Coconut Banana Bread Muffins

If you have visited my blog before, you know I'm a sucker for banana bread. Every week I buy a bunch of bananas and let them sit on my counter as I not-so-patiently wait for them to brown enough to make banana bread for the coming week. I also have a slight obsession with coconut, so this recipe is a perfect combination of two things I love! These muffins are delicious enough for dessert and healthy enough for breakfast! Nom nom!

Coconut Banana Bread Muffins

Ingredients:

2 very ripe bananas (optional: +1 for topping)

3 tbsp coconut oil

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1 tsp skim milk

2 tsp orange juice

2 tsp Greek yogurt

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup quick oats

1 tsp baking soda

3/4 tsp baking powder 

1 tsp salt

1/2 cup shredded coconut (optional: +2 tsp for topping)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. In medium mixing bowl, mash bananas until smooth. 

3. Add oil, vanilla, brown sugar, egg, milk, juice, and yogurt. Whisk 2-3 minutes until well combined. 

4. In separate bowl, combine dry ingredients. 

5. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until well combined. Let mixture stand 15 minutes. Fold in shredded coconut. 

6. Pour batter in to greased or papered muffin tins. Top with additional shredded coconut or banana slices. 

7. Cook at 350 for 18-22 min or until toothpick comes out clean and bread is golden brown. Enjoy!

Healthy Sweet Potato Skins

Potatoes are my guilty pleasure. Give them to me mashed, fried, baked, or any other way and I will love you forever. However, potatoes are packed with starches and carbohydrates that is not nice to the waistline. Here is a healthier alternative to the awesome bar food that uses sweet potatoes, turkey bacon and Greek yogurt. This recipe is a great way to snack and still stick to your diet. And, BONUS: they still taste amazing!

Healthy Sweet Potato Skins

Ingredients:

Coconut oil spray (or any other non-stick spray)

2 large sweet potatoes (the short, fat ones work the best)

Light cheddar cheese, shredded

Turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled

Plain Greek yogurt

1/4 cup green onions, chopped

1 tsp. parsley, chopped

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350. 

2. Spray cookie sheet with oil. 

3. Cut sweet potatoes in to 1/2 inch thick circular slices. Place sweet potatoes evenly across cookie sheet. 

4. Cook for 25-30 min at 350 or until browned and tender, flipping sweet potatoes half way through. 

5. Sprinkle cheese evenly on top of sweet potatoes. Place back in oven 2-3 min or until cheese is melted. 

6. Top with bacon, Greek yogurt, green onions and parsley. Enjoy! 

Jalapeño Turkey Burgers

There's something about a nice juicy burger that I crave so much in the summer! However, after giving up red meat a few years ago, I had to get creative when it came to grilling time. After many combinations, here is my all-time favorite recipe for spicy jalapeño turkey burgers. (If you can't take the heat, substitute bell peppers!) I like my turkey burgers on a whole wheat bun, topped with pepper jack cheese, spinach, pico, avocado and a little chipotle mayo. Mmm, my mouth is watering just thinking about it!

Jalapeño Turkey Burgers

Ingredients:

4 jalapeños (more or less depending on spice tolerance), chopped

Half yellow onion, chopped

2 lbs ground turkey

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp garlic powder

Salt and pepper to taste

Burger buns and toppings

Directions:

1. Combine jalapeños and onions in food processor. Blend until vegetables form a paste-like consistency.

2. In large bowl, mix together ground turkey and jalapeño/onion mixture. Add spices and mix well. 

3. Form mixture in to round patties for cooking. (TIP: turkey shrinks when cooked, so make patties about 1/2 in larger in diameter than buns.)

IF COOKING IMMEDIATELY:

4. Cook on greased fry pan or on grill. Garnish with favorite toppings and enjoy!

IF FREEZING: 

5. Coat both sides of patty with cooking oil. Place in freezer safe container. Thaw and enjoy later! 

Skinny Monkey Cookies

[PHOTO COMING SOON!]

Love no-bake cookies but don't want all the added sugar? Here's a recipe for chocolatey, peanut buttery cookies that use bananas and applesauce as sweeteners instead of sugar! Every time someone tries these cookies they think I'm lying when I tell them they are healthy! 

