Monthly Archives: August 2011

August 15, 2011 · 11:15 am

Crustless Quiche

The crust of a quiche is the most difficult part for me to make and the most time consuming, so when I saw this recipe I just had to try it out.

Ingredients:
Cooking spray
1 1/2 tablespoons fine dry plain bread crumbs
1 cup frozen chopped onions
1 cup diced cooked ham (1/4 pound)
1 (8-ounce) package shredded Swiss cheese (2 cups)
4 large eggs
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup whole milk

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 425°F with rack in middle.

Spray quiche dish with cooking spray, then sprinkle all over with bread crumbs.

Spray a skillet with cooking spray and cook onions with ham over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until pale golden, about 5 minutes. Spread in baking dish, then evenly sprinkle cheese on top.

In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, cream and milk and pour over cheese. Bake until top is golden and custard is set in center, 20 to 25 minutes.

Cool slightly before cutting into wedges.

We had this with a salad, some strawberries and some homemade biscuits.

Did I change anything? I used more breadcrumbs. I just sprinkled enough to cover the bottom of the pie plate. I also used bacon instead of ham.

What did the family think? Hubby and I really liked it and it made our house smell wonderful. Our boys aren’t huge bacon fans, but our oldest did eat some.

Where did this recipe come from? Epicurious.com

photo from Epicurious.com

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Filed under Breakfast

August 10, 2011 · 4:34 pm

Super Easy Whole Wheat Biscuits

These biscuits come out buttery and a little crispy. They are so good and so easy and are a good addition to breakfast (think biscuits with butter and honey/jelly) or dinner.

Ingredients:
2 cups whole wheat flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup cold unsalted butter
1 cup milk (any kind)

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

In a medium sized bowl combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix well with whisk or fork.

Cut the 1/2 stick butter into little pea sized pieces and then mix the pieces into the flour mixture. Using a fork, try to mash the butter pieces as you mix it together with the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs. It is okay if the outcome just looks like the same pea sized pieces of butter covered with flour.

Then pour in the milk and mix it all together. Knead the dough with your hands 8 to 10 times and then turn out onto a floured counter or cutting board. Pat it out flat with your hands until the dough is a somewhat even 3/4-inch thickness.

Turn a drinking glass upside down and cut out biscuit rounds. Put them on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 450 degrees for 10 – 12 minutes or until lightly browned.

We had this with roasted chicken, salad and watermelon.

What did the family think? What’s not to like about warm, buttery, crispy biscuits fresh out of the oven?

Where did this recipe come from? 100 Days of Real Food

photo from 100 Days of Real Food

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Filed under After School Snacks, Bread, Breakfast, Definitely Making it Again, Easy, Everybody Ate It, Side Dish, Six Ingredients or Less, Vegetarian

August 9, 2011 · 2:32 pm

Mrs. Mosser’s Famous Homemade Granola

Okay, so maybe it’s not famous, exactly, but it should be. I have been wanting to make homemade granola for a very long time, but just didn’t know where to start. So I was VERY excited when my friend, Kim, told me that her mom made an awesome granola AND that she was willing to share. Enjoy!

Ingredients:
4 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup wheat bran
1/2 cup oat bran
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds
1/2 cup dried milk
1/2 cup ground flaxseed
1/2 cup vegetable OR olive oil
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup raisins
Dash of cinnamon
Dash ground cloves
Dash nutmeg
Capful of vanilla

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix all ingredients into a bowl (except the raisins) and pour into an oiled 9” X 13” baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes; stir; bake 15 minutes more. Remove from oven and stir in ½ cup of raisins.

Did I change anything? I couldn’t find any raw sunflower seeds, so I used pepitas instead.

What did the family think? I am the only one who’s had it so far, but I know my hubby will like it.

photo from Jenae Held

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Filed under After School Snacks, Breakfast, Definitely Making it Again, Vegetarian

August 8, 2011 · 7:03 pm

Meatball Sub Casserole

Our oldest is pretty much obsessed with meatball subs and our youngest will eat just about anything with pasta sauce on it, so I knew this dish was probably going to be a hit. It was also a great way to use the rest of the baguette we had leftover from last night’s dinner.

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons chopped green onion
2 tablespoon seasoned bread crumbs
2 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
2/3 pound lean ground beef, turkey or chicken
10-12 slices French bread baguette (1/2 inch thick)
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Dash pepper
2/3 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
2 cups spaghetti sauce
1/4 cup water
1 garlic clove, minced

Instructions:
In a small bowl, combine the onion, bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Add beef and mix well. Shape into 1-in. balls; place on a rack in a shallow baking pan. Bake at 400° for 8-10 minutes or until no longer pink; drain.

Meanwhile, arrange bread in a single layer in an ungreased shallow baking dish. Combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, Italian seasoning and pepper; spread over bread. Sprinkle with 1/3 cup mozzarella cheese.

In a bowl, combine the spaghetti sauce, water and garlic; add meatballs. Pour over bread. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella.

Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until heated through.

Did I change anything? The original recipe was way too small and would not have fed our family of four. I changed the original recipe and the changes are reflected in the above recipe.

What did the family think? This dish was a HUGE hit! HUGE.

Where did this recipe come from? Taste of Home

photo from Taste of Home

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Filed under Definitely Making it Again, Everybody Ate It, Italian

August 6, 2011 · 10:19 am

Crepes

I am not going to lie. There was definitely a learning curve with these. The first two or three went straight into the sink. The next two were edible, but definitely didn’t look like a crepe, but the rest of them were beautiful and delicious.

