Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Coconut Cake



Tomorrow is Dad's birthday, and one of his fave desserts is Coconut Cake. Today Mom and I made him one. For my personal taste, the cake part was a tad dry, but it was still a great cake. Thought I would share the frosting though - as it is a great staple. We took it from a southern living cookbook.

White Frosting


2 sticks butter, softened (use the real stuff, none of this oil spread junk)

8 cups sifted powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

about 3/4 cup of milk - till you get a spreadable consistency


I topped it with of course coconut, but also fresh cherries after using my favorite new tool - my cherry pitter. Actually it was a Christmas present for Dad, but he doesn't use it. I can't believe I've eaten cherries all this time without it.


Keep mixing - it is fantastic - although very sweet - seems to go right into your teeth! But, it was yummy!


Wednesday, May 09, 2007

For you Pineapple Lovers



This is a great, low-fat, tart that is delicious if you like pineapple and coconut. I got it from Diabetic Living magazine that actually has some pretty good stuff in it. The hardest part about this recipe is the dough and the waiting (because it smells so good).

Pineapple-Coconut Tart

Dough
1 1/3 cup flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup canola oil (more fatty omega 3 acids)
1/4 cup milk
Stir with a fork, form into ball, let chill (makes it easier to roll out). Roll out into removable bottom tart pan and bake for 5 minutes at 400. Remove and let sit.

Filling
1 20 oz can crushed pineapple with juice (not syrup)
1/4 cup splenda
2 tbsp cornstarch
1/2 tsp lemon peel (zest a lemon)
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 cup shredded coconut (next time I would use more)

In small sauce pan over medium high heat, cook pineapple (with juice), splenda, and cornstarch till bubbly. Stir for 2 more minutes. Remove from heat and add in lemon juice and zest. Pour into pan and bake at 400 for 20 minutes. After that, sprinkle on the coconut and cook for another 10 minutes. Let cool in pan till you wanna eat it - whether hot, warm, or cold.
Dad ate a piece with some cool whip - but would be great with some coconut ice cream or pineapple sherbet or sorbet.

173 cal, 24 carbs, 8 fat, 1 fiber, 2 protein
Enjoy!

Friday, May 04, 2007

Healthy Banana Streusel Muffins

This I got from this months Cooking Light magazine. Full of whole grains and good stuff - it is pretty tasty and filling. Only 240 calories - it is great for breakfast with a glass of milk! :)

Banana Muffins

1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
Mix all that together

2 ripe bananas, mashed
3/4 cup skim milk
3 tbsp canola oil (also offers fatty omega 3 acids which you need everyday)
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 egg
Mix all that together and then mix just until combined with the dry ingredients

1/4 c chopped walnuts
Fold in to mixture

Foil liners into a 12 count muffin tin. Preheat oven to 375. Fill muffin tins.

1/2 cup oats
5 tbsp flour
2 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp melted butter
1/4 tsp cinnamon
Mix together till resemble course meal, then sprinkle over muffins.

Bake for 22-27 minutes or until done. enjoy!

Thursday, May 03, 2007

Spinach Tomato Cheesy Pasta

I got this recipe while watching Giada one day on the Food Network. I thought it sounded great, but not the cheapest in the world - but real quick.
It is vegetarian and healthy and yummy and quick!

1 box whole wheat fusilli pasta (spirals)
1 bag spinach - baby spinach is best
1 pint (container) cherry tomatoes - halve them
1/2 cup grated asiago cheese (in deli section, specialty cheese) - Giada used 1 cup, but 1/2 is fine)
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese (go for the good stuff, not Kraft for spaghetti)
Olive oil
s/p

Boil water for pasta and let cook. When you put the pasta in, heat up about 1/4 cup olive oil in saute pan. Drop in spinach and let wilt down, add tomatoes, s/p. When done, take a slotted spoon to get out the pasta and put it right into spinach pan (that way some of the starchy water makes a thicker sauce with the olive oil). Add in cheeses and toss.
Serve immediately!
I just put a simple salad with it and it was yummy. Even Dad liked it and he doesn't like pasta dishes usually. Very simple and healthy with fiber, green, red, healthy fats, and calcium.