Happy Halloween everyone! Although it is a Monday (bummer), I hope you all will still be celebrating. So shake off those Monday blues and break out your scariest costume. To go along with your Halloween festivities, here are two spooky, vegetarian recipes to try. Stuffed Jalapeno Mummies Stuffed peppers are one of my favorite recipes to make. They are simple, quick, and a real crowd pleaser. This Halloween twist adds just one step to get into the spirit. Start by cutting your jalapeno in half. Then mix together cream cheese, pepper jack cheese, and minced garlic. Then fill each half with this cheesy mixture. Roll out some premade crescent rolls and cut them into thin strips. Wrap each stuffed pepper with the strips and bake for about 10 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. For the full recipe, check out Frugal Coupon Living. Bloody Chocolate Cups
You and your guests have scarfed down those peppers and you’re craving something sweet. Well these three ingredient chocolate cups from Elephantastic Vegan are the perfect treat on Halloween. Ingredients · 1 cup frozen raspberries · 1 tablespoon rice syrup · 1 ¾ cup baking chocolate Heat the raspberries until they are soft, then mash them up to a paste. Heat the chocolate, stirring often. Then line a muffin pan. In each liner, place 1 ½ teaspoon chocolate, 1 teaspoon of the raspberry paste, and top each off with about more of the melted chocolate until all of the raspberry is covered. Place them in the fridge for 5-10 minutes, then unwrap and enjoy. For more info on this recipe, check out Elephantastic Vegan.
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In an obesity crisis world most people are used to hearing what they need to limit in their diets. Going beyond the obvious of cheeseburgers and fries as a whole, fats are a category that is considered unequivocally bad. However, the truth is that your body needs fat, but much like a facebook relationship from 2010, it’s complicated. It’s true that some fats should be avoided altogether, but there are some which offer key nutrients to your body, or can help you enjoy your favorite foods with less guilt. Today we are going to take a closer look at a few of these better fats and what they might have to offer you.
2. How to Shop for the Right Fats Saturated fats are the least healthy, while polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats are used for different things. To help you spot these in the supermarket, saturated fats are solid (butter, lard), polyunsaturated are always liquid (i.e. canola oil) and monounsaturated are usually liquid but semi solid when refrigerated (olive oil). 3. Health Benefits Polyunsaturated fats contain those omega 3s and omega 6s you’ve probably heard so much about, and these are part of a healthy diet in moderation. In particular, omega 3s are great for their heart health and include anti-inflammatory benefits. When it comes to monounsaturated fats, they can help blood flow and lower cholesterol benefits, improving heart health as well and helping to lower the risk of heart disease. Interested in applying the concepts of healthy fats in your kitchen? To begin with, try switching in healthier fats in exchange for saturated fats such as butter or lard. Some other foods such as avocado and nuts also contain these better fats, and experimenting with recipes including these foods is also an option. Try the recipes below to incorporate the concept of healthy fats into your diet: I tend to take my movie nights and weekly show watching very seriously. And when you are preparing for the highly anticipated season premiere of your favorite show, it requires a seriously delicious snack to go with it. I found these amazing popcorn recipes on Pintererst and decided to try it for my Sunday TV show watching. S’mores Popcorn: Seeing how popcorn is the traditional sidekick to the TV screen and s’mores is a delightfully indulgent treat, this recipe seemed perfect for the occasion. I found this recipe on http://www.bombshellbling.com/smores-popcorn-recipe/. First you pop two bags of popcorn and lay it out on a try with some tin foil or wax paper. Then you drizzle some melted chocolate and top with crushed graham crackers, mini marshmallows and chopped peanuts. The melted chocolate is easily made by heating up one bag of chocolate chips and one tablespoon of shortening in the microwave for increments of 30 seconds and stirring until combined. Then you put it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes and enjoy. Ingredients:
With inspiration from this sweet treat, I explored some more popcorn recipes and found these. All of the following recipes start off the same as the previous, but include different toppings. Sweet and Salty Popcorn: photo property of www.twopeasandtheirpod.com This treat is the perfect mix between a salty and savory snack and a delightful desert. I found it on http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/sweet-and-salty-marshmallow-popcorn/. Once you have your tray of regular popcorn and pretzels you combine butter, corn syrup and marshmallows until melted. Then and in vanilla and salt. Evenly pour mixture on popcorn and pretzels. Then top with M&M’s and enjoy. Ingredients:
