The Grateful Girl Cooks!

02
Feb
2018

Chocolate Chip Muffins

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Chocolate Chip Muffins are easy to make, amazingly delicious, and will be a family favorite for breakfast or a light snack!

Do you enjoy a great tasting treat for breakfast or a snack? If so, then you will want to read on and will need to make these delicious Chocolate Chip Muffins, bursting with miniature chocolate chips! Grab a cup of coffee or tea and read on.

I found the recipe on Pinterest and whipped up a batch for our family several weeks ago. WOW!!! They are wonderful, and were difficult to stay out of!

The recipe made 12 standard sized muffins, which were packed with chocolate chips and were NOT dry! Absolutely DELICIOUS! As an added bonus… they are super easy to make, too! Here’s how:

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

How To Make Chocolate Chip Muffins

In a large bowl, mix together butter and oil, until well blended. Add sugar, egg, egg white and vanilla extract.

Stir or whisk ingredients very well, until completely combined and smooth. Add the buttermilk, and stir until combined.

Whisk together flour, corn starch, baking powder and salt in a separate mixing bowl. Add the dry ingredients to the bowl with the wet ingredients.

Fold or gently stir dry ingredients into batter, making sure NOT to overmix.

About half way through folding dry ingredients into wet ingredients, stir in the chocolate chips. Once combined, cover the bowl and let the batter sit at room temperature for at least 15 minutes (trust me-this will help the muffins to rise higher).

While batter is “resting”, preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a standard sized muffin tin with paper cupcake liners and spray bottom of each paper liner with non-stick baking spray (I learned this trick from a friend whose husband was a baker).

Once batter has “rested”, fill each paper liner with batter (about 3/4 full), distributing evenly between muffin cups.

Bake The Chocolate Chip Muffins

Sprinkle the top of each muffin with coarse granulated sugar. Bake at 425 degrees for 8 minutes, then turn down the oven to 350 degrees and cook for another 7-8 minutes.

Check muffins for doneness (they should be light golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted into middle of muffin should come out dry). When done, remove muffins from oven to a wire rack, and let muffins cool.

And that’s how easy it is to make these wonderful treats! Don’t they LOOK good? Each muffin rose well above the top of the paper liner! And just look at all those mini chocolate chips inside… YUM!

These chocolate chip muffins tasted FANTASTIC! We loved them. I sent some of them home with one of our sons, and he loved them, too.

I hope you will consider trying this recipe, and trust that you, and those you love will enjoy them as much as we did. Have a GREAT day!

Looking For More MUFFIN Recipes?

You can find all of my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. Some of our favorite muffins include:

Interested In More Recipes?

Thank you for visiting this website. I appreciate you using some of your valuable time to do so. If you’re interested, I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1^st and 15^th) with all the latest recipes, and other fun info. I would be honored to have you join our growing list of subscribers, so you never miss a great recipe!
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Recipe Source: Samantha Merritt, at https://sugarspunrun.com/bakery-style-chocolate-chip-muffins/

↓↓ PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW ↓↓

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Chocolate Chip Muffins

Prep Time

20 mins

Cook Time

15 mins

Total Time

35 mins

Chocolate Chip Muffins will be a family favorite for breakfast or a light snack, and they're easy to make!

Category: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Keyword: chocolate chip muffins

Servings: 12 muffins

Calories Per Serving: 279 kcal

Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!

Ingredients

4 Tablespoons butter (melted, cooled to room temp.)
1/4 cup vegetable (or canola) oil
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg (at room temp. is best)
1 egg white
1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup buttermilk (see NOTES for substitute)
1¾ cup all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons corn starch
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup chocolate chips (I used mini-chips!)
1/3 cup granulated or coarse sugar (for sprinkling on muffins before baking)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

In a large bowl, mix together butter and oil, until well blended. Add sugar, egg, egg white and the vanilla extract. Stir or whisk ingredients very well, until completely combined and smooth. Add buttermilk; stir until combined.
Whisk together flour, corn starch, baking powder and salt in a separate mixing bowl. Add the dry ingredients to the bowl with the wet ingredients. Fold or gently stir dry ingredients into batter, making sure NOT to overmix. About half way through folding dry ingredients into wet ingredients, stir in the chocolate chips. Once combined, cover the bowl and let the batter sit at room temperature for at least 15 minutes (this will help the muffins to rise higher).
While batter is "resting", preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a standard sized muffin tin with paper cupcake liners and spray bottom of each paper liner with non-stick baking spray (I learned this trick from a friend whose husband was a baker). Once batter has "rested", divide batter evenly, and fill each paper liner with batter (about 3/4 full), distributing evenly between muffin cups.
Sprinkle the top of each muffin with coarse granulated sugar. Bake at 425 degrees for 8 minutes, then turn down oven to 350 degrees and cook for another 7-8 minutes (without removing muffins from oven). At the 7 minute mark, check muffins for doneness (they should be light golden brown and a toothpick inserted into middle should come out dry). When done, remove muffins from oven to a wire rack, and let muffins cool. Serve, and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

!No buttermilk? Use this as a substitute: Put 1½ tsp. white vinegar OR lemon juice into a measuring cup. Fill to 1/2 cup marking with milk. Stir. Let sit 5 minutes before using.
!Want to make 6 JUMBO sized muffins? Follow exact recipe and use jumbo sized muffin tins - bake at 425° for 8 mins., reduce heat to 350°, then bake an additional 15 mins. before checking for doneness.

Nutrition Facts

Chocolate Chip Muffins

Amount Per Serving (1 muffin)

Calories 279 Calories from Fat 72

% Daily Value*

Fat 8g12%

Saturated Fat 4g25%

Cholesterol 27mg9%

Sodium 163mg7%

Potassium 117mg3%

Carbohydrates 48g16%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 32g36%

Protein 3g6%

Vitamin A 380IU8%

Vitamin C 0.5mg1%

Calcium 65mg7%

Iron 1.2mg7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to post on your Pinterest boards!

30
Jan
2018

Grilled Patty Melt

categories: Beef, For The BBQ Grill, Main Dishes, Sandwiches

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Make a classic grilled patty melt from the comfort of home! Seasoned beef, rye bread, caramelized onions, and gooey cheese create a delicious grilled sandwich!

Do you enjoy a good Patty Melt? I sure do – YUM! Sometimes when we go out for hamburgers, I opt for a grilled patty melt, because I love the simplicity of this sandwich and I LOVE the taste! Did you know it’s EASY to make them from the comfort of your own home?

Seriously… I love grilled onions, I love cheese and I love burgers, so how could I not enjoy this simple classic grilled sandwich? A patty melt features all of those ingredients, and is a popular menu item at diners and Mom and Pop restaurants around the country!

Now, please note that I didn’t say they are the HEALTHIEST meal option, but I do believe life (including food choices) is all about balance. Every now and then, a grilled patty melt with perfectly caramelized onions and gooey cheese on buttered rye bread makes me deliriously HAPPY.

I enjoyed eating this grilled patty melt. Every single bite… THEN I went for a 237 mile walk to work off the calories… Ha Ha!

