Apple Muffins

2014/09/29 By 2 Comments
applemuffins

Fall is coming – and I love it! The front yard and porch…well, I can’t help myself ;-)

Fall

I was inspired to make this recipe from a recipe my son’s preschool makes for “birthday muffins”. I changed it a bit (you know me – I can’t leave it alone!) The end result is a moist muffin, that should one top with left over frosting, would pass for a cupcake ;-) But sans frosting is a healthy morning on-the-go breakfast. To say the boys liked these is an understatement. They ate EIGHT of them in one day!

applemuffins

Apple Muffins

Ingredients:

  • 2¼ cups pastry flour
  • 1 Tbsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp fine sea salt
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup raw honey
  • 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk beverage
  • ½ cup virgin coconut oil, melted
  • 2 Tbsp ground flaxseed meal
  • 6 Tbsp cool water
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 apple, cored and shredded (about 1 cup)

Directions:

Preheat oven and line two 12-count muffin tins with premium liners (easy release foil interiors).

Sift dry ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. Whisk honey through vanilla together, let sit for 10 minutes, whisk well and add in apple.

Pour over dry, whisk until it comes together.

Divide equally between muffin cups, about 3-ish Tablespoons per cup.

Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean in center and the muffins are a light golden color. Let cool on racks before removing.

Makes 24 muffins, freeze for quick breakfasts on the go.

FTC Disclaimer: We received complimentary products used in this recipe via King Arthur Flour, Sur La Table and IFBC.

Filed Under: baking, breakfast, cooking, Dessert, Plant Based Diet Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

7 Days of Granola Recipes

2014/09/18 By 1 Comment
granola2

Granola is incredibly easy to make and if you live in a less humid area, it keeps well in sealed mason jars. Stir it into yogurt or top with milk for a quick and filling breakfast!

Lavendergranola

Lavender Granola

MaplePecanGranola

Maple Pecan Granola

Coconutgranola2

Coconut Cranberry Granola

granolamaple

Maple Almond Cranberry Granola

cocog2

Coconut-Cinnamon Granola

granola3

Almond & Raisin Granola

granola2

Double Berry & Grain Granola

Filed Under: baking, breakfast, cooking Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Fruit and Oats Breakfast Pudding

2014/09/03 By Leave a Comment
Taste_of_Washington_FRONTCOVER

The elegant A Taste of Washington: Favorite Recipes from the Evergreen State is the perfect book to have on a counter or coffee table – it will be sure to have friends and family looking through it. Although they might then demand you get cooking and make them the luscious dishes inside. Which wouldn’t be a bad thing – there are so many calling to me to try. And in a few weeks I am going to authoress Michele Morris book signing at the IFBC conference in Seattle to get my copy signed!

Taste_of_Washington_FRONTCOVER

With 120 recipes, all photographed, from an eclectic set of chefs, restaurants, B&B’s and more – from all over Washington State, if you travel, you may well have experienced a few of these lovely places.

While there were so many choices, honestly I was attracted to the rustic and simple Fruit and Oats Breakfast Pudding on page 13. The recipe is for 2 servings, I doubled it so Kirk and I would have 2 breakfasts to enjoy. It called for almond milk, I swapped in coconut milk beverage so Alistaire could enjoy as well.

TasteofWashingtonOats

Fruit and Oats Breakfast Pudding (As adapted from page 13)

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups old-fashioned oats (gluten-free if needed)
  • 8 tsp brown sugar
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp fine sea salt
  • 1 cup diced apples (2 small apples, peeled and cored)
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 2 cups unsweetened coconut milk beverage
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 4 tsp Earth Balance Buttery stick (or butter, for non-vegan)

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350°, lightly oil 4 10-ounce oven safe ramekins. Place on a baking sheet.

Combine the oats, brown sugar, cinnamon salt, apple and cranberries in a small bowl, mix well. Divide between ramekins.

Stir coconut milk and vanilla together, divided between the ramekins, pouring over the oats. Top each ramekin with a teaspoon each of the Buttery Stick, broken up.

Bake for 30 minutes. Serve warm, or chill for later breakfasts. Reheat for 1-2 minutes in the microwave.

Serves 4.

FTC Disclosure: We received an advance copy for review.

Filed Under: Book Reviews, breakfast, Cookbooks, cooking, Gluten-Free, Plant Based Diet Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Baked Zucchini & Cherry Oatmeal (And A Giveaway!)

2014/08/20 By 17 Comments
ZukeOats

Having been gifted with a TON of zucchini in last week’s produce haul, I had to find things to make with it. One was a new take on our favorite vegan/plant-based friendly baked oatmeal. And…it uses my favorite coconut milk beverage, So Delicious.

The only bummer is that my Father In-Law took one look at the oatmeal and snubbed it, without even tasting it, that it was “that looks like it is too high in calories”. Yes, oats are “high” in calories. If you ate just them. Dry. On the other hand, oats are a super-food, full of amazing-ness that is great for your body. I’d rather enjoy this than a slice of toast. Which has little benefits. But whatever. Assuming just means you don’t get to partake in the delcious flavors of life.

