High Protein 2 minute Brownie for One

This high protein brownie is delicious and takes just a minute to prepare. I add about a tablespoon of milk chocolate chips and top with a little powdered sugar when it comes out of the microwave.  

High Protein Brownie for One

Ingredients

1 egg

1/3 cup Greek yogurt

1 tbsp sweetener of choice

3 tbsp cocoa powder (or cacao)

1 tbsp chocolate protein powder

chocolate chips (add as many as you like!)

Instructions

Mix all ingredients except for chocolate chips until smooth. Then add chocolate chips and mix again.

Lightly grease a small microwave safe dish. Pour the batter into the dish.

Microwave for 90 seconds for a lava cake consistency or up to 2 minutes for a firmer brownie.

Corn and Doritos Salad

Corn and Doritos Salad

Salad Ingredients

1 3/4 cups fresh sweet corn or 1 can of corn, drained

1 cup diced cherry tomatoes

3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup diced peppers

3 Tbsp chopped cilantro

2 Tbsp minced onin

3/4 cup crushed nacho cheese Doritos 

Dressing:

1/4 cup mayo

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1 Tbsp lime juice

Mix dressing and set aside.  Toss together all the salad ingredients. Mix salad and dressing. Top with crushed Doritos and serve. 

Lemon Dressing for the best Arugula Parmeasan Salad

 Arugula with a lemon vinaigrette and parmesan cheese ranks right up on my favorite salads list. Because of the simplicity of the salad ingredients (arugula and cheese only), the dressing is really important. Over the years, I've found that a lemon vinaigrette vs only olive oil and lemon juice tastes best.  Here's dressing that I prefer: Note: This is a fabulous dressing that could be used on any green salad.

Lemon Vinaigrette for Arugula Salad

Vinaigrette

Juice of 1 lemon

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1-2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 tsp Dijon mustard

1 tsp honey

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Salad

5 oz arugula

1/3 cup Parmesan (shaved is traditional, but any will do)

Directions:

Place all vinaigrette ingredients in a small jar.  Cover and shake 30 seconds or until well combined.

Wash arugula and place in bowl.  Pour on 2 Tbsp of the dressing to start and toss (you don't want it over dressed). Then add the Parm and toss again.  Serve immediately.

DIY Brownie Mix

 I love a good ole boxed browie mix.  Aldi does a fine job with theirs.  You can make your own brownie mix to keep on hand. It's super easy!  This would make a good gift for kids to make for teachers.

DIY Brownie Mix

1 cup granulated sugar

⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted

½ cup all-purpose flour

¼ teaspoon kosher salt

¼ teaspoon baking powder

Mix together and store in a container until ready to use.

When ready, add "wet ingredients"

½ cup (1 stick) melted butter, cooled

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray an 8×8-inch pan with non-stick spray.

Sift (or whisk) together granulated sugar, cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder in a large bowl.

Melt butter and set aside to cool.

In a medium bowl, beat two eggs and vanilla extract with a hand-held mixer.

Add the egg mixture and melted butter to the dry ingredients. Stir until just incorporated.

Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 20-22 minutes.

 

HOW TO GIFT BROWNIE MIX

Sift together all dry ingredients. Place into a jar or airtight container.

On a gift tag or label write the wet ingredients and quantities and then directions. “Melt butter and set aside to cool slightly. In a medium bowl, beat two eggs with the vanilla. Add in and gently stir dry ingredients. Pour the melted butter into brownie mixture and mix until just incorporated. Spread batter in a prepared 8-inch square pan and bake for 20-22 minutes at 350 degrees.”

Moose Farts

 I'm from Minnesota. Of course, I have a recipe for Moose Farts. These are nobake and super rich. Enjoy!

Moose Farts

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1/4 cup (half stick) melted butter

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups dried coconut flakes

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

1 1/2 cups mini chocolate chips

Additional graham cracker crumbs for rolling balls.

Directions:

Melt the butter and and combine it with the sweetened condensed milk & vanilla extract until well blended.

Add the graham crumbs, coconut and chocolate chips. Mix to combine well.

Refrigerate for an hour or so before rolling the mixture into 1 1/4 inch balls. You want to make these on the smallish side as they are quite rich.

Roll the balls in additional graham crumbs and once again chill until firm.

Refrigerate in a sealed container to store.

Cris' Favorite Salad Dressing

 My college bestie Cris makes the best salad dressing. It's light, flavorful, and comes together quickly. 

Cris' Favorite Salad Dressing

1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar

2/4 tsp lemon pepper

1/2-3/4 tsp dried basic

1 tsp Dijon (country if you have it)

Dash of garlic powder

1 Tbsp honey

salt and pepper to taste

Add all ingredients to a jar and shake.  Yum!

Cuban Style Sloppy Joes make with Ground Pork

 Ok, I may like these better than the original.  My husband and I bought a whole hog this year, so we're constantly on the lookout for pork recipes.  This one was excellent!  It takes inspiration from a Cuban sandwich and is served with Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard (I used Trader Joe's pickle mustard). Made it last night for my sister and we both agreed that it was delicious. I will definitely make again!

Cuban Style Sloppy Joes

2 tablespoons canola oil (seemed excessive, I'd cut back to 1 tablespoon)

1 1/2 pounds ground pork

2 garlic cloves minced

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon ground allspice

2 teaspoons ground coriander

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper

2 teaspoons paprika

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 lime zested and juiced

1 cup chicken stock

1 cup tomato sauce

4 brioche buns

8 slices Swiss cheese

1/2 cup sliced pickles

Mustard (I like Trader Joe's Pickle Mustard)

Instructions:

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat then add in the pork, crumbling it up with a spatula as it cooks for 5-7 minutes.

Lower the heat to medium and add in the garlic, brown sugar, allspice, coriander, kosher salt, black pepper, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, lime juice and lime zest, stirring and cooking for 2-3 minutes. and lime zest and juice.

Add in the stock and tomato sauce stirring well then letting reduce for 5-7 minutes.

Scoop onto toasted buns, top with Swiss cheese and another spoonful of the pork mixture with pickles and mustard on top.