The Bryan Times - Sept. 3, 2019 - Peanut Butter

It's hard to believe summer is coming to an end and kids are back in school already! I thought it only right that we do a little 'talking' about this yummy-for-your-tummy protein-builder that kids love so much.  

Peanut butter has always been a favorite food for kids, and for moms, who could quickly make a lunch their kids would eat. Cooks have used it in all kinds of sweets, from cookies and cakes, to candy and beverages. We're now eating peanut butter in entrees and sides, even for breakfast. Spread peanut butter on toast. It's a great way to start the day with sustaining protein.

By law, peanut butter must contain 90% peanuts, with no artificial sweeteners, coloring or preservatives. 

Here are some fun and unusual (even nutty!) ideas for using this favorite product.

- Have you ever tried to cure hiccups with peanut butter? Try eating a heaping spoonful. Many claim its a definite cure.

- Is your child afraid to take a bandaid off? Coat it with peanut butter, let it sit for 5 minutes, then peel off.  The oils in the peanut butter dissolve the glues. (Adds some 'fun' to the process for your kids too!)

- Try dressing up your brownies with peanut butter. Either stir 1/2 c. into the batter or dollop it over the top of your brownies before baking and swirl. It just may become a favorite way to enjoy them.

- I love adding a heaping tablespoon of peanut butter to my cooked oatmeal. (Drizzle a little chocolate syrup on it for a 'no bake cookie' flavored breakfast!).

You'll feel good about giving these fun, 'healthier choice' protein balls to your kids.  And they will love helping you make them too. 

MONSTER COOKIE PROTEIN BALLS 

1 c. dry (old-fashioned) or quick oats

1/2 c. ground flax seed

1/2 c. (natural) peanut butter

1/3 c. agave nectar or honey

1 tsp. vanilla

1/4 - 1/2 c. mini m & m's 

1/4 - 1/2 c. mini chocolate (or carob) chips 

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl (or food processor for a smoother texture) and chill for 30 minutes. (I prefer to mix oats/flax seed in one bowl; combine peanut butter, honey and vanilla in another, then mix the two together). Roll into balls. Refrigerate. Enjoy.

This smoothie is a delicious and quick breakfast when you're trying to get the kids out the door. 

Healthy Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie

HEALTHY PEANUT BUTTER CUP SMOOTHIE 

1/3 c. old fashioned oats 

handful chopped peanuts

1 tsp. chia seeds, optional

1 tsp. flax seed meal

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

1/2 c. vanilla Greek yogurt

(or add 1 Tb. honey & 1/2 tsp. vanilla to plain Greek yogurt)

1/2 c. milk (or water)

1 banana, frozen

3 Tb. baking cocoa powder

1/3 c. natural peanut butter

1 Tb. carob chips (or chocolate chips) for garnish, optional

8 - 10 ice cubes

Place all ingredients, except for carob chips, in blender. Add about half the ice; blend on high until completely combined and frothy, at least 30 seconds.  Serves 2 or 3. 

A fabulous treat that will have folks begging you for this simple recipe. Easier than making balls and dipping them in chocolate. 

NO BAKE REESE'S PEANUT BUTTER SQUARES

2 sticks margarine, melted

1 c. peanut butter, smooth or chunky

1-1/2 c. powdered sugar

1-1/2 c. fine graham cracker crumbs

1 - 12 ozs. pkg. milk chocolate chips

In large bowl, mix together margarine and peanut butter until smooth. Stir in powdered sugar, then cracker crumbs.  Blend well.  Pat into a 9" X 13" X 2" pan sprayed with cooking spray.  Refrigerate for 1/2 hour.  Melt chocolate chips and spread over top.

A quick and healthier snack  is "Ants on a Log".  Cut celery stalks into pieces, fill with peanut butter and top with raisins.  The kids may choose to make them without your help. 

"Man cannot live by bread alone; he must have peanut butter". -James Garfield 

The Bryan Times - June 17, 2019 - "Lighter" dishes

I've been asked by a few folks to share some 'lighter' or 'healthier' recipes. Since we are no longer wearing coats, we're probably thinking more about our body shapes, so I suppose now is a good time. 

This simple ready-in-minutes fluff is so delicious.  Use sugar free, or regular pudding to suit your family's desires. Great for potlucks and reunions. M-M-M!

