Family Foodies

Christi and I agreed to do side by side recipes to compare how a ‘healthy’ version stacks up against traditional recipes.

My grandson Jay (age 9) is my model and taste tester. He is paid in cookies and other goodies!

Healthy Carob Chip Cookie Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Organic pastry flour
• 1/4/cup butter unsalted
• 1/4 cup carob chips
• 1/4 cup stevia (or use agave nectar)
• 1/4/cup liquid egg (eggbeater tm, 0 cholesterol)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Mix with mixer or by hand, the butter, sweetner and vanilla until smooth.
2. Add in the egg replacement and mix thoroghly.
3. In a separate bowl place the flour, baking powder (salt , if you desire)
4. With mixer on low speed or stir by hand, blend the flour mixture into the  butter mixture to blend well.
5. Stir in carob chips.
6. Divide cookie dough by pincing off a portion and roll it in the palm of your hands into a 1 -2 inch ball.  Flatten into a circle.
7. Cover the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of olive oil.
8. Place cookie dough on the pan about 1 inch apart.
9. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake for 10-12 minutes till lightly brown.
10. Place on cooling rack to cool.
11. Store in an airtight container makes 1 dozen cookies.

Enjoy!

Here is a link to Christi’s Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies

With July 4th rounding the corner, and summer sunshine bursting into every nook and cranny of my house – it’s time to think about Picnics and Barbecues!!!

These are some of the best moments of summer and certainly bring a ton of fun without a lot of effort!  Get togethers with family & friends – grilled hot dogs, sausages, chicken, or hamburgers – kiddie pools and popsicles – fireflies and fireworks – all leading up to The Grand Finale:

DESSERT!

Here’s a list of enticing desserts and sweet summer treats that you should consider for your next family reunion, picnic, or backyard barbecue:

A kid favorite – both for cooking and eating.

You will need:

1/4 cup Butter

3 Tablespoons of Brown Sugar

1 Teaspoon of Ground Cinnamon

1 1/2 cups of Cheerios

1 1/2 cups of Mini pretzels or pretzel sticks-havled

1 1/2 cups of Teddy Grahams

1 1/2 cups of Animal Crackers

If you can stop nibbling the batter, you will love these cookies.  They are quick and easy.

You will need:

One box of cake mix (your choice)
1 Pkg of softened cream cheese
1 cup of Softened butter
1 tsp of Vanilla
1 egg

In bowl, whip cream cheese, butter, Vanilla and egg together.

Add cake mix.  Blend.

Mixture is thick and gooey.  Be prepared to lick the batter off your fingers.

Place on cookie sheet with average sized spoon (cookies will not expand much in oven)