Zucchini Tots

While I am not a big fan of Tatar tots, I could eat these tots every day!  Despite how this picture looks, yes these are round like Tatar tots.  I have never made Tatar tots, but these tots are so easy to make!  They require a mini muffin pan which is my new favorite baking tool.  It makes things like these, muffins, and many other food items bite size.  The first time I made these I did not have a mini muffin pan and I did use a regular muffin pan, but they were not as crispy, you have to cook them longer, and you certainly cannot pop them in your mouth in one bite!  I found this recipe on a great cooking website skinnytaste.com and they are only 108 calories only for 4 tots!  For this recipe you will need the following:
     1 cup of grated zucchini
     1 large egg
     1/4 cup of onion, chopped
     1/4 cup of low fat cheddar cheese
     1/4 cup of seasoned bread crumbs
     salt and pepper to taste

 



Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees.  Spray the mini muffin pan with cooking spray. 

Combine all the ingredients in and bowl, mixing them with your hands.

Add salt and pepper.

 

Fill each muffin cup to the top, pushing down on the filling with the back of a spoon,

 so it is nice and compact, that way they will not fall apart. 

Bake 16-18 minutes until they are golden brown!



Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bars

With the start of the fall weather, comes the start of the pumpkin inspired dishes.  Pumpkin lattes, pumpkin pies, and these delicious chocolate chip pumpkin bars.  This recipe comes from a baking blog I found through Pinterest - bakeat 350.blogspot.com.  Like most pumpkin inspired recipes, this only uses a portion of a can of the pumpkin, which means that you will be left with extra pumpkin.  Thankfully, pumpkin is very easy to freeze.  I just save it in 1 cup portions in freezer bags and then I have pumpkin all year long.  For this recipe you will need the following:
     2 cups all purpose flour
     1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
     3/4 tsp ginger
     1/2 tsp nutmeg
     1/8 tsp gloves
     1 tsp baking soda
     3/4 tsp coarse salt
     1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
     1 1/4 cup sugar
     1 egg
     2 tsp vanilla
     1 cup pumpkin puree
     1 12 oz bag of chocolate chips



Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.  Line the bottom and sides of 13x9 baking pan with foil, leaving an overhang on the sides.  In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, spices, baking soda, and salt.  Cream together the butter and sugar using a mixer on medium-high until smooth. 

 

Beat in the egg and vanilla.

 



 

Beat in the pumpkin puree.  Don't worry if it looks curdled,

it is suppose to look like that!

 



 

Fold into the dry ingredients and mix on low until combined.

 

Stir in the chocolate chips.

 



 

Using a spatula, spread the batter into the prepared pan.  Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.  Cool completely in the pan. 

Lift the bars from the pan, peel from the foil, and cut into squares.