I have an unintentional pattern of behavior.
Let’s be honest… I have several patterns: wake up, eat, workout, eat more, sleep.
This particular pattern is a recipe development pattern. I make something with carrot. Then I make it with zucchini. What can I say? I play favorites!
Even though I’d made the carrot version, I thought zucchini could qualify for #strangebugood. Mostly because my Southern family would stare, mouths open, at the thought of making a healthy zucchini bread. If that wasn’t enough, the sight of it cooking in the microwave would send them over the edge.
It does work, and it solves a common problem when microwave baking – the problem of dry mug cakes. With the added moisture from the zucchini, your cake will be almost juicy. In a good way.
For the protein, I wanted to use something super-clean that added a good vanilla flavor. Clean protein powders have become increasingly important to me after reading (and being shocked by) the ingredient list of a popular powder that shall remain nameless. That’s why I REALLY happy to have found Growing Naturals. You can read more about them here.
This small company sponsored part of my Blend trip, and I was able to share some with a few of the ladies there. However, there wasn’t enough for EVERYONE and what about those that couldn’t go? Growing Naturals is generously offering a discount code – “SPRINT30” – for 30% off your first purchase any product through until July 31!
I think these guys were excited about clean protein at Blend too!
Microwave Protein Zucchini Bread
Based on my Microwave Protein Carrot Cake recipe.
- 1/2 C grated zucchini (90g)
- 1 scoop Growing Naturals Rice Vanilla Protein Powder (or 31g scoop of your preferred)
- 1/4 tsp no sodium baking powder
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg
- 1 egg white
- 1 T applesauce (no sugar added, can also use pumpkin puree)
- 1/4 tsp almond extract
- 1/4 tsp butter extract (optional)
- ~8-9 drops NuNaturals lemon liquid stevia
- “Icing” (see below)
Grate zucchini, squeeze out excess moisture, and set aside.
Place dry ingredients in bowl and stir to combine. Stir in wet ingredients. Mix in grated zucchini.
Transfer to a greased (I use PAM) cereal bowl and microwave for 2-2.5 mins (mine took 2:15). Tip the cake out onto a plate and top as desired.
My cake was topped with a cheese cake icing made by combining Greek yogurt with cinnamon, ginger, cake batter drops, and stevia.
Makes 1 cake.
Approximate Nutritionals (will vary based on protein powder used): 154 calories, 2.1g fat, 183.7mg sodium, 13.4g carbohydrates, 0.7g fiber, 6g sugar, 24.5g protein.
How have you enjoyed making co-workers, friends, or family stare with strange but good creations this week?
The link up rules can be found here or by clicking on “Strange But Good” in the menu bar above. In short, I want to see what concoctions have earned you weird looks from co-workers, family and friends!
Post your Strange But Good creations, grab the logo below for your blog, and link up here.
Remember to use #strangebutgood in any Tweets and Instagrams of your creations. 🙂
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This weekend is Atlanta’s Food & Wine Festival. I’m so exctied I can barely stand myself!
What are your unintentional (or intentional) patterns?
Have you tried mug cakes? What’s your favorite recipe?
How can you come up with such awesome recipes each week for strange but good? I always think we’ve reached the max, when I see another one 🙂 but I love it, so keep doing it.
Hm, I wonder if chia egg would work in this…always so tricky to replace eggs sometimes.
Happy Friday!
LOL! I start stressing about it on Monday. So now.
I think a chia egg would work – flax eggs work in my chocolate protein microwave cake. Let me know if you try it!
Oh I looove Microwave cakes!! And zucchini too – are you reading my mind?? Love the strange applesauce ingredient, reminds me that I totally need to make some!
Ps. I would be very much interested by the protein poweder ingredient list you were shocked by…..
There have a been a few… but many of the bigger brands here have scary lists.
I haven’t made a mug cake in ages…since last summer, maybe? Something to think about reintroducing.
ahh i love this recipe. and i love that picture more! i’m gonna use my Brown Rice Protein you gave me! p.s. I have been using it in vegan healthy bites. YAY!!!
I wondered if it would become a Healthy Bite ingredient! 🙂
This sounds really good, Laura! I’m going to check out the Growing Naturals website. Thanks for the discount code! Have a great weekend!
Let me know if you try it! I love those guys. 🙂
This looks fabulous! When I make these cakes I use a simple recipe based on Brittany’s, but I’ll eventually try yours I’m sure. And I’ll probably change it… because you know how I am.
