New banana bread recipe

This recipe is from our church cookbook. My oldest daughter made it for us a few months ago, and it is a huge hit in our house. It is usually gone within 24 hours of making it! The recipe was submitted by four different people, and the note on the bottom says it must be good, and it is delicious!

 I've made it several times, and we had it for brunch on Easter with fried eggs, so yummy!

Here is the recipe:

Banana bread

5 medium, over-ripe bananas
3 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup hot water
3 eggs
2 cups sugar
2 sticks of butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1 cup nuts, chopped (I've used walnuts)

Put bananas, soda and water in blender and run for 5 minutes or more until thickened. In large bowl, beat eggs; add sugar, butter and vanilla. Add flour alternately with banana mixture to egg mixture. Add nuts. Pour into well-greased large bundt pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 60 to 70 minutes.

*I've also floured the pan and it turned out better.

The last time I made it, I noticed that there are no spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg or allspice. It is still delicious, and doesn't need anything else added!

I hope you enjoy this recipe, let me know your review!

Leviticus 24:5
“Take the finest flour and bake twelve loaves of bread, using two-tenths of an ephah for each loaf.

1 Kings 19:6
He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.

John 6:35
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

Food Friday: Baked Granola

I know it's been quite a while since I've posted a recipe on my blog. This recipe is from my sister-in-law and my niece, Norah. When we visited them in August, we had this baked granola almost every morning. We loved it! It tasted great, and filled us up for the whole morning. We love granola here, but our kids go through it so quickly! I like that this lasts a little longer.

Enjoy the recipe!

Hearty Baked Granola

1 stick butter, melted

1 cup brown sugar

4 eggs, beaten

6 cups rolled oats

4 tsp baking powder

2 tsp salt

2 cups milk

1 tsp vanilla

Extras: 1 cup nuts, sunflower seeds, raisins or raisins, 1/4 cup flax seed, 1 cup dried fruit... get creative!

In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients and mix well. Pour the mixture into an ungreased 9 X 13" pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. 

To serve: cut a piece, put into bowl in microwave for 30-60 seconds, and milk and devour. Yum!

Before baking...

Ready to eat!

Let me know if you try this recipe, I'd love to hear your review!

Genesis 43:11
Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your bags and take them down to the man as a gift—a little balm and a little honey, some spices and myrrh, some pistachio nuts and almonds.

Exodus 16:31
The people of Israel called the bread manna. It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey.

Psalm 34:8
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

Blueberry Buckle recipe

This is a wonderful recipe that I've had for many years and have not made very often.  The blueberries were on sale at the grocery store this week, so I dug out the recipe and made it on Saturday morning. It was just delicious (and eaten all up)! I hope you will make it and enjoy it too!

Blueberry Buckle

(recipe from a family friend)

Mix together: 3/4 cup sugar

1 egg

1/2 cup milk

1/4 cup soft shortening (I used butter and it was good!)

2 cups flour

1/2 tsp salt

Blend in carefully: 2 cups well-drained blueberries. Put mixture into greased & floured pie plate or 8 X 8" dish. It will be thick!

Mixing in the berries...

Crumb mixture:

1/2 cup sugar

1/3 cup flour

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/3 cup softened butter

Mix together with fingers and sprinkle over cake mixture. 

Ready to go in the oven...

Bake at  375 degrees for 45-50 minutes. 

Enjoy!

*This is like a coffee or breakfast cake.

**My sister-in-law shared this recipe on her blog here.


Let me know if you make it, I'd love to hear your review!

John 21:12

Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.

Leviticus 26:4

I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees their fruit.

Psalm 72:3

May the mountains bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness.

Recipe: Chocolate Chip Muffins

I made this recipe for MOPS this week, and I doubled it, so we would have enough to have them at home too. These were great muffins, a big hit here at home! My hubby teased me that they were cupcakes since they have chocolate chips in them...

