Easter Dessert- Pretzel Rods

Happy Spring! So I don't celebrate Easter but that doesn't mean that I can enjoy some Easter desserts. Easter is a fun holiday for those who celebrate it. It's about their savior, G-d, spring time, egg hunts, chocolate and family time. Here is a good Easter recipe that you are sure to love.

Easter Pretzel Rods
12 salted pretzel rods
1 cup semi sweet
chips
1 tbsp. shortening
yellow sprinkles
light blue sprinkles
baby pink sprinkles
purple sprinkles
light green sprinkles

Mix all sprinkles together and lay out on parchment paper

1. Melt the semi sweet chocolate in microwave for 30 seconds in shortening
2. dip the pretzel rod sticks in the chocolate and then roll the pretzels on the sprinkle mixture
3. place it down on another set of parchment paper
4. place in fridge overnight

Take out a few hours before serving. Done!

Artichoke and Pasta Bake

Artichoke and Pasta Bake
1 pound of penne whole wheat pasta
1 jar of artichokes
1 onion
2 tbsp. of olive oil
1 cup of crushed fetta
Basil - optional

1. boil the water and then cook pasta for 6 minutes

Mean while, diced to onion and saute it in the olive oil
Preheat oven to 350

2. once the pasta is done drain and add the onions to the pasta and stir well.
3. add in the artichokes - slice them
4. add in the fetta and basil
5. pour into baking dish and bake for 25 minutes

Serve and Enjoy!

Kids Only: Candy Apples

So I am marketing this as a Kids' Only Dessert, but of course adults can eat and enjoy it too! It's super fun for all ages!


Candy Apples
6 apples
11 oz. caramels
2 tbsp. water

Microwave caramels and water for 2 1/2 minutes on High

Honey Roasted Peanuts
Dark Chocolate Chips
Raisins

Once you the caramels are melted role the apples in the caramel and then role them in the mixture of nuts, chips and raisins.

It's a healthier version to Candy Apples! I call it Trail Mix Candy Apples!

Potato Vegetable Soup

Most potato soups have cheese in them which can add an easy extra 400 calories per serving. By eliminating the cheese in the super healthy recipe - you will be getting many nutrients and save loads of unwanted calories and fat.
 

Potato Vegetable Soup

14 oz. Veg broth

4 white Idaho potatoes

4 celery stalks

10 oz. can of corn

3 carrots

1 cup of cooked peas

¼ tsp. onion

¼ tsp. salt

¼ tsp. pepper

1. cut the potatoes and celery into chunks and simmer them in broth for 20 minutes

2. puree it

3. diced the carrots and then microwave them for 3 minutes with 3 tbsp. of water in the bowl

4. add the cooked peas, carrots and corn to the soup

5. then add in the spices

Reheat and Serve!! 

Tomato Salmon

This recipe is delicious. If you love salmon then you will LOVE this. If you love tomatoes then you will LOVE this. If you don't like tomatoes or salmon you will LOVE this. Basically, no matter what you will LOVE this recipe.

2 pieces of salmon
1 large tomato - diced
1/4 tsp. oregano
1 clove of garlic
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 onion - chopped
1/2 pound of Penne (half a box)
marinara sauce
Parmesan cheese
lemon juice
olive oil

1. punch the salmon with a fork and pour a little bit of olive oil and lemon juice and some salt on top of the salmon. Bake for 25 minutes

Meanwhile - boil water and pour in pasta. allow it to cook for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile - dice the onions and tomatoes and crush the garlic. Pour the garlic, tomatoes and onions into a pan and cook in olive oil until its translucent.

Once the pasta is done mix in some marinara sauce and Parmesan.

Place the pasta in a bowl place the salmon on top and then pour your tomato, onion and garlic mixture on top. Sprinkle with oregano.

Serve! Yum!

