Powerball

I didn't win the the Powerball, but I certainly found a great way to make one!

I have become intrigued with the idea of finding recipes that require little more than a bowl or minimal equipment and few skills...yet, also, provide great flavor and nutrition, are cheap, and easy to make! I suspect you must think I am crazy!

Unfortunately, being a college student has substantial limits, not only money-wise, but also, in terms of space, cooking and baking equipment, and/or ingredients--for some they might only have one hot plate or a microwave--for others, you never learned to cook! 

How do you make quality food, snacks in those situations, even if you have the means to purchase regular groceries or quality ingredients? What if your kitchen-access is defined as a shelf in a fridge, or only a hot-plate or microwave on the floor? Cooking skills or not, you don't have much to go on!

So, when I find recipes that fit this profile of simplicity without sacrificing flavor or nutrition or busting the bank--imperative for anyone on a low-income budget--I have to get them noticed as this one from www.gimmesomeoven.com!! 

Fantastic little protein bites easily made in 10 minutes, packed full of healthy goodness, and which can be stored in your fridge for up to one week for on-the-go moments or snacking.

Powerball Snacking

I also toyed with the idea of simply using sweetened coconut or dunking these things into dark chocolate ganache, i.e. a mock-truffle--probably would defeat the purpose--but still a good idea!

Equipment:
Mixing Bowl 
Fork
Measuring Cups & Spoons

Ingredients:
1 cup old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup ground flax seed
2/3 cup coconut, toasted or not
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/3 cup honey or agave
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 Tbls chia seeds (optional)
1 tsp vanilla

Instructions:
1. Wash your hands.
2. Combine all ingredients into mixing bowl.
3. Stir until well-mixed and chill in the refrigerator x 30 minutes.

4. Form into 1" balls and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.

5. I sprinkled with a touch of powdered sugar just for cosmetic purposes.

Reminiscent of No-Bake Cookies! Check them out!

No Resolution Cinnamon Popovers

Anything that is simple to make and delicious to eat I just have to post--New Year's Resolutions or not! If nothing else, keep this awesome breakfast treat for a special occasion...like Lincoln's Birthday or tomorrow morning! 

A perfect recipe for college (or no-skill) cooking requiring little equipment and only a few basic ingredients. This came to me by way of a great suggestion from my sister-in-law after discovering these sumptuous, melt-in-your-mouth, cinnamon popovers from foodblogger JoyTheBaker.com!!

If your New Year's resolutions include making the world a better place or making someone happy...you just found your solution! Try these out this week, then hand them out immediately, and you can be certain you have played a part in changing this world for the better!

Cinnamon Popovers 4 College Cooking

Equipment:

12-count Regular Muffin Tin, sprayed with non-stick spray

Pam Spray

Mixing Bowls

Ingredients:

1 cup whole milk

2 large eggs, at room temperature

1 tsp vanilla extract 

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 Tbls granulated sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Toppings:

6 Tbls butter, melted and set aside

Cinnamon Sugar = 1/2 cup sugar + 3/4 tsp cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Wash your hands.
2. Preheat the oven to 450F degrees.
3. Melt butter and make cinnamon sugar. Set aside.
4. Whisk together the milk, eggs, and vanilla extract x 2 minutes.

5. Whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, and 1/2 tsp of cinnamon.
6. Add dry ingredients to milk and eggs mixture. Whisk until smooth.

7. Divide the batter evenly in the muffin tin to about half-way.

8. Bake x 12 minutes at 450F degrees, and then another 12 minutes at 350F degrees.
(Mine were too over done using 15 minute intervals)

DO NOT OPEN THE OVEN DOOR UNTIL JUST BEFORE YOU PULL THEM OUT!

9. Drizzle the melted butter over each popover followed with cinnamon sugar.

Soft. Light. Airy. Delicious. Comfort Food.
Save the world! Make someone smile today!