Skinny Monkey Cookies

Ingredients:

4 very ripe bananas

3 cups old fashioned oats

1/2 cup peanut butter (salted)

1/2 cup cocoa almond butter

1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp. salt

Dash of cinnamon (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350. 

2. Mash bananas in large bowl. 

3. In separate bowl, heat peanut butter and almond butter in microwave for 45 sec-1 min or until melted. Add to banana mixture. 

4. Stir in remaining ingredients. Let batter stand approximately 30 minutes.

5. Drop batter by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Sprinkle with cinnamon if desired. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.

6. Freeze, refrigerate or enjoy them all right away!

Spicy Mini-Quiche with Turkey Bacon

Looking for a hot home-made breakfast? These mini-quiches are a great quick and simple go-to breakfast recipe. Make a bunch on Sunday and have breakfast for the whole week! Also, feel free to change customize the ingredients to your liking. Here is my favorite version:

Spicy Mini-Quiche with Turkey Bacon

Ingredients:

3 eggs

1/3 cup heavy whipping cream

1/2 cup jalapeño monetary jack cheese, crumbled

1/2 cup mild cheddar cheddar cheese, shredded

2 jalapeños, diced + 1 jalapeño, sliced for topping

Non-stick cooking spray

1 package bacon, (I like Trader Joe's un-cured peppered turkey bacon)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. In large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs and cream. Add cheese and diced peppers and mix until well combined. 

3. Coat muffin tin with non-stick spray. Line each cupcake pan with 1 bacon slice.

4. Scoop egg mixture in to cupcake pan using 1/4 cup measuring cup. (Remember that eggs will "puff up" as they bake.) Top each muffin with jalapeño slice.

5. Cook at 350 for 15-20 min or until eggs browned on top and bacon is crispy.

6. Let cool 5 minutes and remove from pan. Enjoy!

ENJOY LATER:

7. Refrigerate and reheat for 30-45 seconds in microwave. Quiches are good in refrigerator for about 5 days.

30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup

I love a good tortilla soup. Every time I see it on the menu at a restaurant I have to order it. However, it is pretty simple to make at home. If you are looking for a quick and easy week-night meal, here is a recipe for you! This chicken tortilla soup recipe is ready in 30 minutes. No need to stop at the drive-thru! 

30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup

Ingredients:

2 tbsp. coconut oil

1/2 yellow onion, chopped

6 cloves garlic, minced

2 medium chicken breasts, cooked and shredded

1/2 cup corn kernels, canned or frozen

4 pearl tomatoes, diced

1 jalapeño pepper, diced

2-3 cups chicken broth

1 tsp. crushed red pepper

1 tsp. cumin

Salt to taste

For garnish:

2 tsp. vegetable oil

2 small corn tortillas, cut in to 1/2 inch strips

Optional: light shredded Mexican cheese, fresh cilantro, diced avocado, lime wedges

Directions: 

1. Heat coconut oil in pan. Sauté onion and garlic 3-5 minutes or until brown.

2. Add chicken, corn, tomato, jalapeño, chicken broth, red pepper, cumin, and salt to pan. Bring soup to boil, cover and simmer 20 minutes. 

3. While soup is simmering, heat vegetable oil in separate pan. Drop tortillas in to oil and let fry for 1-2 minutes or until edges begin to turn brown. 

4. Using a slatted spoon remove tortillas from oil and place in bowl lined with paper towel. Sprinkle with salt, set aside, and allow to cool.

5. Ladle soup in to bowls and top with shredded cheese, cilantro, avocado, lime, and/or crispy tortilla strips. Enjoy!

Double Chocolate Banana Muffins

Craving a brownie? Me too! These muffins are the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth. And at only about 120 calories each, you won't have to sacrifice your dieting either. Chocolate with bananas is one of my favorite combinations ever. So go on, have a few for desert, snack or even breakfast!

Double Chocolate Banana Muffins

Ingredients:

3 bananas, very ripe

1 egg

1/4 cup brown sugar, packed

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup old fashioned oats

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/3 cup dark chocolate chips

Non-stick cooking spray

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. In large mixing bowl, mash bananas until smooth. Add egg, sugar and vanilla and whisk together. 

3. In separate bowl, mix together dry ingredients. Combine wet and dry ingredients and stir until combined. Fold in chocolate chips.  

4. Coat muffin tin with non-stick spray and pour batter evenly in to tin. (I made 10 muffins.) Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Enjoy!