Gluten Free Oatmeal Raisin Muffins

Every year around this time (autumn) I start to crave oatmeal raisin baked goods. Yes I know it's a little odd, and I'm not sure why I crave these in the fall, but I do. So,  here's a recipe I came up with a few weeks ago that definitely feeds my cravings! These are gluten free and filled with nutrient filled foods like organic spinach and flax meal. These are for little one's 10+ months who are ready for finger food and Mommies and Daddies of all ages.

Here's what you need:

2 cans organic garbanzo beans rinsed and drained

1 cup organic oats

1 handful organic spinach

3/4 cup pure maple syrup

1/4 cup peanut butter

1/4 cup flax meal

1 tbsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 tsp baking powder

1/3 cup milk

1 cup raisins

Preheat oven to 350F. Mix everything but raisins in a food processor and blend until smooth. Add raisins and stir. Spray muffin pan with cooking spray. Scoop batter into pan (about 2 spoonfuls per slot). Cook for 15 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick that you stick in muffin comes out clean. Let cool and enjoy!

Chocolate Chip Souffle

Yes, you can eat chocolate chip souffle and not feel guilty about it! This is made with garbanzo beans, kale and lots of other yummy ingredients. I know you're thinking "garbanzo beans, kale? How can this be a delicious dessert?" Well trust me it is so melt in your mouth delicious you probably wont be able to just eat one! You can serve this at a dinner party, or as cupcakes at your little one's birthday. They are sure to impress, and your guests will not believe they are eating garbanzo beans and Kale!

Here's what you need for 12 to 16 servings:
2 cans garbanzo beans drained
1/3 cup peanut butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup organic oats
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup finely chopped organic kale
1 tbsp flax meal mixed with 3 tbsp water
1/4 cup milk
1 1/4 cup semi sweet or bittersweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350F. Mix all ingredients, except for chocolate chips, in a large food processor and blend until smooth. Spray cupcake tray with cooking oil. Spoon batter into cupcake tray (about 2 spoonfuls per slot). Place in oven and bake for 14 minutes. Serve warm for souffle texture, or let cool for a cupcake texture. Enjoy!

Gluten Free Pasta Primavera for the Whole Family

My house is not a gluten free house. We eat one or two meals a week that are gluten free. Before my husband and I moved in together, I ate a mostly gluten free diet.   However, being married to an italian, gluten free pasta is a no-go in our house. I mean it took me a few years to get my hubby used to whole wheat pasta! So, I tried to sneakily make this dish with brown rice pasta and hope that my hubby wouldn't notice (of course he did notice, but he must've liked it because he had 2 bowls of it!).  This dish is so yummy and light. You can eat it cold or hot. It's loaded with healthy goodness for you and your family, and is so east to make! This is for little ones 10+ months and Mommies and Daddies of all ages.  

Here's what you need for 4 to 6 servings:

1 package brown rice spaghetti (or whatever pasta you like)

1 can cannellini beans

2 to 3 organic zucchini's chopped

2 cups halved or quartered organic cherry tomatoes 

2 cups frozen organic corn kernels

1/3 cup reserved pasta water

1 tbsp Italian seasoning

1/4 cup parmesan cheese

1 clove garlic, minced

salt

pepper

2 tbsp olive oil

Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook pasta according to package. Reserve 1/3 cup of pasta water and then drain rest. While pasta is cooking, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add zucchini and corn and cook until tender (about 5 to 8 minutes). Add tomatoes, cannellini beans, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, ground pepper and a pinch of salt and cook for 2 minutes. Add pasta and reserved pasta water to veggies and toss to coat. Sprinkle a little more Parmesan cheese over the top and serve and enjoy! Remember to cut your little one's portion up into bite size pieces. 

Black Bean Brownies

I've been seeing a lot of black bean brownie recipes popping up, and after trying garbanzo beans in the healthy chocolate pie I decided to come up with my own black bean brownie recipe. These brownies are so yummy and fudgie. They taste just like the real thing, but are so much healthier. These are gluten free, and made with organic apples, carrots, and black beans. I know you're probably thinking, "How is it possible that apples, carrots, and black beans mixed with a few other ingredients could taste like brownies?" Well believe me they do! These brownies are another great alternative to a birthday cake, or a great way to feed your chocolate craving :)

Here's what you need (Makes between 8 to 12 servings)

1 can organic black beans, drained

1 cup organic oats

1 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup peanut butter

4 oz organic carrot apple puree (you can use baby food puree)

2 tbsp flaxmeal + 6 tbsp water (mix together in a small bowl)

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 cup chocolate chips melted with 1/4 cup skim milk

1/2 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350F.  Place a small pot with 1/4 cup milk over medium high heat. When milk gets hot remove from heat and add 1/2 cup chocolate chips, stir to melt. Put all ingredients except for the last 1/2 cup of chocolate chips into a food processor and blend until smooth. Add last 1/2 cup chocolate chips and stir. Spray an 8x8 brownie pan with cooking spray. Pour batter into pan and place in oven. Bake for 50 minutes. Let cool, cut into squares and enjoy!

Healthy Chocolate Chip Pie

OK I know you're all thinking healthy chocolate chip pie how is that possible? All I can say is, it is, and it's delicious. I wish I could take full credit for this recipe, but I found it in one of my favorite blogs Chocolate Covered Katie. I changed the original recipe a little bit by adding kale and avocado, and not using oil. You can find the original recipe here. This recipe is gluten free, vegan and delicious.  This would make a really delicious birthday cake or treat for little ones 12+ months.

Here's what you need:
1 can garbanzo beans drained and rinsed
1 to 2 handfuls organic kale
1/2 large avocado
1 cup organic quick cooking oats
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup organic applesauce
1/3 cup peanut butter
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350F. Put all ingredients (except chocolate chips) in a large food processor and blend until smooth. Add chocolate chips and stir. Spray a deep pie dish with cooking spray.  Pour batter into pie dish and bake for 45-50 minutes. The outside should be golden and crisp, while the inside should be  like a fudge texture. Let cool for 5 to 10 minutes and enjoy!