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Pecan Protein Pancakes

Description

A power packed breakfast that’s made in just 15 minutes. Combine pecan pieces, bananas, rolled oats, protein powder and cinnamon for protein pancakes that are made even more nutritious with pecan halves on top.

Ingredients

  • 1 medium banana
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2/3 cup rolled oats
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 scoops protein powder
  • 1/4 cup pecan pieces
  • 1/4 cup pecan halves
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup (optional)

Instructions

  1. Add banana, eggs, rolled oats, cinnamon, and protein powder to a blender. Blend on medium speed until mixture is well blended.
  2. Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium high heat. Pour 1/4 cup of batter into heated pan for each pancake. Sprinkle each pancake with about 1 tablespoon pecan pieces. When edges of pancake begin to look dry, after about 30 to 45 seconds, flip and cook on second side for about 15 seconds or until pancakes are cooked through.
  3. Repeat with remaining batter. Top pancakes with pecan halves and drizzle with maple syrup if desired. Serves 2 to 3.

Superfood Pecan Energy Bars

Description

The whole family will love these superfood pecan energy bars. They’re simple and nutritious, making them a perfect on-the-go snack! Recipe submitted by Sonja and Alex Overhiser, A Couple Cooks.

Ingredients

  • 15 Medjool dates (9 ounces)*
  • 1 cup raw pecan halves
  • 1/2 cup gluten free oats
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.
  2. Place the dates in the food processor and process or pulse until they are chopped and a rough texture forms. Then, add the remaining ingredients and process for a minute or so until a crumbly dough forms.
  3. Line a baking sheet or jelly roll pan with parchment paper. Dump the dough into the center of the parchment paper and use a rolling pin to roll it into a rectangle that is 6” x 10.5”. Cut the dough into 14 bars that are 1.5” x 3” or into a desired shape.
  4. Bake the bars for 30 minutes (this step helps to make the texture more dry and less sticky). Cool the bars to room temperature, then store refrigerated in a sealed container between sheets of wax paper.
  5. To package them for on-the-go snacking: cut out 4” x 6” rectangles of wax paper, wrap them around the bars, and secure them with tape.

Toasted Oat and Pecan Smoothie

Description

Pecans take center stage in this smoothie recipe along with oats, hints of banana, cinnamon, maple and vanilla for a nutritious breakfast that will start your morning with plant protein. Recipe submitted by Brandon Matzek, Kitchen Konfidence.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup raw pecan halves
  • 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup whole Greek yogurt
  • 2 bananas, cut into slices and frozen
  • 3 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of kosher salt
  • Grated nutmeg, for topping (optional)
  • Pecan pieces or pecan halves, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F. Place oats and pecan halves on a rimmed baking sheet, and bake in the oven, stirring occasionally, until toasted and fragrant (12 to 15 minutes).  Let cool completely.
  2. Add toasted oats and pecans to a blender, and blend until finely ground. Add milk, yogurt, frozen bananas, maple syrup, cinnamon, vanilla and a pinch of salt, then blend until smooth. Divide between 2 glasses and top with grated nutmeg and pecan pieces or pecan halves, chopped if using. Enjoy immediately.

Oregon Raspberry and Hazelnut Ricotta Cake

Description

This simple cake makes a winning dessert for a special dinner and it is sure to please guests at your next brunch. Ricotta cheese creates a dense, tender cake while crunchy hazelnuts and sweet raspberries add a balanced touch of seasonal flavors and textures.

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup raw hazelnuts
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 ½ cups whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup fresh raspberries, divided
  • Whipped cream for garnish, optional
  • Chopped roasted hazelnuts for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line the bottom of an 8-inch cake pan with parchment paper. Spray inside of the pan, including the parchment, with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. Place ¼ cup of the hazelnuts in a small food processor or spice grinder and pulse until they resemble a fine meal. Crack or half part of the remaining hazelnuts and set aside the cracked and whole nuts.
  3. Add the hazelnut meal and the flour to a large bowl. Stir in the sugar, baking powder, lemon zest, and salt. In a medium bowl, stir together the eggs, ricotta, and vanilla. Fold this into the dry ingredients until a smooth batter forms.
  4. Reserve half of the raspberries. Stir the remaining berries into the batter. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Top with the reserved raspberries and the reserved whole and halved hazelnuts.
  5. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. If the hazelnuts look like they are browning too quickly, place a tented piece of aluminum foil over the cake while it continues to bake.
  6. Let the cake cool for 20 minutes. Carefully invert the pan over a plate to release the cake. Flip the cake back over so that the raspberries and hazelnuts are on top. Slice and garnish with whipped cream, if desired, and more chopped hazelnuts before serving.

