Coconut Shrimp

This is one of my favorite dishes ever! I love coconut shrimp (or anything rolled in coconut, haha). The original recipe didn't have you toast the panko crumbs, but after making this many times toasting and not toasting I prefer it toasted. It makes the shrimp a little more crunchy and closer to a good fried taste!

Coconut Shrimp
Servings: 8 • Serving Size: 3 shrimp, 1 tbsp sauce • Old Points: 3 pts • Points+: 4 pts
Calories: 161.6 • Fat: 3.4 g • Protein: 10.2 g • Carb: 22.2 g • Fiber: 1.8 g • Sugar: 15.7 g Sodium: 164.3

Ingredients:
1 lb (24) large shrimp, peeled and deviened (weight after peeled)
1/2 cup + 1 tbsp shredded sweetened coconut
1/2 cup + 1 tbsp panko crumbs
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp all purpose flour (you will only use 1 tbsp)
1 large egg
pinch salt
non-stick spray (I used my misto)

For the Sweet and Spicy Dipping Sauce:

1/2 cup apricot preserves (you can use sugar free if you wish)
1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
3/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (or more if you like spice!)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425°. Spray a non-stick baking sheet with cooking spray.

In a medium skillet toast panko crumbs with olive oil till brown, stirring constantly. Let cool a bit before next step.

Combine coconut flakes, panko crumbs and salt in a bowl. Place the flour on a small dish. Whisk egg in another bowl.

Lightly season shrimp with salt. Dip the shrimp in the flour, shaking off excess, then into the egg, then in the coconut crumb mixture.

Lay shrimp on the cookie sheet then spray the top of the shrimp with more cooking spray; bake in the middle rack for about 10 minutes. Turn shrimp over then cook another 6-7 minutes or until cooked though. Remove from oven and serve with dipping sauce.

For the sauce, combine all the ingredients and place in a small bowl.

Enjoy!

Microwave Chocolate Cake

So I have heard of microwave mini cakes and muffins, but hadn't thought of trying it because my microwave is on it's last breath. I have fully exhausted it and thought this wouldn't work. But I had a strong craving for chocolate cake and didn't feel like baking up a big one so I thuoght I'd give it a whirl. I also wanted to have a special treat with the hubby after the boys were sound asleep. My microwave did show it's age and took 3 times longer than the recipe called to make this, but it was still delicious. Although doesn't everything taste more indulgent when the kids are sleeping? ;-) haha. I plan on making this a lot more (I also plan on buying a new microwave).

Microwave Chocolate Cake also called: One Minute Chocolate Cake
By: Chocolate Covered Katie

1 tablespoon plus 2 tsp cocoa powder
3 tablespoons flour
1/8 tsp salt
1 tablespoon + 2 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 tablespoon oil
3 tablespoons milk of choice (I used almond milk)
1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract

Combine dry ingredients and mix very, very well. Add liquid, stir, then transfer to a little dish, ramekin, or even a coffee mug. Microwave 30-40 seconds. If you don’t want to eat it straight out of the dish, be sure to spray your dish first (and then wait for it to cool before trying to remove it).

Cajun Chicken Pasta (Light)

I was looking for a different way to make chicken than the usual ways I've been doing. I stumbled on this recipe and adapted it to my dairy free diet and what I had on hand. It was delicious and even better the next day for lunch (when all the cajun seasoning really soaked in...mmm) Another winner from skinny taste.

Cajun Chicken Pasta
Servings: 5 • Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups • Old Points: 6 pts • Points+: 8 pts
Calories: 323.8 • Fat: 6.2 g • Protein: 25.9 g • Carb: 44.1 g • Fiber: 6.3 g • Sugar: 3.2 g
Sodium: 126.5 mg (without salt)


Ingredients:

8 ounces uncooked linguine
1 pound chicken breast strips
1-2 tsp Cajun seasoning (or to taste)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 medium yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 zuchinni, thinly sliced
1/2 red onion, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 medium tomatoes, diced (I didn't have any in mine, I just forgot)
1 cup fat free low sodium chicken broth
1/3 cup milk (I used almond milk)
1 tbsp flour
fresh cracked pepper
2 scallions, chopped
salt to taste
cooking spray

Directions:

Prep all your vegetables. In a small blender make a slurry by combining milk, flour and cream cheese. Set aside. Season chicken generously with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder and salt

Prepare pasta in salted water, per package directions.

Heat a large heavy nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; spray with cooking spray and add half of the chicken. Sauté 5 to 6 minutes or until done, set aside on a plate and repeat with the remaining chicken. Set aside

Add olive oil to the skillet and reduce to medium; add bell peppers, zuchinni, onions, and garlic to skillet, sauté 4-6 minutes till tender. Season with 1/4 tsp salt, garlic powder and fresh cracked pepper to taste

Reduce heat to medium-low; add chicken broth/milk mix and pour in slurry stirring about 2 minutes.

