Where’s the chocolate?

No recipe today… right now I’m on television!

Well sorta. They’re filming today, but luckily the feature isn’t live. I’ll definitely post an update when I find out the air date. Thanks for all the advice and well-wishes on Wednesday.

Chocolate thunderstorm…

I promise all sorts of delicious new chocolate recipes starting next week: German chocolate fudge bites, deep strawberry-truffle pie, single-serving cookie dough cake… as soon as I catch my breath from this crazy week, I’ll start bombarding you with those posts. (Seriously, bombarding. There are a lot of recipes I want to post before Valentine’s Day!)

In the meantime, it was recently pointed out to me that my Super Bowl post lacked any savory recipes, and it’s really more of a savory-recipe event. So here are my savory Super Bowl party ideas:

Melty Pizza Hummus

This savory pizza dip is the perfect appetizer for any party. You essentially get two recipes in one bowl: pizza and hummus! What could be better?

Chickpea Poppers

Once you pop, you can’t stop. And these addictive chickpeas are much healthier than Pringles!

Sweet Potato Chili

I’m actually making this chili for my Super Bowl party this Sunday.

Hungry Guy Chili

No joke, this chili recipe fooled a card-carrying carnivorous friend. He absolutely refused to believe me when I told him there was no cheese in the chili!

High-Protein Chili

One of my favorite comfort dishes. This hearty recipe proves that you don’t need meat to have an incredibly-filling, delicious, and high-protein meal.

Totally Addictive Cornbread

Gotta have some cornbread to go with all that chili! And then, for dessert…

Super Bowl Dessert Recipes

You didn’t think I could go an entire post without mentioning dessert, did you?

I’m going to be on television!!

The Dallas ABC affiliate news team is filming a story on me, for the 5 o’clock news! It’s pretty much the coolest thing to happen to me since… ever?!

For the feature, I’m thinking of making this recipe.

Right now I’m more excited than nervous, but that’s maybe just because it hasn’t really sunk in yet how many people are going to see this! Today’s agenda: figuring out what to wear, setting up dishes, and going on a cleaning spree. To power me through, I made a stand-by favorite breakfast:

Peanut Butter Breakfast Pudding

(serves 1)

One of My Oatmeal Recipes.

• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup milk of choice (I used almond)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 a ripe banana
• 1-2 T peanut butter (or other nut butter)
• 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
• sweetener (the amount will vary, depending on your tastebuds and what milk you use)
• optional: chocolate chips

Cook the oats, salt, and milk (either on the stove or in the microwave). Meanwhile, blend the pb and banana. Then add your vanilla, sweetener, and 1/2 of the cooked oats to the blender (I used a Magic Bullet) and re-blend. Stir in the rest of the oats. You can blend all the oats if you prefer, but I like the chewiness of leaving some un-blended.

See the following link for: Calories + Nutritional Info.

(Feel free to slice remaining banana on top.)

Question of the Day:

Are you comfortable speaking in front of a group?

Or do you dread giving public presentations? Have you ever acted in a play or been on tv? I always loved giving class presentations and speeches in school, so I probably would’ve enjoyed acting. Unfortunately, I was too busy with soccer and tennis to join the drama club. As for the upcoming tv story, I am nervous about one thing (which might sound silly and superficial): what to wear. I’m clueless about fashion. Any tips?? Please send them my way!

Side note: I updated My Press Page.

Guy Stereotypes:

• Guys like football.
• Guys like meat.

So what if you want to throw a Super Bowl party without meat? Simple! You distract the guys with chocolate. And beer. Guys like beer! (Stereotypes aside, many girls like football too… and girls love chocolate. Bring chocolate to your Super Bowl party, and everyone will be happy!)

If you make just one recipe, let it be this:

…………………………Healthy Cookie Dough Dip

You will definitely not be sorry. (Just read the hundreds of comments on the post if you don’t believe me. This is my #1 go-to party dip, and it’s always a huge hit. Make it for your party, and see how fast it disappears!)

……………………………Ultimate Fudge Brownies

Brownies and football just kinda go together. Maybe because they’re football-colored… especially when topped with vegan ice cream. Yum!

……………………………..Chocolate Rice Crispy Treats

Tip: make football crispy treats by shaping the crispies into ovals, as opposed to the traditional bars. Then use an icing writer to draw the football hashmarks.

