PBJ Greek Yogurt

This Peanut Butter and Jelly (PBJ) Greek Yogurt is my new favorite breakfast.   It is healthy and less than 350 calories too.  You can also try non-fat yogurt to lower your calories, but I had the Fage 2% already which I like.  This PBJ Greek Yogurt is not only delicious, but can be made quickly.  I have been packing the PBJ Greek Yogurt in a container to bring to work.  I use the Ziploc Twist 'N Lock containers which I have found work great and won't spill.  FYI - I am not getting paid to endorse any products but I wish!  Enjoy!

PBJ Greek Yogurt

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup plain greek yogurt

1 tablespoon jam or jelly (I used a blueberry jam.)

1 tablespoon peanut butter (I used Trader Joe’s.)

1 tablespoon dried cranberries

Directions

In a small bowl, add yogurt.  Top with jam (or jelly), peanut butter and cranberries.  

Serve as is or stir.

Serves 1.

Brie and Apple Panini

I loved this Brie and Apple Panini so much that I have eaten it for breakfast and dinner now.  The combination of brie and apple is delicious.  This was so easy to make too, especially if you have a Panini press like the Cuisinart Griddler.  Since I'm obsessed with TJ's aka Trader Joe's and have recently discovered their Mini Brie Bites thanks to my sister-in-law, I decided to try their Middle Eastern Flatbread too.  The TJ's Flatbread is a close second to the Brooklyn-based Aladdin Flatbread introduced to me by my cousin Cathy from Petite Therapy.  I mention it in my Baba Ghanoush post because the Aladdin Flatbread is so good but not in DC!  I need to make this Brie and Apple Panini again soon because it was that awesome.

Brie and Apple Panini

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

Granny smith apple, sliced thin

Brie, sliced (I used Trader Joe’s Mini Brie Bites.)

Flatbread (I used Trader Joe’s Middle Eastern Flatbread.)

Directions

Pre heat your Panini press. (I have a Cuisinart Griddler.)  You could also use a stovetop griddle with a heavy pan on top or press.

Place sliced brie on one side of flatbread.

Top Brie with sliced apples.

Fold flatbread in half and place onto Panini press.

Cook until cheese is melted and bread is lightly browned, it will only take a few minutes (no more than 5 minutes).

Serve immediately.

Green Monster Smoothie

I have seen green monster smoothie recipes all over pinterest and blogs.  I actually used my food processor to make the smoothie because I don't have a blender.  It works just as well and I had no issues.  I was really apprehensive about this smoothie because you put spinach in it, but I honestly couldn't taste the spinach.  You mostly taste the banana and peanut butter.  I love how satisfying this green monster smoothie was and I could just drink it for breakfast.  I could see this as a quick lunch too if you are on the go somewhere.  I also tested freezing the leftovers and they still tasted great the next day.  You could even eat it like ice cream if you only defrost halfway so its more like a soft serve ice cream consistency.  If you have been afraid to make a green monster smoothie, you shouldn't be.  Try it!  Its green, really green, but delicious!

Note:  I tried using kale instead of spinach once and I thought it tasted too "green" so I'm sticking with spinach for all my green monster smoothies :)

Green Monster Smoothie

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

2 cups fresh spinach leaves

1 frozen banana, sliced  (Peel and slice before freezing.)

1 tablespoon peanut butter

½ cup vanilla soymilk

½ cup plain greek yogurt (I used Fage greek yogurt.)

Directions

Combine all ingredients into a blender (or food processor).

Serve immediately.

You also freeze leftovers in an airtight container.   Let defrost at room temperate for 30 minutes to an hour before serving.

Even Buddy and Ellie liked the green monster smoothie!  Don't worry I put the food processor bowl in the dishwasher aftewards :)  Also, I gave them a spoonful in their dog food of the kale green monster smoothie until I ran out since I wasn't a fan of it, but they sure were :) 

Kale Chips

I am trying to be more healthy so instead of potato chips, I'm trying kale chips.  I am so surprised that I actually liked these kale chips.   They taste almost like thin potato chips and are salty and crisp.  What is even better is how easy it was to make them.  I bought the kale from the farmers' market at $2.00 for a large bunch.  I actually only needed to use half the bunch from the market for these chips.  You might not miss the potato chips too much once you try these kale chips!   

Kale Chips

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

1 bunch of kale

2 tablespoons olive oil

salt and pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.

Remove leaves from ribs and stems of kale.

Cut or tear into 2 inch pieces.  Lay on a baking sheet.

Drizzle olive oil, salt and pepper.  Toss kale while on baking sheet.

Bake for about 20 minutes.  Turn leaves halfway through.

Season with additional salt if desired.

Maria Nutella Cookie Sandwiches

I have been traveling for work this week so I haven't had a chance to cook at all.  I just got back and was able to pick up Buddy and Ellie, my 2 doggies, last night.  I missed them and it was strange not being able to sleep next to Buddy (and Ellie sometimes).  Buddy is my snuggler while Ellie likes to sprawl out when sleeping, see how she sleeps on the couch!

I don't know why but I was craving Maria cookies with nutella.  I haven't had them in a long time and I went through a phase of eating Maria cookies all the time.  If you don’t know Maria cookies, you should check out the latino section of your grocery store and buy some. They are thin, lightly sweetened biscuits.  They taste similar to animal crackers.  My cousin first told me about these cookies when she lived in Puerto Rico and she got hooked.  It is apparently a popular snack in PR!  I have a coworker who is from PR who told me to try the Maria cookies with Nutella.  If you don't know Nutella, it is a hazelnut chocolate spread and it is delicious.  You should be able to buy Nutella at any grocery store, its even at Costco.  

Another plus is how inexpensive these cookies are, less than $1 for a 7oz pack of cookies.  These Maria Nutella Sandwich Cookies are so simple and delicious that I bet you will get addicted to them!

Maria cookies + Nutella = Easiest Best No Bake Cookie Sandwich!

 

Ingredients

Maria Cookies

Nutella

Directions

Spread a small spoonful of nutella onto one Maria cookie.  Top with a second Maria cookie and press together.

 Best snack ever!