Chocolate Chip Muffins
(Recipe from MOPS cookbook, Beyond Macaroni and Cheese)

Ingredients:
1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 cup sugar
3 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup chocolate chips
1 egg
1 cup milk
1/3 cup butter (5 1/3 Tbsp.)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375. Mix dry ingredients. Add chocolate chips.
In microwave, melt butter in Pyrex measuring cup. Cool. Add eggs and milk. Mix ingredients, but do not beat. Stir into flour mixture.
Pour into greased or paper-lined muffin tins. Bake 20-25 minutes. Makes 12 muffins. YUM!

*Try mini-chocolate chips in this recipe.

Let me know if you try this recipe, I'd love to hear your review!

John 21:12

Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.

1 Samuel 21:3

Now then, what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever you can find.”

2 Samuel 6:19

Then he gave a loaf of bread, a cake of dates and a cake of raisins to each person in the whole crowd of Israelites, both men and women. And all the people went to their homes.

Recipe: Monkey Bread

This is a recipe that I got from my sister-in-law, and it is a good breakfast on special days, such as New Years' Day, or the 100th day of school- which is when we made it last! It is always a great big hit with the kids!

Ready to go in the oven before the night...

Monkey Bread
Ingredients:
1 package frozen bread rolls (unbaked)
2 cups chopped nuts
1/2 cup cinnamon sugar mixture
1 sm. package instant butterscotch pudding
1/2 stick melted butter

Prepare the night before. Spray bunt pan and sprinkle nuts on the bottom. Roll each frozen bread roll in butter then in sugar/ pudding mixture. Place rolls in pan and continue stacking rolls until pan is half-full. Cover with towel and place in cold oven to rise overnight. In the morning, remove from oven, preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, or until tops are browned. Turn out immediately onto serving plate. Pull rolls apart for serving, add fruit to complete the meal.

*Also great to add raisins with the nuts on the bottom.

*A great recipe for company... having done all of the prep work the night before!

We did the whole bag of rolls-- it was overflowing the pan!

John 6:35

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

John 6:51

I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”

Acts 27:35

After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat.

Cranberry Bread Recipe {Repost}

Here's a good one to enjoy when cranberries are on sale! It is my mother-in-law's recipe and we LOVE this bread at the holidays!

Cranberry Bread

2 cups flour

1 cup sugar

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 cup shortening

3/4 cup orange juice

1 egg, beaten

1 cup chopped cranberries

1/2 cup chopped nuts

In large mixing bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda. Add shortening. Combine juice and egg and add to dry mixture, stirring to moisten. Fold in cranberries and nuts. Turn into a greased loaf pan. Bake at 350° F for 60 min or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 5 min. Turn out to cool completely. Wrap airtight and store in refrigerator.

I hope to make this in the next few days- YUM! We make it a lot at Christmas time too. It is a nice gift to give to friends or family that "have everything"!

Breakfast/ Lunch/ Snack ideas

My sister-in-law and I were talking yesterday about challenges keeping each of our galloping hordes of children fed (we each have 4 kids). Some of the eaters are pickier than others. Usually mealtimes are not a challenge, my sister-in-law said, but snacks. It is a challenge to find snacks that are healthy (no cookies), don't take lots of work (smoothies) and don't cost lots (fancy cheese?) So I decided to post my meal ideas lists for breakfast and lunch, and some snack ideas. Maybe it will help my sister-in-law, and some other moms/ dads too!

Breakfast Ideas

Cereal

Oatmeal

Malt-o-meal

Pancakes

Waffles

Crepes

Muffins

French toast

Eggs & Bacon

Omelet

Toast w/ PB, & / or jam

Egg burritos

Apples, bananas w/ PB

Yogurt with berries

Granola

Breakfast pizzas

Drinks:

milk, chocolate milk

juice, water, tea

hot chocolate

coffee (Mom & Dad)

Lunch Ideas

PB & J

Ham & Cheese Sandwich

Chicken Nuggets

Chicken Patty Sandwich (as Mom first)

Toast with peanut butter

Tortillas with PB & J, cream cheese

Snacky plate

Hot leftovers

Eggs & toast, bacon

Egg salad Sandwich

Tuna fish sandwich

Nachos

Mac & cheese

Hot dogs

Bagel with toppings

Ramen

Extra things to fill in:

fruit- apple, grapes, peach, banana, yogurt, string cheese

piece of ham or turkey

carrots, snap peas, celery in dip

pretzels, chips

drinks:

milk, chocolate milk

juice, water, iced tea

Snack Ideas:

crackers & peanut butter

Granola bar

Fruit/ cereal bar

rice cakes

yogurt

string cheese (with piece of ham?)

crackers & cheese

graham crackers

toast with jelly or honey

pretzels

GORP (raisins/ peanuts mix)

Goldfish crackers

Celery, carrots, snap peas & ranch dressing

Celery with peanut butter

Banana (with peanut butter?)

