Monday, September 26, 2011

Homemade Mushroom Soup

Today definitely felt like fall. It was kind of nice for a change. Cool, rainy and a perfect day to make soup. Brian bought some mushrooms at the Bellingham Farmer's Market this weekend and so mushroom soup was on the list. I found a fantastically easy recipe that I will be making A LOT this winter!! I forgot to take pictures (SORRY!) but I'll post other recipes with pictures later this week!!

Cream of Mushroom Soup

1 lb. regular white mushrooms
1 T. lemon juice
1 T. butter
1 onion, chopped
1 t. dried thyme
1 bay leaf
salt and pepper to taste
Chicken Stock-I think I used between 4 and 6 cups (I wasn't measuring!)
1 cup cream (the original recipe called for 2 but a little less than one was plenty!)
1 t cornstarch dissolved in 1 T. water

Coarsely chop mushrooms in food processor. Melt butter in soup pot, add onions and saute. Add mushrooms, thyme, and bay leaf and saute for another 10 minutes. Add salt, pepper, cream and stock. Let simmer for 20 minutes. Mix cornstarch and water, and add to soup. Keep stirring and serve.

Let me know what you think! It was so good!!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Whole Wheat Oatmeal Berry Muffins aka Breakfast Muffins

Oh man...These muffins are amazing. I could probably eat the entire pan of them for breakfast. But I limited myself to two. It was hard. I found the recipe at Two Peas in the Pod and I will definitely be making them again. They would be great for anyone who seems to need a healthy breakfast on the go. The whole wheat flour, oatmeal, applesauce, and berries are the perfect breakfast combination!!




Breakfast Muffins

1 1/4 C whole wheat flour
1 1/4 C oats
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 C unsweetened applesauce
1/2 C low-fat buttermilk
1/2 C firmly packed brown sugar
2 Tbsp canola oil
1 large egg,
1 tsp. vanilla- I think I used closer to 2!
1 C of your choice of berries- I used blueberries and raspberries

Preheat oven to 375 degrees, and prepare muffin tin.

Combine flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Mix together applesauce, buttermilk, sugar, oil, egg, and extracts. Slowly add in dry ingredients. Stir until just moist. Fold in berries.

Bake for 16-18 minutes.

Original recipe can be found at http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/recipe-for-oatmeal-berry-muffins/ . My links aren't working today!

Monday, September 19, 2011

Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies

At the latte stand I used to work at we had a delicious Mayan Mocha. It was a mocha with honey and a blend of cinnamon, ancho chili, cocoa powder and nutmeg. They were SO good. A little extra spice to warm you up. I of course made mine pretty mild but oh they smelled delicious! So before I finished working there I brought home a cup of the mix so I could make them when I was all the way across the state! I made myself a few mochas and then decided that a cookie with that flavor would be delicious. So I searched and this is what I found. I just used the mix I had, but I think next time I'll add a little more chili powder for a little bit bigger kick. The crunch of the cookie is amazing and I rolled mine in a mixture of cinnamon, sugar and mayan mix. Enjoy!

2 1/4 C. flour
1/2 C. unsweetened cocoa powder
2 t. cream of tartar
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1 C. unsalted butter
1 3/4 C. sugar
2 large eggs
2 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. chile powder (I used mayan mix here, but I think the chile powder would give a bigger kick)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix flour, cocoa powder, cream of tartar, soda, and salt. Set aside.


In a separate bowl beat butter, 1 1/2 C. sugar until fluffy. Add eggs. (I also added a little vanilla). Slowly add in flour mixture.



In a separate bowl combine 1/4 C. sugar, cinnamon and chile powder.


Form cookies into a ball and roll in mixture. Bake for 10 minutes on a parchment lined sheet. Enjoy!


Sunday, September 18, 2011

Whole Wheat Apple Cinnamon Muffins

I made these yesterday before heading to the Coug game at a friends house. Football games ALWAYS have awesomely unhealthy food which I really do enjoy but sometimes its nice to have something a little bit healthier to nosh on. These were the perfect compliment to all the pizza, chips and hot wings. They stayed super moist and I will definitely be making them again soon!

1 C. Flour
1/2 C whole wheat flour
1/2 C. sugar
1/2 C. brown sugar
1/2 t. salt
2 t. baking powder
2 t. cinnamon

Mix dry ingredients.

Mix 1/3 C. vegetable oil, 1 egg, and 1/3 cup milk. Add to dry mixture.

Peel and chop 2 medium apples. Add to mixture.

Grease muffin tin or fill with papers. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bake for 15-20 minutes for big muffins. I did mini muffins and baked for 11-14 minutes.

*Recipe courtesy of RecipeGirl