Tag Archives: canola oil

Grandma Harper’ s Ranch Osyter Crackers

  
Growing up we’d always go to my Grandma and Grandpa Harper’s on Christmas Day for lunch after we had our 4:30 am family Christmas extravaganza which alway lasted several hours. The funny thing is now we may get to sleep in until 6:30 am but with my nephew Christmas morning still can last several hours. 

We always looked forward to my grandparents having their homemade wedding soup on the stovetop with meat, fruit, and veggie trays on their peninsula island. My aunts and uncles would pop in and out all throughout the day. We have a fairly large family which made it difficult for us to all get together at the same time. But at the Harpers’s’ the door is always open. The tradition still lives on even though all the cousins have grown and started families of their own. 

One of my favorite snacks grandma always had waiting for the kids and adults was her famous ranch oyster crackers. It was not a family Christmas function without these savory ranch crackers. I always looked forward to eating these during the holiday season.

Luckily during my second review of her recipes I stumbled across this gem! 

Ingredients:

Two packages of oyster crackers (try to find the smaller sized crackers they absorb the oil better)

3/4 cup canola oil (grandma used 1 cup)

1 tsp dried dill 

1 tsp garlic powder

3 TB ranch powdered salad dressing mix (which is one packet of hidden valley) but I used penzey’s

Directions:

Place all ingredients in a large microwaveable safe bowl. Mix with spatula. Microwave for three minutes. Mix again with spatula thoroughly microwave for another three minutes. Allowed to cool and then store in either Ziploc bag or plastic Tupperware container. 

Be aware these are addicting. 

Oatmeal Raisin bars


  

We had our monthly NST meeting today. I decided to make some whole grain oatmeal bars for the meeting since these are super quick and easy. They are also perfect for an after lunch snack! They remind me of an oatmeal raisin cookie but without the butter !

Yields 20 bars

Ingredients

2 TB Ground flaxseed 

2/3 cup raw sugar 

1 TB pure maple syrup

1/2 tsp allspice

1 tsp baking soda 

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1 cup 100% quick oats

1 cup 100% old fashioned oats

1/4 c canola oil

1/2 c unsweetened applesauce

1 c  whole wheat pastry flour

1/2  cup of raisins

9 by 13 baking dish 

Parchment paper

Cooking spray
Directions

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees and parchment line a 9 x 13″ baking pan. Spray with cooking spray and set aside.

2. In a large bowl mix together with whisk both oats, flour, flaxseed, sugar, allspice, baking soda, & salt . Add applesauce, maple syrup, canola oil, and mix to incorporate. 

3. Lastly fold in raisins. Pour batter into 9 x 13 pan and press the batter into the pan evenly. It helps to spray a spatula with cooking spray to prevent sticking and smooth the bars prior to placing in the oven.

4. Bake 15 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool on wire rack. Allow to cool completely before cutting.

   
   

Enjoy! I know my husband and the team did!

Apple Whole Wheat Muffins

20140222-102648.jpg

I am a true believer of an apple a day will keep the doctor away! I am an avid follower of that saying. Here is an easy way to add some apple into your diet if have a love of apples like I am.

Ingredients:
1 cup of shredded apple ( no need to peel) you need they extra fiber !!
1 1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup raw sugar
1/2 tsp ground high quality cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1 3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup canola oil
1/4 cup egg substitute or 4 egg whites
3/4 cup (6oz) vanilla fat free yogurt
Zest of one small orange
1/2 tsp Mexican Vanilla or high quality vanilla
Cooking spray

Topping
Cinnamon and sugar to taste
Cooking spray

This recipe yields 12 muffins

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350. Line 12 standard muffin tins

2. Take flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, spices and zest of orange place in a large bowl and whisk together.

20140222-103535.jpg

3. In a small bowl mix together yogurt, egg substitute, vanilla, and oil.

20140222-122512.jpg

4. Pour liquid batter into dry ingredients.

20140222-122613.jpg

5. Fold the batter together try not to over mix.

20140222-122659.jpg

6. Add shredded apple.

20140222-123046.jpg

7. Fold apples into batter.

20140222-123132.jpg

8. Potion out using 2 oz scoop into lined and cooking sprayed
muffin tins.

20140222-123221.jpg

9. Bake for 22-23 minutes on 350 degrees.

20140222-104714.jpg

10. Let muffins cool in tin for 3 to 5 minutes remove from tin spray with cooking spray and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.

20140222-104844.jpg

Enjoy!

The Harper’s Hot Peppers!

Hot Peppers

 

Well, finally, it is here….by popular demand…. tried and true the best hot pepper recipe out there! They go perfectly with homemade bread or any type of cracker. They also go very nicely on a white pizza or in a pizza roll. Whatever way you like them ! Watch out because they are addicting. I think my husband and I made 3 to 4 batches this year because we had oodles of hot peppers.

 

HOT PEPPERS

1/2 Bushel of hot pepper  (we like a variety of banana and jalapeño)

4 CUPS Plus of Distilled White Vinegar

48 ounces Plus of Canola Oil (One whole bottle)

16 Whole Garlic Cloves

1 CUP  Canning Salt (NON IODIZED)

Fresh Oregano, about 8 sprigs

Caution: Wear gloves!!!!!! Especially if you wear contacts (we learned the hard way….ouch!).

Directions:

1. Cut and core peppers to remove the seeds. You can use handy dandy Chile Twister (pepper seeder) for this which will save you a great deal of time.

IMG_5084

You can then place your peppers in a food processor to chop into rings.

 

Hot Peppers

Place pepper rings in colander over night sprinkled heavily with canning salt (salt them every time you empty the food processor full of pepper rings into the colander).  Let the peppers set in a colander overnight (16 to 24 hours is optimal). The peppers will reduce in size significantly. Not to mention the hot pepper smell will permeate throughout you entire home (you know, clean out your sinuses!).

 

2. After you have let the peppers set over night rinse with water to remove the salt and let them drain thoroughly.

 

3.  In a quart size jar, place 2 cloves of garlic in the jar along with one sprig of oregano, you can put the whole sprig in, or you can tear the leaves off and put them in the jar.  Pack the jars full of peppers from the colander, make sure you pack it tight!  Put 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar into the jars and fill to the brim with canola oil.  Pour it slow, the jars will be so packed with peppers that it will take a few seconds to make it to the bottom of the jar.  Be sure to leave about a 1/2″ gap between the liquid and the top of the jar.

4.  Freeze the jars immediately for fresh, crisp pepper rings right out of your freezer.  You can also “can” them, however, the texture and quality of the pepper tends to be compromised.  Think if it this way, it is like eating fresh versus canned green beans!

Enjoy!!!!