Knead to Cook

Food & fitness obsessed girl.

Pumpkin Spice Blondies.

by Filed Under: Brownies, Candy, Desserts, Halloween, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Party Foods, Snacks, Yogurt Leave a Comment

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I feel compelled to make this disclaimer… if you’re looking for healthy clean eating, this is NOT your recipe. I have to be honest, I don’t eat refined sugars or processed anything but I realize that’s my choice and sometimes an indulgent, fun treat is good when you’re a kid and I have two of them so here it goes!  I spotted these Pumpkin Spice M&M’s yesterday and thought they would be fun in some pumpkin spice blondies.  So I bought a bag and off I went.  It’s a fun treat for the fall season. Again, everything in moderation.

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— Knead to Cook

Healthy Snacking Pumpkin Bars.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Snacks, Thanksgiving, Yogurt 10 Comments

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Today I threw caution to the wind and decided to get back into the kitchen, regardless of finger pain.  I have to be honest… I’ve been going through serious withdrawal!  I kept vacillating on cooking/baking because I’m being so cautious with moving my finger but I can’t do it anymore!   So after my workout, taxing to school, doc appointment and walk with the dog I got to it.  And I cooked and baked until I had to leave to pick my daughter up and I have to tell you – it felt so good!  I felt like myself, finally!

To celebrate the first full day of fall that meant apple and pumpkin cooking in my kitchen.  I made my muffin pan mini apple pies because my family wouldn’t let up on how good they were (a big ol’ hint for me to make more) and these pumpkin bars.  I wanted a nice moist bar without added butter and less sugar than the typical bar recipes.  I wanted these for breakfast to-go ideas and for after-school snacking.  They are just perfect and totally portable.
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— Knead to Cook

I Cho ♥ you! Blogiversary celebration- Winner announced!

by Filed Under: Giveaway!!!, Yogurt 56 Comments

 

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So sorry for the delay but my unplanned hospital stay threw my schedule a bit off.  Random.org chose a winner and that person has 48 hours to email me with their shipping address:

AMY RODENBERGER!!!!

 

You have 48 hours to email me back 🙂

 

To help me celebrate my 2nd blogiversary, Chobani has offered to send one of my Knead to Cook fans a case of assorted flavors of Greek yogurt!  Chobani is not only addictive to eat straight up… it’s fabulous to bake and cook with as well.  Need some inspiration?  Go to the yogurt category along the right side of my blog.  I promise you will be sufficiently inspired.  In fact the most searched recipe on my site is this recipe I created to celebrate their birthday last year!

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The giveaway is for one case of individual sized, mixed flavored yogurts delivered right to your door.

The rules and what you need to do to get entered…

1.  Open to US residents only.
2.  Post a comment to this post.  You need to post a comment replying to this post sharing what your favorite Chobani flavor is OR what flavor you would like them to consider making in the future.

All entry comments need to be posted by September 8th, 2013 by 11:59 EST.  The lucky winner will be announced September 9th, 2013 by 8 pm EST.   Once the winner has been announced, they must be in contact with me within 48 hours via email (robin@kneadtocook.com) to provide your US mailing address for Chobani to send your winning shipment out directly to you.  If the winner fails to contact me within the specified timeframe, a new winner will be chosen within 48 hours.

 

— Knead to Cook

Almond Butter Banana Bread.

by Filed Under: Breads, Breakfast, Desserts, Fruit, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Muffins, Nuts, Quick Bread, Snacks, Vegetarian, Yogurt Leave a Comment

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I have an abundance of ripe bananas in my kitchen right now.  I’ve whipped up some smoothies and next up with a healthy banana bread as an after-school snack.  This bread is packed with protein, courtesy of my favorite Greek yogurt, healthier oil instead of butter and a reduced amount of sugar.  Pipping hot from the oven, my family couldn’t wait to dig in and it was well-received by all.  Think of this as breakfast, snack or dessert!  It is so good.

