#MeatlessMonday - No-Bake Fudge-Oatmeal Cookies #summer #dessert #recipe

I'm not a fan of chocolate (yeah, yeah) but I have to say, these cookies are good.  This recipe has been in my family for many, many years (though I've seen it elsewhere). I call this a "summer cookie," because they require no baking in the oven, and they they take minutes to prepare. Enjoy!

No Bake Fudge-Oatmeal Cookies

2-1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
1/2 cup peanut butter (chunky or smooth)
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix oats, peanut butter and vanilla. Set aside

1/2 cup milk
1/8 tsp. salt
2T cocoa
2 cups sugar

Mix milk, salt, cocoa and sugar in saucepan, and bring to a boil. Cook for 1 minute.
Here's where you must be quick, little grasshopper! Add to the oatmeal/peanut butter mixture and stir. QUICKLY drop on wax paper and let stand until firm.

#MeatlessMonday - Zucchini Brownies #dessert

I'll be the first to admit--I'm not a fan of chocolate. Vegetables, yes, chocolate, no. I'll hang my head in shame now. When I announced to my chocolate-loving teenagers that I would be using them as guinea pigs taste-testers of a brownie recipe which included vegetables, there were...protests. I believe one of the comments were, "Why would you ruin perfection??!" There were other comments, but I won't write them here.
The verdict?  "Pretty good, actually!" 

Enjoy!

Zucchini Brownies 

Photo courtesy of Sarah via Flickr

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 cups grated zucchini
1/2 cup cooking oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup chocolate chips

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, sift together flour, salt, soda, cocoa, and sugar. 

Combine eggs, zucchini, oil, and vanilla; blend into dry ingredients. Stir in chocolate chips.
Coat a 8X10 glass dish with cooking spray. Spread brownie batter evenly.
Bake in preheated 360F oven for 20-30 minutes. Cool and cut into bars.