Zucchini Bread Oatmeal

Zucchini Bread Oatmeal

Think about having this yummy goodness for Christmas morning.
Ingredients:
1/3 cup rolled oats
1 cup non-dairy milk or water (I prefer almond milk as it’s creamy), plus more as needed to thin out
1/2-1 tsp ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt & nutmeg, to taste
1/2 cup packed finely grated zucchini
1 tbsp chia seeds or ground flax
1 tbsp raisins
2 tbsp chopped pecans
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp + 1 tsp packed brown sugar, divided
1 tsp butter

Directions:
1. In a medium sized pot, add water or milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and oats. Bring to a boil and simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently, for about 4 minutes.
2. Now stir in the grated zucchini, chia seeds, raisins, 1 tbsp packed brown sugar, and 1 tbsp of the pecans. Cook over medium heat, adding more liquid when necessary, for another 5-6 minutes. Reduce heat to low if required. When cooked, remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
3. Pour into bowl and top with remaining 1 tbsp pecans, 1 tsp packed brown sugar, and 1 tsp butter.

Yield: 1 serving so you may want to make lots more.

Read more: http://ohsheglows.com/2011/08/22/zucchini-bread-oatmeal/#ixzz2neJQl2UN

Sticky Buns Breakfast Ring- another version of yummmmmy goodness!

Sticky Bun Breakfast Ring - Treat yourself for Christmas morning . . . Tastes & Treasures Cookbook has two recipes for this delicious treat. Also called Monkey Bread. All versions are worth it! For an extra treat - add sliced apples, or jelly in between each biscuit before baking.

Sticky Buns Breakfast Ring
Ingredients:
2 small tubes refrigerator Buttermilk Biscuits OR 1 tube Pillsbury Grands Buttermilk Biscuits
3 Tbsp. butter, melted
1/2 cup pancake syrup (any brand you like)
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 cup chopped pecans, optional
1/4 cup chopped almonds, optional

Directions:
Spray a fluted pan with non-stick spray. Combine the melted butter and syrup in a small bowl and set aside. In another bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nuts (if desired). Place about half of the syrup mixture in the bottom of the pan. Then sprinkle half of the brown sugar mixture on top. Lay the biscuits on the bottom of the pan, overlapping edges (closely together) to form a ring. Top with remaining syrup and sugar mixtures. Bake at 375F degrees for approximately 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 1 minute in the pan, then invert onto a serving platter and enjoy!
Thanks to BeRinged for the recipe.

Cookie Dough Balls

Want to leave a special treat for Santa? If he is anything like me, he will love these with a glass of milk.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls

Ingredients:
1/2 cup unsalted cashews
1/4 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup oat flour (or whole wheat pastry flour)
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1.5 tbsp natural cane sugar
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
3-4 tbsp pure maple syrup (or a bit more if dough is too dry)
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips

Directions: In a food processor, add the cashews and oats and process until it forms a fine crumble. Now add in the salt, sugar, and flour and process for a few seconds more. Add in the maple syrup and vanilla and process until combined. It will be sticky, but this is normal! Add in your chocolate chips and stir by hand or process. Form into balls. Store in freezer.

Yield: 1 cup packed cookie dough

Read more: http://ohsheglows.com/2011/03/18/chocolate-chip-cooke-dough-blizzard/#ixzz2neH0G1ky

Grinch Kabobs

Fun for the kiddies and you too! Layer mini marshmallow, strawberry, banana slice, and a grape on a small stick and you get Grinch Kabobs!

Grilled Caprese Salad

Here is a new twist on Caprese Salad. Grilled tomatoes and string cheese with your basil make a modified Caprese.

Ingredients:

1 stick light string cheese

2 tbsp. chopped fresh basil

1 large tomato

Optional seasonings: salt, black pepper, garlic powder



Directions:

Break string cheese into thirds and place in a blender or food processor -- blend at high speed until shredded. (Or pull into shreds and roughly chop.) Transfer to a small bowl, and mix with basil. 


