The Food Blog
Homemade Hot Cocoa (0 Comments)
One of our favorite family beverages on a cold winters day. Who can not resist a cup of homemade hot cocoa?! This was created in my lovely crock pot with full bodies flavor, creamy and so rich. It was the perfect day to try this with a New England snow storm. A recipe that is super simple, with minimal ingredients and so tasty. This may not be the most health conscience beverage but, sometimes you need to break the rules every now and then. If you’re making this for a crowd or need to make this ahead of time, this is the one for you. Place all ingredients into the pot, blend, cover and set for two hours while completing your tasks before guests arrive. That is all.
SERVES: 4 to 6
INGREDIENTS:
1 3/4 cups cream, either light, heavy or whipped
14 ounce unsweetened condensed milk
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/4 tsp sea salt
2 cups chocolate chips, high quality milk or dark
6 cups whole milk, organic
2 tsp pure vanilla
INSTRUCTIONS:
Place all ingredients into the pot; stir well and cover.
Cook on low for about 2 hours; periodically stirring until ready.
When all set, use a ladle and place the mixture into mugs and serve with marshmallows or whip cream.
NUTRITION CONTENT: (for 6) calories 700; total fat 41g; cholesterol 90mg; sodium 300mg; total carbohydrates 83g; dietary fiber 3g; sugars 70g and protein 18g.
No Bake Peanut Butter Cup Bars (0 Comments)
I LOVE the blend of peanut butter and chocolate. One of my all time favorite treats is Reese’s peanut butter cups. My problem is that i believe homemade is best without the chemical processed ingredients that go with buying the store bought conventional types. I’ve been wanting to make these beauties for awhile now and with a little inspiration from a friend of mine, today was the day.
Here is a super simple and decadent dessert treat you can easily create in your kitchen without much fuss at all. With only under five ingredients and ten minutes of preparation, these can be enjoyed. These yummy bars are wonderful for holiday parties, for gift-giving, or just for home with your loved ones. Try eating just one.
It is such a heavenly combination. While most prefer the milk chocolate, I love the dark. Plus it is so much better for you. How about you, do you prefer milk or dark chocolate?
Bye the way, these bars must chill for at least a few hours. You may either prepare these ahead of schedule for a gathering or freeze them for up to two months, wrapped tightly, and thawed overnight in the refrigerator.
SERVES: 20-24
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup brown sugar
1-1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
10 tbsp butter, unsalted
1 cup peanut butter, organic
1 cup dark chocolate chips, high quality
dash, sea salt
INSTRUCTIONS:
Cover a 8 x 9 inch pan with either parchment or aluminum foil. Set aside.
In a microwave safe bowl, melt the butter with 15 intervals until ready. Stir. Add the brown sugar, powdered sugar and peanut butter together in the bowl; mix until combined. Next place the mixture in the prepared pan; with placing parchment over the mixture use your hands to lightly press and slide to smooth evenly.
Clean out the bowl; melt the chocolate chips with 1 tbsp butter. Stir carefully with 10 minutes intervals until melted evenly. Pour the chocolate over the peanut butter crust and smooth evenly with a spoon or spatula.
Let chill for 3 hours to set completely. Let stand for 10 minutes at room temperature before serving. you may store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to a week if they last that long.
NUTRITIONAL CONTENT: calories 171; total fat 11.5g; cholesterol 13mg; sodium 85mg; total carbohydrates 16g; dietary fiber 0.6g; sugars 14g and protein 3.5g. This is low in sodium and very high in vitamin B6.
Festive Chocolate Peppermint Bark (0 Comments)
Oh chocolate, how do I love thee! Who does not love chocolate, right?
Besides being so tasty, dark chocolate provides numerous health benefits. But not any chocolate will do. Cacao in it’s the purest form is bitter and offers many health payoffs. It’s important to purchase high quality and at least 70% cacao levels to receive the positive affects.
WHY DARK CHOCOLATE IS HEALTHY?
Dark chocolate boasts some of the highest levels in antioxidants more than blueberries and cranberries. Yes, it does. Crazy right? Another reason to enjoy chocolate. Dark chocolate contains iron, copper, magnesium, zinc, selenium, manganese and potassium. And by consuming 2 squares of this super food item daily in reducing symptoms in 3 weeks.
Lowers the risk of heart attack and stroke
Lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes
Lowers blood pressure
Improves brain function
Fights tooth decay
Protects against UV rays
And an aphrodisiac “feel good” qualities you will receive
In that regard, may you have a bit more sweetness in your life. Just be sure it’s the good kind. Recipe below.
SERVES: about 16
INGREDIENTS:
12 ounces chocolate, high quality (dark and/or milk ), coarsely chopped
!/2 tsp peppermint extract
pinch, sea salt
$-5 peppermint candy canes, coarsely crushed
INSTRUCTIONS:
Line a baking sheet with parchment. Set aside.
Bring a double broiler or heatproof bowl set over a small pot of water to simmer. Place the chopped chocolate into the bowl; gently stir until completely melted. Remove from heat and stir in the peppermint extract and sea salt. Or you may heat a microwave safe bowl with 30 second intervals to melt in which i have done before and just fine. Just stir in between in not over heating.
