Protein Bars

Ingredients:

• 1.5 c. raisins (chopped ultra fine in processor or blender)
• 2 c. oats
• 1 c. smooth peanut butter mix
• 3 T. chia seeds
• 4 T. flax ground
• 4 scoops vanilla whey (or 1/2 c. powdered milk if you don't have whey)
• 1/2 c. chocolate chips crushed
• honey or light corn syrup

Directions:

Grind raisins in food processor or blendor.  This will be the sweetener.  Then put chocolate chips in a plastic baggy and roll them into small chunks with a rolling pin.  Then add all the ingredients into an electric mixer for quite a long time. Once there are no chunks drizzle honey or light corn syrup while mixer is on low until you can ball it in your hand.  Compress it in small logs in your hand and store in refrigerator.

Notes:

These are so good. Kind of taste like a healthy version of no-bake cookies.  I will make these for Jeff to go on the road.

Source: my sister Evelyn

Cincinnati Chili

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1 finely cut onion
• 1/4 c chili powder
• 2 t cinnamon
• 1 t cumin
• 1/2 t allspice
• 1/4 t clove
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 oz Mexican hot chocolate squares
• 2 cans broth
• 1 can tomato sauce
• 1 can crushed tomatoes
• 3 T. vinegar plain or apple cider
• cayenne pepper to taste
• 1/2 t. oregano
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:

Put everything in huge pot and stir while simmering. Do not brown meat, when meat is cooked turn to low and simmer.  To make it into the traditional "Mile High Cincinnati Chili" boil noodles, to put the chili on, then add toppings such as raw onions, lots of cheese, coconut, green onions, pineapple, craisens, peas, olives, etc.

Notes:

This is the best chili I have ever tasted.  I don't like beans in mine like the pictures, but the spices andMexican  chocolate make it so sweet and good. The cinnamon and clove especially.  It sounds really weird to serve it on top of noodles with all those toppings I listed in the directions, but believe me it is really good!

Source:
Recipe from my sister Evelyn
Picture

Unbelievable Carrot Cake

 
Cake:
• 2 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (12 1/2 ounces)
• 1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon table salt
• 1 lb. medium carrots (6 to 7 large carrots), peeled
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar (10 1/2 ounces)
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar (3 1/2 ounces)
• 4 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable or canola oil
Frosting (I double the recipe below to frost a 9-inch layered cake):
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 5 tablespoons butter softened to room temperature
• 1 tablespoon sour cream, light or regular
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar (4 1/2 ounces)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Adjust oven rack to middle position. Grease and flour a 9X13-inch baking pan or 2 9-inch round pans.
2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt in large bowl; set aside. In a food processor fitted with large or fine shredding disk, shred carrots (you should have about 3 cups); transfer carrots to bowl and set aside. You can also shred by hand on a box grater if you don't have a food processor.
3. In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with paddle attachment (or in large bowl and using hand-held mixer), beat granulated and brown sugars and eggs on medium-high until thoroughly combined, about 45 seconds. Reduce speed to medium; with mixer running, add oil in slow, steady stream, being careful to pour oil against inside of bowl (if oil begins to splatter, reduce speed to low until oil is incorporated, then resume adding oil). Increase speed to high and mix until mixture is light in color and well emulsified, about 45 seconds to 1 minute longer. Turn off mixer and stir in carrots and dry ingredients by hand until incorporated and no streaks of flour remain.
4. Pour into prepared pan(s) and bake until toothpick or skewer inserted into center of cake comes out clean, about 32 minutes for 9-inch round pans and 40 minutes for a 9X13-inch pan. Let cakes cool for about 10 minutes in the pan and then invert them onto a cooling rack to cool completely (the 9X13-inch cake can be cooled completely in the pan if you don't plan to invert and ice all the sides). At this point, once the cakes are cooled, they can be wrapped in plastic wrap and put in a ziploc bag and placed in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature prior to frosting.
5. When cake is cool, mix cream cheese, butter, sour cream, and vanilla at medium high speed in clean bowl of standing mixer fitted with whisk attachment (or in large bowl using handheld mixer) until well combined, about 30 seconds, scraping down bowl with rubber spatula as needed. Add confectioners’ sugar and mix until very fluffy, about 1 minute. Frost and eat!
6. (I think it would be even better if you put it in the fridge for a little while until you're ready.)