Apple  (with peanut butter?)

Orange

Strawberries

Cherries

Apricots (dried?)

Raisins

Ham & cheese

Hard-boiled eggs

Peanuts

Almonds

Walnuts

Pistachios

Cottage cheese

Smoothies

Chips & salsa

popcorn

I hope this list is a help to you, feel free to copy, paste and print it, (mine is even laminated!) and then post it in your own pantry! You can add or delete from it too. It may just give you and your kids some great ideas for snacks, breakfast or lunch, or get you out of a rut! You may not have all of these items in your home ALL the time, but you may, and it can be a delicious discovery!

John 21:11-13

¹¹ So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. ¹² Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. ¹³ Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.

Luke 12:28-30

²⁸ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! ²⁹ And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. ³⁰ For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them.

Whole Wheat Waffles {Recipe}

We stayed at my Mom and Dad's house a few summers ago and my Mom made these delicious whole wheat waffles. She printed the recipe for me from Cooks.com and I left it there. Ooops! My wonderful Dad emailed it to me and that is how it is printed in my cookbook!

I doubled the batch, so it made A LOT! We put them in the freezer...

Whole Wheat Waffles (from Cooks.com)
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour (I used regular whole wheat)
1 cup white flour
3 Tbsp sugar


1/2 tsp salt
3 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
3 eggs
2 cups skim milk (I used vanilla soy milk)
3-4 Tbsp vegetable oil (I used canola)

Sift dry ingredients in bowl. Mix remaining ingredients in a separate bowl. Combine the mixtures, and bake in a waffle iron. Makes 8-10 waffles. Top with butter, syrup, jam, jelly, fruit, powdered sugar, agave nectar, peanut butter or molasses... just not all at the same time! :-D

Making this recipe had me thinking about some of these Bible verses about wheat:

Psalm 81:16
But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”


Matthew 13:24-26 
²⁴ Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. ²⁵ But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. ²⁶ When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

Read this parable explained here.

Let me know if you try this recipe, I'd love to hear your review!

Grandma's Hash Brown Casserole

My oldest cousin recently sent me this recipe, and I sent it on to my siblings. I finally made it today for MOPS and it was yummy! The pan was scraped clean... a good sign!

This recipe is actually is in my Grandma's handwriting, which I love to see... I miss her. She's been gone 12 years and I can still see her face, and hear her sing certain songs in church. :`(

Grandma's Hash Brown Casserole
2 lb hash browns
1 tsp salt
2 cups sour cream
2 Tbsp diced onion
1/4 tsp pepper
2 cans cream of celery soup
1 can cream of potato soup
2 cups grated cheese
2 cups crushed potato chips, or corn flakes (optional)

Ingredients laid out...

Before baking...

Thaw hash browns, mix all ingredients (except 1/3 cup cheese and crushed chips). Place in 9 X 12" pan and bake uncovered for 40-60 minutes at 350 degrees. This can easily be cut in half, or put in two 8 X 8" OR 9 X 9" pans, and freeze.

After baking, I added the cheese and chips, baked a little longer...

This is perfect for a MOPS meeting or a brunch. It was delicious!

And any cousins who didn't get the recipe, let me know, and I can send you a copy in Grandma's handwriting too!

Pumpkin French Toast

This is a recipe that I found on a blog last week called “With Style and Grace”. We tweaked it to our liking (her recipe had gluten-free bread & almond milk) and tried it. It was two thumbs up at our breakfast table!

