Easy Gameday: Baked tortilla chips and guacamole

FOOTBALL SEASON IS HERE!!

Sorry for getting a little excited there.  As I write this, Clemson is beating last year’s Champs Auburn 35-24 and I WISH I was in Death Valley right now.

But, I’m not. I’m in Jersey City.  Had a little scare this morning, searched for the Clemson game on TV and couldn’t find it.  Not on ESPN, not on Fox Sports, not on BTN.  I was in the middle of chastising New York television and telling my husband we need to move to South Carolina asap… when I found it… on ABC!!  Glory be.

Anyways, a snack was then in order since we won’t be leaving the house until the last second on the play clock.

(Notice the Clemson cup in the background.)

Baked Tortilla Chips and homemade Guacamole

Baked Tortillas

• 7 Corn tortillas
• 1 Tablespoon Corn Oil
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• teeny-tiny pinch of Cumin

1. Preheat oven to 350. Spray oil on a baking sheet. 
2. Brush tortillas with oil
3. Stack tortillas and cut into 8ths 
4. Lay tortillas on baking sheet.
5. Bake 15 to 20 minutes rotate baking sheet 1/2 way through cooking.
6. Remove from oven, place chips in a large bowl and toss with Salt and Cumin.

Homemade Guacamole

Easiest thing ever.

• 1 avocado
• 1 teaspoon lemon or lime juice
• Few drops of Tabasco
• Salt
• Pepper
• 1 Tablespoon salsa

1. De-pit avocado and lightly mash with a fork in a bowl. 
2. Add remaining ingredients and mix.
3. Go Tigers!

Pumpkin Banana Chocolate Chip (mini) Muffins

Thursday morning we were up uber early to watch the USA v Russia Rugby World cup game.  4am, thank you very much.  Rugby is not really my thing.  Now, I’ll watch a game and a day at Twickenham is always fun times. Waking up at 4am to watch a game would never be my idea.  But, when the hubby is up and watching the game, I don’t know, I can’t sleep, I feel like I want to get up and be part of the fun.  (Yes, I know I’m crazy).

Once up, watching the game is, err, a little boring.  And I thought my time would be better spent baking.  So, I give to you Pumpkin Banana Chocolate Chip (mini) muffins.

That’s a lot of name for a mini muffin.  (Oh, and please ignore the melted chocolate on my hand.  Couldn’t be helped).

Lots of wholesome goodness in there and I could have easily called these “Pumpkin Banana Applesauce Chia Chocolate Chip Muffins”.  But, that sounds a bit pretentious. 🙂   Lovely, easy and a taste of fall that you can feel good about eating.  Enjoy!

Pumpkin Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins (vegan)

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 4 grates of nutmeg (does that make sense? take some nutmeg and rub it over a grater 4 times)
• 1 ripe banana
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup applesauce
• 3/4 cup milk (I used almond but any would work)
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds (+3 T water)
• 1 tablespoon egg replacer (+3 T water)
• 1 cup vegan chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 375.  Grease muffin pan.
2. In one small bowl add chia seeds and 3T water and let soak, in another small bowl add egg replacer and let soak.
3. Mix together dry ingredients.
4. Mix together wet ingredients (banana through egg replacer).  Save the soaked chia and egg replacer for last to give them more time to soak.
5. Add the wet ingredients to the dry, being careful not to overstir.  (Ha ha, i don’t really mean that.  I always see that in recipes and it drives me crazy.  You have common sense, stir until it’s mixed – no big deal)
6. Add the chocolate chips to the batter.
7. Fill muffin cups 3/4 full.  Bake for 16-ish minutes until a knife or toothpick stuck in the center comes out clean.
8. Cool & enjoy with coffee!

Oh, and the USA won.  USA!

Restaurant Review: FreeFoods NYC – Midtown

I headed off for another lunchtime meal in Midtown yesterday.  This time at FreeFoods NYC which I’ve walked by several times and have always been intrigued by the awesome looking juices people walk out of there with.

FreeFoods NYC  – Per their website

“Specializing in Contemporary Organic Cuisine – flavorful, nutritious , and creative foods designed especially for a busy lifestyle”

What it SHOULD say is “flavorful, nutritious, and creative foods designed especially for those with a lot of money“.

You see this…

That little slice of pizza will cost you $6.50.

Yes, it’s healthier than the $1 slices Ray’s (or whoever) is selling right across the street.  But, it definitely explains why this spot was close to empty during the lunch hours in Midtown.  And it explains why my salad and juice (to go) cost me over $20.

I absolutely understand that organic, healthily prepared food is worth more.  But, it’s hard to justify spending $20 a day on lunch.  This place is for a splurge, only.

My lunch was fine.  I went with the macrobiotic cobb salad.  (ate it too fast to get a picture) and a delightful juice.

The 7 Green (kale, spinach, parsley, cucumber, pear, apple & lime).  Well, mine was only a “5 Green” since they were out of pears and substituted my lime for lemon.  But, it still tasted fresh, delicious and healthy.  3 of my favorite things.

I think you can tell.  FreeFoods NYC was fine.  I was just a little put off by the prices.  Not customary for the neighborhood and not worth it, in my opinion.

• Food – * * * *
• Service – * * *
• (The juicer was broken & it took about 15 mins for someone to fix it.  And they didn’t seem to care too much)   
• Ambiance – * * * *
•  (Cool, clean & beautiful)      
• Price Value – *
• Overall – Underwhelmed

And, nothing to do with FreeFoods NYC but, this was my view as I walked home last night.

This weekend, and anytime I look at the Manhattan skyline, my thoughts are with the victims, families and brave first responders who lost their lives 10 years ago on 9/11.  God Bless.

Labor Day Weekend Fun

Well hello again!

A day off from blogging becomes 2, becomes 3 becomes over a week later.  It’s been a great week, as any national holiday is.  Complete with a trip down South to my roots in the Carolinas.  Tailgating at my alma matter, Clemson (in South Carolina) and then two lovely nights with my parents at a Bed & Breakfast in Asheville, North Carolina.

Enjoy the pics and snipets of the trip and I’ll be back up and running with new recipes soon.

[WARNING: Some gross injury photos included at the very bottom.  Scroll at your own risk.  You have been warned.]

First thing off was starting with a yummy tailgate.  Got a “Bo Box” from Bojangles and it was worth every greasy calorie.  BBQ & Fried Chicken are definitely my ‘treat’ foods.

Sorority Sister reunion

Mom & Dad at the gameThe whole gang

THE MOST EXCITING 25 SECONDS IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Then, on to Asheville where we stayed at the lovely Abbington Green.

And of course, obligatory food picture.  This one taken from the Early Girl Eatery.  Some of the best Collard Greens I’ve ever had!

Now, as promised, the disgusting injury photos.  Went for a run on Saturday morning and wound up tripping over some uneven pavement and sliding across the ground.  I’m now on day 5 of a break from running and recovering nicely.  Hopefully, this little rest period won’t impact my marathon training too much.

You were warned…