Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie

YES!!! Finally a TRUE healthy recipe to give me my chocolate chip cookie fix. Again, I found this through pinterest. It is posted on chocolatecoveredkatie.com. Thank you to her for this great recipe. Enjoy!

Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie

• 2 cans white beans or garbanzos (drained and rinsed) (500g total, once drained)
• 1 cup quick oats
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 3 T canola oil
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1-1 1/2 cups brown sugar (use what you feel necessary for personal sweetness)
• 1 cup chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Blend everything (except the chips) very well in a food processor. Mix in chips, and pour into an oiled deep pie dish.
2. Bake in preheated oven for around 35 minutes. Let stand at least 10 minutes before removing from the pan. Serve and ENJOY!

Garlic and Thyme Quinoa Patties

I spotted this recipe on pinterest and thought it sounded great. The next day, a friend sent it to me saying they also spotted it and gave it a try. The verdict - these are FANTASTIC! Plus, they are definitely worthy of my healthy blog :) Recipe adapted from Super Natural Every Day by Heidi Swanson (found on cookrepublic.com). Enjoy!

Garlic and Thyme Quinoa Patties

• 2 and 1/2 cups cooked quinoa
• 5 organic eggs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 3 whole meal bread slices, processed into breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup chives, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 large Spanish onion, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoons fresh thyme, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon mild paprika
• sea salt flakes to taste
• olive oil to pan fry

1. Put all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well with a large wooden spoon until thoroughly combined. 

2. Scoop some mixture in the palm of your hands to shape a patties approximately 5cm in diameter and 1cm thick. This size will yield approximately 20 patties with the mixture you have. (You can make them smaller and thicker or large and flatter as per your preference.)

3. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large frying pan on medium heat. Gently place 4-5 patties in the pan and shallow fry, cooking each side for 2 minutes before gently flipping over with a small spatula to cook the other side. Repeat till all patties are cooked. Use a tablespoon of oil each time you start cooking a new batch of patties.

4. Serve hot or cold with ketchup and salad greens. ENJOY!

Strawberry Ice Pops

Last grocery store item recipe I will post (.....at least for now). Kids love ice pops and this recipe will satisfy any craving. Bonus - it only contains natural sugars and 100% fruit! It comes from Reader's Digest Homemade. Enjoy!

Strawberry Ice Pops

• 2 pints fresh strawberries, washed and hulled
• 1/2 cup apple juice concentrate
• 8 frozen pop molds OR 3-ounce cups
• 8 frozen pop sticks or plastic spoons

1. In a large bowl, mash strawberries, leaving some chunks intact. Add the apple juice concentrate and stir until well blended.
2. Spoon or pour mixture into pop molds or paper cups, and place in freezer until pops are almost firm - about 2 hours.
3. Insert a pop stick or plastic spoon into the centre of each pop. Return to the freezer until the pops are fully firm - about 4-6 hours. Remove from molds, serve and ENJOY!

Vanilla Pudding

We aren't big pudding eaters in this house, but when we do, I always make it from scratch. Here's an easy recipe for a basic vanilla pudding. Recipe comes from Reader's Digest Homemade book. Enjoy!

Vanilla Pudding

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 tbsp cornstarch
• pinch salt
• 2 cups milk
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

1. In a med saucepan on med-high heat, combine the sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Add the milk and stir unitl mixture is smooth. Cook mixture until it thickens and boils, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove saucepan from heat.
2. In a med, beat egg until foamy, using an electric mixer. Gradually stir in about 1/2 cup of the hot milk mixture. Stirring constantly, pour the egg mixture back into the remaining milk mixture. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
3. Remove saucepan from heat and stir in butter and vanilla. Immediately pour the pudding into serving dishes. Let cool to room temperature, then chill and/or serve. ENJOY!

Taco Seasoning

Another grocery item you can easily whip up yourself, with everyday spices. This is a great subsitute to the packets found at the grocery store. Recipe slighlty adapted from one from allrecipes.com. Enjoy!

Taco Seasoning

• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (OR 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes)
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

1. In a small bowl, mix together all ingredients. Store in an airtight container. ENJOY!

Skillet Puff Pancake

Okay, the ingredients that make up this recipe don't scream healthy. BUT - whipping this up for breakfast instead of a few pancakes from a box is MUCH better and oh so decadent! Serve with some fruit and it will be easier to justify :) I hope to be treating us to these this week-end. Enjoy!

Skillet Puff Pancake

• 2 large eggs (@ room temperature)
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup whole milk (@ room temperature)
• dash of salt
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter

1. Heat the oven to 450 degrees 15-30 minutes before making and put a 10-12" cast iron skillet in to heat.
2. In a bowl, beat the eggs, flour, milk, and salt. It's important to mix all the ingredients together at once; otherwise, your pancake won't puff. The more air you beat into the batter, the higher it will rise in the oven.
3. When the skillet is hot, toss the butter into it and  let it melt. Pour the batter into the skillet and return it to the oven. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the pancake is puffed and golden. Cut in half and serve immediately with warm maple syrup or fruit. ENJOY!

Maple Whipped Cream

I love, love, love freshly whipped cream. No cans or frozen tubs of it in our house. I usually sweeten it with a sprinkle of sugar, but the idea of using maple syrup instead sounds amazing. This is a perfect match to my previous recipe of Old Fashioned Gingerbread. 2 natural ingredients is all you need. Enjoy!

Maple Whipped Cream

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup maple syrup

1. Beat the cream until thickened. Slowly pour in the syrup and continue beating until the cream holds soft peaks. Serve immediately. ENJOY!