Thursday, February 3, 2011

Peanut Butter Banana Bread

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I think I might have found my new favorite banana bread recipe and this one comes from Cooking Light so it’s a healthier version than others out there. I like the uniqueness of the ingredients, but at the same time, they’re easy enough to either substitute, or just ones that you have in your pantry. I omitted the peanuts when I made this, but I’ll try them the next time I make this. (Don’t let the long list of ingredients scare you – not hard, I promise!!!)

Peanut Butter Banana Bread

1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 4)

1/3 cup plain fat-free yogurt (I used plain nonfat Greek yogurt)

1/3 cup creamy peanut butter

3 tablespoons butter, melted

2 large eggs

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup ground flaxseed (I substituted 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil)

3/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/8 tsp allspice (I used a dash of cinnamon, nutmeg and ground cloves)

2 tablespoons chopped dry-roasted peanuts

Cooking spray

GLAZE

1/3 cup powdered sugar

1 tablespoon low fat milk

1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. To prepare bread, combine first 5 ingredients in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed. Add granulated and brown sugars; beat until blended. (I then added the oil and beat that in).

3. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups and level with a knife. Combine flour and next 5 ingredients (through allspice) in a small bowl. Add flour to banana mixture; beat until just blended. Stir in nuts. Pour batter into a 9x5 loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350 for 1 hour and 5 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean (my oven cooks faster so I start checking about 15 mins. before recipe’s cook time).

4. Remove from oven; cool 10 mins in pan on a wire rack. Remove bread from pan; cool.

5. To prepare glaze, combine powdered sugar, milk, and 1 tablespoon pb in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Drizzle glaze over bread (I used a knife and spread on like icing).

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Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Mediterranean Pizza

I got this great “recipe” from Fitness magazine. This has become my favorite lunch to eat this week. The only prep is the cutting up of your “toppings!”

Medi Pizza

1 Pita, whole wheat (I couldn’t find the ww so I just used white)

chopped up: cucumbers, avocado, grape tomatoes

Feta Cheese

Hummus (I like the garlic flavored)

1. Cut pita in half. (1 whole “loaf” is a serving size).

2. Spread your hummus on each half.

3. Top with your veggies and cheese!

This is a hard “pizza” to eat with your hands, so I have to use a fork! Enjoy this oh-so-healthy meal!!

(When I ate this for dinner I added a side of quinoa and black beans to make it heartier)…look at all that food! You can eat a lot for fewer calories than a regular cheese pizza!

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