Tag Archives: nuts

Baked Chocolate and Banana Ravioli

I’ve been very good (and very disciplined) on my diet but since it’s Valentine’s Day, I think it’s okay to splurge a little and have something chocolatey, don’t you think? I found a recipe for a fried version of Chocolate and Banana Ravioli on Food Network’s website so I decided to adapt it to something a little healthier. These Baked Chocolate and Banana Ravioli are baked, not fried, and include nothing else but chocolate-hazelnut spread, bananas, and walnuts. Simple. Since bananas are already naturally sweet, I didn’t see any reason to include additional sugar. These have a yummy banana flavor and the Nutella is creamy and rich making these taste decadent without being terribly fattening. If you don’t like Nutella, you could easily swap it out with your favorite chocolate chips or regular peanut-butter. Eat these as-is, with a little bit of chocolate or caramel dipping sauce or a light dusting of powdered sugar.

Baked Chocolate and Banana Ravioli (makes 16 ravioli)

Recipe adapted from Food Network

1 medium banana
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
1/3 cup Nutella
16 wonton wrappers
non-stick spray

The ingredients:

Cut up the banana into small pieces or mash it in a bowl.

Add in chopped walnuts.

Lay out a wonton on a flat surface. Place one teaspoon of chocolate-hazelnut spread into the center of the wonton.

Add one teaspoon of the banana mixture into the center of the wonton.

Using your finger or a pastry brush, brush the edges of the wonton with water. Fold one corner over to the opposite corner and press the edges together.

Place ravioli on a parchment-lined baking sheet coated with non-stick spray. Spray the tops of each ravioli with non-stick spray also and bake in a 350ºF oven for 11 minutes until golden brown.

Waldorf Chicken Salad

I went a little crazy at the grocery store this weekend and bought nearly every fruit and vegetable I could get my hands on. So, this week’s recipes will be full of healthy ideas. (I hope you don’t mind!)

This recipe for Waldorf Chicken Salad was buried in a cancer-fighting meal plan on Self Magazine’s website. Don’t pass by meal plans like these in magazines when you see them because they are usually very easy, healthy and full of great ideas. I don’t normally eat Waldorf salads even though they are full of all kinds of things that I love like apples, grapes, celery, and walnuts. I suppose it is because they are dressed in mayonaisse, making them a wanna-be healthy girl’s enemy.

This version has a teeny-weeny bit of mayo but also uses plain yogurt which cuts the calories. I used non-fat Greek yogurt which is tangy but is complemented by the sweetness of the grapes and apple. This is a great use for any leftover chicken you might have on hand or if you’re in a hurry, use precooked chicken strips like I did (I love Perdue Short Cuts). I didn’t use walnuts this time (even though they are one of my faves) but instead used chopped pecans because I had them on hand. Since chicken salad usually just tastes better as flavors meld, make this over the weekend and keep it in the fridge for a few quick workday lunches.

The ingredients:

In a bowl, mix yogurt, low-fat mayonaisse, mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

Add in chicken, apple, celery, grapes, and onions and mix well. (I put the pecans in here too but you can wait and sprinkle them over the salad just before serving if you prefer.)

Serve over your favorite greens.

Additions: None

Omissions: None

Substitutions:

Dijon mustard for yellow mustard
Pecans for walnuts
Non-fat plain Greek yogurt for low-fat plain yogurt
Light mayonaisse
Scallions for onion

Overall Rating: Like It

Source: Self Magazine

Hello Dollys

I’m sure you’ve had these before but maybe you don’t know them by the name Hello Dollys. These are nothing more than seven-layer bars but my mom always called them Hello Dollys so I can’t call them anything else. There is nothing different here than your normal seven layer bars but they are a holiday favorite of mine and the only time of year I make these. It’s nothing more than layers of butter, graham crackers, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, walnuts, sweetened condensed milk, and coconut baked until lightly browned. While I make these with the traditional ingredients, one thing I love is that you can mix it up with whatever suits your fancy. Don’t like butterscotch? Try peanut butter chips or white chocolate. Don’t like walnuts? Try almonds or pecans. These are decadent, rich, gooey little pieces of heaven so enjoy every bite.