So jealous of the festival!!! Can’t wait to hear about it. 🙂
I love putting all natural, one ingredient peanut butter on veggies with some ginger, soy sauce and lemon. Sort of my own down and dirty version of peanut sauce 🙂 lately I have been eating a lot of avocados but my usual alternating eats include spinach, peanut/almond butter and cottage cheese!!
Yes! Sriracha is good in that combo too. Actually… I bet avocado would be good there too…
I have legit made this exact recipe before! I have also done it with chocolate protein powder and added a few drops of chocolate extract. Unreal. So delish. And nearly everyone if I put zucchini into my oats with egg whites. I’m zucchini bread obsessed. I appreciate your love for this glorious vegetable!
In the realm of your strange but good creations, this definitely falls toward the not so strange end! Have fun at the Food & Wine Festival!
i’ve never been able to master the mug cake thing……
Mmmm… That looks so good. I love all things carrot and zucchini. WIll definitely be trying this this weekend!
Thank you! Let me know what you thought! 🙂
Saweeet!! I love this! And I love zucchini and carrots too and I LOVE healthy zucchini anything. My mom makes this zucchini chocolate cake….omg Laura, you would love it!
I love zucchini and chocolate – I have a muffin recipe like that. Does your mom deliver cake? 😉
Oh man, I want that! Definitely pinning and thanks for sharing!
that looks really good. i haven’t had zucchini for a long time.
I’ve only had zucchini bread one time a few years ago at a restaurant, but it always seemed so complicated to make. Here I am reading your blog and find out that you made it in a microwave, nonetheless! Awesome.
I am a firm believer that you can microwave anything. LOL!
Zucchini is becoming quite plentiful this time of year, so this is a great recipe for me to try. And any mug muffin recipe I’ve tried usually comes out dry (except the one I guest posted at fitcupcaker for last week–it uses banana!). Have fun at the food and wine festival!!
If you try one of mine and it comes out dry… you have permission to come hunt me down. Mine are super moist… ’cause that’s how I like my cake! 🙂
haha it’s sooooo awesome you always do carrot then zucchini 🙂 definitely making this 🙂 yum! I have been waiting for this recipe 🙂
that makes me so happy! Please let me know what you think. xo
Um, you could totally make these for our lunch next week. Or our dinner. Whenever we meet. Picnic of protein breads? 😉
LOL! If my cleaning lady was coming earlier in the week I would totally have everone over for cake!
Ha! Love it!
Honestly, I’m still trying to figure out what in the world I’m doing with my face in that picture! Apparently I am not a good winker haha
I love the Rice drink you gave me, I’m looking forward to trying out more of Growing Naturals products. I’m super impressed by the ingredients.
Yummy looking zucchini bread! I’ve had MANY strange looks at my food from coworkers and family. I just don’t have one posted yet… next time for sure!
You guys were hilarious!!! I am still sad we can’t get together every weekend.
REALLY excited you can have the drink with no problems. Brittany had success too! It’s delicious, isn’t it?!
Love it! What a great idea!
I love this mug cake! I love zucchini, I have been eating my zucchini cookies all week.
Ohhh… I do need to make cookies!
Looks delicious and anything I can whip up and stick in a microwave is perfecto! It really is sad that supplement companies add so many crappy fillers to quality products! Thanks for sharing 🙂 have a great weekend! LOVE + SHINE COURTSTAR
Hey, one can’t have too many zucchini recipes (or carrot recipes)! 🙂
I’m totally loving my Growing Naturals frozen treats lately. Every night! I’m a horrible creature of habit. What can I say, I like what I like!
You are a genius!!! Now to get someone to grate the zucchini – although I am not a zucchini fan – suggestions??? 😉 Aren’t I a pain in the arse!!!! I think I am going to make more pancakes & freeze! I love your recipe!
Carrot?! 😉
love it!!! you’re such a smart little lady who comes up with the best ideas for recipes!!
HUGS
Awwww… thank you! You guys come up with a whole lot of awesome too. I want plantain socca! 😉
This looks awesome! I’ll def be making this when I get home from California. 🙂 I have the protein powder to do it with thanks to you! I need to email them, I had no bad reactions to their protein powder. I think I found a winner!
That makes me soooooo happy! Theirs the the cleanst powder I’ve seen. 🙂
Cool! I would have never thought to use my microwave to make zucchini bread! 😀
Thanks! I believe in microwaving everything. LOL!
JUICY!! Yes! Thank you for not saying the dreaded “m” word! Mmmm, mugggggggcake!!!
But about this pattern you speak of? You mean, you DO actually sleep??!! Wha!?!
What are cake batter drops & whee does one find them?
They are a brand called Capella. I ordered through Nertrition. There are TOMS of flavors.