Cozy up to a bowl of Snickerdoodle Oatmeal this holiday season!During the winter months, I always crave a warm bowl of oatmeal in the morning. Skip the sugary packets of oats and create a hearty bowl with simple ingredients, that I am sure are probably in your kitchen already.
Surprisingly, I am not the biggest fan of snickerdoodle cookies. I think it’s because I don’t prefer sugar cookies (the base of snickerdoodles). I am more of a chocolate chip cookie kind of gal, but I do love the warm cinnamon sugar combination from snickerdoodles. McCormick recently came out with a new roasted cinnamon. The roasted version has a richer, deeper flavor than traditional cinnamon. If you love cinnamon and want a bigger and bolder flavor, you have to try roasted cinnamon.
The toppings of this oatmeal really make this breakfast a winner! Have you tried the seasonal Larabar snickerdoodle flavor? Plus, swirling in Betsy’s Best cinnamon chia gourmet peanut butter adds that extra pop of flavor.
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Sometimes dinner time turns into an episode of Chopped right in your own kitchen. This Kale, Quinoa, and Cranberry Stuffed Acorn Squash can easily be customized with ingredients you have in your refrigerator and pantry for a simple, wholesome meal.
The holiday season can be stressful at times. Considering I haven’t even started any of my holiday shopping, let alone even figuring out what I am getting anyone, that is adding a little stress to my plate these days. Things have been very busy here at RDelicious Kitchen, so I like to escape to my happy place and stress reliever – the kitchen.
There is something so soothing about chopping, stirring, and the aroma in the kitchen. With my days being jam packed it has been leaving little time for simple things, like grocery shopping. This recipe was inspired as I was in my imaginary world of being on an episode of Chopped. When you haven’t gone grocery shopping in a little while, you have to get creative!
Time-saving tip: Whenever I make a batch of quinoa, I always make extra and freeze the rest. This whole grain freezes well and easily heats up so you don’t have to start from scratch every time you are making quinoa.
My kale was on its last legs in my fridge, so in the saute pan it goes! Kale is one of those leafy greens that even after washing and trimming can last long in the refrigerator. When it begins to wilt, that’s when I throw that kale in my smoothies or saute pan – no waste!
When building a recipe, look to add different textures to the dish. I added almonds (my balsamic roasted almonds, to be exact) which adds that crunch factor, but also adds heart-healthy fats, fiber, and protein!
Slice acorn squash in half, lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds. Place squash on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray, flesh side down. Roast squash until for tender, about 30-50 minutes. (Exact roasting time will depend on the size and variety of your squash.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil to the pan. Add kale and cook until slightly wilted. Add the balsamic vinegar and let cook for an additional 2 minutes.
Stir in the quinoa, dried cranberries, and almonds, and cook until warmed through.
Full acorn squash with kale, quinoa, and kale mixture and serve.
Notes
*for an extra kick of balsamic, add balsamic roasted almonds
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This past September I traveled to California for the first time. I was so fortunate that California Almond Board invited me on an amazing trip to the almond orchards in Lodi, California with a group of amazing Registered Dietitians and food bloggers. We learned a wealth of information of all things almonds, including sustainability, growing methods, almond life cycles and nutrition research. Disclosure: I was provided with free travel and accommodations to the California Almond Orchard experience. I was not additionally compensated for my time or to write this post.
Ever wonder where those almonds that are in your trail mix, granola bars, and cereals are from? The almond lifecycle has many stages before they end up in your kitchen cabinets.
Did you know, there are more than 30 different varieties of almonds? 10 of them comprise the majority of almonds produced in California. 80% of the world’s almonds are produced in California, and from raw almonds and almond butter to almond flour, almond milk, and almond oil. The Central Valley of California is the perfect spot for almonds to grow due to their mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. The Almond Lifecycle: November – February: Almond trees go through a period of dormancy when the cold weather lets them sit back, relax and store up almond nutrients for next year’s crop. Late February – early March: Almond tree buds burst into light pink and white blooms in preparation for pollination. Nonpareils are among the first to bloom, while other varieties, such as Carmel and Mission, bloom later.
