Peanut Butter Banana Bites (Fake cookies)

So today was one of those days when I just needed cookies and/or cookie dough... sadly living in France I don't have baking powder, baking soda, or measuring cups... or even an oven with understandable degrees listed. So to remedy the situation, I made a healthy alternative. Now these do not taste just like cookies... but they are a decent substitute when you can't have a cookie, or if you are looking for a healthy alternative. Plus the recipe is extremely easy and fast.

Ingredients

-1/2 cup peanut butter (crunchy or creamy works)

-1 cup oats

-2 large bananas (the more ripe they are the better)

-1/2 cup chocolate chips

-1/2 tbs vanilla

*Or if you don't have access to measuring cups like me, you can guesstimate and substitute anything. This recipe is really forgiving. Raisins are great, nuts add a nice touch. I also like flax seed sometimes. This recipe is so easy and so versatile.

Directions

-Mash bananas in a bowl and stir in other ingredients.

-Drop spoonfuls on a lined pan (no need to grease the pan)

-Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes or until cookies don't look too waxy

-Enjoy! 

Easy Beef Stew

This recipe is perfect for those chilly days when you need something to warm your soul.

Ingredients
-1 lb Beef
-Flour
-Butter
-Potatoes
-Carrots
-Green beans
-Onion
-2 Bullion cubes
-300-400 Grams* water
-100 grams red wine
-Seasonings



Directions
-Dredge beef pieces in a bowl of flour mixed with spices (I only had garlic salt, black pepper and a chicken seasoning)

-Heat a little butter in a pot (1 TBS) and brown the beef
-When beef is slightly browned, add water, wine and 2 bullion cubes to pot.
-Stir in chopped veggies (all but green beans) and bring to boil
-Once boiling, reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes. Add green beans and simmer for 15 minutes.
-Serve with crusty bread and enjoy!

* sorry for the Grams, I'm in Europe and don't have access to measuring cups at the moment.

Breakfast Fruit and Yogurt Parfait

This has been one of my staple breakfasts while living in France. The produce is so fresh and yummy here I am taking in all I can. This recipe is very easy and very versatile... and don't forget healthy!

Ingredients

-Plain Greek Yogurt (you don't have to do plain, I like skipping the added sugar they use in flavored yogurt and add my own sweetness with honey and the fruit)

-Honey

-Muesli or Granola

-Fruit (I like bananas, strawberries, peaches, kiwis or cherries... mix and match for fun new flavors! You really can't go wrong)

Directions

-Layer the bottom of the bowl with a few lines of honey

-Add Greek Yogurt

-Add sliced fruit

-Add a little honey on top

-Sprinkle with Muesli or Granola and Voila! 

Easy Greek Wraps

 This is one of my favorite lunches. It's so easy, fast, and healthy. You just need the ingredients in the fridge and you can have lunch made in 3 minutes

Ingredients
-Tortilla (I like whole wheat, but my husband does not, so this is flour)
-Cooked rotisserie chicken
-Red onion
-Tomato
-Spinach
-Cucumber

-Bell pepper

-Feta or Goat cheese
-Hummus
-Olive oil and vinegar

Directions
-Spread hummus on tortilla
-Add pieces of cooked chicken
-Add slices of red onion, cucumber, tomato, bell pepper, and spinach
-Sprinkle on feta or goat cheese
-add drizzle of olive oil and vinegar if desired

Easy, Yummy, Healthy and Versatile Pasta

Making Pasta My Way

I love pasta! There are so many ways to make it, so many veggies, sauces, pastas and spices that you can easily spice it up. Best part is its easy and relatively healthy!

Pick your noodles

-Are you feeling penne, or rotini, or do you want to be adventurous and try something new? It doesn’t really matter pick what you like. I prefer whole-wheat pasta and my son prefers pieces he can easily pick up, so we chose penne for this dish

Pick your veggies

-I love veggies. They add color and deep taste to any pasta dish; I tend to add at least 3 or 4 different kinds. I normally choose from zucchini, squash, tomatoes, green beans, bell peppers (any color), asparagus, spinach, or broccoli. But honestly, be adventurous and pick what you like.

