Showing posts with label Almond. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Almond. Show all posts

August 16, 2014

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER SMOOTHIE via VITAMIX (a 1 banana difficulty level)


Several years ago, Jamba Juice had this smoothie call the "Peanut Butter Moo'd" and it was DELICIOUS! And it should have been delicious because size large had 29 grams of fat, 131 grams of sugar and almost 1000 calories! Ouch.

http://www.jambajuice.com/menu-and-nutrition/menu/smoothies/creamy-treats/peanut-butter-mood

I don't believe they sell that one anymore.

Today I made a Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie that VitaMix told me about on Facebook. It's pretty good, just not quite as good as the version from Double J, but I shouldn't have too worry as much about diabetes and increasing my BMI!

Today, 'this monkey' will show you how to make a Chocolate PB Smoothie that contains 2 c of Spinach!


WHAT YOU NEED:
1 c Unsweetened Almond Milk (http://www.anymonkeycan.com/2014/08/almond-milk-via-vitamix-1-banana.html)
2 c Baby Spinach
1 Frozen Banana (it is best to peel the banana & cut into 4-5 pieces PRIOR to freezing)
1/2 Bartlett Pear
2 T Natural Peanut Butter (I used my Almond-Walnut Butter http://www.anymonkeycan.com/2013/01/roasted-almond-walnut-butter-via.html)
2 T Cocoa Powder
1 c Ice

WHAT YOU DO:
1. Add the following in this order: Almond Milk, Cocoa Powder, Pear, PB, Frozen Banana, Spinach, and finally the Ice

2. Turn on the VitaMix at level 1 & quickly turn to level 10
3. Turn VitaMix to High & Blend until desired consistency is reached
4. Enjoy!

So technically I made a Chocolate Almond Butter Smoothie...

Until next time, your favorite Neighbor-web monkey!

ALMOND MILK via VITAMIX (a 1 banana difficulty level)



I've been away a bit too long. A new job (well technically a newer job as it has been just over 1 year) will do that to you. Growing up the son of 2 teachers I thought I appreciated how hard teachers work. Now I REALLY know & appreciate how hard teachers work!

It's been 8 months since 'this monkey' has posted here. I might as well post something that is truly simple to make...Almond Milk!

Don't worry, I'm not planning on giving up dairy anytime soon. Blue Bell & Ben & Jerry's are just too good! Don't expect a cold glass of almond milk to replace a cold glass of real milk, but Almond milk goes quite well on a bowl of cereal or in a smoothie.

If you'd like to compare between cow's milk and almond's milk:

http://fatsecret.com/calories-nutrition/generic/milk-almond?portionid=342497&portionamount=1.000

http://www.fatsecret.com/calories-nutrition/usda/milk-(fat-free-or-skim-calcium-fortified)?portionid=41571

This is very simple so let's get started!

WHAT YOU NEED:
1 c Raw Almonds
3 c Filtered Water

WHAT YOU DO:
1. Place the Water & Almonds in your VitaMix
2. Turn on the VitaMix at level 1 & quickly turn to level 10
3. Turn VitaMix to high
4. Blend for 2 minutes



Now at this point you can use a filter & strainer to filter out the sediment, but that causes you to lose fiber & protein.

Yeah, I told you it was simple, but it's been 8 months & I needed to start with something easy!

Until next time...your favorite Neighbor-web Monkey!

December 26, 2011

ALMOND CHERRY CRANBERRY BISCOTTI (a 3-4 banana difficulty level)



Today, I let the Anonymous Sous Chef take the lead for this recipe.  Well...I guess that's not entirely accurate. 

Today the Anonymous Sous Chef took over!  I've been accused of being quite particular in my kitchen.  But it's mainly to show a more efficient way to do something or most definitely a safer way to do something when it comes to things that are sharp!

Let's just say, I got to do a lot of watching and photo taking, but I also took some pretty good notes!

It's challenging fun to make Biscotti & it's very fun to refer to the Biscotti as "Homemade Biscotti."

This recipe is "Joy of Cooking" inspired with some tweaks and some add ins.

Let's get started!

WHAT YOU NEED:
3 1/3 c Whole Wheat Pastry Flour - sifted
2 1/2 t Baking Powder
1 t Kosher Salt
1-2 t Cinnamon

1/4 c Canola Oil
1 1/4 c White Sugar
2 Large Eggs
2 Large Egg Whites
1 t Lemon Extract
1 t Orange Extract
1 t Almond Extract
1 t Vanilla

1 c Dried Cranberries
1 c Dried Cherries
1 c Almond Slivers

WHAT ELSE YOU NEED:
Baking Sheet
Sifter
1 Large Bowl
1 Medium Bowl
Whisk
Mixing Spoon
Plastic Wrap
Aluminum Foil/Parchment Paper (optional)
Cooling Rack
Chef's Knife or Longer Serrated Knife