Next pour the mixture onto the prepared pan and smooth evenly with a spoon. Sprinkle the crushed candy on top; lightly pat to set.
Place pan in the freezer to allow to harden; about 5 minutes. Then when set, break apart and enjoy. This will be good for up to a week, wrapped tightly and kept chilled in the refrigerator.
Nourishing Turkey Noodle Soup (0 Comments)
Here is a simple idea of what to do with all that leftover turkey from Thanksgiving. I’ve made this now for the past fours years or so and so nourishing on a chilly day to warm up the soul. I always enjoy creating meals from my slow cooker pot. What’s NOT to love. A variety of delicious meals created with not much fuss and an absolute crowd pleaser. This meal is very high in nutrients such as Iron, vitamin A, selenium, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and niacin.
SERVES: 6-8
INGREDIENTS:
2 tbsp olive oil
3 garlic cloves, smashed
1 onion, medium, quartered
4 carrots, skinned and chopped
4 celery stalks, rinsed and chopped
2 cups mushrooms, sliced
4 cups chicken stock, low sodium
2 cups filtered water
handful sage, fresh
black pepper, to taste
sea salt, to taste
1 package egg noodles
2-3 cups turkey, cooked
INSTRUCTIONS:
In a medium saucepan, heat oil and saute the onion, celery and mushrooms until soft and fragrant; about 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic and let cook for about 2-3 minutes, while stirring frequently in reducing burning, until fragrant. Remove from heat. Set aside.
Place the cooked veggie mixture into the crock pot. Add in the remainder of the ingredients except for the egg noodles. Cover and set on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 4 hours.
At this time you may prepare noodles ahead of time or about an hour prior to the soup is completed.
About half hour before the soup is ready always taste and add seasoning if needed.
When completed, serve immediately. Place the turkey and noodles first in the serving bowls and then the nourishing soup. Garnish if you may.
NUTRITIONAL VALUE: calories 207; total fat 8.3g; sodium 159mg; potassium 558mg; total carbohydrates 8.9g; dietary fiber 2.5g; sugars 3.8g; protein 20g; vitamin A 140%, calcium 4% and Iron 46%.
No Bake Protein Banana Bites (0 Comments)
These no-bake bites are energizing, packed full of nutrients and so tasty. The perfect snack to fuel you in between meals and great for on-the-go. So super simple to create in your kitchen, customize to your liking and excellent to make ahead with under six ingredients. This treat has no cholesterol, low in sodium, high in Iron and manganese and very high in vitamin B6.
SERVES: about 20-25
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup steel cut oats
2/3 cups coconut flakes
1/2 cup flax seed meal
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 medium banana
sea salt, to taste
INSTRUCTIONS:
In a medium bowl, first mash the banana firmly. Then add in the remainder of the ingredients and stir until combined. Once combined, place in the refrigerator to set for about a half hour. This will allow for easier rolling. I like to shape them either by rolling or bar style with parchment paper underneath. When all set, you may scoop and roll the mixture into a 1 inch ball and repeat the process until completed. Then you may place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week, or you may freeze and let thaw in the refrigerator too.
NUTRITIONAL VALUE: calories 81; total fat 4.9g; sodium 31mg; potassium 86mg; total carbohydrates 7.5g; protein 2.5g; calcium 1% and Iron 9%.
Asian Flair Slow cooked Short Ribs over Homemade Pumpkin Puree (0 Comments)
A savory slow cooked meal that comes together so nicely and fall-off-the-bone beef goodness with an Asian style sauce. Now cooking short ribs can be quite finicky if you do not have a slow cooker. The crock pot will literally do the work for you. Seriously. Normally I would sear the meat but, with my slow cooker you sure don’t need to at all. It was absolutely delicious. And the best part about this dish is you may use the leftover sauce to pour over and/or other veggies because i know you wouldn’t want to waste any of that goodness in the pot.
SERVES: 6
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
1/2 cup beef broth
1/4 cup brown sugar, light
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 drops ginger essential oils, or tbsp fresh ginger
1 tsp sesame oil
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
5 pound bone-in beef short ribs
2 tbsp parsley, fresh, chopped
1 tsp sesame seeds
homemade pumpkin puree, garnish
INSTRUCTIONS:
In a large bowl, whisk soy sauce, broth, sugar, ginger, sesame oil and pepper flakes together until well combined. Set aside.
Place the short ribs in the crock pot. Stir in the sauce mixture and blend well.
Cover and let cook for 6-8 hours on low, or high for 3-4 hours.
In a small bowl, whisk the corn starch and 1/4 cup water. Stir well and place in the pot about half hour before completion.
When ready, serve immediately with herbs and sesame seeds to garnish. If you like you may complement the dish with homemade pumpkin puree underneath the ribs.
NUTRITIONAL CONTENT: calories 45; total fat 1.3g; sodium 700mg; total carbohydrates 6.9g; dietary fiber 0.6g; protein 1.9g; vitamin A 3%; calcium 2%; vitamin C 4% and iron 5%. This meal is low in saturated fat, no cholesterol, high in niacin and iron, and very high in manganese.