Monday 21 January 2013

Protein Apple Crisp

Just like the classic favourite only now it's all cleaned up and packed with protein.  You can peel apples if you prefer, however I like to leave the peel on.  There is a lot of good nutrition found in the peel of apples!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In an 8x8 dish combine:
3 cups of diced apple; toss in a splash of lemon juice to prevent from browning (2 large apples or 3 small/medium apples)
3 Tbsp brown sugar substitute (like splenda or sugar twin)
1/2 tsp cinnamon.

Toss mixture until apples are evenly coated.  If you like your apples a little softer, cover with tinfoil and bake for 10 minutes.  If you like your apples to be a little less soft, then skip this step.

Next, start preparing your "crisp" topping.

In a medium sized bowl mix together:
1 cup rolled oats
2 scoops vanilla protein powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon.
Optional: 2 tbsp flax meal
**The protein powder I use is particularly sweet.  If your protein isn't sweet, consider adding 3-4 tbsp of brown sugar substitute to sweeten up this dessert**


In a small dish combine:
1/3 cup honey
1 tbsp molasses
Microwave for 30 seconds; until honey mixture is warm and runny.

Stir honey mixture into oat mixture until well mixed and oats are evenly coated.  Spread evenly over top of apples and continue to bake (uncovered) for an additional 20-25 minutes; until topping starts to turn golden brown.

Let apple crisp cool slightly and serve warm.  If you like ice cream with your apple crisp and feel like indulging just a little top with a scoop of fat free vanilla frozen yogurt.

Tuesday 1 January 2013

Chocolate Crepes

Protein crepes are pretty common in the fitness/healthy eating worlds. You can find recipes and versions all over the place.  I'm not claiming to be the inventor of protein crepes, I just want to share with you all  some of my favourite protein snacks because hey, not everyone has been at this forever and might not know about some of these tasty treats!

Protein crepes; Incredibly simple, very versatile, and oh so yummy!

Start with 1/3 cup of egg whites and one scoop of protein powder.  I like to use chocolate for my crepes but any flavour you have works well.  Whisk this together well, add a pinch of cinnamon if you choose and that's it!

Add a little olive oil to a well heated pan (medium heat) and pour in your crepe batter.  I like to swirl my pan around to spread my mixture and be sure the crepe cooks evenly.  Let your crepe cook all the way through before flipping (kinda like an omelette).  This takes about a minute.  Flip and let cook on the other side for only 10-15 seconds.


Now is the fun part! Fill your crepe with whatever you like!  Tonight I chose to fill mine with peanut butter, half a banana, strawberries and blueberries.  I also like to top with fat free whipped cream but didn't have any.  This is also a good place to use protein "syrup" to drizzle over your dessert.  

Closer to a competition I will still eat these crepes but will usually spread just a tbsp of PB on top.