Many almond trees are not self-pollinating, so bees provide the missing piece of the puzzle. Populations of bees are brought to the orchard to carry pollen and initiate crop development. March – June: Almonds continue to mature, with the shell hardening and kernel forming. Also at this time, green almonds are harvested for various culinary uses.July – early August: Almond hulls begin to split open exposing the almond shell and allowing it to dry. Shortly before harvest, the hulls open completely. Mid-August through October: Mechanical tree “shakers” harvest the almonds by vigorously shaking them to the ground. The almonds then dry naturally for 8–10 days in the orchard before they are swept into rows and picked up by machine.After harvest, almonds go to a huller/sheller where the kernels pass through a roller to remove the hull, shell, and any remaining debris. Next stop: the handler for sizing, where the almond kernels drop into separate bins according to size.
After sizing, almonds are kept in controlled storage conditions to maintain quality until they’re either shipped or further processed into any variety of different almond forms for diverse culinary uses. (source: California Almonds)
Did you know – Almond trees are grafted on the roots of peach or plum trees for a stronger root base. The almond trees are grown in a nursery, then grafted onto the root of a peach or plum tree to grow to maturity. Through the orchard you are able to see the point where they were grafted since they overlap each other. Did you know there are three parts to an almond? The hull, shell, and kernel make up this mighty little nut and all parts are used. The hull is the dry and fuzzy outer later. Hulls are sold as livestock feed, which reduces the amount of water used to grow other feed crops. The shells go to various alternative farming uses such as livestock bedding. The kernel, which most think of when thinking about almonds, is the nutrient-rich almond we eat. Each serving (28 g) contains 6 grams of energy-packed protein, 4 grams of hunger-fighting fiber, 13 grams of “good” unsaturated fat and only 1 gram of saturated fat.
Now that I have you craving almonds, here is a delicious recipe to jazz up your almond snacks. Try these Balsamic Roasted Almonds. Just a few simple ingredients and snack time is jazzed up a little.
Warning: these almonds are addicting. The whole batch was gone in less than a week. Add them to salads, pair with a piece of fruit, the possibilities are endless. Be on the look out for another recipe soon using these almonds!
Place almonds in a small bowl. Pour the balsamic vinegar into the bowl, stir to coat the almonds. Let sit for one hour.
Pre-heat the oven to 350˚. Drain the vinegar from the almonds and pat almonds dry. Add sea salt and rosemary to the bowl and stir well to coat the almonds evenly. Spread almonds evenly onto a cookie sheet and bake for 8 minutes (stir the almonds halfway through cooking).
Remove from oven and let cool for 30 minutes. Store almonds in an airtight container.
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Thank you California Almonds for this amazing experience! To learn more about California Almonds check out their website. They have great resources for health professionals!
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Pressed for time in the morning, but don’t want to skimp on a nutritious and filling breakfast? Make these Apple Overnight Oats and breakfast will be ready for you as you run out the door! On these chilly mornings, the snooze button has been becoming my best friend. Overnight oats save my mornings when I leave myself just 20 minutes to get out the door. With just a little prep the night before I know breakfast is ready for me, so I don’t feel guilty for getting those extra 10 (errr 20) minutes of sleep. After many mornings of overnight oats, I am always looking for new flavor combos. The base of my overnight oats is typically a plain yogurt or kefir with fruit along with the oats. I often hear that plain yogurt is too tangy and tart. One of my favorite RD tips is to stir in unsweetened applesauce. It adds that sweetness without adding added sugars like flavored yogurts have. Plus, adding a pinch of cinnamon, it adds that perfect sweetness.
Adding cooked apples make these overnight oats tastes like dessert. I love apple pie, but I typically only eat the filling of the apples and ditch the crust. The soft apples add that extra element of sweetness from the apples being cooked down.
In a small pot combine, chopped apples, lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon cinnamon. Heat over low heat until apples soften. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
In a bowl, combine oats, applesauce, yogurt, chia seeds, and remaining cinnamon. Distribute oat mixture evenly between two mason jars. Add walnuts evenly over the oats, then top with the cooked apples.
Seal with a lid and store in the refrigerator overnight.
A balance of savory and sweet, this Wild Blueberry & Rosemary Stuffed Baked Brie is a festive appetizer your guests will love. Disclosure: By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by Wild Blueberries and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.
Welp, it’s official. The holiday season is here! If you didn’t know, I work as a Supermarket RD and the grocery store is on top of the holiday season craze. The second Halloween was over, those shelves cleared out to the clearance rack and the Thanksgiving/Christmas decorations and food items are filling the shelves to the brim.
