I have started watching what goes into my food, so I've begun making my food from scratch.

Save Time and Money Without Scrimping on Taste

I have been making this delicious bread in my oven for some time now, but I've discovered that I can easily make it in my bread machine. This way, I can just leave it and come back to it when it's done.

During this pandemic, I thought I would have more time on my hands to do some baking and other hobbies, but the work-from-home arrangement has somehow made my schedule more hectic. I've found that my trusty bread machine has been a real time saver! Moreover, I don't need to toss my overripe bananas into my trash bin. I can use them to make delicious and healthy banana bread for breakfast or snacks.

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon vanilla paste
• 1/4 cup pomace olive oil
• 2 medium eggs, lightly beaten
• 3 medium bananas, mashed
• 2 tablespoons agave syrup, or as desired
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons milled flaxseed
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup mixed nuts, roughly chopped

Instructions

1. Add all the wet ingredients in the bread machine pail following the order in the list.
2. In a separate bowl, add the dry ingredients, except the nuts, and mix with a whisk.
3. In another bowl, get 1 tablespoon of flour from the banana bread flour mixture and toss the chopped nuts in it.
4. Carefully add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in the pail.
5. Choose the "express bake" setting (or the equivalent on your bread machine). Choose "light color" for the crust (I like my banana bread with medium-colored crust, though).
6. Press "start."
7. After about 5 minutes, add the chopped nuts.
8. Wait for your bread machine to finish baking your bread.

Baking Tips

• Use a whisk to mix the dry ingredients to ensure that the ingredients are well mixed. A whisk is also a good choice when mixing flour for cakes to skip sifting the flour.
• Tossing the nuts or other add-ins to your bread or cake will prevent the add-ins from sinking to the bottom of the batter.

Top 10 Health Benefits of Bananas

Delicious Banana Bread Pairings

I have tried the following spreads on banana bread and I guarantee 100% delight! I also used my banana bread for French toast and it also tasted so good, especially with coconut syrup.

• Peanut butter
• Sharp cheese
• Cream cheese
• Chocolate spread
• Avocado slices

I have started watching what goes into my food, so I've begun making my food from scratch.

Discover the Wonders of Raw Cacao Powder

First things first: cacao powder and cocoa powder are not the same thing.

Raw cacao powder is a product of unroasted fermented cacao beans, whereas cocoa powder is processed with dairy and sugar ingredients.

Raw cacao powder has many health benefits. I've included a video, below, that talks about some of these benefits.

I've been trying to eat healthier, and I usually use gluten-free flour when I bake. In this recipe I used almond flour and brown rice flour instead of the usual white all-purpose flour. Both are gluten free and can help lower the level of bad cholesterol. I have also included two videos at the end of this article about the benefits of almond flour and brown rice.

Let's get started!

Health Benefits of Raw Cacao Powder

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup almond flour
• 2 tablespoons brown rice flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 3 tablespoons cacao powder
• 2 tablespoons muscovado sugar (optional)
• 1/3 cup almond milk or plain water, plus more if needed
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla paste
• 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed (optional)

What Is Vanilla Bean Paste?

Recently, I started using vanilla bean paste as a substitute for vanilla extract. Vanilla bean paste has a more intense vanilla flavor than its extract counterpart. This is because the vanilla bean paste has scraped vanilla pod seeds and vanilla extract combined. Hence, the more intense (and yummier) vanilla taste!

Instructions

1. Mix the almond flour, rice flour, cacao powder, sugar and baking powder together (and optional ground flaxseed). Set aside.
2. In another bowl, mix the egg, almond milk or water, coconut oil and vanilla paste.
3. Add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix until combined. Do not overmix.
4. Heat a skillet.
5. Drop 1/4 cup of pancake batter onto the skillet. Cook until done.

Delicious Tips and Substitutes

• Instead of brown rice flour, you may use tapioca starch.
• For those who don't like the taste of coconut oil, I have tried avocado oil for this recipe and it worked well.
• For the delicious fruit toppings, I have tried the following fruits: strawberries, bananas, mangoes and papaya.
• Adding a sprinkle of coconut flakes elevates these pancakes to a whole new level of heavenly goodness!
• I have tried honey, maple and agave syrup with these pancakes.
• I have made these pancakes using plain water (omitting the almond milk) and I didn't notice any difference!
• To enjoy the health benefits of cacao powder, do not use cocoa powder (notice the difference in the spelling, cacao vs. cocoa). Watch the video below to learn all about the goodness of raw cacao.
• I normally make these pancakes without sugar, foreseeing that I will be putting syrup on my pancakes. This is to avoid too much sweetener in my pancakes. But you may add muscovado sugar if you want.

