Nigella's Chocolate Chocolate Chip Muffins

Hope you don't mind two days in a row of muffin posts!

Waiting for Spring to go for long walks - until then... baking it will be ;)


This was my first time trying out a Nigella recipe.


Won't be my last, for sure - these were amazing!




Nigella's chocolate chocolate chip muffins

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons best quality cocoa powder
3/4 cup superfine sugar
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips, plus 1/4 cup for sprinkling
1 cup milk (used low fat)
1/3 cup plus 2 teaspoons vegetable oil (used Canola oil)
1 egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 400 (350F) degrees F.

Put the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa, sugar, and 3/4 cup of the chocolate chips into a large bowl. Pour all the liquid ingredients into a measuring jug. Mix the dry and wet ingredients together, remembering that a lumpy batter makes the best muffins. Spoon into the prepared muffin cases. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup chocolate chips on top and then bake for 20 (24) minutes or until the muffins are dark, risen and springy.

Orange Muffins

We went to Costco last weekend. Ben was in the mood for oranges. So we came back with a big box of oranges...


Since I hate wasting food, decided to make some orange muffins (not that it used up that many of my oranges - only about 2!)


So you will be probably seeing a lot of orange recipes in the next week or so!! LOL!


allrecipe's orange muffins

Orange Muffins
(makes 12 muffins) (made 9)

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup white sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup orange juice (used fresh - about 2 big oranges)
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
1 tablespoon orange zest
Added dried cranberries (about 1/2 cup)

1.Heat oven to 400 degrees F (350F in my oven). Grease bottoms only of 12 muffin cups or line with baking cups.

2.In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, orange peel and salt; mix well. In a small bowl, combine orange juice, oil and egg; blend well. Add dry ingredients all at once; stir just until dry ingredients are moistened (batter will be lumpy.)

3.Fill cups 2/3 full. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 1 minute before removing from pan. Serve warm.

Ten on Tuesday

1. I see so many homeless people on my way to work. Some of them open the doors for you to get some change, some of them just ask for money to eat and some of them even make little signs. I found this little sign on a bench last week.



2. I wish I could help these homeless people but there are so many – I often give them muffins on my way to work on Monday – that’s my way of giving.

3. The weekend started with a fall. I fell on my way home Friday night – I was walking through the park after work and I hit a patch of black ice. I managed to stop myself from falling, but I twisted my ankle a bit. I put some ice as soon as I got home.

4. Went to see my osteopath on Sunday who confirmed that I had a small sprain to my right ankle. She helped a lot because as of yesterday, I am almost pain free! She did suggest to wait a few days before going to the gym though...

5. As I needed to give my ankle a rest, I tried for the first time P90X. Did the abdominal dvd (which is only 15 minutes). I thought to myself, 15 minutes, I can do this… It was the longest 15 minutes!! I can only imagine how hard the other dvds of P90X are! I am in pain every time I laugh now!!!



6. I am challenging myself to do this dvd or another abs dvd once a week until the Summer. Not that I am hoping to get into a bikini…!

7. Saturday, we had our first BBQ of the season! As you can see, there was still some snow on the ground – but we were in the mood for burgers!! Even though we ate them inside – they were sooooo good!


8. I started working on Week 2 of MLK’s photography class. One of the assignment is to find color – pretty hard to find when Spring hasn’t started and there is no green nor flowers!

9. Went for a short walk yesterday morning before work (since I couldn’t go to the gym) to try to find some color – managed to find a few things but was frozen by the time I got back inside – brrrrrr!

10. Tuesday is Weight Watchers weigh-in day. Gained a little less than half a pound (.4). Not happy about it but all I can do is try to do better next week!

Lachine High School

Since I have been living in Lachine, I think this school has been closed.  It's an old building and I find it very sad to see it in such bad shape.  I hope they don't tear it down!

Peanut Butter Granola Bars

Love granola bars - perfect little snack! Even better when they are homemade!!



These are so easy to make - few ingredients - and they are delicious!