Cut tomato in half horizontally. Carefully scoop out and discard the inside of each tomato half, leaving a hollow shell intact.


Bring a grill pan sprayed with nonstick spray to medium-high heat. 


If you like, sprinkle tomato halves with optional seasonings.
Place tomato halves on the grill pan with the cut sides down. Cook until slightly softened, about 2 minutes. 

Flip tomato halves.
Divide cheese-basil mixture between tomato halves.
Cover (any lid will do!) and cook for 2 more minutes, or until tomato has softened and cheese is warm.
MAKES 1 SERVING
Thanks to Hungry Girl for recipe.

Spinach Fettuccine Alfredo

We love Braised Chicken over Fettuccini on page 168 in Tastes & Treasures cookbook. Here's a low calorie version of using spinach.

Super-Sized Spinach Fettuccine Alfredo


 
Ingredients Pasta
:
4 oz. uncooked spinach fettuccine

2 medium zucchini, ends removed


Ingredients Sauce:

3 tbsp. light sour cream
1 tbsp. reduced-fat Parmesan-style grated topping

3 wedges The Laughing Cow Light Creamy Swiss cheese

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

1/8 tsp. salt

Dash black pepper

Directions:

In a medium-large pot, cook pasta per package instructions, about 8 minutes.

 Drain pasta, transfer to a large microwave-safe bowl, and cover to keep warm.

 Use a veggie peeler to peel zucchini into super-thin strips; rotate zucchini after each strip to yield a width similar to fettuccine. Place in another large microwave-safe bowl. Cover and microwave for 2 - 3 minutes, until soft. Drain and blot away excess moisture.

 Thoroughly mix zucchini into fettuccine. Cover to keep warm. In a medium microwave-safe bowl, mix all sauce ingredients, breaking cheese wedges into pieces.

 Stir in 2 tbsp. water. Microwave at 50 percent power for 1 minute. Stir and microwave at 50 percent power for 30 seconds, or until melted.

 Spoon sauce over pasta, and toss to coat. Microwave for 1 minute, or until hot.


MAKES 2 SERVINGS


1/2 of recipe (about 1 3/4 cups): 338 calories, 6g fat, 582mg sodium, 53.5g carbs, 4.5g fiber, 9g sugars, 14.5g protein -- PointsPlus® value 8*
Thanks to Hungry Girl for this recipe.

Sticky Buns in the Crockpot

Tastes and Treasures Cookbook was given the delicious recipe for Sticky Buns from El Chorro Lodge. Sticky Buns are famous in the Phoenix area and have been a standard at El Chorro Lodge for years. Here's a new version.

Sticky Buns in the Crockpot

Ingredients:

16.3 oz. Pillsbury Grands biscuits
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. dark brown sugar
4 tsp. cinnamon, ground
8 oz. butter, stick, melted - (use butter, not margarine)
1/2 c. chopped pecans (optional)

Directions:
Use a slow cooker liner in a 5 quart slow cooker and spray the liner with cooking spray.
Melt butter in a microwave safe bowl. Mix sugars and cinnamon together in another bowl.
Cut each biscuit into quarters.

Line up the following ingredients in this order: biscuits, butter, sugar cinnamon mixture.
Dip biscuits into butter then roll in sugar cinnamon mixture and put in one layer on the bottom of the slow cooker. They will fit very snugly. (Note: If adding pecans (optional) sprinkle them in now.)
Place paper towel over top of crock. (This will keep the condensation from dripping down on the monkey bread.)
Cover. Cook on Low for 2-3 hours. Each crock cooks differently, so you will need to check!
When biscuits are done, lift out the liner and transfer to a plate.
A simple way to remove from the liner is to roll it down over the sides of the plate, and slide off with a large spatula!
Mix a cup of confectioners sugar and a couple tablespoons of milk for the icing. (Optional)
Drizzle over the top of of the monkey bread. (Optional…but very good)