Tag Archives: nuts

Chocolate Caramel Bars

June 4, 2011 admin Leave a comment

Fudgy layers of chocolate heaven !! First you have a chocolate chip cookie crust – then you add chocolate covered rice chex and peanuts. And as if that were not enough – you add a layer of caramel chocolate fudge to the top. OH SO GOOD !

36 servings
190 calories per serving

1 roll refrigerated chocolate chip cookies (18 oz.)
11 oz. semi sweet chocolate chips
18 oz. caramel apple dip
3 c Rice Chex cereal
1 c chopped peanuts

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Break up cookie dough and press it into the bottom of an ungreased 13×9 baking dish. Bake 15 minutes or until golden brown then cool 15 minutes. In a saucepan heat 1 c chocolate chops and 1 c caramel sauce. On medium heat stir and cook until smooth then remove from heat and stir in cereal and peanuts. Spread the cereal mix over the crust. In the saucepan heat the rest of the chips and caramel and cook until melted. Spread over the cereal mix then refrigerate ½ hour or so then cut into bars.

Dessert

Fruit and Creamsicles

December 24, 2010 admin Leave a comment

Healthy, sweet, frozen, different – these make a great snack ! Try serving with a little cookie pressed into the top.

12 servings
94 calories per serving

¼ c walnuts
2 ripe bananas
2 c non fat sour cream
8 oz. can unsweetened crushed pineapple, drained well
1/3 c mini marshmallows
¼ c sugar
1 t vanilla

Pulse walnuts in a blender to chop finely. Add bananas and pulse to blend then add cream, pineapple, marshmallows, sugar and vanilla and pulse to mix. Spoon ¼ c in each of 12 muffin cups and freeze 2 hours them remove and serve (I use silicone muffin cups).

Dessert, Kid Friendly, MUFAs

Cookie Brittle

December 2, 2010 admin Leave a comment

If you don’t like the way the cookie crumbles, then this is not a recipe for you. But if you like crunchy little cookie bits like me, then these are heavenly ! And you get the added benefit of eating your MUFA since these have semisweet chocolate and nuts.

48 pieces
60 calories per serving

½ c margarine
2 t vanilla
3 T water
1 t salt
4 T Splenda
1 c flour
1 c semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 c walnuts, chopped very finely

Combine margarine, vanilla, water, salt and Splenda and beat until smooth. Stir in flour, chips and nuts and press into an ungreased 9×13 baking pan. Bake at 375 degrees 25 minutes. Remove from oven and score into pieces. Cool completely then break into pieces.

Breakfast

Maple and Nut Oatmeal

November 30, 2010 admin Leave a comment

Sometimes you’re just looking for bowl of warmth to fill your belly. I always find that oatmeal is very satisfying and it is very food for you. I think it makes a great snack that will take away the biggest of hunger pangs.

1 serving
212 calories for serving

1 packet instant oatmeal
2/3 cup skim milk
1 packet Equal
1 T maple syrup

Mix oatmeal and milk and microwave for 60-90 seconds. When done, stir in equal and maple syrup. Enjoy !

Garnish with some nuts to get your MUFA – 1 T chopped nuts is approximately 85 calories.

Dinner, FiberGourmet, Italian, Pasta

Penne with Spinach

November 26, 2010 admin Leave a comment

This is a great ‘white pasta’ dish – the ricotta, parmesan, spinach and garlic just work so well together. And when you add in the toasted pine nuts, the flavor meter goes off the charts. You definitely have to try this one !!

2 servings
357 calories per serving

4 oz. whole wheat penne pasta (if you use FiberGourmet pasta, the calories drop by 60 calories per serving !)
6 oz. fresh or frozen spinach
½ c part skim ricotta cheese
2 T shredded parmesan cheese
1 t lemon zest
¼ t kosher salt
½ t pepper
2 T toasted pine nuts

Cook pasta according to package instructions adding frozen spinach to the water the last 2 minutes. If using fresh spinach, put spinach in colander and drain pasta over it. Put pasta in bowl with spinach and stir in cheeses, lemon, salt and pepper. Plate and add pine nut garnish.

