Peanut Butterscotch Squares

"Hello Dolly’s"

Let me start by saying I am not a marshmallow lover. Maybe in the occasional hot chocolate but most definitely not in a treat; not smores and especially not those cheap holiday chocolate coated ones commonly found at grocery check outs.

These squares are my marshmallow exception. I was pretty excited when googling wheat-free treats to stumble across this because it brings me back to my early teens when I snacked far too much and my friend’s mom would make these. Little did I know that they are the simplest, quickest recipe ever! I may have opened Pandora’s Box here folks.

 

Ingredients’:

½ cup butter

1  cup peanut butter

1 (300g) bag of butterscotch chips

1 (200g) bag of mini marshmallows

Combine butter, peanut butter and butterscotch chips together constantly stirring over low heat. Take off heat and let cool a bit before add mashmallows. Place in 11 x 13 dish on parchment paper and refrigerate.

 There are no nutritional benefits here worth listing but ‘tis the season! ...and now I’m going to go for a run!

20 Cheap and Healthy Foods

Some meal inspiration...


Sharing this link I saw online today to inspire your healthy meals!

http://fitbie.ca.msn.com/slideshow/20-ridiclously-cheap-and-healthy-foods

Avocado Kale Hummus

Eat your heart out guacamole!

So I’ve been a bit slack about posting recipes although I have had a few good’ers over the past couple weeks. No excuses today, I’m a bit under the weather and the weather is wicked so I’m puttering about feeling inspired after a two hour Food Network session. Anna, Michael and Giada... all my faves! I know it’s just TV, settle down, right? No thanks.

Kale is one of my newest found ingredients. I’ve eaten it out plenty of times but I am new to cooking with it and so far it’s a stir-fry favourite.

Here you are folks...

1 soft avocado

1 can of chick peas

1 generous tsp of tahini paste

3 cloves of roasted garlic

½ lemon

A handful of kale minus the stem

¼ tsp salt

Pinch of pepper

You can combine it anyway you so choose but this is how I do it. Put rinsed chick peas in a blender with garlic, salt, lemon juice, tahini paste and add as much olive oil as desired for the right consistency.

Add avocado and kale to the blender and marriage the ingredients. Adjust seasoning to taste and enjoy with veg or corn chips... mmmmm.

Presentation: dress to impress! Serve the hummus in the avocado skins and garnish with ingredients like kale and lemon just to show off a bit, because why not after you’ve made something so delish?

A Healthy Hallo-ween Party Mix

Autumn Mix

Today I experimented putting a grown-up spin on the classic Trail Mix. Inspired by Halloween it motivated me to finally carve my pumpkin . Although a little tedious, sifting through the goo it’s gratifying to use fresh pumpkin seeds as opposed to bulk bought ones.

So I’ll get to it. And this is a party sized portion so great for bringing to people house or even little care packages. Something different then cakes and pies anyways!

This was a two-part roasting process. Firstly I roasted the unsalted almonds in some olive oil, ½ tsp chili powder, ½ tsp paprika and sea salt. About 10 mins at 350.

Next I roasted the washed and dried pumpkin seeds at 400 in olive oil, ½ tsp chili powder, ½ tsp paprika, sea salt and I added red pepper flakes for a kick. Help balance this savoury-spicy-sweet snack.

After cooled I mixed in craisins, diced candied ginger and peanut-butter chippits.

Tip: Adding sea salt to nuts and seeds hot out of the oven is key before cooling.

Ingredients:

1 ½ Cups Craisins

½    Cup Candied Ginger

1 ½ Cups Unsalted Almonds

1     Cup Pumpkin Seeds

1     Package of Reece Peanut-Butter Chippits

1     Tsp Chili Powder

1     Tsp Smoked Paprika

½    Tsp Red Pepper Flakes

Sea Salt to taste.

There’s so many healthy things going on in this bowl I won’t even bore you with facts and figures! I hope everyone enjoys this treat tonight at the Halloween party!

Not another benny breakfast at Avenue Bistro

Not another weekend benny...

I know some people may never tire of the classic but I’m not the hugest fan. If I do order it I’ll substitute avocado for the muffin but recently have been introduced to a side of rice. Genius.

This blog has been more of a cookbook and now it’s time for my restaurant review post. Avenue Bistro in Comox, BC. Little sister to the well-known Atlas Cafe in Courtenay this restaurant is delish and those chefs know how to produce the most perfect polenta dishes! I didn’t even know I liked polenta until I had the appy (many times now). What I’m recommending to the adventurous weekend breakfast-outer is the Italian Benny with a side of fresh fruit and the best breakfast potatos you’ve tried, half sweet potato. Anyways these perfectly poached eggs are served on polenta with a small amount a tomato puree, fresh basil and shaved parmesan. Have I inspired your weekend breakfast plans? Awaken your taste buds to this delicious dish. And then have a nap.

I really should have called this post "Plenty of Polenta" because I added the appy photo as well. Oh yeah....

You can check out their full menu @ www.avenuebistro.ca 

Peanut-Butter Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Peanut-Butter Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Oh. My. God! These are shut-your-mouth I’m eating right now good! I’m visiting family this weekend and wanted to bring their favourite peanut butter cookies. I also wanted to enjoy tem so I Googled (as I do) gluten free options and made them better!

¼ butter

1 cup peanut butter

¾ sugar

2 eggs

1 ¼ tsp baking soda

1 ½ vanilla

3 cups rolled oats

¾ cup sultana raisins

¼ tsp nutmeg/ cloves

¼ tsp cinnamon

Directions:

Miss together (with a wooden spoon) softened butter, peanut butter, sugar, and 2 eggs. Add baking soda, vanilla, raisins, spices and mix then gradually stir in oats.

Use a tablespoon to measure cookies and place on parchment paper. Gently press down and put in a pre-heated oven for 12-14 minutes.

Health benefits:

In-case you need to justify eating more than one. Raisins are a good source of concentrated energy as well as high in antioxidants. The fats in peanut butter are said to lower bad cholesterol and higher good cholesterol, although it also states that obese people shouldn’t consume large quantities. And among other great things oats are a good source of dietary fibre and protein that is said to be equivalent with soy protein if that means anything to you!

You’re welcome!