Cookies and Cream Popcorn: photo property of twosisterscrafting.com
This final recipe looks delicious, but is simple to assemble. I found it on http://www.twosisterscrafting.com/oreo-cookie-popcorn/. Start with two bags of popcorn in a bowl. Then melt butter and marshmallows in a saucepan until combined. Liberally crush mini Oreos so they are in smaller pieces but not quite in a powder form. Add the marshmallow mixture and crushed Oreos to popcorn and mix until completely coated. Spread popcorn onto a tray and put in the fridge until cool and enjoy. Ingredients:
All these recipes and easy to make, allows the creative freedom to use desired ingredients, and make any TV watching experience special and enjoyable. Photo credits: The Food Network
Ingredients:
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/easy-pan-roasted-chicken-and-shallots.html?oc=linkback These are my family’s top five crock pot recipes, with all of them including five ingredients or less. Fall is in full swing and crock pot meals are perfect for this time of year. It’s so easy to throw a few ingredients in, let it cook while you’re in class, and come back to a delicious and homey meal. Back when I was in high school, my mom would have me make Crock-pot meals during the summer and calling these meals simple is a complete understatement. The only problem you might have with these recipes is not having a Crock-pot. But with Christmas right around the corner, and relatives always asking for gift ideas, that problem is easy to solve.
Crock-pot Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches My family loves spicy food, so having a simple recipe like this with a lot of flavor is a winner in our books. This recipe is really customizable as well. If you don’t like spicy food, you can use a mild buffalo sauce or even barbecue sauce. Also adding some blue cheese and celery slices takes this recipe to the next level. This is a must-try for NFL football fans and perfect for fall tailgates. Here’s the recipe:
Crock-pot Cola Ribs Ribs were always a recipe my family just couldn’t perfect. We tried grilling them and baking them, but all agreed that ordering them from Outback was the easiest solution. Then we came across this recipe and decided to give it one final try. The simplicity is what made us try this dish and we are so glad we did. Now we can enjoy ribs in the comfort of our own home and save some money in the process too.
Crock-pot General Tso Chicken Chinese food is definitely a guilty pleasure of mine, but the rest of my family would disagree. They claim they’re bloated and feel like crap after eating it, which I totally understand. But they do like to make Chinese food at home. This recipe is a great option for those who are like the rest of my family, or those who just like to know exactly what they’re eating.
Crock-pot Tortellini If there is one thing I know in this world, it’s that my family is seriously obsessed with carbs, especially pasta. While pasta isn’t necessarily hard to make, cooking it in a crick pot makes it a lot more portable and shareable. This cheesy pasta dish is great for a party. Everyone loves pasta, but no one brings spaghetti to a get together. This recipe ensures that you’ll have a unique dish at your pot luck and have a crowd-pleaser.
Crock-pot Cheesy Cauliflower For those of you have been living under a rock for a while, cauliflower is a really trendy food at the moment. Growing up, broccoli was my family’s go to side dish and we all still love it. But we also like to switch things up every once and a while and replace out broccoli with cauliflower. This cheesy recipe is perfect for those members of the family who fight vegetables and will be a hit with everyone.
Cooking can be intimidating, but crock-pot meals are a great way to start. They’re easy, low maintenance and perfect for any person. Warm up this fall with these simple meals. Recipes inspired by The Frugal Girls, check them out! With the semester in full swing, it can get harder and harder to eat healthy. Many days spent in the library studying or nights cramming before an exam can lead to the same inevitable end: junk food. Cravings between meals make us reach for something convenient, even if it’s not always the best option. But snacking doesn’t have to be synonymous with guilt. Actually, snacking can help prevent overeating at meals, help you to get nutrients, and keep your energy up throughout the day. And one great snack to turn to is a smoothie. They are quick, simple, and so delicious. So if you are ever reaching for those potato chips, try out one of these smoothie recipes to satisfy your hunger.
