White Chocolate Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies

I am definitely enjoying having some snacks around the house now that I'm living with a little baby and like quick snacks to grab.  Some of my favorite cookies are my Oatmeal Chocolate-Chip Raisin Cookies and I've made them a couple of times since my son was born (7 weeks ago already!).  I decided to try a different twist on oatmeal cookies.  This time, I've made them with white chocolate chips, dried cranberries, and oatmeal.   These cookies are even healthy, made with organic ingredients including fiber-rich cholesterol-lowering oatmeal, vitamin C and antioxidant-packed cranberries, and heart-healthy whole wheat flour.  Yum.


Ingredients:
1 Cup Butter, Softened
3/4 Cup Brown Sugar, Packed
1/2 Cup White Sugar
2 Large Eggs
2 tsp. Vanilla Extract
1 1/4 Cup All-Purpose Flour
3/4 Cup Whole-Wheat Flour

1 tsp. Cinnamon 

1 tsp. Salt

1 tsp. Baking Soda

2 3/4 Cups Quick-Cooking Oats

1 Cup Dried Cranberries
1 Cup White Chocolate Chips

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2.  In a large bowl (or your Kitchenaid mixer if you have one), cream together the butter and brown and white sugars until smooth and creamy.  Beat the eggs in, one at a time, then add in the vanilla. 
3.  In a separate bowl, combine the whole-wheat and all-purpose flours with the baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.  A half-cup at a time, slowly beat in to the mixture. 
4. Stir in by hand the oats, white chocolate chips, and cranberries. 
5.  Drop by the heaping spoonful onto baking sheets about 2 inches apart.

6.  Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly browned.  Transfer to wire cooling rack.

Enjoy!

Granola Goodness

Yum, homemade granola.  This is a wonderfully healthy snack to eat by the handful for a quick pick-me-up or as breakfast cereal with milk.  You can also sprinkle some over yogurt for a tasty snack parfait (I love Greek yogurt).
This recipe uses a wide variety of ingredients full of healthy fats and nutrients..  The main ingredient, rolled oats provide you with healthy fiber and contribute to reducing your cholesterol and improving your heart health, as well as helping to maintain your blood sugar.  By adding in the walnuts and flaxseed, you also get a brain-boosting amount of DHA and EPA, the omega-3 fatty acids.  Almonds are great at reducing your cholesterol.  Basically all nuts are great for your diet, waistline, and your heart.  The optional fruit add-ins contribute some healthy sweetness, and a number of vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants.


Ingredients:

• 5 Cups Rolled Oats
• 1 Cup Sliced Almonds
• 1 Cup Chopped Walnuts
• 1 Cup Chopped Pecans
• 1 Cup Sunflower Seeds
• 1/2 Cup Pumpkin Seeds
• 1/2 Cup Flaxseed
• 1 Cup Vegetable Oil
• 1/3 Cup Honey
• 1/3 Cup Maple Syrup
• 1/4 Cup Brown Sugar, Packed
• 2 1/2 tsp. Vanilla Extract
• 1 tsp. Cinnamon
• 1 tsp. Sea Salt

Optional Ingredients:

• 3/4 Cup Raisins
• 3/4 Cup Dried Cherries
• 3/4 Cup Dried Blueberries
• 3/4 Cup Dried Cranberries

Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.  Line two baking sheets with aluminum foil (or parchment paper).
2.  In a large bowl, stir together the rolled oats, almonds, walnuts, pecans, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and flaxseed.
3.  In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the vegetable oil, honey, maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and sea salt.  Bring to a light boil, then remove from heat.

4.  Pour hot oil/syrup mixture over the dry ingredients and stir well to combine.
5.  Spread half the oat mixture onto each baking sheet and spread evenly.  Bake for 20 minutes, stirring once half-way through the cooking time (tip: the darker you let the granola get, the crispier it will be, so you can alter the cooking time according to your preferences).
6.  Remove from oven and cool.  Optional: If you're adding in the fruit, sprinkle half of the fruit onto each baking sheet and stir to combine.  Spread the mixture back out on the baking sheet and allow to cool.
7.  Stir again once cooled to break up any large clumps.

Store in airtight containers in your pantry or in containers/freezer bags in your refrigerator to keep it fresher longer.

Enjoy!

Sweet Potato Chutney Over Chops with Stuffed Pumpkin

Fall is here!  My FAVORITE season (leaves, pumpkins, Halloween, football, crisp air, apple-picking, cozy sweaters, need I go on?)  Time for pumpkins and other fall goodies!
I was searching for a yummy and healthy fall dinner recipe and found some on Better Homes and Gardens. I didn't tweak the recipes much.  I suggest first measuring out "all of the ingredients" (pun intended, say it out loud and then read my blog title out loud).  Second, start making the stuffed pumpkins.  Third, while your pumpkins are baking (the 1st time), start on the chops (turn to broil after pumpkins are done the 2nd time).  The timing should work well then!
NOTE:  This recipe took me quite a while to make, so if you want to save time, I would serve the potato stuffing not in the pumpkins (save the time cutting, cleaning, and cooking them), but just in the casserole dish.  However, if you're making a dinner for good presentation, this (using the pumpkins) is it!  I  hope you like them!

Sweet Potato Chutney Chops
Ingredients:
1/3 Cup Finely-Chopped Shallots
1/4 tsp. Crushed Red Pepper
4 Pork Loin Chops, about 1" thick
1/4 Cup Brown Sugar
1/4 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
2 Tbsp. Dried Cranberries
1/2 tsp. Ginger (grated or powder)
1 Sweet Potato, Peeled and Finely-Chopped

Directions:
1.  Turn oven to Broil.
2. Combine shallots and red pepper in small bowl.  Put half aside for now (for chutney).  Rub remaining mixture on both sides of the pork chops.  Place on broiler pan and set aside.
3.  Time for the Chutney:  Combine the other half of the shallot mixture, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, cranberries, and ginger in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.  Stir in chopped sweet potato  and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for about 10-12 minutes.  Stir occasionally.
4. While chutney is simmering, broil chops, turning once, about 3-5 minutes per side.  Top with chutney and serve with stuffed pumpkin (below) and some green beans.

Stuffed Pumpkins
Ingredients:
4 Miniature Pumpkins
2 Medium Baking Potatoes (remember, organic if you can!), Peeled and Quartered
1/2 Cup Canned Pumpkin (ezier and quickier way)
1/2 Tbsp. Organic Butter
1/8 tsp. Ground Nutmeg
1/4 Cup Fat-free organic milk (or soy milk)
1/2 Cup Shredded Jarlsberg Cheese

Directions:
1.  Preheat Oven to 325 degrees F.  Begin to bring water to a boil on stovetop in medium saucepan.
2.  Cut off the tops of the pumpkins.  Remove seeds and strings from inside the pumpkins (keep seeds for roasting!).  Place pumpkins, cut-side down on an ungreased baking sheet.  Bake for 20-25 minutes or until pumpkins are soft.  Set aside.
3.  While pumpkins are baking, place quartered potatoes into the boiling water and cook for 20-25 minutes or until soft.  Drain potatoes.
4.  Using electric mixer (I love my Kitchenaid!), beat potatoes.  Add in canned pumpkin, butter, and nutmeg to potatoes and continue to mix.  Gradually beat in the milk.  Stir in cheese by hand.  Sprinkle with pepper.
5.  Spoon potato mixture into pumpkin shells.  Put any leftover potato mixture into a small casserole dish.  Place pumpkin shells on baking sheet.  Loosely cover both shells and casserole with foil.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes (uncover in last 5 minutes).

Add some steamed green beans. Bon Appetit!