She refused to be bored chiefly because she wasn’t boring.- ZF

I have fallen into a Sunday routine. I do not say this as a complaint. My Sunday routine used to consist of work, it no longer does, so any routine that does not involve grading is welcomed. My students have earned a baked good each week and thus my Sunday is now dictated by their rewards. I still have a huge batch of oreo cheesecake bites to prepare but thankfully I have until Thursday.

I did promise my seniors a treat. When I asked them what they wanted I heard a range of desserts, most very boring. Some wanted chocolate, some wanted pie, some wanted vanilla cupcakes. My compromise was funfetti cake pops. I have read about making the pops and have wanted to try them so I figure, why not now?! It was very simple.

Funfetti Cake Pops (minus the actual stick)

Green Monster Cake Pops

Ingredients

1 box of cake mix (3 eggs, 1/3 cup of oil as directed on the box)

1 can of funfetti icing

1 bag of melting chocolte (you can find this at michaels)

food coloring (if you want to dye the cake)

Directions:

Make cake as directed. I decided to dye my cake. I used the tye dye method, however when you make the balls of the tye dying goes away, so don’t waste your time. I recommend just doing a solid color.Bake for 30 minutes. Let the cake cool and crumble.

crumble cake

Put cake crumbles in mixer and add can of icing. Mix until the icing and cake have congealed. Roll batter into balls and place on parchment paper covered cookie sheet. Place balls in freezer. After 2 hours, begin to prep the chocolate. Follow chocolate directions and melt. Place ball on fork and dip into chocolate. If you want sprinkles, roll chocolate into sprinkles and carefully place back onto cookie sheet. Place back into freezer for about an hour and serve!

Chickpea Whole Grain Cous Cous Salad

I also made something that I  I would actually eat. I have been craving a light summer salad that I can bring to work. We have a ton of grains in the house and figured I might as well use them! On a whim I created this delicious salad and highly recommend it!

Tomatoes, spinach, cous cous, chickpeas with a citrus dressing

Ingredients:

2 small tomatoes

half a can of chickpeas (rinsed)

1/2 c of whole wheat cous cous

1 1/2 c of spinach

1 lemon

1 tangerine

1 tsp of paprika

salt (as you like)

1 tsp of red peper flakes

avocado ( I am going to add it when it ripens 😦 )

 

Directions:

Cook cous cous as directed. Dice tomatoes and remove insides. Drain and rinse chickpeas. Add chickpeas and tomatoes to cous cous. Microwave spinach for 30 seconds (make sure it wilts). Add spinach to mixture. Stir in spices. Zest orange peel and add to mixture. Squeeze remainder of tangerine and half of lemon into mixture. Stir and serve!

Sleepy Sunday

Its cloudy out and 75 degrees, perfect day for bakin’ and makin’! Each Sunday I like to prep my week by making delicious foods that are healthy and will help keep my week stress free. I made my usual granola and started making jam again. Last year I was really into  making jam (check out Jam session), and once again the berries are in season and ready to go! Today I made a standard strawberry jam, per Stephen.

Organic Strawberry Jam

Along the theme of strawberries, I also attempted to make dried strawberries. The recipe called for 2 hours at 210 degrees, but I beg to differ. I left them in the oven for about 4 hours and they are still a bit squishy. However, I think on top of a salad with some balsamic dressing, they will be delicious. I don’t think that’s whats the original chef intended, but I still recommend it.

Half and Quarter strawberries, place them on a cookie sheet in the oven at 210 for 4 hours.

Lastly, I made a treat for my students. In an effort to bring balance and positive vibes  to all (including myself) I have a new management system in my classroom that focuses on positive community building. Each week students strive to earn points (all based on positive choices) and if they meet their goal they can select from 5 prizes. Prizes range from Homework passes to baked goods by me! This week I told them I would make them “Cookie Dough Brownies.” I saw this recipe on Pinterest and have been dying to try it. I love having hungry co-workers and students because I can bake all of the things I want to try, get it out of my house and provide everyone with a delicious treat. For the full recipe check out this site. I have to say, these are phenomenal and so easy to make!

Make the brownie batter first and bake for 30 minutes. It is heavenly.

Prepare cookie dough while brownies bake. There isn't any eggs in the batter, which allows you to enjoy the raw cookie dough without the phantom salmonella lurking over your shoulder!

Once the cookie dough is finished and the brownies cool, spread the cookie dough over the brownies. Then place in the fridge or freezer to allow the two ingredients to combine. Cut once its cold and solid.

Finished product. Absolutely amazing. Deathly though. If you make them... have others eat them ASAP.

Not too shabby

Today I ventured into matzo granola. I must warn that it is not as good as real granola, but I think for the purpose it serves, its a pretty darn good supplement. I was inspired to try this swap when I read a recipe on a vegetarian passover website. I actually didnt use their recipe at all, this is an original, woo! You can totally swap and add to this recipe, and I recommend doing so. I didn’t have too many dried fruits in the house, otherwise I would have added more. I am going to make my servings 1/4 of a cup, and based on this I believe the recipe should last almost the entire week.

Ingredients

apple sauce not pictured

2 caps of vanilla extract

6 pieces of matzo (make it into meal but mashing it up with your hand in a deep bowl)

cinnamon (thoroughly cover mixture)

1/3 cups of nuts ( I grabbed whatever I had which included: blanched almonds, sliced almonds, and walnuts)

1 cup of raisins ( you can also add cranberries, apricots, dried apples, or dates)

3 tbs of honey

3 tbs of organic apple sauce

Directions

Pre-heat oven to 325. Mix all ingredient (do not put dried fruit)  in mixer. Make sure the ingredients mix evenly. Place mixture in casserole dish. Set on middle rack and bake for 30 minutes, check around 15 and turn to avoid burning.

Do not place dried fruit in mixture

At 30 minutes take out mixture and add dried fruit. Bake for an additional 25 to 30 minutes. Let granola cool and store in an air tight container. Add to yogurt and fruit!

kosher for passover granola 🙂

Leave the door open..

Over the past few years I have kept Passover. This year will be no different, with the exception of some new recipes. Although Passover doesn’t start until Friday I have kick started my cooking because  I wont be around on Friday. Also, this is the first year I will be working while keeping Passover which is going to bring on some challenges. I have gathered an assortment of new recipes which include matzo granola, eggplant parm and some Israeli salads. As I create I will post.

In the meantime though I started with the unhealthiest Passover favorite, matzo crunch. The difference this year is that Stephen and I are trying to be GMO free. Luckily I hit the jackpot today when I found organic matzo at the local deli. I was also able to secure organic butter, organic chocolate, and organic brown sugar. To find the original recipe visit the link connected at the top of the post!

Organic Matzo, 0% fat

Like I said in the last post, we are trying to really take care of our bodies. Yesterday we picked up our two person farm delivery and it was delightful! We also stopped by another co-op that is close by to get some other goods. Burt was a doll and carried the oranges and veggie broth in his backpack.

$25 dollars for a box for two.

Burt taking a break with his backpack

For Chocolate covered matzo combine butter and brown sugar and boil. Then spread all over 4 pieces of matzo and bake at 325 for 15 minutes. In the meantime shave chocolate. When matzo is warm and out of the oven, sprinkle chocolate and spread with spatula. Break pieces into pieces and place in freezer for 20 minutes to set.

2 1/2 oz of shaves unsweetened organic chocolate

buttery heaven: when the two flavors combine it tastes like butterscotch

3 pointsplus for one piece