First off, I’d like to thank Zesty for asking me to do a guest post while he is away.  I was completely honored when asked and agreed immediately.  Thanks again Zesty!

My favorite part of Zesty’s posts are always his Zesty Tip at the end.  The tips are so simple, yet so helpful.  So, today I present you with my favorite Heather Tip as well as a recipe.

I know many cooks often find substitutions for the fat component in recipes.

Like when the recipe calls for oil, they will opt for applesauce or pumpkin puree instead. Well, this girl needs her fat, and I say bring it on.  My favorite oil replacement in recipes?  Nut and seed butters! Nut butters will add good fats to your baked goods, as well as protein, vitamins, and minerals. Besides, who doesn’t love a little almond butter in their cookie?

Using my own tip, I came up with the following muffin recipe:

Almond Butter Banana Muffins

Ingredients

• 3 ripe mashed bananas
• ¼ cup almond butter or your favorite nut/seed butter of choice
• ½ Turbinado sugar
• 1 egg white
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 ½ cups oat flour (I pulsed 2 cups rolled oats in my food processor)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt (omit if using salted nut butter)
• ½ cup dark chocolate chips
• ½ cup chopped pecans

Method

1. Mix first 5 ingredients until creamy.
2. Stir together oat flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Slowly add dry ingredients to banana mixture stirring to combine.
4. Stir in chocolate chips and pecans.
5. Bake at 350 degrees 18 – 20 minutes in paper lined or greased muffin pan.
6. ENJOY!
7. Yield: 15 muffins.

Enjoy, and remember…don’t fear the fat my friends.  Our bodies need it!  If you want to see more great posts check out my blog at heathereatsalmondbutter.com

Download my Free Recipe Book: Simply Zesty

Happy Tuesday! Let’s totally throw a curve ball in the mix and serve hot milk today!  Am I crazy?  Actually ummmm maybe… but this little drink was actually quite good.  I was thinking all day long as to what I could do to spice things up a bit on zesty.

I thought that a drink recipe would be a good idea, but I do not drink tea or coffee very often.  Well tea sometimes but coffee never.  I know it is a wee bit nuts when I tell people that.  I have never tasted coffee in my life.  As for tea, I have had in the past but not regularly.  This recipe below is like a tea without the tea – or at least that is what I thought of as I drank it.

Let me know what you think of this simple twist on a warm beverage.

Ingredients

• 1 Cup (250ml) fat-free milk
• 1 Tbsp. (15ml) sugar substitute
• 1 Tsp. (5ml) Vanilla
• 1/8 Tsp. (.5ml) Almond Extract
• Dash of Nutmeg

Method

1. Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan
2. Cook over medium heat until warm, strring frequesntly, bo not bring to a boil
3. Serve Hot
4. ENJOY!

Zesty Tip: When heating milk be very careful not to let it come to a boil.  It will quickly boil over and make a huge mess.  Always stay close to the stove when heating milk.

Let me know what you think about flavored milk?  I look forward to hearing your comments.  Have a great Tuesday!

Take care

zesty

Download my Free Recipe Book: Simply Zesty