Oatmeal-Chocolate-Almond Cookies

At home, anything made with 'Oats' is frowned upon by everyone except me ;0
But to my surprise.... these cookies are a WINNER ! They have been liking it and munching on them with a smile on their faces. Being made with oatmeal and whole wheat flour.....a sure score for me!

When I looked up few recipes of oatmeal cookies, I was under the impression that Oats cookies are usually on the softer side of the texture. But these ones turned out Crunnnchy!! How can anyone not like this Chocolaty-Nutty-Crunchy yumminess!!

I combined a bunch of recipes to get this recipe:

Ingredients:

(Makes about 35-40 cookies)

3.5 cups quick oats
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup all purpose four
1 and 3/4th cup light brown sugar
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup slivered / chopped almonds
2 whole eggs
2 sticks unsalted butter at room temperature
1 tsp vanilla essence
1 tsp salt

1 tsp  baking powder 
1/2 tsp baking soda

Method:

1) Pre heat oven to 350 F. Slightly butter 2 large cookie baking sheets.
2) With electric mixer or hand mixer, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy.Add the eggs, vanilla and beat/cream some more.
3) Sift the flour,salt, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa powder.Add to the creamed mixture and mix. Add the oatmeal and mix till combined.
4) Scoop the cookie batter onto baking sheets or form into flat rounds with hand and place onto cookie sheet. Press chopped/ slivered almonds on top.

5) Bake at 350 F for 12-14 mins until crisp. Remove from oven and let it cool on baking sheets.

Enjoy the crispy crunchy wholesome cookie!

Oats-Almond Breakfast bars (Eggless)

Honestly,breakfast is not a issue for me...I have a good breakfast of a 'non sugary' cereal and add almonds and frozen blueberries to it.Love it! Feels like a good way to start the day!
The issue is however, those 3-4 o' clock hunger pangs. I usually try to eat a fruit at that time, but often still feel hungry by the time I come home...especially with the 1 hour commute that I have.

I have experimented with several homemade versions of cereal/bars before and here is the link to those recipes:
http://www.my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/search/label/Homemade%20Cereal%20bars

For larabars:
http://www.my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2014/02/larabar-like-healthy-chocolate-bars.html

This Oats-Almond bar ....is easier, is eggless, has no added fats and can be rolled out as cookies too!! Just roll into round balls, press them and bake!

Here goes the recipe-

Ingredients: Makes 12-15 bars
2 cups Quick Oats dry roasted
2 cups Almonds
1 Cup light brown sugar
1/3 cup dark chocolate cocoa powder
1/4 cup milk
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4tsp salt
Few sliced almonds

Method:
Pre heat the oven to 350F. Spray a 9x9 metal pan with cooking spray (make sure to grease really well...otherwise the bars stick to the pan as there is no added fat in the dough)

1) Dry roast the oats and when cooled, powder them.
2) Put the almonds in the blender and powder them. Blend them couple times more..till they start giving out the natural oils and start to come together
3) Mix together the oat powder, almond powder, dark cocoa powder,baking powder, salt and vanilla. Mix with hands.Add little milk at a time to mix and gently knead into a dough.

4) Press this mixture into the greased baking pan. Press the sliced almonds on top.
5) Cut into rectangular bars
6) Bake at 350 F for 15 mins. Turn off the oven. Take the pan out.Let them cool for 10 mins.Cut again on the lines.Put the pan back in the oven (which is turned OFF) .The slight heat of the cooling oven will help them crisp a little. Keep them in for 10 mins. Take out the pan.Cut on the lines and remove the bars gently.

( I did have a couple bars break a little....but the crumbs were delicious too :))

You will love these nutty,chocolaty but still nutritious bars any time of the day!!!

Asparagus-Potato-Oats Kababs

Asparagus season is here!! And I love the beautiful slender tender stems to brighten up pastas, soups and also grilled with little olive oil, salt and pepper.

Couple years ago..I had made these 'Asparagus-Chicken Kababs' and they were super flavorful and made a classy appetizer!! They reminded me of 'Shish kababs'....ground chicken with spices...grilled on skewers.
Here the Asparagus makes an edible skewer!!

Here is the link to the Asparagus-Chicken Kababs:
http://my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2012/05/appetizers-asparagus-chicken-kababs.html

On similar lines here is the vegetarian version with Oats and Potatoes-
Ingredients:

6-7 Fresh Asparagus stems

Kabab Coating:
1 Potato boiled..mashed up
1/2 cup oatmeal
1tbsp chopped cilantro
1/2 tsp Cumin
1/2 tsp Kitchen king masala
1/2 tsp red chili powder
1/2 tsp garlic paste
Salt
Olive oil
Pepper

Method:
1) Wash and dry the asparagus.Trim the hard end.
2) Mix ingredients for the coating.Add little water to bring it all together.
3) Press the mixture on to the asparagus

4) Drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper.
5) Grill in a grill pan/ outdoor grill or a nonstick pan with little oil.

