Blog Bites IX

Here’s a round-up of some recipes from around the web that I’ve recently made and enjoyed!

In this casserole dish is BBQ Cauliflower Mac ‘n Cheese from Chocolate & Carrots.

I used less barbeque sauce than Caroline called for, (just to suit my taste preference), but John drizzled extra on top of his serving; so if you really love barbeque sauce, I say definitely go for the original amount!

I’ve added cauliflower to mac & cheese before, but the barbeque sauce in Caroline’s recipe adds a great flavor kick.

Next up we have this Mango Rice Pudding from Apron and Sneakers.

I subbed in light coconut milk & long-grain brown rice and used half the amount of sugar as the champagne mangos I had on hand were super ripe.

This rice pudding is thick, creamy, and fresh-tasting… perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a snack.

Finally, here’s a Rustic Chocolate Chip Banana Oat Cake with PB Banana Glaze from Oh She Glows.

I de-veganized it so I could use what I had on hand, (organic 1% milk in for vanilla almond milk; 2% Greek yogurt in for the applesauce) and omitted the powdered sugar from the glaze as the banana lent enough sweetness for me.

Dense and packed with chocolate chips, this cake is better suited for dessert… but if you cut out some of the brown sugar and either omit or halve the amount of chocolate chips, the cake totally becomes breakfast-appropriate ;).

Have you made any blogger recipes recently? Please share links in the comments!

Ingredients

For the Blog Bites

• 1 cup of mixed nuts (almonds, cashews, and peanuts work well)
• 1/2 cup of dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup of mini pretzels
• 1/4 cup of honey
• 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter
• A pinch of salt

For the Topping

• 1/4 cup of powdered sugar (optional, for a touch of sweetness)
• 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt flakes (optional, for a salty finish)

Instructions

Prepare Your Ingredients:

Measure out all the ingredients to make your cooking process smooth and efficient.

Melt the Butter and Honey:

In a medium-sized saucepan, melt the butter over low heat.

Stir in the honey and a pinch of salt. Continue to stir until the mixture is well combined and slightly runny. Remove it from heat.

Combine the Dry Ingredients:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the mixed nuts, dried cranberries, dark chocolate chips, and mini pretzels.

Mix in the Honey-Butter Mixture:

Pour the melted honey-butter mixture over the dry ingredients.

Use a spatula or wooden spoon to mix everything thoroughly, ensuring all the ingredients are coated with the sweet and salty goodness.

Form Bite-Sized Clusters:

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Using your hands, grab small portions of the mixture and roll them into bite-sized clusters. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each cluster.

Optional Toppings:

If you desire a sweeter touch, sprinkle powdered sugar lightly over the Blog Bites.

For a hint of saltiness, top each cluster with a few sea salt flakes.

Allow to Set:

Let the Blog Bites sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes, or until they firm up.

Enjoy Your Blog Bites:

Once the bites have set, they’re ready to enjoy! Grab a handful and savor the sweet, salty, and crunchy goodness while you work on your blog posts.

Estimated Nutrition Per Serving

• Calories: 180 kcal
• Total Fat: 11g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 5mg
• Sodium: 120mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 20g
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Sugars: 13g
• Protein: 3g