Healthy Style Peanut Butter Cookies

Peanut butter can either be a super healthy snack or a super unhealthy snack. It all depends on what brand and type of peanut butter you buy. Stay away from any peanut butter that has more than 2 ingredients. The only ingredients that should be in your peanut butter is PEANUTS and SALT. If there is ANYTHING else - STAY AWAY! I am sadly allergic to peanuts but I wasn't always. I developed is annoying allergy when I was in my early 20's. Yet, I can still say these peanut butter cookies are the best in the world...and very healthy!!

Healthy Style Peanut Butter Cookies
1 cup of softened butter
1 cup of 100% All Natural Peanut Butter
1 cup of All Natural Apple Sauce
1 cup of brown sugar
1 large egg
1 cup of whole wheat flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda

Put all ingredients into a bowl and mix well with an electric mixture (or by hand).

Grease a pan. Use an ice cream scooper to scoop out the dough and place down on greased pan. Then use a fork to push down on the scoops of dough.

Bake in oven at 400 for 15 minutes.

Serve and Enjoy!

Baked (Fake) Shrimp with a Vodka Cream Sauce

So one thing about me is I hate "extra stuff" in the house. I always feel the need to purge the kitchen of everything, which may sound strange to a foodie like myself. So I was looking in the cabinet and feeling bad that I had requested my parents buy vodka for my Penne Al A Vodka and I didn't use the whole bottle - my, my! LOL So, I therefore decided to create a new vodka recipe. Luckily, we also had some lonely sour cream in the house which I had used for Baked Salmon w. Cream Sauce recipe. So here is my elegant and delicious shrimp recipe.

Baked (Fake) Shrimp with Vodka Cream Sauce

1 package of Dyna-Sea shrimp - defrosted
1/2 cup of sour cream
2 gloves of garlic
1/2 onion
1/2 cup of vodka
olive oil
1 medium tomato

Place shrimp in baking dish and preheat oven to 375
1. crush the garlic and dice the onion and saute it in the olive oil
2. then add in the cream and vodka and stir over medium flame until you feel it is mixed in well
3. pour over the shrimp and bake for 10 minutes
4. dice the tomatoes - after 10 minutes add the tomatoes and then place back in oven for another 5-10 minutes

Serve Immediately! 

Pastrami Stuffed Chicken Breast

So this is what I call my "Wedding Recipe" because I picture it being served at a wedding. It's a fairly simple recipe, although it does take prepping time and marination time. If you're hosting a dinner party or a wedding I highly recommending serving it.

Pastrami Stuffed Chicken Breast
6 slices of chicken breast - you'll want to pound and pat it to make sure it's flat and thin
12 slices of pastrami from the deli
Zesty Italian Dressing
seasoned whole wheat bread crumbs (what I normally do is get whole wheat crumbs and then add spices myself- onion powder, dried parsley, paprika, garlic salt, pepper, cumin etc.)



1. marinate the chicken breast in salad dressing over night
Preheat oven to 350
2. lay out each chicken breast flat and then top each one with 2 slices of pastrami
3. roll it tight and then roll the chicken/pastrami roll in your bread crumbs. The crumbs will stick because of the wet dressing - it replaces the egg.
4. place down on a baking sheet or pan and bake at 350 for 30 minutes

That's it! I suggest serving it with marinated sweetened sweet potatoes or rice. For rice - just cook according to directions on box. For sweet potatoes, wash the potatoes, dice them and coat them in brown sugar, canola oil and cinnamon for a couple hours. Then spread evenly on baking sheet and pour marination over it. Bake at 450 for 50 minutes, stirring occasionally
.

Creamy Spinach Soup

So I was thinking for weeks about a new possible soup recipe. As many of you know I pride myself on creating unique and delicious soups. I get inspired from posts I see on other blogs, pinterest and cook books to make my own. This one was a long time coming. I thought, I searched, I pinned and finally I came up with the most amazing spinach soup recipe. I promise you will love it and feel so good after eating it.