Return chicken to skillet; adjust salt and Cajun seasoning to taste, cook another minute or two until hot, then add linguine; toss well to coat. Top with chopped scallions and enjoy!

Chocolate Pancakes

Chocolate for breakfast! You betcha! The original recipe calls for dark cocoa but I haven't seen any where I shop. Amazon sells it but I'm not prepared for a case of it yet, but I'm sure I'll pick some up soon. Hunter asks for these most mornings, "Mommy can I have the chocolate pancake pleeeeaase?" I usually double or triple the recipe since Hunter can easily polish off an entire batch!

Brownie Batter Pancakes
From: Chocolate Covered Katie
(Makes 6-8 silver-dollar pancakes)

1/4 cup flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 T cocoa
1 T plus 1 tsp sugar
1/16 tsp salt
1 T oil
1/2 T applesauce.
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
5 and 1/2 T milk of choice

Mix dry ingredients very well, then add wet. Make pancakes

Pumpkin Smoothie

I love pumpkin and when I was pregnant with James I craved the Pumpkin Smash Smoothies from Jamba Juice. Here is my at-home version, I usually throw in a handful of spinach and blend once more. See my green monster smoothie post here

Pumpkin Smoothie
1. C. Milk (I used coconut milk)
1/3 C. Pumpkin Puree
1 tsp. Vanilla
1 Frozen Banana
2 tsp. Pumpkin Pie Spice (or combo of cinnamon and nutmeg)
1 1/2 tsp agave (sugar)
ice

Blend till smooth. Enjoy!

Green Monster Smoothie (Basic)

I've been seeing tons of these green smoothies popping up on all my favorite food blogs. I am a pretty picky eater and the thought of drinking my veggies sounded repulsive, but finally I decided to cave. My first version was actually a mocha (I figured with coffee and chocolate it couldn't be that bad), and I quickly developed an addiction for these tasty, healthier smoothies. I honestly feel like I have more energy on the days I have one of these. This is the base recipe, you can add so much more to it and change the flavors. I have already made about 6 or 7 versions and plan on getting them (and many more) posted soon.

Trust me on this one, you REALLY can't taste the spinach! ;-)

Classic Green Monster
Adapted from: Oh She Glows
Yield: 1 serving/2 cups

Ingredients:
1 cup almond milk, or milk of choice
1 ripe banana, preferably peeled + frozen
2 handfuls organic spinach
1 tbsp chia seeds OR 1 tbsp ground flax (optional)
1 tbsp nut butter,
1-3 ice cubes (I skip this if I have a frozen banana, or I freeze almond milk in cubes and use that as well)



Directions: Starting with the liquid, add in 1 cup of milk of your choice. Now add in the chia or flax and nut butter. Next, add in the spinach followed by the banana on top. Blend until smooth. Add in your ice cubes and blend some more. Serves 1- about 2 cups.

Breakfast Cookies

So just about every morning Hunter asks for cookies for breakfast, and every morning I say "no cookies for breakfast silly" and we both laugh. Well this morning I really threw him for a loop when he sat down for breakfast and had a cookie on his plate! I saw this on a Food Network Clip for Ellie Kruger's Healthy Appetite Show and since I knew we had all the ingredients I tried them out. They were really good! Fluffier and more cake-like than I expected, but delicious. I couldn't taste the carrots, it tasted more pumpkin-like with the cinnamon and nutmeg. They were a big hit here!

Breakfast Cookies
Source: Ellie Kruger of Food Network
Nutritional Information
Serves:12, serving size: 1 cookie
Calories 190, Total fat 9g, Protein 3g, Carbohydrates 23g, Fiber 2g, Cholesterol 25mg, Sodium 120mg


Ingredients
3/4 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup (1 small jar) strained carrot baby food
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup bran cereal flakes
1/3 cup raisins
1/3 cup walnut pieces, lightly toasted in a dry skillet for 2 minutes, until fragrant and chopped

Directions
Place rack in center of oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Whisk together flours, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a medium-sized bowl.

Combine butter, oil and sugars in the bowl of a stand mixer and mix on high speed, scraping down sides if necessary, until sugars have dissolved and mixture is light in color, about 1 minute. Add egg, carrot puree and vanilla and beat an additional 30 seconds. Add flour mixture and beat an additional 30 seconds. Add oats, flakes, raisins and walnuts and mix over low speed just until incorporated. Dough will be slightly sticky and less cohesive than traditional cookie dough.

Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper. Using between 3 to 4 tablespoons of batter, form a ball and place on cookie sheet. Repeat with remaining batter, leaving about 3 inches between cookies. Wet hands and use palm of hand to flatten cookies until about 1/4-inch thick.

