Baked Potato Soup

I made this soup for our Thanksgiving evening dinner and it was delicious! I will post a picture soon!

12 regular or 7 large potatoes
1 cup + 1 T. flour
1 cup + 1 T. butter
8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese
8 oz. Velveeta
16 oz. sour cream
½ gallon whole milk, plus I add another cup or two of 2% at the end
4 t. chicken bullion
¾ t. pepper/salt

Wash and bake potatoes for 1 hr in 400 degree oven. Cool then cut up into small pieces, with or without peel.

In large pan, melt butter over low heat. Add flour, stirring until smooth. Cook 1 minute stirring constantly.

Gradually add milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until bubbly.

Add potatoes, salt, pepper, cheese, chicken bullion. Cook until heated. Stir in sour cream and extra milk to preferred consistency.

Recipe courtesy of Sally Scroggs

Oatmeal Pancake Mix

This pancake mix is similar to what you buy in the store, but you control the ingredients and therefore know EXACTLY what you are putting into you body! Store in an airtight container.

4C old fashioned oats
3T baking powder
2C flour
2 T cinnamon
2C whole wheat flour
5t salt
1C packed brown sugar
1/2t cream of tarter
1C instant dry milk

Mix ingredients together. Store in a airtight container Makes 10 cups.

To make pancakes:
2 eggs
1/3C olive oil/applesauce/coconut oil
2C pancake mix
1C water

Beat eggs in bowl. Gradually beat in oil. Alternately add pancake mix and water to mixture. Blend well. Yields 10 pancakes.

I like to add one cup of canned pumpkin and 2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice to the mix. GREAT way to add extra vegetables into your diet.

I make a big batch of pancakes and allow un-eaten pancakes to cool to room temperature. Wrap each pancake individually and freeze. When you want a pancake, heat in toaster or toaster oven. Cheaper and healthier than store-bought frozen pancakes!

Baby Food - Second Taste Ideas

• I buy StoneyField Organic Plain Whole Milk Yogurt and mix in some fruit puree. It is much cheaper than YoBaby and has less sugar, all of which is natural.
• Make a big batch of Vegetable Soup. Drain the liquid and add a few cooked vegetables to a vegetable puree. This teaches baby to “gum” the food.
• Hard-boil an egg and chop it really finely. Add to a vegetable puree for protein and to teach baby to “gum” food. It is recommended to start with the egg yolk before the egg white if you are concerned about food allergies.
• Add some drained, rinsed beans to a vegetable puree for added protein.
• Mash some garbanzo beans (chickpeas) with some formula or breast milk. Spread thinly on a thin piece of whole grain tortilla and roll up. Let baby chew and suck on the beans.
• Add grated cheese to vegetable purees.
• Dip homemade crackers or homemade teething biscuit in fruit puree and give to baby to suck on.
• Add vegetables from vegetable soup to cooked quinoa or couscous. A little messy…but a GREAT meal for baby.
• Make a big batch of homemade pancakes with added pumpkin. Freeze individually. Give to baby to chew on. Great for teething when frozen.

Baby Food - Fruit Purees

Let’s face it, baby food is expensive! It is so much easier, cheaper and healthier just to make your own. All you need to get started is a blender/food processor, a steamer (or you can boil the vegetables in a saucepan on the stove), and an ice-cube tray or mini-muffin tin. I have purchased 2 silicon mini-muffin tins to freeze my baby food portions. I feel that the ice cube trays do not hold enough puree. I like the silicon because it is easy to un-mold the food. I will usually spend an afternoon making a few different purees so we have enough for a couple of weeks.

Apples
Peel and dice apples. Steam or boil in water until just tender. Mash with fork or blend in blender or food processor. Cook with a cinnamon stick for more flavor.

Pears
Peel and dice pears. Steam or boil in water until just tender. Mash with fork or blend in blender or food processor. Once baby is able to gum food, you can just mash a very ripe pear with a fork.

Peaches
Peel and dice pears. Steam or boil in water until just tender. Mash with fork or blend in blender or food processor.

Banana
Slice a very ripe banana and mash with a fork. Pairs VERY well with avocado. Does not freeze.

Berries
Steam a bag of frozen veggies or boil in water until tender. Mash with fork or blend in blender or food processor.

Baby Food - Vegetable Purees

Let’s face it, baby food is expensive! It is so much easier, cheaper and healthier just to make your own. All you need to get started is a blender/food processor, a steamer (or you can boil the vegetables in a saucepan on the stove), and an ice-cube tray or mini-muffin tin. I have purchased 2 silicon mini-muffin tins to freeze my baby food portions. I feel that the ice cube trays do not hold enough puree. I like the silicon because it is easy to un-mold the food. I will usually spend an afternoon making a few different purees so we have enough for a couple of weeks.