6) Let the kababs brown on all sides and let the asparagus become tender. Serve hot along with Chutney or Ketchup.

Eggless- Blueberry Crumb Cake

Yesterday evening I was busy with studying and reading research papers for a journal club presentation. 'M' was going to take the kids and his parents out to see the beautiful fall colors at Brown County State park.

'E' was nagging that 'I want mumma' to go with us. To convince him...I fell into the trap of offering to bake him some goodies before they came back. And so came into being this "Eggless Blueberry Crumb Cake"!

Ingredients:
2 Cups All purpose flour
1 cup cold water
3/4 cup sugar
1/3rd cup oil
5tsp Yogurt
1tbsp White distilled vinegar
1tsp baking soda
1tsp vanilla essence
1pinch salt
1/2 cup frozen blueberries

For the crumb
1/3rd cup quick oats
3tbsp Brown sugar
3tbsp butter
2tbsp All purpose flour
1/2tsp vanilla
 Mix together with fingers till crumbly

Garnish-
Powdered sugar
Blueberries

Method:
1) Preheat oven to 350F. Grease 9 inch baking pan with cooking spray and flour
2) Sieve all dry ingredients . Mix all wet ingredients separately
3) Gently mix wet+dry ingredients
4)Fold in the blueberries

5)Pour the batter in the pan evenly.Spread the crumb on top. Decorate with blueberries.

6) Bake at 350F for 30-40 mins

7) After cooling, cut and sprinkle with powdered sugar

Enjoy with a scoop of ice cream or just as is!

Homemade 'Oats and Nuts' Granola/ Cereal

So when my favorite cereal (Quaker Life), which I thought wasn't too 'Sugary' and was 'Multigrain', got a 'C' rating on Fooducate (a cool App to scan groceries and know what's really in them), because  of being 'highly processed', has 'low fiber' and has the additive- Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)...I decided to make my own blend of Granola/Cereal...with all the goodness..free of additives...low in fat and sugar... to 'Start the day with the Right Bite"!!

What I added...And Why???

Oats: 100% Whole Grain
Puffed Rice: For crunch(has low calories per serving)
Almonds: Mono unsaturated fats, protein
Pistachio: Oleic acid, vitamins and minerals, lowest fat nut
Wheat bran: Fiber
Flax meal:Antioxidants, minerals, fiber
Chia seeds:Omega 3 fatty acids
Olive oil- unsaturated fats, crisp up the cereal
Light brown Sugar and honey- Sweetness
Cinnamon: highest anti oxidant strength,helps lower 'bad' cholesterol
Dried cranberries: Sweet-tart flavor, Vitamin C

Ingredients:
This granola won't be as 'Crunchy' as the store bought one....well.....because it isn't loaded on sugars and fats!!

3 Cups Quick cooking oats/ you can use whole oats too (any 100% whole grain oats)
1Cup Puffed Rice (puffed brown rice would be great!!)
1/2 Cup chopped Almonds
1/2 cup chopped Pistachio
1/2 cup Light brown sugar
1/4 cup dried cranberries
2tbsp Unprocessed Wheat bran
2tbsp Flax meal
1tbsp Honey
2tsp Chia seeds
2tsp olive oil
1tsp cinnamon
1/2tsp salt
Canola oil Cooking spray

Method:
Preheat oven to 300F
1) Mix the oil, sugar,salt, cinnamon and honey.
2) Add rest of the ingredients except the cranberries
3) Spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray.Spread the cereal mix on the sheet and spray it with cooking spray.
4) Bake the cereal for 60-70 mins until toasted, mixing and turning it every 15 mins. The nuts should turn slightly toasted.DO NOT LET IT BURN!!
5) After cooling, mix the dried cranberries and store in a container.

Start your day with a spoon full of "Goodness"!! 

"Treats for Diwali"- Oat-Almond Laddoo

Besan ladoos, Rava laddoos, Boondi Laddos.....were the traditional laddoos for Diwali back in Pune.Not that I don't like any of them (I LOVE them all!!) ....I wanted to try out something different and a "Healthier Laddoo" would be a 'Icing on the cake'!!

I have made "Oats Laddoo"  before and they come out delicious.Even the most 'Oat hater' ( my very own M) will fall in love with those. I came across a very nice recipe (http://www.7aumsuvai.com/2012/08/almond-oats-laddu.html ) for a healthier Oats Laddoo.These have Oats, Almonds, yellow moong dal and pistachios. Don't they sound yummy to the core!!

