Cinnamon Sugar Pecans

 These make a great snack and when I make them it dosen't take long for them to disappear. :)

 Ingredients:
1 egg whites
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg (optional)
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup melted butter
2 cups pecans, halves and toasted
1/2 tsp salt

Directions:
Beat egg whites in a bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg until stiff peaks form. Fold in the margarine. Then fold in the pecans until they are coated, and pour them into a 9x9 inch pan.
Bake in 325*F oven for 25-30 min, string them about every 10 min. Once they have been removed from the oven sprinkle them with salt. Cool them a bit and then begin enjoying them!

Brown Bread

This is a recipe for the bread maker. I got it from Barry, Ian's dad, if I remember correctly it is one he adapted from one the the bread maker recipes.

Ingredients:
1 1/3 cup of water
2 tsp salt
2 Tbsp powdered milk
2 Tbsp oil
2 Tbsp molasses
2 Tbsp honey
2 cups white flour
1 1/2 cups whole wheat or dark rye flour
1 cup oatmeal
2 tsp yeast

Directions: Put all ingredients in the bread maker in the order given. You can choose to have the bread maker cook the loaf for you or you can choose the dough setting. I usually always use the dough setting and then bake the bread in the oven. Once the dough cycle is done I plop the dough out on the a floured surface and gently shape into to a loaf to fit into a bread pan. Then I set the oven to 350*F and put the pan on the stove top while the oven warms up. I allow the bread dough to rise again for 25-30 min and then put it in the oven and bake for 30 min.

Sweet & Sour Chicken

A slower cooker recipe.
This is a hit with the kids at our house. I serve it over rice and add a veggie to the meal and we are good to go.

 Ingredients:
Approx. 4 chicken breasts
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/3 cup white flour
1 cup water
1/3 cup white vinegar
1/3 cup soy sauce
2 Tbsp ketchup
2 Tbls onion flakes
1 Tbsp prepared mustard

Instructions:
Cut up chicken breasts in to 3-4 pieces and place in slow cooker.  Mix brown sugar and flour in a saucepan. Add the water, vinegar, soy sauce and all the rest of the ingredients. Heat and stir until boiling and thickened. Pour over chicken and and cover with lid. Cook for 8-9 hours on low or 4-4 1/2 on high.

Cinnamon Sesame Slice

I made these for the first time this Christmas, they will become a regular, they are super tasty!


Ingredients:
1 cup butter
1 1/4 cups packed brown sugar
1 egg
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup toasted sesame seeds
1/3 cup white sugar or toasted sesame seeds

Instructions:
In a large bowl beat butter with brown sugar until fluffy, beat in egg. In a separate whisk together flour, baking soda and cinnamon; stir into butter mixture in 2 additions. Stir in 1/2 cup sesame seeds.
Divide dough into thirds: for form into 8 inch long logs. Wrap in wax paper and on a work surface flatten the side making a square. (approx 1-1 1/2 inch x 1-1 1/2 inch). Chill in fridge, until firm, while still wrapped in wax paper.
Unwrap logs and brush with water. Spread 1/3 cup sugar and/or sesame seeds on a flat surface and press each log to coat with sugar/sesame seeds. Cut into 1/4 inch think slices. Place 1 inch apart on parchment paper or rimless baking sheets. Bake at 350* until golden brown, about 10 min. Let cool on pan for 5 min before transferring to a cooling rack.

These came be made ahead and baked fresh. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days of freeze pre-cut in layers separated by wax paper four up to one month.

Homemade Rainbow Chip Granola Bars

This recipe is totally versatile, you could add any combination of seeds/nuts that you want and instead of mini rainbow chips, you could add raisins, dried cranberries, regular chocolate chips or... And to top it off the are really tasty!

Ingredients:
3 cups oats
1 cup tasted almonds, coarsely chopped

1 cup sunflower seeds
1 cup mini rainbow chips
1 can (300 ml) sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup vegetable shortening, melted
1 tbsp salt

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix well. Press evenly onto a 15"x10" greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350*F for 25-30 min or until golden brown.

Mini Meat Loaves.

These are yummy and very kid friendly.