Cherry Pie Fluff

CHERRY PIE FLUFF

1 (20 ozs) can (no sugar added) cherry pie filling

1 (4 serv. size) box (sugar free) cheesecake pudding mix

8 ozs. lite cool whip

Combine cherry pie filling with pudding mix. Fold in cool whip. Chill and enjoy. 

I really love this easy baked oatmeal recipe.  It has so many options and can be made to suit numerous diet plans. It's great to make ahead and rewarm when you're ready to enjoy. 

Simple Baked Oatmeal

SIMPLE BAKED OATMEAL

Preheat oven to 325. Grease deep pie plate or square baking dish; set aside. 

(If you prefer single servings, bake in 12 greased muffin tins).

In medium bowl combine:

2 c. quick cooking (gluten-free) oatmeal

1-1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

Mix together in large bowl:

1 c unsweetened coconut or almond milk (or regular milk)

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 c. (unsweetened) applesauce or unsweetened apple butter 

1/2 c. maple sugar or coconut sugar (or packed brown sugar)

(I used about 1/3 c. honey)

1 apple, peeled and chopped, optional

(or add a cup of berries)

1/2 c. nuts or raisins, optional

Combine both mixtures then pour into prepared dish. Bake for 40 - 45 minutes. Serve warm with milk. 

BLUEBERRY BANANA FLAXSEED SMOOTHIE

2 TB. flaxseed meal

1 ripe banana, frozen in slices

1 c. blueberries

1/2 c. (fat free) Greek Yogurt

1 c. skim milk

1 TB. honey

1/4 tsp. almond extract

6 ice cubes

Add all the ingredients and blend until smooth, about a minute.  Garnish with blueberries. Yield: 2 servings

If you're like me, you know several folks who need to eat gluten-free. This is a special treat for our GF friends to enjoy. 

COCO-NUT BUTTER CRISPIES 

1/3 c. coconut oil, softened

1/3 c. honey (or agave nectar)

1/3 c. cocoa powder

1/3 c. peanut or almond butter

1 tsp. vanilla

1/3 c. unsweetened shredded coconut

3 c. (gluten free) rice chex cereal

Line cookie sheet with parchment paper or foil; spray with non stick spray. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients, except cereal and stir until smooth. Add cereal, then mix until cereal is coated well.  Drop mounds (works great to use your medium sized cookie scoop) onto prepared pan; freeze until hard. 

I found this delicious dish in a Taste of Home "Comfort Food Diet" book years ago. 

TASTY MOZZARELLA CHICKEN

1 egg (or 2 egg whites)

2 Tb. water

2/3 c. dry bread crumbs

1 env. reduced-sodium onion soup mix

(I used half that amount)

1/4 tsp. pepper

6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (5 ozs. each)

1-1/2 c. favorite spaghetti sauce

1 can (7 ozs) mushroom stems and pieces, drained

1 c. (4 ozs. shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

In a shallow bowl, beat egg and water.  In another shallow bowl, combine the bread crumbs, soup mix and pepper.  Dip chicken in egg mixture, then coat with crumb mixture.

Place in a greased 13" X 9" pan. (I lined with non stick foil). Bake, uncovered, at 400 for 25 -30 minutes or until juices run clear. 

In a small bowl, combine spaghetti sauce and mushrooms; spoon over chicken. Sprinkle with cheese.  Bake 5 - 7 minutes longer or until sauce is bubbly and cheese is melted. Yield: 6 servings.

Nutritional Facts

1 serving each: 302 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 102mg cholesterol, 924mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 37g protein.

“Don’t let people pull you into their storm. Pull them into your peace.” - Kimberly Jones 

Flashback Friday - Scrumptious Ways to begin your day with Chocolate!!!

WELCOME TO FLASHBACK FRIDAY!! 

Hope you'll try some of these tasty dishes to add to your menu rotation!

Can't go wrong adding some chocolate to your diet!  *-* 

Delicious to the very last bite! Such a flavorful way to dress up zucchini bread!

German Chocolate Zucchini Bread

An easy start to your day, full of protein to keep you full til lunch...

Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Protein Smoothie

Almost like having dessert for breakfast!! MMM!

