Spicy Roasted Chickpeas

These are healthy and still delicious. I found they have quite a kick to them.

2 cups garbanzo beans
1/2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon cumin powder
1 teaspoon cayenne powder

Soak the garbanzo beans overnight. Drain, spread out on paper towels, and let the beans dry for about a half an hour. Heat oven to 400°. In a medium size bowl combine the beans, oil, and spices. Spread the mixture out on a cookie sheet. Bake for 15 minutes. Mix the seeds, trying to flip as many as possible. Bake for another 10 minutes. Check the seeds. If needed put in the oven for an additional 5 minutes.

This is a nice pick me up when I am craving something crunchy. If you prefer something not as spicy, the amount of spices could be reduced or substituted. I would also recommend trying this recipe with garlic powder if you want something with less heat. The garbanzo beans have a neutral flavor so any of your favorite spices may be worth a try. The garbanzo bean is your canvas. Happy experimenting!!!



P.S. I will post a picture ASAP.

Pumpkin Bran Muffins

I start class again later this week. Unfortunately my classes are in the morning. Well surprise surprise I am not a morning person. I wanted to make something that would be filling, and I could just grab it and go. I thought a bran muffin may be the trick since it has nutrients to keep me full and I could easily (and quietly) eat it during class.

These may not be the prettiest, but they were still tasty

1 box Hodgson Mill Bran Muffin Mix
1/2 can (around 7 oz) canned organic pumpkin*
1/8 cup skim milk
1/4-1/2 shredded carrots
Cinnamon
Pumpkin Pie Spice

Heat oven to 400º. Line muffin tin with paper muffin cups. Mix muffin mix and pumpkin together. I found my mixture of milk was dry so I added a splash. Ultimately I added around 1/4. It was still thick and could have been thinned out a little more. I shredded a handful of baby carrots and added it to the mixture. Raisins or apples could also be used. I added a few shakes of cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice to add flavor. Spices could either be omitted or increased depending on the taste. Bake for 15 minutes. Stick knife in the middle to make sure the muffin is firm. Mine were not. I baked for an additional 10 minutes. These turned out pretty good. Although they may not be the most flavorful muffin (my personal favorite has always been chocolate chocolate chip) they are pretty good.


*I used organic out of preference other types of canned pumpkin would work.

Peanut Butter Reece's Pieces Cookies

Peanut Butter Reece's Pieces Cookies

I made these cookies the other day. I had been craving Reece's Pieces like crazy, so I thought why not incorporate them into a cookie. I turned to my trusty Betty Crocker Cookbook and found my standby peanut butter cookie recipe.

Peanut Butter Reece's Pieces Cookies (modified from Betty Crocker)

1/2      cup sugar
1/2      cup packed brown sugar
1/2      cup creamy peanut butter
1/4      cup shortening
1/4      cup softened butter or margarine
   1      egg
1 1/4   cups flour
3/4      teaspoon baking soda
1/2      teaspoon baking powder
1/4      teaspoon salt
   2      cups Reece's Pieces candies.

Close up of the Reece's Pieces goodness

Heat the oven to 375º.  Mix everything but the candies together. Once the dough is starting to form add the candies. If desired more or less than two cups may be used. Make 1 inch balls. Then with a fork, make a criss-cross pattern flattening the balls. Bake for 9 to 10 minutes. Enjoy!