Ingredients:
1 lb hamburger
1 egg
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/3 cup finely shredded onion
1/4 cup dry bread crumbs or oats
2 tbsp relish
2 tbsp prepared mustard
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 cup ketchup

Directions:
Combine beef, egg, half the cheese, onion, bread crumbs/oats, relish, mustard, salt and pepper. Grease muffin tins or custard cups with cooking oil. Divide mixture among cups, make an indention/well in the center of each. Fill well with ketchup, and sprinkle the reaming cheese over. Bake at 375* for 25 to 30 min.

Other ideas: Mix ahead of time and freeze in single portions for use at a later date. Or add shredded veggies like 1/2 cup of carrots or zucchini.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Over here we love peanut butter and chocolate so theses are a big hit.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup white sugar
1/3 packed brown sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 cup chocolate chips

Directions:Preheat oven to 350*
Cream together butter and white and brown sugar. Stir in peanut butter, egg and vanilla, blend well. Add flour, baking soda and salt. Mix in oats and chocolate chips. Place onto cookie sheet in approx tablespoons amounts. Bake for 10-12 min. Cool on cookie sheet for about 5 min before transfering to a cooling rack.

Pecah-berry Pie

This is my favorite pie!

For pastry recipe click here.

Filling:
3 cups peeled and sliced peaches

1 cup blackberries, fresh or loosely frozen

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup flour

In large bowl combine the sugar and flour. Stir well.

Peel and slice peaches. Add peaches and blackberries to sugar mixture. Toss together. Pour into pie shell. Place pastry over top, seal edges and cut slits in top.

Sprinkle sugar (if you want). Bake in a 350*F degree oven until browned and peaches are tender.

You can also use raspberries instead of blackberries or a combo of both.

Strawberry Daiquiris

Made with fresh strawberries, or frozen puree.
We have per pureed 1 cup portions in the freezer it makes for fast and easy daiquiris. :)

Ingredients:
12 ice cubes (standard size)
1 cup pureed strawberries
3 oz. white rum
1.5 oz. lime juice
2 tbsp sugar

Directions:
In a blender puree strawberries (if you are using fresh berries). Add ice cubes, rum, lime juice and sugar and crush it all up. Pour into cups and enjoy! :)

Puffed Wheat Squares

Ian loves these and Marin loves them even more!

Ingredients:
8 cups puff wheat
1/3 cup butter
1/2 cup corn syrup
1 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp cocoa
1 tsp vanilla

Directions:
Melt butter in a pan. Slowly add the rest of the ingredients (not the puff wheat). Cook slowly on low heat string occasionally until bubbles form, then stir constantly for 2-3 min. Remove from heat and pour over puffed wheat and mix it all together. Press well into 9 x 13 pan and allow to cool.

Banana and/or Apple Oatmeal Muffins

I really like this recipe, it makes a "hearty" muffin and it works with bananas or apples or a combination of both.

Dry ingredients:
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup rolled oats
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon (if you are making them with just apples)

Wet ingredients:
1 egg
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup milk

1 cup mashed banana or grated apple or a bit of both
1/2 cup chocolate chips (if you are making them with bananas) or
1/2 cup raisins (if you are making them with apples)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400*.
Combine all dry ingredients and set aside. Beat (with mixer) egg, oil and milk. Then stir in fruit. Add dry ingredients to wet. Stir in chocolate chips or raisins. Spoon into muffin tins (I use paper cups). I also usually sprinkle a bit of brown sugar and cinnamon mixture on the top before baking them. If I am making banana muffins then I just use brown sugar.
Bake for 15- 20 minuets or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Makes about 8-12 muffins depending on how big you make them.

Fettucini Noodle Bake

This is a very simple dish to make. It is a "comfort food", yum, yum!

Ingredients:
4 oz fettucini noodles
1 small sized onion, diced
4 mushrooms, sliced
1/2 lb lean ground beef
14 oz can of diced tomatoes
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1 cup mozzarella cheese

Directions:
Cook noodles. Brown beef, add onions, oregano, sugar and salt. Add mushrooms and tomatoes (you can leave them as they are straight from the can or blend them up into smaller pieces).
Put cooked noodles in the bottom of a 8x8 backing dish. Spread meat mixture over noodles and bake in 350*F oven for 20 min. Grate cheese. After 20 min remove from oven and sprinkle cheese over top put back in the oven for 10 min or until cheeses has melted.
Serves 4.

