Thursday, March 17, 2011

St. Patty's Day Muffins







Happy St. Patricks Day to all.  Even though I am 100% Italian, I still like to celebrate the little holiday.  If you look into St Patrick he was a great man of God.  So, today I am making my usual corned beef and cabbage with red potatoes for supper.  For dessert I thought I would try something new.  I switched up my blueberry muffin recipe to make it a St. Patty's Day sour cream muffin.  I like to play around with ingredients so I thought I would give it a try.  Well, interestingly enough they taste good, really good and they are healthy.  I did use some real sugar, but cut it down to 1/2 cup and replaced some with 1/4 cup agave syrup.  I used white wheat flour and if you think I got the green color from food coloring you are wrong!!  I blended up some frozen spinach with the sour cream and egg for the green color!  How great is that?  Shhhh... don't tell the kiddos though. 

Here is the recipe:
1 1/2 C white wheat flour
1/2 C sugar
1/4 C agave syrup (you can get this at any supermarket nowadays)
1/4 tsp salt
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
2/3 C sour cream or you can use plain yogurt
1 egg beaten
I used about a Tbsp milk to thin out the sour cream a bit, you may or may not need it.
1/4 - 1/3 C frozen (or fresh) spinach shhhh don't tell.

Preheat oven to 400
Combine all dry ingredients and agave.  In a blender or a food processor blend the egg, sour cream and spinach.  I used a magic bullet blender.  Add this mixture to the dry ingredients.  Mix until just blended.  Don't over mix.
Fill muffin tins.  I also sprinkled some sugar on top. 
Bake for 18-20 minutes until done.
It made 11 muffins for me.  But figure around 10.

By the way, you CANNOT taste the spinach at all !!!

Today's tip:  Sneak hidden fruits and veggies in your foods.  You will get added color and nutrition.

Blessings,

Trish


                                                                     Very moist !!

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Chicken with potatoes and onions

I know it seems I have been slacking and maybe I have, but my computer has had some major issues lately.  I hope that it is fixed but who knows with computers.  I made a really quick and easy recipe last night that I want to share.  Shame on me for not taking a picture, but it is so easy and really delicious and even healthy.

1 package chicken thighs or breasts (bone in)
1 large onion sliced
5-6 potatoes skin on and cubed
1 can whole tomatoes or diced whatever you have on hand  15 oz can
extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper to taste and about 1/2 tsp of garlic powder or any spices you enjoy.

OK this is so easy... Spray bottom of a baking dish with cooking spray
Put the onions and potatoes in the pan.
Lay the chicken on top of that and sprinkle with salt and pepper and garlic powder.  Drizzle with about a tsp of olive oil and bake for 30 minutes. 
Take out of oven and add the can of tomatoes and cook for another 10 minutes or so until the chicken is cooked. (I use a meat thermometer because I never know when the meat is done )
That is it !!  So good and so easy. 
You can serve this with quinoa or brown rice to soak up the juices from the chicken and potatoes and a side salad. 

Enjoy!!

Tip:  Try adding some fresh herbs to your meals.  They add so much flavor and NO CALORIES.  Gotta love that.  I added fresh parsley and basil to this when i added the tomatoes.  Yum.
P.S  The aroma while this is cooking is unreal.  So good.

Blessings,

Trish