ZukeOats

Baked Zucchini & Cherry Oatmeal

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups old-fashioned oats
  • ½ cup brown sugar, packed
  • ¾ cup Dried Cherries
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
  • 3 Tbsp flaxseed meal + 9 Tbsp water
  • 2 4-ounce tubs unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 cup zucchini, grated
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Directions:

Heat the oven to 350°, spray a 9×13″ glass baking dish with cooking spray.

In a large mixing bowl combine the oats through baking powder.

In a medium mixing bowl whisk the milk through vanilla together, pour over the dry and stir till mixed.

Scrape into the prepared baking dish and bake for 40 minutes.

Eat warm or let cool and chill in the refrigerator.

Reheat in the microwave uncovered for 1 to 2 minutes on high (it stores well for a couple of days for easy breakfasts).

Note: 

I topped the oatmeal with 3 large stalks of chopped rhubarb + 1 cup pure maple syrup + a pinch of sea salt. Cook the rhubarb until tender and falling apart. Chill until cold, keeps for 4 to 5 days in refrigerator.

Serves 4.

Want more ideas for baked oatmeal? Check out my cookbook, Oats Gone Wild, on it. In both print, and on Kindle, half the recipes are baked oatmeal :)

Want To Enjoy So Delicious Yourself?

Two winners will be chosen, and each will get one VIP coupon for a free So Delicious product!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: baking, breakfast, cooking, Plant Based Diet Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hazelnut Brittle Latte

2014/08/19 By Leave a Comment
Latte2

Look what Kirk brought me home from his recent business trip to Asia:

Latte2

He brings me back Starbucks mugs when he can, on trips. Alas, no Hong Kong this time – he didn’t have time and there was a bad typhoon nailing there. My favorite so far is Romania….but I love adding to my collection. Even if I use my Starbucks Mount Rainier mugs the most often for lattes:

Latte1

I found an unopened bottle of hazelnut syrup when we moved, that I had tucked away. In the new house, I can put syrup bottles up where Alistaire cannot reach them, so once in a rare morning, Kirk and I can have a little hazelnut in our espresso.

Hazelnut Brittle Latte

Ingredients:

  • 1 Tbsp hazelnut syrup
  • 1 Tbsp real caramel sauce
  • 2 shots espresso
  • Milk

Directions:

Warm up espresso machine.

Add both syrups to a mug (I used a grande 16-ounce size mug). Steam milk to desired temperature (I aim for 160° and steam about 12 ounces full fat milk). Set aside.

Pull two shots of espresso.

Pour hot milk into mug, stirring syrup in. Slowly pour espresso shots down the center, stirring if desired.

Drizzle a bit more caramel sauce on top, if desired.

Makes 1 grande.

PS: Have you see The Natural Barista ebook by me? If you love lattes, you might like my ideas!

Filed Under: breakfast, cooking, Drinks Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Pumpkin Cherry Banana Baked Oatmeal

2014/08/08 By Leave a Comment
BakedOats

I realized this past weekend that it had been way too long since we had baked oatmeal. So long it had been since we were in our old house! After making this batch up, Alistaire happily ate TWO servings of it for breakfast!

Packed with fruit and vegetables, and plant-based as well, your body will thank you!

BakedOats

Pumpkin Cherry Banana Baked Oatmeal

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups old-fashioned oats
  • ½ cup brown sugar, packed
  • ¾ cup Dried Cherries
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
  • 3 Tbsp flaxseed meal + 9 Tbsp water
  • ½ cup pumpkin purée (canned is fine)
  • 1 ripe banana, mashed
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Directions:

Heat the oven to 350°, spray a 9×13″ glass baking dish with cooking spray.

In a large mixing bowl combine the oats through cherries.

In a medium mixing bowl whisk the milk through vanilla together, pour over the dry and stir till mixed.

Scrape into the prepared baking dish and bake for 40 minutes.

Eat warm or let cool and chill in the refrigerator.

Reheat in the microwave uncovered for 1 to 2 minutes on high (it stores well for a couple of days for easy breakfasts).

Serves 4.

Want more ideas for baked oatmeal? Check out my cookbook, Oats Gone Wild, on it. In both print, and on Kindle, half the recipes are baked oatmeal :)

Filed Under: baking, breakfast, cooking, Plant Based Diet Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Iced Caramel Macchiato

2014/07/25 By Leave a Comment
Caramel1

Coffee was my life for years – I was a barista for nearly 9 years of it. Have you seen my ebook The Natural Barista: Latte Syrups & Drinks? It was a fun one to write!

Caramel2

Overall, I have never been much of a fan of iced coffee drinks when I am at coffee houses. Why? Simply put: too sweet, too watery. I am the type that prefers a blended frappe. But if made right, an iced latte can be amazing and delicious! This makes a jumbo drink, it is best when the cup is loaded with ice. While I made mine with fresh espresso shots (using my Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine), this is also a great recipe for my cold brewed espresso! If you happen to keep a mason jar of it in the fridge, you can make one of these drinks almost instantly.

