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MAGIC Peanut Butter Cookies!

MAGIC Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies!
MAGIC Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Okay…  Yes, finally, I know! You’ve been waiting FOREVER for these yummy cookies, and patiently too. So, here’s the magic……These ridiculously delicious cookies are super-simple to bake and don’t have any flour, so they just happen to be gluten-free. Heavenly, healthy, loaded with protein, and low-carb too. Oh and, of course, you will usually have these simple, staple ingredients on-hand. You may use brown sugar, Agave, Splenda, or your favorite low-cal sweetener and add some dark chocolate chips. You know what they say… Homemade is BEST!

ENJOY!

I just have to mention that we just can’t get enough of these rich & delicious Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies. They do disappear fast, so make a double batch and remember to always keep a HUGE jar of your favorite peanut butter on hand! (P.S. Don’t forget to share this site with your healthy friends.

 

* Nutritional info: Calories 135, Total fat 8g, Total carbs 10g


Magic Peanut Butter Cookies!

 

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)
  • 1 cup brown sugar (or a substitute like Stevia or Agave)
  • 1 cup dark chocolate chips
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 1 egg


Directions:

  1. Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees F.  Spray a large baking sheet with cooking spray.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, 1 cup sweetener, egg, and vanilla, and stir well with a whisk or wooden spoon.
  3. Roll the dough into balls of the desired size. Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet. With a fork, dipped in sugar, press a crisscross design on each cookie. Press in 6 -10 dark chocolate chips.
  4. Bake for 10-12 minutes (don’t over-cook), remove from the oven, and sprinkle the cookies with some of the remaining sugar. Cool slightly before removing from pan. YUM!


The “Best of Maine” DownEast Magazine Readers Choice Awards…

You just gotta love opinionated Mainer’s, we’ll give you our opinon on anything, just ask us! First of all, I have to say, we certainly do have several outstanding world-class restaurants (not listed here) and  I have to agree with the “Reader’s Choice” on “Fore St.”  because it truly is fabulous, but in all fairness I have not had the pleasure of eating at “Primo” just yet….Check it out!

http://www.downeast.com/magazine/2010/july/readers-choice

Best Restaurant
(Tie) Fore Street, Portland
and Primo, Rockland
We can’t blame our readers for being unable to decide between these two culinary standouts. Better try them both. 207-775-2717. www.forestreet.biz. 207-596-0770.www.primorestaurant.com

Best Breakfast
Becky’s Diner, Portland
Our readers get up early — as in 4 a.m. early — and they know that Becky’s on Commercial Street is the place to get a great early omelet and a cup o’ joe. 207-773-7070.www.beckysdiner.com

Best Brunch

Harraseeket Inn, Freeport
Scallop fritters, espresso/ancho-rubbed ribeye, chilled Maine lobster — when it comes to setting the table for Sunday brunch, the dining room in this Freeport hotel knows how to satisfy hungry Mainers — and, apparently, Down East readers. 207-865-9377. www.harraseeketinn.com

Easy Caprese Salad

Easy Caprese Salad


This is a beautiful salad…..So easy, simple and elegant!

If you’re anything like me and really LOVE a fresh salad that’s super easy as well as quick to prepare, this is it… . Nice & Easy, that’s what I say! A gorgeous, yet simple classic Italian salad of fresh sliced tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and chopped basil. Drizzle this sexy salad with extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar, add some cracked black pepper and voilà!

Note: We enjoy this fabulous salad at least once a week. The perfect lunch by it self, or serve with your favorite Italian dinner.  I really like “peppercorn medley” a very flavorful blend of black, white, green, and red peppercorns. For a change you can add some thinly sliced red onion. . ..A lovely salad don’t you think?

Buon appetito!


Ingredients

  • 3 vine-ripe tomatoes, 1/4-inch thick slices
  • 1 pound fresh mozzarella, 1/4-inch thick slices
  • 20 to 30 leaves (about 1 bunch) fresh basil
  • Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
  • Balsamic vinegar, a drizzle or two
  • Coarse sea salt
  • Cracked pepper

Directions

First, check out the photo.  Then start to layer alternating slices of tomatoes and mozzarella, adding a basil leaf between each, on a large, shallow platter. Drizzle the salad with extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and season with additional chopped basil, sea salt & pepper, to taste.

Note: If you’re not familiar with fresh mozzarella cheese, it’s very soft, creamy and usually round. You will find it packed in water to keep it moist. Some of the larger super-markets are displaying fresh mozzarella with the tomatoes, NICE!