chocolate chip banana muffins

Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins

 

I am not going to lie, January is always my least favorite month of the year. This year has been particularly challenging. It has been dry and cold in Colorado, we've been sick for weeks on end and I am seriously sleep deprived. So I daydream of the beach. Warm sand. Sunshine. Cocktails on ice. Ahh.

To soften my January blues, I tend to bake and read (see below)!

These muffins are really for my kids. Child 1 doesn't eat much. Child 2 eats everything. So I sneak in bananas, apple sauce and almond flour to give them a nutritional boost.
Hope you enjoy!

Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins

Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups Pamelas Baking and Pancake Mix flour blend
1 large egg
1/4 cup water
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup sugar or coconut sugar
1 ripe banana, mashed
1/8 cup applesauce or other fruit puree
1/8 cup almond flour

1/4 cup chopped pecans

1/4 cup chocolate chips

Directions:
Mix all ingredients together and spoon into greased muffin tins or lined muffin tins (fill about 2/3 full). Bake for 18-20 minutes.

Makes about 6-7 muffins.


Also on the menu:

Soba Noodle Stir Fry from the NYTimes.  In order to make this celiac/gluten free friendly, I am using coconut aminos or tamari and using 100% buckwheat noodles. This will ensure a safe gluten free meal!

And if you need a book to read while eating your delicious gluten-free muffins, pick up The Light We Lost, by Jill Santopolo. I could not step away and found so much to relate to in the book. It's a heartbreaking love story about Gabe and Lucy who meet on Sept. 11, 2001. Their lives go in different directions for 13 years but the love in their hearts never fades.


From Penguin Books

"Lucy is faced with a life-altering choice. But before she can make her decision, she must start her story—their story—at the very beginning.

Lucy and Gabe meet as seniors at Columbia University on a day that changes both of their lives forever. Together, they decide they want their lives to mean something, to matter. When they meet again a year later, it seems fated—perhaps they’ll find life’s meaning in each other. But then Gabe becomes a photojournalist assigned to the Middle East and Lucy pursues a career in New York. What follows is a thirteen-year journey of dreams, desires, jealousies, betrayals, and, ultimately, of love. Was it fate that brought them together? Is it choice that has kept them away? Their journey takes Lucy and Gabe continents apart, but never out of each other’s hearts."

Okay...back to cooking and not book reviewing :)  and a big CHEERS to the last day of January! 

Gluten Free Pumpkin Carrot Bread with Chocolate Chips

October must be the official month of "Pumpkin Spice" flavor. My favorite foods with pumpkin happen to be cookies or bread. This recipe is really great for my little one because I pack in the pumpkin and shredded carrots, throw in a few chocolate chips and she thinks it's the best dessert ever! :)

Hope you enjoy!

Gluten Free Pumpkin Carrot Bread with Chocolate Chips

Ingredients:

4 tbs melted butter
1/2 cup sugar (I use 1/4 cup brown sugar and 1/4 cup white sugar)
2 large eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin
2 large carrots, grated/shredded
1 1/2 cups of Pamela's GF Baking and Pancake mix
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 cup chocolate chips ( or chopped nuts)

Directions

In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, pumpkin and shredded carrots and mix to combine. Next add the flour, salt and spices, add to mixer bowl and blend well. Mix in the chocolate chips.

Pour into a greased loaf pan (8 x 4" or 9 x 5"). I like to butter and sugar my pan, so the bread will not stick (or use parchment paper to line the loaf pan).

Bake in a preheated 350° oven for 50 to 60 minutes, or when toothpick inserted comes out clean.

(I doubled this recipe to make 2 loaves. Pictures below show 1 loaf with chocolate chips, 1 loaf with pecans)

Gluten Free Chocolate Banana Muffins

                                                          Chocolate Banana Muffins

Try them. You'll love them. Moist, chocolatey, not too sweet and healthy.