Pumpkin French Toast

Ingredients:

6 eggs

1/2 cup pumpkin puree

2 Tbsp soy milk (or 2 %)

2 tsp ground cinnamon

pinch of nutmeg (or two)

2 tsp vanilla extract

8 slices of artisan (crusty, dense) bread

optional- add1-2 tbsp of brown sugar

Toppings:

Chopped pecans, maple syrup, powdered sugar and of course, butter

Directions:

In a large shallow bowl (we use a pie plate), whisk together the eggs, pumpkin puree, milk, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla.

Place the slices of bread into the egg mixture and let soak while the pan heats up (3-5 minutes). *We did not do this, because we had more bread than the original recipe, so we added more milk and soaked them for a shorter time.*

Spray griddle with non-stick cooking spray, that is heated over medium high heat. Place slices on the griddle and cook until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes. Turn the slices over and cook another 2-3 minutes. Remove slices to plates, and serve with toppings. 

Serves 4-6 people.

Hope your family likes it too!
Let me know your review! If you're interested in more things pumpkin, I have a recipe for pumpkin pancakes here.

Blueberry French toast recipe

Another mom brought this to MOPS one time, years ago, and I liked it so much I asked her for the recipe. It takes a little prep work and fore-tought, but it is well worth the effort!

Blueberry French Toast              (I make this sometimes at Christmas, other holidays)

12 slices old white bread, crusts removed (Texas Toast is best)

2 pkg cream cheese (8 oz)

1 cup fresh/ frozen blueberries, strawberries or raspberries

12 eggs or egg substitute

2 cups milk

1/3 c syrup (maple)

Sauce: (I double this, usually)

1 cup sugar

2 T cornstarch

I cup blueberries

1 cup water

1. Cut bread into cubes. Place half of bread into greased 9 X 13" pan.

2. Cut cream cheese into 1" cubes, place over bread.

3. Top with berries and remaining bread.

4. In large bowl, combine egg, milk and syrup, mix well. Pour over bread mixture.

5. Cover with foil and chill overnight, or 8 hours.

6. Remove from fridge 30 min before baking. Bake at 350 for 30 min.

7. Take foil off, bake 30 more min, or until golden brown.

8. For sauce: mix sugar and starch in pan, add water. Bring to a boil for 3 min, stirring constantly. Add berries, serve over toast.

YUMMY!!

This is also another popular one at our MOPS group. One time I brought it and forgot the sauce, but another gal made it too, so it was ok, her sauce worked on mine! (regular syrup is ok too)


Let me know if you try it. My mom makes a similar one that doesn't have cream cheese in it, and it is good too. Send me a note if you want the recipe!

Master Muffin recipe

Are you in a breakfast rut? Need a little inspiration? Time for something new? How about baking your own muffins! I got this Basic muffin recipe from The Tightwad Gazette, and you can adjust it for your tastes, what you have in the house and what you want to have each time you make them!  I like this recipe because you can tweak it and adjust it and it still comes out well!

YUM-- blueberry muffins!

MASTER BREAKFAST MUFFIN RECIPE       from The Tightwad Gazette II

Makes 12 muffins, and is easy to double--saves time and energy. Combine dry ingredients, then mix in wet ingredients just until combined, batter should be lumpy. Grease muffin tin and fill cups two-thirds full. Bake in a preheated oven at 400 degrees for 20 minutes (give or take five minutes). 

Following ingredients are required:

Grain: Use 2- 2 1/2 cups white flour. Or substitute oatmeal, cornmeal, whole-wheat flour, rye flour or flake cereal for 1 cup of the white flour. Or substitute one cup leftover cooked oatmeal, cornmeal, rice for 1/2 cup of the white flour, and decrease liquid to 1/2 cup.

Sweetener: Use between 2 Tbsp and 1/2 cup sugar. Or subs up to 3/4 cup brown sugar. Or subs up to 1/2 cup honey or molasses, and decrease milk to 1/2 cup.

Baking Powder: Use 2 teaspoons. If using whole or cooked grains or more than one cup of additions, increase to 3 teaspoons. If using butter or sour milk, decrease to 1 tsp and add 1/2 tsp baking soda.

Salt: Use 1/2 tsp, or omit if you have a salt-restricted diet. 

Milk:  Use one cup. Or substitute buttermilk or sour milk (add Tbsp vinegar to 1 cup milk). Or substitute fruit juice for some or all of the milk.

