able to read everyone’s blogs – but starting Friday the 23rd I am off until January 3rd! It will be the longest I’ve been off in a row in 7 years!!! I am so excited!!!

And, it’s the 21st of December and I have successfully stayed away from all treats at work – can you believe that?? Gourmet popcorn, cookies, fudge, donuts, muffins, coffee cake, etc… I’ve had NONE!!

And I’ve been working out every day too. I’ve started training for the half marathon. The official training starts in January, but I want to be able to not be totally out of breath when I get there! So I’ve been running, doing Taebo, my son Mark hooked up the VHS and now I have about 20 Firm tapes to work out to – I think I’ve had those for 20 years!!

How are your Christmas plans coming along???

Dec 16, 2011 Posted by Jennifer on Dec 16, 2011 in cookies, dessert, holiday foods, kid friendly, party food! | 6 comments

Homemade kit kat bars

It’s that time of year when I will once again be making my homemade kit kat bars. I think this is at least the 10th year in a row I’ve made them.

The recipe actually came off of the back of Almond Bark and I just made it on a whim, and when we all tasted it, we were surprised that they tasted JUST like kit kat bars!!

The chocolate I use is called Almond Bark. Its a chocolate made for candy making. You need to use this because the chocolate dries within about a minute. If you use chocolate chips, it doesn’t set right. I’ve been lucky sometimes to find Almond Bark at Walmart for $1.00 a block, but even at stores like Jewel or Dominick’s in the Chicago area, it’s around $2.00-$2.50. It is sold by the chocolate chips.

All you need is 3 ingredients. Graham crackers, peanut butter and the almond bark chocolate.

Melt the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl at 20 second increments until it’s all melted.

Separate 1 sheet of graham cracker into the 4 pieces. ONE TIP – don’t use cheepo graham crackers – stick to Keebler because other brands I’ve used don’t separate right and you end up with a lot of broken sheets of graham crackers!

Take 2 graham crackers and put peanut butter in between and make a sandwich. Then dip it in the bowl of melted chocolate. Using a fork, make sure the whole thing is coated and lift up and shake off any excess chocolate. Let dry on wax paper or parchment paper, they will be dry fast!

If the bowl of chocolate starts to dry out, just re-heat it in the microwave for about 20 seconds so it’s all smooth again.

These are so good! Great to bring to a party – or just make for your family.

Do you have a special recipe you make every Christmas? I’d love to hear it!

Nov 15, 2011 Posted by Jennifer on Nov 15, 2011 in a day in the life of me!, cookies | 7 comments

Birthday Dinner/belated BSI post by ROZ!

Today is my daughter Claire’s 10th birthday!!! I can’t even believe it’s been 10 years since I gave birth to that wonderful girl. When I got pregnant with Claire, I had 2 boys. Paul was 4 and Mark was 2. We pretty much were going to stop at three no matter what, but I was hoping that I would get a girl. When it was time for the ultrasound, we all went – the boys too. The technician was really quiet and then she said “I know”. My heart was about to beat out of my chest. Of course I loved my sons and having another boy would still be deluxe. When she said “It’s NOT going to be my three sons” I almost couldn’t believe it – I was having a girl.

Claire was actually 8 days later than her due date. When the due date came and went, then another day and another day I was getting so anxious for it to all be over. And I did all the old wives tales. Ate spicy foods, went for long walks, etc… but nothing! On the day of her birth, November 14, 2001 my Dr. called and asked if I wanted to be induced that day. “YES!!!!!” I said. It was 9 in the morning. Then she called me back with bad news. 8 other women were in labor so could I would have to come in around dinner time 6:00 p.m. It actually was nice because then I had all day to get ready, my mother in law came over to stay with the boys and we were off.

Now for my 1st son, I had a natural childbirth – no drugs or anything. It was a 24 hour labor. For my 2nd son, I also wanted to try the natural route, but ended up getting an epidural and had a C-section. With Claire, when they induced me and the pain started they asked me if I wanted an epidural and I was like “YES…RIGHT NOW!” So I got it, fell asleep and woke up at 9:30 p.m. so I had actually only been in my room for 3.5 hours. At 10:00 my Dr. checked me again and said I could start pushing and she was born at 10:25 p.m. – by far the easiest labor ever!

I still had to be assured that it was still a girl. It’s been an awesome 10 years. She has done tap, gymnastics, softball, plays chess, Girl Scouts – has a ton of friends and makes my day pretty much all the time! I posted some pics of her growing up on Facebook, but in case we aren’t friends on there, here are a few!