Being a food blogger, I am ahead of the game too, testing recipes for the holiday season already. The holiday season is my favorite time of year! It’s all about family, friends, and FOOD! I know that nutrition is not everyone’s top concern during the holidays. While it’s okay to indulge a little on holidays, I still always want to add a nutrition punch to my flavorful recipe creations.
Did you know? Wild blueberries have a more intense flavor than regular blueberries. Wild Blueberry plants grow wild and are genetically diverse with thousands of interlocking plants spreading naturally across fields called barrens, giving Wild Blueberries their complex and delicious flavor with a mix of tart and sweet.
Make sure to stop over to the frozen section of the grocery store tour, because that is where you’ll find Wild Blueberries. Wild Blueberries are different from cultivated blueberries. For one, they are smaller than your regular blueberry and you can’t find them in the produce aisle. The Wild Blueberry crop (99% of it) is frozen. The little berries are individually quick frozen (IQF) at harvest locking in their nutrition and taste.
Since the Wild Blueberries are frozen when warmed it does create more moisture. Too much moisture will create a soggy pastry crust. A simple (and healthy hack) is to add chia seeds to help thicken the Wild Blueberry mixture. Yes, I know you’ll be excited to share these new Wild Blueberry facts at your holiday party. I’m sure you’ll have plenty of time because everyone will be huddled around this appetizer dish digging in for more.
A balance of savory and sweet, this Wild Blueberry & Rosemary Stuffed Baked Brie is a festive appetizer your guests will love.
Ingredients
Scale
1 cup frozen wild blueberries
3 tablespoons honey, divided
1 tablespoon rosemary, chopped
1 lemon, juiced and zested
1 tablespoon chia seeds
12-ounce wheel of brie
1 sheet puff pastry defrosted
1 egg, whisked
1/4 cup sliced almonds
Instructions
In a small pot over low-medium heat, combine wild blueberries, honey, rosemary, lemon juice, lemon zest and chia seeds. Let simmer for about 10 minutes until mixture thickens. Let cool completely.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Roll the puff pastry into 12×12 inch square. Slice brie horizontally. Place of the brie, rind side down in the middle of the puff pastry. Add blueberry mixture evenly over brie. Place the other half of brie gently on top the blueberry mixture to cover.
Fold up the corners of puff pastry one at a time, brushing all the dough with the egg wash as you go, using it as the glue to hold the pastry together. Continue to brush the egg wash over the top and sides of the dough after formed.
Bake the brie at 400 degrees for 10 minutes, then carefully pull the oven rack out without removing the brie from the oven. Quickly drizzle with remaining honey and sprinkle with the remaining almond slices. Slide the Brie back in the oven and continue baking for another 10 minutes. Remove from the oven. Top with the remaining wild blueberry mixture and garnish with rosemary. Serve warm.
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Looking for that perfectly portioned dessert? This no-bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Mousse tastes rich and indulgent with a healthy twist. Did you know yesterday was National Pumpkin Day? October 26th is when all the pumpkin-obsessed individuals rejoice! Sorry, my recipe is belated. I was busy creating and enjoying this delicious, rich, and creamy No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Mousse. These mini desserts will be great to serve at a gathering or an upcoming holiday party. It’s that perfectly portioned treat and I bet no one will ever guess there is tofu in this dessert.
Yes, tofu. Silken tofu can be used to replace eggs or dairy to create a lighter dessert. Just be sure to grab silken tofu. Making regular tofu entails pressing the soy curds and separating them from the whey. For silken tofu, there is no separation or pressure exerted, and it’s often solidified right in the container. Silken tofu has a pudding-like quality. It’s very light in texture with a wonderful, creamy, rich and consistency. When my recipe tester (aka. my boyfriend) ate 3 of these in one day, I knew this recipe was a winner. I have a feeling this recipe is going to be requested much more often now.
Looking for that perfectly portioned dessert? This no-bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Mousse tastes rich and indulgent with a healthy twist.
Ingredients
Scale
6 honey graham crackers
4 oz. + 1 tablespoon vanilla Greek yogurt
1 cup pumpkin puree
4 oz. cream cheese
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1/2 cup silken tofu
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
(optional) whipped topping
Instructions
Coarsely crush graham crackers with a food processor. (Or in a large ziplock bag with a rolling pin). Mix in 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt until well combined. Distribute graham cracker crumbs evenly into 8 small mason jars.
In a food processor or blender, combine 4 oz. Greek yogurt, pumpkin puree, cream cheese, sugar, maple syrup, tofu, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla extract. Blend until smooth.
