Peanut Butter Protein Bites for Easter (Soy-Free, Gluten-Free, No Added Sugar)

Happy Easter, everyone! I don't really celebrate it - but when I did my Easters were filled with Cadbury eggs, bunny-shaped cakes and Chinese takeout on a picnic blanket. It was a little personal celebration between my mother and I as I'm the youngest in the family and the only one living at home, and it filled me with glee to decorate butterfly masks and watch old movies with her as we ate the treats. We never actually took the picnic blanket outside, and instead opened all of the windows and turned on the fans whenever it rained into our living room as we decorated the Easter eggs or took the time to unfasten the VHS tapes from their sticky, suctionny packages.

It still makes me happy to think of that and I hope to do that one day with my own children (if I have any).

Although I don't celebrate it as we used to, these treats are too cute to pass up! They're simple, sweet and easy to share.

(Peanut Butter Bites Ingredients)

• 1/3 C. of Peanut Butter
• 2 scoops of Vanilla Protein Powder*
• 2 tbl. Melted Coconut Oil
• Melted Chocolate
• Your favorite Icing
• Rice Krispie Cereal for rolling

(Peanut Butter Protein Bites Directions)

• Roll your peanut butter, oil and protein powder together and place in the freezer. Once hardened, shape into eggs with your hands and two spoons.
• Roll in the rice krispie treats and freeze once more.
• Decorate and freeze.
• Serve and enjoy!

* I use Sunwarrior Vanilla Protein Powder

Peanut Butter Protein Pudding

I freaking love this pudding - its super simple to make and after pumping iron in the gym and running around...its a great pick-me-up! It reminds me of that delicious Reese's Peanut Butter Cup filling without all of the nastiness, and it only requires four ingredients (three if you don't want to be fancy). So, let's get started!

(Peanut Butter Pudding Ingredients)

• 1/4 - 1/2 C. Peanut Butter
• 3 Scoops of Vanilla Protein powder
• 1 tsp. of Vanilla Extract
• 1-2 C. Non-dairy Milk

(Directions)

• Simply add all of your ingredients together, adding the non-dairy milk last and blend. Place straight into a container to eat or refrigerate and have delicious pudding!

PB & J Brownies with(out) Crackle Crust

I'm trying something a little different with my photographs - you like? This brownie recipe came to me when I got tired of just peanut butter sandwiches (I'm not really a big fan of PB & J anymore) and I had a huge bag of chocolate that just needed to be used. Add in my love for all things that are a little crazy, I also tried a somewhat successful crackle bread crust on top that broke enough to hold onto piece of jelly, but I think it needs to be adjusted before I post it. These brownies are moist, fudgey and super fun to make!

 

 



 

 

(PB & J Brownie Ingredients)

• 1 & 1/2 C. Cake Flour
• 3/4 tsp. Baking Powder
• 3/4 C. Cocoa Powder
• 1/4 C. Vegetable Oil
• 1/4 tsp. Salt
• 1/2 C. Melted Chocolate
• 1 C. Raw Sugar
• 1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
• 1 C. of Non-Dairy Milk
• Peanut butter, powdered sugar and Jelly of your choice

(Directions)

• Combine your liquids and sift your dry ingredients (except the ones at the bottom and the melted chocolate) together.
• Fold them all together, then fold in your melted chocolate.
• Combine the powdered sugar and peanut butter together, then place them on top of the whole thing.
• Swirl in as much jelly as you think is necessary and bake for about 30-45 minutes at 350 degrees.

Enjoy!

Sunshine and Lollipops Lunch

At first I was going to make this a whole collection of planets, with earth being the blue cookie where the grapes are. I decided that this was too much sweetness and instead opted with a few things that were fresh from my garden after my mini-hiatus. It was especially fun to see it being eaten like a lollipop - and it leaves unmessy hands as well as plates! That's a bonus for parents,  dishware and children alike.

SS & Lollipops Lunch Ingredients:
1 PB & J sandwich (cut out with a Daisy cutter)
Red Pepper
Grapes
Collard Greens
Carrots

A great lunch or snack that would make anyone smile! ^^

Hungry? Why Not Zoidberg? Bento

Yes, this is "that" meme, I like doing bentos and foods on memes sometimes - they're fun for me. This was a really simple bento with gorgeous yellow pepper slices, crinkle-cut carrots and a strawberry and peanut butter sandwich surrounded by sushi grass. On top I have a nice tortilla which I colored and cut out for a simplified Zoidberg yesterday morning.

