200 calorie Peanut Butter-Chocolate bowls

I grew up with parents who went through different phases of collecting things. During one phase, they collected antiques from the 50's. ANYTHING that said Coca-Cola ended up in the collection. At one point, my dad found an old soda fountain counter complete with spinning stools. This went in our small basement, much to our delight.

My parents also installed a vintage candy machine. I knew where they hid the key and ate Reese's Peanut Butter Cups without paying for them. 3rd-4th grade was awesome. Unlimited Peanut Butter Cups and Corn Nuts!

This old metabolism of mine couldn't handle those PB cups then and certainly can't handle them now.

My love of PB and chocolate knows no bounds. I invented this little snack to fight off the munchies. I usually make one around 10:30 am or 3:00 pm to hold me over in between meals. It packs the necessities- fiber, protein, and fat- for only 200 calories! Say goodbye to granola bars and fiber-you know the number products. (It's one in case you didn't know the number).  This will give you some great nutrients including antioxidants from the dark chocolate cocoa and keep you satisfied until your next meal.

 Ingredients:
1/4 C Old Fashioned Oats (Not the instant kind)
1 Tbsp Peanut Butter
1/2-1 tsp cocoa (If you don't like a strong dark chocolate taste, add less)
1-2 tsp honey, depending on taste

Instructions
1. Add ingredients to a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 15 seconds. Stir. Microwave for an additional 5-10 seconds if needed. Peanut butter should be almost liquid. Stir again.

2. EAT. 

ALMOND BUTTER VARIATION:

Ingredients:
1/4 Old Fashioned Oats
1 Tbsp almond butter (Learn to make your own coconut almond butter here)
1 tsp honey (I used coconut flavored honey, but any regular clover will work)

Instructions
1. Add all ingredients to microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 15 seconds. Stir. Microwave again for 10-15 seconds or until almond butter is thin enough to stir into the oats. Final product will be course and kind of crumbly. 

2. EAT. 

Basil Parmesan Dip with Pita Chips

It's hard to mess anything up that has basil as the star ingredient. This dip needs no introduction but here's one anyway. We had friends over for dinner and they loved it. So you will love it too. The basil and parmesan go perfect together and the creaminess of the dip is perfect for dipping or even as a sandwich spread. This comes from the fabulous Cooking Light magazine, my favorite source for healthy food that doesn't taste "diet".

Ingredients:

• 4 (6-inch) pitas
• Cooking spray
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper, divided
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 C lightly packed basil leaves
• 3/4 C finely grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese
• 3/4 C reduced-fat sour cream
• 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 garlic clove, minced

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375
2. Split pitas; cut each half into 8 wedges. Place wedges on a baking sheet. Coat with cooking spray; sprinkle with 1/4 tsp pepper and salt. Bake at 375 for 12 minutes or until crisp.
3. Combine remaining 1/4 tsp pepper, basil, and next 4 ingredients in a blender or food processor and process until smooth. Scrape into a serving bowl using a rubber spatula and serve with pita chips.

Make 8 servings.

Printable Version

Homemade Soft Pretzels

Who doesn't love a soft pretzel? These can be made at home in a snap. There is a fabulous restaurant in Jackson Hole called Sidewinders and they fill a homemade pretzel with cheese, pepperoni, and give you sauces for dipping. It is shaped in a giant "S" and so Dan and I decided to try to make some at home because they are the best carbohydrate invention. Ever.  You can leave these pretzels plain, or fill them honeymustard and chicken, ham and cheese, chocolate chips, cinnamon and sugar, and anything else you can imagine. These are from Alton Brown.


Ingredients: 


1 1/2 c warm water
1 Tbsp Sugar
2 tsp salt
2 1/4 tsp yeast (make sure it isn't too old or it won't work as well!)
4 1/2 c flour
2 ounces melted butter
10 c water
2/3 c baking soda


Directions: 

Combine the water, sugar and kosher salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and sprinkle the yeast on top. Allow to sit for 5 minutes or until the mixture begins to foam. Add the flour and butter and, using the dough hook attachment, mix on low speed until well combined. Change to medium speed and knead until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the side of the bowl, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the dough from the bowl, clean the bowl and then oil it well with vegetable oil. Return the dough to the bowl, cover with plastic wrap and sit in a warm place for approximately 50 to 55 minutes or until the dough has doubled in size.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line 2 half-sheet pans with parchment paper and lightly brush with the vegetable oil. Set aside.

Bring the 10 cups of water and the baking soda to a rolling boil in an 8-quart saucepan or roasting pan.

In the meantime, turn the dough out onto a slightly oiled work surface and divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll out each piece of dough into a 24-inch rope. Make a U-shape with the rope, holding the ends of the rope, cross them over each other and press onto the bottom of the U in order to form the shape of a pretzel. Place onto the parchment-lined half sheet pan.

Place the pretzels into the boiling water, 1 by 1, for 30 seconds. Remove them from the water using a large flat spatula. Return to the half sheet pan, brush the top of each pretzel with the beaten egg yolk and water mixture and sprinkle with the pretzel salt. Bake until dark golden brown in color, approximately 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack for at least 5 minutes before serving