Reduced Calorie Cinnamon-Walnut Coffee Cake

INTRO

A few months ago I received a pile of cooking magazines from a family friend.  By a “pile” I mean 2 large cardboard boxes of hundreds of issues of stuff like Bon Appétit and Cooking Light.  After meticulously going through eat magazine, I removed all of the recipes that I wanted to someday try.  With these I assembled my own custom cookbook.

This recipe was from an old issue of cooking light, which is why it is a reduced calorie coffee cake.  The recipe says it is about 250 calories for a serving (and it yields 16 servings).  My cake came out even lighter than the original though, as I opted to use unsweetened almond milk in place of buttermilk–simply because I didn’t have buttermilk or any lemon juice to make faux buttermilk with.  Also I really like almond milk!

Coconut Bread

Freshly baked coconut bread with Trader Joe’s Mango Butter, the perfect tropical compliment.

Hey everyone!  Or who ever it is that reads this.  I have not abandoned this blog, though it would appear that way.  I cannot believe my last post was from the beginning of July!  Man, how times flies.  I have just been so busy with life that I kept putting this blog on the back burner.  Aside from taking a few trips and working, I have also started culinary school!  I am now on track to become a pastry chef, and I could not be more excited!

But I am glad to be returning to this blog finally, it is about time.

Tropical Fruit Smoothie

INTRO

Smoothies are perfect for people who are too lazy, or conversely, are too busy to chew fruit. Personally I don’t like making smoothies that often because I hate having to clean the blender, as it cannot go in the dishwasher.

But one day I will get a blender stick, perhaps manufactured by Cuisentart, and the fuss and bother of making smoothies (or pureeing anything) will be a thing of the past!

I decided creating a smoothie for this blog would be prefect, as it is not a big recipe/cooking/time commitment. And I feel like I have recently been neglecting this thing.

In any case I made a tropical smoothie and took some pictures.

Me with my smoothie. 

I would smile more, but taking one’s own pictures requires concentration at times.

Especially if you are also trying to hold a cold glass.

RECIPE:

I just assembled this recipe on the fly.  I tested it out a day ahead, to make sure I wanted to bother documenting it for the web.

Stuff You’ll Need:

• 1/3 cup cantaloupe, chopped and frozen (I froze fresh fruit I chopped to function as replacement for ice cubes)
• 1/3 cup pineapple, chopped and frozen
• 1/3 cup vanilla protein powder (to really pack a nutritional punch and add thickness)
• 1/2 cup coconut water
• 1/2 cup almond coconut milk (or really any milk)
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1 teaspoon rosewater (I love the flavor of rosewater and always add it to protein shakes)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (to boost vanilla flavor and sweetness)

STEP 1:
Put all your ingredients into a blender or food processor and blend.

There, your smoothie is done!

Wasn’t that easy?

But seriously folks, I mean, there isn’t a lot to say about making a smoothie.  As I am writing this post, I am realizing this.  I am finding that I have not much to say or offer on this topic.

Here are some helpful hints though…

• make sure blender is plugged in before turning it on
• make sure the lid of your blender is in place
• don’t put rat poison in your smoothie, no matter how adventurous you feel like being
• add liquids last to prevent unnecessary splashing

Man…sorry guys kinda lame entry.  I will redeem myself in my next post.  I am planning on making vegan baked donuts.  I have never tried to make a donut, vegan or otherwise, but I am excited to break in my new mini donut pan!  It is très adorable, I’m telling you…

xoxo

Madeline