at home with ann

Welcome new readers, I hope you like what you find!  Follow At Home With Ann on Facebook for even more photos and kitchen adventures. In the wonderful world of toddlerhood, you can be cruising along and then suddenly your three year old announces that everything you cook smells gross.  This does wonders for your confidence, and is only improved when he requests that flowers on the table be placed in front of him so he can't smell whatever you're eating.  Baked goods rarely disappoint, however, and this one has the benefit of being quick, easy, healthy and delicious.  We've been eating them for afternoon snack treats, but in a pinch I'd have a few for breakfast. Mix this up to suit your tastes and dietary needs.  Gluten free oats can be subbed for old fashioned, sunflower seed butter for peanut, or dried fruit for the chocolate. No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls recipe from Gimme Some Oven   Ingredients: 1 cup dry old fashioned oats 2/3 cup c...

This weekend I went to a bridal shower for my brother-in-law's fiancee.  I volunteered to bring some desserts.  My mother-in-law suggested something in the chocolate family, but said that the most important thing to bring is her grandson.  Colin was all ready to visit, so I got to baking.  I couldn't decide between two brownie recipes, so I made them both.  The first are vegan low-fat brownies that are more cake-like, and also more conducive to wearing formal gowns in a few weeks.  The others are extra fudgy, extra chocolatey, bites of heaven. Double Chocolate Single Chin Brownies recipe from Peas and Thank You 3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour 1/3 cup cocoa powder 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup unsweetened applesauce 1/2 cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 cup chocolate chips (vegan if you are strict) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda...

While on vacation last week, I indulged in quite a few desserts.  I am never one to turn down key lime pie. As such, I tried to keep my purchases at the market this week a little cleaner, which meant no ice cream.  That's all well and good, but it's only Wednesday and I already found myself digging into the bag of chocolate chips, so I knew I needed to make something.   Oh She Glows No Bake Chocolate Cookies  were the perfect option for chocolately banana goodness with some extra nutrition thrown in for good measure.  The best part was that they took less than 10 minutes to prepare.  The worst part was waiting the hour for them to firm up in the freezer. Frosty No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies recipe from Oh She Glows Ingredients: 1/2 cup rolled oats 1/4 cup chocolate chips (non-dairy if you are vegan) 1 large banana 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 Tbsp chia seeds 1 tsp cocoa powder sweetener, optional (I thought they were plenty sweet) In a microwa...

I tried chia seeds for the first time yesterday.  Yes, the ch-ch-chia.  Same stuff.  In addition to sprouting within hours to make a fun toy, they are also high in fiber, antioxidants, protein, and full of vitamins, minerals and omega-3s.  All good stuff.  When you add chia to any liquid, it gels and thickens up.  This is why it lends itself to making healthy pudding.  A mixture of milk and chia seeds, stirred together and chilled in the fridge for 30 minutes, and you have instant pudding that's actually good for you! Chia Chocolate Pudding Serves 2 1/4 cup chia seeds 3/4 cup milk (I used almond milk) 2 Tablespoons hot chocolate mix or 2 Tablespoons cocoa powder 1 Tablespoon sweetener (sugar, stevia, or agave) Combine all ingredients in a covered container.  I used a mason jar.  Stir well.  Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes or so. My verdict: I used hot chocolate mix and foun...

We had a few dicey days when there were no chocolate chips in the house.  I normally keep track of important things like that.  Especially since I'm the only one in this house who eats chocolate.   Be sufficiently horrified at that realization now.  Thankfully, we are now stocked back up and all is well. There's a "recipe" bouncing around the internet for banana soft serve.  All you do is stick frozen banana chunks in the food processor and let it whirl until it makes a creamy frozen treat akin to soft serve ice cream.  I had already dragged my food processor out and put it away today, so I went for the blender out of sheer laziness.   Into the mix went chunks of a frozen banana.  A handful of chocolate chips.  And enough almond milk (any milk will do) to make the blender work. Blend for about 10 seconds until the bananas are all creamy and the chocolate chips are chopped. I topped mine with a few more chocolate chips to pretty it up. ...