Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Blender Pancakes

These are wicked good, and after La Yen's very yummy post on how to use wheat storage I've been inspired to share. My mom started making these when I was real young(to use up their something-hundred pounds of wheat storage). I could go on about how good they are, but here is the recipe instead.

1.5 cups buttermilk
.75 cups wheat kernels
2.5 Tbsp. Cornmeal
2 Tbsp. Brown Sugar
2 Eggs
.25 cup Butter
1 Tbsp. Baking Powder
.5 tsp Baking Soda

Directions :
Put the buttermilk and wheat in the blender and LIQUIFY for three minutes. Add cornmeal, brown sugar, eggs, and butter. Blend for another 30 seconds. Add baking powder and baking soda and blend for another few seconds.

Griddle up those tasty treats.


Extras : Fold in blueberries, chocolate chips, whatever at the end, no blending is required. Other grains also work well, I used pearled barley once, it was gooooooood.

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Whole Foods


So my parents have been using this blender for years. They are such good examples of eating healthy and changing their food habits to suit the different stages of their lives. Plus, they do a really good job of looking out for each other and taking care of each other.

Naturally they want my babies to be healthy...seeing as my oldest refuses to eat veggies - this blender was the perfect solution.

Now we have a smoothie everyday, loaded with:
1 cup grapes (peels and seeds)
1 cup strawberries (with core and leaves)
1 banana (peeled - if the monkey's don't eat the peel - neither do we)
1 apple (with peel and seeds)
1/8 of a cantaloupe (with the seeds not the peel)
1/2 a cucumber (with peel)
1/8 of a cabbage
1/2 cup of carrots
1/2 cup of vanilla yogurt (organic)
1/4 cup of juice (100% variety)
1/4 cup flax
ice

I can't tell you how happy it makes me that they are eating veggies and don't even know about it. I love how easy it is for me to blend it and then clean this machine. It's literally a 5 min max to clean. We are now buying fruits and veggies in bulk for the four of us. It's fantastic. This can work as a total meal replacement. I love that summer is on it's way... just think of all the other fruits I'll be mixing in...

ps. I've been meaning to mention this - my Mom taught me to wash grapes, strawberries... in salt water. It's amazing how much extra dirt comes off the fruit. I tend to rinse 2-3 times after too... salt is an amazing tool.

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Chocolate Cream Cheese Dessert

This is my mother-in-law's specialty.  Yum!

CRUST
Two crust options:

Nut crust
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/2-3/4 cup ground nuts, walnuts or pecans
1 cup flour
Mix well and pat into 9x13 pan.  Bake @ 350 degrees for 10-15 min or until sightly browned.  Cool.

OR

Chocolate Cookie Crumb crust
2 cups crushed oreos (minus the filling)
1/2 cup melted butter
mix and pat into 9x13 pan.  Bake @350 degrees for 10-15 min.  Cool.

CREAM CHEESE LAYER
Two 8 oz packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
3/4  of a large cool whip (defrosted)
Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until creamy.  Fold in cool whip.  Spread over cooled crust.

CHOCOLATE LAYER
2 boxes Dark Fudge pudding mix (4 servings each)
2 3/4 cups milk
Mix together and pour over cream cheese layer.  Let set until firm.  Top with remaining cool whip, then sprinkle with chopped nuts, mini-chocolate chips, or chocolate shavings.

Creamy Crockpot Chicken

I know Queen posted a recipe very similar to this a couple of years ago, but it's so easy and good, I thought I'd share my variation.

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 pkg. Good Seasons Italian dressing powder
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of celery soup

Mix cream cheese until smooth than add soups & Dressing.  Blend until smooth.  Spread some of the mixture on the bottom of crockpot, than add chicken.  Cover with remaining mixture.  Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 3 hours.  Serve over rice or noodles