Posted in Breakfast

In Honor of Halloween: Harvest Grain ‘n Nut Pancakes in Fun Halloween Shapes

Happy Halloween Copycat IHOP Harvest Grain ‘n Nut Pancakes

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Serves: 42, Yield: 84 cakes or 7 batches

5 1/4 cups oats
5 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons baking soda ( 4 Tb = 1/4 c.)
2 teaspoons baking soda ( 4 Tb = 1/4 c.)
2 tablespoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon salt
1/2 teaspoon salt
12 ounces dry buttermilk
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
1 cup blanched almonds, finely chopped
1 tablespoon blanched almonds, finely chopped
1 cup walnuts, finely chopped
1 tablespoon walnuts, finely chopped
8 3/4 cups water
2 1/3 cups milk
1 3/4 cups vegetable oil
14 eggs

Prep Day: Grind the oats in blender or food processor (we use Magic bullet) until fine, like flour. Combine oat flour, whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, sugar, buttermilk powder, and salt in very large bowl. Chop nuts if not done yet, then mix into dry mix. store in well-sealed container.

Serve Day: Lightly oil skillet or griddle and preheat to medium heat.

How to use your Halloween cookie cutters for pancakes. Make sure your griddle or frying pan to about 325F. Place cookie cutters on hot griddle. Do not use plastic cookie cutters! {That should have been a no-brainer, right?} Only metal against the hot surface.

For 2 1/2 cups mix, add 1 1/4 cups water, 1/3 cup milk, 1/4 cup vegetable oil, and 2 eggs to make batter. Mix until well-combined. Batter will have lumps.

Spray generously with nonstick spray, trying to get any curves and corners on the inside of the cookie cutter. Spoon batter into cookie cutter; it will spread to fill the shape.

Allow pancake to cook, with mold in place, until nice and bubbly on top. Gently remove mold using a set of tongues {the metal cookie cutters will be hot}, then flip the pancake to finish cooking.

Serve with powdered sugar, butter and syrup and some ice cold milk.

Posted in - Poultry, Meal Swap Recipes

Healthy Eating: Weight Watcher’s Chicken Nuggets

Healthy Baked Chicken Nuggets

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Servings: 4
Serving Size: 1/4th of nuggets

Old Points: 4 pts
New Points+: 4 pts

Calories: 164.9 • Fat: 4.6 g • Protein: 22.1 g • Carb: 7.7 g • Fiber: 0.9 g • Sugar: 0.1 g

16 oz (2 large) skinless boneless chicken breasts, cut into even bit sized pieces
salt and pepper to taste
2 tsp olive oil
6 tbsp whole wheat Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
2 tbsp panko
2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
olive oil spray

Prep Day: Preheat oven to 425°. Spray a baking sheet with olive oil spray. Put the olive oil in one bowl and the breadcrumbs, panko and parmesan cheese in another. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then put in the bowl with the olive oil and mix well so the olive oil evenly coats all of the chicken. Put a few chunks of chicken at a time into the breadcrumb mixture to coat, then on the baking sheet. Lightly spray the top with olive oil spray then bake 8 – 10 minutes. Turn over then cook another 4 – 5 minutes or until cooked though. Cool and freeze.

Serve Day: preheat oven to 425°. Heat till heated through.

Posted in Budget Friendly

Budget Bits: Turkey Barley Tomato Soup

Turkey Barley Tomato Soup
(modified from the Taste of Home Light & Tasty cookbook)

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Serves 6

1 lb. lean ground turkey – $1.99
1 cup sliced or baby carrots – $.69
1 medium onion, chopped – $.45
3 celery rib, chopped – $.79
1 Tbsp. minced garlic – $.40
1 envelope chili seasoning, divided – $.29
3-1/2 cups water
1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained – $.50
3/4 c. quick cooking barley or brown rice – $.75
1/2 tsp salt or to your taste $.15

Total Cost = $6.01
Cost Per Serving = $1.00

Prep Day: In a Dutch oven (or a slow cooker once meat is no longer pink), cook the turkey, carrots, onion, celery, garlic and 1 tablespoon chili seasoning over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Stir in the water, tomatoes and remaining chili seasoning; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Cool and freeze. Package up rice or barley and put in pantry for future use.

Serve Day: thaw. Add barley or rice; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes.