Date Cookies: Peanut Butter and Chocolate

So I'm in a love affair, a love affair with sugar. I just love anything sweet, and the more sweets I eat, then more sweets I want. I've been trying to break it off for some time now. This recipe is my goodbye letter to refined sugar. Dates provide an all natural way to get my sweet fix. No one would guess these sweet cookies are good for you.

Peanut Butter Cookies
13 dates
1 tbs peanut butter (no salt)
1/3 cup oats

Chocolate Cookies
13 dates
1/2 tbs peanut butter (no salt)
1 tbs unsweetened cocoa powder
1/3 cup oats

Place dates in food processor on high until dates are in little pieces. In a mixing bowl add dates, peanut butter/or peanut butter and cocoa powder, and oats -mix until combined. Roll batch into 4 balls, and place in-between wax paper. Press down until cookies are thin, about 2 1/2 inches across. Remove cookies from wax paper and enjoy!

Nutritional Analysis of Dates
Dates: help fight constipation because they are high in fiber and easily digestible. Dates also give you a lot of energy because they are high in natural sugars and carbohydrates. They are also full of potassium, and contain calcium and iron.

Chile!

Growing up I never liked Chile. Let's just say Chile out of a can isn't really Chile, it's just a bunch of mush. I realized it's not that I don't like Chile, it just has to be handmade with fresh, wholesome ingredients. Hope you enjoy this Chile, it's aroma will light up the darkness of this dreary winter.

1 tbs olive oil
1 tbs vegetable oil
2 chopped onions
1 chopped red pepper
7 cloves of garlic
1/4 cup Chile powder
1 tbs cumin
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 cayenne pepper
1 tsp oregano
2 tsp parsley
1 pound lean ground beef
2 16-ounce cans red kidney beans
1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
1 14-ounce pureed tomatoes
1 10-ounce can tomato sauce
2 tsp tomato paste
salt
Heat oil in large dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onions, peppers, garlic, and spices; fry, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes. Add half the ground beef, break into small pieces, and fry for four minutes. Add remaining ground beef and cook another 4 minutes, or until all browned. Add beans, tomatoes, tomato paste, and salt. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce to medium-low. Heat covered for one hour, stirring occasionally. Remove lid and continue to simmer for one more hour, stirring occasionally. Serve with avocado slices, cilantro leaves, sour cream, or plain.

Scalloped Potatoes

These are the best potatoes I have ever had. Period. Perfect for a dinner party or cold winter day.

2 tbs butter
1 medium onion, minced
3 big garlic cloves, pressed through a garlic press
1 teaspoon dried thyme
salt and pepper to taste
2 1/2 lbs Yukon Gold Potatoes
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
2 bay leaves
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Adjust oven rack to the middle, and heat to 425 degrees.
Melt butter in large Dutch Oven over medium-high heat, add onion and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper. After about a minute add potatoes, chicken broth, cream, and bay leaves. Bring to a simmer and cover, reduce heat to medium-low and cook for about 12 minutes. Remove bay leaves.
Transfer mixture of 8-inch baking dish, and sprinkle evenly with cheese. Bake until cream is bubbling around the edges and top is golden brown, 15-20 minutes. Cool for a few minutes before serving.

Nutritional Benefits:
Potatoes: Good source of vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium, and some fiber.
Garlic: High in vitamin B
Thyme: High in vitamin K, and iron
Cheese: High in vitamin B, which is good for your skin
*Cheese and Cream are high in fat, so limit portion size and serve with something light, such as Cod of Salmon along with a fresh spring salad.

Fusilli with Broccolini, Red Peppers, and Sweet Italian Sausage

1/3 pound ground sweet Italian sausage
1 cup red bell peppers, cut up into 1/2 inch squares
9 cloves minced garlic
2 lbs broccolini (florets cut into bite-size pieces, and stalk into 1/4 inch thick pieces)
1/2 cup of water
1 tbs olive oil
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
salt and pepper to taste


Bring 4 quarts of water and a little salt to a boil. Add Fusilli and cook to al dente. While pasta is cooking heat a large pan to medium-high heat and fry sausage until brown - about five minutes. Add garlic, bell peppers, salt, pepper, and fry for two minutes. Turn heat to high, and add broccolini and water and heat covered for an additional two minutes. Remove lid and cook until broccolini is tender and liquid is evaporated- stirring frequently. Stir pot together with pasta, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately. Enjoy!

Nutritional Benefits:
Whole grain pasta: High in fiber.
Red Bell Peppers: High in vitamin A and C, and contains fiber.
Garlic: Lowers colesteral (raises good HDL levels, and prevents bad LDL colesteral from building up on arterial walls. Thought to prevent cancer, infection, and the common cold.
Broccolini: High in vitamin C, also contains vitamin A, iron, and fiber.