Ingredients:
3 eggs
1 cup whole-wheat flour
1 cup milk
3/4 cup water
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon butter, melted + extra for cooking

Instructions:
Put all ingredients in blender and mix well. Let stand about 15 minutes.

Melt and swirl around a small pat of butter in an 8 or 10-inch frying pan over medium heat.

Angle pan and pour enough batter on one side to thinly and evenly cover the pan. Very quickly swirl the batter around to cover the pan in one thin layer.

Immediately use your cooking spatula to push down the thin edges of the crepe around the perimeter.

After about 1 minute (and once it is golden brown on the bottom) carefully flip it over without tearing the crepe.

Fry for 1 more minute on the other side (until it is golden brown as well) and then roll up each crepe.

You could fill these with a zillion different things. We had them with butter and Crofter’s Blueberry Fruit Spread. Maple syrup or honey would also be good.

What did the family think? My oldest and I had these for breakfast and we loved them. Our youngest saved one for later. He wants to put Nutella in his, but I wouldn’t let him have Nutella for breakfast.

Where did this recipe come from? 100 Days of Real Food

Photo by Me

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Filed under After School Snacks, Breakfast, Definitely Making it Again, Desserts, Vegetarian

August 5, 2011 · 9:24 am

Pecan Maple Breakfast Cookies

The kids were a little surprised this morning when I offered them cookies for breakfast. These would also be good for a snack. (Remember, they have pecans in them, so probably not the best option to send to schools that don’t allow nuts/tree nuts.)

Ingredients:
1 cup whole-wheat flour
3/4 cup rolled oats
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup applesauce
3 tablespoons maple syrup
2 tablespoons butter, softened but not melted
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and grease a cookie sheet.

Whisk together the flour, oats, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.

In a separate bowl using an electric mixer beat the applesauce, maple syrup, butter, egg, and vanilla.

While beating the mixture on a low speed add the dry ingredients until well blended.

Fold in the nuts with a spatula.

Drop onto prepared cookie sheet with a spoon. Bake for 8 – 9 minutes or until they start to brown.

Did I change anything? There wasn’t any cinnamon in the original recipe.

What did the family think? My oldest gobbled his down this morning. I had some for a snack last night. We both thought they were great. However, if you are looking for a sweet dessert-tasting cookie this is not the cookie for you.

Where did this recipe come from? 100 Days of Real Food

Photo from 100 Days of Real Food

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Filed under After School Snacks, Breakfast, Definitely Making it Again, Vegetarian

August 3, 2011 · 5:41 pm

Pesto and Tomato Naan Pizzas

The pictures of this pizza from Simply Scratch were enough to make me want to try it. I am glad I did.

Ingredients:
2 whole pieces of Naan (I bought mine at the store. I didn’t make them.)
4 tablespoons Basil Pesto, more or less to taste
1 Large Tomato, sliced thin
6 oz. Fresh Mozzarella, sliced thin
Kosher Salt and Black Pepper, to taste
Red Pepper Flakes, for garnish {optional}

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Place naan on a sheet pan and spread with equal amounts of pesto on each. Top naan with slices of tomato, season with kosher salt and black pepper, and finally with some mozzarella slices.

Place in preheated oven for 8-10 minutes OR until cheese is melted and the crust is a deep golden and crispy. Let cool for a few minutes and serve!

Did I change anything? I also added a little spicy ground Italian sausage.

What did the family think? Hubby was out of town, but the boys and I liked it. I did change one of the pizzas to a tomato sauce for the pickiest eater in our house.

Where did this recipe come from? Simply Scratch

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Filed under After School Snacks, Definitely Making it Again, Easy, Everybody Ate It, Italian, Lent, Six Ingredients or Less, Super Easy to Make, Vegetarian

August 2, 2011 · 3:46 pm

Sour Cream Pancakes

These pancakes aren’t super sweet, so feel free to pour on a little extra syrup. Also, the tanginess of the sour cream is just enough to remind you that it’s there, but not too overpowering. Different and delicious.

Ingredients:
7 tablespoons all purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/ 2 teaspoon salt
1 cup sour cream
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Butter
Maple syrup

Instructions:
Heat a cast iron skillet or griddle over medium-low heat; you want it to slowly get nice and hot.

Stir the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt together in the bottom of a medium bowl. Dump the sour cream in on top and stir it together very gently; it’s okay to leave the texture a bit uneven.

Whisk the eggs and vanilla in a separate bowl and stir them into the sour cream mixture, once again, being careful not to over mix. The batter will look kind of slimy and not at all like the pancake batter you are used to. It’s okay. They will turn out perfectly.

Melt about a tablespoon of butter in your skillet or griddle and pour the batter in, a scant 1/4 cup at a time. Cook for about 2 minutes on the first side, or until bubbles appear all over the surface, flipping them carefully and cooking for about a minute on the other side. Repeat with remaining batter.

We had this with bacon, eggs and strawberries. Breakfast for dinner!

What did the family think? There were no leftovers and we wish this recipe would have made more. (Made about 7 pancakes.)

Where did this recipe come from? I got it from Smitten Kitchen. She got it from The Pioneer Woman.

photo from Smitten Kitchen

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Filed under After School Snacks, Breakfast, Definitely Making it Again, Everybody Ate It, Lent, Vegetarian