Deluxe Banana Split Soft-Serve

Last night I was craving - of all things - a banana split from Dairy Queen.  I don't know about you, but I have wonderful memories of heading to Dairy Queen after school, or on the weekends, or with my mom, for a special ice cream treat.  Sometimes I ordered a Chocolate Dip Cone, other times I ordered a Peanut Buster Parfait (come on...you know you remember it!), every once in a while I would order an Oreo Blizzard; but undoubtedly - at least eight times out of ten - I ordered a Banana Split!  There was just something about the combination of vanilla soft-serve, strawberries, cherries, peanuts, and chocolate syrup that made my taste buds go crazy!

And although Bo and I didn't head out to a Dairy Queen last night, YOU BETTER BELIEVE I got my banana split fix!

To start, I used my recipe for Homemade Peach Compote to create a delicious - but healthy - strawberry sauce.  I honestly think that I could have eaten this straight out of the jar with a spoon and been pretty happy!

Then the real work fun began!  I:

• whipped together a decadent chocolate sauce;
• chopped some salted peanuts; and
• got out all of the ingredients for my favorite Secret Ingredient Soft-Serve.  

After preparing all of the separate components of the Banana Split, it was time to assemble my delectable masterpiece.

Seriously...doesn't that look SO good?!

Deluxe Banana Split Soft-Serve
Serves 2

For the Strawberry Compote:
15 strawberries, diced
1/2T cornstarch
2 packets stevia
2T maple syrup
2T water

For the Chocolate Syrup:
2T dark chocolate chips
1/2tsp coconut oil

For the Banana Soft-Serve:
2 frozen bananas
2T almond milk (or milk of choice)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

For Garnish:
salted peanuts, chopped
maraschino cherry, optional

Directions:

• For the Strawberry Compote: Toss the diced strawberries with the cornstarch to coat.  Place the strawberries, stevia, maple syrup, and water in a small saucepan; bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to medium; continue cooking at a low boil for 5 minutes.  Use a potato masher to mash the strawberries (until a jam-like consistency is formed).  Pour into a small jar and refrigerate until cooled and set.
• For the Chocolate Syrup: Place the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a small bowl.  Heat - in 30 second increments - in the microwave until fully melted and incorporated.  Keep warm until ready to serve.
• For the Banana Soft-Serve: Place the frozen banana chunks in your food processor; process for 1-2 minutes until bananas are broken up and beginning to smooth out.  Add the almond milk and vanilla extract and process until smooth.
• Next, spoon 2-4T (depending upon taste and preference) of the Strawberry Compote into the food processor with the Banana Soft-Serve.  Pulse a couple of times until the compote is swirled into the soft-serve.
• Note: At this point - depending upon whether or not your soft-serve is beginning to get too soft - you may need to freeze it for 5-10 minutes to re-harden.
• Pour the soft-serve into small bowls, drizzle the chocolate syrup on top, and garnish with the chopped peanuts and cherry.
• Enjoy IMMEDIATELY as the soft-serve will melt quickly!

I was even nice enough to make one for Bo too!  

Go ahead - admit it - I have that "Wife of the Year" award in the bag. ;)

Question of the Day:

Do you like traditional banana splits?  If not, what is your favorite ice cream treat?!

Blessings,
Ally and Bo

Cherry Pie Oats

On a whim - for no apparent reason other than it was on sale - I recently bought a can of Compton's No Sugar Added Cherry Pie Filling.

Well, that was almost a month ago.  

Since that purchase, the large can of cherry pie filling has sat, ignored, in the back of our pantry.  Keep in mind, we don't have any pie crusts in our refrigerator or freezer.  For that matter, Bo and I don't really even like pie crust all that much.  Most of the time, on the few occasions that we have either ordered or baked a pie, we end up eating out all of the "innerds" (that's not a very nice word now is it?) and leaving the crust for the birds.

Seriously, what in the world was I thinking buying pie filling?!

It was simple.  

I was going to have to come up with another way to eat this pie filling.  

And that got me thinking...how else can one eat pie?  I mean let's be honest, who doesn't try to get away with eating dessert for breakfast every once in a while (Come on...what do you think cinnamon rolls, french toast, and scones really are?!)?  So why fight it?  Why not just embrace the concept of pie for breakfast, but turn it into something healthy, delicious, and fulfilling?  The truth is, there is not reason not to.

So that's exactly what I did.

Cherry Pie Oats
Serves 1

1/2 C oats
pinch of salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 C Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
1 C water
1/2 tsp butter extract (or 1T butter)
1 C Compton's No Sugar Added Cherry Pie Filling
1 T unsweetened, shredded coconut (optional, for garnish)

Directions:

• Add the oats, salt, and cinnamon to a medium saucepan.
• Pour in the almond milk, water, and butter extract.
• Bring to a low boil, immediately reduce heat, and simmer for 7-10 minutes until the mixture begins to thicken.
• Pour the oats into a large bowl, and mix-in the cherry pie filling.
• Garnish with the shredded coconut, and serve.

On the off chance that you aren't a fan of cherry pie (Really?  How is that even possible?!), here are nine other recipes from the ABC blog that are perfect for breakfast:

Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal

This is the PERFECT bowl of oats for fall weather.  Stock up on canned pumpkin so that you can enjoy this recipe all-year round!

Overnight PB&J Oats

Peanut butter, jelly, cream, and oats all in the same bowl.  

Enough said.

Peanut Butter and Banana Overnight Oats

This recipe takes a classic snack combination and turns it into something perfect for breakfast.  This bowl of oats will keep you fueled and full for hours!

Blueberry Cobbler Oatmeal

This is one of my personal favorites!  

Feel free to get creative with ANY herbal teas you have laying around!

