Showing posts with label Simple Summer Solutions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Simple Summer Solutions. Show all posts

Friday, July 1, 2011

4th of July Cookies!

Happy Red, White and Blue Day!  Here is the perfect cookie for you to bake for your holiday meal.


These come together quickly and are an easy and portable dessert everyone will love.  They present the opportunity for you, the health-conscious person, to practice portion control.  Take small bites and savor one or two cookies knowing you have not blown your healthy eating plan.  Eat the whole batch and that's another story!

Red, White and Blue Cookies

1 1/4 cups unbleached flour
1 cup old-fashioned oats
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter or transfat-free margarine, room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup dried blueberries
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup white chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350°F.  Line baking sheet with parchment or a Silpat liner (if neither is available, use ungreased baking sheet); set aside.

In small mixing bowl, combine flour, oats, baking powder, and salt.  In large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugars together until well combined.  Add egg and vanilla and beat well.  Add flour mixture and beat until just combined; batter will be stiff.  Stir in blueberries, cranberries, and white chocolate chips.

Form balls with your hands, a little more than one inch diameter, and place on prepared baking sheet.  Flatten with fork and put in oven.  Bake 11 minutes, or until edges start to turn golden.  Let cookies cool 5 minutes on baking pan, then remove to wire rack to cool completely.  Makes about 45 cookies, 2 points plus and 74 calories each.


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Don't forget: today is the "linky party" for all of you to share a Simple Summer Solution recipe or other tidbit if you'd like.  Click below to participate.

Thursday, June 30, 2011

More Simple Summer Solutions!

 

Today, we get to see the culinary inspiration of Chez Mukweto, the host and creator of Simple Summer Solutions.  Hasn't this been fun?  I have truly enjoyed visiting others and experiencing their creativity.


In case you missed them:

Monday was a quick and tasty recipe for salmon by Ma Nouvelle Mode.
Tuesday was spicy chicken by The ArtsyGirl Connection.
Wednesday was a refreshing drink here where Tracy cooks it right!!
Friday is a "linky party" for all to share!

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Berry Citrus Summer Slush





Here is my Simple Summer Solution!  No need to stop at a fast food restaurant for a quick thirst-quenching summer drink.  Just have a few simple ingredients on hand and blend away.  It is fresh fruit at it's best.  This recipe saves time and money and provides your family with true refreshment.  Enjoy!



 Berry Citrus Summer Slush

8 ounces strawberries or blueberries
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon, lime, or orange juice
1/3 cup sweetener of your choice (i.e. sugar, honey, agave, Splenda, or Truvia)
1/2 cup water
1 cup ice cubes
Citrus slices for garnish, optional

Place all ingredients except citrus slices in blender container.  Blend 30 to 60 seconds, or until ice is crushed.  Pour into three glasses and garnish, if desired.  Makes 3 servings, about 1 cup each.  For those of you on Weight Watchers, each serving has 0 to 3 points plus and varying calories, depending on the fruit and sweetener used.



Tomorrow we visit Chez Mukweto to see her Simple Summer Solution!
Monday was a quick and tasty recipe by Ma Nouvelle Mode.
Tuesday was spicy chicken by The ArtsyGirl Connection.
Friday is a "linky party" for all to share!

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Simple Summer Solutions!


                                                                                                                              
Today, go on over to The ArtsyGirl Connection for her exciting recipe for chicken thighs.




Monday was a quick and tasty recipe by Ma Nouvelle Mode.
Wednesday will be right here where Tracy cooks it right!!
Thursday will be presented by Chez Mukweto.
Friday is a "linky party" for all to share!

Enjoy!

Monday, June 27, 2011

Lavender!

Saturday is Abundant Harvest day.  I go to a pick up site for my crate of organic produce. I never know what will be in the crate.  I could check the web site ahead and see, but I love the surprise each time.


The lavender was a beautiful addition this week, and right away, I knew what I wanted to cook.  First, I needed to sort through the goodies.  This is the crate I bring home each week:


The white paper in front is the weekly newsletter that tells who grew each item and gives ideas for using unfamiliar fruits and vegetables.  It's like Christmas morning when I lift open the brown paper wrapper and peek inside.  As soon as I see the bounty, my mind begins to picture the fresh and healthy dishes we will eat in the coming week.


I realize not everyone is going to have access to fresh, organic lavender.  You can make this simple chicken dish with just the rosemary or replace the lavender with another fresh herb like thyme.  No fresh herbs on hand?  Substitute dried herbs and use one-third the amount.


 Lavender Chicken

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar, or any other type vinegar you have
2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
1 teaspoon chopped fresh lavender flowers
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4  5-ounce boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

In small bowl, combine all ingredients except chicken.  Coat baking pan just big enough for chicken pieces to fit in one layer with olive oil spray.  Place chicken in pan and add liquid mixture; turn chicken a few times to coat completely.  Place in refrigerator to marinate 30 minutes or more.

Preheat oven to 400°F.  Bake chicken for 30 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink.  Makes 4 servings, 4 points plus and 156 calories each.  Serve with an oven-roasted vegetable like this and some bread for an easy, complete meal.

Note:  Your baking pan should not be larger than the size that holds the chicken.  The honey in the marinade will burn and stick to the pan.

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Don't forget this week is Simple Summer Solutions over at  Chez Mukweto's.  Go see today's post at Ma Nouvelle Mode for a delicious salmon recipe.