egg salad sandwiches

Hello Spring!

Hello sunshine and 70 degree weather!

Hello bike rides and long walks...we have missed you. :)

My husband brought home two dozen farm fresh eggs a few days ago.

I guess the chickens are enjoying this weather too and are producing eggs like crazy!!

Anyway, I have been trying to think of things I can make with eggs and yesterday I made this:

Egg Salad Sandwiches

6 hard boiled eggs (peeled and chopped)
1/4 c. mayo
1/4 c. chopped dill pickles
1 tsp. honey mustard
1/2 tsp. sea salt
fresh ground pepper
paprika to taste

I don't like a lot of flavors fighting for dominance in my egg salad.  I generally like to keeps things simple which is usually a fight with Spencer who's motto is more is better!

This made a perfectly delicious sandwich that the whole family loved.

Question of the Day:
What should I do with all of the eggs?  Anyone have any good recipes?

amelia

linky party

almond butter nutella swirl cookies

This has been such a busy week, I can't believe I haven't written a post since Monday!

We have had beautiful 70 degree weather here all week.  The boys and I have been dreaming of what to plant in our garden.  My youngest wants tomatoes and eggplant and my oldest wants jellybeans and cotton candy. :)

I think my oldest has a sweet tooth like his Mama!

So what have I made to satisfy my sweets cravings this week?

Almond Butter Nutella Swirl Cookies
adapted from Delightful Bitefuls

1/2 c. unsalted butter at room temperature
3/4 c. smooth almond butter
1/2 c. white sugar
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
1 farm fresh egg
1/2 tsp. vanilla
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4  tsp. salt
13/4 c. flour
1/2 c. Nutella

Mix first 8 ingredients until smooth and fluffy.  Slowly sift in flour until well incorporated.  Stir in the Nutella just until you have a pretty swirl pattern.

Refrigerate dough for about 15-20 minutes. Then scoop out small dough balls onto lined cookie sheet and bake in 350 degree oven for about 7 minutes.

Enjoy.

amelia

linky party

Banana Nut Bread

My two favorite things for breakfast are oatmeal and granola but occasionally I like to have a special treat.

Look what I had for breakfast!

I made it the night before. Baking and I are not friends early in the morning. In fact, most mornings see me staggering into the kitchen and groping blindly for the coffee pot. Coherent speech optional. :)

This turned out really well. Moist and delicious, with a satisfying crunch from the nuts and a hint of chocolate.

Banana Nut Bread with Dark Chocolate

2 ripe bananas
1/3 c. butter softened
3/4 c. sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. baking soda
1.5 c. flour
1/4 c. chopped walnuts
1/8 c. chopped dark chocolate

cream together bananas, butter and sugar. Then add egg, vanilla, cinnamon, and baking soda. Stir until well combined. Slowly sift in flour. Then add walnuts and chocolate and pour into greased 9x5 pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 60 minutes.

Enjoy with scrambled eggs, fresh fruit and a nice strong cup of black coffee.

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amelia

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almond butter chocolate crispies

I was browsing through food and fitness blogs the other day. I love all of the creativity and inspiration that you can get from people that you don't even know. :)

One of my favorites is oh, she glows. She makes amazingly delicious vegan fare, she is a runner (which is inspiring for this wanna be runner), and she has an online bakery.

She created the treat that you see above. I only made a few alterations to it and mainly because I didn't have all the ingredients on hand.

Here is my version.

Almond Butter Chocolate Crispies

1/2 c. crunchy almond butter

1/2 c. rice syrup

2 tsp. vanilla

1/4 c. almond milk

1/2 c. sifted cocoa powder (I used Hershey's Special Dark)

1/2 c. chocolate chips

In a medium sauce-pan combine first 4 ingredients, stir until melted then add the sifted cocoa powder and salt and stir a few more times. At this point you will add the rice crispies and chocolate chips stir until rice crispies are evenly coated (I like to use a wooden spoon for things like this).