Sweet Potatoes
Wash a sweet potato and pierce a few times with a knife. Wrap in foil and bake in 350 oven for about an hour. Mash without peel. Add a little formula or breast milk to reach desired consistency.

Butternut/Acorn Squash
Pierce squash a few times with a sharp knife. Place on cookie sheet and bake in 350 oven for about an hour and a half. Scoop out flesh with spoon and mash with some formula or breast milk to reach desired consistency.

Peas/Broccoli/Green Beans
Steam frozen vegetables until tender. Blend/puree with added formula or breast milk until vegetables reach desired consistency.
*Note* Frozen fruits/vegetables CAN be refrozen once they are in puree form.

Tomatoes
Dice tomatoes and sauté in olive oil and a little diced onion and garlic (for flavor) until tender. Mash with fork. Tomatoes are not too great on their own because of their strong flavor, but they can be added to squash or green beans.

Avocadoes
Mash ripe avocados with a fork. Very tasty when mixed with mashed bananas. CANNOT be frozen.

Homemade Teething Biscuit

I get really frustrated with teething biscuits. Firstly, they have a lot of unnecessary ingredients (some of which I cannot even pronounce), quite a bit of sugar, they make a big mess and they break off into pieces that can easily get stuck in baby’s throat. Let’s not even talk about the cost!
These teething biscuits are cheaper, really easy to make, and a lot healthier. They also do not make as much of a mess and do not break into smaller pieces. I make them with my own homemade whole wheat honey bread, but you can use any bread of your choice!
Take one piece of whole-grain bread and cut off crusts. Roll up into a “log” and squeeze in hands. Cook in microwave for 1 minute and let cool. Give to baby to munch on.

Honey Whole Wheat Bread

6 Loaves
6.5-7 cups hot water
1 cup oil
1 cup honey
2T dough enhancer
1/3 cup gluten
2 T salt
5-6T yeast
18 cups flour

3 Loaves
3.5 cups hot water
½ cup oil
½ cup honey
1T dough enhancer
1/6 cup gluten
1T salt
2T yeast
9 cups flour

Pour hot water in mixing bowl (just warm out of the tap). Add oil, honey, dough enhancer, gluten, salt, and 10 cups of flour (or 5 cups if halving recipe). Add yeast on top. Mix just a little bit then turn the machine speed to 1 (low) and continue to add flour only until the dough begin to pull away from the sides of the bowl (not sure what that will look like for you?) The dough should be a little tacky – don’t add too much flour
Turn machine up to medium and knead for 4-5 min. Remove dough from bowl and place into greased bowl or on the counter top. Grease your hands before handling. I use coconut oil. Olive oil doesn’t work great but it might be fine in a smaller batch or I would use butter – something heavier.
Sponge the bread by letting it sit with towel over it 15-20 – this makes it lighter and softer.
Slam the whole thing of dough on the counter 7 times to get air out. Then cut into 6 parts (I use a pizza cutter) Slam each piece another 7 time on counter. Then shape dough into loaves or buns.
If you would like to make cinnamon bread, brush with melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar then roll up and pinch the seam together placing that side down.
You can also use it for pizza dough.
Let loaves rise until double.
Bake in preheated oven 350 for 30-45 min until golden brown. Remove from pans immediately and cool on wire rack (about an hour). Rub top of hot bread with butter if you like for shiny crust.

Monkey Bread

Our favorite birthday-morning breakfast treat!

Ingredients
• 3 (12 ounce) packages refrigerated biscuit dough
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease bundt pan.
2. Mix white sugar and cinnamon in a plastic bag. Cut biscuits into quarters. Shake 6 to 8 biscuit pieces in the sugar cinnamon mix. Arrange pieces in the bottom of the prepared pan. Continue until all biscuits are coated and placed in pan. If using nuts, arrange them in and among the biscuit pieces as you go along.
3. In a small saucepan, melt the butter with the brown sugar over medium heat. Boil for 1 minute. Pour over the biscuits.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F for 35 minutes. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a plate. Do not cut! The bread just pulls apart

S'mores Cake

I made this cake for Bible Study one week and it has since become Heath's favorite cake! I usually double the cake recipe to make the 2 layers a little larger. I usually make a few cupcakes with my left-over batter. You will use the same amount of chocolate ganache and marshmallow creme.

Cake Layers
1 ½ cup graham cracker crumbs (approximately 10 full graham cracker rectangles)
½ cup flour
2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ cup butter, softened
¾ cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
¾ cup milk

Chocolate Ganache
8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped into small pieces
¾ cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Marshmallow crème

Preparation
For the cake layers:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two round cake pans.