Breakfast, Kid Friendly

Toast with Nuts and Pears

November 16, 2010 admin Leave a comment

The cream cheese melts nicely on the toast and is a great base for the sweet pear and maple syrup. The nuts are just the icing. What a superb breakfast treat !

1 serving
190 calories per serving

1 slice whole wheat bread
1 T low fat cream cheese
1/4 of a pear
1 t maple syrup
1 T chopped walnut pieces

Slice pear very thin. Toast the bread and spread with cream cheese. Layer on the pear slices and then sprinkle with nuts and syrup.

Lunch, Salads, Vegetables

Goat Cheese and Mixed Nut Salad

November 14, 2010 admin Leave a comment

This is definitely not a boring salad ! And it would transport really well – so mix it up, put it in a container and dress it just before serving.

1 serving
325 calories per serving

2 c mixed salad greens
5 grape tomatoes, halved
2 mushrooms, sliced thinly
Salt and pepper to taste
2 T dry roasted mixed nuts, chopped
¼ c crumbled goat cheese
2 T fat free balsamic dressing

Place greens in a bowl and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add all other salad ingredients. Drizzle with dressing.

Dessert

Cardamom Cake

November 13, 2010 admin Leave a comment

Cardamom is a great nutty flavored spice that I have just added to more of my meals. It is a great addition to many dishes and this cake just takes such advantage of its distinct and enticing flavor.

10 servings
281 calories per serving

2 c whole wheat flour
1 t baking soda
1 t ground cardamom
1 T grated orange zest
1 T grated lemon zest
¾ c Egg Beaters
¼ c canola oil
1 ½ c no fat plain yogurt
¼ c honey
1 c chopped prunes or raisins
1 c chopped walnuts
Pam

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift flour with baking soda and cardamom. Beat eggs, oil, yogurt, and honey and then stir into the flour mix until smooth. Fold in fruits and nuts. Pour into a bundt pan sprayed with Pam and bake 45 minutes. Eat plain or sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Dessert

Sweet Potato Pie

October 26, 2010 admin Leave a comment

There’s nothing quite like a good sweet potato pie – and this is definitely a good one. Not too sweet, full of flavor, and super easy to put together.

8 servings
280 calories per serving

1 15 oz. cans sweet potatoes in light syrup, drained
1 1/4 c low fat evaporated milk
2 large eggs
1/4 c Splenda brown sugar
1 t pumpkin pie spice
1/4 t salt
6 oz. low fat graham cracker crust
2 T chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mash potatoes with a mixer on medium speed. Add milk, eggs, sugar, spice and salt. When blended, put into crust and top with pecans. Bake 45 minutes and cool completely on a wire rack.

Dessert, Kid Friendly

My Chocolate Fudge Brownies

October 12, 2010 admin Leave a comment

No matter what brownie recipe I try, I always go back to this one – it is a great recipe that serves up a cakey yet fudgy brownie that does not skimp on the chocolate flavor. The other great thing about this recipe is that is it ONE POT for prep – that’s it. And the baking pan stays clean because you line it with foil.

24 servings
211 calories per serving

1 c walnuts, chopped
2 sticks of butter
2 c semi-sweet chocolate morsels
1 c sugar
4 large eggs
1 t vanilla
1 ¼ c flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 13×9 pan with foil extended over the long side edges so you can grab the foil and pick up the whole brownie after it cools. Melt the butter in a pan on the stove and add chocolate and stir until all melted. Remove from heat and stir in sugar. Then add in eggs one at a time (just stirring with a wooden spoon). Stir in vanilla and then stir in flour in 4 batches. Pour into foil lined pan and sprinkle with walnuts. Bake 20-25 minutes. Do not overcook.