Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Sugar Free Hot Cocoa Mix

This is my riff on a recipe I got from Susan Maria Leach at http://bariatriceating.com. Susan Maria (SM to most of us) and her company also sponsor forums at http://beforeandafterhelp.com.  Both are great resources for pre and post bariatric patients.

This is a thick, rich cocoa with a full mouth feel that won't leave you craving those little mini-marshmallows! It's also REALLY economical compared to those packages with the little Swiss girl on the front.

2 cups Splenda Granular (or your equivalent favorite powdered sweetener)
1 cup Dutch cocoa
3 1/2 cups powdered lowfat milk
1 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons cornstarch
4 1.4oz pkg Jell-0 Sugar Free Chocolate (or Chocolate Fudge) Pudding Mix

To make  single serving:
Heat 1 1/2 cups milk (any kind, skim, soy, almond, goat, elk, whatever...)

Put 2 HEAPING teaspoons of the mix in your mug (amount may vary by mug size and your personal taste - experiment!)
Slowly add the heated milk while mixing thoroughly


Cook's Notes: 
You can add a teaspoon of decaf instant coffee if you'd like a great cup of mocha!
Makes a great gift!

Sweet Potato Apple Napoleon

Sorry I didn't get around to posting Thanksgiving recipes earlier, but I actually work for a living - and "occasionally" it gets in the way...


I do have a nice dish to contribute though to replace that awful marshmallow crusted sweet potato casserole  that haunts holiday meals.

Sweet Potato Apple Napoleon

2 sweet potatoes 
2 cored apples
1/8 cup lemon juice
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/3 cup Splenda (or equivalent sweetener of choice)
1 tsp molasses (for the brown sugar taste)
2 Tbls butter

Heat oven to 350 F

Slice sweet potatoes and apples "potato chip thin"
Arrange a layer of potatoes, then apples in an 8X8 casserole 

Heat/microwave remaining ingredients to melt butter - stir well
Drizzle over layer
Repeat, finishing with sweet potatoes

Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 2 hours

Allow to cool and "set" for at least 15 minutes
Slice into portions

Excellent served warm or at room temperature