…………………………….Cream-Filled Cupcakes

Another dessert that can turn into a football. Make football hashmarks instead of the squiggles.

……………………………Healthy Sugar Cookies

(I made the above cookies for a Superbowl party a few years ago.)

……………………..Flourless Chocolate-Chip Cookies

One can never have too many types of cookies at a party.

…………………………….PB Cookie Dough Cookies

Shape into ovals, for footballs.

……………………………..Giant Cookie Cake

Make this if you’re a Giants fan! (If you’re a Patriots’ fan, maybe you’d be better off baking a Boston Cream Pie. Now why don’t I have one of those on my site? I need to work on that!)

…………………………………Gooey PB&J Blondies

You know, to go along with those brownies you’re bringing. Can’t have brownies without blondies, too. That would be wrong!

…………………………….Cookie Dough Truffles

Another recipe that’s a big hit at parties.

Question of the Day:

Do you ever watch football?

Do you understand the game? I can’t say football is my favorite sport to watch. (That would be hockey.) But I do understand the rules, and every now and then I’ll get really into a big game. Too bad the Cowboys have been terrible ever since I moved to Dallas!

It’s hummus.

But I swear it tastes like pizza.

This initially started out as just regular old hummus. I’d never made my own hummus before, so I trusted a recipe from Vegnews. It was easy enough to make, but the finished product tasted so bland.

In an effort to jazz up the flavor, I turned to Hunts (as I often do when a recipe needs a flavor boost). And then, little by little, plain-jane hummus morphed into…

Super Pizza Hummus! 

With super powers.

Maybe it needs a theme song…

Anyone want to work on that?

Melty Pizza Hummus

(gluten-free)

One of my Recipes with Beans.

• 1/2 cup garbanzo beans (drained) (75g)
• 2-4 T nutritional yeast
• heaping 1/2 tsp dry basil
• heaping 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup plus 2 T basil-and-garlic tomato sauce (90g) (Or plain tomato sauce, and add a little extra basil and garlic) (I used Hunts)
• 1 T olive oil (For a fat-free dip, you can omit. But you’ll lose the richer the flavor.)

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend very well, until there are no chunks left. (I used a Cuisinart.) Scoop into a serving dish, and serve with chips, raw veggies, or whatever else strikes your fancy. Or use as a spread for sandwiches or toasted bread. (If you like your hummus cold, chill in the fridge before serving.)

Click to see the recipe’s Calories + Nutrition Facts.

Fridged in a closed container, this’ll keep at least a few days.

Question of the Day:

Do you like hummus?

Have you ever tried a flavored one? Oddly enough, the best hummus I’ve ever eaten was in Hong Kong. I was there for a varsity tennis tournament, and we stumbled upon this tiny Middle Eastern restaurant one night. Have you ever noticed some of the best food can be found in those hole-in-the-wall places?

For a fun variation, try: Chocolate Brownie Hummus.

Sleep? What’s that?

Please forgive me if this post makes no sense. I went out dancing with a few friends last night, and we didn’t get home until after two in the morning. But, of course, my body decides it’s a great idea to wake up at 6. So here I am, full of energy… and I have no idea where it’s coming from.

I loved my breakfast this morning:

Pouring this cream over cereal is so much better than milk!

It makes the bowl incredibly thick and creamy… I could eat a million of these bowls and still love them. (Side note: I usually add way more fruit and cereal than is shown in the photo.)

Those are Whole Foods’ bran flakes in the picture, but I often use uncooked quick oats instead. And I also like to add things like cacao nibs or sliced almonds. As for the cream, I posted the recipe awhile back, but I’ll re-post it below to save you the trouble of clicking links:

Whipped Cream Bowl

(Serves 1-2)

This is a Soy-Free Recipe.

• sweetener of choice
• 1/16th tsp salt
• 1 1/2 T water (20g)
• 1/2 serving agar base (see below)
• 3 drops coconut extract (Optional, but highly recommended)
• optional: cocoa or fruit (for flavored cream)

First, make the agar base (see instructions: here). When it’s cooled, put half of it in a blender (I use a Magic Bullet) with all the other ingredients, and blend away. Whip very well, so it’s completely smooth. I like to put it in the freezer for a few minutes prior to eating, so it’s super-cold, but it’s not necessary. Optional: add fruit, cacao nibs, cocoa powder, or other add-ins.

