Thursday, December 6, 2012

Broccoli Cauliflower Cheese Soup



Another yummy soup recipe to warm you up in these cool temps. 

I love broccoli/cheese soup.  Hubby and I both order it often when we eat out.  But anytime I can make it at home, we are happy campers too. 

I love this addition of cauliflower, but if you prefer, use just one or the other. 

This takes a little chopping of veggies, but it is so worth your time.  For me, it's a great way to use up those carrots and celery in the veggie drawer that need to be eaten. You can also add a chopped potato too if you'd like. 

(I often make it with the frozen California Veggie Mix...Broccoli, Cauliflower & Carrots, to save chopping time.)

I always love making a roux to add to the broth cause I have always preferred a thick soup to a brothy one. 

If you really want to feel special, serve this in bread bowls and you'll feel like you're sitting at Panera.   AAAHHH! 

You can puree part of the soup (be careful if it's hot so it doesn't blow the lid off your blender) or just mash it lightly with a potato masher. I like having chunks in it to bite into. 


BROCCOLI CAULIFLOWER CHEESE SOUP 


1 onion, chopped

2 Tb. butter, melted
4 c. chicken broth
3 c. broccoli and/or cauliflower, chopped, 
fresh or frozen
2 c. carrots, diced
salt & pepper to taste
1/2 c. melted butter
1/2 c. all purpose flour
4 c. half and half, divided
2 c. cheddar cheese, grated
(we prefer velveeta...and less than that amount)
1/2 tsp. nutmeg


In large saucepan, saute onion in 2 Tb. butter; add broth. Bring to a boil and add vegetables; cook over low heat until tender - about 20 minutes.  Add salt & pepper.  While vegetables are cooking, in a large skillet, melt 1/2 c. butter over medium heat; whisk flour into butter, stirring constantly until thick. Add 2 c. of 1/2 & 1/2, stirring until smooth; add cheese and heat until melted. 



 Let cool a few minutes; transfer 1/2 soup mixture to blender and puree, or mash vegetables with hand masher.  Pour veggie mixture back into saucepan. 



Blend milk/cheese mixture into puree; add remaining cream.  Stir until well blended and heated through, but don't boil.  Add nutmeg just before serving. 

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Mexican Nutella Hot Chocolate


This was just one more amazing recipe that I found at Weekend Potluck....the every Friday linky party right here at The Better Baker. The recipe was linked up by Hun, what's for Dinner? 

Simple, Delicious & simply delicious!  This easy, make-in-a-minute kind of recipe always grabs me by the neck...and taste buds.  

I love hot chocolate...and nutella...and quick, so here ya go...

Enjoy a cupfull today....you'll be so glad you did. 


MEXICAN NUTELLA HOT CHOCOLATE

1 c. lowfat milk
(I used 1%)
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 Tb. nutella 
tiny pinch of cayenne
marsh(a)mallows =) 

In a small saucepan over medium temp, heat milk, cinnamon stick and vanilla. Once bubbles begin to form, whisk in the nutella; stir until melted and smooth. Remove the cinnamon stick. Pour into your favorite mug and garnish with marsh(a)mallows.  I sprinkled a little cinnamon on top. 

Yield: 1 serving

Can be heated in microwave if you're in a hurry, but I would allow the cinnamon stick to infuse the milk for a minute or so. 

Linked to Weekend Potluck

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Bacon & Caramelized Onions



The first time I saw an idea to oven roast brussel sprouts was at a recent Weekend Potluck party. This Silly Girl's Life shared a simple recipe that really intrigued me. I didn't make them right away, and then was happy when I saw a recipe at Miss Information that gave me the idea to adapt it into my own.  

Since I love caramelized onions, I wanted to brown them a little longer than the original recipe called for.  This simple combination makes for one awesome side dish! We both really like brussel sprouts, and I'm happy to find new ways to fix them. 

We will be enjoying these again soon.  They would make a wonderful side dish for any meal. 


BRUSSEL SPROUTS WITH BACON & CARAMELIZED ONIONS 

1 Bag of brussel sprouts (about 25 of them),
 stems cut and any bad leaves on the outside removed 
(I used frozen) 
olive oil, salt & pepper to taste 
5 strips of bacon
1 sweet onion, cut into slices 
3 Heaping TB. Smart Balance butter spread, divided 
Salt to taste

Coat sprouts lightly with olive oil, then salt & pepper. Place them on a foil lined cookie sheet and bake about 20 - 30 minutes at 400* or until tender, stirring or shaking the pan halfway through baking time.  (After I made this, I did see a recipe that calls for adding balsamic vinegar to the olive oil before baking.  I thought that sounded yummy too!

Cut bacon into 1/2 inch pieces; brown in a skillet. Cook until bacon is crisp; remove from pan, then add 1 Tb. butter spread to bacon grease. Sautee onion until browned and caramelized, atleast 10 minutes.  Watch so they don't burn!

When sprouts are finished baking, place them in a serving bowl and top with bacon & onion.  

SOO good!  I could eat a whole bagfull by myself! 