Do you mind memes? Or do you think they've just all become washed out once they've become common?

Zoidberg Bento Ingredients:

Corn Tortilla

Crinkle-Cut Carrots

Peanut Butter and Strawberry Jam

Whole Wheat Bread

Yellow Bell Pepper

Seasoned Nori

Enjoy!

Star Wars Peanut Butter Balls (May The 4th Be With You!)

I made these yesterday and everyone loved them - these are really simple, quick to make and great for kids to handle for a number of reasons. For one thing, they don't melt easily and don't need heat, they are easy to simply roll and mix by hand and you can just eat them one at a time! You can sub any type of nut butter or even some vegan modeling chocolate for this, but anything moldable is what you want. A little more information on May the 4th can be found here.

Peanut Butter Balls Recipe:

1/2 cup of Peanut Butter

About 1/4+ cup of Confectioner's Sugar

1/4 tsp of Vanilla Extract

Pandan Extract for Yoda

Simply mix your sugar and nut butter together and roll into even sized balls - about one tablespoon each. Once you feel that you have enough, add some pandan extract if you want to make some yoda balls/buckeyes.  Mix until you feel that its homogenized enough or until you get tired (little hands are great for when this happens!) and then shape into balls but leave a little bit of the mixture in the bowl.

Roll your main ball with a tablespoon of the peanut butter mixture, then make two smaller, even-sized balls next to each one. Pinch into leaf shapes then take a toothpick and make the ear slots, place underneath the ball and then take care of your other two characters.

Chewbacca is most definitely the easiest - take a toothpick or fork and scrape against the outside for his hair as much as you want, then make a few strokes around his head. For Princess Leia you can use some vegan royal icing, peanut butter cups or maybe even some mini cinnamon rolls.

Want them to be a bit more exciting? Try out my vegan white chocolate recipe for the eyes and May the 4th be with you!  

Homemade Reese's Pieces

I've been wanting to do this for so long - I've had aching dreams of creating the perfectly thin candy coat over a creamy peanut butter paste. I knew that I needed it soon - and I was very correct in that. While these are most definitely not the type that you would get at the store, it is a very lax (and much healthier) ingredient list. The plus side is that its so fun to make and looks quite retro!

(Vegan Reese's Pieces Ingredients)

• 1/4 cup of Natural Peanut Butter
• 1/2 cup of Confectioner's/Icing Sugar

(Candy Coating Ingredients)

• 1/2 cup of Cold Water
• 1 cup of Raw Sugar
• 1 tsp of Vanilla Extract
• Natural Food Coloring
• A Pinch of Salt

(Directions)

• For the Reese's filling: I would suggest mixing your peanut butter and sugar together first. Using the smallest measuring spoon you have to plop them down onto some greased parchment paper. Then, place in the freezer


• For the candy coating: Boil your sugar and water together until they get to the hard ball stage. (To test this, have a bowl of ice water nearby once the mixture starts to crackle and boil on the stove. If you can pull it from the bowl as a ball without falling apart but still squeeze it - its ready.)
• Add your extract and dye and mix thoroughly. Then either take a fork and lightly dip each peanut butter ball back into the candy mixture or do as I did and little spoon it over each.
• Let it come down to room temperature for about an hour, serve and enjoy!

5-Minute Chocolate-Peanut Butter Marble Cake (Low-Fat w/ Gluten-Free Option)

This is a really soft cake recipe and is quite reminiscent of Chinese Steamed Cakes. It is also low-fat, lightly slight and full of choco-peanutty flavor. With a denser peanut butter mix to add to the cake for swirling, it is easier to control and makes it so surprising when you cut into the cake. Its sure to be a hit and is especially good with extra crunchy peanut butter.