Scroll Down for A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

How To Make A Grilled Patty Melt

Patty melts are easy to make. They do take a little bit of prep time, because you need to caramelize and brown the sliced onions really well!

Slice the onions thin, then cook low and slow in a little butter for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. If you are a multi-tasker, you can grill the patties at the same time.

You can also prepare the onions for the patty melt ahead of time, if you want. This could save you time later on when everyone is ravenous and starving.

Lightly season the ground beef with salt, pepper, a touch of garlic powder and some Worcestershire sauce, then shape the meat into patties.

Make the patties slightly oblong to fit better on a piece of Rye bread (the “traditional” bread used to make this sandwich).

Cooking The Beef For A Patty Melt

Grill the beef patties on both sides on medium-high heat until they reach the desired doneness (I am a medium-well gal, myself). I cook the meat on an indoor cast iron grill, but they are just as easily cooked on a BBQ grill.

Make sure the grill or pan you use is very hot before adding the meat. This helps to create a crusty “sear” on the outside.

Once ready to cook the grilled patty melt, spread butter on one side of each slice of bread (like making a grilled cheese sandwich).

Place the cooked meat patty onto the non-buttered side, then pile on the caramelized onions.

NOTE: If you want a LOT of cheese, place a piece of Swiss cheese on the bread before placing the patty on, then add another one to the top. I wanted just a small amount of cheese, so I put it only on top of the onions.

Top With Another Slice Of Bread

Place another slice of bread on top of the cheese (buttered side out). If you wish to add Thousand Island dressing (a lot of restaurants serve it with this), spread it onto the unbuttered side of the top slice of bread.

Cook the patty melt as you would a grilled cheese sandwich. Once the bottom slice of bread is golden brown and toasty, carefully flip the sandwich to the other side.

Continue cooking the grilled patty melt until the bread is crusty and golden brown, the cheese has melted, and the sandwich is heated through.

Time to EAT!

Once done, carefully slice the patty melt in half, and serve with additional Thousand Island dressing or ketchup for dunking!

And, if you want MORE calories (cough, cough), add some fries! French fries are VEGETABLES, right?

That’s it! See how easy it is to make this classic sandwich? Now you can make a delicious grilled patty melt in the comfort of your own home!

The secret is getting the onions cooked just right, along with crispy rye bread, a well-seared beef patty, and ooey gooey melted cheese! This simple meal always make me happy!

I hope you will consider making these yummy sandwiches for lunch or dinner for friends or family! Have a fantastic day!

Looking For More SANDWICH Recipes?

You can find all my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. I have quite a few delicious sandwich recipes you might enjoy, including:

Interested In More Recipes?

There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right side (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use, where you can easily submit your e-mail address (only) to be included in my mailing list.

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Grilled Patty Melt

Prep Time

25 mins

Cook Time

5 mins

Total Time

30 mins

Make a classic grilled patty melt from the comfort of home! Seasoned beef, rye bread, caramelized onions, and gooey cheese create a delicious grilled sandwich!

Category: Entree, Sandwich

Cuisine: American

Keyword: patty melt

Servings: 4 servings

Calories Per Serving: 804 kcal

Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!

Ingredients

2 onions , peeled, sliced thin
1 Tablespoon butter
1½ pounds ground beef
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
4-5 dashes Worchestershire sauce
2 Tablespoons butter
8 slices rye bread (can substitute sourdough)
4 slices Swiss cheese (use more, if desired- can also substitute American cheese)
Thousand Island dressing (optional, if desired)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Trim ends off onions, peel, then slice thin. Melt 1 Tablespoon butter in skillet. Cook onions slices on medium heat for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. When done, the caramelized onions should be softened and light brown. Set aside.
Season ground beef with salt, pepper, garlic powder and Worchestershire sauce. Mix well. Shape meat into 4 slightly oblong patties (to fit shape of rye bread). Grill beef patties on grill or in skillet on medium-high heat (spray skillet with non-stick spray or use melted butter) until cooked through to your preferred done-ness. Make sure the grill or pan you use is very hot before adding the meat. This helps to create a quick, crusty "sear" on the outside. When done, set beef patties on paper towel to drain excess grease.
When ready to cook sandwich, spread butter on one side of each slice of bread. Place cooked meat patty onto the non-buttered side, then piled on the caramelized onions. Top with slice of Swiss cheese. NOTE: If you want a LOT of cheese, place a piece of Swiss cheese on the bread before placing the patty on, then add another slice to the top.
Place a slice of buttered bread on top of the cheese (butter side out). If you wish to add Thousand Island dressing, spread it onto the unbuttered side of the top slice of bread. Cook patty melt on low heat as you would a grilled cheese sandwich. Once the bottom is golden brown and toasty, carefully flip the sandwich (with a spatula) to the other side, and continue cooking until golden brown, cheese has melted, and sandwich is heated through. Once done, carefully slice patty melt in half, and serve with additional Thousand Island dressing or ketchup for dunking! Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Grilled Patty Melt

Amount Per Serving (1 sandwich)

Calories 804 Calories from Fat 468

% Daily Value*

Fat 52g80%

Saturated Fat 23g144%

Cholesterol 169mg56%

Sodium 1222mg53%

Potassium 667mg19%

Carbohydrates 38g13%

Fiber 4g17%

Sugar 5g6%

Protein 42g84%

Vitamin A 495IU10%

Vitamin C 4.3mg5%

Calcium 311mg31%

Iron 5.4mg30%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!

26
Jan
2018

Overnight Banana Coconut Oats

categories: Breakfast

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5 minutes prep time is all you need to make a family friendly breakfast of Overnight Banana Coconut Oats! A quick, easy and delicious dish everyone will enjoy!

Have you ever made overnight oats before? I would like to recommend these Overnight Banana Coconut Oats today, for your consideration! Take a couple minutes to mix up the ingredients, and simply refrigerate them while you sleep, then wake up to a thick and creamy cup of “ready to go DELICIOUS oatmeal” the next morning!

I really like the idea of having overnight oats ready to grab and go in the morning. There’s no fuss- just a hearty, filling, DELICIOUS breakfast to enjoy with my coffee!

It couldn’t be easier to make banana coconut oats, with a few ingredients! Make a few up and go to bed at night, knowing your breakfast will be waiting for YOU! Here’s how to make one serving:

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

How To Make Overnight Banana Coconut Oats

In an airtight container with a lid (I used a pint sized Mason jar), place rolled oats, sliced banana, vanilla extract, chia seeds, shredded coconut, and pure maple syrup. NOTE: If you want more coconut flavor, you can also add a very small bit of coconut extract. I didn’t find it necessary, but it is an option!

Add unsweetened coconut milk until the oats are fully covered. Give the ingredients a good stir, until they are completely mixed together. If necessary, you might need to add a bit more coconut milk to ensure the ingredients are covered.

This is what the overnight banana coconut oats looked like after mixing. Place a lid on the jar or container, and refrigerate overnight.

