Friday, February 24, 2012

Wheat Berry & Black Bean Vegetarian Chili


2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large yellow onion, chopped
1 large yellow bell pepper,chopped
5 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 15-ounce cans black beans, rinsed
2 14-ounce cans no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained
1-2 canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced
3 cups roughly chopped kale
2 cups vegetable broth
2 teaspoons light brown sugar
2 cups Cooked Wheat Berries (recipe follows)
Juice of 1 lime
1 avocado, diced (optional but recommended)
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional but recommended)

Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion, bell pepper, garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add beans, tomatoes, chipotle to taste, kale, broth and brown sugar. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes.

Stir in cooked wheat berries and heat through, about 5 minutes more. (If using frozen wheat berries, cook until thoroughly heated.) Remove from the heat. Stir in lime juice. Garnish each bowl with avocado and cilantro. This freezes well.

Cooked Wheat Berries:
1 cup hard red winter-wheat berries
3.5 cups cold water
1/2 teaspoon salt

Sort through wheat berries carefully, discarding any stones. Rinse well under cool running water. Place in a large heavy saucepan. Add water and salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer gently for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Drain and rinse.
(Make-ahead tip: Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 1 month.)


6 servings: about 1 1/2 cups each
Active Time:

Total Time:


Per serving: 386 calories; 11 g fat ( 1 g sat , 7 g mono ); 61 g carbohydrates; 14 g protein; 15 g fiber; 703 mg sodium; 311 mg potassium.

{adapted from Eating Well}

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Peanut Butter Energy Bites

(makes 18-20 bites)

1 cup oatmeal
1/2 cup peanut butter (or other nut butter)
1/3 cup honey
1 cup coconut flakes
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla


Mix everything above in a medium bowl until thoroughly incorporated. Let chill in the refrigerator for half an hour. Once chilled, roll into balls and enjoy! Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.

{note} When I made these, they were a bit dry. If you have that problem (which probably has t do with your peanut butter, as I always pour the oil off of my new jars of PB), just add more PB and honey until it will hold together.

*original recipe on smashedpeasandcarrots.blogspot.com

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Peanut Butter Bars

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

In a mixing bowl, cream butter, sugars and peanut butter. Add egg and vanilla; mix well. Combine flour, oats, baking soda and salt; stir into the creamed mixture. Spread into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan. Sprinkle with chocolate chips. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool before cutting.

{note} The batter for these is really thick. I had to spread it in the pan like you do icing. Also, they would be good without the chocolate chips (or with peanut butter chips) if you don't do chocolate. I think they'd also turn out well with less sugar, but I've only made them the one time, so I don't know for sure.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Baked Chicken Flautas

{makes 8}

1/3 cup cream cheese, softened (or plain yogurt)
1/4 cup salsa
1 Tbs lime juice
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
3 Tbs chopped fresh cilantro
2 Tbs chopped green onion
2 cups shredded cooked chicken
1 cup grated cheese
8 medium tortillas or 12 small tortillas

Heat oven to 425. Line a baking sheet with foil and ightly spray with oil. Mix everything but the tortillas in a bowl. Lay the tortillas out and place a line of filling down the center, staying about 1/2" from the edges. Roll up as tightly as you can and place seam-side down on the baking sheet, arranging so they aren't touching. Spray tops with oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake 15-20 min, or until crisp and starting to brown. Serve with something to dip in: sour cream, salsa or guacamole.

Chicken Shawarmas

{like a gyro}

3 chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
1 cup plain yogurt
2 T lemon juice
1/2 tsp coriander
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp cayenne
3 cloves minced garlic
1 Tbs oil

3 slices of pita bread, cut in half to make pockets
veggies (such as cucumber and tomato), sliced
hummus (optional)
plain yogurt (optional)



Mix chicken through oil together in a container and marinate for 8 hours, or overnight. Remove chicken from marinade and cook in a skillet.

Fill pitas with chicken, veggies, hummus and yogurt.

Serves 6.

High Protien Pancakes

We eat these with strawberries and syrup (or Levi likes them rolled up with jam). Any way you make them, they're good and good for you. Makes about 20 pancakes.

8 eggs
16 oz cottage cheese (low-fat is fine)
1/2 c oatmeal
1/2 c oat bran (I usually use flax meal or wheat germ)
2 T canola oil

Put all ingredients ina blender and process until smooth. Cook 1/4 cup at a time in a griddle 1-2 minutes per side.

{per pancake}
Calories: 68.1
Fat: 3.8g
Carbs: 2.8g
Protein: 5.7g