Southern Style Chocolate Gravy

This delicious and good-for-you oatmeal dish is a real winner with all ages! 

Brownie Baked Oatmeal

The Bryan Times - Quick Breakfasts - March 4, 2019

Hello Readers! I was blessed to write food columns for nearly 10 years for the Leader Enterprise, and am now so honored to be joining the Bryan Times team. I like recipes that are simple, have few ingredients and sometimes on the healthy side. Am looking forward to sharing with you here and hope you'll find dishes to add to your favorites.  

Flax seed adds extra protein and fiber to fill you up with little change in taste.  This is a wonderful way to start your day, and it's so quick. I try to keep frozen banana slices on hand for recipes like this one. 
                                
                                 

              Blueberry Banana Flax Seed Smoothie
                                

BLUEBERRY BANANA FLAX SEED SMOOTHIE

2 TB. whole flax seed

1 ripe banana, sliced and frozen

1 c. blueberries

1/2 c. Greek Yogurt

3/4 - 1 c. almond or coconut milk

1 TB. honey

1/4 tsp. almond extract

6 ice cubes

Place the flax seed in a blender and blend until it is ground fine.  Add the remaining ingredients and blend until smooth.  Garnish with blueberries. Yield: 2 servings

These little muffins really do taste like pancakes and are super to make ahead. To reheat, just microwave or place in a toaster oven to warm. 

                      Easy Mini Pancake Muffins

EASY MINI PANCAKE MUFFINS (Make Ahead)

2 c. Bisquick or Jiffy mix

1 c. buttermilk (for best results use the real thing) 

2 eggs

1/2 c. (real) maple syrup  

1/2 tsp. vanilla, optional

add-ins like blueberries, raspberries, mashed bananas, bacon, chocolate chips, etc.  

Be creative! 

(But be sure you know when you add anything else to the batter, this recipe will make more than 24 mini muffins, so just bake a couple regular sized ones). 

Preheat oven to 350*. Lightly spray 24 mini muffin cups with nonstick cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine biscuit mix, buttermilk, eggs and maple syrup. Stir until blended..but don't overbeat. Gently stir in any add ins. Pour batter evenly into prepared pans, filling almost to the top. 

Bake 10 - 12 minutes or until golden brown and tops spring back lightly when touched. Cool in pan for a few minutes, then remove and cool pancake bites on a cooling rack.

Serve with little cups of maple syrup (for dipping). 

(TIP:  To freeze, place muffins on wax paper lined cookie sheet, not touching.

Freeze for a couple of hours. After they are frozen, place in ziploc bag. (This process keeps them from sticking together and you can remove as many you'd like).  Label, then toss in the freezer.  

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER BANANA PROTEIN SMOOTHIE

• 2 lg. overripe bananas, sliced and frozen
• 1 c. almond (or coconut) milk (or more if desired for consistency)
• 1/4 (heaping) c. creamy peanut butter
• 2 Tb. unsweetened protein powder
• (or baking cocoa)
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 4 - 5 ice cubes
• 
  

Add all ingredients to a blender and process until well pureed.  Serve immediately. Yield: 2 servings

With no white flour or refined sugar in these cookies, you can feel great about giving these to your kids for breakfast or as an after school snack.  Dip them in Greek yogurt for a special treat. 

HEALTHY OATMEAL RAISIN BREAKFAST COOKIES 

3/4 c. rolled oats 

3/4 c. oat flour

2 tsp. baking powder

3/4 - 1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 egg

3 Tb. honey (or agave nectar)

1/4 c. plain Greek yogurt

1/4 c. chopped nuts

1/4 c. raisins or dried cranberries 

Preheat oven to 375. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper or non-stick foil. In medium bowl, combine dry ingredients - oats, oat flour (Place a scant (just less than) cup of oats in the blender and blended until powdery - measure to be sure you have 3/4 cup), baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg. Then add vanilla, egg, honey and yogurt. Stir until well blended.  Add in nuts and raisins. Spread cookie dough into 4 or 5 large cookies onto prepared pan. Shape with spoon and pat down a bit.  Bake 6 - 10 minutes or until done. Yield: 4 or 5 very large cookies 

Dave Willis has said "Show respect even to people who don't deserve it; not as a reflection of their character, as a reflection of yours". 

•