Pour mixture out onto a 8 inch square parchment lined glass dish and press down into pan. Then stick in freezer for a least 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, make the almond butter coconut fudge topping.

Almond Butter Coconut Fudge Topping:

1/2 c. chocolate chips

1 tsp. coconut oil

1 c. almond butter

1/3 c. coconut flakes

dash of salt

combine chocolate chips, coconut oil, and almond butter in a microwave safe bowl and heat in microwave for about 40 second. Take out of microwave and stir until smooth. Then add coconut flakes and salt.

Take chocolate/almond butter/crispies out of the freezer and spread the chocolate coconut fudge on top. Return to freezer for at least 45 minutes.

Cut into small squares and serve.

The combination of chocolate, almond butter, and rice crispies is perfection. :)

You won't be sorry you made this rich dessert, but a little goes a long way!

Question of the day:

Do you often change the ingredients of your recipes, seeing them only as "guidelines." Or do you follow recipes to the T?

amelia

linky party

banana smoothie boost

Usually by 10 or 10:30 I'm getting desperate for a "pick me up." I've never been able to skip meals or not snack between meals. If I do miss a meal I get really crabby and generally unpleasant to be around.

I saw an episode of Nigella Express a few days ago where she made a banana smoothie and with my new-found love of bananas, I thought it sounded like the perfect mid-morning boost.

Banana Smoothie Boost
alternate title: the anti-crabby smoothie
adapted from this recipe

one frozen banana
2/3 c. almond milk
1 tsp. honey
2 tsp. coffee
shaved chocolate

mix everything but shaved chocolate up in a blender. pour into glass and sprinkle chocolate on top.

Enjoy.

amelia

Basic Banana Breakfast Smoothie

snow

it's been snowing almost all day.

my mom said we haven't seen this much snow here since 1977.

i was 3 years old...and i remember it!!

all my boys are home today, they braved the elements for a little while...

but...

we spent a lot of time in the kitchen making this

if it doesn't warm up soon.

i won't be able to fit into my skinny jeans. :)

what does it look like where your at?

amelia

butterscotch breakfast bars

I've been trying to think of something different for breakfast. We have been in a bit of a breakfast rut lately.

I was thinking of making some scones or biscotti but Spencer brought home 2 big cans of old-fashioned oats that his boss gave him (his boss's mother is going into a nursing home and they are cleaning out her pantry).

What can I make with oats?

Butterscotch Breakfast Bars

(adapted from this recipe)

1/2 c. almond butter

1/4 c. brown sugar (packed)

1/4 c. honey or agave nectar

1/4 c. butter (I used earth balance)

1 Tbsp. coconut oil

2 c. old fashioned oats

1/4 c. coarsely chopped cashews

1 Tbsp. flax seed

1/3 c. butterscotch chips

Combine first five ingredients in a pan and heat on medium heat until dissolved. Stirring constantly. Put the oats, cashews, flax seed and butterscotch chips in a large bowl. When butter/sugar mixture is dissolved pour onto oats and stir until evenly coated.

Pour the mixture into a greased 9x11 glass dish and pat down with a rubber spatula.

Bake at 350 for about 25-30 minutes.

This turned out really good. Everyone in the family approved.:) I think next time I make them I will try adding dried apples and cinnamon. Dried cranberries and white chocolate chips would also be a good flavor combination.

Enjoy.

amelia

Go to my linky party page to see where I am taking these today.

snow cream

wanna impress your kids today?

make them some snow cream

some healthier variations would be:

8 c. snow + 1 c. fruit juice

8 c. snow + 1 c. coconut water

enjoy.

amelia

snickerdoodle hummus

I'm always looking for a good afternoon snack for the boys.

When they come home from school in the afternoon they are starving!!

Snickerdoodle hummus you say? hmmm

It was a hit with everyone in the family except my youngest.

And I think he just disagreed to be disagreeable. He's an antagonist like that. :)

I loved it so much I could eat it with a spoon.