Combine graham crumbs, flour and baking powder in small bowl. In separate bowl, beat butter with sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla. Add half of the crumb-flour mixture and beat well to incorporate. Add half of the milk, beating well to incorporate. Repeat with remaining crumb-flour mixture and milk. Divide batter between cake pans and spread to even.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Cool in pans 10-15 minutes, then remove from pan and cool completely on wire rack.

For the ganache:
Place chopped chocolate into medium bowl. Heat the cream and butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat until hot. Immediately pour hot cream over the chocolate and allow to stand for 5 minutes. Mix with a whisk until smooth. Allow to cool to near room temperature.

To assemble:
Place 1 layer of cake on plate or cake circle. Top layer with ½ cup chocolate ganache. Chill until firm. Spread ¾ cup marshmallow crème on top of chilled chocolate.Top with next cake layer and top with ¾ cup chocolate ganache, allowing it to run down sides of cake. Chill until firm. Spread another ¾ cup marshmallow crème on top of chocolate and toast with kitchen torch to desired doneness.

Pumpkin Dessert

This is a GREAT alternative to a pumpkin pie. It has a pumpkin pie base with a sweet, crunchy top. It is really easy to make and feeds a lot of guests. It is one of my husbands favorites. I do not like pumpkin pie...but I can eat a lot of this delicious dessert:-)

6 large eggs
1 large can pumpkin
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. cloves
1 large can evaporated milk

Mix as for pumpkin pie and pour into a greased 9x13 pan.

1 stick butter
1 yellow cake mix
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Melt butter and mix with cake mix. Crumble this over pumpkin mixture and sprinkle with nuts.

Bake 45 minutes at 350 degrees or until golden and crunchy looking on top.

Homemade Crackers

Who doesn't enjoy a good, crunchy cracker with cheese or hummus? YUM YUM! Unfortunately, storebought crackers are full of ingredients I cannot even pronounce! Here is a great alternative.

1 1/2 cups of millet flour
2 cups of whole wheat pastry flour
1/4 cup of melted coconut oil
1 cup buttermilk

Gently mix together the above ingredients, until combined. Use a fork at first, and then knead the dough gently in the bowl until it just comes together into a ball. Cover and leave out overnight on the counter. The next morning, flatten your ball out on the counter, using a little white flour, if needed to prevent sticking.

Sprinkle over the top:
1 teaspoon of sea salt
1 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder

Fold in half and knead gently until salt and baking powder are evenly mixed in (if this intimidates you, you can mix these two ingredients in with the flour the night before). The salt will inhibit some of the soaking process, however.

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees, and lightly flour your surface. Divide into quarters for more control. Roll to about 1/8 inch for a crispy cracker to serve with cheese or hummus. Roll to about ¼ inch for a crumbly cracker for baby. Cut into desired size with a sharp knife and gently lay out on a greased baking sheet and prick with a fork.

Bake for about 14 minutes and check. They will be done when they are browning slightly around the edges. Let cool on cooling sheets. Store in airtight container.

Recipe adapted from www.passionatehomemaking.com

Homemade Protein Bars

When I was pregnant with Caitlyn I LIVED on these bars. I was working out a lot and burning a lot of calories, and my body just craved them. I still enjoy one almost every afternoon for a little pick-me-up. My husband likes to eat one with a banana for a post-workout breakfast. My 3-year-old, Josiah, enjoys one crumbled with rice chex for breakfast. A great way to get a child to eat protein...yummy too:-)

1 cup dates, chopped (or dried fruit of your choice)
¾ cup orange juice (or juice of your choice)
½ cup honey
½ cup coconut oil (can use olive oil)
¾ cup peanut butter
3 cups protein powder (I like chocolate-peanut-butter)
1 ½ cups oatmeal
1 cup nuts (I crush mine for a smoother consistency)
1 ½ cups chocolate chips
2 cups raw, unsweetened coconut
½ cup ground flaxseed

• Grease two 9x13 pans
• Simmer dates and juice until combined
• Add honey, oil and pb and incorporate into a warm syrup
• Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl
• Pour warm liquid over dry ingredients and mix until combined (you will need to use your hands)
• Press into pans and store in fridge

Chickpea Curry

2 cans chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
1 white onion, diced
1 Tbsp. olive oil
2 cans diced tomatoes
1/2 tsp. tumeric
1/2 tsp. cardamom
1/2 tsp. coriander
1/2 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. ground ginger

Saute the onion and olive oil
Add rinsed and drained chickpeas
Add diced tomatoes
Add spices
Bring to boil... lower heat and cover
Simmer for 20-30 minutes

Serve over your favorite grain – quinoa, rice, couscous…you decide! I personally love quinoa, so that is what is shown in the photo.