Spoon pumpkin cheesecake mousse mixture into each jar over the graham cracker crust. Top with a dollop of whipped topping and a sprinkle of cinnamon, if desired. Cover and refrigerate pumpkin cheesecake mousse until ready to serve.
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A comforting, satisfying plant-based bowl, this Roasted Root Vegetable Power Bowl is the perfect colorful fall dinner to cozy up to on a chilly night.
Fall is my favorite season! I just love the cool, crisp weather, the beautiful fall foliage, and of course the food!
This time of year, I find myself roasting vegetables daily. Roasting is one of my favorite cooking methods for veggies, but there’s something about cracking the windows on a cool fall evening and cozying up with fluffy blankets with a warm comforting meal.
Recipe ReDux members were challenged to create a plant protein power bowl, packed with protein, fiber and color, plant power bowls are trendy and delicious.
I decided to use sorghum as my whole grain in this recipe because I was inspired when I met Katie Cavuto, RD at the sorghum booth at FNCE this past weekend. She just released a new cookbook “Whole Cooking and Nutrition” and I was able to sample her sorghum recipe.
Have you ever used sorghum before? When I counsel clients, I encourage them to expand their variety of whole grains in their diet. I often see that their first swap is switching white bread to whole wheat bread or white rice to brown rice, which is great, but I don’t want them to just stop there.
Ancient grains, like sorghum, have more nutrition bang for your buck. Sorghum, which doesn’t have an inedible hull like some other grains, is commonly eaten with all its outer layers, thereby retaining the majority of its nutrients. One serving of sorghum contains 5 grams of fiber and is a good source of iron!
I absolutely love how colorful this recipe is. More colors = more nutrients. Another plus is it’s so simple to make. Simply place your veggies on a pan to roast as you prep the remaining ingredients.
If you want a shortcut, you can use Love Beets instead of the mess of peeling beets at home. Love Beets come peeled, steamed and vacuum packed.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray. Toss sweet potatoes and beets with 1 tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for 15 minutes.
Using a peeler, create long strands of carrots. Remove vegetables from oven, add carrots and toss. Bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until vegetables are fork tender. Remove from oven.
In a large bowl, massage Swiss chard leaves with olive oil and apple cider vinegar. Add garlic powder, salt and pepper. Add Swiss chard on a large baking sheet. Roast for 10 minutes until Swiss chard is tender (not crispy).
As vegetables are roasting, cook the sorghum. Add sorghum and water to a pot. Bring to a boil; cook 5 minutes. Turn heat down to low; cover and cook for about 45 minutes or until tender-firm. (for an extra boost of flavor, add a splash of vegetable stock with the water) Season with salt and pepper.
Assemble your bowls, by adding sections of sweet potatoes, beets, carrots, Swiss chard, and sorghum. Add a dollop of hummus and sprinkle with goat cheese. Serve warm.
A classic B.L.T. with a little twist! Adding the “A” (avocado) and a creamy spread takes this average BLT up a notch. Don’t skip out on quality ingredients when you assemble this sandwich. I received free samples of Sabra Spreads mentioned in this post. By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by Sabra and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.
Have you seen the new Sabra spreads hit the shelves at your local grocery store? I was excited when Sabra sent me all three flavors to experiment with in the kitchen. The flavors are honey mustard, garlic herb, and sea salt and cracked pepper. I had so many recipe ideas running through my head. These spreads will definitely be making an appearance here in the future. With these fresh ingredients and flavors the new Sabra spreads will become a staple condiment in my refrigerator. When it comes to a BLT, you need quality ingredients. I decided just a BLT just wouldn’t suffice and needed a little extra flavor. I turned it into a B.A.L.T. with slices of avocado. I love sandwiches when you can really taste all ingredients in every layer.
To build your perfect B.A.L.T. you have to start out with quality bread. I like a hearty whole wheat bread. Next, comes the bacon. Not all bacon is created equally. Look for pork shoulder bacon, it is a much leaner choice. Pork shoulder comes from a leaner part of the pig (the shoulder) which contains less fat than pork belly, which majority of bacon comes from. Then comes the avocado. You can mash it. I decided to keep it as slices. Whatever you like best! The lettuce I chose was a Boston bib lettuce. The leaves are tender. If you prefer more of a crunch, go for romaine. Of course, this jersey girl has to choose a juicy plump jersey tomato sliced on top.