Why Use Almond Flour?

Health Benefits of Brown Rice

I have started watching what goes into my food, so I've begun making my food from scratch.

This berry-lemony cake is a no-guilt treat that pairs well with a cup of hot tea. I enjoy having this after my lunch. It's so nice to have something to look forward to at the end of a meal!

Cook Time

Ingredients

• 1 medium lemon, zested and juiced
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or paste
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons agave syrup, or to taste
• 2 cups almond flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds
• 2 tablespoons brown rice flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (or up to 3/4 cup) assorted berries

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
2. Line a square baking dish with baking paper.
3. Zest and juice the lemon in a bowl.
4. Add the eggs, coconut oil, vanilla extract, and agave syrup. Beat all ingredients.
5. In a separate bowl, combine the almond flour, chia seeds, rice flour, baking soda, and salt.
6. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix. If the batter comes out too dry, add up to 4 tablespoons of water mixed with almond milk. Add this one tablespoon at a time, so as not to overdo the liquid.
7. Gently mix in the berries.
8. Pour the batter into the baking dish.
9. Bake for 30 minutes or until done.

Berry Healthy Choice

Recipe Tips

• Berries: You may use dried or frozen berries. Just remember to thaw the berries if you are using frozen ones. I used raspberries, cranberries, blueberries, and strawberries for this recipe. I sliced the strawberries to create pieces that were more matched in size with the other berries.
• Flaxseed option: In addition to the chia seeds, I added two tablespoons of ground flaxseed. Remember to adjust your liquid to avoid a very dry batter.
• Oil substitution: Instead of coconut oil, you can use olive oil or even avocado. There will just be a slight difference in taste, though.
• Flour: Whenever I bake with almond flour, I add some rice flour, as well. This helps add a bit more "body" to the cake.

Health Benefits of Almond Flour

Comments

Nicky Hunt (author) from Manila, Philippines on February 02, 2021:

Thanks, Peggy! It’s easy to make too!

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on February 01, 2021:

This cake recipe sounds healthy and delicious. Pinning it! Thanks!

I have started watching what goes into my food, so I've begun making my food from scratch.

Quick Breakfast or Snack

I love trying out new things, especially when it comes to food. I have tried a number of flour varieties in addition to the standard white flour: almond flour, whole wheat flour, coconut flour, cassava flour, and brown rice flour. For this recipe, I tried using chickpea flour. It has become an instant favorite! It is so easy to work with it. Actually, the first time I made these waffles, I just used plain chickpea flour, baking powder, and water. To my surprise, the results were superb!

I use a Dash mini waffle maker at home. It is so convenient! I mix all the ingredients while waiting for it to heat up. I am able to make my four to five mini waffles in around 15 to 20 minutes. This is perfect for when I am in a rush in the morning, but I still want to eat breakfast at home.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup chickpea flour
• 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed and chia seeds (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon honey, or as desired
• 1/4 cup water, more as needed
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (optional)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

Instructions

1. Oil the waffle maker sparingly.
2. Mix all ingredients in a small bowl.
3. Scoop out 1/4 cup of batter and pour it into the middle of the waffle maker.
4. Wait for the waffle maker to finish cooking. Enjoy!

Optional Flavor Additions

Using the same recipe, I have tried using the following add-ons to create different flavors.

• Chocolate: Add 1 tablespoon cacao powder.
• Matcha: Add 1 teaspoon green matcha powder.
• Chocolate chip: Add 1 tablespoon cacao nibs.

Health Benefits of Chickpeas

Comments

Nicky Hunt (author) from Manila, Philippines on September 14, 2020:

Agree! It's fun using this kitchen gadget aside from the fact that you get to make delicious snack!

Liz Westwood from UK on September 13, 2020:

These look very professional. We enjoy using waffle makers in Hilton hotels, as they are quite a novelty in the UK.

Nicky Hunt (author) from Manila, Philippines on September 12, 2020:

Thanks @Peggy Woods! Chickpea flour is not so common, but it is available in Amazon or in any Indian grocery store. It is also called Besan or Gram flour.

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on September 12, 2020:

Using chickpea flour sounds like a healthy alternative to regular waffles made with wheat flour. I have never purchased chickpea flour, but it is tempting to do after reading this.

I have started watching what goes into my food, so I've begun making my food from scratch.

Brownies With Sweet Potatoes Are Delicious!

