Guilt-Free Cookies

I remember the good old days when I could eat as many cookies as I wanted. Admit it, you do too! But this recipe allows you to chow-down on cookie after cookie without the guilty feeling. These cookies have a lot of the same ingredients to make chocolate chip cookies but instead of using white flour, try whole-wheat flour and adding rolled oats:) These cookies will taste great and give you the excuse to eat a few more;) Eat up!

Try dipping them in Almond Milk or Soy Milk for a healthy twist to cookies and milk:)

3/4 cup rolled oats
1 cup whole-wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup canola oil
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chocolate chips
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat 2 baking sheets with cooking spray.

Grind oats in a blender or food processor. Transfer to a medium bowl and stir in flour, baking soda and salt. Beat butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, egg and vanilla; beat until smooth and creamy. With the mixer running, add the dry ingredients, beating on low speed until just combined. Stir in chocolate chips.

Drop the dough by heaping teaspoonfuls, at least 1 inch apart, onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake cookies, 1 sheet at a time, until firm around the edges and golden on top, about 15 minutes. Cool the cookies for 2 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely

Nutritional Facts!!!

Nutritional Analysis Per cookie
Calories 99
Carbohydrate Servings 1
Carbohydrates 12g
Protein 1g
Fat 5g
Saturated Fat 2g
Cholesterol 11g
Monounsaturated Fat 2g
Dietary Fiber 1g
Sodium 64 mg
Potassium 55 mg

Kid’s Classic with a Twist!

This recipe is great because it can go across many demographics. From kids to adults and from elementary to college aged. Whatever stage you are in life – whether young or old – Macaroni and Cheese never gets old. If you’re a fan of boxed mac and cheese or mom’s homemade, this meal brings you back to your young. So how about a new twist to this comfort food? Food Network’s Paula Deen shows how to create an amazing concoction known as – are you ready? – DEEP FRIED MAC AND CHEESE.

I ate these at a Jazz grill back in Washington – to die for! Try ‘em out at a kid’s birthday party or a fun dinner party. All ages will enjoy this!

Serve them with chipotle sauce – the spicy and cheesy flavors compliment each other in a unique way – TRY IT:)

Click Here for the recipe

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Impress the guys!

Over my time at home, I made my first brisket. I was warned previously about cooking a brisket because they tend to be dry when you finish because of the cut of meat. Anxiously, I began this recipe and once it was done, it was an amazing meal! This recipe is for someone who can cook, but is not a chef:) So easy…but just be prepared for a little time commitment. This recipe is cooked in the oven for a few hours.
Braised Brisket

Mashed Potatoes?

Far from the mashed potatoes you eat on Thanksgiving and Christmas. This recipe may look like mashed potatoes, but it tastes different. Why? Because instead of mashing potatoes, we’re mashing parsnips. Parsnips are best described as a white carrot with a distinct taste to them. This recipe was a winner, even for the 12 year olds in the room! Super easy too:)
Heres the recipe!

But I don’t like bananas…

If you’re a banana lover…or if you can’t stand the texture of this fruit, this recipe is for you!

Growing up, I wasn’t a huge ice cream person, much less a banana split person either. However, I saw this recipe and I had to try it out! Imagine a banana dipped in a sweet batter and fried until golden brown…and then dished with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, carmel sauce and toasted pecans.

I must testify that this dessert was literally to die for…even for a banana-hater like myself. This recipe is so simple and will impress any guest that comes to dinner!

Banana Split!
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
2 tablespoons baking powder
2 tablespoons bakers’ sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 yolks
1 1/2 cups club soda
2 bananas
Vegetable oil, for deep frying
Caramel Sauce:
2 cups sugar
1/4 cup of water
2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
1/2 cup of heavy cream
Pinch kosher salt
1 pint of vanilla bean ice cream
1/4 cup banana chips
1/4 cup toasted pecans
Directions
Preheat your oil in a heavy-based pot for deep frying to 365 degrees F.

In a large mixing bowl combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Make a well in the center and add the yolks and club soda. Using a whisk, stir from the inside working your way out, slowly incorporating the dry ingredients without forming any lumps. Peel the bananas and dip in the batter and coat well. Fry in hot oil for 4-5 minutes until batter is puffy and golden brown. Drain on paper towels when done.

While bananas are cooking, prepare caramel sauce. Combine the sugar and water in a large heavy saucepan over medium heat. Cook, swirling the pot around, until the mixture is a deep caramel color and looks like syrup, about 8 minutes. Add the butter then carefully pour in the cream (it will bubble up) and continue to cook for another minute. Add a pinch of salt then cool before serving.

To serve the banana split, cut the bananas lengthwise and top with a large scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. Pour warm caramel sauce over the top and finish with a sprinkle of banana chips and toasted pecans.

Just another dinner in the Northwest!

I was able to take a holiday up to my home state of Washington for a week. It’s been an amazing time complete with amazing food. One thing I take advantage of during my stay is the kitchen. A few nights ago, I prepared a meal that I saw while watching Tyler Florence’s show – Tyler’s Ultimate. This pasta dish was a sure-fire winner with the family and amazing left-overs the next day…and not to mention a quick recipe – for all you moms out there : )

Frozen shrimp works great – just lay out to thaw *
Substitute Linguini with thin spaghetti *

* Substitute Ideas

Shrimp Scampi Linguini

Sticks to Your Ribs

Everyone knows that oatmeal is a good start to your day. So, I was thinking, “what are some healthy and fast ways to eat a hearty breakfast?” I looked on the popular food network and I found a great break treat that is a sure-fire winner with a unique vanilla kick:)

So rise and shine, and start your day off right!

Vanilla Spice Oatmeal
Ingredients
3 1/2 cups water
1/4 teaspoon salt, optional
2 cups old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped, optional
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch nutmeg
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar, plus more, to taste
1 cup lowfat milk, divided
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Directions
In a medium saucepan, bring the water and salt to a boil. Stir in the oats and raisins, reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, uncovered, for 5 minutes.

In the meantime, place nuts, if using, in a dry skillet over a medium-high flame, and toast, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Set aside.

When the oats are cooked remove pan from the flame and stir in the vanilla and nutmeg. Swirl in the brown sugar and place the oatmeal in serving bowls. Pour 1/4 cup of milk on top of each bowl, and top with toasted nuts and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Note: For a quicker version using quick cooking or plain instant oatmeal: Cook the oatmeal according to the directions on the package. Stir raisins, brown sugar, and nutmeg into the cooked oatmeal. Top with milk, nuts (toasted or un-toasted) and cinnamon.

Family Traditions:)

Each year, around this time, my family celebrates our Irish heritage with corn beef and cabbage. However, my most favorite to go along with this yummy meal is the famous Irish soda bread! If you haven’t had a chance to taste it, <a href=”“>try it here!

If the shoe fits…

Aside from the Disney princess, “Cinderella” is a drink that a friend of mine made me last week. Now, don’t worry, it’s not your typical cocktail, it’s what’s called a “mocktail.” Apart from the funny name, this sweet drink is non-alcoholic and is sure to impress even the hard to please. Complete with tangy juices like pineapple and lemon, there is a sweet side to it as well. Adding a dash of grenadine adds a taste that even sugar cannot add!

Ingredients:

1 oz lemon juice
1 oz orange juice
1 oz pineapple juice
2 oz ginger ale
dash of grenadine
pineapple and orange slices for garnish
Preparation:

Pour the juices into a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
Shake well.
Strain into a chilled collins glass filled with ice.
Garnish with the slices of pineapple and/or orange

Yours, Carly