Easy Peasy Caramel Rolls

From my step mom, Linda

Grease 9x13 pan & put 20 Rhodes Rolls in pan.

Sprinkle on top:
1 package butterscotch pudding [not instant]
1/2 c brown sugar
cinnamon
1/2 - 1 c chopped pecans [optional]
Drizzle 1 stick melted butter over top

Grease foil & cover pan. Leave overnight.

Rolls rise gloriously.

Bake at 350F for 30 mins. Invert on pan.

Relish in deliciousness.

Granola Loving Hippy

Because let's face it, I am one. I got these recipes from my friend, Kathy

Granola with dried fruit
3 c. Oats
1/2 c. Ground flax
1/4 c. Brown sugar
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/2 c. Pepitas [lightly salted
1/2 c. Sunflower seeds (lightly salted)
1/2 c. Sliced almonds.

Mix well.

In another bowl mix (1) 12oz apple juice concentrate, tsp vanilla, 2 1/2 TBL safflower oil.

Stir and add it to the oatmeal mixture. Bake at 300*F for 50 minutes, stirring every 10 min or so. Add 2 cups of chopped dried fruit (craisins, prunes) bake for five more min. Allow to cool. It will still be soft until it cools. Then it gets really crunchy.

Chocolate granola
3 c. Oats
1 c quinoa
1/3 c ground flax seed
1/3 c of each, pepitas, sliced almonds, sunflower seeds
Sea salt 1/4-1/2 tsp
2/3 c cocoa powder
1 c packed brown sugar
1/2 c juice [apple, pear, peach, etc]
1/4 tsp cinnamon
2 1/2 TBL safflower oil

Mix the dry ingredients, then the wets, then combine. Taste a pinch and adjust the sweetness. Before adding more sugar though, try adding a bit more salt. It brings out the sweetness and flavors. Add chocolate chips after it cools if you want.
Bake at 250* for 2 hours, stirring occasionally. The lower temp is to avoid burning the chocolate.

2-in-one post Oatmeal/ Hot rice cereal

 Oatmeal w/ Blueberries, nuts & bananas
serves 1

Ingredients:
1/2 c rolled oats
pinch cinnamon
pinch salt
1/2 c blueberries
1/2 small banana, sliced
1 T chopped, toasted walnuts
1 T maple syrup
2 T fat free [or almond milk]

Directions:
1. In pan, cook oats, cinnamon, and salt in 1 c of water til tender, about 5 mins. Stir in berries and transfer to a bowl.
2. top w/ banana, nuts, syrup & milk

Nutritional Jazz: serving size: 1 1/2 c; 337 cals; 8 g fat; 7 g fiber; 162 mg sodium; 25 g sugar; 2 mg iron; 92 mg calcium

Hot Rice Cereal with nuts & raisins
serves 1

Ingredients:
3/4 c cooked long grain brown rice
1/2 c low fat milk [or rice/ almond milk]
1 1/2 t maple syrup
1 T chopped roasted almonds
1 T golden raisins
Ground nutmeg or cinnamon for taste

Directions:
1. In medium pan bring rice, milk and syrup to a boil. Cook, stirring occasionally until thickened slightly, about 3 mins.
2. Top w/ almonds and raisins. Sprinkle on spice for taste.

Nutritional Jazz:  301 cal; 5 g fat; 4 g fiber; 9 g protein; 63 mg sodium; 18 g sugar; 198 mg calcium

Cranberry Scones

Ingredients:

BUTTER:
1 1/2 c butter (no substitutes), softened
1/2 c fresh or frozen cranberries
2 T confectioners' sugar
1/2 t grated orange peel

SCONES:
2 1/2 c flour
2/3 c sugar
2 1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
3/4 c butter (no substitutes)
1 c fresh or frozen cranberries
1 c white chocolate chips
3/4 c butter milk

Directions:
In mixing bowl, cream butter. Stir in cranberries, sugar, and orange peel; mix well. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour. Meanwhile, combine dry ingredients in a bowl. Cut in butter until mixture resembles course crumbs. Add cranberries and white chocolate chips. Stir in buttermilk until just moistened. Turn onto lightly floured surface; gently knead 6-8 times. Divide in half. Pat each into 8 inch circle. Cut into 8 wedges. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 400F for 15-18 minutes or til lightly browned. Remove from pans to wire racks. Serve warm with cranberry-orange butter.

Quiche me!

(it's really Quiche Lorraine)
From the awesome Heather Davis

9 inch Pie crust
8 slices of bacon, crisply cooked and crumbled
1 cup shredded swiss cheese
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
4 large eggs
2 cups whipping (heavy) cream
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp pepper

1. Heat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Make pie crust or use bought one. Place crust in a pie pan. Make sure you press pie crust firmly into the pan. Sprinkle bacon, cheese, and onions in the bottom of the crust. Beat eggs slightly in large bowl with fork or wire whisk. Beat in remaining ingredients. Pour into dish. Bake for 15 minutes.
3. Reduce heat to 300 degrees. Bake about 30 minutes longer or until knife inserted comes out clean. Let stand ten minutes before eating.

