Chewy Chocolate Brownies

I'm always a little skeptical of recipes labeled "light" or "healthy," especially when it comes to treats like brownies or cake or cookies. I mean, really? Can they actually be as good as the full-fat version? Well in this case, they are! These brownies turned out delicious, and you'd never know they are lightened up a bit. Chewy Chocolate Brownies
from Taste of Home Healthy Cooking 2009

3 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 c. packed brown sugar
3 Tbs. unsweetened applesauce
1 egg
1 egg white
2 Tbs. canola oil
4 1/2 tsp. light corn syrup
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 c. all-purpose flour
1/4 c. baking cocoa
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/8 tsp. salt

In a microwave, melt chocolate; stir until smooth. Cool slightly. Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, beat the brown sugar, applesauce, egg, egg white, oil, corn syrup and vanilla. Beat in chocolate until blended. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; beat into brown sugar mixture just until blended.

Pour into a 9x13 baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars. Makes 18 brownies.

*I will admit that I fattened up my batch of brownies a bit with about 1/2 cup of Andes mint baking chips that were left over from Christmas. Yum.

(For those of you interested, each brownie has 125 calories and 4 g of fat. Without the addition of the mint chips, of course.)

Avocado Sauce

I made this sauce to serve with Baked Chicken Taquitos. It would also be really good on burgers, sandwiches and tacos.

Avocado Sauce
from Taste of Home Healthy Cooking 2009
1 medium ripe avocado, peeled
1/2 c. fat-free sour cream
2 Tbs. minced fresh cilantro
2 tsp. lime juice
1 garlic clove, minced
1/8 tsp. salt

In a small bowl, mash avocado with sour cream, cilantro, lime juice, garlic and salt. Refrigerate until serving.

Hummus

We love to eat hummus with raw vegetables or crackers. Maggie just licks it off the carrot stick and then asks for a refill.

1 can chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
2 Tbs tahini (sesame paste)
red pepper flakes, to taste
salt, to taste
2-3 Tbs. lemon juice
1-2 cloves garlic
2 Tbs. olive oil
2 tsp. white vinegar

The amounts and flavorings in this recipe are up to you! Just toss everything into a food processor and blend to desired texture. It should be a thick paste, so if you add to much liquid, add more beans or vice versa. I don't like a lot of garlic, so I typically just add a pinch of garlic powder. Tahini can be found in most grocery stores (I've seen it at Wal-Mart, Albertson's, etc.) either next to the peanut butter or in the Asian food section. Hummus is a great source of protien and a good way to convince yourself to eat more veggies!