WHAT YOU DO:
1.  Preheat Oven to 375 deg F & Place Foil or Parchment Paper to cover the Cookie Sheet.
2.  Sift the Whole Wheat Pastry Flour

3.  Thoroughly Whisk together Flour, Baking Powder, Cinnamon & Salt (Dry ingredients)
4.  Whisk until well Blended the Oil, Eggs, & Egg Whites (Wet ingredients)
5.  Add the Sugar into the Wet ingredients & thoroughly Whisk together
6.  Add the Vanilla & Extracts (Lemon, Orange, Almond) also to the Wet ingredients & Whisk together


7.  Thoroughly Stir the Dry ingredients into the Wet ingredients
Has texture of creamy peanut butter at this point
(The spoon would have been a better choice for the mixing)


8.  Incorporate the Dried Cherries, Dried Cranberries, Sliced Almonds into the Batter.  It is easier to add them in one ingredient at a time making sure to thoroughly combine before adding the next ingredient
Has texture of a stiff, crunchy peanut butter at this point

Now comes the fun part!  (3 loaves will be made)

9.  Place a roughly 12"x18" piece of Plastic Wrap on a dry, flat surface.  Spoon 1/3 of the Biscotti Batter on the middle third of the Plastic Wrap in a rough shape of an oval
Just getting started spooning out the batter

10.  Fold the Right 1/3 of the Plastic Wrap over the Batter, then Fold the Left 1/3 on top of that.  It's a bit like folding a letter that will go in an envelope.  Now shape your Biscotti into a low, flat biscotti loaf

11.  Place this at the end of your Cookie Sheet making sure the plastic wrap can be easily peeled back.  Then carefully pull & peel back the Plastic wrap from the Biscotti loaf.  Allow the loaf to slowly "spin in place" as the plastic wrap is removed.
 
12.  Repeat this sequence until all 3 loaves are in place on the cookie sheet

13.  Bake for 22-25 min (rotate the pan 180 deg after 12 min to help ensure even baking)
14.  Remove from oven & place on Cooling Rack for 5-10 min then CAREFULLY slide each loaf onto the cooling rack for another 5-10 min
Do this CAREFULLY & SLOWLY!


 15.  Once the Loaves are just cool enough to handle, transfer them to a Cutting Board.  Slice them into 3/8" pieces at a slight Diagonal


16.  Place the Biscotti Slices on the Cookie Sheet flat on the cut side & Bake for 8-10 min, then turn the slices over and Bake for another 5-10 min until lightly brown
You'll probably have some broken pieces, but not to worry because they taste just as good!

17.  Remove from the oven and place the Biscotti Slices on the Cooling Rack until cooled


18.  Start making yourself a cup of coffee & then enjoy your Homemade Biscotti!

And there you go!  Some incredible tasting Homemade Almond Cherry Cranberry Biscotti!  See, 'anymonkey'...I mean 'any anonymous sous chef' can make great tasting Biscotti because 'that one' just did!

Until next time,
your friendly interweb monkey

November 7, 2010

Blueberry Almond Pancakes

Ahh...Pancakes! What a great way to start a weekend morning! Making creative, unique pancakes really is something a monkey can do. At the easiest, just start with the most basic pancake recipe and add your favorite fixin's kind of like DQ adds fixin's to their Blizzards. Heck, buy yourself some Bisquick and a giraffe could probably make some pancakes. Here's an easy recipe that will allow you to upgrade yourself into a chef of fancy pancakes. Mr. Fancy Pancakes if you will.

Blueberry Almond Pancakes

Whisk the following into a large bowl:
1 c Whole Wheat Flour
1/2 c All Purpose Flour
1/4 c Sugar
1 1/4 t baking powder
1/4 t baking soda
1/4 t salt
1 t cinnamon
1/2 t vanilla (optional)

Preheat your griddle to Medium to Medium High heat (350 deg)

In another bowl whisk the following:

1 1/4 c Greek Yogurt or Kefir or Milk
4 T unsalted butter, melted
2 Large Eggs
1 T grated lemon zest (optional)

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients mixing until they are combined well.

Fold in:

1 c Fresh Blueberries (Frozen -thaw and drain first- can also be used)
1/2 c Sliced Almonds

If your batter is too thick, add milk 1 T at a time until batter is desirable. If too thin, add flour 1 T at a time.

Ladle Pancakes on to the heated griddle at about 1/4 to 1/2 c depending on size of your desired cakes. Cook until the tops are showing small bubbles (about 3-5 min), then flip with a spatula and cook until the bottom is lightly brown.

Now it is time to enjoy some pancakes! Feel free to replace the blueberries with bananas or raisins or cranberries or strawberries... And replace the almonds with walnuts or cashews or pecans...

I love these pancakes just as is. I don't think they need syrup, but that is really up to you. You cannot go wrong smearing a bit of the previous post's Multi Nut Spread either. http://www.anymonkeycan.com/2010/10/homemade-multi-nut-butter.html

Enjoy your pancakes you crazy cooking monkey you!