Apple Pancakes

Yields 8-10 pancakes.

Ingredients:

1 cup whole wheat flour
3 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. salt
3 tbsp. sugar
¼ tsp. nutmeg
½ tsp. baking soda
1 egg or ¼ cup (60 ml) egg substitute
1 ½ tsp. heart-healthy butter spread
¼ tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup (240 ml) soy milk or low fat milk
½ medium apple, seeded


Preparation:

Blend first six ingredients in a bowl by hand and set aside. Blend egg, butter spread, vanilla extract, milk and apple for 30 second in a high performance blender or until the mix is even and smooth. Poor wet mixture into dry mixture by hand until incorporated. Let batter sit for 5 to 10 minutes to yield best texture and flavor.

Note:

 

I used vegetable oil instead of butter, it turns out equally delicious. You don't need to add that much sugar, one tablespoon is enough. Also I used the other half of the apple, diced it finely and added to the batter. Also added half cup of chopped pecans. These additions to the original recipe adds even more texture and flavor. Top with real maple syrup if you can, it makes it a bomb of flavor!

 

Source:

 

Vitamix Whole Food Recipes.

Tomato feta salad

You are going to love this salad, so tasty and juicy and so easy to do. Good for the soooo welcome warm weather!

 

 

Serves 8.

Ingredients:

4 lbs. cherry tomatoes cut in half.
1 ½  red onion chopped
6 Tbsp. Olive oil
¼ cup white wine vinegar
2 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. black pepper
1 ½ lbs. feta cheese cut in cubes
fresh basil, chopped
fresh parley, chopped
 
Preparation:

Place tomatoes and onions in a bowl. Make the vinaigrette by mixing olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. Pour in tomatoes and toss it. Add cheese and toss carefully. Add herbs and toss again carefully. Let it sit for the flavors to combine.

Note:

 

I used white onions and red wine vinegar  because I didn't have red onions and white wine vinegar for this blog, that's why you can't see red onions in this photo I took. The result taste very similar to the original. Also I used feta crumbs instead of the cubes. If you use the crumbs, you have to be careful of over mix it. Other wise your salad will look milky.

 

Source:

 

Barefoot Contessa.

Chipotle meatballs

This is dish is not traditional Italian meatballs with spaghetti. This is Mexican meatballs with rice. Oh yes! Even if people doesn't like spicy food, you can omit the chipotle pepper but....you'll be missing the fun. That kick of heat and smokiness is what is all about.

Serves 4.

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground lean turkey (or beef if you prefer)
1 cup finely diced carrots
½  cup finely chopped onions
2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (a small can of 3.5 oz. contains around 6 or 7 peppers)
8 ripped plum tomatoes
1/3 medium onion
2 cloves of garlic
2 tsp. vegetable oil
salt
freshly ground black pepper

Preparation:

Mix the ground turkey, carrots, onions, salt and pepper to taste.  Blend the tomatoes, onion, chipotle peppers and garlic with a cup of water for 30 seconds if you have a high performance blender, otherwise blend until it looks smooth. Use the vegetable oil to fry the sauce in a pan and let it boil. Add salt to taste. Make small turkey balls with your hands and place then in the boiling chipotle sauce as you make them. Cover and let it cook for about 20 minutes at low-medium heat or until the sauce is reduced and has thicken. Serve with whole grain rice. Make it beautiful placing diced avocado on top. That's it! Enjoy!

Note:

One chipotle pepper will add smoky flavor. Two peppers will give you a balance between the spiciness and the smokiness. Three peppers is for adventurous people!

Source:

Mama.