Mixed Berry This one is as simple as it gets. It is super filling and you can never go wrong with it. I usually make this for myself in the morning and take it in a to go cup to keep myself full before lunch. Just throw all the ingredients into a blender and you’re set. Ingredients
Peanut Butter Banana Calling all my sweet-tooth readers. This one is indulgent but of course, much healthier than most of the desserts we crave. Whenever I want a milkshake, this works as a great substitute. It is so easy to whip up and so satisfying. Again, it is super filling, so I will make it for breakfast or just as a snack when I want something sweet. Ingredients
Tropical Avocado I know what you’re thinking, avocado does not belong in a smoothie. But trust me on this, it belongs in this smoothie. Tropical Smoothie had an Avocolado smoothie last year, and this was my attempt to imitate it. I don’t know how true to form it actually is, but it turned out to be my favorite smoothie. Ingredients
As a college student, tacos can be considered a staple in my weekly routine. Rather than taking a ride to Taco Bell or using a traditional taco kit, I have tested a recipe that is fun, healthy, and satisfies your taco taste buds. This shrimp avocado taco recipe is easy to assemble and delicious. For this recipe I took inspiration from http://gimmedelicious.com/2016/03/10/spicy-shrimp-tacos-with-avocado-salsa-sour-cream-cilantro-sauce/ and http://www.number-2-pencil.com/2016/09/21/one-sheet-pan-shrimp-fajitas/. For the shrimp I grilled a bag of frozen pre-cooked shrimp and chopped red and green peppers in a pan on medium with olive oil, cilantro, and two teaspoons of taco seasoning. I then chopped up a whole avocado and mixed with some pre-bought pico de gallo. Then I toasted some tortillas in a pan with olive oil. Once all ingredients are prepared you just assemble your tacos and top with desired ingredients like sour cream our salsa. This recipe is a fancy take on a household favorite and is sure to delight your dinner guests. Its also a great way to pack in tons of vegetables into a delicious meal. Ingredients: - 1 bag of frozen or fresh shrimp - 1/2 tablespoon of cilantro - half a packet or 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning - 1 green and red pepper - 1 avocado - 1 container of pico de gallo - sour cream - salsa - 8 tortillas - olive oil College is stressful, especially during the mid semester slump, you may start craving that macaroni and cheese. Comfort foods are those dishes that aren’t necessarily nutritious, but often bring back happy memories of home. This emotional connection to your favorite dishes isn’t imagined, but no one wants to spoil their diet with excessive amounts of fat and carbohydrates that you may regret later. Here at the College Chew, we know the struggle, and so on this Trim Thursday we’re taking a closer look at how to indulge in your favorite comfort foods with a little less guilt.
2. Zucchini Zingers Another way to add nutrition to your comfort foods, is through zucchini. While this vegetable does have a louder color and texture, don’t be afraid to give it a try. Trends have caused zucchini to become a popular substitute for linguine in pasta dishes, in a way that will make your food instagram posts super pretty. If the idea of swapping something green in for your beloved pasta makes you cringe, we still have an idea for you. Believe it or not, zucchini can become a part of the ultimate guilty pleasure, chocolate cake. Here the zucchini adds it’s nutritional benefits but also helps to add moisture to the cake and even improve its consistency. Have we convinced you yet? Try these examples: - Zucchini Pasta - Zucchini Chocolate Cake 3. Embrace Yogurt
You know yogurt is good for you, your mom probably tells you all the time, but do you really eat it? Probably not. Many people are put off by yogurt’s texture or just don’t consider it when choosing a fulfilling snack. However, next time you’re craving something delicious, consider a light yogurt cup. Not only do they come in lots of tempting flavors that may help with your sweet tooth, but they’re loaded with calcium and vitamins. As an added bonus, yogurt can be used as a substitute for sour cream in some of your favorite comfort foods. If you’re interested in learning more about this method, check out these instructions on how to swap greek yogurt in for anything from tacos to baked potatoes. Ingredients: 2 avocados, 1 pound thin chicken breast, 1 cup cherry tomatoes, 1 white onion, ⅓ cup basil leaves, 3 Tbsp. lime juice 1 tsp. grated lime zest, 2 shakes of salt, 1 clove garlic, ½ tsp. Pepper
Read more at: https://www.avocadocentral.com/avocado-recipes/Avocado-Stuffed-Chicken-Breast |
Nutritional, Efficient & SimplisticThe College Chew is a blog all about maximizing your college culinary experience. Enjoy and chew on. |