Valentine’s Day Trail Mix

I broke down, and had to purchase personalized M&M’s for my husband for Valentine’s Day. The process of ordering the M&M’s was too much fun with selecting any color, adding cute little sayings, and pictures. I was able to order them with Groupon one of my favorite apps which decreased the overall cost. My whole intent of ordering the M&M’s was to make him trail mix with these “melt in your mouth” American staples. 

I added all his favorite fixings into the mix.  Trail mix is one of his favorite snacks, and is great in between meals as a satisfying sweet and salty treat. 

Ingredients: 

1 cup dried cranberries 

1 1/4 cup roasted sunflower seeds, lightly salted

1 cup whole cashews, lightly salted 

2 cup peanuts, lightly salted

1 cup M&M’s 

1 cup Ghirardelli 60% cacao chips

1/4 cup pepita seeds

Directions:

1. Mix all the ingredients into a sealable container. Lock the lid on the container & give the container a few gentle shakes to distribute all the ingredients throughout. 

2. Store the trail mix in the sealed container or portion out into small sealable snack baggies for travel. 

Savory Caramelized Onion Monkey Bread

 

My husband loves bacon. On the weekend, I generally make him a dish with bacon. Everything in moderation right? If you are a vegetarian like me you can always use a tofu soy based alternative to make this recipe vegetarian. 

I saw the foundation of this recipe in the December 2016 issue of Taste of Home Magazine. The original is a good base for any savory Monkey Bread. But as you all know, what good is a recipe if I cannot modify it. No fun, I’ll tell you that. So here is my twist. 

Recipe Yields: 12 servings

Ingredients:

1 can of reduced fat refrigerated canned biscuits

1 green pepper, seeded and diced

1 small onion, diced

1 garlic clove, minced

1Tablespoon freeze dried chives 

1/2 cup reduced fat cheddar cheese, 2% shredded

6 oz of bacon, cooked (roughly 6 strips), diced

Canolia Oil Cooking Spray 

Salt and pepper to taste 

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Graciously spray a bundt pan. I used my trusty stoneware one. Set aside. 

2. Quarter the biscuits and place them in a medium bowl. Spray the biscuits with cooking spray. 

3. In the meantime, spray a sauté pan with cooking spray, and heat the pan to medium heat. Once pan is to temperature sauté the onions and garlic until translucent. Add green peppers to the onion mixture, and continue sautéing for 1-2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Allow to cool slightly before adding the contents to the prepared biscuits. 

4. Place all the remaining ingredients together in the prepared biscuit medium bowl. Fold everything together to incorporate all the ingredients together. Place evenly all the ingredients together in the prepared bundt pan. 

5. Bake for 30 minutes or until Monkey Bread is golden brown. 

6. Allow to cool in bundt pan for 5 minutes and then invert the dish into wire cooking rack. Enjoy! 

French Toasttins 


Since we are renting until our home sells. We don’t have our usual refrigerator & freezer space (which is killing me softly but I have to remind myself it is short term). I was organizing the freezer and came across my stock pile of leftover bread heels. I have a hard time throwing food away in general, which has leads me to be even more resourceful than usual with only one refrigerator. For years I have been up-recycling bread heels to make either my own bread crumbs, casseroles, or croutons. 

You can save money by throwing the heels into a large freezer bag every time you finish a loaf. Once I get a good amount, I figure out a way to incorporate them into a dish to free up freezer space. Today I thought what better way to start off the day with French toast… well French Toasttins :)

Yields: 9 French Toasttins

Ingredients:

3 eggs

1 TB pure vanilla extract

1 teaspoon ground Vietnamese Cinnamon 

1 cup vanilla unsweetened almond milk

2 tablespoon pure maple syrup 

1/2 teaspoon raw sugar

10 slices of light whole grain bread heels (35-45 calories a slice), cubed 

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cooking spray 9 muffin vessels in muffin tin. Set aside. 

2. In a large bowl whisk together the first 5 ingredients. 

3. Toss in the cubed bread. Fold with rubber spatula. Make sure the bread soaks up all the liquid. 

4. Take an 1/3 cup measuring device and portion out a heaping amount of the bread batter into prepared muffin tin. Sprinkle with raw sugar. Place in center rack in oven. 

5. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Enjoy as is or additional maple syrup or sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Vegan Buckwheat Chai Seed Waffles

After 9 1/2 years our trusty Cuisinart Waffle Iron bit the dust. Last night we made sandwiches in our new waffle iron we received as a gift from my parents for Christmas. This morning before putting it away, I thought we should also use the iron to make breakfast. 

This was my first time using chai seeds as an egg substitute for a leavening agent. The concept is a clever way to omit eggs if you have an egg allergy or follow a vegan diet. 

Chai seeds add antioxidants, omega 3 fatty acids, and fiber to your diet as well!  Which everyone can benefit from that. 

Yields: 4 Servings using a 1/3 cup 
Ingredients: 

1 cup Buckwheat flour 

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon ground Vietnamese Cinnamon 

2 Tablespoons raw sugar 

1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk

2 tablespoon chia seeds, ground 

6 tablespoon water

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Take the first 5 ingredients and whisk together in a medium to large bowl. Set aside. 

2. Preheat the waffle iron according to the manufacturer directions. Spray the waffle iron grill generously with cooking spray. 

3. Take the chai seeds and grind them in a spice grinder or with a mortar and pestle. Add the water to the ground chai seed meal and allow to sit for 10 minutes to thicken. 

4. Add the liquid ingredients (chai paste, milk, & vanilla) to the dry ingredients.  Fold the wet ingredients into the dry. Mix until no dry residue remains. 

5. Take an 1/3 measuring cup and spray with cooking spray and fill with batter. Place the batter in the preheated waffle iron and set the iron according to manufacturer recommendations. 

Enjoy with some peanut butter or a light dust of powdered sugar. 

Cinnaliscous Apple & Cranberry Pull-Apart Loaf


My mom bought me some adorable tea towels for my birthday! I could not wait to display them. They are from the Loveless Cafe in Nashville, TN. The towels have sweet southern sayings on them which I love especially since we finally ventured to North Carolina.

This recipe was adapted from the Apple Pie  Pull-Apart Pillsbury recipe. I wanted to add some additional color, texture, and reduce the calories from the original recipe. 

Yields: 6 servings


Ingredients:

1 teaspoon of orange zest

1 medium oranges, juiced

1/2 cup brown sugar (not packed)

1/4 cup melted unsalted butter

1 teaspoon ground Vietnamese cinnamon 

1/4 cup pepita seeds 

1/4 cup dried cranberries 

1 medium apple, cored & cut into thin slices

1 can of large reduced fat canned biscuits (8 biscuits to a can)

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Generously  with cooking spray a non stick loaf pan, set aside. 

2. Place in a medium bowl & wisk together the melted butter, zest, orange juice, cinnamon, &  brown sugar. Add the apple slices, seeds, and cranberries to the batter, and fold into the batter to incorporate. Set aside. 

3. Open the biscuit can and place the 8 biscuits on a cutting board and slice each biscuit in half   longways. 

4. Take one of the biscuit segments and add a slice or two of apple slices and some cranberries and seeds. Make almost like a sandwich. Layer 4 biscuit segments to a stack with apple slices between each segment. You will end up having 4 stacks. There should be no apple slices remaining. 

5. Take each stack separately and line them into the prepared bread loaf pan. Once you have all four stacks in the pan. Pour the remaining liquid, cranberries, & seeds over the segments. 

6. Bake the loaf in the center of the oven for 40 to 50 minutes at 350 degrees. Check the loaf at 40 minutes. You want the crust golden brown. Mine did go for 50 minutes. Allow the loaf to cool on a wire rack for 5-10 minutes. Caution how long you leave the final product in the pan, the liquid goodness will caramelize and harden. 

Peanutty Pancakes 


We are in the process of moving and I was rummaging through the pantry of food items we brought from Pennsylvania. Trying to figure out what I could make for breakfast this morning. 

I planned on preparing pancakes; however, we did not bring the maple syrup. No syrup did not stop me. Sometimes you just have to think outside the box, and work with what you have. 

