Butternut Squash Pasta

by admin | Oct 28, 2015 | Grown Up, Recipes

In October, butternut squash is a Foods of the Month! Make this delicious pasta that uses a tasty mix of roasted butternut squash, low-fat ricotta cheese and nutmeg as a sauce in place of typical tomato sauce. The ultimate comfort food dinner!

Butternut Squash Pasta

Ingredients

1 box whole wheat pasta

1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

1 garlic clove, minced

1 onion, diced

2 cups fresh spinach leaves

1 lb. lean sausage

Parmesan cheese, for topping

For the butternut squash sauce

1 package cubed butternut squash, roasted (or use 1/2 of a roasted butternut squash)

1 cup low-fat ricotta cheese

1/2 cup milk

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

Directions

1. First, make the butternut squash sauce. After roasting your butternut squash in the oven (for about 30 minutes ate 400 degrees), use a food processor to blend 2 cups of roasted butternut squash with the ricotta cheese, milk, salt and nutmeg. Mix very well, then set aside.
2. Next, cook the pasta according to directions, drain it, return it to the pot, and then set aside.
3. Using a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat on the stovetop. Add garlic and cook until browned. Next, add the onion, cover the skillet, and cook on low for about 10 minutes, until the onion is tender.
4. Add sausage to the pan, breaking it apart with your spatula while it cooks.
5. When the sausage is cooked through (there will be no pink on the inside when you break it apart), add the spinach leaves and cook until they turn dark green and wilt, about 5 minutes.
6. Remove the skillet from the heat. Add the sausage mixture to the pasta, along with the butternut squash puree. Toss together until ingredients are combined. Top with parmesan cheese and enjoy!

Whole Wheat Apple Bread

by admin | Oct 21, 2015 | Grown Up, Recipes

Apples are an October Foods of the Month! Two weeks ago, we made these healthy apple cookies. This week, we are featuring another dessert-type of apple dish that is also nutritious! This whole wheat apple bread will make your kitchen smell like a delicious mix of apples and cinnamon. Because no butter or sugar is used, you can also feel good about eating it. Have a slice for breakfast, or a small slice for dessert. We know your OrganWise Guys will love it!

Whole Wheat Apple Bread

Ingredients

2 cups whole wheat flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tbsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. nutmeg

1 cup low-fat milk

1 egg

1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce

2 tbsp. honey

2 tbsp. maple syrup

1 cup apple rings (can be found in the nut aisle of your grocery store)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a bread pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a medium sized bowl, mix together the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices).
3. In a larger bowl, mix together the wet ingredients (milk, egg, applesauce, honey and maple syrup) until blended well. Add dry ingredients until the mixture is combined. Fold in the apple rings.
4. Pour the batter into the bread pan. Bake in the oven for one hour, until cooked through. You can test this by sticking a toothpick in the center and making sure that it comes out clean.
5. Allow bread to cool and serve. Enjoy!

Simple Roasted Butternut Squash

by admin | Oct 14, 2015 | Grown Up, Recipes

Butternut squash, a type of winter squash, is an October Foods of the Month. Did you know that 1 cup of cubed butternut squash has almost 300% of the daily requirement for Vitamin A? It is also a naturally low-fat, high-fiber food.

There are many ways to use butternut squash in your cooking, but one of our favorites might be the most simple. Roasting cubed butternut squash with a little bit of brown sugar makes an excellent side dish for your fall meals. Add some grated cheese for a delicious flavor combination!

Simple Roasted Butternut Squash

Ingredients

1 packaged butternut squash, cubed (you can find this in the produce section of your supermarket)

Drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil

Sprinkle of brown sugar (optional)

Low-fat cheese, for topping (optional, we used cheddar)

Directions

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Lay butternut squash cubes in a glass baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with brown sugar.
3. Roast in the oven for 40 minutes, until tender.
4. Add grated cheese and serve as a dinner side!

Try this simple roasted butternut squash for dinner tonight!

You may also enjoy these butternut squash pasta ideas or this recipe for apples and butternut squash pan roasted chicken. Enjoy!

Healthy Candy Apple Cookies

by admin | Oct 7, 2015 | Grown Up, Recipes

Try these healthy apple cookies in October when apples are a Foods of the Month. Guess what? These healthy candy apple cookies contain no sugar or butter like typical cookies do. They are a delicious treat that has oatmeal, chopped apples, walnuts and dark chocolate chips. Have them for dessert or they would also make an excellent on-the-go breakfast treat!

Healthy Candy Apple Cookies

Ingredients

1 cup instant oats

3/4 cups whole wheat flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tbsp. ground cinnamon

Sprinkle of salt

2 tbsp. melted coconut oil

1 large egg

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 tbsp. honey

2 tbsp. natural maple syrup.

1 cup diced fuji apple

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

Directions

1. Using a large bowl, mix together the dry ingredients (whole wheat flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt).
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients (coconut oil, egg, vanilla, honey and maple syrup).
3. Stir in the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. When mixed together, add the apple and the dark chocolate chips, then let the ingredients sit for 30 minutes.
4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
5. Use your hands to roll the cookie dough into 1 inch balls and place them on the parchment paper. Next, use a fork to flatten into a cookie shape. Bake in the oven 13-15 minutes then remove and let cool.
6. Enjoy!

Whole Wheat Apple Pancakes

by admin | Sep 30, 2015 | Grown Up, Recipes

Now that it’s officially fall, we are so excited for seasonal baking to begin! What better way to start your weekend than with some whole wheat apple pancakes? We love that this recipe (featuring whole grains, which are a September Foods of the Month) keeps you full throughout the day and avoids typical unhealthy ingredients, like sugar and butter, that pancakes usually have. Make these tasty pancakes to OrganWise your whole family!

Whole Wheat Apple Pancakes

Ingredients

2 cups whole wheat flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3 tbsp. coconut oil, melted

1 1/2 cups skim milk

2 tbsp. honey

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups chopped or shredded apples

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, mix together the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon) until blended. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the wet ingredients (coconut oil, milk, honey, eggs and vanilla extract) until combined. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until smooth. When combined, fold in the apples.
3. Heat a griddle to medium-high heat and coat with nonstick spray. Measure out 1/4 cup of batter and drop onto the griddle. Cook until the top starts to bubble, then flip. Cook for about 2 more minutes on the other side then transfer to a plate. Repeat until all the batter is used.
4. Eat pancakes hot and enjoy!

For another healthy breakfast option,  you may also enjoy these tasty whole grain blueberry muffins.