Blueberry strata

serves 12

Ingredients:
12 slices firm white bread cut into 1/2 inch cubes (abt 8 cups)
2 c frozen or fresh blueberries
1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, cut into small cubes
8 eggs
2 1/2 c milk
2 t cinnamon
1 c maple syrup
1/4 c brown sugar

Directions:
1. Spread half the bread cubes onto bottom of 13x9 inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; cover w/ 1 c blueberries, cream cheese, and remaining bread.
2. Whisk eggs, milk, and cinnamon in medium bowl til well blended. Add 1/3 c syrup and sugar; mix well. Pour over bread. Refrigerate 12 hours or overnight.
3. Heat at 350F. Bake strata, covered, 1 hour to 1 hour 5 mins or til center is set and top is lightly browned, uncovering after 30 mins.
4. Bring remaining syrup and blueberries to boil in saucepan, stirring constantly; simmer on medium-low heat for a minute, stirring constantly. Serve over individual servings of strata.

5 ingredient quiche

serves 6

Ingredients:
5 large eggs
1 c milk
1 t salt
1 frozen pie crust
1 1/2 c shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:
1 Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2 In a medium mixing bowl, beat the eggs with a wire whisk.
3 Add the milk and the salt, stirring well to mix.
4 In the bottom of the pie crust, sprinkle the cheese.
5 Pour egg mixture over the cheese.
6 Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

PB and Banana Muffins (with Puree)

serves 12

Ingredients:
1 c brown sugar
1/2 c peanut butter
1/2 c carrot or cauliflower puree
1/2 c banana puree
1 egg white
1 c whole-wheat flour
1 t powder
1 t soda
1/2 t salt

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350. Ready 12 cup muffin tin w/ cooking spray or cupcake liners.
2. In large mixing bowl, mix 1/2 c brown sugar with pb, the veggie and banana purees, and egg white with wooden spoon.
3. Put flour, powder, soda, and salt in a bowl, mix. Add to bowl w/ pb mix and stir just to combine- will be lumpy. Add remaining 1/2 c of brown sugar and stir a couple times.
4. Divide batter in muffin cups. Bake til lightly browned and toothpick comes out cleanly, 15-20 mins. Turn muffins on rack to cool.
5. Store in airtight container at room temp for up to 2 days or wrap individually and freeze for up to a month.

Scrambled Eggs (with puree)

serves 2

Directions:
2 large eggs
4 large egg whiteshttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
1/2 c reduced-fat sour cream
1/2 c cauliflower puree
2 T grated Parmesan
pinch of salt
1 t olive oil

Directions:
1. In large bowl, whisk together eggs, egg whites, sour cream, cauliflower puree, Parmesan, and salt.
2. Coat large non-stick skillet w/ cooking spray, then set pan over med-high heat. When pan is hot, add oil. Add egg mixture, reduce heat to low, and cook, stirring frequently, until eggs are scrambled 2-3 mins.

Applesauce muffins (with puree)

makes 12 muffins

Ingredients:
topping:
2/3 c old-fashioned oats
1/4 c packed brown sugar
1 t cinnamon
2 t margarine, melted

batter:
1 1/2 c all-purpose flour
1 c old-fashioned oats
1 t powder
1/2 t soda
1/2 t cinnamon
1 c unsweetened applesauce
1/2 c nonfat milk
1/2 c butternut squash or carrot puree
1/2 c packed brown sugar
1/2 c veggie or canola oil
1 egg

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400F. Coat 12 cup muffin tin w/ cooking spray or cupcake liners
2. To make topping, stir together oats, sugar, & cinnamon in a bowl. Stir in margarine.
3. To make batter, combine flour, oats, powder, soda, and cinnamon in larger mixing bowl. In second bowl, mix applesauce with milk, veggie puree, sugar, oil, and egg w/ wooden spoon. Add flour mixture slowly, stirring til just moistened. Don't over mix. Batter will be lumpy.
4. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups and sprinkle with streusel topping. Bake til topping is lightly browned and toothpick comes out cleanly- 18-20 mins. Turn muffins out onto a rack and serve warm or cool.

French Toast (with puree)

serves 4

Ingredients:
4 large eggs
2 T banana, pineapple, sweet potato, carrot, or butternut squash puree, or canned pumpkin
1/4 t cinnamon
4 slices whole-wheat bread
nonstick cooking spray
pure maple syrup, confectioners' sugar, or fresh fruit for serving


Directions:
1. In shallow bowl, whisk eggs, puree, and cinnamon. Add bread slices and turn them in mixture soaking briefly.
2. Cook on greased skillet (on med-high heat). Cook til browned on each side (2-3 mins). Serve warm w/ syrup, sugar or fruit.