If you're looking for a new gluten-free brownie recipe, this may be just what you're looking for. In addition to almond flour, I used sweet potato, cacao powder and cacao nibs to amp up the nutritional value. Satisfy your sweet tooth without the guilt!

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup sweet potato, boiled and mashed
• 2 tablespoons (or more) honey
• 1/4 cup almond butter
• 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons (or more) cacao powder
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2/3 cup almond flour
• 1/4 cup cacao nibs

Instructions

1. Line two 9-inch loaf pans with baking paper. Set aside.
2. Pre-heat oven to 350 F.
3. Boil the sweet potato and then mash it in a bowl.
4. Add the rest of the ingredients, except the cacao nibs. Mix until combined.
5. Divide the batter between the two loaf pans.
6. Top the batter with cacao nibs. Using a fork to gently press down the nibs.
7. Bake for 20 minutes.

Baking Tips

• If your mashed sweet potato is a bit dry, add some liquid, like water or rice milk. Add one tablespoon at a time until you get a moist mash.
• I have used coconut flour in this recipe, and it came out fantastically! When using coconut flour, you might want to use coconut oil instead of olive oil.
• Instead of cacao nibs, you may use walnuts or cashew nuts. I have also used a combination of cacao nibs and cranberries.

The Benefits of Sweet Potato

16 Benefits of Raw Cacao

Comments

Nicky Hunt (author) from Manila, Philippines on July 09, 2020:

I hope you'll enjoy it too, Alicia.

Linda Crampton from British Columbia, Canada on July 09, 2020:

I've never thought of using sweet potato for making brownies. It sounds like a great idea. Thank you for sharing the recipe.

I have started watching what goes into my food, so I've begun making my food from scratch.

Perfect Bread for French Toast!

Since I've been home during the quarantine, I've been using my bread machine a lot to make multigrain bread. Then I thought about trying out a new recipe to perk things up—and since I love French toast, I decided to make brioche.

The brioche turned out pillow-soft with a flaky crust. It was the perfect texture for my French toast. Moreover, I made this at home! How comforting it is to know that I can make more of this any time.

By the way, I also used this bread for my hamburger sandwiches. I love how it turned my simple burgers into a gourmet treat.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 whole eggs
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon Himalayan salt
• 1 3/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 7 tablespoons butter

Instructions

1. Add the first six ingredients into the pail of your bread machine.
2. Mix the flour and the salt in a bowl; then add it to the wet ingredients.
3. Make a small well in the flour, then add the yeast.
4. Choose the "sweet" setting in your bread machine. I chose "light crust" for my bread. Start the machine.
5. After around 30 seconds, drop the 7 tablespoons of butter, one by one. It is important to give time to each tablespoon of butter to get incorporated with the flour mixture.
6. Let the the bread bake.
7. When done, I left the the bread in the machine for about 15 to 20 minutes with the lid open.
8. Remove the bread from the pail and enjoy!

Bread Machine Tips

• Make sure that that the yeast does not get wet when you add it to the flour.
• Soften the butter a bit (but still solid in form) before dropping it into the flour mixture. This is to facilitate its incorporation with the flour mixture.

Comments

Nicky Hunt (author) from Manila, Philippines on June 30, 2020:

It's comforting to know that we can make it anytime! This is why I love my bread machine!

Sp Greaney from Ireland on June 29, 2020:

This is a great idea. Brioche bread here is dearer than regular bread, so to be able to make it yourself in a bread machine is great. Nice recipe.

Nicky Hunt (author) from Manila, Philippines on May 08, 2020:

Still, nothing beats handmade bread, Liza. The only advantage I have observed in using a bread machine is that I can leave it and do something else. I just go back to it when the bread is done. Hope you'll enjoy your bread machine too!

Liza from USA on May 08, 2020:

I don't have a bread machine. Actually, I enjoy kneading the dough because it's part of the process that I like the most. However, I don't mind having one at home so it speeds the process of making bread at home. I should put this one of my online shopping lists! Thanks for sharing, Nicky.

Nicky Hunt (author) from Manila, Philippines on May 06, 2020:

A number of people discovered their inner baker during this lockdown!B)

Liz Westwood from UK on May 06, 2020:

This looks like a professionally baked product. In the UK there have been shortages of flour recently due to people baking during lockdown.

I have started watching what goes into my food, so I've begun making my food from scratch.

An Easy Wintertime Soup

During the holiday season, my schedule is normally quite packed—but I still need to prepare meals for gatherings at home. For these gatherings, I choose recipes that are simple and quick to prepare without sacrificing taste. My sweet potato carrot soup is normally my go-to dish for these hectic holiday times.

