Healthy Carrot Cake and Oatmeal Bake

Like healthy granola in a bar . . . this one is filled with oats, fruit + veggies.

If you like this, you might enjoy Granola page 196 in Tastes & Treasures cookbook too.

Carrot Cake and Oatmeal Bake
Ingredients:
3 cups old-fashioned oats
3 tbsp. plain protein powder with about 100 calories per serving
5 no-calorie sweetener packets (like Truvia)
1 1/2 tbsp. chia seeds
1 tbsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup (about 4 large) egg whites
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup shredded carrots, finely chopped
1/2 cup canned crushed pineapple packed in juice, lightly drained
3 tbsp. raisins, chopped

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8" x 8" baking pan with nonstick spray.

In a large bowl, combine oats, protein powder, sweetener, chia seeds, cinnamon, baking powder, nutmeg, and salt. Mix well.

In a medium-large bowl, combine almond milk, applesauce, egg whites, and vanilla extract. Mix until uniform.

Add mixture in the medium-large bowl to the large bowl. Stir until uniform.

Fold in chopped carrots, lightly drained pineapple, and chopped raisins.

Transfer the mixture to the baking pan, and smooth out the surface.

Bake until top is light golden brown and entire dish is cooked through, about 35 minutes.

MAKES 6 SERVINGS
Thanks to HungryGirl for the recipe.

Wyoming Whopper Cookies from Janelle

Well worth making, these are delicious. Pour yourself a glass of milk and try not to eat more than one!
Thanks to Janelle Olson for sharing the recipe.

Wyoming Whopper Cookies
Ingredients:
2/3 cup butter
1 1/2 cup chunky-style peanut butter
1 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup sugar
3 eggs, beaten
6 cup old fashioned oats (not quick cooking)
2 cup chocolate chips
1 1/2 cup raisins
2 teaspoon baking soda

Directions:
In a large saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Blend in peanut butter, sugars and eggs; mix until smooth. Add oats, chocolate chips, raisins and baking soda (dough will be sticky). Drop on greased baking sheets with ice cream scoop or large spoon. Flatten slightly.
Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Yield: 2 dozen

Healthy Cookies

My daughter has made these with the help of the granddaughters. Lots of fun for the kids to make and even better to eat.

Grilled Mushrooms and Peppers with Spanish flair

Spanish-Style Grilled Mushrooms and Peppers

Grilled mushrooms and peppers have a Mediterrean flair with capers, manchego cheese, raisins and red wine. Unfortunately, we were out of red peppers but it was still delicious. Serve it warm or at room temperature.

Ingredients

8 large portobello or large mushroom caps
3 red bell peppers
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1/2 teaspoon sea salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
1 tablespoon raisins
2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 tablespoon capers
2 ounces Manchego cheese, shaved

Method

Preheat grill. Remove stems from mushrooms and brush off any dirt. Cut peppers into quarters and remove seeds and membranes. Brush vegetables with a tablespoon of oil and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Cook vegetables over moderate heat until browned and tender, turning once or twice, 8 to 12 minutes.

Meanwhile, combine raisins and vinegar in a small bowl and allow to sit for 10 minutes. Stir garlic and remaining salt and pepper into the raisin-vinegar mixture. Gradually drizzle in remaining 3 tablespoons oil while whisking to thicken vinaigrette. Stir in capers, then taste and adjust seasoning.

To serve, slice mushrooms and peppers into strips. Spoon vinaigrette over vegetables and top with Manchego cheese.

Serves 4 to 6

Nutrition

Per serving (About 8.5oz/240g-wt.): 210 calories (150 from fat), 14g total fat, 3g saturated fat, 6g protein, 14g total carbohydrate (4g dietary fiber, 7g sugar), 10mg cholesterol, 450mg sodium

Special K Bars

Diane Utley of Phoenix shared her yummy Special K Bars in our recipe exchange. It is easy and simple to make.

Another idea is to combine it with the granola recipe page 196 in Tastes & Treasures and create your own special health food bars.

Special K Bars
1 cup corn syrup
½ cup packed brown sugar
½ cup peanut butter
½ cup raisins
5 cups Kellogg’s Special K Cereal

Cook over med. Heat, corn syrup and brown sugar stirring constantly until sugar is dissolved, and bubbly. Removed from heat, stir in peanut butter and raisons, add special K and stir until well coated. With back of spoon or hand press mixture evenly and firmly in a 13 x 9 in. pan sprayed with veg. oil cooking spray. Cool cut in bars.

Sometimes I have to add a little more Cereal; I do like a little more peanut butter.

Baked Brie with Fresh Cranberries

Fresh from the oven, the presentation of this colorful dish is fabulous. Leslie Christiansen gave us this delicious appetizer that her whole family enjoys.

Another method of serving this is to scoop out a round loaf of sourdough bread and bake the brie cheese and toppings inside the hollowed out bread. Then use the bread cubes to serve the brie. Wonderful for the Holidays or any special time.

BAKED BRIE WITH FRESH CRANBERRIES

Ingredients:
19 oz Wheel of Brie
½ bag of fresh cranberries, rinsed
½ cup raisins, golden or regular
½ cup brown sugar
½ t cinnamon
½ cup orange juice
½-1 cup black berries
½-1 cup blueberries
Crackers or sliced baguette


1. Preheat the oven to 325 F.
2. Place cranberries, raisins, brown sugar, cinnamon and orange juice in a sauce pan, stirring to combine.
3. Bring to a boil; as the cranberries begin to burst, reduce the heat to a simmer.
4. Continue to cook until the liquid has thickened to a syrup; about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Remove from the heat and stir in the fresh berries.
6. Meanwhile, cut the top off the wheel of brie, leaving the sides of the cheese intact. Place brie in an ovenproof serving dish with sides.
7. Pour the cranberry mixture over the brie; it’s ok if the mixture tumbles over the sides a little bit. Place the brie in the oven.
8. Bake until the cheese begins to bubble, about 15-20 minutes.
9. Serve with your favorite crackers or bread.