The photos I took pair it with some pink lady's. I love pink lady apples.

Snickerdoodle Hummus

(recipe adapted from here)

1 can Cannellini beans drained and rinsed well

1/4 c. peanut butter

1/4 c. maple syrup

2 tsp. sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

Mix all ingredients together in a blender until smooth and creamy.

That it!

Enjoy with fruit or vegetables.

Question of the Day:

What afternoon snacks do you feed your kids?

amelia

ode to the parsnip

I was at the grocery store the other day on a mission to try something unusual, exotic even.

Then I spotted the parsnips.

I don't recall eating a parsnip before and I'm not exactly sure how to prepare it.

But, it is a vegetable right? And what have I been doing with vegetables all winter?

I roast them.

oh, yum.:)




You have to try this, it's so good!

Amelia's (exotic) Roasted Vegetable: the parsnip

alternate title: parsnips: the unsung root vegetable


4-5 parsnips chopped

1 tsp. olive oil

1 /2 tsp. cumin

1/2 tsp. paprika

1 tsp. salt


Put all ingredients in a large bowl and stir until parsnips are well coated with oil/spice mixture.


Spread onto a parchment lined jelly-roll pan and bake at 400 for about 30 turning once halfway through baking time.


Enjoy.

To see where I party go to my linky parties page.



amelia

huevos rancheros--vegan style

Spencer and I usually have a day off together in the middle of the week. It's nice to relax and chill just the two of us. Our day off generally involves food in some way. Either we go out for lunch or we cook something together. we are always together in the kitchen.


We record cooking shows that come on at odd times so we can watch them together too (I mean really, who doesn't do that, right?) we love anything with Bobby Flay. We were watching "Throwdown" the other day, it was the episode where he challenges a mother/son team making Huevos Rancheros.


We have a little dive of a Mexican Restaurant that makes the best Huevos Rancheros I have ever eaten and we have been talking for a few months about making our own.

Here is our take on Huevos Rancheros with a little inspiration from Bobby Flay.

Huevos Rancheros Vegan Style

Ranchero Sauce

5 medium sized tomato

2 Jalapenos

2 cloves garlic

1 roasted chipotle pepper

4 c. water

Bring water with vegetables to a boil on med-high when water begins to boil turn temp down and simmer until veggies are soft (about 15 minutes).

Take veggies out of water and puree (reserve the water).

Place 1 chopped onion and 1 minced clove garlic in a big pot with a hint of olive oil (or other liquid) and saute until soft.

At this point add the pureed mixture and reserved water into the pot with the onion/garlic and bring back to a boil.

Add either 1 roasted green chile or 1 roasted pablano to the mix and let simmer for 20 minutes.

While Spencer was making the Ranchero Sauce I did the rest, you will need:

6 corn tortillas

1 can black beans

1 can pinto beans

1 avocado (make your favorite guac.)

1 tub organic tofu

Mix beans together in a mixer then heat on stove until warm. We crisped the tortillas by toasting them for a few minutes.

Since we are doing the six week ETL diet we aren't eating eggs right now. So I made a tofu scramble.

Using your fingers crumble up one block tofu into a skillet and add 1 TBS tofu scramble. You can make your own but I used one that I got here.

Then just build your Huevos Ranchero.

To see where I party go to the linky parties page.

Enjoy.

amelia

you can see by the picture above that we used whole wheat instead of corn tortillas but I much prefer corn with this dish! The picky redheads loved this too. :)

after school snack

I'm always on the lookout for quick, healthy snacks that I can feed to my boys after school. I found this recipe from Chocolate-Covered Katie and I love it! She has a lot of really tasty vegan and raw recipes on her blog.

I made these balls (she calls them babies) with almonds, dates and raw honey.

For this recipe and many other flavor combinations using different nuts, nut butters and chocolate go visit her here. You will have fun and be inspired. :)

This snack approved by the two picky little redheads.

amelia