Secret Recipe Club: Black Bean Brownies

I don't like today.

It's pouring, it's humid...and it's Monday.

I hardly ever feel happy about Monday and all of this other stuff is making it...well, just not so much.

One thing I am happy about today? It's Secret Recipe Club reveal day!

To be honest, I have been feeling a little uninspired both in the kitchen and on the blog lately. I'm not sure if it's a funk or what, but SRC came along at the perfect time. I really love being a part of this series because it introduces me to new blogs, I've made new blog friends, and it's always so exciting to see who had my blog on a given month and which recipe they chose to make. Each month, The Secret Recipe Club, founded by the lovely Amanda, pairs a blogger with another blog. The blogger then chooses one recipe to cook or bake and reveals it as a surprise on a designated day. I like. A special thanks also to Angie @ Big Bear's Wife for playing hostess in Group C!

This month, I was given A Vegan Obsession as my blog from which to choose a recipe. To be honest, I am not really familiar at all with vegan cooking. I do own Peas & Thank You, but I haven't even tried many recipes from that book yet either. India-leigh is so beautiful and I adore her blog. It's happy, bright and filled with delicious-looking recipes!

I was excited to search around a new (to me) blog and find a great recipe to replicate! I actually found a bunch that I wanted to try (and will at some point!) but settled on her Fudgey, Sinless Black Bean Brownies.

I had seen black bean brownies around the blogosphere in the past and had been wanted to try them for some time. This seemed like the perfect opportunity!

Overall, I thought these turned out nicely for a seriously lightened up treat. I did make some modifications based on what I had on hand and added whipped cream, which I suppose takes all of the veganness out of them...but without the whipped cream, these are still vegan and ready to go! 

I do wish I had added a bit more sugar because I like my treats to be sweet. However, as I'm doing Weight Watchers and Physique 57 like it's my job, I was very happy to find a treat that is healthy and filling - thanks black beans!

Black Bean Brownies
*Adapted from A Vegan Obsession
1 15 oz. can black beans, rinsed & drained
1 ripe banana
½ C unsweetened applesauce
¼ C unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp espresso powder
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
¼ C sugar (or more for sweeter brownies)
1/3 C maple syrup
1 C quick oats
Cooking spray
Whipped cream (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a small mixing bowl with an immersion blender ready or in a blender, combine the beans, banana, applesauce, cocoa powder, espresso powder, salt, vanilla, sugar and syrup. Blend like it's your job until super smooth and silky. This took about a minute and a half or so.

Fold in the oats. Pour into an 8x8 baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake for 30 minutes or until completely set. Let cool, cut into squares and serve. Top with whipped cream if ya like. 

I like.

Thanks to India-leigh for this great, easy recipe! I can't wait to try it again with a little more sweetness and possibly some mix-ins as you suggest!

For some previous SRC posts of mine, check out:

Individual Lemon Berry Trifles

Mexican Layer Bake

Chicken Noodle Casserole

Chocolate Quesadillas

NY Giants & Jet Popcorn Party Mix

Secret Recipe Club: Individual Lemon Berry Trifles

Ugh Monday totes snuck up on me this week. I had such a great and productive weekend but I swear productive =fly by.

The only thing getting me going today is the fact the it's Secret Recipe Club reveal day...yay!
I really love being a part of this series because it introduces me to new blogs, I've made new blog friends, and it's always so exciting to see who had my blog on a given month and which recipe they chose to make. Each month, The Secret Recipe Club, founded by the lovely Amanda, pairs a blogger with another blog. The blogger then chooses one recipe to cook or bake and reveals it as a surprise on a designated day. So fun!

 

This month I was given Big Bear's Wife as my blog from which to choose a recipe. I was thrilled because Angie is also the hostess for our group, Group C! She is always lovely and so helpful...and her blog is absolutely delicious. When I came across her recipe for a strawberry and blueberry trifle, I couldn't get it out of my head. With all of the gorgeous weather we've been having so early in the year (save for yesterday and today), all I can do is daydream about summertime, laying by the pool, attending barbecues with friends and family...and dining on fresh, light desserts, like berry trifles.

