Yes you should eat chocolate

 Read Dr Weil's article to enjoy dark chocolate guilt free

Jenny's Roasted Veggies

I love these veggies! I can't get enough of them. I find myself making a special trip to the grocery store when I run out. So easy and, so healthy, and so yummy.

Ingredients:
Cauliflower chopped
Red Potatoes sliced
Tomatoes sliced
Cabbage (purple or green) chopped
Any other veggies you may want to roast.
Parmesan Cheese
Salt and Pepper
Balsamic Vinegar OR cajun steak seasoning.
Olive Oil

Preheat Oven to 450
Toss veggies in olive oil and lay flat on pan
Sprinkle with salt and pepper, balsamic vinegar and lots of parmesan cheese.
Variation - instead of balsamic vinegar, sprinkle with cajun seasoning and parm cheese.
Bake for 20 minutes.

sweet-and-spicy mini meatloaves

I made this tonight and we all really liked it.  I served it with twice baked potatoes and green beans.  This is a great recipe because it is healthier than regular meatloaf (half ground turkey plus wheat bread and carrots/onions) and because it cooks much quicker.   I made 1 1/2 of this recipe and it fed the family plus leftovers.

2 slices whole wheat bread

1/2 small onion

1 medium carrot

1/2 lb lean ground turkey

1/2 lb lean ground beef

1 lg egg

1/2 tsp  curry powder

salt and pepper

1 tbsp ketchup

1 tbsp apricot jam

Preheat oven to 375.  Pulse bread in food processor until finely ground.  Transfer to a large bowl.  Add onion and carrot to food processor and pulse until finely chopped.  Transfer to the bowl.  Add meats, egg, curry powder and salt and pepper.  Mix by hand.  Shape into 4 oblong meatloaves on a foil-lined baking sheet.  Mix ketchup and jam in a small bowl and brush over the meatloaves.  Bake until cooked through - about 20 minutes.  (I baked for 25 just to be safe but don't overcook)

Best ever chocolate cake

I got this recipe on Pinterest.
(I changed the coffee to orange juice with 2 teaspoons of cocoa powder added)

BLACK MAGIC CAKE (BEST CHOCOLATE CAKE EVER!)

INGREDIENTS

- 1 3/4 c all purpose flour - 2 c sugar - 3/4 c cocoa powder - 2 tsp baking soda - 1 tsp baking powder - 1 tsp salt - 2 eggs - 1 c strong black coffee, cooled - 1 c buttermilk

- 1/2 c vegetable oil - 1 tsp real vanilla extract CHOCOLATE FROSTING - 1/2 c margarine, softened - 2 oz melted unsweetened chocolate, cooled - 3 c powdered sugar - 3 Tbsp milk - 2 tsp real vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS

1.   Combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl or stand mixer.

2.   Add eggs, coffee, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla.

3.   Beat at medium speed for two minutes. Batter will be thin.

4.   Pour batter into a greased and floured 9x13 pan or two 9 inch cake pans.

5.   Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes for a 9x13, or 30-35 minutes for layer pans.

6.   Combine frosting ingredients and mix with a hand or stand mixer. Spread frosting on cooled cakes.

Soft Sugar Cookies w/ Almond Icing

Very yummy but not so good for the diet.   Don't over cook.  They will be soft and delicious.

Cookies:


1-1/2  c sugar
1 c butter, softened
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp almond extract (or any other flavor)
4-1/2 c AP flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt

Cream sugar, butter, and eggs until smooth. Add flavorings. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Once combined, add to wet ingredients until combined.

Chill dough for about an hour.

Preheat oven to 350.

Divide chilled dough in half. Roll out dough into a 1/4-inch thick circle. Using cookie cutters, cut out shapes and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Continue to roll out all dough until it has all been used (or eaten). 

Bake 6-8 minutes. Let cool on pan for a few minutes to complete the cooking. Transfer to wire rack.

Cool completely before frosting.

Icing:

1/2 c butter, softened
3 c powdered sugar
1/4 c milk
1 tsp vanilla
1/2  – 1 tsp almond extract (or any other flavoring)

Beat all ingredients and keep firm but spreadable. Add more powdered sugar if needed.

S'mores popcorn

I made this last night for the super bowl party today:



Ingredients:
1.5 bags of popped popcorn
half a box of golden grahams
half to 3/4 bag of mini marshmallows
1 bag of semi sweet chocolate ships (melted in the microwave)

Mix all the ingredients except the chocolate together.
Drizzle the chocolate over the mixture.
Wait for chocolate to harden.

YUM!
http://www.nestofposies-blog.com/2011/07/smores-popcorn.html

Chicken Taco Bowls

This is the easiest recipe ever and it was a hit with the whole family. Yummy leftovers too.

Just dump the following in a crock pot and stir...

1 1/2 lbs chicken breast
2 cups salsa
1 cup frozen corn
1/4 cup water
1 tbsp taco seasoning (or cumin and chili powder)
1 can black beans, drained
1 clove garlic, minced

After 8 hrs on low shred chicken with 2 forks. It will just fall apart. Serve in a bowl over rice and top with grated cheese, cilantro, avocado and sour cream.