The next morning, remove jar from refrigerator and remove lid. Overnight the oats will have absorbed quite a bit of the coconut milk, leaving a creamy, thicker consistency of oats. You can add in a bit more coconut milk, to thin out the oats more and loosen them up, if desired. Give the oats a good stir, and they are ready to eat cold (no, you don’t heat them!).

See how thick the banana coconut oats have become after being refrigerated overnight? They taste wonderful cold, too… kind of like pudding!

The recipe as written below will yield ONE serving, but is easily doubled or tripled to make several more servings. Overnight banana coconut oats can be prepared 2-3 days in advance. If you enjoy the flavors of coconut and banana, you will enjoy this easy breakfast that will also fill you up!

Looking for More OVERNIGHT OAT Recipes?

You can find ALL my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. You might also enjoy my other overnight oats recipes, including:

Interested In More Recipes?

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:

Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

Recipe Source: Tammy, at https://www.organizeyourselfskinny.com/2017/07/05/banana-coconut-overnight-oats/

0 from 0 votes

Overnight Banana Coconut Oats

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

0 mins

Total Time

5 mins

5 minutes prep time is all you need to make a family friendly breakfast of Overnight Banana Coconut Oats! A quick, easy and delicious dish everyone will enjoy!

Category: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Keyword: overnight banana coconut oats

Servings: 1 serving

Calories Per Serving: 581 kcal

Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!

Ingredients

1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats (not instant)
1/2 very ripe banana , sliced thin
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 Tablespoon shredded coconut (unsweetened preferred)
1 teaspoon chia seeds
2 teaspoon pure maple syrup
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk (plus more, if necessary)
1/8 teaspoon coconut extract (OPTIONAL-use only if more coconut flavor desired)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Place all ingredients (except coconut milk) in a mason jar or container with a lid. Give ingredients a stir until combined.
Pour coconut milk into container. Stir well. Make sure the ingredients are fully covered by coconut milk. Add additional coconut milk (if necessary), to cover. Seal jar or container. Refrigerate overnight.
When ready to serve, remove from refrigerator, remove lid, and give oats a stir. Stir in additional coconut milk, if desired, to thin out the oats a bit.
Serve, and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Oats can be prepared 2-3 days in advance, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Overnight Banana Coconut Oats

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories 581 Calories from Fat 315

% Daily Value*

Fat 35g54%

Saturated Fat 28g175%

Sodium 42mg2%

Potassium 673mg19%

Carbohydrates 62g21%

Fiber 9g38%

Sugar 23g26%

Protein 9g18%

Vitamin C 8.5mg10%

Calcium 81mg8%

Iron 4mg22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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22
Jan
2018

Baked Parmesan Zucchini Fries

categories: Appetizers, From Our Veggie Garden, Side Dishes, Vegetable Dishes

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Baked Parmesan Zucchini Fries are a delicious side dish or appetizer! Baked until crispy, and served with dipping sauce, these “fries” will be a big hit!

Baked Parmesan Zucchini Fries are a delicious family-friendly way to get kids (and adults) to EAT THEIR VEGGIES! Baked (not fried) to a crispy finish, and served with a cool, seasoned dipping sauce on the side, these “fries” won’t last long, as a side dish or an appetizer!

The zucchini are crispy on the outside, and have lots of flavor with the simple coating, and the PLUS is that they are BAKED, not FRIED. They are really very easy to prepare, and it’s a great way to get more veggies into the food rotation!

It’s easy to get these veggies into everyone, in a fun way (especially if the kids like French fries)! Zucchini fries are delicious baked and eaten without any accompaniments, but I like to dip them in a tasty sauce (or ranch dressing).

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At the Bottom Of The Page

Making The Sauce/Dip For Baked Parmesan Zucchini Fries

This time I made up a quick and simple Mexican-spiced dip/sauce (with some of my favorite spices), to serve on the side. I made the sauce by combining non-fat plain Greek yogurt with a Tablespoon of mayonnaise. I then added cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, and paprika, and mixed until blended.

The dipping sauce has good Southwestern flavor, but is not too spicy, by the way! Make ahead, cover, and refrigerate until ready to use.

How To Cut Zucchini For Zucchini Fries

I used a green zucchini and a yellow zucchini to make the fries. After slicing the ends off, they were cut like this:

#1 Cut each in half in the middle.
#2 Cut each half in half lengthwise.
#3 Cut those pieces into 4 lengthwise slices each (so they are wedges about 1/2 an inch wide).

In a small bowl, place two eggs. Lightly beat the eggs until they are fully combined. In a separate bowl, place Panko crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Add the garlic powder, salt, pepper, paprika and Italian seasoning, and stir until combined.

Prepping Zucchini Fries For Baking

Dip the zucchini wedges, one at a time into the egg mixture to coat. Shake off excess egg back into bowl, and then dip and roll in Panko mixture to coat all sides.

Place each coated piece of zucchini on a baking sheet which has been lined with aluminum foil, covered with non-stick spray. Repeat until all “fries” have been coated. Make sure to keep wedges separated on foil.

Cooking The Baked Parmesan Zucchini Fries

Spray the top of the zucchini with cooking spray or lightly drizzle with olive oil. Bake in a preheated 425 degree oven for 22-25 minutes, flipping zucchini fries over, half way through the cooking time. When done, the zucchini should be crisp on the outside and lightly browned.

Time To Eat!

Transfer zucchini fries to a platter, and serve with dipping sauce (if desired). They taste the very best when served hot, crispy, and fresh!

Serve, and enjoy this yummy finger food side dish (or appetizer!). Recipe is easily doubled for a larger crowd… as written, the recipe makes 32 “fries”. Hope you enjoy these zucchini fries – we sure did!

Looking For More APPETIZER Recipes?

You can find all of my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. I have some delicious appetizer recipes you might enjoy, including:

Interested In More Recipes?

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:

Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

Zucchini Fries Recipe Source: Trish, at https://www.momontimeout.com/baked-parmesan-zucchini-fries-recipe/

0 from 0 votes

Baked Parmesan Zucchini Fries

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

22 mins

Total Time

32 mins

Baked Parmesan Zucchini Fries are a delicious side dish or appetizer! Baked until crispy, and served with dipping sauce, these "fries" will be a big hit!

Category: Side Dish / Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: baked Parmesan zucchini fries

Servings: 32 fries

Calories Per Serving: 18 kcal

Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!

Ingredients

2 zucchini (medium sized- I used 1 green and 1 yellow)
2 eggs , beaten lightly
1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon paprika

For Dipping Sauce:

1/2 cup non-fat Greek yogurt (can substitute sour cream)
1 Tablespoon Mayonnaise
1/4 teaspoon EACH of spices (chili powder, ground cumin, garlic powder and paprika)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

To Make Dipping Sauce:

Mix Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, and paprika in small bowl until blended. Cover, and refrigerate until ready to use.

