Monday, February 15, 2010

Dr. Oz' Chocolate Zucchini Muffins


Who doesn't love the good doctor, Mehmet Oz, M.D., and his self-titled television show?  Yes, I know that he spouts food industry mumbo-jumbo over the airwaves a lot.  But other times, he's right on the money.  And you can't deny it--he has great wit and charm!  I mean, have you seen the female guests on his set?  Why, they practically worship the man!  :)

Well, while I was cruising around the official DoctorOz.com web site, I happened upon this delightful recipe!  Is it a breakfast food?  Is it a dessert?  I don't know.  But I do know from personal experience that it certainly is a taste treat!  I altered it slightly, completely eliminating the eggs to make it vegan.  I swapped the oil ingredient for applesauce. I also added an extra fourth cup of sugar because I thought the muffins could stand to be a little sweeter, but you could cut it back if you like.  This recipe is moist, chocolaty goodness, wrapped in a pleated paper cup!  Makes 12 servings.

Dr. Oz' Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

Organic Ingredients:
1 cup whole-wheat flour
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1/2 cup plain soymilk
2 tsp. lemon juice
1/4 cup applesauce
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
3/4 cup zucchini, grated
1/2 cup distilled water, boiling
1/2 cup chocolate chips


Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Line muffin tin with 12 paper liners.  Or you can do like me and use none; just be sure to apply a generous coat of cooking spray to the tin, and they'll come out beautifully!  In a large bowl, use a mixer machine or a hand whisk to combine flour, sugar, cocoa, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt; set aside.  In another bowl, combine soymilk, lemon juice, applesauce, and vanilla; mix well.  Pour wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients.  Mix until everything is well incorporated.  Stir in the zucchini, followed by the boiling water.  The final mixture will be thin.  Fill each of the tin's cups 3/4 of the way up and sprinkle with chocolate chips.  Bake uncovered for 13-17 minutes, until a tester inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean, and the tops spring back when lightly touched.  Enjoy!

17 comments:

Vegan Epicurean said...

Thanks so much for sharing the recipe and review. I like Dr. Oz as well. Although sometimes I find myself shaking my head. Like every time he mentions Greek yogurt. But overall he is better than most doctors I know.

thanks again,
Alicia

Vegan Valerie said...

Oh Alicia!

It's great to hear from you! I too end up shaking my head at much of Dr. Oz' "advice". But I do agree that he is one of the most open minded doctors around.

Did you know he wrote the forward to Kathy Freston's Vegan Book, "Quantum Wellness"? Dr. Oz knows about us vegans and even supports us (a little bit)! One of these days we'll convince him to completely join our ranks! :)

Vegan Epicurean said...

Valerie,

I have Kathy Freston's book too. I spend far too much time reading about health and nutrition.

I think I read somewhere that Dr. Oz's wife is a vegetarian and yoga teacher, but I am not certain. That may explain why he is different from most docs.

I worked in health care for about 20 years so I can tell you he is far more open minded than most docs. When I would see surgeons eating a burger and fries for lunch I always wanted to ask them what they were doing. But that is another long story. Doctors eat no better than most of America. It is very frustrating to see that everyday.

talk to you later,
Alicia

Vegan Valerie said...

Hi Alicia!

I'm glad you read Kathy Freston's book. I think it's great that you care so much about nutrition! Don't apologize for that!

You seem to know a lot about Dr. Oz. That's great! It sounds like his wife is a big influence on him. It IS amazing--the power of a good wife! I hope I am a good wife to my husband...

You are a wealth of knowledge, Alicia! I am glad that I am getting to know you better. I am glad that we are vegan and that we are friends! :)

Vegan Epicurean said...

Valerie,

You are too kind!

I have one of those memories for trivia. My husband always teases me about remembering useless info like that.

I heard something a long time ago that seems more true the older I get. The health of the wife determines the health of the family. If you think of the families you know you may find it to be fairly true. I am certain you are a positive influence on your husband, as I like to believe I am on mine.

BTW, it is so nice to read about another happily married couple. I adore my husband too!

talk to you later,
Alicia

Vegan Valerie said...

Alicia!

Oh isn't "useless" trivia just the absolute greatest?! Trivia is fun! I agree!

I also agree with your comment about the health of the wife effecting the WHOLE family. I believe that. We wives are very powerful indeed!

Besides, we love our husbands so much! Somebody has to take care of them! :)

Vegan Epicurean said...

Valerie,

My hubby can hardly find anything in our kitchen he is so spoiled. But at least I know he eats well since he doesn't "forage" on his own. ;) But I wouldn't have him any other way.

Alicia

Vegan Valerie said...

Oh, Alicia,

my hubby isn't as lucky to have me as yours is to have you. I'm not a great and adventurous chef the way you are. My Jordan is more often the one that gets the ball rolling, with meals and such. But I admit, when I fix the food, there's always more veggies and raw options! :) Just thinking about that right now, makes me want to be a better wife for him.

Love you! :)

Averie @ Averie Cooks said...

hi valerie!
thanks for all the linkage on the giveaways, that's so handy!

and these muffies look amazing...i didnt know dr oz was into creating recipes....tooo coool!

Vegan Valerie said...

Hi Averie!

It's so much fun when you come to visit!

I wish I could say for sure that Dr. Oz formulated this recipe. All I know is that Silk soymilk sponsored it. But I figure that since the recipe is on the good doctor's website, he's probably tasted it or is a fan of it.

So, here's to a tasty Dr. Oz muffin! :)

Val said...

Hi Valerie,
I just stumbled upon your lovely blog and wanted to say hi...I'm a Valerie and a vegan - so we have a lot in common :)

Vegan Valerie said...

Hi Val!

(It feels kind of funny saying that, but sharing a name is a wonderful thing--I don't meet many Valerie's, and certainly never "Vegan" Valerie's!!! So, it is my pleasure to say hello to YOU, Val!)

We Do have a lot in common! I'll see you over at YOUR blog! I can't wait to get to know you better! :)

Rawkstar said...

Hi there! Thanks for visiting my blog. Your muffins look divine and I am sure my boys would LOOVVVVEEE them.

Vegan Valerie said...

Hi Rawkstar!

Thanks for coming to see me! I am always flattered when I get visitors! And thank you for complimenting my muffins. It's simply a great recipe, and unfortunately, I can't take any credit for coming up with it. :)

All muffins aside, I hope I can be as healthy as you someday! I know I can do it! Raw is totally the way to go!

Talk to you again soon! :)

Raw Oz Gal said...

Oh drool! Your pics make me want to pluck the food right out of the screen!

Vegan Valerie said...

Aww, Raw Oz Gal, that is so sweet!!! You make me happy! :)

Gauri Radha गौरी राधा said...

Those look very good!!