We froze them and we have one every day in our lunch.


peanut-butter-granola-bars (Kraft recipes)

1 cup Kraft Light Smooth Peanut Butter
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup oil (used Canola)
2 cups large flake rolled oats
1/2 cup each wheat germ, raisins and chopped dried apricots (used dried cranberries instead of raisins)

HEAT oven to 350°F.

MIX first 3 ingredients in large bowl until well blended. Stir in remaining ingredients.

PRESS onto bottom of 9-inch square pan.

BAKE 25 min. or until golden brown. Cool completely.

Substitute dried cranberries or dried currants for the raisins.

Week 1 Done

Finally finished Week 1 of MLK Studios Photography School.  Here's some of the shots I took (all SOOC - straight out of the camera).

Exposure 1/125, Aperture f/16.0, Focal Length 50 mm, ISO Speed 200


Exposure 1/2000, Aperture f/4.0, Focal Length 50 mm, ISO Speed 200


Exposure 1/125, Aperture f/16.0, Focal Length 50 mm, ISO Speed 200


Exposure 1/2000, Aperture f/4.0, Focal Length 50 mm, ISO Speed 200

WW Chocolate Chip Biscotti

As you know, I love baking. I do not eat many of the sweets I bake - I share with my family and friends. I have one and share the rest.


Since I'm on WW, decided to try from time to time some sweet recipes that are low in points.


This was my second time making biscotti... and I forgot to cut the biscotti on an angle... so they don't really look like regular biscottis!! But they were good!  They were not too dry - just perfect!
Chocolate Chip Biscotti
from WW Website
20 servings - 3 Points Plus per serving

2 spray(s) cooking spray
2 cup(s) all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp table salt
3 Tbsp mini chocolate chips
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp canola oil
1 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 325°F. Lightly coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt until combined; stir in chocolate chips.

Using an electric mixer, beat sugar, eggs, oil and vanilla until frothy, about 2 minutes. Make a well in center of dry ingredients and pour in egg mixture; stir just until moistened and dough forms.

Shape dough into a 13 X 3-inch log on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes and remove from oven. Reduce oven to 300°F.

Let biscotti to cool for 10 minutes. Then cut warm log crosswise, on a slight diagonal, into twenty 1/2-inch-thick slices. Stand slices, about an inch apart, on baking sheet and return to oven to cook for 12 minutes more. The centers will be soft but biscotti will crisp when cooled. Yields 1 per serving.

Ten on Tuesday

1. Had a wonderful weekend – almost felt like Spring. Went for a long walk on Sunday afternoon – so many people enjoying the weather!



2. Yesterday, didn’t check the weather forecast, came to work in shoes… and it snowed most of the day!! Yeah for Spring!!

3. Saturday night, watched The Fighter. I am not a big fan of boxing – but we loved this movie! Even watched the extras on the dvd to learn more!

4. Last Sunday was the 187th Montreal St-Patrick’s parade. I went a couple of years ago and loved it – except for the fact that it attracts a lot of people, and a lot of them have had a few drinks…! I wanted so bad to go this year, but we didn’t make it. Hopefully next year!

5. I am trying to teach myself how to crochet… and it’s not working! I know how to knit a bit, but crochet looks so complicated! I spent an hour last night trying – all I managed to do was a chain stitch – a very long one!

6. Went to WW today at lunch. Had a wonderful lunch… but my weight didn’t budge at all. The good news is that I didn’t gain!



7. Still running – sometimes 3k, sometimes 5k. Still trying to do 5 kms under 30 minutes. It is so hard! This morning wanted to run, but my knee was hurting a bit, so walked on an incline instead. Will try again tomorrow!

8. I’m in the mood for a good burger on the BBQ. Hopefully the snow will melt by the weekend and we can grill some meat!

9. Finished my Week 1 class from MLK. Just have to download my photos and have them looked at to see if I am doing it right. Haven’t downloaded them yet on the site, maybe because I am scared of what he will say about my photos ;)

10. My cat is crazy – it’s a good thing she is cute because she drives me crazy!! She just wants my attention ALL OF THE TIME (even in the middle of the night!!) ;)

Practice, practice, practice

Finally practiced some more my photography classes!! The weather finally cooperated this weekend! :)

These are all SOOC (straight out of the camera)