I made this for Easter....Amazing.  I'm making every year!

Tres de Leches

Ingredients 

Yellow Cake Mix

1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated milk

1 C heavy whipping cream

1 t vanilla extract

Frosting:

1 1/2 C heavy whipping cream

1 C sugar

1 t vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour one 9x13 inch baking pan.
2. Make Yellow Cake Mix
3. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes. Pierce cake several times with a fork.
4. Combine the whipping cream, condensed milk, evaporated milk, and vanilla together. Pour over the top of the cooled cake.
5. Whip whipping cream, the remaining 1 cup of the sugar, and the remaining 1 teaspoon vanilla together until thick. Spread over the top of cake. Be sure and keep cake refrigerated, enjoy!

Decadent Chocolate Cake (secret ingredient!)

Decadent Chocolate Cake

INGREDIENTS

• Cake:
• 2 cups cooked and cooled quinoa (see note above)
• 1/3 cup milk
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup butter, melted and cooled
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Frosting:
• 2 1/4 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1 1/4 cups semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips (I use ghiradelli milk)

DIRECTIONS

1. For the cake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease two 8-inch round cake pans. Line the bottoms of the pans with parchment paper.
2. Combine the milk, eggs and vanilla in a blender or food processor. Process just until combined. Add the cooked quinoa and the butter. Blend well until smooth.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add the contents from the blender and mix with a wooden spoon or whisk until combined.
4. Divide the batter evenly between the two pans and bake on a rack in the middle position for 28-30 minutes or until a knife or toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove the cake from the oven and cool for 10 minutes. Invert the cakes onto cooling racks (remove the parchment paper stuck to the bottom of the cakes).
5. For the frosting, place the chocolate chips in a medium bowl. Heat the whipping cream in a saucepan until it gently simmers. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips and let the mixture sit for five minutes. Whisk to combine until it is glossy and smooth. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until completely chilled and cold (2-3 hours). You can speed up this process by placing the bottom of the bowl in an ice water bath and stirring until cool. When fully chilled, use an electric mixer (stand mixer or handheld) to whip the mixture to soft peaks.
6. Place one cake layer upside down on a serving platter or plate. Top with a generous portion (about half) of the whipped frosting, spreading to within 1/2-inch of the edge of the cake (it will press to the edge when the top cake layer is put on).
7. Gently put the other cake layer upside down on top of the frosted layer. Spread the remaining frosting over the top of the cake. You could definitely frost the sides, too, but I like the more rustic look for this cake - frosting just the middle and top.
8. Chill the frosted cake in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving to let the frosting set up a bit.

Notes: I have nothing against flour at all but we had a sister missionary recently with Celiacs so she could not have gluten. I tried this one night when we were having them for dinner. Oh my. I don't even love cake that much, but THIS cake I can eat and eat. It is rich and super choclatey. Even though it's gluten free, we have made it several times since because it's our favorite chocolate cake! It does take some preparation though so I usually reserve it for special occasions (last debuted on Easter and next for Jeffrey's 8th birthday!). The frosting was a revelation for me and I love it. Use as high quality chocolate chips as you can. Also, it says use semi-sweet chocolate chips but I use milk:) Also, I love frosting it the way she describes - rustic and easy! The secret ingredient is seriously undetectable! Ask your family to guess the secret ingredient while enjoying the cake before you tell them:)

Credit: http://www.melskitchencafe.com/decadent-chocolate-cake/

Skillet Cilantro and Lime Fish Tacos

Skillet Cilantro and Lime Fish Tacos

INGREDIENTS

• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 small white or yellow onion, finely chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded, membranes removed and finely diced
• 2 ripe tomatoes, chopped (about 2 cups)
• 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice (from about 2-3 limes)
• 1 pound tilapia, flounder or other mild white fish fillets, rinsed and patted dry
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 8 5-inch white corn tortillas
• 1-2 ripe avocados, sliced
• Lime wedges and cilantro for garnish