Pumpkin Custard Oatmeal

From Skinny Crockpot

serves 8

Ingredients:
2 c Old-fashioned Oats
1 t pumpkin pie spice
1/2 t cinnamon
1 t baking powder
1/2 c Greek yogurt, plain, fat free
2 egg whites
1 c pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
1/3 c raw honey
1 1/2 c ( 1%) milk

Directions:
1. Add the first 4 ingredients to the crock pot and stir to combine.
2. In a medium bowl combine the remaining ingredients, pour over oat mixture and whisk just to combine.
3. Cover and cook on low 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until desired consistency. Garnish with toasted walnuts pieces.

Nutritional jazz:
155 cal; 2 g fat; 83 mg Sodium;30 g carbs; fiber 3 g sugar 15 g; protein 6g

Almond Flour Waffles

I made these over the summer- the kids and I liked them. I just topped them with fresh fruit

Ingredients:
¾ c almond flour
1/8 t salt
¼ t baking soda
2 large eggs
1 ½ T water
1-2 T agave nectar (or honey)
butter or non-stick cooking spray

Directions:
1. Heat the waffle iron. When hot, grease with butter or non-stick cooking spray.
2. Mix the almond flour, salt, and baking soda in a medium-sized bowl.
3. Add the eggs, honey, and water into the flour mixture. Combine thoroughly.
4. Spoon the batter onto hot waffle iron. Cook as usual.

These freeze & reheat well for ease :-D

Cheesy Burrito scramble

One of my kid's fav easy breakfasts:

Ingredients:
1 whole wheat tortilla (6 inch)
1 cheese slice
1 egg
1 T salsa

Directions:
Place tortilla in small microwavable bowl; top w/ cheese. Add egg; gently beat w/ fork. Microwave on high 1 min or until egg is set. Transfer tortilla to sheet of foil; top egg w/ salsa. Fold over tortilla over egg; wrap w/ foil.

Nutritional Jazz: 283 cal; 17 g fat; 6.3 g sat fat; 234 mg cholesterol; 939.5 mg sodium; 152 mg potassium; 26 g carbs; 15.7 g protein; 13% vitamin A; 10% vitamin b-6; 18% calcium; 13% iron; 26.5% phosphorus; 20% riboflavin; 24% selenium; 8.6% zinc

Asparagus Fritatta

serves 4

Ingredients:
5 eggs
1/4 c low fat milk
1/4 c shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 t salt
1/4 t pepper
1/2 c fresh asparagus cut into 1 inch pieces (abt 1/2 lb)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Lightly coat 9 inch pie plate w/ cooking spray and set aside.
2. In medium bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cheese, salt & pepper. Stir in asparagus and pour into prepared pie plate. Bake abt 20 min or until set. Remove from oven and let stand abt 5 mins before slicing.

Nutritional Jazz: 125 cal; 11.6 g fat; 276 mg cholesterol; 411 mg sodium; 159.5 mg potassium; 3.4 g carbs; 11 g protein; 12% vitamin A; 10.7% vitamin b-12; 6% vitamin b-6; 8% vitamin D; 7% vitamin E; 13% calcium; 11% folate; 17.6% phosphorus; 22.5% riboflavin; 26.5% selenium; 7% zinc

Blueberry Zucchini Bread

Ingredients:
1 c flour
1 c wheat pastry flour
1/4 c light brown sugar
1/4 c sugar
1 t baking soda
1 t cinnamon
1/2 t coarse sea salt
1/2 t baking powder
3 eggs
3/4 c canola oil
1 t vanilla
2 c shredded zucchini
1 c blueberries

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly coat bottom of 4 mini 5 inch loaf pans or 1 9 inch pan w/ cooking spray; set aside.
2. In large bowl combine flours, sugars, soda, cinnamon, salt, and powder; set aside. In another bowl mix eggs, oil, and vanilla. Add to flour mixture and stir til combined. Gently stir in zucchini and then blueberries.
3. Spoon batter into prepared pan(s). Bake abt 40 min for mini pans or 1 hr for 9 in pan or until golden brown and toothpick comes out cleanly. Allow to cool in pan 10 mins before removing. Serve warm or let cool completely before slicing. Each mini loaf makes pieces; large loaf as 12. Freeze extra mini loafs for up to 3 months.

