Yes, I'm still here...

So after a major hiatus, I am making an epic return.  I have been cooking up a storm lately and making some really tasty stuff.  I like things super healthy, and other people's tastes may or may not coincide with the specific ways that I made these dishes, so I've decided that I will include the dish name and a brief description here, but if you want the full recipe leave a comment and I can include it there.  I can also provide a "normal" alternative if you ask for it.  Deal?

What's been cookin' :)

Coconut Crusted French Toast
I used a batter of carrot/butternutsquash puree with egg whites (both are sweet vegetables...so it was pretty yummy!) and then dipped the toast in coconut and crumbs (I used dried tofu which most people would probably think is gross...it's my new bread crumb substitute.  You could use rice crispies or corn flakes or crushed nuts though it would probably be delicious too).

As a topping, I used quick brulee bananas.  So simple.  Mash up a banana and microwave.  It gets a nice buttery flavor and almost gets to be a thick syrup.  I used almond extract for flavor.  Next time, I'm going to add some liquid (almond milk or water) because it does thicken as it cools.


Brownie Flats
This was a purely experimental endeavor...  I found a recipe for black bean brownies.  I must admit I completely doctored this recipe by substituting out the oil and sugar by using unsweetened applesauce.  If you want the real or version j.9 recipe, let me know :)  Instead of an 8x8 pan I used a baking sheet and I ended up with really thin flat brownies that I could use to dip in things (peanut butter/ froyo...etc.).

Next time, parchment paper.  My pan is still a mess.  I also have an idea to use this recipe to make what I'll call a resees roll using the brownies and frozen pb2-b (see below).  I'll let you know how it goes...



Frozen PB2-B 
While this might sound like an icicle friend of R2D2 or something, it's actually a super awesome dessert which I've tried with people who enjoy "normal" food and seems to be a hit.  This is SO simple.  Freeze a banana.  Pop it in a food processor (I use the newest version of the magic bullet called the Nutribullet and it's amazing!) with 1 TBSP of PB2.

What is PB2 you may ask?  Available at select GNC stores (I got mine at the Mass Ave. location near symphony hall), PB2 is a dry roasted peanut powder.  You can mix it with liquid (water, milk, almond milk, yogurt...) and it makes really low fat peanut butter.  I also add some vanilla extract for an extra kick to this frozen treat, but the banana blends to a frozen yogurt consistency and the peanut butter thickens it a little...

This is a perfect healthy alternative to ice cream after dinner.  You could even eat it for breakfast with some cereal if you wanted to.

Let me know what you think of these nutritasty food fusions and try your own twist on them and let me know how it goes.  That's my pearl of nutritional wisdom for the day.  You'll only eat healthy things if you find away to make it your own....

ja9.  Out.