See the original post for the Calories and Nutrition Info.

As stated above, I love to pour this cream over fruit and cereal or quick oats. You could also sprinkle granola, or even a crumbled energy bar, on top. Speaking of which…

I updated the following page: New Product Alerts.

Question of the Day:

Do you get enough sleep?

I’m pretty consistent and normally get around 7 hours. In high school, I had the worst time falling asleep—it would take me up to an hour! Thankfully, I grew out of that and can fall asleep pretty quickly now. The only problem is my body doesn’t seem to understand it’s ok to not wake up at six on those rare nights I go to bed at three!

But for some reason, I feel like I have more energy on the days I’m sleep-deprived.

Weird…

Don’t worry; it’s not graded!

The above is a compilation of all the chocolate various relatives and friends sent me for Christmas.

They know me so well .

I haven’t tried the face mask yet, but the strawberry-chocolate tea is really fun. (Apparently, it comes in a red velvet flavor, too.) And the Endangered Species chocolate-peppermint crunch bars are delicious! Why on earth had I never bought them before?

I bet they would be incredible in my Magic Chocolate Pie.

‘Cause the only thing better than chocolate is mint-chocolate. (Ok, and raspberry-chocolate, and coconut-chocolate, and coffee-chocolate, and… I’d better stop now, or I could go on forever.)

Are you a chocoholic?

Below, I’ve created a quiz for you.

You know you’re a chocoholic if…

• Your top 3 favorite desserts are chocolate pie, chocolate fudge, and chocolate brownies.
• You’ve contemplated adding cocoa powder to your peppermint toothpaste.
• You walk into Bath and Body Works just to smell the chocolate candles.
• You have at least ten different types of chocolate bars in your pantry… and none of them lasts very long!
• You’ve thought about naming a future child “Godiva.”
• You accidentally drop a piece of chocolate on the ground and then eat it anyway.
• Your idea of a balanced diet is holding a chocolate bar in each hand.
• Your friends hide their chocolate whenever you come over.
• You believe chocolate is a perfectly acceptable breakfast food.
• You have a special chocolate recipe tab…

Here’s mine: Chocolate Recipes.

Warning!

Do not click the above link unless you are a true chocoholic!

But do try a slice of my Triple Mousse Fudge Cake.

It just so happens that today is National Chocolate Cake Day!

Question of the Day:

Are you a chocoholic?

Chocolate is the answer to every problem.

No seriously, it is.

—-Boyfriend broke up with you? Chocolate!

—-No time to make dinner? Chocolate!

—-Spilled red wine all over your tablecloth? Baking soda!

???

Okay, maybe chocolate is the answer to almost every problem. (Please don’t try putting chocolate on your red wine stains. Not a good idea!)

Above, with vegan whip cream and Chocolate-Raspberry Sauce.

Yum yum yum……

But when it’s been raining all day, and you and your roommate are stuck inside (as we were yesterday), chocolate is definitely the answer.

Chocolate and Desperate Housewives.

We’re on season 7 of the DVDs, trying to make them last as long as possible.

The Perfect Hot Chocolate

(Serves 1)

Based on this recipe.

• 2/3 cup milk of choice
• 1/3 cup full-fat canned coconut milk (for notes on lower-cal options, see nutritional info link below)
• 2 T cocoa powder
• 1/16 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• sweetener, such as 1 stevia packet or 1 tablespoon sugar or agave

Combine all ingredients and stir. Either cook on the stovetop, or: microwave 30 seconds, stir, microwave 30 more seconds, stir, microwave 30 more seconds or until hot and completely mixed.

Click to see the hot chocolate’s Calories and Nutrition Facts.

And if you’re still craving hot chocolate…

Try a batch of these devilish Hot Chocolate Cookies.

Question of the Day:

What tv shows do you watch?

Emily (my roommate) and I watch Gossip Girl and Desperate Housewives on dvd, and I really liked West Wing when it was still on. But Friends will always be my #1 favorite show.

By today’s standards, I guess I don’t really watch much tv. I’ve never seen a single episode of Real Housewives or Keeping up with the Kardashians. I saw a scene from Jersey Shore once… everyone was yelling and hitting each other. It was super-weird!

How to stay warm in the winter:

Option One: Hats and scarves!

