The Crazy World of Substitution!

Hello again!
Today I wanted to do a post on substitutions. Why? Because we all substitute one ingredient for another now and then....or every day.
Me, I never follow a recipe the way it is written.
I substitute for a number of reasons.  The most common and important reason is to make your favourite recipes more healthy so that you can eat that chocolate cake and get something out of it such as fibre and not just guilt!
I also substitute if I do not have an ingredient (or can't afford to buy that ingredient!! or it isn't available in my area). This way I can still make the recipe, it will be slighlty different, not always in a bad way. Sometimes it comes out better!
The last reason I substitute is to make the recipe better.
Sometimes the recipe calls for raspberries but I rather use strawberries in a fruit crisp.
I am changing the recipe to suit my favourite foods and make it tatse better to me.

To make this delicious chocolate cake I used several substitutes not only to make it healthier but to make it taste better and add flavour.

Some of my fave substitutions (baking)

• I liked to sub sour cream in for part of the oil, not all. It makes cakes an muffins more moist and reduce the fat content. I use regular sour cream not low fat but give it a try as well.
• *  I actually do not like using apple sauce for oil, the texture of the cake/muffin is usually not very pleasant, maybe its me. any suggestions?
• sugar, I sometimes sub brown in for white, adds more flavour, I usually also cut down on the amount, I find most recipes are waaaay to sweet for my liking.
• I will sub nuts in for chocolate chips. Nuts have healthy fats, where chocolate chips have bad fats.
• I will sub whole wheat flour for white flour. I will also add a hanful of oats and some bran flakes as well. Usually I use 1/2 whole wheat 1/2 white flour or the texture is all wrong. This way you add fibre and taste! I do not reccomen using whole wheat for cakes, brownies can be made with whole wheat. Oats are good for anything!
• Bananas add moisture! sub in for part of oil or yogourt in a recipe. Careful bananas do add a banana flavour, but you wont taste it in chocolate cakes.
• I sometimes will only use egg whites instead of a full egg. Sometimes it makes a cake less dense and more fluffy, sometimes to cut down on calories in  a creamy pudding, I will use 1 whole egg and one or two egg whites instea of 3 whole eggs. Same in pancakes.
• If a recipe calls for low fat milk I will usually use 2% milk (thats what my parents buy) and add a little water to it. It's not making it low fat but diluting it. You cut down on some fat.
• I have never subbed anything in for butter/margarine in cookies, I strongly reccomend not using apple sauce or sour cream!! any subs that you readers use?

Cooking

• I like to cook my veggies in broth/bouillon instead of oil, it adds flavour and you do not have to add salt to the dish. The veggies keep their flavour this way! You wont burn them as easily either this way.
• Cream Soups-high in sodium and sometimes fat. For casseroles I  usually just use some water with bouillon or use broth and thicken with some flour. Simple and easy! Add cheese to make it creamy and any desire seasonings.
• I use low sodium  versions of sauces or seasonings. Cut down on salt, add spices to kick up the flavour!
• Fried food--> sometimes you can bake it instead. Fried tortillas-bake theyy become nice and cripy. Try oven baked fries or sweet potatoes. Lightly spray a little oil on fries and bake them.

These are only a few, but they are the ones I use a lot!! Most of them are very well known but there are always those who are afraid to try them (including me sometimes). I can honestly say-just try! They really work!

The recipes I post can be changed and altered the way you want and still turn out perfect and delicious that is why I post these recipes :)
We all have different nutritional needs and taste.
The recipes I post are usually based of another recipes using my substitutions and added ingredients.
Experiment, it makes cooking & baking so much more fun and exciting!

Happy Baking...and cooking!

JudyAngel101

Daily Nugetttt
Today is not a sunny day :( at least not at my house. But I will still go out for a short, 30 minute bike ride. Maybe the sun will come out later.

Do you substitute?? What is the main reason you do? What is your fave substitute or what do you sub most common??
Any weird substitutions?  I love to hear what you guys do! :)

Sweet Strawberry Davelish Dessert!

Home Grown Strawberries Magically turn into....

THIS!

Which morphs into.......

YUM!

Again, I though of this recipe by myself.
How did I come up with it?
I love cake & pudding, I had left over strawberries and I wanted something quick and easy and somewhat healthy.
I used radio pudding as a basis for my recipe.
For the syrup I cut the sugar in half and use white sugar (except I found it to be a bit too sweet so I lowered the amount in the recipe below)
only used 1 tsp margarine instead of a chunk of butter.
I kept the water the same amount.
I lined a 8 by 8 pan with about 1-2 cups of thawed strawberries (I froze ones from my garden, thawed them in the microwave and they become mushy but that's perfect for this recipe. I did not cut up the strawberries)
I poured the syrup on top and then made the cake recipe which I modified a little. Then baked in the oven.
Here's the recipe