To Make Zucchini Fries:

Cut both ends off each zucchini (discard). Cut each zucchini in half across the middle, then cut each half in half lengthwise, then cut those pieces into 4 lengthwise slices each (so they are wedges about 1/2 an inch wide). You should have 32 wedges.
In a bowl, lightly beat eggs until combined. Set aside.
In another bowl, mix Panko crumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, pepper, paprika and Italian seasoning until combined.
Dip zucchini wedges, one at a time into the egg mixture to coat. Shake excess egg back into bowl, then dip and roll zucchini slice in Panko mixture to coat all sides. Place each coated piece of zucchini on baking sheet lined with foil, and sprayed lightly with non-stick spray. Repeat until all "fries" have been coated. Keep wedges separated. Spray the top of the zucchini with cooking spray, or lightly drizzle with olive oil.
Bake in preheated 425 degree oven for 22-25 minutes, turning zucchini slices over, half way through cooking time. When done, zucchini should be crisp on the outside and lightly browned. Transfer zucchini fries to a platter, and serve with dipping sauce (if desired).

Nutrition Facts

Baked Parmesan Zucchini Fries

Amount Per Serving (4 wedges)

Calories 18

% Daily Value*

Cholesterol 11mg4%

Sodium 45mg2%

Potassium 42mg1%

Carbohydrates 1g0%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 55IU1%

Vitamin C 2.2mg3%

Calcium 17mg2%

Iron 0.1mg1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!

19
Jan
2018

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

categories: Breakfast

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If you are looking for a decadent breakfast that is easy to prepare and incredibly DELICIOUS, may I suggest Lemon Ricotta Pancakes? Easily made from scratch, light and fluffy, and infused with lemon flavor, this is one breakfast your family and friends will remember!

I first tasted lemon ricotta pancakes last Fall when my husband and I enjoyed a 4 day getaway to Bend, Oregon. Oh my goodness! We stumbled upon a restaurant called The McKay Cottage Restaurant (voted best breakfast restaurant in Bend, every year since 2010), and had a wonderful breakfast there.

Our meal was so good, we ended up going back again the next day, and thoroughly enjoyed their incredible lemon ricotta pancakes! Soooo good! Look how scrumptious they looked when served to us! YUM!

Once we returned home, I vowed to eventually make them from scratch, so we could enjoy them here in our home, instead of a restaurant 4 hours away from us! I searched online for a recipe that sounded perfect, and picked this one!

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

Lemons, Lemons, Lemons!

Right before Christmas, I received a box of fresh, homegrown Meyer lemons from my dear friend Lenita, in Southern California. I KNEW I had to use a few of those extraordinary lemons to make some pancakes… STAT! So I did, and yes…they were amazing! Here’s how easy it is to make a batch of these fluffy and delicious pancakes from scratch!:

Make The Batter For Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

Whisk together flour, sugar, salt, baking soda and baking powder in a large mixing bowl.

In a separate mixing bowl, whisk eggs until blended. Add ricotta cheese, milk and vanilla extract. Whisk these very well, so the ingredients are fully blended.

Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir until all ingredients are fully combined (do not OVERMIX!). Add fresh squeezed lemon juice and lemon zest; stir only until they are incorporated into batter.

Cook the Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

Lightly spray, butter or grease a griddle or large skillet. Heat griddle until very hot, then pour 1/3 cup of batter for each pancake onto hot griddle. Make sure to leave enough space between them, so they do not run into each other.

Cook a couple minutes, until bubbles form on top of batter. Flip over, and cook the other side for a couple minutes or until the bottom is golden brown. Repeat process with remaining batter (you can keep the cooked pancakes in the oven on a low temperature to keep them warm).

Serve The Pancakes!

When ready to serve, place stack of pancakes onto individual plates. Sift powdered sugar over the top of the pancakes and garnish with fresh fruit (if desired).

I tend to “eat with my eyes” first, so I “fancied” the pancakes up a bit (like the restaurant did)! I used thin lemon slices, raspberries and blueberries. Sliced fresh strawberries would be pretty, as well!

Serve warm, with maple syrup or whipped cream! Take a big bite and enjoy this decadent breakfast treat! They taste WONDERFUL, and LOOK pretty good, too!

I really hope you will consider trying this recipe… the lemon ricotta pancakes are EASY to prepare, and would be perfect for a weekend breakfast with family or friends! You’ll definitely enjoy these absolutely delicious pancakes! They’re so good I bet you’ll want to make them again… and again! Have a great day!

Looking For More PANCAKE Recipes?

You can find ALL my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. I have some delicious pancake recipes, including:

Interested In More Recipes?

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:

Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

Recipe Source: Ashley, at https//bakerbynature.com/lemon-ricotta-pancakes/

0 from 0 votes

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

3 mins

Total Time

13 mins

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes are easily made from scratch, light and fluffy, and infused with lemon flavor, for an absolutely delicious breakfast you'll remember!

Category: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Keyword: lemon ricotta pancakes

Servings: 16 pancakes

Calories Per Serving: 115 kcal

Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!

Ingredients

2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1½ teaspoons baking soda
2 eggs (large)
1½ cups milk
1 cup ricotta cheese (full fat is best!)
1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (approx. 2 large lemons)
2 teaspoons lemon zest

For Garnish/Serving (if desired):

Powdered sugar (sifted), Fresh fruit, or whipped cream
Maple syrup

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Whisk together flour, sugar, salt, baking soda and baking powder in a large mixing bowl.
In a separate mixing bowl, whisk eggs until blended. Add ricotta cheese, milk and vanilla extract. Whisk these very well, so the ingredients are fully blended. Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir until all ingredients are fully combined (do not OVERMIX!). Add fresh squeezed lemon juice and lemon zest; stir only until they are incorporated into batter.
Lightly spray, butter or grease a griddle or large skillet. Heat griddle until hot, then pour 1/3 cup of batter for each pancake onto hot griddle. Make sure to leave enough space between them, so they do not run into each other. Cook a couple minutes, until bubbles form on top of batter. Flip over, and cook the other side for a couple minutes or until the bottom is golden brown. Repeat process with remaining batter (you can keep the cooked pancakes in the oven on a low temperature to keep them warm).
When ready to serve, place stack of pancakes onto individual plates. Sift powdered sugar over the top of the pancakes and garnish with fresh fruit (if desired). Serve warm, with maple syrup or whipped cream, and ENJOY!

Recipe Notes

The pancakes can easily be frozen. Place a sheet of wax paper between each room temp. pancake, wrap securely in aluminum foil or resealable plastic storage bag, and store in freezer. Reheat pancakes (in oven or microwave) for another meal.
*Caloric count does not include powdered sugar garnish or maple syrup.

Nutrition Facts

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

Amount Per Serving (1 pancake)

Calories 115 Calories from Fat 18

% Daily Value*

Fat 2g3%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Cholesterol 29mg10%

Sodium 242mg11%

Potassium 96mg3%

Carbohydrates 17g6%

Sugar 4g4%

Protein 4g8%

Vitamin A 140IU3%

Vitamin C 1.8mg2%

Calcium 73mg7%

Iron 0.9mg5%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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15
Jan
2018

Southwest Chicken Salad

categories: Chicken, Main Dish Salads, Main Dishes, Salads

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You’ll love this Southwest chicken salad with marinated chicken, beans, corn, tomatoes, avocados, and lettuce, topped w/ a creamy lime cilantro dressing!

