What do you with two extra ripe bananas?? Add chocolate chips, of course!

So, in our quasi-cleaning spree the hubs reminded me that we have two perfectly ripe bananas crying out to be eaten. What do you do with two extra ripe bananas? Why make delicious Chocolate banana bread muffins, of course! And that's exactly what we did...and they were delish!!! Want the recipe?? You're welcome!

via http://theopenoven.blogspot.com/2012/07/chocolate-chip-banana-muffins.html

Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins

Dear loyal readers, have you noticed the change in my current status under my Who's Cooking tab? I am no longer unemployed, but slightly employed! What do I mean by being slightly employed, you ask? It means that I no longer have the luxury (or curse) of waking up at noon but that I work for my mother and her sister. Last Monday, the Ateneo School of Medicine finally relaunched Home Flavours to serve students and yes, that is where I work. Ish. I help around in preparing and serving the food, and when lunch is over, I go home and bake sweets to serve for the next day. 

Remember my Oreo Cupcakes, by the way? The students gobbled them up, ordering 2 at a time with their meals. They were a hit! So for tomorrow, I have a new treat for them: Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins. They like bananas a lot, and they also requested for desserts and snacks they can carry out and eat in class, seems like a good idea to indulge them.

Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins

1/2 cup butter, melted

3-4 bananas, mashed

4 eggs

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup caster sugar

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp vanilla

chocolate chips

makes 12 muffins

Peel bananas and place them in a large bowl. Mash.

Beat in the eggs, melted butter and vanilla.

Add the flour, sugars, baking powder, baking soda and salt with the banana mixture and beat until smooth.

Fold in as many chocolate chips as your heart desires or your diet allows. I didn't put a lot in the batter because I'll also put some on top of the muffins.

Line your muffin tins with muffin liners and fill them with batter until the rim. You'll want them to mushroom on top when they're done. Sprinkle more chocolate chips on top if you want (I did).

Bake at a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until the muffin tops are golden brown. Wait about 2 to 3 minutes before transferring to a tray to cool, so that the muffin tops avoid sticking to the tin.

I'd like to think that these muffins are healthier than other banana muffins out there, in spite of the chocolate chips present. I don't use banana extract because that crap is evil, only fresh, ripe bananas. Also, I tried putting less sugar in them, letting the natural sweetness of the bananas and chocolate chips do their magic.

Valentimes Day with the Krugels

Since this was our first Valentimes, yes I know, it's spelled wrong :), as a married couple I decided to take some well deserved flex time off and cook dinner for the hubby. Since I've been working so many late nights lately and we've been watching our girlish figures I haven't made authentic Cuban food for him. So...no time like the present.

The original plan was to have:

Frijoles Negros con Arroz Blanco (Black beans with white rice)

Pollo al Mojo de Ajo (Chicken in a garlicy citrus sauce)

Fried Bananas courtesy of my friends at Goya

Salad with mixed greens, goat cheese, balsamic dressing, and homemade croutons

And, if I could pull it off in time, Yucca

Unfortunately because neither the HEB or Kroger near our house had Yucca or any semblance of Goya products we ate, a delicious salad, followed by black beans and rice, and semi-decent chicken al mojo.



All in all, it was a great night and we event picked up some beautiful dormant roses for our yard. If all goes to plan we will be enjoying these beautiful babies in our backyard this summer or possibly fall.

Peace roses

Oregold roses



My Day in Pictures...

This morning I woke up fighting a war between me and my allergies...le drat. Here's what ensued...

My HQ with my personal nurse, Manny

Pulp does a body good!!

Homemade Caldo de Pollo con fideo (Chicken Noodle Soup)

My new favorite tea

In my new teapot, thanks Mom and Alle!

This is what happens when I don't want to spend $5 on puppy ice cream...

So as many of you know I have a penchant for pampering my pup and I have found a great recipe for "Frosty Paws"! For those of you unfamiliar with "Frosty Paws" here's more about this great product, http://www.nestleusa.com/en/Brands/Ice-Cream/Frosty-Paws.

"Frosty Paws" typically run around $5 a pop and only have 4 per container. With as many treats as Manny goes through we used to only buy them for special occasions, however now with this new recipe, he can have them all of the time!!

*Side note, I used a blender and ice cube trays because well...it was easier....

Manny tested and approved!

Step 1

Find two hungry puppies (or kitties, ferrets, hedgehogs, etc. who love store bought Frosty Paws) after a long day in the pool. Pictured here.

Step 2

Assemble all your ingredients. I like doubling the batch.

2 lb – 32 oz container of plain yogurt
Peanut Butter
Honey
1-2 Ripe bananas
Plastic containers
Spatula, masher and small ladle
Love

Step 3

Take 1-2 peeled, ripened bananas and put them in mixing bowl and mash ‘em. Mash ‘em hard. Mash ‘em good.

Step 4

Empty entire container of yogurt into bowl. You can use any kind of plain yogurt. I would not use non-fat unless Fido needs has some serious love handles, but you’re his master.

Step 5

Squeeze some honey on top. I would say around 2-4 tblsp – but I like to “feel” the measurements. I’m kind of rebellious that way.

Step 6

Add the peanut butter.  You can use as little as 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup. I even use a little bit more sometimes. Once again, I “felt” this one up. I use this creamy PB because we go through PB in our home like it was, well PB. The dogs love this kind. Feel free to use all-natural, organic or whatever. Be careful using chunky if you have small nugget dogs like Chee-waw-was. Do not need Pepe being rushed to the vet for choking on peanut chunks.

Step 7

When you have all these together, mix it really well so everything is combined.

Step 8

It should look like this. I am sure you women who have babies know of this particular substance.

Step 9

WHOOPS! Don’t forget the LOVE!!! This is mandatory ’cause love makes it all happen. 

Step 10

Start ladling into little containers. If you have smaller dogs, I suggest filling up ice cube trays. They are perfect for small dog treats and you can give them 1 or 2. What I like about these containers is that if they do not want the rest, you can put the lid on and back to the freezer you go!

Step 11

After they are filled, bang them lightly on table to settle and wipe off any messes around rim.

Step 12

Pop the lids on!

Step 13

Put in freezer next to edamame and Reese’s. Breakfast of Champions.

If you have done this correctly, then you will no doubt have happy doggies!

Enjoy and I hope you all found this helpful!