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— Knead to Cook

Banana Peanut Butter Yogurt Smoothie with a twist.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fruit, Gluten Free, No bake/cooking required!, Smoothies, Snacks, Vegetarian, Vitamix, Wheat Free, Yogurt 4 Comments

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Can’t get your kids to eat “good” foods?  How about sneaking them in to what they love?  I posted a recipe for a smoothie a few months ago that had an avocado in it and I had several people email me questioning the taste and my sanity.  Ha!  Then they tried it on their 2, 3 and 4 year olds and guess what… the kids were asking for more!  Now I don’t go telling my kids what I put in their smoothies because then they would complain or not drink them.  Today was the perfect example… my oldest daughter went to the gym yesterday to workout with my 75 year old dad.  He kicked her tush!  I got a text this morning that stated simply “I’m broken.”  Ha ha.  Now, I shouldn’t laugh but every day of my life I have a sore muscle or muscles.  The constant pursuit of fitness will yield these results.  So with a chuckle, I knew I had to make her a nice big protein smoothie to help her sore muscles rebuild.  She, along with the workers that I have in my house today installing our pool table, all gobbled it down and loved it.  None the wiser of the ingredients!

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— Knead to Cook

Spinach Pistachio Orzo Salad with Greek Yogurt Balsamic Vinaigrette.

by Filed Under: Italian-inspired, Party Foods, Pasta, Salads, Side dish, Vegetarian, Vinaigrette, Yogurt 3 Comments

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Today was a very special day for my oldest daughter.  After three years, and two rounds – her braces finally came off before she started school.  She is thrilled and rightfully so.  So while grocery shopping, she asked for an orzo salad and it was a perfect idea because we have an open house at my youngest daughter’s school tonight.  I happily made this earlier in the day, letting the flavors mingle while it chills in the fridge and can be served at room temperature or straight from the fridge.  I’m serving this along with some grilled chicken tonight.  Leftovers also make a great lunch for tomorrow.

Ingredients:

 

Dressing:

1/3 cup of balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt (I used Chobani)
1 tablespoon of good quality olive oil
2 teaspoons of a good quality dijon mustard (I use Maille)

Salad:

I package of whole wheat orzo, cooked to package specifications
1 cup of fresh spinach leaves, roughly chopped
10 cherry tomatoes, chopped in half
1/4 cup of red onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup or more if you prefer, shelled pistachios

Directions:

Dressing:  Whisk all of the ingredients together.

Salad:  Once the orzo is fully cooked, about 9 minutes, rinse with cold water.  Drain.  Place the pasta in a large bowl and toss with the other ingredients minus the nuts. Dress with vinaigrette and give a good toss.  Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for at least one hour or more to let the flavors mingle.  Add the pistachios prior to serving.  Serve along side fish, chicken or pork – or whatever protein you are having.  Serve up leftovers as lunch the next day.

 

— Knead to Cook

Black and Blue Banana Muffins. {clean eating}

by Filed Under: Breads, Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Muffins, Quick Bread, Snacks, Vegetarian, Yogurt 8 Comments

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This was my second attempt at making a “clean” muffin meaning no refined sugars or oils.  The first batch wasn’t a failure but it was too boring and dry.  I needed to get more creative and that is just what I did!  I also added protein to these with the addition of Greek yogurt (I used Chobani honey) and that kicked the muffin flavor up a notch.  I used berries I had on hand (black and blue) and added a banana for extra moisture.  These are so good!  Guilt free.  No sugar.  No oils. Kids to adults – everyone loved these!
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— Knead to Cook

Zoku Pink Lemonade & Greek Yogurt Popsicles.

by Filed Under: Frozen Pops, Snacks, Vegetarian, Wheat Free, Yogurt, Zoku Popsicles 3 Comments

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I caved!  I admit it.  Every single time I’ve been in Williams Sonoma or Sur la Table I have eyed the Zoku pop maker.  I hate gadgets but this one, I truly believe, I would use… really!  I’m so hyper focused on eating clean and feeding my family better foods, less processed without ingredients I can’t pronounce this fit the bill.  I really don’t like store-bought ice creams or treats and prefer my family eat better.  So this weekend I had a coupon for Williams Sonoma and I opted to purchase a triple Zoku maker.  My youngest has taken over, like a mad scientist, working her magic with different combinations.  She has had a blast with it and of course, healthier ingredients that she can pronounce!  That being the point.  This was her first batch.  I love her creativity and excitement in the kitchen!

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— Knead to Cook