If you enjoy flavor-filled main dish salads, you will love this Southwest Chicken Salad. It is a wonderful main dish salad, full of flavor!

I found this recipe for Southwest chicken salad on Pinterest, and it not only sounded HEALTHY, but DELICIOUS! The original recipe serves 4, but I very slightly modified it to make two servings, for my husband and I to enjoy!

OH MY GOODNESS- this delicious salad is amazing, and I mean it is “we ate every single bite” amazing! Here’s how to make it.

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of the Page

Making The Marinade

I made the marinade early in the day, and let the chicken “bathe” in it for hours, to soak up great flavor! When I was ready to fix dinner, all I had to do was grill the chicken on my stove top and assemble the salad. EASY!

To make the marinade, combine the marinade/salad dressing ingredients in a medium bowl, EXCEPT FOR THE YOGURT! Mix together until all are well blended.

Pour HALF of the marinade (set aside the other half) into a rimmed dish and add the pieces of chicken.

Marinate The Chicken

Turn the pieces of chicken over in the dish, to coat all sides of the meat well. Cover the chicken and place the dish in a refrigerator for 2 hours (or more, if time allows).

Cover the remaining half of the marinade and keep it refrigerated until it’s ready to be used.

When you’re ready to assemble the salad for your meal, remove the reserved marinade from refrigerator. Blend in the Greek yogurt, until it’s fully incorporated and the sauce is creamy.

Cook The Marinated Chicken

After the chicken has fully marinated, remove it from the refrigerator. Heat a teaspoon of oil in a skillet or on a grill on medium-high heat until very hot, but not smoking.

Sear the chicken on the first side (without moving it in the pan) until the bottom is golden brown and crispy. Flip the chicken over and cook other side until it is fully done (internal temp. of 165°F).

I typically use an indoor cast iron grill to cook the chicken, and it takes about 8-10 minutes per side. If the chicken pieces are very thin, your cooking time may be less.

Once done, remove the chicken from the dish (and discard the chicken marinade). Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes so the juices can redistribute internally, then cut each piece into thin slices,.

Assemble The Southwest Chicken Salad

When you are ready to assemble salad, fill individual bowls or plates with cold, chopped romaine lettuce. Divide the corn, beans, and cherry tomato halves between servings.

Top each Southwest chicken salad with avocado and chicken slices. It looks quite decorative if the chicken and avocado are fanned out slightly..

My husband wanted an entire half an avocado sliced on his salad, as you can tell from the 2nd photo below… ha ha!

Time To EAT The Southwest Chicken Salad

Drizzle the salad with the prepared cilantro lime salad dressing. Serve, and enjoy this absolutely amazing tasting meal!

NOTE: I made 2 large entree size salads for us. If making 4 large salads, increase chicken to 4 pieces, and double the amount of corn, beans, cherry tomatoes, and add additional lettuce. You will not need to double the marinade.

We absolutely LOVED this Southwest chicken salad; we were very full and completely satisfied after eating! The grilled chicken had great flavor, thanks to the lime cilantro marinade, and the low fat flavor-filled dressing made this dish shine!

I sincerely hope you will consider trying this recipe and trust you’ll love it as much as we do! Southwest Chicken Salad is totally delicious, filling, and very colorful!

Thanks for stopping by, and I invite you to come back again soon for more family-friendly recipes. Take care, and have a fantastic day!

Looking for More MAIN COURSE SALAD Recipes?

You can find ALL my recipes in the Recipe Index, which is located at the top of the page. I have a nice variety of main course salads you might want to check out, including:

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I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1^st and 15^th) with lots of recipes, tips, etc..
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Recipe Adapted From: Karina, at https://cafedelites.com/southwestern-chicken-salad/

↓↓ PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW ↓↓

0 from 0 votes

Southwest Chicken Salad

Prep Time

2 hrs

Cook Time

20 mins

Total Time

2 hrs 20 mins

You'll love this Southwest chicken salad with marinated chicken, beans, corn, tomatoes, avocados, and lettuce, topped w/ a creamy lime cilantro dressing!

Category: Dinner

Cuisine: Southwest

Keyword: Southwest chicken salad

Servings: 2

Calories Per Serving: 468 kcal

Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!

Ingredients

2 large chicken thighs (boneless, skinless)

For Marinade/Salad Dressing:

2 Tablespoons olive oil
1/3 cup fresh lime juice (approx. 2 large limes)
1 teaspoon lime zest
4 Tablespoons fresh cilantro (finely chopped)
1 teaspoon brown sugar
2 garlic cloves , minced
1/2 teaspoon cumin (ground)
1/2 teaspoon red chili pepper flakes
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (THIS IS USED FOR DRESSING ONLY!!!)

For Salad:

4 cups romaine lettuce (torn or chopped)
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes (cut in half)
1/2 avocado , thinly sliced
1/2 cup canned black beans (drained, rinsed)
1/2 cup canned whole kernel corn (drained, rinsed)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

In a medium sized bowl, combine all marinade/salad dressing ingredients EXCEPT FOR THE YOGURT! Mix together until well blended. Pour HALF of the marinade (set aside the other half) into a rimmed shallow dish and add the chicken. Toss to coat well. Cover chicken and place in refrigerator for 2 hours (or more, if time allows). Cover remaining marinade and refrigerate until ready to use.
After chicken has fully marinated, remove it from refrigerator. Heat a teaspoon of oil in a skillet or on a grill on medium-high heat until very hot, but not smoking. Cook chicken on first side until bottom is golden brown and crispy, then flip and cook other side until chicken is fully cooked throughout. (I used an indoor cast iron grill and it took about 10 minutes per side). Once done, remove chicken, and let it rest so juices can settle internally. After chicken has rested for 5 minutes, cut each piece into thin slices. Discard chicken marinade.
When ready to assemble salad, remove reserved marinade from refrigerator. Blend in the Greek yogurt, until completely incorporated and creamy.
To assemble salads, fill individual bowls or plates with chopped romaine. Divide corn, beans, and cherry tomato halves between servings. Place avocado and chicken slices decoratively on top of salad. Drizzle each salad with reserved creamy cilantro lime dressing. Serve, and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

*NOTE: I made 2 large salads for us. If making 4 servings, increase chicken to 4 pieces, and double the amount of corn, beans, cherry tomatoes, and add additional lettuce, as desired. (Use same amounts written for marinade/dressing).

Nutrition Facts

Southwest Chicken Salad

Amount Per Serving (1 main course salad)

Calories 468 Calories from Fat 243

% Daily Value*

Fat 27g42%

Saturated Fat 4g25%

Cholesterol 108mg36%

Sodium 1525mg66%

Potassium 1092mg31%

Carbohydrates 28g9%

Fiber 8g33%

Sugar 5g6%

Protein 30g60%

Vitamin A 8670IU173%

Vitamin C 32.1mg39%

Calcium 101mg10%

Iron 3.5mg19%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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12
Jan
2018

Weight Watchers French Onion Soup

categories: Soups

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You’ll love this recipe for Weight Watchers French Onion Soup, with caramelized onions! All the flavor without the extra calories!