Exposure 1/160, Aperture f/16.0, Focal Length 50 mm, ISO Speed 200


Exposure 1/800, Aperture f/8.0, Focal Length 50 mm, ISO Speed 200


Exposure 1/3200 sec, Aperture f/4.0, Focal Length 50 mm, ISO Speed 200


Exposure 1/200, Aperture f/16.0, Focal Length 50 mm, ISO Speed 200


Exposure 1/800, Aperture f/8.0, Focal Length 50 mm. ISO Speed 200


Exposure 1/2500 sec, Aperture f/4.0, Focal Length 50 mm, ISO Speed 200


Exposure 1/125, Aperture f/16.0, Focal Length 50 mm, ISO Speed 200


Exposure 1/125, Aperture f/16.0, Focal Length 50 mm, ISO Speed 200


Exposure 1/2000, Aperture f/4.0, Focal Length 50 mm, ISO Speed 200

Mini Maple Chocolate Chip Muffins

Today is officially the first day of Spring!! Yesssssss!!


And, although it was a cool day, it was sunny and beautiful!


I am hoping that it is the end of the snow and that I won't have to put boots on before next Winter!


I have made these little muffins before. They are from Bakerella and they are tiny and delicious! They taste like small pancakes!


I saw these again on buddingbaketress' blog and decided to make them again as I love mini muffins!!

Mini Maple Chocolate Chip Muffins

1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar
2/3 cup buttermilk
1 egg
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons melted butter
1/2 cup milk chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar in a medium bowl. Sift together with a wire whisk.

In another bowl, stir buttermilk, egg, maple syrup, and melted butter until just combined.

Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir with a spoon until combined.

Stir in chocolate chips. Reserve a few chips to sprinkle on the tops.

Bake for 8-9 minutes. Makes 24 mini pancake muffins.

Source: Bakerella.


Hope you all had a wonderful Sunday!

Sicilian Rice Ball Casserole (WW)

Haven't posted since Tuesday... guess I didn't have anything to say!! ;)

At least I can share this great recipe now.


Never had sicilian rice ball casserole before, so I can't compare - but we loved this!


Only changes I made was to use a spicy sausage and used canned tomato sauce (as I didn't have time to made from scratch).

I got this from skinnytaste - my favorite WW recipes I get from Gina!

Sicilian Rice Ball Casserole
Gina's Skinny Recipes
Servings: 8 • Serving Size: 1/8th • Old Points: 8 pts • Points+: 9 pts
Calories: 367.2 • Fat: 9.5 g • Carb: 46.8 g • Fiber: 2.0 g • Protein: 20.9 g

2 cups uncooked long grain rice
4 cups water
1 (2.5 oz) sweet Italian sausage link, casing removed (I used a hot Italian sausage)
10 oz (.65 lbs) 93% lean ground turkey (1/2 package)
1/4 cup onion, minced
salt and fresh pepper
5 oz frozen peas (used canned)
16 oz homemade tomato sauce (used Hunt)
1/3 cup egg beaters or egg whites
1/2 cup pecorino romano
cooking spray
4 tbsp seasoned breadcrumbs, divided
1 1/4 cup shredded part skim mozzarella

Cook rice in water according to package directions. Set aside to cool.

Meanwhile, sauté sausage meat; cook until brown breaking up into pieces with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Add turkey and onions and cook until browned, breaking up as it cooks. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then add peas and 8 oz tomato sauce and simmer on low, covered, about 20 minutes.

Preheat oven to 400°. In a large bowl combine rice, pecorino romano, eggs, and 3-4 oz tomato sauce and mix well. Rice should be a bit sticky.

Spray a 9 x 12 casserole dish with cooking spray, making sure to spray sides too. Add 2 tbsp breadcrumbs to the dish and roll around to coat the bottom and sides.

Take half of the rice mixture (a little more if needed) and cover the bottom of the dish and up the sides; press to form the bottom layer.

Add the meat and peas.

Sprinkle mozzarella on top. Top with remaining rice and press until even. Top with remaining 4 oz of sauce, remaining 2 tbsp breadcrumbs, and remaining mozzarella.

Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10 more minutes. Cut into 8 pieces.