Whether you are making breakfast in bed for your love, or your kids. Having a sweet lunch date, or a romanic dinner, these are tried and true dishes are easy to prepare, but seem like you spent WAY to much time in the kitchen, shhhh I wont tell if you don't, haha. I'll be making some of these for my family on Valentine's Day. I hope you enjoy your Valentine's Day and treat yourself with the same amount of love you are giving to others, because YOU deserve it! MUCH LOVE~ Des!
BREAKFAST-
Oat pancakesThese pancakes are easy even on a weekday.
Breakfast SausageWe always have sausage in the freezer ready to heat up for any special occasion when you want to seem like your going that extra mile without much work involved.
LUNCH- Creamy Baked Pasta can be prepped the night before. Make the sauce and pasta put in the oven safe dish cover and pop in the fridge. When your ready to bake top with bread crumbs and pop it in the oven. I'll be really honest... it's delicious without the bread crumbs and extra step of baking.
DESSERT- Chocolate Cake this is such an easy cake that literally takes no time and you probably have everything you need on hand.
Chocolate Chip Cookies are something that we take when our kids need to have options and share with others so if you or your kids are having a Valentine' day party make these and everyone will thank you!
I've been tweaking this recipe for what feels like months... wait it has been, haha. I'm glad I waited, because tomorrow is actually National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day, who knew?! What better time to share this AMAZING cookie, so you can be ready tomorrow! My online buddy Karen posted a cookie recipe that was similar, and that got my noggin rattling. I can't keep well enough alone, and wanted a lower fat version so I could enjoy them too. I don't eat high fat due to a horrible problem I once had (but DON'T anymore thanks to WFPBNO eating), that I never want again. I promise I'll give you the scoop on why I eat super low fat, SOON. If you haven't noticed I love making things with oats, SAUSAGE, CHEESE SAUCE, and PANCAKES. Seriously, they are this magical ingredient that I actually used to hate. Hate is a strong word, but I honestly loathed the texture, the lack of flavor, the gummy... goo. You'd never know that now. I have a "shout at the roof tops" kind of LOVE for oatmeal now. I still very rarely eat a bowl of oatmeal, but I use it daily. I also love Chickpeas for a number of reasons and both of these magical ingredients play a large roll in what makes these cookies healthy, without tasting healthy. My oldest hates beans, I still hide them in dishes to get her to eat them, shhhh, gosh don't tell her she will KILLLL me. She loves these and would be the 1st to tell me if they weren't GREAT.
Okay, I'll stop taking about how much I love Oatmeal and Chickpeas because National Chocolate Chip Cookie day is August 4th and I could probably talk about it well past and then we'd miss one of the best food days of the year!
Look at the cookie dough!
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups cooked rinsed and drained chickpeas (or a 15 oz. drain and rinsed can, unsalted/low sodium)
1/2 heaping cup Oat flour I make it by blending rolled oats in my blender (gluten free if needed)
2/3 cup Vegan Light Brown Sugar lightly packed (or coconut sugar)
3 Tablespoons Maple syrup or Agave for lower glycemic (this is mainly to replace oil)
1 Tablespoon Vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon Salt (if your chickpeas have a lot of sodium, I would leave it out)
1/2 teaspoon Baking powder
1 teaspoon Vinegar (I used white, but apple cider would work)
1/2 to 3/4 cup Vegan Chocolate Chips ) (I used 1/2 cup, but added a few to the top for photos, That blogger life yo, haha)
Directions: Preheat the oven to 375 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. I used a Vitamix blender but a good food processor would work. Add the chickpeas, maple syrup and vanilla, blend until mostly smooth, you will need to use your tamper if using a Vitmix and scrap the sides a couple of time. Add the coconut sugar, oat flour, salt (if using), baking powder and vinegar. Blend until a smooth cookie batter appears before your eyes. Add the chocolate chips and pulse a couple of times just until incorporated.
Before baking after spreading slightly
Drop a heaping Tablespoon of dough on the lined baking sheet I use this mini scoop. Spread slightly with the back of a wet spoon or wet fingers, these don't really spread while baking. Bake until the edges are dry to the touch, about 18 to 20 minutes, this will depend greatly on your oven. Try not to over bake these, they will get tough. I check them after 18 mins, most of the time they are done. Cool slightly before serving, or burn your mouth off with a lava chocolate chip like I did! Make'em and Enjoy them without guilt! MUCH LOVE ~ Des!
After baking to golden brown perfection and right before burning myself
with that chocolate chip calling your name!
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Here's the recipe video so you can see the process, the consistency of the batter and the BEST part, what the KIDS thought when I told me these are made from Chickpeas! *Links are to my Amazon Affiliate link. If you click or buy anything I will receive a commission at NO additional cost to you. It does help our family and we appreciate you support in this way!
