WALNUT-CRANBERRY NO-BAKE ENERGY MONKEY BARS (a 2 banana difficulty level)

A few weeks ago I made the basic Energy Monkey Bars recipe:  http://www.anymonkeycan.com/2014/08/no-bake-energy-monkey-bars-2-banana.html. They were pretty good so I wanted to try a version where I omitted the PB chips & added dried cranberries & walnuts. Just a bit healthier than the PB chips version! Well that's what we did today. I decided to double the recipe & use the bigger pan. Let's get started...

WHAT YOU NEED: (doubled recipe)
2 c Rolled Oats (I used rye rolled oats again. Old-fashioned oats are probably the most common)
1 1/3 c Unsweetened Shredded Coconut (toasted) - Coconut flakes can be used
1 c Almond Butter 
1 c Ground Flaxseed
1 c Cacao nibs 
1 c Dried Cranberries
1 c Walnuts (Ground)
2/3 c Honey
2 T Chia Seeds (optional)
2 t Vanilla

WHAT ELSE YOU NEED:
Large size mixing bowl
Large spoon
9x13" non-stick pan

WHAT YOU DO:
1. Place ALL ingredients in the medium bowl and mix well.

2. Place in 9x13" non-stick pan & press into the bottom.

3. Cover tightly and refrigerate AT LEAST 1 hour, preferable overnight.

4. Serve and enjoy!

Really simple to make! A bit of a messy clean up, but it's nice knowing everything that is in your energy bar. 

Until next time...your favorite neighbor-web monkey!

NO-BAKE ENERGY MONKEY BARS (a 2 banana difficulty level)

MONKEY BARS! I might need a whole section devoted to this...well at least a tag devoted to this! One of my favorite cookies growing up was some sort of no-bake variety. It probably came from the side of Hershey's Cocoa because I seem to remember it having Hershey's Cocoa and some peanut butter and probably sugar. I came across this not too long ago. Similar in concept to the no-bake cookie from my youth, but branded as an "energy" bar.

Hey, do you know the difference between a candy bar and an energy bar? Usually about a buck...hey-O!

It has the flexibility to substitute many of the ingredients with other ingredients that are similar in nature.

Today, 'this monkey' will show you how to make NO-BAKE ENERGY MONKEY BARS...let's get started!

WHAT YOU NEED:
1 c Rolled Oats (I used rye rolled oats because that's what I had. Old-fashioned oats are probably the most common)
2/3 c Unsweetened Shredded Coconut (toasted) - Coconut flakes can be used
1/2 c Almond Butter (or peanut butter)
1/2 c Ground Flaxseed
1/2 c Cacao nibs (or choc chips or Reese's peanut butter chips)
1/3 c Honey
1 T chia seeds (optional)
1 t Vanilla

WHAT ELSE YOU NEED:
Medium size mixing bowl
Large spoon
8x8" non-stick pan

WHAT YOU DO:
1. Place ALL ingredients in the medium bowl and mix well.

2. Place in 8x8" non-stick pan & press into the bottom. You can use a glass pan lined with wax paper.

I increased the ingredients by 50% in order to use a bigger pan.

 Also, I added BOTH PB chips AND cacao nibs

3. Cover tightly and refrigerate AT LEAST 1 hour, preferable overnight.

4. Serve and enjoy!

Pretty simple stuff! Flexible and delicious! These are a bit more healthy than straight cookies, but you don't want to consider them a health food.

Until next time...your favorite neighbor-web monkey!

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!

APPLE & ALMOND BUTTER GRILLED CHEESE (1-2 banana difficulty)

A little over a year ago I did a Gourmet Grilled Cheese post:

http://www.anymonkeycan.com/2011/04/gourmet-grown-up-grilled-cheese-1-2.html

I've wanted to re-visit this topic and have finally been able to make it happen with the 'Adult' Apple & Almond Butter Grilled Cheese Sandwich!  Now before you knee-jerk a "Eew Gross!"  Think about this:

Apple Slices + Almond or Peanut Butter = Mmmm...good!

Apple Slices + Cheese Slices = Mmmm...good!

Therefore:

        Apple Slices + Almond Butter + Cheese Slices = Hmmm?

No, the answer is Mmmm...good!

Store bought Almond/Peanut Butter is fine, but if you want to make the Almond Butter yourself then:

For the Vitamixers:  http://www.anymonkeycan.com/2013/01/roasted-almond-walnut-butter-via.html

For the Food Processors:  http://www.anymonkeycan.com/2010/10/homemade-multi-nut-butter.html

Today, 'This monkey' will show you how to make an 'Adult' Apple & Almond Butter Grilled Cheese Sandwich!  Let's get started!

WHAT YOU NEED:
Sliced Bread (Today's Choice is Sour Dough)
Cheese - thinly sliced (Today's Choices are White Cheddar & Stella Fontinella)
2 T Butter per sandwich
3-4 T Almond Butter
Gala Apple - thinly sliced

WHAT ELSE YOU NEED:
Skillet
Spatula
Stove top

WHAT YOU DO:
1.  Prep the ingredients

The 2nd sandwich is a Basil Avocado Grilled Cheese, also an excellent choice!

2.  Thoroughly heat/melt 1 T of butter over Medium High Heat.

3.  While the butter is melting, start building your Grilled Cheese.  (Sandwich on the Right)

(step 1) Almond Butter on both sides & 1 layer of cheese.

