Recipes

The Sneaky Chef to the Rescue
By Missy Chase Lapine
**You need to prepare the Purple Puree and Flour Blend ahead of time!

Purple Puree

3 cups raw baby spinach leaves
1 ½ cups fresh or frozen blueberries, no syrup or sugar added
½ teaspoon lemon juice
1 to 2 tablespoons water

Place the spinach in the food processor and pulse a few times. ‘This will reduce the spinach. Next, add the blueberries, lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of water; puree on high until as smooth as possible. Stop occasionally to push the contents to the bottom. You can add another tablespoon of water to create a smooth puree.

This will keep in the refrigerator up to 3 days, or you can freeze ¼ cup portions in sealed plastic bags.

Flour Blend

1 cup all-purpose, unbleached white flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup wheat germ, unsweetened

Combine the flours and wheat germ in a large bowl. This makes about 3 cups. This blend can be stored in a sealed plastic bag or container in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.

Light Brainy Brownies

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 large eggs
¼ cup vanilla yogurt
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
½ cup sugar
¾ cup Purple Puree
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon instant coffee powder
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup Flour Blend
¼ cup oat bran
½ teaspoon baking powder
Powdered sugar, for dusting


1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Butter or spray, then lightly flour, the boom of a 9-inch baking pan.
3. Melt the butter and chocolate chips in the microwave, checking every 15 seconds. Remove from heat and allow mixture to cool a bit. Meanwhile, in another bowl, whisk together the eggs, yogurt, vanilla, sugar and Purple Puree. Combine the Purple Puree mixture with the cooled chocolate mixture.
4. In a mixing bowl, whisk together cinnamon, coffee, cocoa, salt, Flour Blend, oat brand and baking powder. Add this to the chocolate mixture and blend thoroughly. Pour the entire mixture into the baking pan.
5. Bake for 36 – 40 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool completely in the pan before cutting the brownies using a plastic or butter knife. Dust with powdered sugar, if desired.
6. Keeps for a week in the refrigerator, covered tightly.