A treat from my childhood

While watching an Aussie TV show I heard them mention 'chocolate crackles. Chocolate crackles were a favorite of many of my New Zealand friends, as birthday treats when we were kids.

Place 4 cups rice Krispies in a bowl. Sift in 1 cup powdered sugar, 3tbs cocoa. Add 1 cup fine unsweetened coconut. Stir to mix. 

Melt, over low heat, 250 grams coconut oil, cool a couple of minutes then pour over rice Krispie mix in bowl. Stir to mix. 

Fill paper baking cups with mixture, then place in fridge to set up. These are not exactly low calorie, but taste pretty good.

Roast vegetables

About 1-1/2 cups each of yellow squash, onion, carrot, zucchini, cauliflower, broccoli, all thinly sliced or broken into small florets, tossed into a plastic baggie with Mrs Dash Southwest Chipotle seasoning, garlic powder, sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Toss all around in the baggie until well coated then pour onto a foil lined baking dish and bake.

I use my small counter top convection oven, and cook the veggies at 400 F until they are just tender crisp, as I will reheat them in the microwave later on. There are less than 100 calories per one cup serving of these very tasty vegetables.

Red - Eye Chili

On New Years day I wanted to relax and watch TV, so I threw all the ingredients for this chili in the slow cooker and left it until done. The recipe comes from Sandra Lee's semi - homemade slow cooker recipe book. I did have to make a couple of substitutions due to not having everything the recipe calls for.

2 pounds pork shoulder cut into bite-sized pieces. I used pork steaks which worked just as well.
2 cans (15oz each) kidney beans, drained. All I had in the pantry was black beans, so used them and they tasted just fine
2 cans (14oz each) diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained.
1 cup frozen chopped onions, I used fresh.
2 packets (1.25 oz) mild chili seasoning.
2 tablespoons instant coffee granules.
2 tablespoons light brown sugar.
1. season the pork with salt and pepper, and place in 4-quart cooker.
2. Add remaining ingredients and stir thoroughly.
3. Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 to 6 hours.

The coffee gave the chili a rich taste, and I added the dollop of sour cream on top for extra flavor.
A nice big piece of cornbread rounded out the meal.

Orange Pecan Breakfast Cake

1 pkg. Moist Deluxe Butter Recipe cake mix
2/3 cup water
3 large eggs
½ cup butter or margarine, softened
2 tbsp. grated orange peel
2 tbsp. Orange juice
½ cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
¼ cup fine graham cracker crumbs
2 tbs. butter or margarine, melted
1½ tsps Cinnamon
1 cup powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 375F

Grease and flour two 9 x1½ inch round layer pans

Combine cake mix, water, eggs, and ½ cup butter in large mixing bowl.

Mix cake as directed on pkg. Fold in 1 tbsp. Of the orange peel

Divide batter evenly in pans.

For the topping, combine the chopped pecans, brown sugar, graham cracker crumbs, 1tbsp orange peel, butter and cinnamon. And sprinkle evenly over batter in pans.

Bake for 25 minute, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Heat the orange juice in the microwave and stir in the powdered sugar and drizzle over the warm cakes.

Now go make a pot of coffee to go with a large slice of the breakfast Cake.

As I forgot to take a picture of the cake, before it was all eaten. I, err ummm! borrowed one from:
www.recipetips.com/

APPLESAUCE BREAD

Why on earth I thought buying a huge jar of apple sauce, which was on sale, a bargain, i'll never know. I knew I had better find a way to use some of the applesauce before it grew green fuzz.
Yay! for the internet, I found this recipe for Applesauce bread. A nice large slice and a cup of tea is just the ticket for morning or afternoon tea.

The recipe calls for butter and whole eggs, but if you are concerned about fats, then substitute margarine and Eggbeaters or similar product.

1/2 cup butter (1stick)
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda.
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. allspice
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup applesauce
2 large eggs
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour an 8 x4 x 3" loaf pan.
Cream the butter and brown sugar. Add the remaining ingredients except the nuts and raisins. Mix well until blended. Stir in the nuts and raisins. Pour into the loaf pan.
Bake for 60-65 minutes.

CHOW MEIN

During my visit to New Zealand last November, I came across an old recipe book in a thrift store. In the book were quite a few recipes similar to the ones my Mother used to bake. This Chow Mein is one of them, although I have substituted snow peas for the green beans in the original recipe.