Creamy Egg Cups

Description

These light, creamy and nutty egg cups are flavored with vegetables and bacon bits. Since they can be prepared ahead, they’re an easy start to your day.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup liquid egg whites
  • 3/4 cup lowfat cottage cheese
  • 3/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (preferably sharp)
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
  • 1/3 cup California walnuts, chopped
  • 1/4 cup minced red bell pepper
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced or chopped green onions
  • 1/4 cup real bacon bits
  • Freshly ground pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and place a shallow rectangular baking dish 3/4 full with hot water in preheating oven. Coat 6 small canning jars liberally with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Puree egg whites, cottage cheese, Cheddar, flour and garlic salt in a small blender. Stir in walnuts, bell pepper, green onion and
    bacon bits, then spoon equal amounts into prepared jars.
  3. Place jars in water and cook for 30 minutes or until eggs are set in the center. Serve immediately or let cool and remove from jars.
    Eggs may be prepared several days ahead and stored in a covered container in the refrigerator.

Spiced Almond Banana Smoothie

Description

Fire up your morning and your metabolism with the power of almonds, protein, and a hint of sweet spice. Created by Corey Calliet, celebrity fitness trainer, on behalf of Almond Board of California.

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces unsweetened almond milk
  • 1/2 medium banana
  • 1 date
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 scoop almond protein powder (or your protein powder of choice)
  • 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon cardamom
  • 1/4 cup ice cubes

Instructions

  1. Add all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a glass or to-go cup of your choice and prepare to own your day!

GREEN MONSTER SMOOTHIE

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Spinach
  • 6 Sprigs parsley
  • ½ English cucumber
  • ½ cup Honeydew melon
  • 1 tablespoon Honey
  • ½ teaspoon Salt
  • ⅔ cup Ice water
  • ½ cup Salted American pistachio kernels

Instructions

  1. Blend until smooth.

Blueberry Hazelnut Breakfast Cookies

Ingredients

  • 1 cup ​Oregon hazelnuts
  • 1⁄2 cup whole wheat or gluten-free all-purpose flour
  • 1 1⁄2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 11⁄2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1⁄4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 2 medium ripe bananas
  • 1 large egg
  • 1⁄3 cup honey or maple syrup
  • 1⁄4 cup coconut oil, melted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. On a medium baking sheet scatter hazelnuts. Roast until fragrant and the skins are blistered, 12-15 minutes. Let cool slightly, then transfer 1⁄2 cup hazelnuts to a food processor along with the flour. Pulse until hazelnuts are ground into a fine flour. Roughly chop remaining hazelnuts and set aside.
  3. Transfer hazelnut-flour mixture to a large bowl along with oats, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Stir to combine.
  4. In a large bowl mash bananas. Stir in egg, honey or maple syrup, oil, vanilla, and lemon zest until smooth. Stir in oat mixture until thoroughly combined. Fold in chopped hazelnuts and blueberries.
  5. Pack cookie mixture into a 1⁄3-cup measure, then tap the measuring cup onto the baking sheet so the cookies fall out in rounds. Flatten each cookie slightly.
  6. Bake until browned and set, 15-18 minutes. Let cool completely on baking sheet.

Robust Raspberry Almond Smoothie

Description

Let this crisp and fruity drink give you a smart morning start, or act as an afternoon snack to keep hunger at bay. With every sip, you’ll enjoy the smooth taste of almond butter, almond milk, frozen raspberries, and a touch of honey.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups almond milk
  • 1 12-ounce package frozen raspberries
  • 2 medium bananas, cut into chunks
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
  • 3 tablespoons almond butter
  • 1/2 cup vanilla soy ice cream
  • 12 fresh raspberries (optional)

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients in a blender; whirl until smooth.
  2. Pour into 6 glasses and garnish with fresh raspberries if desired.

Walnut Chocolate Bliss Balls

Description

The name doesn’t lie: this recipe is pure bliss. The coc and coconut flavors with an added walnut crunch are the dessert you’ve been missing. And for an extra bonus: they don’t even require baking!

Ingredients

  • 2 cup California walnuts
  • 2 tablespoon unsweetened coconut flakes
  • 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
  • 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 10 pitted Medjool dates
  • Unsweetened coconut flakes and unsweetened cocoa powder (optional coating)

Instructions

  1. Place walnuts in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped.
  2. Add coconut, cocoa powder, maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla and dates; pulse again until mixture forms a thick paste. (Don’t process too long or mixture will become too sticky.)
  3. Roll into 16 equal balls, then roll in additional coconut or cocoa powder if desired. Store in the refrigerator or freezer until ready to serve.