Pumpkin Date Loaf

With it's dense crumb, this whole wheat pumpkin loaf is dotted with sweet chopped dates and raisins (or dried cranberries) for an easy breakfast or snack. 

Ingredients:

1 cup pumpkin purée

1 cup brown sugar

 2 eggs

2/3 cup vegetable oil

2 cups whole wheat flour

2 1/2 tsps baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

 pinch of salt

1 tsp cinnamon

 2/3 cup chopped dates

1/3 cup raisins (optional, but for raisin-haters you could use dried cranberries)

Mix the pumpkin purée, brown sugar, eggs and oil together. In a separate bowl combine the whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt together, then add the dry ingredients to the wet. Fold in the dates and raisins and pour into an oiled 9 X 5" loaf pan. Bake at 350°F for 55-60 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool 10-15 minutes in the pan (don't rush this or it might crack) then remove from pan and cool completely on rack before slicing. Great as is or you can drizzle with a little glaze.

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Homemade Tortilla Chip Nachos

Nachos made with homemade tortilla chips skipping those store bought fried in oil chips for a healthier version. 

Ingredients:

10-6" whole wheat or corn tortillas 

olive oil

taco seasoning (store bought or homemade)

Link to my homemade taco seasoning:

https://www.hotandcoldrunningmom.ca/2016/05/homemade-taco-seasoning.html 

diced bell pepper

sliced black olives

jar of hot banana pepper rings

2-3 cups shredded sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese

Salsa, avocado and Roma tomatoes to serve

Brush each tortilla on both sides with olive oil and sprinkle with taco seasoning. Stack together and cut through the stack into six wedges. Lay the triangles out on lined baking sheets and bake at 350°F for 6 minutes, flip them over and bake another 5-6 minutes. Leave out to cool, they will crisp up. When ready to build your nachos layer half the chips on a lined 13 X 9" pan add half the cheese and toppings then repeat layering. Pop in the oven to broil for 3-5 minutes. Keep an eye on them, then remove from oven and top with dollops of salsa, diced avocado and tomatoes. Serves 4-6 

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Savory Meaty Asian Noodles

For this first day of the Lunar New Year here's a simple yet satisfying dish featuring long noodles to represent longevity. 

12 oz your choice of noodles (yi mien, fettuccini, spaghetti)

1 tsp sesame oil 

1/4 cup reserved pasta water

1 lb ground meat (chicken, beef or pork)

1 tbsp vegetable oil

1-2 tbsps minced garlic

1 tbsp minced ginger

3 green onions, sliced and divided white and green

1 small onion, diced

1/3 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup water

1 tbsp hoisin sauce

2 tbsps brown sugar

1 tbsp rice vinegar

1 tbsp cornstarch

2 tbsps cold water

garnish with sesame seeds, green onion slices, red pepper flakes

Cook noodles then reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water and drain. Rinse in cold water then toss with sesame oil. Set aside. Mix the soy sauce, water, hoisin sauce, brown sugar and rice vinegar together for the sauce and set aside. Heat vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet and brown the meat 5-7 minutes. Remove excess liquid from the pan then make a hollow in the center of the meat and add the diced onion, white slices of green onion, garlic and ginger. Leave for 30-60 seconds before mixing together with the meat. Pour in the sauce and bring to a boil 1-2 minutes. Next make a slurry with the cornstarch and 2 tbsp cold water, add to the pan and simmer 1-2 minutes. Toss in the cooked noodles and reserved pasta water and heat through. Plate and garnish to your liking. Makes 4 servings. 

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Protein Packed Pumpkin Dessert

These deliciously moist dessert squares are similar to pumpkin pie but have added cottage cheese and no crust.

Ingredients:

1 cup cottage cheese 

2 eggs

1/2 cup almond flour

1/2 cup pumpkin purée 

1 ripe banana, mashed

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp ginger 

1/4 tsp allspice

2 tsps vanilla extract 

2 tbsps maple syrup

1/2 tsp baking powder 

Pinch of salt

 

Line a 9 X 5" loaf pan with parchment paper and preheat oven to 350°F. Whisk the cottage cheese and eggs together then add the vanilla, maple syrup, banana and pumpkin. Whisk on high several minutes to break up some of the cottage cheese. Some lumps will remain. Combine flour, baking powder, warming spices and salt and add to the wet ingredients.  Pour into prepared pan and bake for 33-37 minutes. Let cool completely then lift out of pan using parchment.  It is very moist so move it carefully.  Makes 8 servings. 

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Very Berry Hearts

Sugar free Valentine treat. Great for your little ones or for big ones trying to cut back.

Ingredients:

1 cup rolled oats

1/3 cup almond flour 

1 tbsp chia seeds

1 cup frozen strawberries or cherries

1/2 cup finely shredded unsweetened coconut plus 3 tbsps more for rolling

Use sweetened coconut to sweeten these up a little if you like.

Blend everything together in a food processor them press into a small heart shaped cutter. Coat with coconut and refrigerate or freeze until ready to snack. Makes 20 two-bite hearts.

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Slow Cooker Ginger Pepper Beef

Tender and succulent beef with a robust amount of garlic and ginger to warm your heart! Great idea for a Valentine's dinner for two ♥  

Ingredients:

1 lb stewing beef, cut in 1/2-1" cubes

1 large bell pepper, diced

1 large (or 3 small) onions, cut in wedges

2 tbsps minced garlic

2 tsps grated ginger

1 tsp dry onion soup mix

1/4 cup water

2 tbsps soy sauce

2 tsps brown sugar

1/4 tsp black pepper 

2 tsps cornstarch

2 tsps cold water

Place beef in the bottom of the slow cooker and top with bell pepper and onion. Mix the garlic, ginger, dry onion soup mix, 1/4 cup water, soy sauce, brown sugar and black pepper together and pour over the meat. Slow cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. In last 30 minutes mix the cornstarch and cold water together and stir into the pot. Serves 2 

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Crustless Bacon Cheese Quiche

Cheesy bacony deliciousness in every bite. Perfect for a lazy late breakfast, brunch or even a light dinner. 

Ingredients:

Spray oil

1 cup cottage cheese 

6 eggs

1 tsp original Mrs Dash seasoning or salt and pepper

1 cup shredded Gruyère, cheddar or mozzarella 

3 tbsps chopped sundried tomatoes

5 slices of bacon, cooked and chopped

1/2 cup cooked, diced potatoes

1 tsp dry parsley 

Preheat oven to 350°F. Blend cottage cheese, eggs and seasoning together. Then fold in the cheese, sundried tomatoes, cooked bacon, potatoes and parsley. Pour into an oiled 9" pie plate and bake for 45 minutes or until a knife into the center of the quiche comes out clean. Let sit 5-10 minutes before cutting. Approximate protein in each serving is 36 grams. Serves 4

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