Quinoa cereal with fruit

Anyone notice how much I LOVE quinoa? Seriously it's been my BEST discovery over the past year. I LOVE it and how many ways you an use it, and it's good for you. So here's my latest use of quinoa.

serves 2

Ingredients:
Quinoa:
1/2 c quinoa
1 c water
sea salt to taste

Topping:
1/2 c rolled oats
1/2 c blueberries
2 T pumpkin seeds
2 T sliced almonds
Top with 1/2 c almond milk (rice or soy would be fine too) and 1 t honey
(you can also use any of your favorite fruits in season)

Directions:
Quinoa
1. Placed well-rinsed quinoa with water and salt in a saucepan, cover and bring to a boil.
2. Turn the heat to low, keep covered, and simmer for 15 minutes. Serves 2

Topping

1. Divide quinoa between two bowls, adding one-half of the rolled oats on top.
2. Top each bowl with half of the blueberries, pumpkin seeds and almonds.
3. Serve with milk and honey.

Enjoy!

Mini Quiche Lorraines

makes 24

Ingredients:
3 sheets ready rolled shortcrust pastry, thawed
2 oz Gruyere cheese, grated
1 oz butter
2 pieces of cooked bacon, finely chopped
1 onion, finely chopped
2 eggs
3/4 c cream
1/2 t nutmeg
fresh chives, cut into small strips for garnish (optional)

Directions:
1. Lightly grease two 12-hole muffin pan. Preheat oven to 375F. Using plain 3 in cutter, cut rounds of pastry and fit into pan. Divide cheese evenly among the pastry bases. Cover and refrigerate while making filling.

2. Heat up butter in small pan and book bacon and onion together for 2-3 min, until tender. Drain on paper towels. When cool, divide mixture evenly among bases. Whisk eggs in bowl w/ cream, nutmeg, and freshly ground pepper. Pour or spoon carefully over bacon mixture.

3. Place 2-3 strips of chive on top of each quiche to decorate (if desired). Bake for 20 mins or until lightly brown and set. Serve hot or warm.

*These quiches can be cooked up to 2 days ahead and stored in airtight container in fridge in the fridge. They can be frozen in single layers for up to 2 months. Reheat in 350 F oven.

Kera's Chocolate Chip Bran Muffins

My SIL have been bragging about these muffins for a while, I'm excited b/c I have her recipe. Yay!

The following is a single recipe for them. I ALWAYS double it though.

Preheat Oven to 350 F

2 cups Kellogg's All Bran ORIGINAL. (NOT Flakes)
1 cup Kellogg's Bran Buds
1 cup boiling water
Mix boiling water with both cereals. Let soak for 5 minutes or so.

Mean while, mix the following ingredients together in a mixing bowl:
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup oil
2 cups buttermilk

Add the soaked cereals to the mixing bowl and mix well.
Add chocolate chips to batter (to your preference of chocolate lover-tude)

Spray your muffin pans with Pam (or whatever non stick spray you use) and fill the cups about 2/3 full.
Bake for 20 minutes.

Here is my HUGE secret to making them taste the best:
When they come right out of the oven and are cooled, I don't really love them. They aren't nearly as moist.

Here is what I've found. When they are still a little warm place the in Ziplock bags. (make sure they are freezer bags). Give them an hour or more in the baggie. The warmth softens the outer part of the muffins.
Also these freeze AMAZINGLY well. When we are finished with one baggie, I pull out another and leave on the counter. You can also warm them in the microwave at 50%.
ENJOY!

Raspberry Coffee Cake

From Pillsbury
serves 12

Ingredients:
Coffee cake:
2 cans (8 oz each) refrigerated crescent rolls
1 t sugar

Filling:
1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/4 c sugar
2 t grated orange peel
1 t vanilla
1 egg
1 pint (2 cups) fresh raspberries

Glaze:
1/2 c powdered sugar
1 T butter, softened
2 t orange juice

Directions:
1 Heat oven to 350°F. Spray large cookie sheet or 14-inch pizza pan with nonstick cooking spray. Unroll both cans of dough; separate into 16 triangles. Reserve 4 triangles for topping. On sprayed cookie sheet, arrange 12 triangles in circle with points toward center, leaving 3-inch hole in center. Press dough to form 14-inch ring; press seams together to seal. Fold outer and center edges up 1/4 inch.
2 In medium bowl, combine all filling ingredients except raspberries; mix well. Gently stir in raspberries. (Mixture will be thin.) Spoon filling over dough.
3 With scissors or pizza cutter, cut each reserved triangle lengthwise into thirds. Place 1 teaspoon sugar on work surface. Press each dough strip into sugar. Arrange sugared dough strips, sugar side up, evenly in spoke-fashion over filling. Press ends to seal at center and outer edges.
4 Bake at 350°F. for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 10 minutes.
5 In small bowl, combine powdered sugar, butter and orange juice; stir until smooth. Drizzle over coffee cake. Serve warm.