Cranberry and "Dressing" Overnight Oats

Tradition with a twist, this oatmeal recipe will have you wistfully reflecting on Thanksgiving come and gone.  But don't wait until November to enjoy this any-time-of-year bowl of oats!  

Apple and Peanut Butter Oatmeal

Here's another classic snack combination turned into something marvelous and delicious for breakfast.  If bananas aren't your thing, this bowl of oats should fit the bill!

Biscoff Overnight Oats

What's Biscoff?  

Don't ask.

Just get into your car,

drive to the nearest grocery store, 

buy it, and

rush home to make this for breakfast tomorrow.

You can thank me later.

Spring Green Overnight Oats

Think you don't like green foods?  Well, this bowl of oats isn't your average sauteed spinach, boiled broccoli, or mushy asparagus.  Don't be scared, just go for it!

And again...thank me later.

Roasted Coco(nut) Oatmeal

Running out of fresh fruits and vegetables?  Don't despair...oatmeal is here!  Add a few tablespoons of pantry staples such as nuts and coconut and you are good to go for hours!

Question of the Day:


Do you like fruit pie?!  If so, what is your favorite flavor (i.e. cherry, apple, peach, blueberry, blackberry, strawberry, etc.)?  

P.S. I have a can of Lucky Leaf's Sugar-Free Apple Pie Filling in my pantry as well.  Hmmm...I see another variation of "pie oats" coming your way in the near future!

Blessings,
Ally and Bo

Spring Green Overnight Oats

"Do you like green eggs and ham?"

"I do not like them, Sam-I-am.  I do not like green eggs and ham!"

"Would you like them here or there?"

"I would not like them here or there.  I would not like them anywhere."

"I do so like green eggs and ham!  Thank you! Thank you, Sam-I-am!"

Well, since almost all of my cooking is vegan, today's post is not about eggs or ham.  But don't let that disappoint you!  Today's post IS all about green food...and not just any normally green food either.  Today's post is all about green oatmeal!

Angela from Oh She Glows has done it again!  

After reading her most recent post on the topic of Green Monster Overnight Oats, I was inspired!  

As evidenced on my Recipage, I love to eat oatmeal in the morning...especially if it is cold.  But sometimes my same five to six combinations can get a little stale.  So although I didn't have all of the ingredients on hand to make Angela's Green Monster Overnight Oats, I did have something green (kale!), and knew that I could work with what I had to make a NEW delicious breakfast combination.  I find that adding peanut butter (or in this case, PB2) to almost anything is a good idea, and a little drizzle of honey doesn't hurt either.  In the end, my recipe looked a little bit like this:

1 part Oh She Glows' recipe + 2 parts the ABC blog's creativity = 

1 astonishingly delicious bowl of spring green overnight oats!

Spring Green Overnight Oats
Serves 1

1 handful of kale, stem removed
1 very ripe banana
1 1/2 T ground flax
1 C almond milk
1/2 C water
2 stevia packets
4 T PB2 powder, divided
1/3 C oats
honey, for garnish

Directions:

• Blend together the kale, banana, flax, milk, water, stevia, and 2 T PB2.
• In a medium Tupperware container, add the oats.
• Pour the green smoothie mixture over the oats, and stir to combine.
• Allow the oats to thicken in the refrigerator overnight.
• In the morning, mix the remaining 2 T PB2 with 1 1/2 T water.
• Garnish your Spring Green Overnight Oats with PB2 and honey!

Hmm...mmmm...good!  Doesn't that bowl of oats just look delicious?!  If you are scared of green foods for breakfast, don't let the color keep you from enjoying one of the BEST bowl of oats I have had in a long time!

For more of the ABC blog's PB2 recipes click here!

Question of the Day:

What is your favorite way to eat your greens?!  ( i.e. In a smoothie?  Along with dinner?  In a casserole?  In your oats?  In a salad?)

Blessings,
Ally and Bo

Apple and Peanut Butter Oatmeal

Like I promised, today is all about oatmeal.  But this isn't just any ol' oatmeal recipe, I assure you!

Do you frequently enjoy an apple smeared with peanut butter as an afternoon snack?  Why, might I ask, do you feel as though you must wait until the afternoon to enjoy that perfect marriage of flavors?

YOU DON'T!

You can have your apple and peanut butter, and eat it too...

...for breakfast, that is!

Creamy and slightly salty, this oatmeal will leave you feeling full for up to five hours!  This recipe is perfect for those busy days when you know you might not be eating lunch until late into the afternoon.  For an extra crunch, feel free to toss a small handful of crushed peanuts on top!

Apple and Peanut Butter Oatmeal
Serves 2

1/2 C oats
pinch of salt
2 stevia packets
3/4 tsp cinnamon
3 heaping T PB2
2 C water
1/4 C almond milk
apple, diced

Directions:

1. Place the oats, salt, stevia, cinnamon, PB2, and water in a medium saucepan.
2. Boil, reduce to simmer, and cook for 5 minutes.
3. Pour the oatmeal into a medium Tupperware container, and refrigerate overnight.
4. In the morning, add in the almond milk and stir to incorporate.
5. Meanwhile, microwave the diced apple for one minute.
6. Divide the oatmeal between two bowls, place half the apple in each bowl, and sprinkle with cinnamon.
7. Serve warm or cold, depending upon your preference.

Later today, or tomorrow, Bo and I are going to start packing up the house for our big move to Jacksonville. Everything is happening so quickly...EEK!

...oh, and we have that little thing called a cruise to pack for as well...

...I guess I better get going...

...talk to you soon!

Question of the Day:

Apple & PB?
Banana & PB?
PB & J?


Which is your favorite?!

Blessings,
Ally and Bo