(Chocolate Cake Batter Ingredients)

• 1/2 cup of White Whole Wheat (or whole grain flour mix)
• 1/4 cup Cocoa Powder
• 1/4 cup of Raw Sugar
• 2 tsp of Stevia
• 1 tsp of Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 tsp of Organic Canola Oil
• 1/2 cup-3/4 cup of Rice Milk

(Peanut Butter Swirl Ingredients)

• 2 tbl of Low-Fat Peanut Butter
• 1/4 cup of White Whole Wheat (or whole grain flour mix)
• 4 tbl of Raw Sugar
• 2 tsp of Vanilla Extract
• 2 tsp of Stevia
• 1/4 tsp of Turmeric
• Enough Water to make a thick batter

(Directions)

• Mix your cake ingredients together as you normally would and (making sure that the chocolate batter is quite liquidy but has a feel. Pour into a microwave-safe dish.
• Mix your peanut butter swirl ingredients in a different bowl, then spoon it batter into the middle if the cake batter. Take a fork or knife and cut through it to swirl it through the cake.
• Put it into the microwave for about 2 minutes and 15 seconds, check. If that side is done you may need to flip it over to cook the other for another 2 and 1/4 minutes to have the full steamed cake effect.
• Enjoy!

Funky Monkey Cheesecake (Raw Vegan)

It might not look like much - but this is purely heaven. You can eat it straight from the mixer as a sort of pudding, keep it cool for a mousse or keep it on the chill side for a nice cheesecake. The best part is when it is between fresh and frozen and you get easy to cut slices with a few chunks of velvety smooth peanut butter. Not to mention the sea salt crust with chocolate, fresh coconut, various nuts and seeds and raw cocoa powder. My first raw vegan dessert (after a raw vegan meal) and most definitely not my last.

(Funky Monkey Cheesecake Filling Ingredients)

• 1 Large Banana (Brown)
• 1/2 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1/2 tsp Fresh Lemon Juice
• 1/4 cup of Raw Sugar
• 1-2 cups of Raw Soaked Cashews(for 24 hours)
• A pinch of Sea Salt
• 1/4 cup of Raw Hemp Milk (or similar)
• 2-5 tbl of Coconut Oil (melted)
• 1/8 cup of Raw Nut Butter
• Raw Cocoa Nibs (optional)

(Funky Monkey Crust Ingredients)

• 20-40 strips of Fresh Coconut
• 3 tbl of Raw Sugar
• 1 tbl of Chia Seeds
• 2 tbl of Sesame Seeds
• 1/2 cup of Raw Oats
• A pinch of Sea Salt
• Halved Peanuts (as much as you want)
• 5 tbl of Coconut Oil (melted)
• 1/4 cup of Raw Cocoa Powder

(Directions)

• Cheesecake Filling: Blend all of your ingredients together for the filling. (Don't include the peanut butter.)
• Taste, then let cool in the fridge.


• Funky Monkey Crust: Cover the coconut strips with the chia seeds and sugar in a pan. Toast everything together very lightly.
• Process the toasted strips,seeds, and sugar with the rest of the ingredients into crumbs using a blender/processor.
• Press into a baking dish greased with coconut oil and stash in the freezer for about 30 minutes 


• Add in your cheesecake filling and place back in the freezer for about 20 more minutes.
• Swirl in your peanut butter, smooth over and then place in the freezer for about two hours or until it seems ready.

I hope that you enjoy it!

Chocolate Covered French Fries (With Tofu Bacon)

It seems like an extremely odd combo - but it works quite well. The smoky and crisp tofu, silky, sweet and slightly bitter chocolate paired with fatty peanut butter and crisp and salty french fries. This isn't unhealthy at all - though, the french fries are baked, the tofu is lightly pan-fried and the dark chocolate is about 75% dark chocolate. You can use milk chocolate to make this thick and tantalizing treat even more decadent.

(Chocolate Covered French Fries (With Tofu Bacon)Ingredients)

• 2 Potatoes (Steamed or Soaked in Cold Water)
• 1/4 of a Package of Extra-Firm Tofu
• 1/8 of a Package of Chocolate
• 1-3 tbl of Peanut Butter
• Enough Paprika, Chili Powder,Sea Salt to Taste
• Enough Oil to cook the Potatoes and Tofu

(Directions)

• Par-cook your potatoes after cutting them into french fry shapes and press your tofu.
• Let the potatoes cool down on some paper towels and then pan-fry or bake them until thoroughly browned (350 degrees in the oven).
• Afterwards you can cover your tofu in the spices,then pan fry in a little oil until very crisp.
• Add the spices to both the potatoes and tofu, then melt your chocolate.
• Either stuff the french fries into a cone or stack them on your plate and drizzle on the melted chocolate, extra salt, peanut butter and your tofu.
• Eat while warm and enjoy your blissful (and somewhat healthy) treat!