1tbs butter.
1 med. onion.
1/2lb lean hamburger or you could use chicken.
1 pkt chicken noodle soup.
11/4 cups of water, I found I had to add more.
1tsp soy sauce.
1/2 tbs. sugar.
1/4 lb green beans.
1/4 cabbage. I like savoy cabbage.
1tbs. rice.
salt & pepper to taste.
1/2 tbs. curry powder.
Brown the hamburger and onion in the butter.
Add all the other ingredients except the cabbage. If you use snow peas also leave these out until later.
Simmer 25 minutes stirring occasionally.
Add cabbage (and snow peas if substituted) and simmer for about 5 more minutes or until the vegetables are cooked. I prefer my vegetables to be still a little on the crisp side.

Notes: After making the Chow Mein and tasting it, I think I would make a couple of changes. I found the chicken soup mix to be rather salty, so I would use egg noodles and a good quality chicken broth instead. I would use a little more soy sauce and curry powder for a fuller flavor. Also 3 tbs. rice. It is all a matter of what you like.

Orange-Cranberry Turkey Fettuccine

Let's not heat up our kitchens, place all the ingredients in your slow cooker, then go outside and enjoy the sunshine.
When you come back indoors, you just need to finish a couple more steps, and you will have dinner on the table with little or no effort on your part.

1 lb skinless turkey breast and/or thighs
1 green onion, chopped
2 oranges, peeled and cut into small chunks
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup orange juice
2 tbsp. brown sugar
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/8 tsp grated nutmeg
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
2 tbsp cornstarch
3 tbsp. water
Cooked Fetuccine
chopped pecans

Cut turkey into thin strips. In slow cooker, combine turkey with green onion, oranges, cranberries, orange juice, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, nutmeg, salt and pepper.

Cover and cook on low about 4 hours or until turkey is tender.
Turn control to high.
In a small bowl dissolve cornstarch in the water and stir into the turkey mixture.
Cover and cook on high 15-20 minutes, stirring once.
Serve over hot fettuccine.
Sprinkle with pecans.

No Harm Chicken Parm

This recipe comes from one of my favorite websites, Hungry Girl. I receive a daily email from them with wonderful lo-cal, lo-fat recipes and *tips & tricks* You can also go to their site and sign up for their free email.

Juicy-on-the-inside, crunchy-on-the-outside chicken breast complete with melt-y cheese and warm tomato sauce?!? Now that's the kind of meal we'd gladly sink our teeth into on a daily basis if it weren't so notoriously high in fat and calories! Fortunately for everyone, HG tackled the task of whipping up a crazy-good guilt-free version of this classic chicken dish.

Ingredients:
5 oz. boneless skinless chicken breast (raw)
1/3 cup Fiber One cereal
1/4 cup Egg Beaters
3/4 tsp. reduced fat grated Parmesan cheese
1 oz. (approx. 1/4 cup) shredded fat-free mozzarella cheese
1/3 cup canned tomato sauce
Optional: garlic powder, basil, oregano, salt and pepper

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Using a blender or food processor, grind Fiber One cereal to a breadcrumb-like consistency. Add Parmesan to crumbs (if desired, season crumbs with optional spices, as well). Place crumbs in one small dish and Egg Beaters in another. Next, pound your chicken so it's a bit flattened. Coat raw chicken on both sides with Egg Beaters, and then coat with crumb mixture. Place chicken on a baking pan sprayed with nonstick spray. Spray a light mist of nonstick spray on top of chicken and place in oven. Cook for 10 minutes, and then turn chicken over. Add another light mist of nonstick spray and cook for an additional 10 - 12 minutes (or until chicken is fully cooked and coating looks crispy). Meanwhile, if desired, mix tomato sauce with your seasonings of choice. Remove chicken from oven, top with sauce and then cheese, and return chicken to oven until cheese is melted. Enjoy! Serves 1.

Serving Size: 1 chicken breast (entire recipe)
Calories: 295
Fat: 3.5g
Sodium: 890mg
Carbs: 27g
Fiber: 11g
Sugars: 3.5g
Protein: 46.5g

*5 Points (weight watchers)



From Lisa:
I'm not a nutritionist, I'm just hungry. I'm just an average female, struggling with the same food issues most females struggle with every day.

Thank you Lisa, for a wonderful informative site.
Keewee

Flame broiled turkey wraps.

The higher the mercury rises, the more we wish to get out of our hot kitchens, and fire up the grill.

Here is an easy, tasty recipe to tempt your taste buds.