(step 2) 1 layer of apple slices

(step 3) 1 more layer of cheese

(step 4) Close the sandwich & top with butter

4.  Cook for 2-3 minutes per side.

5.  Remove, Serve, & Enjoy!



6.  And what to do with the extra fixin's....

Serve on Crackers!

There you go!  The 2nd installment of Grilled Cheese Sandwiches!  Seriously...Give the 'Adult' Apple & Almond Butter Grilled Cheese a go!  Just be sure to thinly slice those apples!

Until next time...
your favorite neighborweb monkey!

ROASTED ALMOND-WALNUT BUTTER via VITAMIX (a 1 banana difficulty level)

Here's another Vitamix Recipe.  I've posted about making your own Walnut/Cashew Butter etc in a food processor.  Making the Almond Butter in the Vitamix was so much easier that I donated my food processor to Goodwill! 

The worst part of making your own Almond Butter is the clean up.  However with proper planning in the Vitamix you can follow up your Homemade Almond Butter with a Banana-Apple-Grape Smoothie that uses most of the leftover Almond Butter at the bottom of the Container!

Let's get started!

WHAT YOU NEED:
2 c Almonds
1 c Walnuts

WHAT ELSE YOU NEED:
Vitamix
Oven
Roasting Pan or Cookie Sheet

WHAT YOU DO:
1. Pre Heat the oven to 350 deg

 

2.  Take the 3 c of Almonds & Walnuts and evenly distribute in the Roasting Pan.  Roast for about 15 minutes.  Be sure to stir or shake 1-2 times to prevent burning. 

3.  Allow the nuts to cool for about 30-60 minutes. 

 

4.  Add the nuts to the Vitamix & secure the lid. 



Be sure to remove all monkeys prior to blending...

 

5.  Select Variable 1 & then quickly increase to Variable 7.  Using the tamper, press the Almonds & Walnuts until they are all broken down.  



 

6.  At this point, turn to Variable 10 & continue to work the Tamper until the Almond Butter begins to liquefy.

7.  Adjust to High setting for about 1 minute until Almond Butter is a thick consistency and begins to circulate in the Vitamix. 

(Be careful not to overheat your machine.  Turn off the Vitamix if the motor starts to labor)  





  

8.  Time to move the Almond-Walnut Butter to an airtight container. 



Gravity is your friend...sometimes!

9.  This way gets quite a bit into the container, but I'll also use a small rubber spatula to help the last little bits along the way.  Be VERY careful to stay above the blades because otherwise you will soon be missing parts of your rubber spatula!

 

10.  Make a smoothie with the residual Almond Butter! 



The start to a great smoothie!

 And that is it for the Homemade Almond-Walnut Butter...Vitamix-style! 

 



 

 

Enjoy & until next time...

Your favorite neighborweb Monkey!

WILTED SPINACH & CHARD WITH PEPPERS & PINE NUTS (a 2 banana level difficulty)

Hello all!  My garden is producing a bit of Chard & Peppers, so here is a recipe that uses them both!  It's not terribly difficult and the result can be used just as a side or on top of Cous Cous as pictured above.

I decided to splurge on the Pine Nuts, but have made this with Almonds.  I imagine you'll do well with Whole or Slivered Almonds, Walnuts, Cashews etc.

Let's go ahead and get this started!

WHAT YOU NEED:
2 c of loose, fresh Baby Spinach
2-3 c Chard (see below for the prep steps)
2 Jalapeno Pepper - sliced
1 Anaheim Pepper - sliced
3 Garlic Cloves - minced
3-4 T of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/4 c of Pine Nuts
Shredded Cheese - today I used a white cheddar
Kosher Salt to taste

WHAT ELSE YOU NEED:
Spatula or large spoon
10-12 inch Skillet
Cutting Board
Chef's knife

WHAT YOU DO:
1.  Rinse, then prep the Chard
1a. Lay out a rinsed & reasonably dried Chard leaf

  1b. Fold the leaf in half along the main stem.

1c. Run the knife just along the stem.

1d. Discard the the stem

2. Coarsly slice the Chard & set to the side along with the Baby Spinach

3.  Heat 3-4 T of Olive Oil in a Skillet to Medium Heat
4.  Mince the Garlic & thinly slice the Peppers

5.  Saute the Sliced Peppers for 3 minutes stirring frequently (very lightly sprinkle with Salt)

6.  Add the Minced Garlic & Saute for another 2 minutes stirring frequently (very lightly sprinkle with Salt & add a splash of Olive Oil if needed)

7.  Now add the Pine Nuts and Saute for another 2-3 minutes stirring frequently. (very lightly sprinkle with Salt & add a splash of Olive Oil if needed)

8.  And finally add the Spinach & Chard and Wilt for 2-3 minutes in the Medium Heat.  (very lightly sprinkle with Salt)

9.  Serve as a side or over Cous Cous with a Sprinkle of Cheese!

This is a nice, quick & tasty side.  It can be a bit spicy if you emphasize Jalapeno Peppers in your pepper selection.  Anaheim & Banana Peppers would also do nicely here!

'Anymonkeycan' make a great tasting side with ingredient fresh from the Garden!

Until next time, your favorite neighborweb Monkey!