French Toast

Very quick and easy to make. And tasty too!

Ingredients:
6 slices of bread (white or brown)
2 eggs
2/3 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp melted butter

Directions:
Cut bread into desired size/shape.
Beat together eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon and butter.
Dip bread into mixture.
Fry in fry pan on medium heat until golden brown.
Serve warm with maple syrup, fruit syrup or whatever you want. :)

Unturtle Bars

I don't get the name, but they sure are yummy!

Ingredients:
Bottom:
2 cups flour
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup margarine, softened
1 cup of pecan halves (I use whatever kind of nut though, crushed walnut, sliced almonds...)

Top:
2/3 cup margarine
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup chocolate chips

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350*.
Bottom:
Beat together (on low to medium speed) flour sugar and margarine. Press firmly into an un-greased 9x13 pan. Sprinkle nuts over top.
Top: Combine margarine and brown sugar in a sauce pan and bring to a boil, stirring constantly for one minute. Pour over nuts. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until bubbly. Let stand for 3 minutes and then sprinkle chocolate chips over.

Ginger Snaps

Ingredients:
3/4 cup margarine
1 cup white sugar
1/4 cup molasses
1 egg
2 cups flour
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp ginger
2 tsp backing soda
1/2 tsp salt

Directions:
Cream together margarine and sugar, add eggs and beat. Stir in molasses. Add dry ingredients.
Roll dough into balls and lightly coat them in white sugar. Place them on a cookie sheet and press if you want "snappy" cookies, of leaves as balls if you want "chewy" cookies.
Bake @ 350* for 5-10 min depending on your oven.

Blueberry Bran Muffins.

They are actually supposed to be called "Low Fat" Blueberry Bran Muffins, but that just makes them sound far too healthy, low fat and bran, that is a little too much. The recipe calls for nonfat milk, but I used homogenized. They turned out really well and they are tasty too.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups wheat bran
1 cup nonfat milk
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 egg
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup white flour
1/2 cup brown flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup blueberries

Directions:
Mix bran and milk together, let sit for 10 minutes. Preheat oven to 375*F. In a large bowl mix together applesauce, egg, brown sugar and vanilla. Stir in bran mixture. In a separate bowl sift together white flour, brown flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir into bran mixture just until blended. Fold in blueberries. Scoop into muffin cups. Bake for 15-20 minuets, or until toothpick comes out clean.
Makes approximately 12 muffins.

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Ian looked on the good old internet for suggestions on spicing, oven temp settings and time needed in the oven for roasting. This is what we put together and it turned out great, they are really tasty pumpkin seeds!

1 cup pumpkin seeds
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 garlic powder

Directions: mix all ingredients together in a bowel, spread evenly on a cookie sheet (we put foil over the cookie sheet) and roast in the oven for approximately 1 hour at 250*

Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Icing

I got this recipe from my mom.

Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1 cup oil
3 eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 1/3 cup flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 cups grated carrots

Directions: Beat sugar and oil. Beat in eggs one at a time. Add vanilla. Mix in the next 5 ingredients, and mix together. Stir in grated carrots. Bake at 350* in a 9x13 pan for 35-45 minutes. Allow to cool before icing.

Cream Cheese Icing

Ingredients:
1/2 cup cream cheese
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups icing sugar

Directions: Beat cram cheese, butter (or margarine), and vanilla well. Add icing sugar gradually, beating until fluffy. Spread on to cake.

Blackberry Pie

This is Ian's favorite kind of pie.

Pastry:
1/2 cup margarine
1/3 cup shortening
2 scant cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup cold water

Directions: Blend shortening, margarine, flour and salt. Once it is well blended add water, mix until it forms a ball, using your hands for this part works best. (Depending on the size of your pie this amount will make 2 or 4 pies.) Cut into equal parts and roll out.

Pie Filling:
4 (generous) cups of fresh blackberries
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg

Directions: Preheat oven to 400*. Wash blackberries and allow water to drain. In a large bowl mix berries and lemon juice. In a small bowl mix sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour sugar mixture over berries and stir all together coating berries. Pour berries into pie shell and cover with remaining rolled out pastry. Cut some sort of holes in top of shell for heat to escape. Bake until pastry is golden brown, about 25 minutes.