Pick your meat

-I tend to use chicken, but again whatever you want. And if you choose you can skip the meat all together and easily make nice vegetarian pasta.

Pick your sauces

-I tend to choose from 3 categories

-Cream

-Tomato

-Pesto

You can make your own sauces or just buy a jar at the store. It tends to be about the same price for me, and I love the ease factor of just buying a jar and adding spices to it.

Pick your spices

-I love making my food my own. I tend to always add spices to provide unique flavors. My favorite for pastas is normally basil, red pepper flakes and Cajun seasoning

Here’s what I did tonight

Ingredients

-Penne noodles (cooked to package directions)

-Zucchini

-Red bell pepper

-Green beans

-Cherry tomatoes

-Spinach

-Chicken

-Pesto sauce

-Fresh Mozzarella cheese

-Olive Oil

-Balsamic Vinegar

-Spices (I used garlic salt, basil, and a chicken seasoning for this one)

Directions

-Begin cooking past according to directions on package

-Sautee chicken pieces in large pan with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and spices

-When chicken mostly cooked add chopped veggies (except spinach) and cook for 5 minutes until zucchini and bell pepper soften

-Add spinach

-Drain pasta and add to pan with chicken and veggies

-Add cubed mozzarella and stir over heat until cheese slightly melts

-Add desired amount of pesto. (my husband and I vary on our preferences for pesto, we tend to just add the sauce after the pasta is cooked)

Viola!

Gourmet Grilled Cheese and Creamy Basel Tomato Soup

For those nights when you want to feel like a kid and indulge your cheesy side, while still satisfying your grown up taste buds. We made this tonight and my stomach is completely satisfied.

Gourmet Grilled Cheese

Ingredients

-Thick, whole grain bread

-Pesto Sauce

-Butter

-Fresh Mozzarella Cheese

-Thin slices of your favorite quick melting cheese (provolone, gouda, Monterey Jack... whatever you prefer)

-Sliced Tomato

-Fresh or dried Basel

-Cooked chicken pieces

Directions

-Make sandwich with pesto sauce on bread. Layer with thin slice of favorite cheese, slices of fresh mozzarella, tomato, basel, and chicken. 

-Heat sandwich in buttered skillet until cheese begins to melt. 

-If mozzarella isn't completely melted, microwave sandwich for 10 seconds until mozzarella melts.

Serve with Creamy Basel Tomato Soup and a big fresh salad

Easy Creamy Basel Tomato Soup

Ingredients

-Your favorite canned of packaged tomato soup

-1/2 cup milk

-1 tbs Fresh or dried basel

Directions

-Heat the soup according to the directions on the package but add milk and basel

Voila! You have an adult grilled cheese meal that will satisfy your inner child and your mature taste buds! 

You can even make extra sandwiches, refrigerate them, and reheat them for lunch the next day. 

French Bread French Toast

 What better place to enjoy French toast than in France. Here is my favorite way to make French toast. My family used to make it this way on Saturdays and it has always helped me feel at home, which is something I especially need as I am far away from home right now. It's really not difficult, just like normal French toast, just with thick French bread.

French Bread French Toast

Ingredients

-1 French Bread Baguette

-2 Eggs

-1 Cup Milk

-1 tsp Cinnamon

-1 tsp Vanilla

Directions

-Beat eggs, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla in a wide bowl

-Slice French bread into 1/2 inch slices and soak slices in mix until well coated. 

-Brown sides and edges in a greased skillet. 

-Serve with fresh fruit, and drizzled honey (or syrup if you wish)

*One of my favorite things to do is make extra and store in the fridge or freezer until I'm ready to eat it. (It will stay about a week in the fridge and months in the freezer.) To reheat you can use the microwave for a few seconds, or reheat on the skillet to maintain the crispiness. 

It's even excellent straight out of the fridge with out anything on top.