Fat: Use 1/4 cup vegetable oil or 4 Tbsp melted margarine or butter. Or substitute crunchy or regular peanut butter for part or all of the fat. The fat can be reduced or omitted with fair results if using a “wet addition”.

Egg: Use 1 egg. Or substitute 1 heaping Tbsp of soy flour & 1 Tbsp of water. If using a cooked grain, separate the egg, add the yolk to the batter, beat the white until stiff and fold into the batter.

OPTIONAL INGREDIENTS:

Additions can be used in any combination, up to 1 1/2 cups total. If using more than 1 cup of wet additions, decrease the milk to 1/2 cup.

Dry additions: Nuts, sunflower seeds, raisins, coconut, and so on.

Moist additions: Blueberries, chopped apple, freshly shredded zucchini, shredded carrot, etc.,

Wet additions: Pumpkin puree, applesauce, mashed & cooked sweet potato, mashed banana, mashed & cooked carrot, etc., If using 1/2 cup drained, canned fruit or thawed shredded zucchini, subs the syrup or zucchini liquid for all or part of the milk.

Spices: Use spices that complement the additions, such as 1 tsp cinnamon with 1/4 tsp nutmeg or cloves. Try 2 tsp grated orange or lemon peel.

Jellies and jam: Fill cups half full w/ plain batter. Add 1 tsp jam/ jelly, top with 2 more tsp batter.

Topping: Sprinkle cinnamon sugar on the batter in the tins.

Nonsweet combinations: Use only 2 Tbsp sugar and no fruit. Add combinations of the following: 1/2 cup shredded cheese, 3 strips fried and crumbled bacon, 2 Tbsp grated onion, 1/2 cup shredded zucchini, 2 Tbsp parmesan cheese. Spices could contain a tsp of parsley and a pinch of marjoram.

Basic recipe:

2 to 2 1/2 cups grain

1 cup milk

up to 1/4 cup fat

1 egg

up to 1/2 cup sweetener

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

up to 1 1/2 cups additions

-Make a hearty breakfast or snack, can freeze...costs less than cold cereal! Serve with milk or juice!

We've had them several different ways- the jam/ jelly in it is yummy! Let me know if you try it!
You can read another post about  The Tightwad Gazette here.

Crepes recipes

After high school, my older brother's best friend AJ joined the Navy. When he finished his time with the Navy, he traveled in Europe. While there, he stayed with a French family who taught him to make crepes. He gave the recipe to my brother, and it has become a deliciously popular breakfast in our family.  (Thanks Tim!)

We had them on my last birthday morning...YUM!!

Crepes (from France, indirectly!)

2 eggs – whipped

1 cup milk

1 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons melted butter

Recommended Toppings

Nutella Hazelnut spread (found near the peanut butter)

Fruit preserves, strawberries

Peanut butter
Whipped cream

Instructions

1. Heat griddle to 350 degrees.

2. Blend all ingredients in blender. If you don’t have a blender, whip the eggs, then mix in the other ingredients.

3. Pour 1/2 cup of mixture onto non-stick griddle.

4. Lift griddle and turn on angles to spread the batter out on the griddle so that the crepe will be thinner.

5. Cook until the center is moist, but the edges are dry.

6. Flip crepe and cook for about one minute.

7. Since I oil the griddle prior to cooking, I will often pat the crepe with a paper towel to remove excess oil before adding toppings.

Turn the pans so that the crepes thin & spread out...

My daughter Rebekah found another crepes recipe in an old Clubhouse kids magazine and when she makes crepes, she uses this simple one:

1 cup milk

1 cup flour

1 egg


1. Mix together three ingredients in a medium bowl. If needed, add more milk to make batter thinner. 
2. Heat large skillet on the stove at medium high heat.
3. Pour batter into the center of the pan and spread with spoon to make crepe thin. 
4. Cook crepe until bubbles appear in center, flip over and cook on other side.
5. Remove from pan and top with any combination of toppings.


Toppings they recommend: butter, powdered sugar, fruit, whipped cream, chocolate sauce

The crepe is done when it is light brown and the edges are
dry & lifting off the pan.

Let me know if you try them, they are just delicious! They're a huge hit around here!