If you enjoy a robust, flavor-filled bowl of soup, but are dieting OR looking to cut a few calories, then you will LOVE this recipe for Weight Watchers French Onion Soup! It has caramelized onions and the amazing flavor of the original, but with less calories!

On a cold day recently, I was craving a big bowl of French Onion Soup, but since I am watching my calories, and have lost over 26 pounds the past several months, I wanted the TASTE of this delicious soup, but without the extra calories from bread and that yummy, gooey CHEESE! The most difficult thing about making this (and it’s a cinch), is cutting up those crazy onions (wiping away the tears!).

So… I found this recipe using my Weight Watchers app, and decided to try it. The original recipe was designed to use a slow cooker, but it took almost 12 hours to make, so I modified the recipe so it could be made on the stove top in about 40 minutes total (prep and cook time). OH MY GOODNESS… it is so incredibly delicious! The caramelized onions swimming in a rich, flavorful broth, and a bit of Parmesan cheese on top tasted amazing. I didn’t even miss the bread! You need to make this soup ASAP!

My husband and I LOVED this meal, and since a serving size is 1½ cups, we each had a large bowl of soup (with a salad on the side). *Note: I made HALF the recipe… so my photos reflect this!) Here’s how easy it is to make:

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

Prepare The Onions (and wipe away the tears)

Peel onions and thinly slice. Remember, slicing onions is not for sissies… (wiping away more tears). I cut them in half (top to bottom), then peeled them and then sliced.

Caramelize The Onions

Melt butter in large skillet. Add sliced onions and salt. Cook on medium heat until the onions are well browned, stirring often. This will take about 20 minutes. I made a salad while the onions were cooking, but came back and gave them a good stir every few minutes!

**Here’s my tip on cooking the onions… don’t rush the process. Take your time cooking the onions… you want them nice and brown, caramelized, soft and fragrant, for the best tasting soup!

Finish “Building” The Weight Watchers French Onion Soup

Once the onions are wonderfully brown (and smell so good!), add a bay leaf and some fresh thyme to the skillet. If you do not have access to fresh thyme, you can add dried thyme, but you will need to reduce the amount by 1/3, since dried herbs are more concentrated in flavor.

Add sherry, minced garlic, sugar, chicken broth and beef broth to skillet. Stir well, to combine all ingredients. Let this cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. This will allow the alcohol (sherry) to burn off, and allow the flavors to develop. When done, remove bay leaf and thyme sprigs from soup. Stir in soy sauce and black pepper.

Time To Eat!

Ladle the soup into bowls, and immediately garnish each serving with 1/2 Tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese and fresh thyme (if desired). Serve, and enjoy! Here’s a photo of my bowl of soup BEFORE I gobbled it up!.

Shown below is a photo of my husband’s bowl of soup. He wanted a bit of the traditional melted “stringy” cheese on his at the last minute, so I grabbed a thin slice of Swiss cheese we keep on hand for sandwiches.

The cheese was put on the top and I microwaved the soup for about 30 seconds to melt the cheese. It was nice and “gooey” and stringy… just the way he likes it (and only added 70 more calories!)

We both really loved this soup! If you happen to follow a Weight Watchers plan, the total for this delicious bowl of “yummy-ness” is 3 Smart Points! I highly recommend this recipe… low in calories, high in taste and satisfaction! Have a great day!

Looking For More SOUP Recipes?

You can find all of my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. I have LOTS of yummy soup recipes to check out, including:

Interested In More Recipes?

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Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
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Recipe Adapted From: https://www.weightwatchers.com

↓↓ PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW ↓↓

0 from 0 votes

Weight Watchers French Onion Soup

Prep Time

20 mins

Cook Time

20 mins

Total Time

40 mins

You'll love this recipe for Weight Watchers French Onion Soup, with caramelized onions! All the flavor without the extra calories!

Category: Soup

Cuisine: French

Keyword: french onion soup

Servings: 6 (1½ cup) servings

Calories Per Serving: 116 kcal

Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!

Ingredients

6-7 large uncooked brown onions , peeled and thinly sliced (approx. 3 lbs.)
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
2 teaspoons salt
1 bay leaf
5 sprigs fresh thyme (plus extra if using for garnish)
1/4 cup sherry
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
3 cups beef broth (reduced sodium)
3 cups chicken broth (reduced sodium)
1 teaspoon soy sauce (low sodium)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3 Tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (to garnish hot soup)
Additional sprigs fresh thyme (to garnish hot soup)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Peel onions and thinly slice.
Melt butter in large skillet. Add sliced onions and salt. Cook on medium heat until the onions are well browned, stirring every couple of minutes. This will take approximately 20 minutes. Once the onions are wonderfully brown (and smell so good!), add a bay leaf and fresh thyme sprigs to the skillet (if using dried thyme, reduce by 1/2 the amount used). Add sherry, minced garlic, sugar, beef broth and chicken broth to skillet. Stir well, to combine all ingredients. Let this mixture cook, uncovered for 20 minutes on medium heat, stirring occasionally. This will burn off the alcohol (sherry). When done, remove bay leaf and thyme sprigs from soup. Stir in soy sauce and black pepper.
Ladle the hot soup into bowls, and immediately garnish each serving with 1/2 Tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese and fresh thyme (if desired). Serve, and ENJOY! (the leftovers are wonderful, as well!)

Nutrition Facts

Weight Watchers French Onion Soup

Amount Per Serving (1 serving (1½ cups))

Calories 116 Calories from Fat 45

% Daily Value*

Fat 5g8%

Saturated Fat 3g19%

Cholesterol 12mg4%

Sodium 1751mg76%

Potassium 326mg9%

Carbohydrates 12g4%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 5g6%

Protein 4g8%

Vitamin A 180IU4%

Vitamin C 18mg22%

Calcium 72mg7%

Iron 0.8mg4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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09
Jan
2018

Triple Berry Banana Smoothie

categories: Beverages, Breakfast, Lunch - Quick and Easy

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A Triple Berry Banana Smoothie is a delicious treat, with raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, banana, spinach, orange juice, and Greek yogurt!

Do you enjoy cold, fresh fruit smoothies? We sure do at our house! Recently for lunch I made a Triple Berry Banana Smoothie, which included blended frozen raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries with a banana, orange juice, Greek yogurt and spinach! It was DELICIOUS!

Here in the Portland, Oregon area, we’ve been experiencing many days with temperatures in the low 30’s this Winter. I realize that sounds like a “heat wave” to others experiencing absolutely frigid temps, heavy snowfall and blizzard conditions, BUT… it still was COLD.

So in spite of everything my brain told me NOT to do on a freezing cold day, I made a really COLD fruit smoothie for lunch… ha ha! And guess what? IT WAS WONDERFUL!

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

What’s IN A Triple Berry Banana Smoothie?

The smoothie couldn’t be easier to make! Here are the cast of characters… frozen berries (3 kinds- blueberry, blackberry and raspberry, bought in a fruit medley bag at Costco. I added non-fat plain Greek yogurt (a good source of protein), a handful of fresh baby spinach (trust me- the kids will NEVER know there’s a veggie in there!), a banana, and a small amount of orange juice.

