so good in the raw!

Raw Summer Fruit Cobbler
Ingredients
*4cups fresh berries (assorted): use blue berries raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, and /or cherries
*2 cups stone fruits: peaches nectarines, plums etc.
*1-2 Tablespoons Agave nectar (optional if fruit needs sweetness)
*Juice of 1 lemon
*1 Tsp. vanilla
*pinch of salt
*2 cups raw pecans
*1/2 cup Medjool dates, pitted
*1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Combine berries, stone fruit, optional agave (we didn't use it because A~ we couldn't find it, and B~ it was awesome without it!), lemon juice vanilla and salt in a large bowl and GENTLY combine. Place in a baking dish or serving platter. Process pecans and cinnamon until coarsely ground. Add dates and process until the mixture begins to come together. Sprinkel nut mixture evenly on top of berries. Serve right away or chill for a few hours before serving.

Ok, this is a recipe the dh found in MaxMuscle Magazine (www.maxmuscle.com)and was submitted by Jessie Monds a private chef in Dallas, Texas "with a focus on healthy, fresh local flavors") her blog is http:/bodyandsoulfood.blogspot.com.

This was soooo stinking good!!! I was sceptical of the whole "raw" food movement, and although I am a sound carnivore and enjoy hot foot, this was an amazing treat that will defiantly be part of our recipe stash. Did not miss the fat the sugar NOTHING. We ate it for breakfast and thought it was a great way to get it going for the morning for our family.

We used blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, a peach, a plum, and two apricots. It made a lot and if my 16 year old boy wouldn't have absolutely decimated it before heading out the door before the rest of us could get to it probably would have made some leftovers. I made the fruit the night before, sealed it in a gallon baggie getting the air out, and made the topping first thing before serving. AMAZING!!! For once a recipe that makes up as pretty and yummy as the article and photos suggest!!!

Protein Pancakes

So after several "suggestions" from the dh's trainer I caved and tried his recipe for protien pancakes. Think crepes, because that is what it reminds me of. My kids love it, and AFTER they ate it they found out what is in it. Relativley simple, as healthy as you want it to be they have actually turned out to be kind of a go to recipe. Our favorite is with berries and a little coconut syrup. You can put whatever you want on it that fits your dietary needs. They work great for our family because the dh needs the extra protien because of his excercize load, great for me because it lowers the carbs for the meal. I have to watch the toppings of course.

So here it is...ready? (brace your self!)
1/2 cup cottage cheese (we use low fat, not no fat)
1/2 cup regualr rolled oatmeal
6 egg whites ( I use egg beaters much of the time for speed)

put it all into a blender and blend it all up, cook like a pancake and serve as you wish. good luck! We love them. No one in the family balks at all.

I haven't done the nutrish info yet, have too many things going right now. I will be lucky to get a pic to post! ;)

Something to throw on the grill other than hamburgers and hot dogs.....

Southwestern Burgers {not too spicy I promise ~I am a wimp!}

1 lb ground pork
2Tbs chopped onion {chop this as fine as possible}
1tsp. chili powder
½ tsp. salt
½ ground cumin
1/8 tsp. black pepper
1 jalapeño pepper {take the seeds out if you don’t like the heat}
I like to put the pepper and onion in a food processor to get a good fine chop.
Combine all ingredients and then grill. Serve as you would a taco. Use your favorite salsa, sour cream, and cilantro in place of ketchup mustard and lettuce. Cheese is optional. This is often a by name request here when we have company.

Jessica’s Creole Shrimp
½ cup oilive oil
2T Cajun seasoning
2T fresh or 1T dried parsley
1T honey
1T soy sauce
Pinch of cayenne pepper
2T lemon juice {fresh really is best}
1 lb shrimp cleaned
Bake on a cookie sheet for 10 min or until pink {watch it or you will get rubber tires!}
Serve on garlic butter pasta or grill like we did tonight as a scampi style side

mmmmm.....breakfast!!!

Ok, so twice this month I have been asked for "my" recipe for German Pancakes and Buttermilk Syrup. So I thought it would be easier to post the recipes, and pics, that way I won't lose it.

First of all a foodie friend of mine, Sonja S. gave me the recipes and I can take no credit. I can guarantee that if I get a recipe from her, it will be aWeSoMe!!!

German Pancakes

6 Tablespoons butter or margarine...melted
6 eggs, beaten
1/4 tsp. salt
1 Cup milk
1 Cup flour

Really that is it! Simple simple! Pour the butter into a greased 9x13 pan. Mix a batter with the remaining ingredients starting with the beaten eggs and adding each in order. Pour over butter. Bake 425 for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with powdered sugar or top with fruit and syrup. Eat immediately.

Considering 1/6 of the pan as a serving, the nutrition information is as follows:
268 calories
18 carbs
9.34 protein
16 fat

I like to have mine with fruit. Raspberries are my favorite, my kids all like strawberries and bananas, and of course I drizzle it with the coconut syrup.

So looking at that my new mission is to do two things, 1) bring down the fat without it sticking to the pan and 1) bring down the calories perhaps even upping the protein.

BUTTERMILK SYRUP

1 1/2 Cup sugar
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup butter
2 tablespoons corn syrup
1 teaspoon baking soda

Combine above ingredients in a medium sauce pan. Bring to a boil, and continue boiling for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add 2 teaspoons vanilla or coconut extract (coconut is my favorite by far)

Drizzle over fresh fruit tarts, fresh fruit on pancakes or waffles, sliced bananas topped with chopped peanuts, etc.

Now since I didn't know how many servings this recipe makes I don't have the nutrition information super exact. I guess that it will make 18 servings.

Going by that the nutrition information is as follows:
135 calories
21 carbs
5 fat