Breakfast Cookies

Almost a variant name for a fancy oatmeal cookie. The idea of these has gotten quite popular these days. As a busy on-the-go society, we need grab-n-go food. And the concept of a cookie can really take a quick breakfast far! you can stick all kinds of things in them! I guess we all get tired of muffins and bars. As well cereal and fruit. So why not mix it up with a healthy-ish cookie?

Yup healthy! These can be as healthy, or fattening, as you wish. On a typical 1-10 scale, I'd say 3-6 would be the best fat range. To lite and they won't be quite as scrumptious. Remember, if your going to eat sugar and fat, breakfast is the best time to do it! (balanced, not just that)

These are creative cookies. They leave plenty of room for your personal touch. Its your basic chocolate chip or oatmeal cookie recipe, cut some fat out, replace with mashed bananas and applesauce, through in some nuts, oats, dried fruit, chocolate, whatever. Some of the better sounding ingridients to a gal with my picky taste buds (don't like fruit much, esp dried) would be toasted coconut, walnuts, pecans, peanuts, flax, sunflower seeds, peanut butter, soy protein powders, chocolate chips, maybe dried cranberries. etc. I'd also probably have to up the applesauce to banana ratio, If I taste banana in the food, I'll be done with it. 

I plan on taking this idea and running with it myself. I'd encourage anyone to give it a try! Best you start with a recipe to work off of, and replace as close as possible to what is replaceable. I'll include a few below as options. (googled "breakfast cookies" to find)

Elle's Breakfast Cookies

Healthified PB Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies

King Arthur Breakfast Cookies

Ok, well, thats all for now. I can't say I'll get to try my ideas out soon, as I will be "dukan-ing" the next few weeks/months. I start next week, as this week we are not properly equipped (groceries) to do so now. I will be adding a section to my "Cooky's Diets" tab about Dukan to further explain it later. I hope despite my not jumping on the breakfast cookie bandwagon that won't hinder, as I do plan on it as SOON as i'm allowed by Dukan.

PS - You might ask, "Why is she adding ANOTHER diet in the mix?" Well, I don't typically follow a certain one, I mix knowledge from the ones that I feel fit my life and situation best. At the moment, I'm having trouble with ANY AND ALL sugars, carbs, and starches PERIOD. Its causing a flare up of my Candida (stomach, digestive, etc), which feeds off so many things. And never fully goes away. It is also responsible for some food allergies and intolerances. well, the GENERAL RULE for killing them off is to eat certain veggies and protein, and not only does my blood type diet agree with this (for 0) but Dukan goes right with it. It be a great opportunity to cleanse my system (holding off cal counting temp) and really tone my muscles. Since I'll be eating so much muscle building and feeding foods. 

In short, its for my health, so I can enjoy food and cooking again. Right now I can't eat anything (of specified above) without getting so ill. So I look forward to fixing it. As well as to being toned. 

But, I really look forward to playing with these ideas. I love the idea of creative cooking! 

Bestest Brownies - Part 2

LANI'S DARK FUDGE (GF) BROWNIES

Hi, Have you met me? My name is Lani and I can not EVER leave well enough alone! Even if I get rave reviews from everyone, and hubby loves it, I must continue trying to PERFECT it. This "it" was my brownies. I desired them to be more brownie-ish and slightly toned down on the "punch you in the face fudge" texture. But still deeply chocolately. 

THESE ARE 100% GLUTEN FREE! YIPPY! 

But not 100% guilt free, lol, dark as they are, there is sugar and crisco/butter involved! 

3 eggs

1 cup white

3 tbsp dark brown

1 tsp cinnamon

1 cup Pamela's GF Baking mix

1/2 cup butter/crisco

+ 1 tbsp butter or oil ...

to add in melting chocolate if desired

2 oz semi and 2 oz unsweetened chocolate chopped

(or even one ounce more if you like)

1/4 cup dark cocoa powder

large pinch of salt

nuts, add ins and espresso or coffee optional.

pre heat oven to 400

prepare square pan with foil tightly wrapped both ways, spray.

set up your double boiler, once water in pot boils turn off - add glass bowl on top and put in chocolate. stir stir stir. on the side, sift together flour, salt, and cocoa. set aside. keep eye on slowly melting chocolate. now cream together butter, and sugars, until ...well ...creamy, lol. then add vanilla and eggs, mix together. add flour mix in parts, stiring in, then slowly stir in melted chocolate. 

pour into prepared pan and cook, 25 mins. (varies by pan, oven, altitude, etc) test with toothpick, quickly, then cover with foil. let sit 30 mins, then remove, wrap with plastic and let cont cooling to the touch with saran wrap. cut with pizza cutter or knife, whatever. wrap well, and save or serve. 

serve warmed with cold vanilla icecream, yum!