When I asked her what she wanted for birthday dinner, she said “BURGERS!” I make burgers a couple times a month, so I was surprised when she wanted that. But she said – I’d like turkey bacon, caramelized onions and cheddar cheese on them. OK, then that’s what you shall have on the Celebrate Plate!

***

Now onto my friend Roz. She sent me a cranberry recipe after I posted the entries, so I’m sorry Roz, your’s didn’t get in with all the others, but I will post it now!

Here is her recipe – only 48 calories per cookie – nice! She made a few changes which are in bold.

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened (1/2 cup earth balance, 1/2 cup applesauce)
1 cup white sugar (reduced to 3/4 cup)
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon grated orange zest (upped to 1 tbsp – I like orange!)
2 tablespoons orange juice
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (2 cups all purpose flour, 1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups chopped cranberries
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional) (I omitted)
1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest
3 tablespoons orange juice
1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). (I found that a bit hot, so reduced my second batch to 350)
In a large bowl, cream together the butter (earth balance + applesauce), white sugar and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg until well blended. Mix in orange zest and 2 tablespoons orange juice. Combine the flour(s), baking soda and salt; stir into the orange mixture. Mix in cranberries and if using, walnuts, until evenly distributed. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Cookies should be spaced at least 2 inches apart.
Bake for 12 to 14 minutes in the preheated oven, until the edges are golden. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks. (I found that with my adaptations, this was a bit long – reduce to 9-11 minutes).

In a small bowl, mix together 1/2 teaspoon orange zest, 3 tablespoons orange juice and confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Spread over the tops of cooled cookies. Let stand until set.

Makes 48 cookies

Calories per cookie (in original recipe) 110
Total Fat: 4.8g
Cholesterol 15mg
Sodium 67 mg
Carbs 16.2 g
Fiber 0.5g
Protein 1.1 g

Thanks for taking the time to send me your recipe for cranberries! Check out Roz’s blog here. She lives in Canada with her husband Dennis

Nov 2, 2011 Posted by Jennifer on Nov 2, 2011 in cookies, party food!, Snacks | 1 comment

Cast iron Skillet Chocolate Chip cookies

I have Heidi from 101 cookbooks to thank for this recipe. She made this recipe for chocolate chip cookies in a skillet and it was a huge time saver for me over the weekend. I volunteered to make cookies for Claire’s Halloween party at school AND I had to make something for a cooking contest at work. I loved this recipe because it takes just a few minutes to put together and then you just put it in a cast iron skillet and bake for 35-40 minutes and that’s it. You need to put butter on the bottom and sides and it comes out super easy, then you just cut them up into pieces.

Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookies Adapted from Heidi at 101 Cookbooks

3 cups / 13.5 oz / 380 g whole-wheat flour (I used all purpose flour)
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/4 teaspoon fine grain sea salt

8 ounces / 225 g (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces, plus more for buttering the pan

1 cup / 5 oz / 140 g dark brown sugar ( I used light brown sugar)
1 cup / 7 oz / 200 g sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

8 ounces / 225 g bittersweet chocolate, roughly chopped into 1/4- and 1/2-inch pieces (I used chocolate chips – about 1/2 cup)

Add the sugars and butter and cream for a few minutes. Add the eggs 1 at a time and mix together. Add the rest of the ingredients. This batter is super fluffy and yummy!

Coat a cast iron skillet with butter and pour the batter into the skillet and press down so it reaches the sides of the skillet.

Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes – mine took 40 minutes. Take out and cool completely.

I just put a plate over the skillet once it was completely cooled and flipped it over and it came out very easily. Then just cut them up into pieces. Claire said her whole class loved them.

Come back tomorrow and I’ll show you the pictures of the Halloween cooking contest at my office. I sadly did not win, but it was really fun!

****

On another note, who watched Biggest Loser last night? I thought this episode was the best one so far. I always think it is funny that people get so bent out of shape when they have to switch teams, switch trainers, etc.. I want to shout at the TV “Have you not watched Biggest Loser before?” They always change something around!

Some of the contestants were sobbing because they couldn’t have Bob as a trainer or they weren’t working out with a former teammate. I especially felt bad for Anna because going in with her new team they were COMPLETELY against her. They didn’t even want to have anything to do with her. But I think she did the right thing by saying don’t get too dependent on a certain person or trainer to help you lose weight – in the end its all up to you anyway.

After the week Anna’s team lost the most weight – a few lost 15 & 16 pounds and another lost 11 pounds – in week 7!!! They did awesome.

Do you have a favorite contestant so far??