The part that ties it all together is the Sabra spread. This is a much healthier choice than adding mayo as a condiment. The new Sabra spreads contain 75% less fat than mayo and are convenient for sandwiches now that it is in a squeeze bottle. Of course you can add any of the new flavors, but I wanted to keep it in the simple side and added the sea salt and cracked black pepper.
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I feel like poor Brussels sprouts have always had bad reputation. Don’t turn up your nose to nutritious Brussel sprouts. Cook them in flavorful ways like these Sautéed Brussels Sprouts with Apples and Chicken Sausage. Growing up did your parents tell you to “eat your Brussel sprouts!”? Some still cringe when they hear that. I would guess 9/10 times those people were eating boring, unflavored, under seasoned sprouts.
I find that with many vegetables. Try cooking veggies in a variety of cooking methods and season in different ways. I showcased this idea in a cooking class once, where we cooked cauliflower in 4 different ways: steaming, boiling, roasting, and mashing with a variety of spices and herbs. It was interesting to hear everyone’s views of which method they preferred. Just because you don’t like a vegetable one way, doesn’t mean you won’t like in another way.
Don’t count out Brussels sprouts just yet, until you try this Sautéed Brussels Sprouts with Apples and Chicken Sausage recipe! Brussels sprouts are part of the Brassica family of vegetables, which also includes cabbage, broccoli, kale, and collard greens. They are rich in many valuable nutrients. They are an excellent source of vitamin C and vitamin K. They are a very good source of numerous nutrients including folate, vitamin A, manganese, dietary fiber, potassium, vitamin B6 and thiamin (vitamin B1) and a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, iron, phosphorus, protein, magnesium, riboflavin (vitamin B2), vitamin E, calcium, and niacin. What is your favorite way to enjoy Brussels sprouts?
1 pound Brussels sprouts, shaved with a food processor or roughly chopped
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 honeycrisp apple, julienne
salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
Slice the chicken sausage on a bias (or simply on an angle). In a large pan, heat 1/2 tablespoon olive oil and cook chicken sausage. Remove from pan and set aside.
Add remaining olive oil in the pan and sauté onions and garlic until caramelized. Add shredded Brussels sprouts and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes or until desired doneness. Add apple cider vinegar and cook for an additional minute.
Add apple slices and cook until just warmed through. Add the chicken sausage back in and toss until combined. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
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Baking in the kitchen brings back so many great memories. Growing up, my favorite recipe I would make with my mom is chocolate chip cookies. Over the years I’ve been tweaking that original recipe and have come up with a few alternatives over the years. My latest creation are these Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip (Chickpea) Cookies. Do you have a favorite family recipe? My mom’s classic chocolate chip cookie recipe is a tried and true recipe in our family. The recipe is typed up on (note: from a typewriter) paper is all torn and there are food spills and stains all over it. That’s what makes it so nostalgic. These cookies are always made when guests are over for any holiday or celebration. It has become a dessert staple in our house. But they are not the healthiest (hello butter-flavored shortening and sugar!). I’m all for sweets in treats in moderation, but it’s fun to recreate a classic with a healthier twist.
Beans have been sneaking into more and more baked goods lately because 1) it can help reduce the amount of flour 2) beans can add a boost of protein and fiber. I used chickpeas since they have a very neutral taste and they match the color of chocolate chip cookies best.
Of course, I had to add peanut butter because peanut butter and chocolate is my favorite combo. And just for fun, I added some chia seeds. I really enjoy the added texture it gives to these cookies. These cookies are a little more dense than your typical chocolate chip cookies. Whip up a batch of these when you are looking for a little treat midweek.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Spray 2 large baking sheets with cooking spray or parchment paper.
In a food processor, puree the chickpeas until smooth, set aside.
In a medium sized bowl, mix together the whole wheat pastry flour, chia seeds, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, beat together the peanut butter, brown sugar, and applesauce until smooth. Add in the chickpeas, vanilla extract, and eggs. Beat until smooth.
Slowly mix in the dry ingredients with a spatula until just combined. Mix in the chocolate chips. (Batter will be thick)
Scoop the cookie dough batter (about 2 ounces each) onto the prepared baking sheets about 1 inch apart. Bake 10-12 minutes, until golden brown. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to completely cool.
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During the winter months, I always crave a warm bowl of oatmeal in the morning. Skip the sugary packets of oats and create a hearty bowl with simple ingredients, that I am sure are probably in your kitchen already.
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