Bake for 12 minutes, until cookies are fragrant but still soft. Let cookies cool slightly, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Baked Oatmeal

I have seen lots of baked oatmeal recipes floating around the web lately. This one was adapted from another blog Chocolate Covered Katie - who has lots of delicious healthier recipes. Her recipes are all vegan which is helpful for me looking for dairy-free recipes. This was a hearty little bowl of oatmeal! It would be neat to make for guests. You could multiply the recipe and bake in a muffin tin to serve more. This would also freeze well.

There are 2 versions Pumpkin and Applesauce, I'm jointly posting the recipe, but the picture above is of the pumpkin version. Mmm.....

Baked Oatmeal
Adapted from CCK's Pumpkin Boatmeal
Serves: 2, Serving Size 1 ramekin
Nutritional Info: (coming soon)

1/2 cup oats (50g)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 tsp cinnamon (or 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice for pumpkin version)
3 Tbsp brown sugar
1/4 cup canned pumpkin or applesauce
1/4 cup milk or creamer or water ( I used almond milk)
1/8 tsp salt
pinch of raw sugar (turbinado)

Optional: 1 to 2T oil or favorite nut butter (if oil, scale the milk back a tiny bit)
Optional: raisins, walnuts, brown sugar for the top (I didn’t use any optional ingredients, but maybe next time I’ll add some nuts.)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Combine all ingredients except for raw sugar.

Pour into a small baking pan, 1-cup ramekin, or mini-loaf pan. Sprinkle with raw sugar

Cook for 20 minutes, or more until it gets firm. Finally, set your oven to “high broil” for 3 more minutes, or until it reaches desired crispy-ness (or simply just bake longer, but broiling gives it a nice crust).

Crockpot Turkey Meatballs

Whenever I think of meatballs I think of how when I worked for the ambulance company we always had meatball sandwiches on an employee's last day(obviously when they left on good terms/good reasons). I'm not much of a meatball fan because I don't like the meaty taste but these I like. Because they are turkey the flavor of the meat does not dominate the seasonings. I typically serve over pasta the first night and make meatball sandwiches for lunch the next day. I'm still dairy-free so I omitted the parmesean when I made it last, and just doubled the breadcrumbs. It was still just as good!

Crock Pot Italian Turkey Meatballs
Adapted from: Skinny Italian Turkey Meatball recipe at Skinnytaste.com
Servings: 6 • Size: 4 meatballs with sauce • Old Points: 5 pt • Points+: 5 pts
Calories: 200.4 • Fat: 8.1 g • Carbs: 12.6 • Fiber: 0.6 • Protein: 17.3 g • Sugar: 4.4
Sodium: 427.5 mg

Ingredients:

20 oz (1.3 lb) ground turkey breast 93% lean
1/4 cup whole wheat seasoned breadcrumbs
1/4 cup Reggiano Parmigiano cheese, grated
1/4 cup parsley, finely chopped
1 egg
2 large cloves garlic, crushed
1 tsp kosher salt + fresh pepper

For the sauce:
1 tsp olive oil
4 cloves garlic, smashed
28 oz can crushed tomatoes
1 bay leaf
salt and fresh pepper to taste
1/4 cup fresh chopped basil or parsley

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, parsley, garlic and cheese. Using clean hands, mix all the ingredients and form small meatballs, about 1/8th cup each.

In a small saute pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and saute until golden, being careful not to burn.

Pour crushed tomatoes into the crock pot with bay leaf. Add garlic and oil.

Drop meatballs into the sauce, cover and set crock pot to low, 4 to 6 hours.

When meatballs are ready, adjust salt and pepper to taste and add fresh chopped basil or parsley.

Spaghetti with Kale and Bacon

I've been getting a lot of Kale in my CSA box lately. Other than my Zuppa Toscana Soup, I hadn't tried cooking with it much. I found a recipe similar to this and have now made it several times. The original recipe calls for Brie cheese which is probably delicious, but I'm on a dairy-free diet right now (for Baby James), so I made several adjustments. The first time I made it (prior to going dairy-free) I made it with parmesean, so that is how I will post it. But if you want a dairy-free version, leave the cheese out and melt some vegan butter (I use Earth Balance), and pour over top when finished (to prevent a dry spaghetti).

Spaghetti with Kale and Bacon
Adapted from PBS Food


Ingredients
8 oz spaghetti pasta
3 slices bacon (you can use turkey bacon too)
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 large onion, diced
1/2 cup shredded parmesean
1 large bunch curly green kale, washed and roughly chopped
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Cook the pasta in boiling salted water. Drain and set aside.
In a large pan, fry the bacon until crisp. Remove the bacon and crumble. To the hot bacon grease, add the diced onion and minced garlic and sauté briefly over medium heat until fragrant. Then, add the kale and sauté until it begins to wilt, about five minutes.
Add the hot, cooked pasta to the kale along with the cheese and bacon crumbles.
Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve with additional bacon crumbles on top!

