Yummy Carrots in a Muffin!!

This past weekend I made a carrot cake for my sister's shower because she really likes it. Well it turned out yummy and everyone enjoyed it!
Today I am home with a sick child so I made carrot muffins and they are yummy too!

Here is my recipe....

I used Agave nectar which comes from the agave plant. It is a sweet liquid with a consistency a bit smoother than honey. Agave is also low on the glycemic index and is metabolized by your body slower than sugar so it has a less severe effect on blood sugar fluctuations. You can find it at any health food store and I bet you’ll find many ways for it to replace sugar in your kitchen. If you want more of a treat you can put icing on them!



Carrot Cupcakes

1 Cup Flour
3/4 Tsp Baking Powder
3/4 Tsp Baking Soda
1/2 Tsp Salt
1/2 Tsp Cinnamon
3/4 Cup Agave
1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil
2 Large Eggs
1 1/2 Cup Carrots, peeled and shredded
1/4 Cup Pineapple, drained, crushed in juice

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon into a medium sized bowl.
3. Using a mixer, beat the agave, oil and eggs until thoroughly combined.
4. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl.
5. Add the carrots and pineapple and beat until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
6. Line 12 1/3 cup muffin cups with paper liners.
7. Scoop batter into cups, filling 3/4 full.
8. Bake for 30 minutes.
9. Cool (cupcakes can be made 1 day ahead, cover and store at room temperature).
10 Spread top of each cupcake with 2 tablespoons of cream cheese icing and serve.

Cream Cheese Icing (Make 2 Cups)

1 8 oz Package Cream Cheese, room temperature
1/2 Cup Butter, room temperature
4 Tbsp Agave Nectar
1 Tsp Vanilla
1. Place all the ingredients in a mixer and beat on medium to high speed until fluffy.
2. Spread on cupcakes.
Enjoy!

Lori
Happy Cooking!

519-940-1131

Earth Day Cooking

What better way to honor Earth Day than to prepare a dish that's easy on the environment? Look for spring gems like asparagus, blueberries, cabbage, cauliflower, mushrooms and peas at your nearest farmer's market. Eating local supports your economy and involves fewer miles traveled - and fewer pollutants emitted.

Angel Hair Pasta with Asparagus

Ingredients
8 ounces angel hair pasta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1-1/2 pounds fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Cooking Instructions
1. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
2. Heat the olive oil in a nonstick skillet. Sauté asparagus in the pan over medium heat for about 3 minutes. Add chicken broth and mushroom slices; cook 3 minutes more.
3. Drain pasta, and transfer to a serving dish. Gently toss pasta with asparagus mixture; sprinkle with Parmesan and crushed red pepper.
You'll want to try these healthy, wholesome banana blueberry muffins that are both quick and easy to make. Full of fiber, these morning muffins are a great way to start a nutritious day.

Vegan Banana Blueberry Muffins

Ingredients•

2 very ripe bananas, mashed
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1-1/2 teaspoons egg replacer (dry)
• 1/2 cup blueberries

Cooking Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease muffin cups or line with paper muffin liners.
2. In a large bowl combine mashed bananas, all-purpose flour, whole wheat pastry flour, sugar, baking powder and salt; mix until smooth. In a small bowl or cup combine water and egg replacer; stir into banana mixture. Fold in blueberries.
3. Spoon batter evenly, about 1/4 cup each, into muffin cups.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown.

Happy Cooking!
Lori Tinella, founder
Little Chefs

* For more information on getting your children eating healthier foods or upcoming children’s fun cooking classes go to http://thelittlechefs.ca

Notes From the Cookie Jar: Royale Reno-cation! Win a Cruise, A Renovation, and more!

Notes From the Cookie Jar: Royale Reno-cation! Win a Cruise, A Renovation, and more!

Recipe for Leftover Turkey!

Now that Easter is over and you may have leftover turkey like I have. Here is an easy recipe you can use it up!

Quick Chicken(Turkey) Lasagne
Take the easy but delicious way out with jarred pasta sauce, rotisserie chicken or leftover turkey and no-boil noodles to create this lasagnes. These six ingredients make a family favourite:

Ingredients
1 rotisserie chicken, skin removed and chicken torn into pieces (3 cups) or 3 cups leftover turkey
2 (26-ounce) jars pasta sauce
2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
2 (10-ounce) packages chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 (4-ounce) package crumbled goat cheese
1 (8-ounce) package no-boil lasagne noodles

Instructions
1. Preheat oven 350 degrees. Cut chicken into small pieces and mix with both jars of pasta sauce.
2. In an oblong dish, spread thin layer of chicken sauce. Top with layer of noodles, chicken sauce, mozzarella cheese, half spinach and goat cheese. Repeat layering with noodles, chicken sauce, mozzarella, remaining spinach and goat cheese.
3. Continue with remaining noodles, chicken sauce, mozzarella and goat cheese.
4. Bake, covered, 50 minutes. Uncover, bake 5 minutes longer or until bubbly.

Makes 8 servings.
Enjoy!

Looking for some activities for this summer for your kids??
How about Summer Camp with Little Chefs and Pottery Parties in the Hills??

Week #1- July 12-16 (5 days) 2010 9-4pm in Orangeville on Broadway
Week #2 August 3-6 (4 days) 2010 9-4pm in Belfountain

*Only 20 spots available for school age children.
Hurry spaces are filling up fast! 519-940-1113 or info@thelittlechefs.ca