Sweet Strawberry Davelish Dessert

• 1-2 cups strawberries fresh or frozen ( amount depends on how much you want)
• ** you can use other fruit such as blueberries, cherries, cranberries etc. or a combination of fruits

Spread them in a 8 by 8 square pan

for syrup

• 1/4 and 2 tbsp sugar ( i do not reccomend a sugar substitute such as splenda because it needs to become syrup, thick an sticky.
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp margarine or butter or ommit

Combine all ingredients and boil for about a minute or two then pour on top of strawberries

for cake

• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup milk (i used 2% but feel free to use any kind of milk or vegan milk.
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking powder

Combine and pour onto strawberries & syrup

--) Bake in 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes (until ready depends on how you want it, gooey or not)

Then....enjoy!
I served in wine glasses with some whipped cream :)
I already lowered the sugar content from when I made it, but feel free to experiment using less, if you like less sweetness then go for it!

Daily Nuggetttttt
Check out a site of mine
http://horsestar.ezweb123.com/

Healthy and easy....and it's PIZZA

Hiiiiii!
Yet another post! Will it make up for the missing pictures???
My camera has decided to take a few low quality pictures so until I get a new one....
Who doesn't like pizza?
The following recipe is my own. It is super easy to make, fast and healthy too!
It's also customizabe to your taste. You can change it to your liking in so many ways from the crust to the toppings. This recipe is also extremely easy to turn into a vegetarian or vegan recipe, you can pretty much follow the recipe the way it is.
I will post the recipe the way I usually make it (I change it up all the time though) and add some suggestions and tips.
But first the picture! Before you make it you have to believe it!

You will probably think this is not a pizza!
But yes it is! It has a thin whole wheat crust with delicious toppings & cheese (I hate cheese!)
This one I made in a casserole dish it is much easier and the only thing I had on hand.
note ** I am no pro photographer nor do I have a nice camera, so these pictures will have to do.
My family has 4 of us--> my dad who needs to have meat with his dinner most of the time
my mom--> she is flexible whatever she gets she's happy with (unless there are lumps in the pudding...she hates that!!)
My sister--> recently gone vegetarian so no meat
Me--> HATE cheese, picky but willing to try new things
So this pizza was divided into 4, each section is different lol
Okay soooo here is the recipe...finally

PIZZA A LA JUDY

Crust

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup white flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup or so warm water (keep adding until it forms a dough)

Toppings

• Ketchup (or any kind pizza sauce)
• *Finely cut cabbage
• *Green beans cut into small pieces
• *Green & Orange Peppers
• Cheese shredded (any kind will do such as cheddar, mozerella etc) or ommitt like me if you do not like cheese
•  bologne or peperonni if you like meat

* interchangeble, you can also add pineaple, carrot, mushrooms, ham, olives etc!

Instructions
Roll dough flat put into pizza pan and add toppings, sauce on the bottom and some on top. Shred cheese on top. Bake in oven for about 30 minutes at 350 degrees.
ENJOY cool or warm :)

before it went into the oven

Hope you like this recipe!

Have a delicious day,

JudyAngel101

First Green Beans of the Garden

Hello everyone :)
Yesterday I picked the first green beans from the garden this summer!!
What is more healthier than home grown veggies? Nothing!
You know that they are not sprayed with who knows what and that they do not have some kind of presevative on them.
So what did I make??

This is the most decent picture I could take before my camera went all broken on me!
I just grabbed some ingredients and made up the recipe as I went but boyyyy was it yummy!!
Also, it is perfect if you are avoiding using oil, this recipes does not use oil but stock to cook the veggies, this way actually adds flavour!
It is also perfect to use up any left over pasta you may have!
What do I call it??

Green Beans with Pasta (yup real original! jk I just want a name that actually tells you what the dish is)

• 1/2-3/4 chicken stock  as needed(or I use warm water with a bouillon cube)
• Pepper to taste
• About 4 servings of pre-cooked pasta, any kind you want. I cooked it so its nice and soft
• About 4 cups green beans cut into 1 inch pieces
• Orange & Green peppers (add as much as you like)
• Couple swiss chard leaves to fill you up & add nutrients
• About a cup finely chopped Cabbage
• ** you can add celery, carrots, onions, corn, peas, etc. This dish is versatile & you can use any veggies you need to use up or have in your fridge or are on sale.
• ** you can add basil, thyme etc any spices that you like as well

Instructions~~~
On medium-high heat, cook beans with the stock until almost all cooked then add the rest of the ingredients.
Done!!!
That was easy & quick!!

Look out for more easy & delicious recipes posts!!

Daily Nugget: I biked 8 1/2 miles in  one hour!! not bad. It was a beautiful morning out here in the country.

Sorry!!

It has been more than one day since I posted the two recipes!
Sorry, my camera is not working, all the pictures come out blurry so I need to purchase I new one.
Any suggestions on cameras that take good pictures but are not too expensive??
I appologize!! In the mean time I will post another recipe or two.