Apple Cinnamon Waffles

3 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup melted margarine
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp baking powder
2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 apple pealed and grated

Beat milk, melted margarine and vanilla. Then add eggs and beat. Add flour, half cup at a time, beating in each half cup. I usually add the cinnamon, sugar, baking powder and salt in with the last half cup of flour, but you can add it when ever. Stir in apple. Cook in waffle iron, makes approx 8 waffles.

Brownies

1 cup butter (or margarine)
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup flour
3/4 cup cocoa
3 eggs
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 cup chocolate chips

Icing:
1/2 cup butter (or margarine)
1 cup icing sugar
2/3 cup cocoa
1 tsp vanilla
2 tbsp milk
2 tbsp hot coffee ( we don't drink coffee at home so I use really strong French vanilla, the instant kind)

Directions:
Soften butter (or margarine) and then cream together with both white and brown sugar. Add eggs and vanilla and mix them in. Then add flour, cocoa and baking powder and mix. Put into 9 x 13 baking dish and bake for 30 minuets at 350*

Icing Directions:
Melt butter (or margarine) and then mix in vanilla, milk and coffee. Add icing sugar and cocoa and stir till smooth. Spread on brownies once they have cooled.

Bran Muffins

I got this recipe from All Recipes.com

Bran muffins with raisins are my favorite kind of muffin, how plain-jane and geeky eh!

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cup wheat bran
1 cup butter milk (I never have buttermilk in the house so I just use 1 cup reg milk with 1 tbsp of lemon juice or 1 tbsp or vinegar trick)
1/3 cup vegetable oil (I used olive oil)
1 egg
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup raisins

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 375* Grease muffin cups or line with paper muffin liners.
2) Mix together wheat bran and butter milk, let stand for 10 minutes.
3) Neat together oil, egg, brown sugar and vanilla. Add to buttermilk/bran mixture.
4) Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Stir flour mixture into buttermilk mixture, until just blended. Add raisins and spoon into muffing tins
5) Bake for 15-20 minutes.

Apple Almond Muffins

I usually double this recipe and make approximately 16 muffins.

1/2 cup margarine
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp backing soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup crushed almonds
2 small apples, peeled and graded

1/2 cup raisins (optional)

For the topping:
1/8 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Cream margarine and sugar, add egg and mix. Add apples and vanilla mix together. Then add all the dry ingredients. In a small bowl mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon for the topping. Place batter into muffin tins and sprinkle with topping. Bake for 25 min at 350 F.

Apple Danish Bars

Pastry:
1 cup margarine
2 1/2 cups flour
3/4 tsp salt
1 large egg
milk (to equal 3/4 cup when combined with egg yolk)

Filling:
2 tbsp cornstarch
4-5 apples
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg

Glaze:
3/4 cup icing sugar
2 tbsp milk

Directions: Pastry- Blend together margarine, flour and salt. Separate the egg yolk and the egg white, (putting the yolk in a measuring cup and the white in bowl setting it aside for later) pour milk into measuring cup with the egg yolk to equal 3/4 of a cup. Mix together and then add to flour mixture. Form dough into a ball and cut in half. Roll out on a very well floured surface one half of dough 1/2cm thick and place on a large cookie sheet. Then evenly sprinkle the cornstarch over it. Roll out the other half of the dough and set aside until the filling has been put on the bottom half.
Filling- Peel, core apples and slice apples and then arrange them evenly onto the bottom layer of the pastry. In a small bowl mix together the white sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg and then evenly sprinkle over the apples.
Place the top layer of pastry over and fold and press together the edges.
With a electric mixer whip the egg white until it is thick and peaks will form, then spread the thickened egg white over the top layer of pastry and bake in a 375 F oven for 35 minuets.
Glaze- Once the pastry has cooled mix together in a small bowl the icing sugar and milk, and then drizzle over top.

Polynesian Pork

A recipe for the Crockpot.
Serve over rice or on it's own which ever you want.

1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/3 cup flour
1/4 cup vinegar
1/4 cup ketchup
14 oz can of crushed pineapple, with juice
1 tbsp soy sauce
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
3 lbs pork cut into cubes (or you could do ribs as well)

Measure the first 8 ingredients into a saucepan. Heat and stir until boiling and thickened.
Pour 1/3 of sauce into Crockpot. Next put in half the meat, then the second 1/3 of the sauce, then the rest to the meat and finally the last 1/3 of the sauce.
Cover and cook on low for 10 to 12 hours of high for 5 to 6 hours. Serves 6.