Linked to Weekend Potluck

Monday, December 3, 2012

Skinny Peppermint Mocha Frappe



Here's another 'slap me in the face' drink recipe that I came across at Weekend Potluck linky party. I even featured this one as my personal favorite that same week. The recipe was posted by Peanut Butter & Peppers

Did you catch that first word?  S-K-I-N-N-Y!

Every little bit helps and it's atrocious to think of the calories that some folks just DRINK in.  

I want all the help I can get to cut back on calories without sacrificing on taste.

This did a real number on me!  I loved it!

Makes for a fun holiday coffee drink with the peppermint 'spin' to it. 

(Just in case you can't tell, that's a 'party hat' on the letter "P" of the text below=) Sometimes Pic Monkey is simply too.much.fun!


SKINNY PEPPERMINT MOCHA FRAPPE 
  1. 1 1/2 cups frozen coffee, partially thawed
  2. 1/2 cup non-fat milk
  3. (I used a little more)
  4. 2 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
  5. 1/2 - 1 tsp. stevia (to taste)
  6. 1/8 tsp. peppermint extract
  7. (I added a drop more)
  8. Optional Toppings:
  9. Whipped cream
  10. crushed peppermint candies and/or chocolate flakes
In a blender at all your ingredients, process until smooth.
Pour into tall glass and garnish with candies and chocolate. 
Enjoy every single pepperminty sip!

Since I appreciate the nutritional info I find at PB&P I wanted to share these comparison facts with you. 


Starbucks Peppermint Mocha Frappe  – Calories:  250,  Fat:  2,  Sodium:  310,  Carbs:  52,  Fiber:  4,  Sugar:  37,  Protein:  8
PB&P Peppermint Frappe (2 cups) – Calories:  44.7,  Fat:  .03,  Sodium:  63.6,  Carbs:  6.4,  Fiber:  .03,  Sugar:  6,  Protein:  4.3

Linked to Weekend Potluck
Foodie Friends Friday

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Malted Mocha Bars + Tips for Holiday Eating *-*



HAPPY DECEMBER!  Can we even believe Christmas will be here in just 4 weeks? 

Yummy..Yummy...for the Tummy!

I made these bar cookies not long ago to take to my 45th class reunion (please don't go counting up how old that makes me=) 

I helped do the planning and the country club where we gathered, didn't offer desserts(?)  Soo...we took our own. These were a real hit.

I was given the recipe many years ago by a good friend after tasting them at a potluck.  The recipe was a $200 winner in a "Best Brownies and Bar Cookies" category.  That tells you something about these tasty bites!  *-* 

I recently purchased some chocolate malted milk powder to make some special drink mixes for the holidays, so because I had it on hand, I finally got around to making this delightful dessert. 

These are delicious, but not terribly rich. Good 'company' treats. Pretty too.

Please don't let the long list of ingredients intimidate you.  I like short lists myself, but this one is worth the effort!

MALTED MOCHA BARS

2/3 c. butter, softened
2/3 c. packed brown sugar
1-1/4 c. all purpose flour
nonstick spray
3 eggs, beaten
1/3 c. granulated sugar
4 tsp. vanilla
(Yes, that's correct)
1-1/2 c. flaked coconut
3/4 c. chocolate malted milk powder
(like Ovaltine)
1/4 c. all purpose flour
2 tsp. instant espresso powder or instant coffee crystals
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1-1/2 c. sifted powdered sugar
3 Tb. chocolate malted milk powder 
1 Tb. boiling water

Preheat oven to 350*. 

In mixing bowl stir together butter, brown sugar, and the 1-1/4 c. flour until smooth. If necessary, gently knead to blend.  Spray a 9" X 13" X " baking pan with nonstick cooking spray; pat flour mixture into the bottom of the pan.  Bake for 15 minutes or just until set. 

Meanwhile, beat together eggs, granulated sugar, and 2 tsp. of vanilla. Stir in coconut, the 3/4 c. malted milk powder, the 1/4 c. flour, 1-1/2 tsp. espresso powder or coffee crystals, baking powder and salt.  Carefully spread mixture on top of baked layer.  Bake 20 - 25 minutes more or until set.  Cool on a wire rack.

In medium bowl, beat together powdered sugar, 3 Tb. malted milk powder, remaining 2 tsp. vanilla, remaining 1/2 tsp. espresso or coffee crystals, and
boiling water.  If necessary, beat in a little additional boiling water until icing is spreading consistency.  Spread over cooled bars.  

Yield: 36 bars 

Nutrition facts per bar: 146 calories, 6 gr. total fat (4 sat. fat) 23 gr. carbs

Linked to 
             Foodie Friends Friday
            Ingredient Spotlight: Tea
             Ingredient Spotlight - Coffee
Weekend Potluck

Just a little 'bonus' in this post.  I couldn't help but giggle when I read this humorous list of Tips for Holiday Eating at Veronica's Cornucopia and thought you'd enjoy the 'grins' also.

After all, it IS December, and January is just around the corner. *-*


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