Cookies and Cream Barley Pudding

I just wanted simple vanilla barley pudding. That's how it started.

I wanted to use up the barley I had cooked the day before. 

So I made some pudding. But it wasn't my intention to throw an "oreo" cookie into the mix. It just kind of...jumped in there when the vanilla didn't quite give it the flavor I was going for. So here it is: 

Uninvited, but certainly not unwelcome.

Cookies and Cream Barley Pudding

Ingredients for 1 serving:
1/2 c. cooked barley
~1/3 c. almond milk (enough to cover barley)
2 tbs cornstarch
1/4 tsp coconut oil
1/4 tsp vanilla
1 crumbled oreo-type cookie (or 2!)

Combine barley and milk in a saucepan and heat thoroughly. Once it is warm, stir in cornstarch and coconut oil. Let simmer/cook until it reaches desired thickness (I simmered it for about 10 minutes). Once at desired thickness, remove from heat and add vanilla and crushed cookie pieces. Let it set for 5 minutes then serve it up or chill it to enjoy it cold!

Chickpea dessert tamales!

I'm not going to make you wait for this recipe. You don't have time, because it's good and I think you might enjoy trying it.

I'll just say, I have plenty of "flops" when I make up my own recipes and food combos. But this one, NOT a flop. Just yummyness.

just a peanut butter-banana filled chickpea dessert tamale

Chickpea Dessert Tamale

Ingredients:
1 can chickpeas
3 tbsp oil (i used olive)
1/8 tsp bkg powder
1/2 c. sugar (I used white--this was plenty. Less could be used.)
1/4 c. oats

filling: Banana & peanut butter

Combine all (but filling) ingredients in a food processor and process until there are no chunks.
Spread the paste out on a cut sheet of foil*.

Add topping in the middle.

Wrap the foil around so the edges of the paste will cover the filling (or else you will get an equally delicious tamale, that looks a little sadder...such as the one on the right 2 photos down)

Steam for 20-30 minutes.
Unwrap to see the tasty creations!

Enjoy promptly. I prefer them warm!

Notes:

*I used foil because I did not have any corn husks or banana leaves on hand. I'm sure either of these would provide a more authentic tamale, and may add a good flavor.

-I think these would be delicious with many other fillings such as apples and cinnamon or some sort of chocolate. I will likely try other flavors in the future and will post to share how they turn out.

-This recipe should make about 8 good sized tamales at ~220 cal a piece (this includes the pb & banana)