Yield: 4 servings

Turkey Lettuce Wraps

So one day I decided I wanted to do something beyond chili with my Turkey because it seemed like thst was all I was doing. In my research I found lots of Turkey Lettuce Wrap recipes, one that especially caught my eye and now after 3 attempts with adjustments it's exactly what I was looking for.

Turkey Lettuce Wraps
Adapted from Steamy Kitchen

The Sauce:
3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons Sriracha hot sauce

Filling:
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 teaspoons finely minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
2-4 stalks, scallions
1 pound ground turkey or chicken
2 cups mixed vegetables (frozen pea/carrots, finely diced bell peppers, etc.)
1 green apple, finely diced

Toppings/Wrap:
1 head boston bibb or other lettuce, leaves washed and separated
2 skeins, Mung Bean Noodles
2 medium carrots, Use vegetable peeler to peel cut carrot into paper thin strips.

1. To fry the mung bean noodles, heat a wok or small sauce pan (something not too wide at its base. the smaller the base width, the less oil you will need to use) with about 2 inches of cooking oil. While oil is heating to 375F, use your hands to separate the strands of the mung bean noodle into small clumps. When oil hot, fry one batch at a time. It should only take 10 seconds to fry. Remove, drain on paper towels.

2. Combine the sauce ingredients in a small bowl.

3. To make the filling, heat wok on high heat with cooking oil. When oil is hot, add scallions, ginger and garlic and fry a few seconds until fragrant. Add turkey or chicken and fry until almost cooked through. Add the vegetables and cook 1 minute. Add sauce ingredients. Let simmer for 1 minute to thicken slightly.

4. Add the apples. Toss to coat. Immediately remove from heat. You don’t want to “cook” the apples – keep them nice and crunchy. Serve with lettuce cups, carrot shavings and fried mung bean noodles.

Lemon Blueberry Pancakes

Hands down the BEST pancakes I've ever made or ever had...you must try this. And if you're still not convinced go to the Pioneer Woman's site where I got this recipe because if her pictures don't make you want this than I give up! Ha Ha....seriously though - try this!

Lemon-Blueberry Pancakes

Ingredients
■1-1/2 cup Cake Flour
■1 Tablespoon (additional) Cake Flour
■1/4 teaspoon Salt
■1 Tablespoon (heaping) Baking Powder
■3 Tablespoons Sugar
■1-1/2 cup Evaporated Milk (more If Needed)
■1 whole Lemon (more If Needed)
■1 whole Large Egg
■1-1/2 teaspoon Vanilla
■2 Tablespoons Butter, Melted
■ Zest From 1 Lemon
■1 cup Heaping Blueberries
■ Extra Butter
■ Maple Or Pancake Syrup

Preparation Instructions


Heat heavy skillet or grill over medium low heat.

In a medium bowl, mix flour, salt, baking powder, and sugar. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, mix evaporated milk, juice of 1 lemon (more if lemon isn't very juicy), and lemon zest. Allow to sit for five minutes, then add egg, vanilla, and melted butter. Mix to combine.

Pour wet mixture into dry ingredients. Stir gently to combine. Splash in more evaporated milk if mixture is overly thick. Stir in blueberries. Again, check to make sure mixture isn't overly thick.

Melt butter in heated skillet. Drop batter by 1/4 cup measures and fry pancakes on both sides until golden.

Serve with softened butter and warm syrup.

Skinny Chocolate Chip Scones

1

I know I already have a chocolate chip scone recipe but this is different. It uses whole wheat. full size chips and makes regular size scones (versus mini). It is reduced calorie and still so good!

Chocolate Chip Buttermilk Scones
Skinnytaste.com
Servings: 12 • Serving Size: 1 scone • Old Points: 4 pts • Points+: 5 pts
Calories: 199.6 • Fat: 8.1 g • Protein: 3.7 g • Carb: 29.8 g • Fiber: 2.3 g • Sugar: 12.8 g
Sodium: 257.4 mg



Ingredients:

3/4 cup cold buttermilk
1/4 cup sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 cup all purpose flour (Bob's Red Mill)
1 cup white whole wheat flour (Bob's Red Mill)
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3 tbsp chilled butter (must be cold) cut into small pieces
3/4 cup chocolate chips
cooking spray
1 large egg white, lightly beaten
1 1/2 tbsp sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°. Combine the first four ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Spray baking sheet with cooking spray.

Combine flour, baking powder, salt, in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk. Cut in chilled butter with a pastry blender, or you could use 2 knives, until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Gently fold in chocolate chips. Add milk mixture, stirring just until moist.

Place dough onto a floured surface and knead lightly four times with floured hands. Form dough into an 9-inch circle onto baking sheet, about 3/4" thick. Using a knife, cut dough into 12 wedges all the way through.