Five Spice Chocolate Chip Cookies

Still in the hunt  to find that perfect cookie!  It doesn't exist in my kitchen, but I found a recipe to tweak which has no added sugars!  And it tastes good!  Hooray.  The recipe included turmeric, however, healthy as it may be....I didn't want to go there, yet!  I figured Chinese 5 spice would be an interesting substitution for the turmeric.  It was, and we proceeded to make them disappear within 24 hours (or less).  I know they would never win a contest for the best looking cookie...who cares if they taste good and are good for you!


Five Spice Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 Tbsp Chinese five spice powder

1/4 cup oatmeal

1/2 cup almond flour

1 ripe banana, mashed

2 Tbsp applesauce

2 Tbsp tahini (or peanut butter)

2 Tbsp coconut oil

1/2 tsp cinnamon

2 Tbsp honey

1/3 cup brown rice crisps (or rice crispy type cereal)

1/3 - 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

In a bowl, add all the ingredients, except cereal and chips, and mix well.  Add the cereal and chips blending well.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Place small spoonfulls of batter onto a parchment covered cookie sheet.  Bake for about 20-25 minutes.  This recipe makes approximately 20-24 cookies.  Enjoy!

Cheesy Halibut

Everyone has cravings and I'm no different!  Now that I live in the middle of High Desert country (land locked) my cravings for FRESH seafood are more intense.   Even growing up near the ocean I don't remember having halibut very often.    I had my share of tuna, swordfish and sole which, I guess, are warm water fish.  We were given a gift of some halibut fillets recently and I couldn't wait to try this recipe.

It would work just as well with cod, snapper or sole, too.  Any mild flavored fish will love the blanket of cheesy goodness and you will also!

Cheesy Halibut

Serves 2

2 halibut fillets

1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

2 Tbsp butter, softened

2 Tbsp mayonnaise

1 Tbsp lemon juice

2-3 Tbsp green onions, chopped

a sprinkle of salt (optional)

a dash of hot sauce (optional, but gives it some heat)

Turn the broiler to high.  Spray or butter a baking dish.  Place the halibut in baking dish.  In a bowl add the remaining ingredients from cheese to hot sauce.  Mix well and set aside.

Broil the fish for about 8-10 minutes or until just done and flakes using a fork.  Spread the cheese mixture on top and continue to broil for another 1-2 minutes or until it's bubbly.   Serve on top of rice or orzo.  Delicious!!

Zucchini Hash

I sadly gaze out my window at what was once a thriving garden filled with the Summer's finest producing  zucchini plants this backyard has ever seen.  After a rambunctious wind storm this past weekend that hammered our yard, downed tree branches and stripped them of their ever changing Fall colors, I can, at least, reminisce about a staple side dish of zucchini hash!  I will surely miss my sweet fresh zucchini..

I think of the word hash and remember my mom combining potatoes, cubes of meat, onions and whatever else she could think of and calling it dinner.  Somehow it worked quite nicely and is the inspiration for this meatless dish.

Zucchini Hash

2 cups chopped zucchini (bite size pieces)

5-6 small Yukon gold potatoes

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp dried or fresh rosemary

1-2 Tbsp oil

1 tbsp butter

1/3 cup broth

Optional herbs:  lemon balm, parsley, Thai basil (all fresh and chopped)

In a pan of water parboil the potatoes first leaving the skins on.  Cool slightly and cut into bite size pieces.

In a large frying pan add the oil and butter, melt on medium heat.  Add the zucchini, potatoes, onion,  and garlic powder.  Cook until zucchini starts to soften, stirring as you go.  Add the rosemary and other herbs and broth.  Keep stirring occasionally until done.

Black Bean and Corn Enchiladas

Have you ever gone out for a meal and later lived to regret it.  As I laid in bed the other night, tossing and turning, I knew I had crossed the line.  I love Mexican food, but sometimes it doesn't love me back!  Too much salt and fat for this girl.  Whenever the urge for Mexican food arises I try to make better choices.  This was one of those better home made choices.

Meatless meals are not only healthier (for me) this one was a snap to prepare.

Black Bean and Corn Enchiladas

6-7 soft taco size tortillas.  I used multi grain but I usually prefer flour or white corn tortillas

1 can of low sodium black beans, rinsed well

1/2 cup frozen corn kernels

1/3 cup chopped onions (I used red onions)

1 small can of black olives

1 small can green chili enchilada sauce

about 1 Tbsp chopped cilantro (optional)

3/4 - 1 cup grated jack cheese (I used reduced fat)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  In a pan add the beans, corn, onions, olives and 2 Tbsp of the green chili sauce.  Mix well and heat on medium for a few minutes.  Add the cilantro, if using.  

In a glass pan (11 x 7 size) pour about 1/2 cup of the green chili sauce.  Lay out one tortilla and put a bit of filling in the middle, fold over each side and place into the glass pan, seam side down.  Repeat, until you can't fit any more (about 6-7)  Pour the remaining (or just enough to barely cover tortillas) sauce over the top.  If there is any filling left over you can sprinkle that on top also.  If there's cheese left, use that on top, too.  Cover with foil and cook in the oven for about 20-25 minutes.  Uncover and continue to bake for another 5-10 minutes.

Garnish with guacamole, shredded cabbage or sour cream.  Do what you like!

I'm on the Wine and Ice Cream Eating Plan

Okay, so I've officially tried just about every diet plan on Earth.  Since I'm now unofficially a nutrition expert and I use that term lightly, I've developed an eating plan that will allow me to lose extremely unwanted poundage while enjoying two of my favorite food groups!  Wine and ice cream!!  You know ice cream had to be included since my son opened his unique  ice cream venture.  I have declared myself the "quality control"  person, which REQUIRES me to taste every flavor!   I excel at this "job".

In a bit over one month I've managed to lose a solid 7 lbs.  Had I been more strict, cut out the ice cream, I probably could have shed more.  Who wants to live like that?  Not this girl!  Basically, I'm a vegetarian who will eat fish, no red meat or chicken, no butter, minimal olive oil.  I saute veggies in broth instead.  My snacks are half a plain bagel with fruit spread, pretzels, veggie chips, my wasabi rice chips from Whole Foods, fruits and veggies.   Luckily I like beans, couscous, farro, barley and brown rice.  You knew there had to be a catch.  MUST eat beans, especially for the protein.  

I don't feel deprived or hungry.  If I want a glass of red wine or a scoop of ice cream, I won't hesitate.  You're probably thinking I spend hours in the gym!  Bite your tongue!  I frankly get claustrophobic at a gym so I opt for walking and hiking.  If I don't feel like walking I still force myself out the door to go around the block, at least.  I'm done beating myself up!   That's it in a nutshell!  You may have noticed I've been scarce on this blog, now you know.  Here's what's been on the menu!

smoked salmon home made pizza with arugula

loads of beans, lentils and veggies

zucchini spice cookies...I haven't made these in a while but allowed

multi grain waffles with blueberry compote

Don't forget the ice cream and wine!