Ingredients:
1 cup almond flour
1 1/4 cup all-purpose gluten-free flour (I used Pamela's Artisan Flour Blend)
6 tbs cocoa
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1/3 cup canola oil
1/2 cup low-fat yogurt
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 medium ripe bananas, mashed
2/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup chopped walnuts, optional

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350° F. Butter muffin tins or use liners.

Sift dry ingredients in a large bowl and set aside (first 6 ingredients).

In the bowl of a standing mixer, mix together the brown sugar and oil until creamy. Beat in eggs, yogurt, vanilla and mashed bananas until fully incorporated.

Slowly add in dry ingredients and mix at low speed until mixed. Fold in chocolate chips and walnuts.

Using a spoon or ice-cream scoop, fill muffin cups to the top. Bake for ~30 minutes or until muffin springs back lightly when touched.

Allow to cool and eat! Eat within a couple days or freeze! Recipe makes about 16 muffins.

This recipe is inspired by the NY Times, A Hodgepodge of Muffins, All Gluten-Free.

Green Chile, Egg and Ham Crustless Quiche

This is definitely comfort food. Something to make with leftover ham, or a good dish for Sunday brunch. Make it healthier by serving some fresh fruit or fresh veggies on the side. 

 

Ingredients

1 sm yellow onion, diced

1 tbs olive oil

8 eggs

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup low-fat cottage cheese

1 cup chopped ham (use cooked ham or substitute with bacon)

1 cup chopped green chile (roasted and peeled)

1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 375° F. Heat oil in small skillet and saute onion until softened. About 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside. 

In a large bowl, whisk eggs together. Next add shredded cheese, cottage cheese, ham, green chile, pepper and sauteed onion to eggs. Mix well. 

Lightly oil a 8 or 9 inch baking dish and pour egg mixture into baking dish. Bake for approximately 40 minutes or until eggs are set and the top is starting to brown. 

Serve with cherry tomatoes and avocado slices. Enjoy! 

a bowl full of ingredients  

ready to bake...

and the finished product! 

Lemon & Pear Bread with Pecans

Lemon & Pear Bread with Pecans 

Ingredients:

1 egg

1/4 cup melted butter

1 cup white sugar

1 cup pear sauce (or use applesauce)

1 tsp bourbon vanilla extract

1.5 tsp grated lemon zest

1tbs fresh lemon juice

1.5 cups Bistro Blend Gluten Free Flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

1/2 cup chopped pecans

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 350° F. Using a standing mixer beat egg slightly, then add sugar and melted butter. Beat until well combined. Add pear sauce, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla and continue to beat on slow-medium speed for about 1 minute. In a separate bowl, mix together flour, soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg and then add  into wet mixture. Beat until smooth. Fold in pecans.  Pour into a greased (with butter) and floured (using GF flour) bread loaf pan. Bake for 55 min to 1 hour at 350° F. 

                                                                       the batter...

and the finished product.

I couldn't resist having a taste before it cooled.

Lovely. 

Homemade Granola with Pineapple and Cranberries

Gluten free granola is extremely expensive to buy and I am often disappointed in what comes out of the teeny tiny bag. I'm on a mission to make a delicious (and more affordable) breakfast granola that the professor and I will both enjoy. Here goes attempt #1!

Ingredients:
3 cups certified gluten free oats
1 cup of chopped nuts (black walnuts, sliced raw almonds and toasted sunflower seeds)
1/3 cup safflower oil
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup light agave syrup
1.5 tsp bourbon vanilla extract
dash of salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup dried pineapple, chopped finely
1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped finely

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325°F. In a large bowl, combine oats, sunflower seeds, walnuts, almonds and cinnamon. Stir and set aside. In a medium saucepan, set over medium heat, combine oil, agave, brown sugar, vanilla and salt. Stir until the sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes. Pour warm agave mixture into oat mixture and stir until well combined.

Spread mixture evenly onto a large rimmed baking sheet. For for about 20 minutes, stirring several times throughout, until the granola is deep golden color. Cool completely before adding dried fruit. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.

Enjoy this granola with my new favorite yogurt, Noosa!

Blueberry Oatmeal Applesauce Muffins

These are hearty moist muffins that are great for breakfast with a cup of coffee. They are not too sweet yet very satisfying!

