Chocolate Mint Protein Nice Cream

When I came across "Nice" Cream, not ice cream, I was very intrigued. Then, to discover how simple it was to "whip" up was just as better. To top that off - IT'S TRULY HEALTHY!!! The coloring for this chocolate mint comes from the spinach. You don't even taste the spinach. What a fabulous way to serve spinach to your loved ones without them even realizing they are getting their veggies and "nice-cream" in one serving. So....SNEAKY! LOL!

Ingredients:

• 4 frozen bananas
• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves (or mint extract)
• 1 1/2 cups of baby spinach leaves
• 1/4 - 1/2 cup of almond milk (or your choice of milk)
• 2 scoops of protein powder (I love Plant Head)
• 1/3 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions:

Break up the frozen bananas and then place them in the food processor (or blender). Add the rest of the ingredients, except the chocolate chips. 

Mix until smooth. You can eat as is, if you like the soft-serve consistency or freeze for about an hour and then scoop, if you prefer your "nice" cream to be scoopable. 

Note: I found it best to place the nice cream in individual serving dishes, then freeze.

Enjoy!

Original recipe can be found at

http://www.nutritionistreviews.com/2016/03/mint-chocolate-chip-protein-ice-cream.html?m=1

100% Whole Wheat Zucchini Patties

I happened to have purchased more than my share of zucchini one afternoon.  They were on sale too! I have very little willpower in those moments.  Well, one of the recipes that I made was zucchini patties.  I've made them before, but decided to make a few changes to the recipe. The result was so much better and equally just as delicious. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 3 small zucchini, grated 
• 1 teaspoon salt 
• ¼ cup yellow onion, chopped (optional) 
• 1 cup whole-wheat Panko bread crumbs (or you can use whole wheat flour) 
• ½  cup grated Parmesan 
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 
• 1 large egg, beaten 
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

Place grated zucchini in a colander over the sink. Add salt and gently toss to combine; let sit for 10 minutes. Using a clean dish towel or cheese cloth, drain zucchini completely or squeeze out the extra liquid.  

OPTIONAL: In a skillet, heat some olive oil, then add onion. Cook until translucent. About a couple of minutes. 

In a large bowl, combine zucchini, Panko, Parmesan, cooked onion, garlic and egg; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Scoop tablespoons of batter for each patty, flattening with a spatula, and cook until the underside is nicely golden brown, about 2 minutes. Flip and cook on the other side, about 1-2 minutes longer. 

Serve. Makes about 5-6 patties depending on size.

Black-Eyed Pea Hummus with Olive Oil

Yes, that's what the title says...Black-Eyed Pea Hummus with Olive Oil. That's right, no greens...no ham-hocks....no salted pork. This is that moment when you think beyond what you're accustomed to and bring a new taste to your tongue. I have so many favorite recipes and I can tell you, I'm not one who will get bored when it comes to eating healthy. New cooking techniques are like new adventures - leaving you feeling satisfied and rewarding at the same time. 

Let's talk a bit about our black-eyed peas. Did you know that black-eyed peas are actually a bean? Guess the peas sound better then "Black-eyed Beans" (Hmmmm...lol). According to www.livestrong.com, one of the main health benefits of black-eyed peas is their high fiber content. A half cup of dry black-eyed peas that are cooked have 5.6g of fiber, while a half cup of canned black-eyed peas contains 4g of fiber.  They are also high in potassium, are a good alternative source of protein, low-fat, low-calorie, and a good source of iron. For more benefits, click here. 

The below recipe is pretty quick and very easy to put together. By all means, try this, make the recipe and just tell your friends or family it's hummus. Once you see how they keep eating and wanting more, then tell them it's "Black-eyed Pea Hummus"...YES!!! Be sure to have your camera ready to snap and post their facial expressions. I love seeing the surprise expressions on faces.

Enjoy!!!

Photo courtesy: Angela Ledyard

Black-Eyed Pea Hummus with Olive Oil Makes about 3 cups hummus

Ingredients:

• 2 -15oz. cans - Black eyed peas, rinsed and drained (I prefer Eden Organic Brand)
• 2 tsp.minced garlic
• 4T to 6T - fresh-squeezed lemon juice (start with 4 then add to your desired taste)
• 1/2 to 1 tsp. salt
• 4T. olive oil (save 2T to use for drizzling on hummus later)
• 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
• 3T to 6T -  tahini (start with 3T then add more to your taste)
• 2T water (for thinning hummus as needed)
• Sprinkle of paprika for taste

Time to create:
Place a colander in the sink and drain the cans of black-eyed peas. Rinse them with cold water until there isn't any more foam. Let the peas sit for a couple minutes.

Place the peas, garlic, lemon juice, salt and olive oil into a food processor or blender. Puree the ingredient for 1 to 2 minutes. 

Add in the ground cumin and 3T of tahini. Puree until all combined.

Now, taste to see if you want to add more lemon juice and/or tahini. Keep adding small amounts until you reach your desired taste.

If the hummus seems too thick, add a some of the water and combine. 

Place the hummus onto a serving bowl, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with paprika. Enjoy!!!

*Hummus can be stored for at least a week.

Ratatouille-Style Vegetable Stew

Having a healthy lifestyle calls for creativity in the kitchen. As well as thinking outside the box on eating.  Last week's trip to the West Side Market, I bought a beautiful bag of fresh basil, and nice size eggplant. According to WHfoods.org, eggplant is a very good source of dietary fiber, vitamin B1, and copper. It is a good source of manganese, vitamin B6, niacin, potassium, folate, and vitamin K. Eggplant also contains phytonutrients such as nasunin and chlorogenic acid. 

With the veggies that I already had at home, this was a fun recipe to whip up over the weekend.  It was light and very filling.  As an extra idea, you can add some wheat pasta shells on the side and some grilled or baked lean meat. Enjoy!














INGREDIENTS: 

• 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
• 1 cup medium-diced red onion
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1½ cups medium-diced red bell pepper
• 2 cups medium-diced eggplant
• 1 cup chopped tomatoes 
• 1 cup medium-diced zucchini
• ¼ cup vegetables stock, homemade or boxed low-sodium
• ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
• ¼ cup fresh chives, minced
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• Ground black pepper, to taste 

INSTRUCTIONS: 

• In a Dutch oven or large skillet on medium, heat 1 tbsp oil. 
• Add onions and sauté until translucent, about 3 minutes. 
• Add garlic and cook until fragrant, 30 seconds. 
• Add bell peppers and sauté for 2 minutes. 
• Add eggplant and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. 
• Add tomatoes and cook for 3 minutes. 
• Add zucchini and cook for about 1 minute. 
• Add stock and simmer until liquid has thickened and vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. 
• Stir in basil and chives.
• Stir in vinegar, remaining 1 tbsp oil and black pepper. 
• Ladle into bowls. 

SERVES 4

Original recipe from Clean Eating Magazine.