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large nonstick skillet, heat the olive oil and add the onions. Saute, stirring often, until translucent, about 5-6 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds or until fragrant. Add jalapenos, tomatoes and lime juice. Cook until heated through, 1-2 minutes. Add the fish and cook over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, gently breaking up the fish into bite-sized clumps, until the fish is cooked through and the liquid in the skillet is somewhat reduced (it should be fairly wet but not really soupy). Be careful not to stir too vigorously or the fish will turn into mushy bits. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Stir in the cilantro.
2. Heat the tortillas in a dry skillet for a few minutes on each side to warm or sandwich 3-4 tortillas in between damp paper towels and microwave for 30-45 seconds until pliable. Scoop the fish mixture into the corn tortillas and top with the avocado.

Notes: 

I have never eaten fish tacos in my life so I have nothing to compare these to, but I (and the family) LOVED them! Super easy, quick, healthy, fresh, and tasty. We have a gas stove, so it was easy to warm up the tortillas and toast them a bit right on top of the gas burner - a bit on each side. We try and have fish weekly and this is definitely making into the regular rotation!

Credit:

http://www.melskitchencafe.com/skillet-cilantro-and-lime-fish-tacos/

Simple Chicken Stock

Simple Chicken Stock

Ingredients:

• 1 chicken carcass
• 1 onion chopped
• 2 carrots chopped
• 3 stalks of celery chopped
• peppercorns
• salt
• 2 bay leaves
• herbs of choice
• 1 T. apple cider vinegar
• Water to cover

Directions:

Simmer for 3-6 hours. 

Strain and add to desired container for freezing.

Notes: I have wanted to do this for a long time but never tried until a few months ago. It is so easy to throw this in the pot and so worth it! I use chicken stock as a base for soups and sauces frequently (and skillet meals!) so I love having this homemade and healthy version on hand. I freeze the stock in 2 C portions in labeled freezer bags that lie flat in my freezer. (Mason jars are a greener option for sure). This is very versatile, I often use whatever veggies I happen to have on hand. I use rotisserie chicken in the summer when it is on sale so we don't have to use our oven here (gets so so hot!) and I've always hated wasting the carcass. No longer! Try it - it's easy and worth it!

Credit: http://www.wholesimplelife.com/homemade-chicken-stock/

Sausage and Spinach Penne Skillet Supper

Sausage and Spinach Penne Skillet Supper

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound Italian-style turkey sausage, casings removed (I use chicken sausage when it goes on sale)
• 3 medium garlic cloves, minced finely
• 3 1/2 cups water
• 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, rinsed and chopped fine (Super yummy but if they are pricey, just use regular tomatoes)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 12 ounces (about 3 1/2 cups) penne pasta
• 1 (6-ounce) bag baby spinach
• 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts (Expensive but worth it! Can find cheaper in bulk bin sections of the store, which allows you to get just the amount you want).

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat the oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot and add in the sausage. Cook until lightly browned and no longer pink about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
2. Stir in the water, broth, sun-dried tomatoes, and 1/2 teaspoon salt, then add in the pasta. Increase the heat to medium-high and cook (uncovered) at a strong simmer, stirring often, until the pasta is tender and the liquid has thickened, about 15-18 minutes (if you find the liquid is absorbing too quickly and the pasta is still undercooked, add a bit more water in small amounts until the pasta is cooked thoroughly).
3. Stir in the spinach, a handful at at ime, and cook until wilted. Off the heat, stir in the cheese and pine nuts. Season with salt and pepper to taste adn serve immediately.

Notes:

I love skillet recipes! I usually cook the sausage in the morning and then add the rest in the evening. Very simple to prep and tasty. This makes quite a bit, which is good for our family. It will fill a 12 inch skillet. Also, I will post my recipe for homemade chicken broth, although I'm sure there's no exact science to it!:)

Source: My latest favorite: http://www.melskitchencafe.com/sausage-and-spinach-penne-skillet-supper/