Amu’s Banana Oatmeal Muffins [Recipes]

In this recipe I literally baked what my mama gave me!

Whenever I go to visit my mom (or Amu as I like to call her), she hands me a huge bag of groceries which always inevitably includes a bunch of bananas. I can never finish these bananas in time so I had to figure out how to put them to good use. I have come up with a fool-proof and flexible recipe that will provide you with delicious banana muffins! You’ll have a quick and easy breakfast or snack!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 cup oats
• 1/2 cup of sugar
• 2 teaspoons of baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup mashed bananas (about two bananas give or take)
• 1/2 cup of chocolate chips (optional but recommended)
• 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts (optional but recommended)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Mix all your dry ingredients in a bowl (except chocolate chips and walnuts).
3. Mix all your wet ingredients in a bowl.
4. Stir the flour mixture into the banana mixture.
5. Fold in your walnuts and chocolate chips – these add great texture to your muffins so I highly recommend it!
6. Line a 12 cup muffin pan with paper baking cups and pour batter evenly among the cups.
7. Bake at 400 degrees for 18 minutes or until lightly browned.

All done! Now you too can bake what your Amu gave you!

Just me and my Amu.

Greek Loukoumades in Astoria [Reviews]

I am so lucky to live in a neighborhood that has some of the best food in NYC! Recently I came across Cafe Boulis on a quiet, mostly residential area serving up Greek pastries and great coffee. If you know Astoria, you know that Greek restaurants are a dime a dozen, but Boulis alone is worth a trip to Astoria.

We went one morning in to grab a quick cup of coffee and their famous Loukoumades. Loukoumades are Greek donuts fried to order! They are served warm, drizzled with honey, and sprinkled with cinnamon and powdered sugar. They weren’t your typical donuts – they were airy, light and delicately sweet.

Look at these beauties!

If you are looking for a quick breakfast in Astoria or just want to satisfy your sweet tooth, make sure you stop by Cafe Boulis. I promise you won’t be disappointed!

[Fun fact: For all you word nerds like me who like to learn the etymology of words, loukoumades comes from the Arabic word لقمة luqma(t) – meaning “mouthful or “morsel.” Bengalis also use the word lukma to mean the same!]

Cafe Boulis, 30-15 31st Avenue, Astoria, NY 11106 – (718) 806-1014

Zucchini Pie [Recipes]

If you’re like me, your first reaction to a dish to called Zucchini Pie would be “Sounds amazing, sign me up!”  However, for those of you who are not enticed by a dish called zucchini pie, here is my sell: it’s what you would get if a frittata and a quiche, had an illegitimate (and cheesy) love child…

And you’re SOLD!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of zucchini, sliced thin
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1/2 (heaping) cup of grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 (heaping) cup of Sharp Cheddar Cheese
• 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup of Bisquick Mix
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder (optional)
• 4 eggs

1.  First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Then, combine all of your ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

(Doesn’t the cheddar look like carrots? That’s  what I thought when I was uploading this photo. I was all “I don’t remember putting carrots into this dish…”)

2. Next, grease a 9″ pie dish (or cake pan or casserole dish, whatever you got, I’m flexible), and pour in your mixture.

3. Pop it into your preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until you see the top browning and you get this…

4. Let the dish cool for a few minutes. Then, slice up your “pie.”

This dish can be served as an appetizer or as a main entree for breakfast or brunch.   The onions give it that extra kick, and who can say no to cheese and eggs? Not me!

Recipe adapted from Cindy.

Cheesy Breakfast Grits [Recipes]

One of my favorite things about living in the city is that there are a billion places to enjoy a weekend brunch. Especially now, since it’s summer, I love being able to sit outdoors on a weekend and have a lazy, long brunch.  But if you think about it, most brunch foods are easy to make. You just got to plan ahead!

I first had cheesy grits when I lived in Brooklyn at a place called Stan’s Place (since renamed Rothschild’s Restaurant). They serve classic New Orleans cuisine including beignets and coffee from the world-famous Cafe Du Monde!

Here is my first attempt at making some cheesy grits for brunch.

Ingredients:

• Old Fashioned Grits
• 1 Cup of Cheese (I used a cheddar, monterray, mozzarella blend).
• Paprika
• Onion Flakes
• Garlic Powder (I didn’t have any so I used Adobe. Don’t judge me!)
• Butter!

1. First start by boiling 2 1/2 cups of water.

2. In a saucepan, slowly stir 1/2 cup of grits into boiling water.

3. Reduce heat to medium-low and cover. Cook 10-14 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the grits are thickened.

4. Add cheese, a dash of paprika, garlic powder, 1 tablespoon of butter, and onion flakes.

5. Turn off heat, and stir until cheese is melted!

I served my grits with a fried egg and roast beef hash and of course Louisiana Hot Sauce!  Then I gave myself a pat on the back for being so awesome!