Ingredients

• 1/2 kilo sweet potato, cubed
• 1/2 kilo carrots, cubed
• 1 chicken bouillon cube
• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup milk or cream
• cinnamon powder, to taste

Instructions

1. In a saucepan, combine the sweet potato, carrot and chicken bouillon cube. Simmer until the potatoes and carrots are soft. Remove from heat.
2. With a hand blender, puree the sweet potato and carrot mixture until it reaches a thick and creamy consistency.
3. Add the milk or cream, then stir.
4. If the soup is too thick for you, you can thin it out by adding hot water.
5. Before serving, sprinkle some cinnamon powder on top.

Serving Tips

• You may serve this soup with slices of toasted French bread. This is good for a bigger crowd.
• You may also serve this in a bread bowl. This is good for a smaller, elegant gathering.
• Aside from cinnamon powder, I have used dehydrated moringa flakes to garnish this soup.
• Try this soup too with some savory crackers like onion or garlic crackers.

Got the Hang of It?

Once you're comfortable with the recipe, substitute the sweet potatoes and carrots with the following ingredients:

• spinach
• squash
• chickpeas
• spinach

Here's another delicious Potato Soup recipe.

Comments

Nicky Hunt (author) from Manila, Philippines on December 09, 2019:

I have also tried this recipe using green peas, spinach chickpeas, potatoes and squash.

Liz Westwood from UK on December 06, 2019:

This is a great soup recipe. I appreciate its simplicity.

Nicky Hunt (author) from Manila, Philippines on December 03, 2019:

This is also good with some savory crackers!

Liza from USA on December 03, 2019:

I love sweet potatoes, this is good alternative soup for wintertime. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

I have started watching what goes into my food, so I've begun making my food from scratch.

Winter Holiday Bread

I was so excited to make this bread, and the end result definitely did not disappoint. My apartment was filled with the delicious smell of cinnamon. This is the perfect bread for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any time during the winter holidays!

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup liquid milk
• 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 3 cups bread flour
• 1 1/2 tablespoons dry milk
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 3/4 teaspoons yeast
• 3/4 cup dried cranberries

Instructions

1. Add all the measured liquid ingredients in the bread machine pail.
2. In a separate bowl, measure and mix the dry ingredients except the yeast and cranberries. Add gently on top of the liquid mixture.
3. Make a well in the middle of the flour mixture and add the yeast. Be very careful not to get the yeast wet.
4. Close the lid of the bread machine.
5. Choose basic setting and light crust color (or set the crust color as desired).
6. Press the start button.
7. When you hear the beeping sound during the kneading cycle, drop the cranberries a few at a time into the dough--allowing the dough to incorporate the cranberries well.
8. Wait for the bread machine to finish baking.

Baking Tips

• I love soft breads! To make my bread soft, I always add 1/4 cup liquid milk. I use 2% milk, but any kind will do. Try it and see the difference!
• If you like adding fruits and nuts to your bread, always add them after you hear the beeping sound during the kneading cycle. Do not add them together with the ingredients to avoid 'pulverising' or 'crushing' them to tidbits.

Video: Homemade Bread With a Machine

Comments

Nicky Hunt (author) from Manila, Philippines on November 13, 2019:

My breadmaker is a source of joy in my kitchen !!

Liza from USA on November 13, 2019:

Yummy, I never thought of making a bread from a bread maker but, your cranberry cinnamon bread looks delicious.Perhaps I should get one too! Thanks for the recipe.

I have started watching what goes into my food, so I've begun making my food from scratch.

Healthier Brownies

There's no need to give up your sweet tooth for your health—just opt for smaller servings and healthier choices.

Who doesn't like chocolate? I love chocolate, and I am not ready to give it up. This is why I chose to use healthier ingredients to make these brownies.

Coconut Flour Benefits

Coconut flour is a go-to flour for those who are gluten-intolerant. It's often cheaper than almond flour, which is another popular choice. Moreover, it is rich in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are a type of fat that promotes weight loss, enhances heart and brain health, and helps protect against viruses and bacteria.

If you bake with coconut flour, it is good to use eggs to make your product fluffier. Remember, too, to let the flour absorb the liquid before baking.

Coconut Sugar: A Healthier Option

Coconut sugar is better than refined sugar for two reasons: It contains more nutrients than regular table sugar, and it has a low glycemic index. A low glycemic index means that your blood sugar will not spike as drastically as it would after consuming refined sugar. Having said that, however, you should know that coconut sugar is still sugar—so intake should still be in moderation.