Creamy Spinach Soup

4 small white potatoes
3 celery stalks
1 tsp. olive oil
Vegetable Broth
handful of fresh spinach chopped
1 clove of garlic or 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. onion powder
dash of pepper/salt
splash of milk
handful of shredded cheese

1. cut the celery and potatoes and brown it in oil for 3 minutes
2. add in broth to just cover the potatoes and simmer for 20-30 minutes
3. add in handful of chopped spinach
4. puree it
5. add in milk, spices and cheese - stir

That's it! Enjoy! Yummy!

Best served with crackers, rice cakes or bread.

Delicious Chocolaty Brownies

I have to say I make the BEST brownies known to man. I have been complimented many, many times on my brownies. I make them moist and chewy. While they may not be the healthiest food, I substitute and alter some of the ingredients to make it a bit healthier.

Delicious Chocolaty Brownies

3/4 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

2/3 cup melted butter 

1/2 cup boiling water

2 cups sugar

2 eggs

1-1/3 cups whole wheat flour flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease 13x9x2-inch baking pan or two 8-inch square baking pans.

1.  Mix together cocoa and baking soda in large bowl

2. Add in 1/3 cup butter. Add boiling water; stir until mixture thickens.

3. Add in sugar, eggs and remaining 1/3 cup butter; stir until smooth.

4. Add flour, salt

5. Pour into prepared pan.

Bake 35 to 40 minutes for rectangular pan

Cool completely

Frosting

Mix together coco powder and hot water a vanilla

Serve! 

Classic Italiano Pasta

Mama Mia! In this post I am featuring a classic pasta dish. It was bring your heart and soul right into Italy and will make you feel like you're actually in Venice, Italy. This pasta recipe is so savory and so divine it will leave you only wanting more.

Classic Italiano Pasta
1 pound of penne pasta
dash of salt
1 clove of garlic
1 tbsp. of olive oil
2 cups of your Marinara sauce
white wine
Parmesan cheese
Fresh basil

garlic bread and red wine

1. boil the water - once the water is boiling add the box of pasta- add a dash of salt
2. while it is boiling - crush your garlic clove and cook it in the olive oil.
3. allow the pasta to boil for 10 minutes - the drain it a few times making sure all the water has been drained out
4. add in the olive oil/garlic mixture and stir
5. add in your sauce and stir well - bring flame low and then add in some white wine - I don't have a measurement I basically just go as I feel. But I'd say about 3-4 tbsp. Stir together
6. Bring flame high and stir - DON'T LEAVE THE STOVE
7. Once it's simmering hot, place into bowls and sprinkle a generous amount of Parmesan cheese and little bit of fresh basil to garnish

Serve with a glass of RED wine, and garlic bread!

YUM! Italiano!

Homemade Mozzarella Sticks with Marinara Sauce

So it's getting cold outside and I'm sure all you want is to be in the warmth of your home or in your car with the heat blazing....Or actually I'm sure you'd rather be in sunny Miami or San Diego, right? I know I would. This recipe will warm your body and your heart. It's ultimate comfort food done in a low fat healthy way. It will leave you feeling satisfied and good about yourself - not full, bloated or guilty.

Homemade Mozzarella Sticks with Marinara Sauce
10 string cheeses
1 egg
whole wheat flour
1 tsp. paprika
seasoned bread crumbs
olive oil for frying
marinara sauce

1. unwrap each string cheese and place in a bowl
2. then beat your egg in a separate bowl
3. sprinkle flour and paprika over a place and coat each string cheese in it
4. then dip each string cheese into the egg
5. put about a cup of the bread crumbs onto a plate and roll each string cheese into the bread crumbs

Repeat these steps for each string cheese

6. heat the oil in a pot and carefully place each string cheese into the oil - frying them until their golden brown. Remove from heat and place on paper towel

7. Warm up marinara sauce

Serve! Yummy in my Tummy!