One pantry stable I never forgot or leave home without daily is peanut butter. For the love of this creamy delicious goodness, I share with you this pancake batter. 

Yields: 6 Pancakes using 1/3 cup measuring device 

Ingredients: 

1 cup whole wheat pastry flour

3 Tablespoons sugar

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon baking  soda 

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk

1 egg, lightly beaten 

1/3 cup creamy natural peanut butter

Cooking spray (I prefer canola oil spray)

Directions:

1. Preheat a large nonstick skillet to medium heat. 

2. In a large bowl whisk together the first 5 ingredients. 

3. Add the milk, &  egg and whisk into the batter. Set aside

4. In a small glass bowl microwave the peanut butter for 30 seconds. Take the warm peanut butter and whisk into the batter. Be cautious not to over mix. 

5. By now your pan should be ready. Generously spray the pan with the cooking spray. Using a 1/3 cup vessel pour the batter into the hot pan. Allow the pancake to bubble before flipping with nonstick spatula. Flip the pancake and allow the cake to cook for an additional 1-2 minutes. 

6. Serve with warmer peanut butter or a light dusting of powdered sugar. 

Craisin, Sunflower, & Pepita Seed Scones


My husband finally made his way down to North Carolina. I am a happy girl. As you all know, I love making him breakfast. Scones are always a winner for breakfast and can last a few days for repeat morning treats. 

This trip down, he graciously brought down one third of my pantry. So now I can bake goodies. I am tickled pink! 

Yields: 21 scones
Ingredients:

2 cups whole wheat pastry flour

1 tablespoon of baking powder

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 cup (one stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces 

1/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk

1/4 teaspoon pure orange extract 

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1/4 cup dried cranberries

2 Tablespoons pepitas

2 tablespoon sunflower seeds

Directions:

Pre-directions: preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a half sheet parchment paper. 

1. Whisk together, in a large bowl the flour, salt, & baking powder. 

2. Cut the butter into the flour with your fingers. Set aside. 

3. In a small vessel mix the eggs, extract and almond milk. Add the liquid ingredient blend into the flour. Fold the cranberries, and seeds into the wet batter. 

4. Pour the batter onto the pan and spread evenly.  Bake for 20 minutes. Allow to cool on wire rack for 10 minutes and cut the scones using a wide mouth mason jar.  Place the cut scones on wire rack to cool the remainder of the way or enjoy warm. These scones are more cake like texture than traditional scones. 

Cinnaberry Quinoa Bars

Who is tired of expensive granola bars with ingredients you cannot even pronounce? I know I am. Especially when you can make them at home at a fraction of the cost and without all the extra sugar and unwanted preservatives. 

These bars are full of nuts, seeds, whole grains, and mother nature’s natural sweetness. 

Yields: 12 bars

Ingredients: 

1 cup old fashioned oats

1/2 cup quinoa, uncooked 

1 teaspoon ground Vietnamese Cinnamon 

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1 Tablespoon hemp seeds

1 Tablespoon chia seeds

2 ripe bananas, mashed

1 Teaspoon pure vanilla extract 

1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

2 Tablespoons Creamed Cinnamon Honey 

1 /4 cup sunflower seeds

1/4 cup slivered almonds

1/3 cup dried cranberries

Directions: 
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9 by 13 glass pan with parchment paper. 

2. In a large bowl, mix  together first 6 ingredients. 

3. Add the mashed banana and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients and mix in with spatula. Set aside. 

4. In a small microwaveable glass bowl, place the peanut butter and honey and stir. Microwave the blend for 30 seconds and stir with rubber spatula. If the consistency is not smooth and easy to stir, microwave for 5 more seconds and try again. Once shiny and smooth, fold the honey blend into the banana oat batter. Continue to mix with spatula until honey blend is incorporated throughout. Lastly fold in the sunflower seeds, almonds & cranberries. 

5. Spread the batter evenly into 3/4’s of the prepared 9 by 13 pan. There is not quite enough batter to fill the entire pan. Bake the bars for 18 minutes. 

6. Remove pan from oven and allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack. Once the bars have cooled use the parchment paper to pull the bars out of the pan. On a cutting board, cut bars into 12 servings. Wrap individually in sealable baggies for lunches or on the go snacks.  Or store in a sealable container. 

