Author Archives: The Cooking spoon

Caramel Pumpkin Pie Baked Oatmeal

This oatmeal bake is so comforting, it has the warm spices we typically associate with fall, and it warms you up from the inside. I usually make it in the weekends and it may or may not last for a day or two. You can heat up any leftovers the next morning adding a splash of milk. And since it’s “Pumpkin Season”, yes, it has lots of pumpkin in it, so nice and creamy with a slight caramel flavor, you’ll love it.

Serves 6

Needed: Baking Dish 8.1″ Square (2 quart)

Ingredients;

1 lb. peeled pumpkin cubes

1 tbsp. melted butter

1/4 tsp. Pumpkin Pie Spice

1 tbsp. Organic Coconut Sugar

2 tbsp. milk of choice, I use Unsweetened Organic Soymilk

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2 2/3 C. Breakfast Oats (gluten-free)

1 1/2 tsp. Baking Powder

1/2 tsp. Pumpkin Pie Spice

1/4 tsp. Pink Himalayan Salt

1/2 C. Dark Chocolate Chips

2 C. milk of choice, I Use Unsweetened Organic Soymilk

2 large eggs

5 tbsp. Maple Syrup

1/2 tsp. Caramel Extract

1/2 tsp. Vanilla Extract

Method;

Preheat oven to 350° F

Place the pumpkin cubes in a bowl, add the spice, melted butter and coconut sugar. Toss to cover. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place all the pumpkin on the sheet distributing evenly. Bake for 25 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork.

Let cool. Place the pumpkin in a food processor and blend until smooth with 2 tbsp. of milk. Set aside.

In a bowl, whisk the two eggs with the milk, extracts and maple syrup. Stir in the pumpkin mash. Mix well, but it doesn’t matter if there are a few little lumps.

In an other bowl combine, oats, baking powder, spice, chocolate chips and salt. Stir to mix.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir to combine. Grease an oven dish and add the mixture.

Bake in the oven for 20 minutes until set and slightly wobbly in the middle. Let sit for a few minutes before serving and pour over some Maple syrup.

Serve warm with some crème fraîche, sour cream or thick greek yoghurt and more maple syrup. Leftovers can be heated with an extra splash of milk.

Shredded Brussels Sprouts with Maple glazed Hazelnuts and Bacon

10 Replies

This side dish is going to blow your mind! Wait… side dish? What am I saying, it’s more than just a side dish, you don’t really need anything else, it’s that good.

I have to confess that I am a little bit obsessed with side dishes, I think they deserve more attention. It also has to do with the fact that I try not to eat carbs in the evening so I want to have something really spectacular to compensate for the lack of potatoes or rice. When I was eating these Brussels sprouts I almost forgot about the grilled chicken I had on the side and ate the entire dish of sprouts, oops.

Ok, I’ll admit that I was very full, but so satisfied.

Serves 4 (or 2 if you’re like me)

Ingredients;

1 lbs. Brussels sprouts, cleaned and shredded

1 small onion, peeled and diced as fine as you can

1 Garlic clove, peeled and grated or crushed

4 oz. smoked Bacon, cut in medium small dice (* Omit or use vegetarian bacon for vegetarians)

1/3 C. Hazelnuts, skin removed

2 tbsp. Butter

2 tbsp. Maple Syrup

salt and pepper

2 – 3 tbsp. Water

Method;

Over medium high heat fry the bacon for a few minutes in one tablespoon of butter. Once they start to get a little crispy and golden add the hazelnuts. Fry for about 4 minutes until the nuts become golden. Now add the Maple syrup and continue to cook for an other 3 minutes until all is nice and sticky and golden.

Place the nuts and bacon in a bowl and set aside.

Put the pan back on the heat and add the remaining tablespoon of butter. Once melted add the onions, the garlic and the Brussels sprouts after a minutes or so. Start sautéing, season with salt and black pepper. Add the two tablespoons of water and put a lid on the pan, leaving a side open, or use a lid with holes in it like I do.

Cook for about seven minutes or until they are tender to your liking. Return the hazelnuts and bacon to the pan and sautee for another minute until heated thru. Serve immediately.

No Bake Almond Protein Bars

7 Replies

Makes: 12 bars

Needed: Glass baking dish 8×8″

These super quick bars are packed with protein and nutrients to keep you going for a ages and are also really great as a pre or post work out snack. Kids love them too.

Just 5 basic ingredients!!!

Ingredients;

1 1/3 C. Gluten Free Oat Flour
1/4 C. Plant Based Protein Powder, Sweet Vanilla Bean
a pinch of Himalayan Salt
1/2 C. Almond Butter
1/4 C. Honey , Maple Syrup or Light Agave Nectar
Some Almonds for decorating.

TIP No.1 : add some Pumpkin Pie Spice, Cinnamon or Vanilla Extract to suit your mood.

Method;

Put oat flour and protein powder with a pinch of salt together in a bowl and stir to mix. Add some spices like suggested above if you want, but it’s not necessary since they taste great without too. Add the almond butter and honey. Mix thoroughly with a wooden spoon. Add a drop of milk or water if it seems to dry.

Oil spray your baking dish first and then line with parchment paper, press the mixture very firmly in to the dish. Decorate with the Almonds if desired.

Place in the freezer for about an hour before cutting or overnight in the refrigerator.

Eat within 5 days.

TIP No.2: Dip them in very dark melted Chocolate (70% Cocoa) , if you want to be extra naughty.

Not quite what you were looking for? How about Black Bean Brownies

Halloween Donuts

36 Replies

GUESS what…it’s almost HALLOWEEN….

So exciting, I love Halloween. We also love making all food Halloween-ish, like these cute little Halloween Donuts. They are super easy and are baked rather than fried in oil. Everyone loves them, see for yourself.

Makes 6 Donuts

Needed: Donut Pan

Ingredients;

1 C. All Purpose Flour
Remove one tablespoon and replace it with Corn Starch
1 tsp. Baking Powder
1/4 tsp. Baking Soda
pinch of Pink Himalayan Salt
1 large egg at room temperature
1/3 C. fine Caster Sugar
6 tbsp. Buttermilk
2 tbsp. melted Butter
1 tsp. Pure Vanilla Extract

Method;

Pre heat oven to 350 F

Sieve the first four ingredients very well together.

In an other bowl, combine the remaining ingredients.

Stir in to the flour mixture. DO NOT OVER MIX.

Grease your doughnut pan or oil spray. Divide the batter between the holes.

Bake for 8 – 10 minutes. Insert a tooth pick to test if they are done. If it comes out dry they are ready. Remove them from the oven. Let cool completely before icing.

For the icing I have used confectioners sugar with natural food colours

and a Halloween Sprinkle Mix.

The icing has to be quite thick or it will absorb into the doughnuts.