Fabulous Fibre Muffins!

Wow, two posts in the same day?! Is that possible? I guess so!
I just finished work. I work at Tim Hortons.
I actually do not like  their muffins and they are loaded with fat and sugar!
I used a basic muffin recipe & changed some ingredients to make them healthy but still taste good.
However I did reduce the amount of fat to a healthy amount. (although I did have 3 bowls of ice cream today...I guess its a good thing I ate this muffin not something else lol)
I also changed it so it would have more fibre and be more satisfying but still taste good.
The key is moderate, do not cut all sugar and fat, instead limit the amount.
Baked goods without fat tend to be a rubbery texture and do not taste very good. good and has nutrients!
Ok here's the recipe before I forget!!

They are easy to make!
makes 12 good sized muffins

blurry....i know...stupid camera!

Fabulous Fibre Muffins
3/4 cup white flour (I reccomend using some white flour it binds the ingredients)
1/4 cup oatmeal (I use quick oats)
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2  cup brown sugar (you can use regular or use mix of sugar and splenda type stuff if you want)
1/2 tsp salt
3 tsp baking powder
1/4 water
1/2 cup 2% milk (you can use 3/4 cup low fat or 1% milk but do not add the water)
1/4 cup vegetable oil (substitute any kind of oil you like) If you want no oil, the muffins will not taste as good. This amount of oil isn't that much! you can bring it down to 1/8 cup and add apple sauce. It is up to you.
1/4 cup sour cream (or use another 1/4 c oil or yogurt or apple sauce or low fat sour cream) it adds moisture
1 egg
cinnamon *optional but highly recconded, muffins will taste bland otherwise.
**You can add fruit such as blueberries or apple, add mashed banana instead of sour cream. Add raisins, chocolate chips, nutmeg, ginger etc.

Mix all ingredients together. Scoop into muffin pan & bake for about 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Time depends on your oven!!

Enjoy :) taste good warm with a little butter or cold with a glass of chocolate milk.

Will post pictures tomorrow!

My first post!! & The Way You Want Pancake

I created this blog almost a year ago and never did anything with it!
Then I came back to it yesterday and thought, mmm I can use a blog to share my recipes.
So that is what I did. I will write about random shit no one cares about but me. Hopefully I will get some followers.
But who wants to read a blog made by a teenager?
So I created this blog. I wanted to share the recipes I have come up with over the years, some from scratch others based off of other recipes.
My recipes can be modified-add sugar if you like it sweet, substitute things for butter if you really do need to lose the weight, add whole wheat flour or oats if you need more fibre, etc. It can be twisted to your nutritional needs or your taste buds.
Be aware that I do not have much of a sweet tooth so you might want to add more sweetner.
I also want to eat healthy and stay away from bad fats. I will incorporate nuts & other foods that contain good fats
Want to know something weird about me? I HATE cheese, everyone likes it but I cannot stand it! I have never liked it!!
I am an avid snacker, so I do not eat big meals.
I will include nutritional info once in a while but we all can mentally calculate whether or not the recipe is low cal/fat etc.
I am not vegan or vegetarian but I am not a big meat eater so I will include lots of vegeterian/vegan recipes. I do like my eggs & dairy!!
Anyways thats it for now. I will include a recipe of a healthy pancake for one that I have made every day this week I just love it so much & you can change it in so many ways depending on your likes!!

The Way You Want Pancake
ingredients-

• about 1/2 cup-3/4 cup flour (I usually ise 1/8 cup white flour, 1/8 cup whole wheat flour, 1tbsp oats, 1 tbsp Brinta (wheat flakes) & 1tbsp wheat bran) *i suggest using atleats a little white flour or the dough will be funny texture!
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp water
• 4 tbsp milk (I use 2% but feel free to use all water or low fat milk or full fat milk or soy milk etc.)
• spices (optional) I use cinnamon
• egg white beaten so it is foamy (you get a light pancake) or full egg beaten (you get a fuller taste also fluffy & get valuable nutrients)
• 1 tsp Vanilla extract
• add ins--> choc chips, nuts, fruit, peanut butter :) etc
• Optional add sweetner of choice about 1 tbsp - use some for on top but I do not have much of a sweet tooth!
• * if gaining weight add a tsp of oil/butter, also adds flavour I find and less dense of pancake

Heat griddle.
Mix all dry ingredients add all wet ingredients except for egg, add egg once combined. Give a good stir, dough should be a little bubbly.
Pour dough onto hot griddle if non stick np butter needed otherwise add some.
You al should  know when its ready to flip & when its done.
Sprinkle some sugar or top with toppings or syrup or fruit and ENJOY!

Wow thats a complicated recipe for a pancake however once you find a way you like it you can make it under 5 minutes!
Makes one large pancake :)

Pictures to follow, I ate one today & forgot to take picture...ooops! tomorrow I promise!

xoxo,

A teen by the name JudyAngel101 (my name on the net)