No Knead Homemade Dutch-Oven Bread


We are currently in the process of relocating to the Raleigh, North Carolina region. Which means I am not in my kitchen, and I don’t have all my standard kitchen appliances and utensils. My husband was visiting this past weekend from the burgh, and I wanted to make him a home cooked meal. 

What goes better with a home cooked meal then fresh homemade bread? I realized after I bought all the ingredients, I didn’t have my stand mixer. Oh geez, no worries, I’ll make a No Knead bread. 

This recipe turned out really well without having my stand mixer. After all, that is how our great-grandmothers used to make it. 

Ingredients:

3 cups all-purpose Unbleached flour, plus more for dusting

 1/4 teaspoon yeast (active dry or instant)

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 1/2 cups warm water, not boiling (like bath water)

1 1/2 teaspoon Honey 

Directions: 

1. Combine flour, and salt in a large bowl and wisk together. Set aside. In a small bowl place water, yeast, & honey, allow to rest for 5 minutes or until yeast proofs. After water-yeast liquid proofs (aka bubbles), using a wooden spoon stir in the water mixture into the flour blend until it is well combined.

2. In same bowl, cover the dough with clean towel and let rise at room temperature for at least 3 hours.

3. After 3 hours, the dough will appear as to doubled in size, wet with air bubbles. Transfer the dough to a heavily floured surface and sprinkle dough with 1-2 additional Tablespoons of flour. Fold the dough over about 10 times and shape into ball. 

4. At this time, Preheat the oven to 450 degrees with the Dutch-oven & lid in center of the rack.  In the same bowl, where the dough rised initially, line with parchment paper up the sides (there maybe some residual dough in the bowl, but don’t bother dirtying another pan. Place the dough on the parchment paper-lined bowl. Cut a line or two on top of the dough with a sharp knife to give a stream escape vent for the bread. Cover the dough again with towel to allow the dough to rise for a second time. Place the bowl on top of the preheating oven for about 35 minutes (the warmth from the oven will help the dough rise faster). 

5. After the 35 minutes has elapsed for the dough to rise and giving at least 35-60 minutes for the Dutch-oven to warm up in the oven. Wearing oven-gloves, carefully remove the lid from the dutch-oven and take the parchment paper on both sides of the dough and lift to place the dough and parchment paper in the hot Dutch-oven.  With oven-gloves remaining on, cover the dough with the hot lid. Decrease temperature of oven to 400 degrees and bake for 45 minutes. No peeking! 

6. Remove the Dutch-oven from the oven (always wearing oven-gloves). Remove the lid and place the dough on a wire rack to cool. Allow the bread to cool for 15-20 minutes, even though tempting to cut right away. 

Enjoy with dinner! I made a crockpot beef roast! There will be plenty of juicy beef sauce left for dipping your bread into to soak up the remaining goods. 

Creamed Cinnamon Honey Roasted Pecans

My team at work for Christmas gifted me a lovely bag of North Carolina Local Gems. 

I couldn’t wait to open the Creamed Cinnamon  Honey! I made some Carmellized Banana Pecan French Toast with it this morning to coincide. 

This is a tasty way to utilize local ingredients for a delicious snack or gift. The finished product reminded my husband ,and I of a fancier version of Cracker Jack’s since that is the texture they portrayed. 

Ingredients: 

1 pound of raw pecan halfs

1/4 cup creamed Honey with cinnamon 

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place raw pecans on the baking pan. Place the pecans on the sheet in the preheated oven on the center rack. Bake for 6-8 minutes. 

2. In the meantime place a two quart sauce pan on low medium heat and melt the creamed honey. Once the timer has elsapsed on the pecans place the pecans in the sauce pan with the honey. Allow the pecans and honey to merry. Use mini spatula to incorporate the honey throughout. Allow the ingredients to heat for 6 minutes on low. 

3. Pour the pecans on wax paper and allow them to cool. The pecans will remain tacky. Allow for them to cool on the wax for about 1 hour then place in ziplock sealable container. That is if they make it past the cooling part! 😉