Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Nutella Banana Bread

So until recently I thought I hated Nutella.  I really don't know if I should be mad for all the years I missed out, or for the pounds that will slowly creep up on me.... I'm pretty sure my husband will find me hiding in the laundry fool with a jar of Nutella and a spoon one of these days.  I found this recipe on Chef-In-Training and only changed up the sugar.  BTW, her site is AMAZING!
Ingredient's:
  • 3/4 cup Nutella
  • 3 ripe bananas
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In a large mixing bowl cream together sugar and butter.
  3. Add in eggs one at a time until well blended.
  4. Add bananas, milk and vanilla and blend until thoroughly combined.
  5. Slowly add in flour, soda and salt until it is all mixed together.
  6. In a small microwaveable bowl, add Nutella and heat for 15-20 seconds.  Add in 1 cup of the banana bread batter and stir until well combined.
  7. Drop alternating spoonful's of each batter into a sprayed loaf pan.  Swirl the batters together with a butter knife.
  8. Bake for 60 minutes.
  9. Let cook in pan for about 15-20 minutes before removing from pan.
  10. Cut and serve! 
*it is extra delicious served with more Nutella spread over the top*
 

Monday, October 13, 2014

Shrimp Ramen Bowls

MMMMM...... I seriously love a good noodle soup.  This broth is quite similar tasting to Hot and Sour Soup.  I definitely see myself converting it one day.  I absolutely loved this dish and will be making it again soon.  I was low on veggies but you can definitely bulk it up.  My original plan revolved around Coconut Milk however, I left the store without it.
 
Ingredients:
  • 1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 6 oz box chow mein noodles (feel free to use plain packaged ramen noodles)
  • 2 boxes vegetable broth (4 lbs)
  • 1 onion, halved and sliced
  • 1 package sliced mushroom ( I lightly diced mine)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 Teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 Teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon Sriracha
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 tablespoon flour
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • Cilantro and green onions for garnish.
 
 
Directions:
  1. Boil noodles according to package directions.
  2. In a large pot melt butter.
  3. Add mushrooms and sauté until soft, adding in onions and garlic for last couple minutes and sprinkle with a little salt.
  4. Sprinkle onions and mushrooms with flour and stir until thick.
  5. Slowly stir in broth and bring to a boil.
  6. Add in the rest of the seasonings and sriracha and stir, if you need to add any extra flavors this is the time!
  7. Reduce heat and add noddle's and shrimp.
  8. Cook until shrimp are pink, around 3-5 minutes.
  9. Garnish with green onions and cilantro and serve.
 
 
 

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Chocolate chips make everything better!  I always seem to have extra ripe bananas screaming, "banana bread" in my house lately.  I opted for an easy go to recipe and added some chocolate chips, PERFECTION! 
 
Ingredients:
  • 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 -3/4 cup milk chocolate chips
  • 3 ripe bananas
  • 1/3 cup melted butter
  • 1 cup of sugar ( I did 3/4 cup sugar and 1/4 cup honey)
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • Pinch of salt
Directions:
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Add bananas, egg, vanilla, cinnamon and sugar into a mixing bowl and mix until smooth.
  3. Slowly mix in flour, soda and salt.
  4. Gently fold in chocolate chips.
  5. Pour into lightly buttered bread pan.
  6. Bake for 45 minutes.
  7. Cool and serve.
 
 
 
 
 
  

Friday, October 3, 2014

Blackberry Cobbler

Tis the season for blackberries!  I love everything blackberry.  My blackberry pie filling is so versatile and whenever I am in a pinch and feel like pie but don't want to fuss with crust, I make cobbler.  So easy and the streusel topping is amazing!

Ingredients for Filling:
  • 4 cups blackberries, thawed
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 cup flower
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

  • Ingredients for Streusel:
  • 3 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • dash of cinnamon

  • Directions:
    1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
    2. In a large bowl add all filling ingredients and mix together.
    3. In a separate bowl, mix all the topping ingredients together with a fork to form a crumbled mixture.
    4. Pour filling into a 9x9 baking dish or individual short mason jars pictured above.
    5. Sprinkle streusel evenly over blackberry filling.Bake for 20-30 minutes, until streusel topping is golden brown.
    6. Cool and serve.