X-ray vision Cookies - Letter "X"

These are called "X-ray vision cookies" because they contain carrots, which contain beta-carotene, that help with vision. Does it help with night vision? I don't know but it is a cute name for cookies:) And what other recipe can we make for letter "X"??:) The cookies turned out very delicious! The original recipe calls for 1 cup of chocolate chips but I actually put in 2 cups. :) I want to make these again soon!!!

Ingredients:

2 eggs
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/3 cup nonfat milk
1/3 cup canola oil
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup quick-cooking oat
1 cup carrot, grated
1 cup raisins

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs, brown sugar, milk and oil.
3. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, baking soda and nutmeg; add to the egg mixture and mix well. Stir in the chips, oats, carrots and raisins.
4. Drop by heaping teaspoonfuls onto baking sheets coated with nonstick cooking spray; flatten slightly.
5. Bake for 10-13 minutes or until golden brown; remove to wire racks to cool.

Read more at: http://www.food.com/recipe/x-ray-vision-chocolate-chip-cookies-251162?oc=linkback

Brownies (with Carrot & Spinach)

Brownies (with Carrot & Spinach) shhhh!!!

by: Jessica Seinfeld
Yes this is Jerry Seinfeld's wife!!:)

"These brownies fool everyone! You won't believe how scrumptious they are (or how good they are for you) until you make them yourself. Just don't serve them warm -- it's not until they're completely cool that the spinach flavor totally disappears."

Ingredients

Nonstick cooking spray
3 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate
1/2 cup carrot puree (After peeling and trimming the ends, steam for 10-12 minutes and then puree in a food processor for 2 minutes)
1/2 cup spinach puree (Steam for 30 to seconds, then puree in a food processor for 2 minutes)
1/2 cup firmly packed light or dark brown sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tablespoons trans-fat-free soft tub margarine spread
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 large egg whites
3/4 cup oat flour, or all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Coat an 8x8-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
2. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or over a very low flame.
3. In a large bowl, combine the melted chocolate, vegetable purees, sugar, cocoa powder, margarine, and vanilla, and whisk until smooth and creamy, 1 to 2 minutes.
4. Whisk in egg whites. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt with a wooden spoon.
5. Pour the batter into the pan and bake 35 to 40 minutes. Cool completely in the pan before cutting into 12 bars.

These brownies are low in calories (only 133 per brownie) and saturated fat. They're also packed with 3 grams of fiber (which is just crazy for a brownie!), while spinach and carrots provide two powerful antioxidants that help your kids' eyes stay healthy.

To find more ways to make everyday recipes more healthful, pick up a copy of Jessica Seinfeld's book Deceptively Delicious. Or if you don't want to buy it, just check it out at your local library like I did:) Enjoy!!!~Jill

Carrot Orzo

Carrot Orzo

Karen Brosius, Columbia, S.C.
Southern Living, JUNE 2010

This turned out very delicious! It was my first time cooking with orzo but now I look forward to more orzo recipes!

Ingredients

* 8 ounces carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 2 cups)
* 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
* 3 tablespoons butter
* 1 medium onion, chopped
* 2 cups uncooked orzo pasta
* 2 garlic cloves, minced
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon pepper
* 1 cup Parmesan cheese
* 3 tablespoons chopped fresh or dried chives
* 1 teaspoon chopped fresh or dried thyme

Preparation

1. Process carrots in a food processor 15 seconds or until finely chopped.

2. Combine 2 1/2 cups water and broth in a microwave-safe measuring cup. Microwave at HIGH 5 minutes or until very hot.

3. Meanwhile, melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add carrots and onion, and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes or until tender. Add orzo and garlic, and cook 1 minute.

4. Slowly stir hot broth mixture, salt, and pepper into orzo mixture. Cook, stirring often, 15 to 18 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.