Here is my version of the recipe:
Ingredients:(Makes around 25 laddoos)
1 and 1/2 cups Quick cooking oats
1 cup whole Almonds
1/4cup Pistachios
1/4 cup yellow moong dal
1 Cup Sugar
3tbsp Ghee
1tsp cardamon powder

Method:
1) Dry Roast separately almonds, pistachios, yellow moong dal , oats in a pan, till golden brown.Do not let them burn. Let them cool.
2) Powder each ingredient separately.Powder the almonds till they start oozing oil (this will help in binding the laddoos). Powder the sugar along with cardamom.
3) Mix together all the powders in a mixing bowl
4) Heat 3tbsp Ghee. Pour on to the mixture of powders.Knead well. If it's too dry heat another 1/2tbsp ghee and add to the mixture.
5) Make into rounds by pressing and rolling into laddoos.
Garnish with pistachios if you like. Store in airtight container.

Give your Family a 'Healthy Boost' this Diwali with these Delicious  Oat- Almond Laddoos!!

"Nutritious and Delicious"- High Fiber Cereal bars with Oats, Wheat bran and Almonds

Instead of the 'Wheat germ' that I buy for the cereal bars, I accidentally picked a pack of 'Wheat Bran" the other day at the grocery store. And the next day... we had "High Fiber" homemade cereal bars!!
Wheat bran is one of those "super good for you foods". Here are few nutrition facts about wheat bran:
http://www.ehow.com/facts_5497557_wheat-bran-nutrition.html
In short...a cup of wheat bran gives almost the daily needed fiber!!! In addition to that it has many more benefits...high in protein, low saturated fat etc etc
Along with wheat bran there are whole grain oats ,almonds, flax seed meal...all the 'Good for you' stuff that go in the bar! You have to try these!!

Ingredients:

1 and 1/2 cup Whole grain Quick Oats

1 cup Unprocessed wheat bran

1/4 cup Flax Seed meal

1/4 cup Almonds

1/8 cup White chocolate chips

3/4 to 1 cup Light Brown sugar (add more for sweeter bars)

1 tbsp Honey

1 Egg

1tsp Vanilla

1/4tsp Cinnamon

1tbsp Canola Oil

1 tbsp All purpose flour

1/4tsp salt 

 

Method:

1) Preheat oven to 350F. Spread the oats and almonds on a cookie sheet and warm in the oven for 8-10 mins...until slightly toasted. Don't let the almonds or oats burn.Take out sooner if needed!!!  OR Toast the oats in microwave oven for 3 mins and the almonds for 50-60 sec.

Now Reduce temperature to 325F. Coat a 8*11 inch pan or 9* 9 inch pan with aluminum foil.Spray with nonstick cooking spray.
2) Beat the egg.Mix oil, sugar and all of the above ingredients, stir well.

3) Press the mixture in the coated pan.

4) Bake at 325F for 15- 20 mins ....till slightly golden brown. Do not let them burn.Take out sooner if needed!
5)Let them cool  a bit and then cut onto bars with a oiled sharp knife

6) Store in airtight container.Makes 12 bars.

 Delicious, High fiber healthy bars for your breakfast/ snack from your own oven!!!

"Nutritious and Delicious"- Oatmeal-Almond-Wheat Bran-Chocolate chip Cookies

 Would you like a cookie for Breakfast?? Not a question you would expect..right??? But a Cookie THIS Good and Wholesome...you won't feel guilty about having it for breakfast with a glass full of milk! If you don't mind the butter :)

For my little "E" , the milk won't go 'in', till he has some cookies with it. He is a BIG fan of Pepperidge farm 'Milano' cookies by the way!!
In order to make this meal of his..a bit more wholesome and nutritious...I am always looking for some good cookie recipes.

I found a Oatmeal Cookie Recipe on the box of Oatmeal that I buy. I made some modifications and here we have a "Oatmeal-Almond-Wheat Bran-Chocolate Chip" Cookie!!!

Ingredients- (makes about 18-20  large cookies)
1 stick unsalted butter
1 and 1/2 cup Quick cooking Oats
1/2 cup Wheat Bran
1/3 cup Finely Chopped Almonds/Almond meal
1/4 Cup Flax seed meal
1/3 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 Egg
1tsp Vanilla
1/2tsp Salt
1/2tsp Baking soda
1/2 cup White Chocolate Chips/ Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips

Method:
1) Preheat Oven to 375F. Grease Cookie Sheets.
2)  Cream Butter and sugar until smooth.Beat eggs and vanilla in.
3) Combine and blend flour,wheat bran,flax seed meal, chopped almonds,baking soda, salt into the creamed mixture.Stir in the oats.Divide the batter into two. Add white chocolate chips to half and the brown chocolate chips to the other half.Mix till combined.
4) Drop on the cookie sheet by rounded spoon/scoop. Or round them with hand.
5) Bake for 10-12 mins. Check the cookies after 8 mins and make sure they don't burn! Adjust time accordingly!