It’s EASY To Make This Smoothie!

All the ingredients are placed into a blender and mixed until it is smooth! That’s it! There is enough to make 2 (8 ounce) smoothies, or 4 little smoothies (for the kids). By using frozen berries there is no need to add ice to make the smoothie cold (which can possibly water down the drink).

Looking For Other Smoothie Recipes?

If you are a lover of fruit smoothies, I would also recommend checking out my recipes for Orange Julius (copycat), Blueberry, Banana and Kale Smoothie, or a Super Creamy Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie! They all taste wonderful, and are very easy to prepare!

A Triple Berry Banana Smoothie Is SO EASY To Make

But for now, let’s go back to THIS incredible tasting triple berry banana smoothie! Once it is well blended, pour yourself a great big glass full, and ENJOY this yummy, filling drink! The best part is that it only takes a couple minutes to make, tastes GREAT, and is nice and cold from those frozen berries! Lip-smackin’ good!

Hope you enjoy this triple berry banana smoothie! We sure did! The recipe for the triple berry smoothie is easily doubled, and can be easily adapted to use other berries you may enjoy. It was a very light lunch for me that day, but it left me filling full and satisfied.

Thank you for stopping by, and I hope you will come back again soon. Don’t forget to check out ALL my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. Have a wonderful day!

Interested In More Recipes?

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:

Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

↓↓ PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW ↓↓

0 from 0 votes

Triple Berry Banana Smoothie

Prep Time

3 mins

Cook Time

0 mins

Total Time

3 mins

A Triple Berry Banana Smoothie is a delicious treat, with raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, banana, spinach, orange juice, and Greek yogurt!

Category: Beverage, Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Keyword: triple berry banana smoothie

Servings: 2 (8 ounce) servings

Calories Per Serving: 160 kcal

Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!

Ingredients

2 cups frozen berry medley (blueberries, blackberries, raspberries)
1 large banana
1 large handful fresh baby spinach leaves (approx. 1½ cups)
3 heaping Tablespoons non-fat Greek yogurt
1/2 cup orange juice (I used commercially prepared)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Place all ingredients in blender. Make sure berries (or banana) are frozen before adding. By using frozen fruit, you avoid having to add ice cubes to the drink to make it cold, which can water it down.
Process ingredients until well blended and smooth.
Pour into glasses and serve!

Recipe Notes

Recipe yields approximately 2 (8 ounce) servings) or 4 (1/2 cup) servings.

Nutrition Facts

Triple Berry Banana Smoothie

Amount Per Serving (1 serving (8 ounce))

Calories 160 Calories from Fat 9

% Daily Value*

Fat 1g2%

Sodium 3mg0%

Potassium 418mg12%

Carbohydrates 38g13%

Fiber 5g21%

Sugar 25g28%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 280IU6%

Vitamin C 40mg48%

Calcium 19mg2%

Iron 0.6mg3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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06
Jan
2018

Chocolate Angel Food Mug Cake

categories: Cakes, Desserts

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Make a master mix with two ingredients , then enjoy an easy “low-calorie” chocolate angel food mug cake any time you want, cooked for only ONE MINUTE in a microwave!

If you’re trying to lose weight or cut calories, but enjoy dessert… you’ll enjoy this recipe for Chocolate Angel Food Mug Cake, made in a microwave in 1 MINUTE! You’ll feel like you’re “cheating”, but with the cake being only 80 calories, it’s a fast, tasty option to curb a sweet tooth!

My sister Joni told me about the Weight Watchers 3-2-1 Cake. She heard about it, tried it, and then told me about it. So I just HAD to make this chocolate angel food mug cake, too!

Scroll Down for A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

Why This Dessert Is Also Called A 3-2-1 Cake

The numbers 3-2-1 refer to the easy way to remember the recipe for each individual mug cake. 3 Tablespoons mix- 2 Tablespoons water- 1 minute in the microwave! Get it? It is one of the EASIEST ways to quickly satisfy a sweet tooth “attack”, without going overboard!!

The “mix” is made by simply combining dry cake mix with angel food cake mix (the kind that only has you add water). Both dry cake mixes are whisked together until well blended, with no lumps. Store the mix in an airtight, sealed container, then you can use it as needed.

The recipe makes enough for 46 mug cakes, so there will be plenty! I used 2 quart sized canning jars to store the cake mixture, and taped instructions to each jar for future use.

I used Devil’s Food cake mix to make my mug cake chocolate flavored, but you can substitute any flavor mix for the Devil’s Food. You can also add 2-3 teaspoons mix-ins like finely chopped nuts or dried fruit, or mini chocolate chips for additional flavor, if you want.

**Please note that adding these additional ingredients will raise the caloric value!! The cake by itself with no additional filling or topping equals 80 calories per serving, AND if you follow WW, the point value is 2 Points Plus, or 3 Smart Points.**

Okay, I Made The Mix. How Do I MAKE The Chocolate Mug Cake?

Once you’ve made the Master Mix, when the craving for something a little sweet mug cake hits, make the cake. For one single chocolate mug cake, place 3 Tablespoons mix into a straight sided microwave safe mug.

Add 2 Tablespoons water, and mix well with a spoon or fork until mixture is smooth.

Microwave for 1 minute on HIGH power. Remove mug from microwave; let it sit and cool down a little bit. It will come out looking like this…

It can be eaten straight from the mug, OR you can run a butter knife around edges and gently remove the cake from the mug onto a plate.

Serve the mug cake plain for least amount of calories (80), or top it with frosting, ice cream, fruit, powdered sugar, frozen yogurt, and/or chocolate syrup.

Now can you see why it is commonly called a 3-2-1 Mug Cake? THREE tablespoons of prepared mix, TWO tablespoons of water, and ONE minute in the microwave!!! It’s a perfect mix to keep on hand, so when the urge for dessert hits you can satisfy your craving with a slightly “healthier” solution!

Sure hope you will make this mug cake mix and will enjoy having it on hand in your kitchen for those “gotta have something sweet now” emergencies… ha ha!

Looking For More CAKE Recipes?

You can find all of my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. I have quite a few delicious cake recipes, including:

Interested In More Recipes?

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:

Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

Recipe Source: https://simple-nourished-living.com/weight-watchers-3-2-1-microwave-mug-cake/

0 from 0 votes

Chocolate Angel Food Mug Cake

Prep Time

2 mins

Cook Time

1 min

Total Time

3 mins

Make a master mix with two ingredients , then enjoy an easy "low-calorie" chocolate mug cake any time you want, cooked for only ONE MINUTE in a microwave!

Category: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: mug cake

Servings: 46 cakes

Calories Per Serving: 72 kcal

Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!