2 cups broccoli coleslaw mix
1 med. tomato, seeded and chopped
3tbs. coleslaw dressing
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
1 tbs. prepared mustard
11/2 tsp. Caribbean jerk seasoning
2 turkey breasts, about 8oz each
4 8" flour tortillas

In a large bowl, toss coleslaw mix, tomato, dressing, jalapeno pepper and mustard.
Rub turkey with jerk seasoning.
Coat grill with nonstick spray before starting the grill.
Grill turkey, covered, over med. heat for 8-10 minutes or until 170F on meat thermometer.
Let stand for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile grill tortillas uncovered, over med. heat for 45-55 seconds each side until warmed.
Thinly slice turkey, place down center of tortillas, top with coleslaw and wrap up.

Apfel Pfannkuchen

A German apple pancake recipe from the days before boxed pancake mix.

Makes 24 small pancakes

1-1/4 cups milk
1 egg
1-1/2 cups flour, sifted
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. melted butter
3 apples, peeled and grated
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 cup sugar
juice of 1 lemon


Beat the milk and egg together. Mix gradually into the flour and salt and continue mixing until blended. Beat in the melted butter. Strain through a sieve to remove any lumps. Let stand for 1 hour.
Combine the apples, cinnamon, sugar and lemon juice.
Drop tablespoons of the batter on a greased heated griddle and top with a little of the apple mixture. Cook until the batter loses its shine, turn over and cook other side.
Serve piping hot, sprinkled with sugar.

Blue Ribbon Macaroni & Cheese

I start by making the best Mac N Cheese recipe there is.
If you are worried about your cholesterol, then perhaps this recipe is not for you.

Macaroni And Cheese

8 Tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
6 slices good white bread, crusts removed, torn into 1/4 to 1/2 inch pieces
5 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup all purpose flour
2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper, or to taste
1 tsp. dry mustard
4 1/2 cups (about 18 oz.) grated sharp white cheddar cheese
2 cups (about 8 oz.) grated Gruyere or 1 1/4 grated Pecorino Romano cheese
1 lb. elbow macaroni
About 8 slices of PepperJack cheese


Heat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 3 quart casserole dish; set aside. Place the bread in a medium bowl. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Pour butter into bowl with bread and toss. Set the bread aside.

In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, heat the milk. Melt remaining 6 tablespoons butter in a high sided skillet over medium heat. When butter bubbles, add flour. Cook, stirring, 1 minute. While whisking, slowly pour in hot milk. Continue cooking, whisking constantly, until the mixture bubbles and becomes thick. Remove pan from heat.

Stir in salt, nutmeg, black pepper, cayenne pepper, dry mustard, 3 cups cheddar cheese and 1 1/2 cups Gruyere or 1 cup Pecorino Romano; set cheese sauce aside.

Fill a large saucepan with water; bring to a boil. Add macaroni; cook 2 to 3 minutes less than manufacturer’s directions, until the outside of the pasta is cooked and the inside is underdone. (Different brands of macaroni cook at different rates; be sure to read the instructions.) Transfer the macaroni to a colander, rinse under cold running water, and drain well.

Stir macaroni into the reserved cheese sauce.

Place half of the mixture into the prepared dish and top with half of the sliced PepperJack cheese. Pour remaining mixture over top, place second half of PepperJack slices over top, and finish by Sprinkling remaining 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup Gruyere or 1/4 cup Pecorino Romano and bread crumbs over top.

Bake until browned on top, about 30 minutes.

Transfer dish to wire rack to cool 5 minutes. Serve

I enjoy the "extra bite" the PepperJack cheese gives this dish.

I did not have time to make this dish, so borrowed the graphic from whatscookingamerica.net

Kerikeri Corn Salad

Kerikeri, from earliest days a fertile growing area, was where the first plough was used in New Zealand in 1820. It is interesting to note that the Maori gardeners in the Bay of Islands grew garlic as a trading crop before the Treaty was signed.

2 cups cooked sweet corn
1 cup cooked green peas
1 cup diced cucumber
2 tbs. chopped green onions or chives
1 clove garlic
1/4 cup salad oil
2 tbs. vinegar
salt & pepper
Cayenne pepper

Drain the cooked vegetables well and mix with the cucumber. Shake the oil & vinegar together in a screw top jar with salt & pepper and Cayenne pepper and dress the vegetables with this, tossing lightly until all are coated. Serve cold.

KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF SUPER EASY LEMON CAKE

1 box Lemon Supreme cake mix
12 oz. diet 7 up
2 eggs
1 small box sugar free lemon jello

Beat all together for about 2 minutes.

Spray a 13x9 pan with non stick spray.
Bake at 350F for 30-35 minutes.

Cool cake and then poke holes all over the top of the cake. Next, mix jello with 1 cup biling water, stir until dissolved. Very slowly pour all of the jello over the cake until gone.

Let it ripen up in the fridge for about an hour.

Not only is this dessert light in calories, it tastes good. we like it with a dollop of cream or a scoop of light icecream.

ITALIAN SAUSAGE BREAD

Frozen bread dough
1 lb. pkg. Italian sausage
Shredded Mozzarella cheese
Parmesan cheese
1 egg yolk

Let bread dough thaw and rise at room temperature for 2 to 4 hours. Roll out to rectangular shape. Brown and crumble Italian sausage. Drain excess grease, let cool slightly. Spread sausage evenly over rolled out dough, spread Parmesan cheese evenly, followed by Mozzarella. Roll up as you would a jelly roll and pinch the ends closed. Rub raw egg yolk all over loaf. Place on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Muffins That Taste Like Donuts

1-3/4 cups flour
1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp.salt
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/3 cup oil
3/4 cup sugar (first amount)
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup melted butter
3/4 cup sugar (second amount)
1 tsp cinnamon

In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon.
In another bowl, combine thoroughly, oil, 3/4 c. sugar, egg, and milk.
Add liquids to dry ingredients and stir only to combine.
Fill greased muffin cups, bake 350F for 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Shake muffins out immediately, and while hot dip in melted butter, then sugar mixed with cinnamon.

NOTE: today Sunday 15th, I am going to play with this recipe to lighten it up a little. I will use applesauce instead of the oil, some Splendor instead of all the sugar, and some whole wheat white flour (for extra fiber) in the donuts. And after they are cooked, I will try Weight Watchers buttery spray to coat the donuts before dipping them in the sugar and cinnamon mixture, perhaps just dipping the tops in the mixture, thus reducing the calories.

I will post results later on today, so stop by to read my verdict.

THE VERDICT IS IN:

I replaced the All purpose flour with white whole wheat: The texture of the donuts was a little heavier, but the flavor was good, and of course whole wheat is better for us.

Replaced all of the oil with apple sauce: they were still moist.

Filled the 3/4 cup with about half regular sugar, and topped it off with Splendor: they were sweet enough.

When I pulled them from the oven: I spritzed the tops with buttery spray, turned them out onto a tray, spritzed the bottoms, them tossed them in a bag of cinnamon sugar.

Even though they are a little heavier in texture, than muffins made with all purpose flour, they are still good, and a whole lot lighter in calories and butter.

I polished off three for my breakfast.

Marble Pound Cake

A lighter version for those of you counting calories

2-1/4 cup flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg
8 oz. whole milk vanilla yogurt
4 large egg whites
3 oz. bittersweet chocolate
1/2 tsp. almond extract

Preheat oven to 350F Coat a bundt pan with cooking spray.

Sift together, flour, baking powder, and baking soda; set aside.

In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add vanilla and egg, beat well.

Add about 1/3 of flour and 1/3 yogurt , fold in until just blended, repeat until all flour and yogurt is incorporated. Whip egg whites until stiff, (I like to whip the egg whites first, so they will be ready to use) fold into batter until blended. Divide mixture into 2 bowls.

Melt chocolate over double boiler over extremely low heat. (the chocolate can be melting as you are making the batter) pour into one of the bowls of batter, blend well. Add almond extract to the other bowl and blend.

Pour half of the chocolate batter, then half of the almond batter into the prepared pan. Repeat with remaining batter. Run a knife through the batter creating more swirls.

Bake until toothpick inserted in cake comes out clean. About 45 minutes. (I found it cooked in about 40 minutes, so it depends on your oven)
Remove cake from oven and leave to cool in pan before carefully flipping onto a wire rack.

Drizzle a frosting over top.

Yo Yoes

Another wonderfully rich recipe from my Mother's Kiwi kitchen.

12 oz. butter
4 oz. powdered sugar
12 oz. flour
1 (4.6 oz.) pkt JELL-O Vanilla Cook & Serve Pudding & Pie Filling (remove 2tbsp of mix and set aside)
vanilla essence

Cream butter and sugar, add essence, then dry ingredients.