Take a bite of the Oatmealy-Almondy-Chocolaty Goodness!!

"Nutritious and Delicious" - Almond Lover's Homemade Cereal Bar

Love Almonds??? Love Cereal Bars??? Yes, you have arrived at the right recipe!!! I have been trying to make cereal bars at home and love trying out variations in the ingredients. This time I decided to go ...ALL Almondy!!

It has...Sliced Almonds, Almond meal and of course Almond Butter!!

Nuts about Almonds????? Well...you should be!!
Almonds are regarded as one of the healthiest nuts. They are rich in Manganese, Vitamin E and many other nutrients. Here is more information on the health facts about almonds:
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=20

Ingredients:

1 Cup Whole Grain Oats
1/2 cup Brown Rice puffs
1/2 cup Almonds sliced
1/4 cup Almond meal(almonds ground into powder)
1/3  cup Almond Butter
1/4 cup Wheat germ
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
Handful of Raisins
1 tsp Vanilla
Honey for drizzling(optional)
1/4tsp salt
1 tbsp oil
2 tbsp water

Method:
1) Toast the oats and sliced almonds at 325 F for 5-10 mins or toast in the microwave for 2-3 mins.The oats should be light brown and the almonds should be crunchy.
2) Heat brown sugar and water in a pan slightly till sugar melts.Add almond butter and stir.
3) Mix the toasted oats, brown rice puffs,almond meal,wheat germ,raisins, almonds,salt,vanilla,oil etc. Pour the sugar and almond butter mixture.Mix together.
4) Line a 9*13 inch pan with aluminum foil.Spray the foil with non stick spray.Preheat oven to 325F.
5) Press the mixture into the pan.Bake at 325 F for 15-20 mins.
6) Drizzle the bars with honey ( for sweeter taste) and if they haven't bound well.
7) Cut into bars.Makes 12 bars.Store in airtight container.

"Nutritious and Delicious" Homemade Cereal Bars with Oats, Wheat puffs, Pistachios and Cranberries

With the success of the first homemade cereal bars made with Oats, Rice crispies, nuts and dark chocolate chips (http://www.my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2012/04/nutritious-and-delicious-homemade.html) ...I dared to try this new combination of cereals for the bar.
In the breakfast isle of the grocery store, I found this new 'super' food..Wheat germ. It is supposed to be full of vitamins and nutrients.Since it seems like everyone is eating this either in their cereals or baked goods....I thought I should add this to the cereal bars.( I am even adding it to the Chapati dough now!!!)

Super cereal Bar:
So these cereal bars have - Oats, Wheat Puffs, Wheat germ, Flax seed meal, Pistachios, Cranberries....what else do you need..to fill you up in the morning???? It's all in there and all good for you!
The texture of this bar came pretty close to the  Kashi  'Go lean crunch' .
So go ahead and Crunnnch Crunnch and Munnch!!

Ingredients:

1 and 1/2 cup Quick Cooking oats
1 and 1/2 cups Wheat puffs cereal (unsweetened)
1/4 cup untoasted Wheat germ
1/8 cup Flax seed meal
1/4 cup Light brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1/3 cup Honey
1/4 cup toasted Pistachios
1/8 cup dried cranberries
1/8 cup peanut butter chocolate chips
1 egg
1tbsp oil
1 tbsp All purpose flour
1/4tsp cinnamon powder
1tsp Vanilla extract
1/4tsp Salt

Method:
1) Preheat oven to 350F. Spread the oats and nuts on a cookie sheet and warm in the oven for 8-10 mins...until slightly toasted. reduce temperature to 325F. Coat a 8*11 inch pan or 9* 9 inch pan with aluminum foil.Spray with nonstick cooking spray.
2) Beat the egg.Mix oil, sugar and all of the above ingredients, stir well.
3) Press the mixture in the coated pan.
4) Bake at 325F for 12 mins ....till slightly golden brown

5)  Let them cool.Cut into bars.
6) Crunchy bars:
Place them on cookie sheet again and bake again for 15 mins at 300 F. The bars will be crunchy after cooling.
If not..bake again for 10 mins at 300 F and cool. The slow baking and cooling process gives that crunch.
7) Store in airtight container after cooling.

Feel good about starting the day with a nutritious bar straight from your own oven!