Mommy Lifesaver - Easy Blueberry Mufffin

Mommylicious

If your little muffin is not as fond of Blueberries as mine is, then this muffin might just do what you have always wanted to do - make them eat blueberries. 

Blueberries are one of the most anti-oxidant rich fruits. It is high in Vitamin A and C and fiber. Packed with nutrients, blueberries make the perfect snack. 

I introduced my son to blueberries in the pureed form soon after he started solids. He was fond of blueberries till I started giving it to him as finger food. So, I had to look for ways to incorporate blueberries in his diet, be it in the form of blueberry yogurt or berry smoothie or blueberry muffins. The muffin, is hands-down, his favorite way to eat blueberries. He loves the blueberry muffins for breakfast or as a quick snack. I even give it to him as a sweet treat. 

I found the recipe for this blueberry muffin on the internet and thought it would be perfect my little one. My son is 13 months old and is a pro at solids, so this muffin is great for babies who have been used to solids for a while and is entering toddlerhood. However, make sure you are always close by to monitor your baby/toddler to avoid choking. 

This blueberry muffin recipe is very simple and most moms will have all the ingredients on hand all the time. It takes only 15 minutes to make and add 5 minutes of preparation time. So, you can whip it up real quick, even if there was no plan for it (as it happens with me most of the time).

Ingredients:

Dry-
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup granulated sugar or 1 cup powdered sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries

Wet-
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup plain yogurt, whole milk or greek
1/3 cup butter (melted)

Method:

• Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. 
• Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl.
• Mix all the wet ingredients in a separate bowl.

• Add the fresh or frozen (but not thawed) blueberries into the dry ingredients and fold it in.

• Mix the dry and the wet ingredients with a spatula. I say spatula and not a whisk because the batter is going to be pretty thick.

• Line a muffin tin with paper liners or just spray the muffin tin with cooking oil. 
• Scoop out the batter into the muffin tin.

• Bake it at 375 degrees for 15 minutes. Check the center of the muffin with a toothpick to ensure it is cooked through. 

Serve when the blueberry muffins cool down and see your little one just go at it. 

I have used whole milk yogurt so that this blueberry muffin is moist and soft, and needless to say, make it rich in protein.  

Make these Blueberry Muffins in batches and store them and enjoy them for a few days. This Blueberry Muffin is so easy and fast that you will hardly feel as if it is an extra chore. These are so delicious that they have become a family favorite. We adults love it just as much as our toddler. It is truly a lifesaver for moms.  

Mommy Lifesaver - Quick Tuscani Chicken Alfredo Pasta

Mommylicious

Italian is my favorite cuisine. I love my pizzas and pastas. Every now and then during my trips to Target, I stop by at the Pizza Hut in it to grab a quick bite. More often than not, that happens to be the Tuscani Chicken Alfredo Pasta. As much as I love having this pasta, I hate how little I get for the money. So I decided to recreate this pasta dish at home.

As with everything else, I did my research and came up with at quick and easy mommy version of the Tuscani Chicken Alfredo Pasta. Most of the cooking happens in the oven so mommies can give all the attention to your little ones. 

Ingredients:

Pasta (any kind)
Alfredo Pasta Sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Chicken Breasts
Cheese (Mozzarella and Parmesan)
Olive Oil
Crushed Red Pepper (optional)

Method:

1. Boil the pasta according to the package instructions. You can use any kind of pasta you have on hand. I used spaghetti on this particular day. Drain the pasta and keep aside. 

2. Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees. 

3. Heat up some olive oil and grill the chicken breast. Season the chicken with some salt, pepper and crushed red peppers for some heat. Once cooked on both sides, let it cool and slice the chicken up. 

4. In a baking dish, pour the pasta. Generously pour the Alfredo sauce on the pasta. Sprinkle the sliced grilled chicken. Top it with lots of Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. 

4. Bake it at 375 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes.

Before getting into the oven.

After it comes out of the oven.

This Tuscani Chicken Alfredo pasta is a dish you can play around with depending on the time you have on hand. You can use different types of pasta each time you make it. You can add minced garlic to the chicken or in the Alfredo sauce, if you are a garlic-fanatic like me. And if you have time or are in the mood, make your own Alfredo sauce. I resort to store bought pasta sauce since becoming a mom. 

This Tuscani Chicken Alfredo Pasta will be ready in no time. All the ingredients are sitting in the pantry or refrigerator all the time. It is perfect for days when you are in a rush to get done with dinner, or want to have something delicious without having to go to a restaurant; or if you are just feeling lazy but don't want your family dinner to reflect that. Your family will love this pasta dish and you will be flooded with requests to make it again. 

It is a go-to pasta dinner in my house. I prefer having my go-to recipes rather than having to-go from a restaurant. 



This is not a sponsored post. I love Pizza Hut and let me just say that imitation is the best form of flattery.