Benefits of Olive Oil
Olive oil is a very healthy oil. It has healthy fats and has been linked to preventing cancer, Type 2 Diabetes. It also helps your nails to grow strong and your hair to grow, stay strong and stay shiny. People who eat a diet rich in olive oil as opposed to other fats live longer and healthier lives.

Breakfast Pizza

This is the best breakfast you will ever eat!

Breakfast Pizza
So first thing is first - you need to think what you're favorite pizza topping is. The ones I suggest using are: red peppers, broccoli, mushrooms, black olives, onions, and pizza cheese.

Then you need to get frozen pizza dough. Defrost it
Flatten out your pizza dough.

Then you want to sprinkle cheese over it - generously. Then add your diced veggies
on top of the cheese.

Bake in oven at 450 for 10 minutes.

Serve! 

Zucchini Pancakes

So this a really easy recipe. I made this for Chanukah this year but never got around to posting it. It is a twist on the traditional latkehs.

Zucchini Pancakes
2 large zucchinis
1 egg
1/4 c. whole wheat flour
1/4 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1 tbsp. Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. cumin
olive oil for frying

Dressing
1/2 cup of low fat mayo, 1 tbsp. Parmesan cheese, scoop of regular cream cheese, 1/2 tsp. onion powder, dash of garlic powder, lemon juice

1. Shred the zucchinis - add in the egg
2. mix the flour and seasonings together
3. then mix the zucchinis, egg with dry mixture
4. heat skillet with oil - form zucchinis with your hands into little pancakes
5. fry on each side for about 3-5 minutes, flipping occasionally

Dressing - mix all the ingredients together and serve on top of zucchini pancakes

Happy Chanukah!

Banana and Peanut Butter Tacos

This is a super super super easy dish and really healthy. It's packed with protein, whole grains, healthy fats and fiber. It is perfect as breakfast or as a snack before or after a workout. I know you will love it! I wish I could vouch that it's healthy, but I am allergic to peanuts so have never actually had this one. Please leave your comments below!


Banana and Peanut Butter Tacos
3 whole wheat tortillas
100% natural peanut butter
3 bananas


1. spread the wraps flat on a plate
spread the peanut butter across the wraps
peel the banana and place it down in the middle of the wrap and then roll it
slice into thirds

Serve! Delicious! 

Asian Baked Salmon with Peppers

This recipe is very simple. It's also super tasty. I made this for my parents and then they made it again for a dinner party. It was  huge hit.

Asian Baked Salmon with Peppers
2 pieces of 6 oz. fillets
3 tbsp. sugars
1/3 c. soy sauce
1/4 c.of sesame oil
Sesame Seeds
1 small yellow pepper
1 small red pepper
1 small orange pepper
Ken's Italian Dressing (for peppers)

1. mix the sugar, soy soy sauce and sesame oil together - allow it to marinate in the fish for at least 30 minutes - ideally an hour, no more. Leave some of marinate in the mixing bowl for later
2. preheat oven to 325. remove the fish and pour a few tbsp. of the mixture over the fish and cook for 25 minutes
3. Once it is done - take the fish out of the oven and drizzle some remaining marinate over it and sprinkle sesame seeds over it as well. Place back in the oven for 5-10 minutes before serving. Make sure the oven is off though - it will remain hot even though your turned it off.

Dice the peppers small and mix in dressing to create a pepper salad. Serve w/ salmon! Delicious!

Holiday Bark

So this recipe may not be the healthiest, but part of being healthy is knowing when to let loose and enjoy the yummyness of the holidays! For this post I've included 2 recipes - one for Christmas and one for Chanukah.


Christmas Bark
1/2 can of honey roasted peanuts
1/2 can of honey roasted cashews
1 tbsp. honey
1 cup of semi sweet chocolate
1 cup of crushed pretzels
1 package of peanut butter baking chips
1 stick of butter
2 handfuls of crushed red and green
M and Ms.

