-
Gwyneth’s Bummer Bars
I recently picked up Gwyneth Paltrow’s book, It’s All Good, and, in short — I’m obsessed. I have tried 6+ recipes within the last few days and all have been fantastic. Having said that, I do not think I’ve ever seen so many different opinions on a mere cookbook – some people love it, some despise it and want to blog about it constantly. I really like her style of cooking. She advocates clean eating and tries to cook with healthy, natural ingredients including lots of fruits, vegetables, natural sweeteners and “good for you” grains. It’s a concept I could get very used to and, with recipes like these, I think anyone would enjoy them regardless of the obvious health benefits.
Yesterday I decided to make Gwyneth’s “Bummer Bars,” which are a healthy form of a granola bar made instead with quinoa flakes, ground flaxseeds, prunes, walnuts, maple syrup, olive oil and plenty of warm spices.
-
Easy Pumpkin Rum Bread Pudding
Halloween may be over, but pumpkin desserts are still in full swing. Here is a recipe for Pumpkin Rum Bread Pudding that is surprisingly easy to make and perfect to whip up as a fall desert. The great thing about this recipe is that you can use regular sliced whole wheat bread, something many of us often have on hand at home. The bread pudding comes out hearty and custardy, with plenty of spiciness from the cinnamon and nutmeg, and an extra kick courtesy of 1/4 cup of rum. Serve with a dollop of freshly whipped cream. Delicious!
-
Pfeffernüsse
I have many fond memories of enjoying Pfeffernüsse cookies during the holiday season while living in Switzerland. Pronounced [fef-fur-noose], these delightful German cookies translate to “pepper nuts” and are truly one of my favorite holiday treats. These spicy cookies, full of cloves, nutmeg, ground black pepper, ginger and cardamom, are not for the faint of heart and best reserved for those who love these distinct spices (although I challenge the non-spicy folks to give them a try as well – they are delicious and so worth it!). In Germany (and its neighboring Switzerland), Pfeffernüsse is a very old, if not ancient, recipe that has been passed down for generations and enjoyed throughout many European countries. I recall picking up a box of Pfeffernüsse from my local bakery
-
Walnut Rooibos Tea Loaf
Cooking with tea is one of the latest trends in the culinary world, so I couldn’t wait to try out a fantastic and healthy recipe for Walnut Rooibos Tea Loaf. I used a premium brand of loose tea from the luxe tea production company, Le Palais des thés. Based in Paris, Le Palais des thés sells teas harvested from the finest crops around the world and is renowned for their all-natural tea blends called, “Les Créations.” Trust me, when you taste these teas you will immediately recognize the difference between Le Palais des thés and everything else…
-
Healthy Chunky Banana Bran Muffins
There is nothing better than a healthy, hearty bran muffin so I set out to create one full of sweet, chunky bananas. With the addition of nonfat Greek yogurt, I was able to reduce the amount of oil in the recipe and still maintain the moistness and texture of a traditional bran muffin. For lots of fiber and healthy grains, I added wheat bran and wheat germ, along with a combination of light brown sugar and molasses for sweetness. A teaspoon of freshly grated orange zest adds a subtle citrus twist. Most banana muffin recipes call for small, diced pieces of banana that pretty much blend in, but I wanted these muffins to be chunky, so I cut the bananas slices thick. Once baked and cooled, you will have a dozen golden brown bran muffins, chock full of distinct bananas and chewy grains. Enjoy!
-
Healthy Multigrain Pumpkin Muffins
I am always on the lookout for delicious pumpkin recipes that are not only tasty, but healthy as well. I found an amazing recipe for low-fat pumpkin muffins created by one of my fave baking blogs, Love From The Oven. Full of whole wheat flour, flaxseed meal and oat bran, these muffins are bursting with fiber and have the hearty, nutty texture of multigrain muffins. With the addition of pumpkin, applesauce and a hefty dose of pumpkin pie spice, these muffins are truly a delight. They have a moist center and that perfect crunchy top that everyone loves – and no oil or butter. While you are baking, your kitchen will be filled with the delicious smell of fall. Enjoy with a small dab of honey butter or with nothing at all. The recipe is after the jump… check it out!