And today, this hit the spot! Woke up to sunny skies :-D

Caramel1

Iced Caramel Macchiato

Ingredients:

Directions:

Take a quart mason jar, add ice. Pour vanilla syrup over ice, then slowly pour in milk. Pour espresso down the center, without mixing. Liberally top with caramel sauce, as desired.

Add a large straw, and enjoy a blissful and highly caffeinated morning.

Serves 1.

Filed Under: breakfast, Drinks Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

National Blueberry Muffin Day Giveaway & Recipe

2014/07/11 By 8 Comments
Krusteaz-Wild-Blueberry-Supreme-Muffin-Mix

National Blueberry Muffin Day is today! And what better way to celebrate it with a recipe AND a giveaway? Krusteaz has a delicious and simple Wild Blueberry Supreme Muffin Mix that is easy to mix and bake. I have been very grateful to have a “little help” in the kitchen, since my new pantry was only finished in the past few days! Keeps the kids happy and I have the energy to keep DIY’ing in our new home!

Krusteaz-Wild-Blueberry-Supreme-Muffin-Mix

It is also a great base for many recipes, including my Blueberry Cherry Breakfast Cookies, which are loaded with oats, sunflower seeds and flaxseed. Portable, easy to grab and tasty!

Cherrycookies

Blueberry Cherry Breakfast Cookies

Ingredients:

  • 1 package Wild Blueberry Supreme Muffin Mix
  • ¾ cup old-fashioned oats
  • ½ cup raw sunflower seeds
  • ¼ cup dried cherries
  • 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 Tbsp ground flaxseed meal + 3 Tbsp cool water

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly oil a large rimmed baking sheet.

Whisk the flaxseed into water, let rest for 5 minutes, whisk until thick.

Meanwhile, process the oats through a mini food chopper or blender until chopped up a bit, transfer to a large mixing bowl. Process the sunflower seeds, until finely chopped, add to mixing bowl. Stir in the muffin mix (set the tun of blueberries aside) and cherries. Work in the butter with a heavy-duty mixing spoon, stir in flax mixture.

Drain blueberries in a fine mesh strainer, rinse gently and shake off. Add to cookie dough and gently fold in.

Drop 18 cookies on the prepared baking sheet, each about 2 Tablespoons worth dough. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until golden on bottom. Let cool before transferring to a cooling rack.

Makes 18 cookies. Store tightly sealed or freeze for longer term storage.

And who doesn’t love a giveaway? Krusteaz is sponsoring a nifty giveaway of a box of Blueberry Muffin Mix & 3 FREE product coupons, so the lucky winner can try a few things!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

– Open to US residents only –

FTC Disclosure: We  received product used in recipe development.

Filed Under: baking, breakfast, cooking, Dessert Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Cherry Oatmeal Streusel Muffins

2014/07/10 By Leave a Comment
CherryMuffin1Small

What is partially dessert and even more so breakfast? What gets little kids eating happily, because they think “cupcakes for breakfast!”? I had scored a great deal on Tillamook Dark Cherry yogurt, and then fresh Eastern Washington cherries at the farmers market….

CherryMuffin1Small

Cherry Oatmeal Streusel Muffins

Ingredients:

  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup quick-cooking oats
  • ¼ cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 1½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp fine sea salt
  • 2 Tbsp ground flaxseed meal + 6 Tbsp cool water
  • 6 ounce cup dark cherry yogurt
  • ¾ cup milk + 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • 2 Tbsp sunflower oil
  • ¾ cup pitted and halved dark cherries

Streusel Topping -

  • 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 3 Tbsp packed dark brown sugar
  • ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
  • Pinch fine sea salt
  • 2 Tbsp unsalted butter

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400°, line a 12 count muffin pan with liners.

Whisk flaxseed and water together in a small bowl, let rest for 5 minutes. Add vinegar to milk, let sour for 5 minutes.

In a large mixing bowl whisk together flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Whisk flaxseed mixture, soured milk, yogurt, and oil together. Add to dry ingredients, stir until just mixed, fold in cherries, mix in gently. Divide between the paper cups evenly.

For streusel topping:

Mix the flour through sea salt together in a small bowl. Dice up the butter, work in with fingers till crumbly. Sprinkle over muffins.

Bake muffins for 15 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean with crumbs. Let cool for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. Leftover muffins freeze well.

Makes 12 muffins

Filed Under: baking, breakfast, cooking, Dessert Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Fueled For A Day!

2014/06/27 By Leave a Comment
CCollage

Do you like to travel, road trip, hike, backpack, or be-on-the-go? Craving an entire day’s of meals, that lean towards the Hippy Hut™? Take a look at this collection of recipes from my site, TrailCooking, and see if you have some inspiration!

CCollage

Breakfast:

Creamsicle Protein Smoothie

Chocolate Covered Cherry Granola Bars

Lunch:

Chickpea and Sweet Corn Salad

Snack:

Sweet Coconut Curry Granola Bars

Dinner:

Edamame Noodle Bowl

Dessert:

Chai Ginger Pudding

Filed Under: breakfast, cooking, Dessert, Dinner, Lunch Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,
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