Bacon-Wrapped Figs Stuffed with Cayenne Peanut Butter

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For my first recipe post-hiatus, I've created something amazing. These taste like peanut butter and jelly, with bacon. All that's missing is bananas and Elvis would be turning in his grave.

I hear he never died, you know. 

Next time I bring an appetizer to an event, this is it. The ratio of required prep time to flavor is rather favorable, so your dish can be the star of the show without too much work. Between the slight kick from the cayenne in the peanut butter, the sweetness of the fig, and the salty flavor of the bacon, this appetizer has just about everything you could ever want... all wrapped up into a bite size piece.

These are for my sister and inspired by my friend Diane.

Bacon-wrapped Figs stuffed with Cayenne Peanut Butter
Servings: 8-12 food items
Ingredients:

• 4 tbsp peanut butter
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 8-12 dried figs
• 4-6 strips of bacon

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Combine peanut butter and cayenne pepper and mix well.  
3. Remove fig stems and cut figs in half. Stuff with peanut butter mixture and then place back together.
   
4. Cut bacon strips in half so that you have two strips of the same length but now half as long as they were before.
5. Wrap reconstructed figs with bacon strips. 
6. Bake until bacon is golden brown, about 20 minutes. As it gets hot, the peanut butter mixture will liquefy a bit more and some of it may seep out.
   
7. Let cool for at least 5 minutes before serving.

PB&J Protein Smoothie

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It was your go-to snack as a kid. Whether you're the fancy pants who got mom to remove the crust and cut your sandwich into diamonds or the regular joe who ate whatever you got, crust and all, there is something nostalgic and comforting about a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Your parents didn't just drown you in PB&Js because it was easy. They did it, at least in part, BECAUSE YOU LOVED PB&J. 

Now's the time to bring back that lovin' feelin' for your PB&J - but this time, instead of sandwiching it between carbohydrates, combine it with some protein and drink up!

PB&J Protein Smoothie
Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, or any berry of choice - just as you had your favorite jelly back in the day, others work here, too!
• 1 tbsp peanut butter (feel free to substitute other nut butters if you have a peanut allergy)
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder or 3 tbsp Great Lakes Gelatin
• 1 cup water or coconut water

Directions:

1. BLEND
2. SERVE

^Yeah. It's that easy.

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

• What's your favorite smoothie recipe?
• What's your secret ingredient?
• Do you like to add protein to your smoothies or just use them to get your vegetables?

Recipe | Peanut Butter Banana Protein Shake

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For those of you who are fitness buffs like me, protein shakes are a must. Even if you're not hitting the gym on a regular basis, protein is still a must-have in your diet. Most studies suggest that the average adult needs between 40 to 55 grams of protein each day. 

The icing on the cake (or on the protein shake, I guess?) is that this recipe makes one mean yet delicious shake. I often crave it. Proof that it is delicious.

Picking your protein? There are many options. Look for a Whey protein. Whey protein is the same protein found in milk and is best for post-workout supplements because it is fast-absorbing and as a result can quickly get to work repairing your muscles.Try to get this in your system within 40 minutes of working out if you're using it as a post-workout shake!

 

Want the full recipe? Read on, my friends! :)

Reese's Cupcakes

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"What is this delicious awesomeness," you ask? 

...Why, 'tis Chocolate Cupcakes with Reese's Cups inside and Peanut Butter Whipped Cream icing.

"But that's like a thousand calories," you proclaim!

...Why, no, 'tis not! 

No butter. No oil. No eggs. No problem. :)

I'm pretty confident that these cupcakes go without much additional needed explanation...

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What you need:

• Reese's Cups (Mini) - Frozen
• Devil's Food Cake - Chocolate Mix
• 3/4 Can of La Croix (Sparkling/Seltzer Water - any brand will work - you need about 9 oz)
• 1/4 cup of Plain Lowfat Yogurt
• 1 8oz tub of Cool Whip
• 3 Tablespoons of Peanut Butter
• 3 teaspoons of Brown Sugar

What you do:

1. Mix Cake mix with 3/4(ish) can of sparkling water. Add 1/4 cup of plain lowfat yogurt.

2. Spoon into cupcake tins. Unwrap Reese's Cups and drop into batter. [Don't push them down too much - they're going to sink much deeper than they start out!]

3. Bake in oven according to cake box (~24 minutes).

4. For icing: Mix cool whip and brown sugar. Add peanut butter and beat on high until well blended, scraping the sides of the bowl as you go.

5. Spread on top of cupcakes or spoon into piping bag.

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