Menu Monday: Instant Chocolate Cake

At our annual family Easter Egg Hunt, there were snow flurries. But, we had a great time anyway and barely event noticed the cold.

* = new recipe
:) = recommended
:( = not recommended

Friday

• ? (I don't remember!)
• Egg-free vanilla cupcakes with Lemonade Cream Cheese Frosting

Saturday 

• Easter Dinner/Birthday party with family = :) :) :)

Sunday

• Blackened Salmon
• Roast Rosemary Carrots

• Buttered 'Bruckle Brouts' (the baby's work for Brussel Sprouts)
• Wild Rice Blend (Thanks Trader Joes! We miss you.) = :)
• Tomb Rolls (Thanks Aunt B. We will make these again!) = :) :) :)

Tonight 

• Teriyaki Lettuce Wraps = :):):)
• Steamed Broccoli
• Cantaloupe
• Instant Chocolate Cake (This wasn't out of this world, but it was really fun and worth a try when you have an "instant" chocolate craving. = :) :) :)

Instant Chocolate Cake

• 1/2 cup flour, 
• 2/3 cup sugar 
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder, 
• 2 eggs, 3 tablespoons milk, 
• 6 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Whisk in a bowl until smooth. In a greased/sprayed ramekin/custard cup/mug, add a few chocolate chips, pecans/walnuts/marshmallow, etc. Scoop in 1/3 cup of cake batter. Microwave until puffed, about 1 minute (or less if you like gooey chocolate cake like we do.)

I didn't have the idea to add the extras like choco chip, marshmallows, and nuts until after the kids went to bed. I had some leftover batter, so I whipped up another for Trevin and me to share. I'm sure glad I did that!

*Note: I'm sure any cake batter would do. We will try an egg-free version next time.

Happy Easter

Lady Bug Picnic

I know this isn't a food post, but I think you'll like this too. I discovered this artist while searching around iTunes for music for kids at my work. We love this new album. 

Lady Bug Picnic was my favorite song from Sesame Street when I was a kid. I had big dreams of being on Sesame Street someday! 

Crawdad is our boys new fav. He loves it. 

Our baby calls it the "honey song." 

Take a listen. :)

Menu Monday: Carrot Muffins

Since I had two big cooking/baking weekends in a row,  I decided to play it down a little last weekend.


* = new recipe
:) = recommended
:( = not recommended


Friday 

• Leftovers = :)
• *Carrot Muffins with Cream Cheese Frosting = :) :) :) 

Saturday 

• Pad Thai = :)
• Spring Rolls (from Costco) = :)
• Zucchini Spears = :)

Sunday

• Roast Dinner at mother-in-laws = :) :) :)
• *Dessert - Fresh Strawberry Tarts (I made these, but I probably won't make them again. They were so-so.

Tonight (It's our boy's half birthday, so he got to choose.)

• Hot dogs (Mmmm. Can't wait! ;)
• French Fries (aka homemade roasted potato spears... sssshhhh... don't tell him!)
• Raw carrots and ranch dip

The carrot muffins were a big hit with the neighborhood kids. I passed out mini muffins with a big dollop of frosting atop.


Carrot Muffins

• 1 cup white flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup oat flour (can substitute with half white/whole wheat flour)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup wheat germ (optional)
• 1/4 cup ground flaxseed (optional)
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice

• 1/2 cup agave nectar/honey
• 2/3 cup coconut oil/canola oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 cup shredded carrots
• 1 cup crushed pineapple
• 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup pecans/walnuts (optional)

Mix wet ingredients. Slowly add to flour mixture, mix just until blended. Spoon batter into muffin cups.

Bake at 350° for about 15-20 minutes

Frost with any cream cheese frosting recipe. Anything is good with cream cheese frosting!

Whole Wheat Oat Pancakes on Menu Monday

I had another fun weekend trying some fun new recipes and using some good ole standbys.
* = new recipe
:) = recommended
:( = not recommended

Dinner tonight...
Left-overs! Yipee. :) :) :)

Dinner Sunday night...

• *Insalata Caprese Salad with homemade mozzarella = :) (I'll explain the homemade mozzarella in another post. So easy, so yummy!)
• No Knead Bread
• *Asiago Frisco = :) :) :) 
• Parmesan-crusted Chicken Breasts = :) I didn't follow the recipe exactly, but you'll get the point.
• Tomato Basil Ziti
• *Dessert/Lemon Curd in Phyllo Tarts and Chocolate Dipped Strawberries = :) (If you don't have the Joy of Cooking, trust me you would love it!)

Breakfast Saturday...
*Whole Wheat Oat pancakes = :) :) :)
Strawberries

Dinner Saturday...
Sushi with friends
Tuna casserole for kids. me = :) kids = :(


As promised, here is a favorite recipe. I adjusted this from a family fav that my kids call "Papa cakes." Every time we stay at my parent's house or cabin, my dad makes pancakes for my kids. They love them. I just tweaked the recipe to make them a bit more hearty.


Whole Wheat Oat Pancakes 

• 1 cup oat flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups buttermilk or sour milk
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup coconut oil or canola oil
• 1/4 cup agave nectar, honey, or sugar

Combine dry ingredients. Combine wet ingredients. Mix to together. Adjust consistency with more buttermilk or flour. Top with fresh fruit. Enjoy!


Makes about 24 pancakes. So we eat left-overs on Sunday morning! = :)


*Note: You can just omit the eggs. The baking powder, soda, and buttermilk make them raise just fine. I usually cook a batch without eggs for my little one, then add a couple of eggs for extra protein for the big kids.

Menu Monday

* = new recipe
:) = recommended
:( = not recommended


Dinner tonight...
Pan-fried Lemon Dill Tilapia = :)
*Sweet Potato Pancakes = :)
Green Beans
Watermelon

Dinner last night...
Frozen Pizza (that had been in the freezer a few months too many!) = :(
Salad with vinegrette
*Dessert/Melon Gelatin = :( (The thought of gelatin as an animal by-product grosses me out. Last night as I was watching Chopped, I heard about agar. It's derived from algae. Is that much better?)

Lunch yesterday....
*Fresh Shrimp and Veggie Spring Rolls with peanut dipping sauce = :)
*Lemongrass Soup = :)

Breakfast Saturday...
*Whole Wheat Oat pancakes = :) :) :)
Strawberries

Dinner Saturday...
Sweet and Sour Pork with Couscous = :)
Steamed Asparagus
*Dessert/Frogurt in Ogden = :) :) :)

I'll share our :) (recommended recipes in the very near future.) Here's a recipe on the menu tonight...

Sweet Potato Pancakes
2 large sweet potatoes
1 tsp. hot curry powder
1 egg
1 tsp. salt

Grate sweet potatoes and mix with with other ingredients. Cook by spoonfuls in a greased skillet (we use olive oil, canola oil, or coconut oil.) Turn only once. Serve with plain greek yogurt

Note: These are still yummy WITHOUT EGGS. Just omit the egg. It's a little crumbly but that beats an allergic reaction. :) Also, use lots of oil so that it doesn't stick! BTW, our baby recently tested negative to an allergy to soy and shellfish. Now, we just have to watch out for eggs and peanuts.

so many new recipes in one weekend = :(  
too many dirty dishes!