                                  Gluten Free Blueberry Oatmeal Applesauce Muffins
Makes 12-15 muffins

• 1 1/4 cups Bistro Blend GF flour 
• 1 1/4 cups certified gluten free oats
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk (if you do not have buttermilk, use 1/2 cup milk with 1 tsp cider vinegar added to the milk). 
• 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 2 tbsp canola oil
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 3/4 cup to 1 cup fresh blueberries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Line a 12 cup muffin tin with paper liners.
In a large bowl combine flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. In a medium bowl combine applesauce, buttermilk, sugar, oil and egg. Make a well in dry ingredients and add applesauce mixture. Stir until just moist. Fold in blueberries. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full.
Bake for ~20-22 minutes or until toothpick inserted in muffin comes out clean.

'tis the season of strawberries...

Although it still feels like winter in Colorado, I think the wait is over. Fresh, flavorful strawberries have arrived in the markets. Sometimes the simplest meals are the best. This comes from the current issue of Martha Stewart. It's a wonderful breakfast and snack.

Strawberry and Nut Butter Toast
Ingredients (serves 1-2)
2 slices gluten-free bread (I used Schär)
2 tbs sunflower-seed butter (or any nut butter of your choice)
~6 strawberries, thinly sliced

Toast your bread, spread with sunflower-seed butter and top with strawberries! Yum. Yum. Yum.

Mama's Best Banana Bread

This is my Mama's best banana bread recipe made gluten-free. Luckily it tastes just the same as when she used to make it for me as a child, I just happen to feel better eating it this go-round!

Ingredients
1 egg
3 ripe bananas, mashed
1 cup white sugar
1/4 cup melted butter
1 1/2 cups GF flour (bistro blend all-purpose GF flour)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Pre-heat oven to 350° F. Using a standing mixer beat egg slightly, then add sugar and melted butter. Beat until well combined. Add mashed bananas and continue to beat on slow-medium speed for about 1 minute. Add flour, soda and salt into mixture. Beat until smooth. Fold in walnuts.  Pour into a greased (with butter) and floured (using GF flour) bread loaf pan. Bake for 55min to 1 hour at 350° F.

Sweet Potato Muffins w/Molasses

Just when I thought I had exhausted my creativity with muffins and sweet breads, a molasses sweet potato muffin came to mind (and I had left over sweet potatoes in my fridge). I searched the Internet for some recipes and as a result came up with this one. The muffins are not too sweet and have a light, moist texture. Delicious with a cup of tea! 

(Makes about 10 muffins)
1 cup GF flour (Bistro Blend All-Purpose gluten free flour) 
1/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 Tbs unsulphered molasses
1 egg
3/4 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 tsp orange zest
3/4 cup mashed or pureed sweet potatoes (plain without the peel)
1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)


Preheat oven to 350° F; prepare muffin pan with paper liners.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the first seven ingredients (through the salt). Set aside. 
In a standing mixer, combine the milk, oil, molasses, egg, vanilla extract, orange zest, and sweet potatoes and mix on low until well combined. Add the dry ingredients to the milk mixture and stir until well combined. Fold in pecans. 


Using a spoon, fill the muffin tins 2/3 full. Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool for five minutes, remove muffins from the pan and serve immediately or cool completely on rack. 

Product Review: Lillabee Anytime Muffin Mix

These muffins are delicious! They are light, fluffy and simply take on whatever flavor you add. I love cinnamon, so naturally I turned this fantastic muffin mix into cinnamon-apple muffins. The mix makes 12 muffins, which did not last very long in my house. I had them for breakfast and snack. Try them out, you won't be disappointed. You can order online at Lillabee or find them at the Boulder Farmers Market. Be creative with your add-ins!

Additional ingredients needed

2 eggs

1/4 cup + 2 tbs butter (or non-dairy alternative)

1 tsp gluten free vanilla extract

3/4 cup milk (or non-dairy alternative) 

2 tsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice

1 apple, peeled and chopped

1/2 tsp cinnamon 

Follow the directions on the insert of the mix to make these scrumptious muffins (make sure to add cinnamon to the dry mix)! 