Ingredients

For Cake Mix:

1 box (15.25 - 18.25 ounces) Devil's Food cake mix
1 box (16 ounces) Angel Food cake mix (the type that only needs water-one step)

To Make One Mug Cake:

3 Tablespoons of the combined dry cake mix
2 Tablespoons water

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Whisk both dry cake mixes together until well blended, with no lumps. Store in an airtight, sealed container. I used canning jars to store the cake mixture, and taped instructions to jar.
When ready to make one mug cake, place 3 Tablespoons mix into a straight sided microwave safe mug. Add 2 Tablespoons water, and mix well until mixture is smooth.
Microwave for 1 minute on HIGH power. Remove mug from microwave; let it sit and cool down a little bit. It will be ready to eat straight from the mug, OR you can run a butter knife around edges and gently remove the cake from the mug onto a plate. Serve the cake plain for least amount of calories (80), or you can garnish cake with frosting, ice cream or frozen yogurt, fruit, powdered sugar (sifted) and/or chocolate syrup.

Recipe Notes

TIP# 1 - You can substitute any flavor cake mix for the Devil's Food.
TIP # 2 - May also add 2-3 teaspoons additional mix-ins like finely chopped nuts or dried fruit, or mini chocolate chips for additional flavor. Please note that adding these additional ingredients will raise the caloric value.

Nutrition Facts

Chocolate Angel Food Mug Cake

Amount Per Serving (1 cake)

Calories 72

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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02
Jan
2018

Southwest Quinoa Salad

categories: Meatless Meals, Salads, Side Dishes

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Southwest Quinoa Salad is a healthy side or vegetarian dish featuring quinoa, tomatoes, corn, beans, peppers, avocado, and a flavorful cilantro lime dressing!

Happy New Year! If you’re like many others, you’ve started the year with a determination to eat healthier or lose some weight! This Southwest Quinoa Salad is a delicious, healthy recipe solution for you! It features quinoa, black beans, tomatoes, corn, bell peppers, and avocado, topped with a scrumptious cilantro lime dressing! YUM!

This is my first official blog post of 2018, and I’m so grateful to be able to share this recipe with you from our newly remodeled kitchen. I don’t know about you, but we managed to eat quite a bit of Christmas goodies and take-out over the holidays (due to my husband and I loving sweets AND having no kitchen to cook in for the past 2 months).

Now we have begun the year determined to make wiser choices. Say hello to this quinoa salad. It’s a flavor-filled healthy “meatless” dish is perfect as a light side dish or a quick lunch!

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Cad At The Bottom Of The Page

Here’s How To Make Southwest Quinoa Salad

Put the uncooked quinoa in a fine mesh strainer and rinse with water (this helps clean the quinoa). Place the rinsed quinoa, water and salt in a saucepan; bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.

When it comes to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low and put a lid on the pan. Cook quinoa for approximately 17-20 minutes (or until all liquid has been absorbed). Remove pan from heat, set aside, and let quinoa cool down to room temperature.

Place cherry tomatoes, corn, black beans, bell peppers, avocado and room temperature quinoa into a large salad bowl. Set aside. TIP: An easy tip for cubing an avocado is to cut it in half, remove pit, then use a knife to slice grid lines into avocado lengthwise, then horizontally, without cutting through peel. Once cut, slide a large spoon around the inside of the peel, and the avocado cubes should fall out!

Make The Cilantro Lime Salad Dressing

To make the simple cilantro lime dressing, whisk together olive oil, light sour cream, lime zest and juice, garlic powder, cumin, salt, pepper and cilantro in a small bowl . Be sure to mix well.

Pour all of the dressing over salad, and stir well, to combine all ingredients thoroughly. The quinoa will absorb all the delicious Southwestern flavors from the dressing and will really make this dish shine!

Southwest Quinoa Salad Is Ready To Enjoy!

Garnish the Southwest quinoa salad with a sprig of fresh cilantro, and serve it as a side dish. Since it is so filling, this salad (even without meat), would be a quick vegetarian meal or “take to work” packed lunch! The salad tastes good served at room temperature OR chilled!

Here’s a close up of some Southwest Quinoa Salad goodness. Yum! I love the fact that it not only tastes wonderful, but is quite colorful and good for you!

New Beginnings

I served this Southwest Quinoa Salad with roasted turkey breast and steamed broccoli, for a healthy New Years Day dinner! My husband and I really enjoyed it, and it was FUN to prepare my first recipe for 2018 in our newly remodeled kitchen.

This was after 2 months of not being able to cook in there! Yay for our new, updated kitchen, appliances and counter tops! We still have some work to do, but I’ve begun cooking in my kitchen once again. Yay!

I want to wish you again a Happy New Year from our home to yours! The arrival of a new year brings with it an infinite number of opportunities to encourage and serve others. Opportunities will also arise to grow as a person, create great memories, and cook delicious meals for yourself and those you love!

Hope you will join me in rising to the occasion, and as always, thank you for visiting The Grateful Girl Cooks. I appreciate each one of you. Have a great day!

Looking For More Recipes That Use QUINOA?

You can find ALL my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. I have some delicious recipes that feature quinoa you might enjoy, including:

Interested In More Recipes?

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Recipe Source: http://togetherasfamily.com/2017/05/fiesta-quinoa-salad/

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Southwest Quinoa Salad

Prep Time

8 mins

Cook Time

17 mins

Total Time

25 mins

Southwest Quinoa Salad is a healthy side or vegetarian dish featuring quinoa, tomatoes, corn, beans, peppers, avocado, and a flavorful cilantro lime dressing!

Category: Salad

Cuisine: Southwest

Keyword: Southwest quinoa salad

Servings: 8 side servings

Calories Per Serving: 218 kcal

Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!

Ingredients

For Salad:

1¼ cups uncooked quinoa
2½ cups water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
1 can corn , drained (standard sized can)
1 can black beans , drained and rinsed
1 orange bell pepper , chopped (I used a combination of red, orange and green)
1 avocado , peeled and cubed

For Cilantro Lime Dressing:

1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup reduced fat sour cream (can substitute plain non-fat yogurt)
Zest and juice from 1 lime
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/3 cup chopped cilantro

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Put the uncooked quinoa in a fine mesh strainer and rinse with water (this helps clean quinoa). Place the rinsed quinoa, water and salt in a saucepan; bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. When it comes to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low and put a lid on the pan. Cook quinoa for approximately 17-20 minutes (or until all liquid has been absorbed). Remove pan from heat, set aside, and let quinoa cool down to room temperature.
Place cherry tomatoes, corn, black beans, bell peppers, avocado and cooled quinoa into a large salad bowl.
To make cilantro lime dressing, in a small bowl whisk together olive oil, light sour cream, lime zest and juice, garlic powder, cumin, salt, pepper and cilantro. Be sure to mix well. Pour all of the dressing over salad, and stir well to combine all ingredients thoroughly. Serve as a side dish or as a healthy meatless meal, and enjoy! (Store leftovers in a covered container in refrigerator).

Nutrition Facts

Southwest Quinoa Salad

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories 218 Calories from Fat 108

% Daily Value*

Fat 12g18%

Saturated Fat 2g13%

Cholesterol 2mg1%

Sodium 307mg13%

Potassium 367mg10%

Carbohydrates 21g7%

Fiber 4g17%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 4g8%

Vitamin A 660IU13%

Vitamin C 25.9mg31%

Calcium 32mg3%

Iron 1.7mg9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!