KITCHEN STORIES : FAVORITE BEANS & RICE

This shouldn't even fall into the category of "recipe" because it's so simple to make.  These days what I look for in a meal is easy, quick, and healthy / low calorie.  I am by no means a cook but in the past I always enjoyed the process of making / baking, photographing food, and sharing it here so I am challenging myself to doing this more frequently again.  

I try to incorporate beans of some sort into most dinners since I am vegetarian.  For Hunter who wants to eat meat every once in awhile, this is the perfect thing that I can whip up enough for both of us and he adds grilled chicken to his. Here's what you need: 

1 cup of brown rice (simmers for about 45 minutes)

1 cup (dry) or canned black beans

1 cup (dry) or canned pinto beans 

chopped onions

chopped red peppers 

fresh basil 

fresh chopped garlic

black pepper 

If you use dry beans they take a little more preparation and cooking before adding vegetables. Otherwise,  combine the canned beans, onions, peppers, basil, and garlic into one pot and let simmer for about 30 minutes.  I don't measure the vegetables, just put as much or as little to your liking.  We added cherry tomatoes and a hint of cilantro to the top.  Sprinkle with pepper, a squeeze of fresh lime juice, and enjoy. 

XO 

PUMPKIN CUPCAKES WITH MAPLE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

I made these for our Halloween party last weekend, but we all know pumpkin carries over to Novmeber / Thanksgiving.  I'm definitely not sick of it yet! There's something about the smell of fresh baked good lingering though the house that makes me feel more like it's fall (since it's still 80 degrees here).  I just really love an excuse to bake (and thankfully Hunter likes to eat).  

I used some substitutes to make my cupcakes gluten free, I've listed both ways.  (I adapted this recipe from Free People Blog) 

Here is what you'll need: 

3 cups all-purpose flour (or coconut flour for GF)

½ tsp baking soda

1 ½ tsp baking powder

¼ tsp cinnamon (more if you reallllly like cinnamon like us)

¼ tsp pumpkin pie spice 

3 eggs

1 cup coconut sugar (for GF or use regular granulated)

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/3 cup fat-free milk

1 15 oz. can pumpkin

2 tbsp honey

1 tbs pure maple syrup

½ cup oil

½ cup applesauce

Preheat the oven to 350° and prepare two pans with cupcake liners or cooking spray (makes about 24 cupcakes). In a large bowl mix dry ingredients; flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and pumpkin spice. Using a mixer, beat the eggs, and gradually add the sugar until well combined. Mix in the pumpkin, followed by vanilla, milk, honey, maple syrup, canola oil, and applesauce. Once the mixture is smooth, mix in the dry ingredients and stir to combine. Pour the batter into pans and bake for about 22-25 minutes until the cupcakes are cooked through (use the toothpick trick to check them!).  

And now for the frosting! 

1 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened

4 tbsp butter, at room temperature

2 cups confectioners sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1 tbsp maple syrup

1/2 tsp cinnamon (again, more if you're cinnamon obsessed like me)

Using a mixer, beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla until fluffy. Slowly add powdered sugar, scraping the sides of the bowl as you go. Pour in maple and continue mixing until fully combined.  The frosting should be light and fluffy. Spread onto cupcakes and enjoy! 

Happy Friday! xox 

HOMEMADE GRANOLA FOR LIFE

This is a my idea of perfect snack.  My mom has been making homemade granola for umm forever. You can make a huge batch of it to last all week (or two).  We like to distribute it into plastic baggies, take it to work, pack it in lunches, etc! 

You will need: 

4 cups oats (gluten free if you wish) 

2 cups sliced almonds

2 cups coconut 

approximately 1 cup raisins, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, dried apricots 

sprinkle with cinnamon and honey OR agave nectar to sweeten 

This makes a big batch and there is no right or wrong to the measurements of granola.  You can use more of the stuff you like better (thats what I do aka more walnuts, more cinnamon - always!) .  I've also used cranberries rather than raisins and you could throw in any other dried fruit that you fancy. 

I then spread the ingredients on a baking sheet, cook on 350 for about 30 minutes.  I like to check every 10 minutes and stir it up a bit so the stuff on bottom gets browned and crunchy as well.  

Enjoy! xx

WEEKEND TREAT : OATMEAL COCONUT PB COOKIES

Happy Friday! 

If you're looking for a little treat to splurge on this weekend, I suggest whipping up a batch of these oatmeal coconut peanut butter cookies.  They are pretty delicious! 

I'm giving you the "real" ingredients but I'm also all about substitutes to make sweets a little "healthier".  You could definitely use substitutions to make them vegan and/or gluten free and they would be just as good!  I usually do GF (your local health food store will have all the substitutes you need; flour, oats, etc).

Here is what you need: 

1 cup butter, softened 

i cup packed light brown sugar 

1/2 cup white sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 1/4 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda 

1 teaspoon salt

3 cups of oats 

1 cup coconut flakes 

1 cup peanut butter (I used half a cup of peanut butter and half a cup of peanut butter chips because I was curious and also afraid that peanut butter would take over... but it didn't. So you could definitely add a little extra or use both to your liking!)

Preheat oven to 325. In a large bowl, cream the butter and both sugars until smooth.  Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.  Combine the flour, baking soda, salt; stir into the creamed mixture until blended.  Mix in the oats, coconut, and peanut butter.  Drop by heaping spoonfuls onto an ungreased baking sheet.  Bake for approximately 12-14 minutes (I did 14 minutes because they were still gooey, just keep an eye on them).  Let them cool for about 5 minutes before transferring from the baking sheet to a wire rack or parchment paper to cool completely.  

Then style them and take some photos for your blog - kidding... that's the part that took the longest. ha.  However, I love experimenting with lighting and food photography so that's how the post came about after all.   I think I will work on more treat posts in the future.  Hope you enjoy! xox 

*adapted basic oatmeal cookie recipe from allrecipes.com

BLOOD ORANGE

Just because it's cool.