Whole Wheat Applesauce Bread

Yet another yummy bread to munch on:-)

1 1/2 cups flour blend (equal parts whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour and wheat germ)
1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
1/4 t. sea salt
1 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. nutmeg
3/4 cup applesauce
2 eggs
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup honey
½ cup raisins, optional

Mix dry ingredients. Make a well in the center and add applesauce, eggs, honey and butter. Stir well. Add raisins, if using. Pour into a buttered bread pan or stone. Bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the loaf comes out clean.

Rolled Chicken Breasts with Spinach

One word - YUMMY! Forgot to take a photo...sorry!

2 chicken breasts, flattened
2 Tbs olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup fresh spinach leaves
1 cup mozzarella cheese, divided
¼ cup parmesan cheese
2/3 cup cottage cheese
1 ½ cups spaghetti sauce

Flatten each chicken breast with back of pan. Season with olive oil and salt and pepper. Finely shred spinach leaves (remove tough stalks) and add ½ cup mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese and cottage cheese. Mix together. Cover surface of chicken with cheese mixture and roll up. Secure with toothpicks (if necessary). Place in baking dish and cover with spaghetti sauce. Cool at 350 for 30 minutes. Add ½ cup mozzarella cheese and cook additional 15 minutes.

Creamy Sweet Potato Soup

Do you love creamy soups, but don't like the added calories? This soup is delicious and remarkably creamy.I use Stonyfield organic fat-free plain yogurt.

2 Tbsp olive oil
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp curry powder
1 ½ qt chicken broth
1 large sweet onion, diced
3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 ¾ cup plain yogurt, divided

Heat oil, add onions, cumin and curry powder. Saute 3-4 minutes. Add potatoes and broth, bring to a boil. Reduce and simmer 20 minutes.
Puree soup with 1 ½ cups yogurt.
Serve with a dollop of yogurt.

Peanut Butter Snack Mix

5 cups rice chex cereal
2 cups cheerios
1 package pretzel Goldfish (about 4 cups)
1 package Keebler Graham Bug Bites (about 4 cups)
1 cup creamy natural peanut butter
2 Tbsp butter

Preheat oven to 350. Mix cereals/pretzels/crackers in large bowl. Heat peanut butter with butter in saucepan until mixed together. Pour over cereal mixture, stir until evenly coated. Spread into 2 ungreased 9x13 pans. Bake 10 min, stirring occasionally. Spread on paper towels to cool completely and store in airtight container.

*Feel free to use any cracker/cereal combination that is best for your family. You can also add dried fruit/M&M’s after baking.

Whole Wheat Banana Bread

2 ½ cups flour mix (equal parts whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour and wheat germ)
2 teaspoons baking powder
¾ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
3 very ripe mashed bananas
¼ cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
¼ cup applesauce
¼ cup coconut oil
2/3 cup sugar
2 large eggs

1. Preheat oven to 350F and grease bread pan. In medium bowl, combine flour through baking soda. In small bowl, combine bananas, milk and vanilla.
2. In large bowl, with mixer at medium speed, beat butter and sugar. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Alternately add the flour and banana mixture, beginning and ending with flour.
3. Bake 1 hour…enjoy!

Whole-Wheat Apple-Raisin Bread

My 8-month-old, Caitlyn, LOVES bread! I am always looking for healthier bread recipes that she can munch on and I can feel good about her eating. This bread is delicious, and it really is better the day after making it. The original recipe calls for nuts, but with Caitlyn still being under a year of age I just substituted raisins. It is yummy for breakfast or a snack.

2 ¼ cups flour mix (equal parts whole wheat flour, white flour and wheat germ)
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
6-oz plain yogurt
½ cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup oil
1 cup raisins (or nuts)

Preheat oven to 350 and grease a loaf pan.
In a large bowl, mix together flour through baking soda. Make well in center and set aside.
In medium bowl, combine beaten eggs, applesauce, yogurt, brown sugar and oil. Add egg mixture to flour mixture, stir until just moistened (batter will be lumpy). Fold in raisins (or nuts, or both) and spoon into prepared loaf pan.
Bake 50 – 60 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean. Cover with foil tent during last 15 minutes of baking time to prevent over-browning. Let cool in pan 10 minutes before removing.
When completely cool, wrap and store overnight (if possible). The bread is even more delicious the day after baking it.

Pumpkin Turkey Chili

This is one of those recipes where you have to say "Don't diss it 'till you try it!"I am always looking for ways to hide vegetables in my food. The pumpkin gives the chili a sweeter flavor and a creamier texture. It really is delicious!

Olive oil
½ onion, diced
2 carrots, finely diced
Chili powder (to taste)
1 lb ground turkey
1 can diced tomatoes in liquid
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can pumpkin
1 cup salsa
2-3 cups chicken stock (depending on how thick you want it)

Heat oil in large pot. Add onion and carrots and cook until tender. Brown turkey. Add remaining ingredients. Let simmer 30 – 40 minutes. Serve with cheese, chips and sour cream