Cook Time

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup coconut flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon Himalayan salt
• 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon cacao powder
• 2 eggs
• 3 tablepoons coconut sugar, or as desired
• 1/2 cup coconut milk (or 2% milk)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Grease a brownie pan. (I used a round pyrex dish and greased it with olive oil.)
2. In a bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. Whisk together the olive oil, cocoa powder, and sugar.
4. In another bowl, whisk together the coconut milk, eggs, and vanilla.
5. Mix together the olive oil mixture with the coconut milk mixture.
6. Then add the flour mixture gradually into the milk mixture.
7. Allow the batter to rest for 5 minutes to let the flour sip the liquid mixture.
8. Fold in the chocolate chips.
9. Pour the batter into the baking dish.
10. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until done.
11. Cool before cutting.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Comments

Liza from USA on November 14, 2019:

Great!

Nicky Hunt (author) from Manila, Philippines on November 13, 2019:

You're welcome! I will post my other coconut flour recipes too soon. Thanks again.

Liza from USA on November 13, 2019:

The brownies look yummy! Actually, I've been wanting to use a coconut flour for baking but, I have some issue with getting the right recipe for it. Thank you for sharing the recipe!

I have started watching what goes into my food, so I've begun making my food from scratch.

Easy Recipe That Your Kids Can Help Make!

This recipe is so easy that it's a great one to make with your kids! For safety reasons, an adult should operate the food processor, but the kids can do nearly everything else.

This is a healthy snack alternative that everyone will enjoy. Just one or two pieces of this will satisfy your hunger for a filling snack. The recipe does not require any baking or cooking, so you and your family can munch on these snacks in no time. It took me just 20 minutes from start to finish.

Ingredients

• 8 to 12 pitted dates, chopped
• 3 tbsps cocoa butter (or any nut butter)
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• 1/4 cup milk chocolate chips (or dark chocolate chips)
• 2/3 cup rolled oats (roughly ground)

Directions

1. Pulse the dates in a food processor, or chop them into small bits by hand. Set aside.
2. Pulse the oats in the processor until they look roughly ground (not powder like).
3. In a bowl, mix the dates, oats, cocoa butter (or other nut butter), chia seeds and chocolate chips together until they form a ball.
4. Scoop out 1 tablespoon of the dough, press together, then roll into a ball.
5. Place the balls into a container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before consuming.
6. This recipe roughly makes 8 to 10 balls.

Health Benefits

Choosing nutritious snack alternatives for you and your kids will surely facilitate your journey to healthy eating.

Below are some of the known health benefits of the ingredients in this recipe. You may want to delve deeper into the benefits of each one.

• Dates: High in fiber and antioxidants. Good alternative natural sweetener.
• Rolled oats: Good source of fiber and carbohydrates. May help lower cholesterol levels, promote healthy skin, and promote bowel health.
• Chia seeds: High in nutrients, low in calories. Loaded with antioxidants and fiber. High in omega-3 fatty acids.

Other Delicious Combinations

I have tried other combinations using the same recipe and they turned out equally delicious!

• cashew butter + semi-sweet chocolate chips + walnuts
• almond butter + cranberries + milled flax and chia seeds
• peanut butter + dark chocolate chips + chia seeds
• cashew butter + toasted white sesame seeds
• cashew butter + toasted/popped sorghum

If you find the dough a bit drier or it falls apart when rolled, just add, a little at a time, more nut butter or honey.

© 2019 Nicky Hunt

Comments

Nicky Hunt (author) from Manila, Philippines on October 13, 2019:

They are also easy to bring with you anywhere! You might want to experiment with different nut butters and ingredients like nuts, dried fruits, and chocolates (dark, milk chocolate, cocoa nibs, etc.) Enjoy! You might want to share with us too your combination of ingredients!

Doris James MizBejabbers from Beautiful South on September 26, 2019:

These look great, and so easy, too. I'll add this recipe to my list of uncooked snacks and energy bars.

Nicky Hunt (author) from Manila, Philippines on August 13, 2019:

And they are very easy to make!

Larry Slawson from North Carolina on August 13, 2019:

Looks delicious!

Nicky Hunt (author) from Manila, Philippines on August 12, 2019:

Thanks! Enjoy your snacks!

Liz Westwood from UK on August 12, 2019:

These tick a lot of boxes for me. They are healthy, easy to make and contain my favourite ingredients.

Nicky Hunt (author) from Manila, Philippines on August 12, 2019:

I hope you'll like it too!

RTalloni on August 12, 2019:

Have been keeping an eye out for chia recipes because of their calcium content. Thanks for sharing this quick recipe.