In a saucepan melt the butter, then slowly add the peanut butter chips. Keep a close watch and stir until nice and creamy - don't let it get burnt.

Pour the melted creamy peanut butter mixture into a greased pan. Then add your crushed pretzels, crushed candy, choc. chips, and nuts - mix well

then drizzle your honey on top. Cover it with saran wrap and place in freezer for 8 hours or overnight.
Remove from fridge and 30 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Chanukah Bark
1/2 can of honey roasted peanuts
1/2 can of honey roasted cashews
1 tbsp. honey
1 cup of semi sweet chocolate
1 cup of crushed pretzels
1 package of peanut butter baking chips
1 stick of butter
2 handfuls of crushed blue and white M and Ms.

In a saucepan melt the butter, then slowly add the peanut butter chips. Keep a close watch and stir until nice and creamy - don't let it get burnt.

Pour the melted creamy peanut butter mixture into a greased pan. Then add your crushed pretzels, crushed candy, choc. chips, and nuts - mix well

then drizzle your honey on top. Cover it with saran wrap and place in freezer for 8 hours or overnight.
Remove from fridge and 30 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Thanksgiving - Pumpkin Pie!!

So I was really nervous the first time I made pumpkin pie. First, I didn't think anyone would want it since I don't like pumpkin pie and second, I had never made pie before and it just seemed hard. But I said - what the heck let me go for it. I did - and it turned out amazing! Now I make it every year (okay well I've only ever made it 2 times but from now on I am making it every year).

The one good thing about this recipe is that it's healthy, so even after you're filling and high calorie Thanksgiving meal you can still have your cake  pie and eat it too!

Pumpkin Pie
1 can of pumpkin puree
1 egg
1 cup of packed light brown sugar
2
tbsp. whole wheat flour
1 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
dash of salt
dash of pepper
2 tbsp. melted margarine (or butter)
1 1/4 cup of non dairy creamer
pie crust

Mix all ingredients together. Pour into crust.
Preheat oven to 375 and cook for 50 minutes.

To check to see if it is done - place fork in center. It should be firm. 

Alabama Chicken Casserole

Here's to good old southern food! If it aint fried then it aint good, but if it is fried then it aint good for you. Here is a good alternative to good southern food.

Fried Chicken Casserole
2 tbsp. of whole wheat flour
1/4 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 eggs
2 chicken breast
1/2 bag of frozen corn or 15 oz
1 small tomato
2 green onions
2 tbsp. chili sauce
1/2 pound of whole wheat pasta

1. pat the chicken flat
2. pat in in flour
3. soak it in egg
4. then take 2 tbsp. flour, paprika, salt, garlic powder and pepper and mix it together
5. coat the chicken in the mixture
6. fry in olive oil for about 8 minutes on each side
7. cook the pasta al denta - drain it
8. mix the frozen corn, pasta and chili sauce and chopped tomatoes and green onions together
9. bake it at 350 for 50 minutes

Serve w/ the fried chicken! Delicious! 

Veggie Lasagna Rolls

This is a new recipe of mine. But I promise you it is a good one. 

Veggie Lasagna Rolls

1/2 package of whole lasagna 

1/2 jar of marinara sauce

8 oz package of pizza cheese

1 egg

1 cup of low fat cottage cheese

1/2 tsp. onion powder

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 cup of chopped red pepper

1/2 cup of mushrooms (canned or fresh)

1/2 cup of cook broccoli florets (done al dente)

1. cook the lasagna rolls for 7 minutes - you want them half cooked but still firm

2. beat the egg and mix in the the cottage cheese, onion powder, garlic powder and vegetables

3. add it 1/2 package of cheese and mix it well

4. roll out the lasagna rolls and place 1 large spoonful on the roll and then roll it somewhat tightly

5. place it in the baking pan - continue until your mixture is done

6. pour the sauce over the rolls and then sprinkle it with the remaining pizza cheese

Bake at 375 for 1 hour

Serve!!!

*Serves 8