Cinnamon Carrot Bread

                                                   Gluten Free Cinnamon Carrot Bread
Ingredients 
1 egg
1/4 cup melted butter
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup cinnamon applesauce
2 carrots, peeled and finely grated
1.5 cups GF flour (Bistro Blend All Purpose GF Flour)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)


Pre-heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a loaf pan using butter and GF flour. Tap out extra flour.
In a mixing bowl, beat egg slightly, add sugar, melted butter, apple sauce and carrots. Mix well and set aside. In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice together. Add carrot mixture to flour and mix until well combined. Fold in pecans. Pour into loaf pan and spread evenly. Bake for approximately 1 hour or until toothpick comes out clean.


When cooled, slice bread, drizzle with honey and enjoy with a hot cup of tea!

                                                                                                     

Product Review: Lillabee Allergy Friendly Baking Mix

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Jared from the Lillabee, Allergy Friendly Baking company. I first discovered Lillabee in August on a trip to the  Boulder farmers market and was thrilled to see and sample such a wonderful chocolaty brownie mix. These products are great for people who don't have a lot of time (or want) to make flour blends from scratch. They are simple to make, taste delicious and are free of gluten, oats, nuts, dairy and soy! To make the products even more appealing to the health conscious crowd-- all the mixes steer clear of genetically modified organisms (GMO's).  I've made a great birthday cake using the yellow cake mix and everyone seemed to enjoy the sweet taste and light texture.  I am excited to try out additional products by Lillabee, so here we go...!

These waffles are a breeze to make and are a great for breakfast or an afternoon snack.

Gluten Free Cinnamon Waffles with Peaches

1 cup Lillabee pancake/waffle mix
1 egg
2/3 cup milk or non-dairy beverage
1 tsp gluten free vanilla extract
1 tbs vegetable oil
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup fresh or frozen fruit ( I used peaches from High Country Orchards that I had packed and froze from  the summer crop)

Follow directions on the package insert from the Lillabee mix with the exception of adding cinnamon. Bake according to your waffle maker's manufacturer directions and top with fresh fruit! Delish!

Pumpkin Bread with Pecans

I love the mornng time and the sweet smell of baking pumpkin bread wafting through the house just makes me smile. This recipe was adapted from my mom's banana bread recipe that I ate as a child. It can be made with regular wheat flour 1:1 substitution.

Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread with Pecans
1 egg
1 cup pumpkin puree
1/4 cup melted butter
1 cup white sugar
1.5 cups GF flour (Bistro Blend All Purpose GF Flour)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Pre-heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a loaf pan using butter and GF flour. Tap out extra flour.

In a mixing bowl, beat egg slightly, add sugar, melted butter, and pumpkin. Mix well and set aside. In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking soda, salt and pumpkin pie spice together. Add pumpkin mixture to flour and mix until well combined. Fold in pecans. Pour into loaf pan and spread evenly. Bake for approximately 1 hour or until toothpick comes out clean.

Cinnamon Waffles

Gluten Free Cinnamon Waffles 

(makes about 4 waffles)

Ingredients
1 cup GF flour (Bistro Blend All Purpose GF Flour)
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1.5 tbs sugar
1 heaping tsp baking soda
1/8 cup + 1 tbs canola oil
1 egg
~2 cups liquid (water, rice milk, milk, soy milk)

Directions
Whisk all dry ingredients together. Set aside. Whisk oil and egg together. Add to dry mixture. Slowly add 1/2 cup of liquid and stir, continue adding a little at a time until consistency is not too thick and easy to spoon into a waffle iron.  Pour into waffle iron and cook on medium heat for about 3-4 minutes.

Serve with fresh fruit and real maple syrup!

*The Bistro Blend is a blend of whole grain flours [eco-farmed brown rice flour, sorghum flour, tapioca starch, buckwheat flour, organic coconut flour, xanthan gum] http://www.theglutenfreebistro.com/products.html