5. Stir in Parmesan cheese, chives, and thyme until blended. Serve orzo immediately. Garnish, if desired.

Momosita's Amazing Ground Turkey Meatloaf

Momosita's Amazing Ground Turkey Meatloaf

I found this recipe on www.food.com. I tweaked the recipe just a little bit to make the ingredients easier to find. It's very delicious!!

Ingredients:

1 c. milk
1 c. breadcrumbs
1 lb. ground turkey
1 carrot, grated (approx 1/4 c.)
1/2 zucchini, grated (approx. 1/4 c.)
1/2 medium onion, diced (optional)
1 egg
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese
2 tbs. Italian seasoning
1 tsp. seasoning salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce (optional)
ketchup, to drizzle on top


Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Place milk and breadcrumbs in a bowl and let soak while mixing the rest of the ingredients.

Pat and squeeze the shredded zucchini and carrots between paper towels to soak up extra moisture.

Place ground turkey, carrot, zucchini, onion (optional), egg and cheese in a large bowl and mix.

Once the breadcrumbs have soaked up all of the milk, mix in the 2 Tbs of Italian seasoning and add to the turkey mixture.

Stir in the seasoned salt, pepper, and worcestershire (optional).

Place mix in a greased loaf baking pan and drizzle the ketchup on top.

Bake at 400 degrees for 55 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 180 degrees. Remove from the oven, cover tightly with tin foil and let sit for 10 minutes.
Enjoy!:)

Coconut Curry Chicken-n-Squash Casserole

Coconut Curry Chicken-n-Squash Casserole

Ingredients:
1 c. rice
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cup up into small pieces)
3 medium sized yellow summer squash (cut up into small pieces)
2 1/2 c. Thai Coconut Curry chicken broth
(The brand is called College Inn Culinary Broth)
1/2 c. carrots (chopped up)

Combine all these ingredients in a baking dish and cook for 45 minutes on 350 F.

Chicken Thai Pizza

The top two pictures are the "from scratch" version and the bottom three pictures are the "easy-fast" version. Take your pick!








We were inspired by The California Pizza Kitchen. That is where we first ate chicken Thai pizza. And WOW E WOW!! Eric, my husband, came up with this easy recipe the other night. We like to have fun in the kitchen as you can tell:)

Chicken Thai Pizza

Ingredients:
1 Boboli pizza crust or make your crust from scratch (see below)
a handful of shredded carrots
4 chicken strips
banana peppers (optional)
1 (7 oz.) jar of peanut satay sauce *The brand we use is called A Taste of Thai.
mozzarella or cheddar cheese

1. First cook 4 chicken strips in the oven.
2. Shred a handful of carrots.
3. Spread peanut satay sauce on a pizza crust.
4. Add carrots.
5. Add chicken and banana peppers (optional).
6. Lastly add your cheese of choice and bake at 350 until cheese is melted. Enjoy!:)

To make the pizza dough from scratch,
Perfect Pizza Dough:

Ingredients

* 1 cup warm water
* 1 tsp. sugar
* 1 1/4-oz. packet active dry yeast
* 3 tbsp. olive oil, plus extra for coating
* 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
* 1 tsp. salt

Instructions

1. Place 1/4 cup warm water in a small bowl. Stir in the sugar until dissolved, then sprinkle the yeast onto the surface of the water. Let the yeast float there for 1 minute, then stir it into the water. Let the yeast "proof" for 10 minutes. It should bubble a bit; if it doesn't, the yeast is outdated and inactive.
2. Pour the yeast mixture into a large bowl, then stir in the remaining water, and add the olive oil, flour and salt. With a wooden spoon, mix the dough until it forms a ball. On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough for 10 minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic.

Coat the inside of a large glass or ceramic bowl with olive oil. Press the ball of dough into the bottom of the bowl, then flip the dough over so the oiled side is on top. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, then let the dough rise in a warm place until it has doubled in bulk, about 1 1/2 hours. Makes 1 1/2 pounds of dough.