Halloween Goodies #1 (Peanut Butter Caramel Popcorn)

Scary, isn't it? The dark shadow, the red fabric and the eerie glow of the popcorn tell you not to put it in your mouth. But the popcorn is so inviting and it smells divine! The tantalizing smell of caramel, the pop of the spice and the hint of salt and peanut butter is too much to resist. This devilish treat is surely a crowd pleaser for the little goblins and ghouls who will most definitely appear at your house. Keep your popped corn on hand - because this is going to be a sweet ride!

(Peanut Butter Caramel Popcorn Ingredients)

• 5 tbl Coconut Oil
• 1/4 Cup Brown Sugar
• 1/2 Cup White Sugar
• 1 tsp Sea Salt
• 1 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
• 1/4 Cup Soymilk
• 2-4 tbl Low-fat Peanut Butter
• A Small Squirt of Lemon Juice
• Unsalted Crushed Peanuts (optional)
• Cooked popcorn

(Directions)

• Melt the coconut oil in a thick-bottomed pan and add in your sugar. Stir those in for a while as you drizzle in the soymilk. Let it thicken and bubble.
• While still stirring, add the salt and pepper flakes. Let that go for another five minutes and add the lemon juice. It should be thick and you should kind of be able to tell how far the caramel is in with it's thickness.
• Stir in the peanut butter and a touch of extra salt if you like, it should look like a thick caramel by now. Stick a spoon in it to test it's thickness.
• Spread it over your popcorn evenly and sprinkle the peanuts over. Mix it together until coated and serve warm or cooled.
• Enjoy!

Kittybread/Neko-pan (猫ーパン）

First of all, I want to point out how clear this picture is - I'm really getting better with my photos, don't you think? Second of all - this is another bread themed animal in meme form! It came all the way from a storybook in Japan so why don't you invite it for breakfast, lunch and dinner? You can use any type of sticky condiment onto the bread for the facial features or you can use more bread before you bake it.

Kittybread Recipe:
1 and 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour
1 and 1/2 cups Whole Wheat Flour
1 and 1/4 cups Warm Water
2 tsp Rapid-Rise Yeast
1/2 tsp Sea Salt

Kittybread Ears Recipe:
1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour
1/2 cup Whole Wheat Flour
1/4 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Rapid-Rise Yeast
Enough Warm Water to make the dough

Mix all of the dry ingredients together (keeping the two recipes separate) and then slowly add the water. Once they are a dough, toss one onto a well-floured board and knead for about 10 minutes or until an elastic ball. Repeat with the other dough and let them rise for about one and a half hours. After they have risen, place the larger dough in a well-greased bread pan and then separate the smaller ball. Roll the two smaller balls into tube shapes and place over the large loaf. Pinch the tops and try to shape them into triangles as much as possible. Let that rest for one and half more hours and preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Bake for about 30 minutes or until your knife comes out clean from the insides. Let that rest for an hour and use whatever you like to put on the facial features - I used peanut butter and nori since it was what I could think of.


Enjoy!

Signed,

<3 Bou Shin <3

Ice Cream For The Birthday Girl!

Tomorrow is my sister's birthday so I decided to put in some of her favorite things for lunch today. She loves strawberries and she especially loves peanut butter with sriracha. It seems odd but it does work in small amounts - but all that matters is what she likes. I used my egg mold and the same "egg" recipe as usual to make Hello Kitty and then I pasted on the crust of the sandwich onto it with tahini.

Bento Ingredients:

Tahini

Frozen Strawberries

Vegan Hello Kitty Egg

White Chocolate Peanut Butter (from Peanut Butter & Co)

Sriracha

Spinach

Nori

Whole Wheat Whole Grain Bread

Happy birthday sis and enjoy!

Signed,

<3 Bou Shin <3