Apple Bread

This is the recipe that I used for Marin's 1st birthday cake with cream cheese icing.
It is very versatile you can make it as a loaf, or mini loaves or muffins or mini muffins, or double the recipe for a bunt cake.

1/2 cup olive oil
1 cup of sugar
3 tsp vanilla
1 large egg
2 cups flour
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
2 tbsp milk
2 large apples, peeled and graded

Options:
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped finely or coarsely depending on how you prefer them

Cream oil, sugar and vanilla together. Add egg and beat well. Mix together flour, cinnamon, salt and baking powder in a separate bowl.
Add milk, raisins, and apples (nuts and raisins) and dry ingredients to the creamed sugar, oil and vanilla. Stir only until flour is well dampened.

Bake in a well greased 9x5x4 loaf pan or whatever best suits what you have chosen (I make 2 small loaves 5x2 1/2x 2 1/2). Bake for 50-60 minutes (30-40 for mini loaves), or until a tooth pick comes out clean, everyones oven is different. Cool and remove from pan.

Welsh Cakes

This is a family tradition recipe, we got it from Ian's Granny Phillips.
Ian makes them and I help, he mixes and rolls them out and I cook them.
He takes them to poker nights and comes home with none left, that is why I always keep a few at home.
I ate two while I was posting this recipe. :)

2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup margarine
2 eggs
1 cups currents

Mix together the flour, baking powder and sugar. Cut in the margarine making sure that it is mixed evenly. Add eggs one at a time, start by mixing with the wooden spoon and then move to using your hands, once you have an even mixture add the currents. Divide the dough into two even parts. On a lightly floured surface roll out the dough about 1/4 inch think. Cut into rounds (we use a upside down cup that is 3 inches across). Cook on un-greased frying pan (we use a griddle) until golden brown. If using a regular frying pan cook at medium heat, (we cook at 350 F on the griddle) adjusting as necessary.

Mock Short Ribs

Got this recipe from my Mom

2 lbs stew meat
5 1/2 oz tomato paste
1 cup water
1 medium sized onion
2 tbsp vinegar
2 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp beef bouillon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp pepper

Quarter the onion, and arrange meat and onion in a small roaster. Mix together all other ingredients in a bowl and then pour over meat and onions. Cover with lid and place in 325 F oven for 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

The meat is so tender and tasty and the extra sauce is great over mashed potatoes. :)

Banana Walnut Bread

Modified from "From Better Homes & Gardens: The Complete Guide To Bread Machine Baking"
(I change it just a bit)

1/2 cup milk
2/3 cup mashed banana
1 egg
2 tbsp olive oil (calls for 2 tbsp of margarine)
4 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon (calls for 1/4 tsp)
1 1/4 tsp yeast

(1 cup chopped walnuts)
I don't add these because Marin likes this bread and the nuts are not suitable for a 1 year old.

Makes a 2 lbs loaf. I usually only put it through on the dough cycle and then bake it in the oven in 3 mini loaf pans (2 1/2 by 5 inch). It has the texture of bagels but not quite as dense though. It is very yummy with cream cheese on it.

Salmon Loaf

Recipe from Ian's Granny Phillips

2 (184g) cans of salmon, drained and flaked
1 1/2 cups softened bread crumbs
2 tbsp chopped onion
1 tbsp margarine, melted
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 cup milk
1 egg, beaten

In a bowl combine salmon, bread crumbs, onion, salt and pepper. In a separate bowl combine milk and egg, add to salmon mixture and mix thoroughly.
Press into greased baling dish. Bake at 350'F for 35-40 minuets. Serve with tarter sauce.

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Super Tasty!
A recipe for a slow cooker
Taken from allrecipes.com and modified

4 cloves of garlic minced
1 (10 oz) package of frozen chopped spinach
1 (14 oz) can of artichoke hearts drained and chopped
1 (10 oz) container of Alfredo style pasta sauce
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 (8 oz) package of cream cheese

Stir all ingredients together in slow cooker pot, let cook for 2 hours.Serve with crackers, chips, or whatever you would like.Serves 8-12 people.