I must have about a billion scarves (and lots of winter hats as well). To me, scarves are the only fun part of cold weather. Otherwise I’d be happy if it were 75 degrees all year long.

And they double as photography props, like in this oatmeal photo.

But there is another way to stay warm…

Option Two: Henry and Batman choose to park their butts in front of the heat dish.

All. Day. Long.

They even exercise in front of it:

Strrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrretch!

(Henry is very good at downward facing dog.)

Batman is just very good at being cute.

I haven’t been posting many photos of them lately, because they live at my parents’ house and I often forget to bring my camera when I visit. But they’re just as adorable as always!

Option Three: Pumpkin Bread in a Bowl.

It’s one of my favorite warm breakfasts, and it tastes especially good with raisins. Or chocolate chips, of course! I’d share with Batman and Henry… however, they won’t even leave the heat dish for food. Their hierarchy: heat > food > walks > everything else.

Question of the Day:

Do you like scarves? And winter hats?

Tomorrow: Another way to stay warm… A chocolate way .

Happy Peanut Butter Day!

If I’d known it was National Peanut Butter Day earlier than last night (when a reader told me about it), I would’ve made you an awesome new recipe. Instead, I’ll highlight some of my previously-posted pb recipes… and I’ll give you an IOU for that new recipe! 

                                       Chocolate-PB Fudge

Start celebrating early. Who says you can’t eat chocolate fudge for breakfast? (No really, who says? That person has some explainin’ to do!)

                                    PB Frozen Hot Chocolate

After your chocolate fudge breakfast, you’ll want dessert. Right?

                                 Chocolate-PB No Bakes

Lunch, perhaps? A person’s gotta have lunch! And one cookie is definitely not enough for a lunch… you’ll need to have five or six. Or seven.

                               Low-Calorie PB Ice Cream

No ice cream maker required!

                                Secret Peanut Butter Cookies

If you make these cookies, keep it a secret. Then you won’t have to share. And these are so good that you won’t want to share.

                                                PB & J Fudge

Like the pbj sandwiches of your childhood… except this is fudge!

                                             PB Cookie Milkshake

This healthy shake really does taste like you’re drinking a thick peanut butter milkshake. And really, what could be better than that? Well, maybe if it were chocolate peanut butter… 

Question of the Day:

How are you going to celebrate National Peanut Butter Day?

Here’s a list of all my pb recipes: Peanut Butter Recipes.

Imagine yourself eating your favorite granola…

Are you picturing it?

Now imagine eating your favorite granola… in the form of a yummy granola bar!

Nature Valley Granola Bars

Do you know the ones I’m talking about?

Those crunchy bars in the green wrappers? My friend Sarah calls them “horse food” because they’re made up of oats and sugar—things that horses like to eat. But the following granola bar recipe is much too good to share with horses. Sorry, horses.

Soccer Fuel

When I was in high school (it seems like a lifetime ago!), I played on the varsity soccer team, and our daily practices fell right after school. So I got in the habit of grabbing a bar—often a Nature Valley granola bar—to munch in the locker room while dressing out.

I’d completely forgotten about my past with Nature Valley until a few days ago, when I tasted an attempt at what was supposed to be a chewy granola bar.

“Woah, these taste exactly like Nature Valley oats-n-honey bars,” my roommate proclaimed after trying a bite. “Except, maybe these are even better!”

(She quickly proceeded to eat two whole bars.)

Copycat Nature Valley Granola Bars

Can be a gluten-free recipe.

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 cup rice crispies (I used brown rice crispies)
• 3 T oat flour (You can make your own by grinding oats in a food processor*.)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 2 T virgin coconut oil (or veg oil)
• 3 T agave (or other liquid sweetener)
• 1 packet stevia (or 1 T dry sweetener)

Preheat oven to 350 F. Combine dry ingredients, then mix in wet. Transfer to a baking dish (lined with wax paper), and press down. Squish HARD. Hard hard hard. Then cook for around 18 minutes. Wait at least 20 minutes before trying to cut into bars.

Click to see the granola bars’ Calories and Nutrition Facts.

*If making oat flour, measure the 3T after grinding.

Other bars I’ve done:

Homemade Luna Bars

Homemade Larabars

What should be next?

What are some of your favorite snack bars?

Larabars? Clif Bars? Mine are definitely Chocolate Wild Bars.

I just wish they weren’t so darn expensive!