While Angie had made one large trifle, I didn't really have an occasion for that, so instead, I made some individual trifles for Shaun and me to have this week! I love having things pre-portioned for easy access and keeping a limit on over eating. I simply covered them tightly with plastic wrap and they will be ready to go for a post-dinner treat tonight!

Individual Lemon Berry Trifles

*Adapted from Big Bear’s Wife

Makes 4 small trifles

1 box angel food cake mix

1 lemon, juiced and zested

2 C strawberries

1 C blueberries

½ tub fat-free Cool Whip

Prepare cake according to package directions, stirring in the juice and zest (about 1 Tbsp) of one lemon before baking. Let cool completely and cut into cubes. If you are in a pinch, simply purchase a premade angel food cake and cut into cubes, which will work just as nicely.

In four small glasses, layer some angel food cake cubes, then Cool Whip, then strawberries, then cake, then Cool Whip, then blueberries. (Or in any order you prefer!) Serve chilled with a long spoon.

You will have lots of cake leftover. I simply cut the entire thing into cubes and froze what I didn't use for a future recipe!

So there you have it. 

This recipe really couldn't be any simpler and you'd be hard-pressed to find a healthier dessert! 

So what do you think?

What simple, healthy desserts are you loving lately?

Are you getting any summery cravings as of late?

Secret Recipe Club: Chocolate Quesadillas + a Giveaway

I'm so excited today for a number of reasons.
First, we had such a lovely weekend. We celebrated both Shaun's mom and my mom's birthdays on Friday and Saturday. There was so much food, so much cake and just a really nice time. Yesterday, we did a little urban hiking through Jersey City and spotted the first signs of spring. I think I'm ready for the week!

Secondly, I'm thrilled today to host a sweet giveaway from SlimKicker!

They are generously offering a free slow cooker to one lucky winner.

SlimKicker turns your diet/fitness goals into a level-up game.  When you join, you get points as you count calories, track your fitness, and participate in challenges. To enter to win, see the end of this post!

And thirdly…today is Secret Recipe Club reveal day! I was very excited to receive The Freshman Cook as the blog from which to pick a recipe this month. I really enjoyed searching through Teri's blog for something to strike my fancy. Fortunately, many of her recipes looked fantastic and it was tough to pick just one :) When I came across her chocolate quesadillas, I knew it was meant to be.

This is the perfect recipe for me since it was easy to make into one serving, since someone whom I live with doesn't eat sweets. And that's why desserts for one rule the world!

This quesadilla came together in about 5 minutes and was ooey, gooey and delicious. So rich and sweet and I really enjoyed it. Oh and my version is about 8 Points+ per serving. Don't mind if I do. Especially since this little bit of yumminess is incredibly filling.

Chocolate Quesadilla for One
*Adapted from The Freshman Cook
Serves 1, 8 WW Points+
1 6" whole wheat tortilla
1 Tbsp peanut butter
2 Tbsp milk chocolate chips
20 mini marshmallows
cooking spray

Spread the peanut butter all over one side of the tortilla. Place the chocolate chips and marshmallows on one half of the tortilla and press them down into the peanut butter.

Fold the tortilla in half. Spray a skillet with cooking spray and place over medium heat. Add the tortilla and brown on both sides.

Smoosh it down a little so that it gets all sticky and ooey gooey inside. Once the inside is melted, remove from pan, place on cutting board and cut in half. Enjoy immediately, preferably with a glass of milk.

Oh and the original recipe included bananas. I left them out because I've been feeling slightly banana'd out lately, but any additional fruit would also be delicious. Or some shredded coconut. Yum.

Yum. Thanks Teri for this awesome recipe!!

Now...to enter the giveaway!

To win the slow cooker from SlimKicker, please leave a comment telling me how you keep yourself motivated to stay fit and I'll choose a winner on Thursday. I stay motivated by thinking about myself in a bathing suit…that pretty much does it!

For extra entries:

1. Head over to SlimKicker, join a challenge on the site, and leave a comment telling me which one you joined

2. Like The Avid Appetite on Facebook and leave another comment telling me so

3. Follow @theavidappetite on Twitter and leave another comment telling me so

I'll announce the winner on Thursday! Good luck!

Questions of the Day:

How was your weekend?

What is your favorite dessert for one?