Roll dough into walnut size balls (oil your hands and the dough will not stick) Or use a small scoop. Place on a cold greased cookie sheet and flatten with a fork dipped in flour.

Bake about 15 minutes at 350F or until light golden brown.

When cold, sandwich together with butter filling, or frosting of your choice. (I have used jam as a filling)

Filling: soften 2tbs. butter, add about 12 tbsp. powdered sugar and the 2 tbsp. pudding mix and 1 tsp. vanilla. Stir until smooth.

You could substitute any flavor pudding mix you like. Chocolate would be good.

Caramel Meringue

The theme for this weeks Carnival of Recipes is to celebrate Saint Patricks Day. This recipe is not Irish, but I bake it, and I do have some Irish blood in my veins. That is about as close to Irish as it comes. *grin*
This recipe came from my Mother's kitchen. I have had to make adjustments to the original weights and measures, as the original 1960's recipe called for teacup quantities, and used Golden Syrup, which I have found here in USA. Lyles makes Golden syrup, or you can use Steens Cane Syrup. or maybe a dark Karo may work. I prefer the flavor of Lyles syrup.

3 oz butter
1-1/2 tbs. sugar
1 egg
1-1/4 cups flour
1tsp. baking powder
pinch salt


Cream butter and sugar, add egg and beat well. Add sifted flour, baking powder and salt. Roll out on greased parchment paper (about 1/4" thick) Bake 5 minutes at 350F



I actually put the greased parchment paper in a pan, and placed a piece of plastic wrap over the dough and pressed it into place with my fingers. I think this was too much work, so next time I will place it on a cookie sheet and roll it out as the recipe suggests.





FILLING:
1/2 tin sweetened condensed milk
1 tbsp. butter
1 tbsp Golden Syrup (Lyles, Steens cane syrup, or dark karo)
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
2 egg yolks
1-1/2 tbsp. flour,
1 tsp Vanilla




Put condensed milk, butter, syrup, sugar, egg yolks and vanilla into saucepan. Warm mixture just until butter has melted, then add the flour and stir, remove from heat and pour over the baked crust.







Cover the caramel with meringue made with 2 egg whites beaten stiffly, then add 4 tbsp. sugar beating again until incorporated.

The original recipe says Bake about 40 minutes at 350F






I found I had to keep an eye on the meringue as it browned rather quickly, so I removed the Caramel Meringue before it was too dark.

Cut while hot.

Chocolate Chews

Or Chocolate Crunch, if you over bake them as I did

I really don't mind that the Chews turned out crunchy, as I am partial to crunchy cookies anyhow.

8oz. butter, I used Smart Balance which could have contributed to the Chews being crunchy
1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 tbs. cocoa
pinch salt
2 cups coconut, use the unsweetened finely shredded kind.
2 cups rolled oats
2 cups flour

Cream butter and sugar. add vanilla and all other ingredients. Mix well.

Press into greased pan. I used a jelly roll pan and think it is a little too large. Next time I will use a deeper 11 1/2 x 9 1/2 pan. I think the cookies will be softer.
Bake in a moderately slow oven 325-350F for about 20 minutes.

Remove from oven and ice with chocolate icing while still warm. I cheated this time and spread the few chocolate chips over the top which I had left over from a previous recipe.

Spread the icing or chocolate chips, and let cool before cutting into squares. Lick the chocolate off the spreading spatula. ( well this is what I do)

Spanish Rice & Meatballs

6 slices of bacon
1lb. lean ground beef
½ cup soft bread crumbs
1 egg, beaten
½ tsp. Salt
1/8 tsp. Pepper
½ cup chopped onion
½ cup sliced celery
2/3 cup uncooked white rice
1-1/2 cups water
1 can (16oz.) diced tomatoes
1/3 cup Heinz 57 sauce
¼ tsp. Pepper
1/8 tsp. hot pepper sauce
1 green bell pepper cut into chunks

In large skillet, cook bacon until crisp. Remove and crumble, set aside.
Drain all but 1 tbsp. drippings.
In large bowl, combine beef, bread crumbs, egg, salt & pepper. Form into about 20 meatballs.
In skillet brown meatballs; remove. In same skillet saute onion & celery until tender-crisp; drain excess fat.
Add rice, water, tomatoes, 57 sauce, ¼ tsp. pepper and hot pepper sauce.
Cover and simmer 20 minutes. Stir in bacon, meatballs and green pepper.
Cover and simmer 10 minutes, or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally.