Double Chocolate Muffins

Independence Day is just two short days away.  I'm not quite sure what our plans for the 4th of July are yet, but I'm sure that it will involve some deliciously grilled meal and a fabulous fireworks display.  (We're pretty traditional when it comes to 4th of July celebrations.) 

I found a recipe for "triple chocolate muffins" in my cooking light magazine but I've renamed them double chocolate because I can't seem to figure out why it was called "triple."  (Chocolate muffins with chocolate chips - that's double chocolate, right?)

These muffins are packed with chocolatey goodness.  I recommend keeping a batch in your freezer to satisfy any unexpected chocolate cravings that might sneak up on you. 

Double Chocolate Muffins
3 Tablespoons butter
1 1/2 ounces dark chocolate
2 cups flour
1/3 cup cocoa
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
2/3 cup sugar
2/3 cup 2% milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips







Combine dry ingredients.















Melt dark chocolate and butter in microwave.  Stir until combined.
















Combine eggs, sugar, vanilla and milk. 






Add chocolate mixture and egg mixture to dry ingredients. 

Stir in semi sweet chips.

Scoop batter into paper muffin lined pans.  (1 recipe makes 16 muffins.)

Bake 15 minutes at 425.

Starting the morning off with chocolate just makes the whole day go better. 

Ciao!

Lemon Basil Shrimp

The Davis family headed south this year for our annual summer beach trip - Siesta Key to be exact.

We had a wonderful week with lots of great family time.

We spent most of our time enjoying the beach together.

We all tried paddleboarding.

We also tried our hand at kayaking.  (And 1 of us used the kayak AS a paddleboard.)

Of course we did a little relaxing in the hammock too.

And it wouldn't be a Davis family vacation without a few bird pictures.

We also discovered that Siesta Key has beautiful sunsets.

Ahhh, the beach.  It was lots of fun but I ate WAY too much on our vacation.  Giant breakfast tostadas, amazing Columbian bread, delicious pizza and then there were the mini donuts and the gelato.  (Killer)   It's a good thing that I don't live near the Siesta village - those mini donuts were amazing.

Now that I'm home, it's time to get back on the healthy eating track.  Our menu for the week after vacation - lots of fish and vegetables.  I found a recipe for Lemon basil grilled shrimp in my Taste of Home magazine.  It looked fabulous and it was exactly what my body was craving after a week of overindulgence.

Lemon Basil Grilled Shrimp
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil
2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 cloves garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup fresh basil, minced
2 pounds uncooked shrimp

Combine all ingredients, except oil.

 Add shrimp and toss to coat.

Thread onto metal skewers.

Grill.

 Serve with couscous.

Simple and delicious - and most importantly - healthier than a cheeseburger at the hub.

Ciao!