Sunday, July 7, 2013

'Healthier' Banana Bread COOKIES

Healthier Banana Bread COOKIES

Well, It's only been a little over a year, not too shabby.... 

After searching for a recipe that I have come up with for over a half an hour yesterday and freaking out because I was afraid I would never find it, I've decided that I should probably put this blog thing to use so that I wont lose the thing again and I know for sure I will have it in the future!         

So, I adapted this recipe from THESE. I 'healthified' them by replacing some of the butter with applesauce, and the eggs with bananas. Also, replaced half of the all purpose flour with Whole Wheat flour and wheat germ. I'm still making some changes each time I make them, but that's what baking and cooking is all about, right?!?!?!                                    

Well, here we go!!!                              

'Healthier' Banana Bread COOKIES

Ingredients: 
1 stick Unsalted Butter, room temp
1/2 cup Applesauce, room temp
1 cup Brown Sugar
1 (2.4 oz) package Jello Vanilla Pudding Mix
2 Bananas, mashed
2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
1 1/4 cup All Purpose Flour
1 cup Whole Wheat Bread Flour
1/4 cup Wheat Germ
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon Salt
approx 3/4 cup White Chocolate Chips (optional)
1/2 cup Chopped Pecans (optional)

Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 350 Degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper, or Silpat baking mat and set aside. 
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk together flours, wheat germ, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
  3. Using mixer, beat butter, applesauce, and sugar until creamy. Add pudding mix, vanilla, and bananas; beat until combined.
  4. Add the flour mixture to the wet mixture and mix until combined. Mix in optional ingredients.
  5. Using Tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop onto baking sheets. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until slightly browned around the edges. Remove from oven and let cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes. Transfer from baking sheet to cooling rack until cooled completely. 

<Another great thing about these cookies having NO EGGS, is that they are safe to eat by the spoonful PRIOR to baking!!! With less guilt!!>x

Friday, May 18, 2012

Challenge!!!!!!!!

OK! Here we go!!! 


#1. Welcome to my little blog! I hope I am able to keep up to date with this and have some fun and interesting things to post! 
#2. Have fun!!


I was presented with a challenge this past month from a "Daring" group of people! 
The challenge was to create a meal using a specific list of ingredients. At first I was quite intimidated, especially since it was my first challenge. I was able to suck it up and just go for it! And it was much easier than I'd ever imagined.. and MUCH tastier, too! 


Our April 2012 Daring Cooks hosts were David & Karen from Twenty-Fingered Cooking. They presented us with a very daring and unique challenge of forming our own recipes by using a set list of ingredients!




It took a lot of thought to figure out how I was going to be able to form a meal out of those quite random ingredients. It required even more thought to try and figure out how to make it a meal that my very picky husband would enjoy! I would call this challenge a complete success considering the picky husband called it "awesome" and "perfect." (EEEKKKKK....) That really meant a lot to me and I have to say I'm quite proud of myself!


OK, here is the list of what I used for this:
Boston Butt Pork Roast 
Sister Schubert's Mini Baguetts (yeast rolls would be wonderful too)
BBQ Sauce (Kraft; I wanted to make my own but ran out of time and energy)
Instant Coffee 
Few pieces of Cauliflower
Cabbage
Couple of small carrots
Mayo
Salt
Pepper
Balsalmic Vinegar
Seasoning Salt
Garlic powder
Water
Sugar

BBQ Slow Cooker Pork

For the Meat:
I used a slow cooker to cook the meat for about 5 hours, I used approx 3/4 lb of pork for this.
Place the meat in slow cooker.
Sprinkle with Instant Coffee, just enough to cover the meat and the bottom of the cooker (approx 1 oz).
Sprinkle with Garlic Powder, enough to cover the meat (3/4 tsp)
Sprinkle with Seasoning Salt as well (same as garlic powder)
Cover meat with 1/2 of BBQ sauce.
Pour in 1/2 cup of water, just enough to give the sauce and meat some moisture.
Cover and allow to cook for about 3 hours on HI (longer for low heat)
After that 3 hours, stir and add another 1/4 cup of BBQ sauce.
Allow to cook for the remaining 2 hours or until cooked completely.
The finished product below... yyyyuuuuummmmmm.......
Smells AMAZING!
This is the finished meat, pulled apart and soaking up the yummy smelling  juices!

In the mean time, prepare the slaw!

Cabbage, Cauliflower, and Balsamic Vinegar Cole Slaw

I used only a half of a small head of cabbage for mine and it was just enough for 2 of us to have 2 meals.
(I was feeling creative so I didn't buy an already prepared bag, even though I was quite tempted)
I attempted to grate the cabbage and I didn't like how it turned out, so I tried to slice it thin.. That was too much of a pain and I was super scared I was going to cut myself (I'm not the most graceful person).
I ended up using the food processor for the project! :)
OK, so, with that said, use a food processor to prepare the cabbage, carrots, and cauliflower for the slaw!
Next, I used about a 1/2 a cup of Mayo and about 2 T of vinegar and mixed with veggies.


I used salt and pepper to taste (I have no idea how much I actually used but maybe 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper?)
Also approx 1 T sugar (just enough sweetness to counteract the bitterness without it being too sweet)
Stir well. Place in a plastic(or not) storage container, cover and put in fridge to cool.



If you've never had these, you MUST try!
                                                                                                                                                               Put Baguettes out to thaw if desired.. takes less time to cook if you do but not a problem if you don't.
Cook Baguettes as directed.
Let cool and slice in half lengthwise to make a sandwich.


Yum!!!

Then Simply pull your pork and place on your cut baguetts and put some yummy slaw on there and possibly a little extra BBQ sauce and enjoy!!!!


{Slight side view}

{and from the top!}






And that is that!!! I hope y'all enjoy it! And if you try it and have any suggestions let me know! 


Oh, and I apologize for the lack of creativity with the pictures... Cell phone camera... but hey, at least it works right?!?!





















Monday, May 7, 2012

Homemade Cake Batter Fondant

Homemade Cake Batter Fondant?!?!?!


Yes, I said it! That has been my main project this morning! Of course I had way way way more important things to be doing but my homemade fondant attempt was way more important for some reason. Pictures and recipe to come soon! (Now I have to go finish that stuff that was way more important that I didn't do while making the fondant)... Have a great day!!!


UPDATE: The pictures from the fabulous Cake Batter Fondant went to fondant picture heaven at some point Sunday as my phone was sent to smartphone heaven..  :( SOOOO sad! But, the fondant was a HIT at the birthday party I made it for! So, that is a plus... As soon as I can get some pics of the stuff I'll post it! I'm still upset about it! 

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Hello blog world people!! I just wanted to make a little post to get this thing started a little. I'm currently working full time and being a mommy and we are remodeling a house to move into, so my computer time is quite limited these days, as is my baking time. :( 
BUT we gotta eat so my cooking time has significantly increased from previous times! The only problem with that is that I took pictures of a lot of it on my phone and when I went to upload them for this wonderful blog post, they had all magically disappeared... I was a little upset to say the least. I guess that just means I'll have to make some more cakes soon so I can share them! 


Since I have nothing to share, I want to link some of my most favorite blogs on here to get this thing rolling! 
Note: 
I said 'SOME' of my favorites (I find new ones each time I get online)




http://www.lovefromtheoven.com/

http://bakeat350.blogspot.com/

http://cookiesandcups.com/

http://bakingdom.com/

http://sweetapolita.com/blog/

http://sweetopia.net/

I hope you enjoy these very creative blogs and foodies!!