Joan's Snack Mix

10 Tablespoons of butter

4 teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce

2 teaspoons seasoned salt

3 cups wheat Chex

3 cups rice Chex

3 cups corn Chex

3 cups original Cheerios

1 cup unsalted nuts

2 or 3 handful of pretzels

Heat oven to 250 degrees.

Melt butter in 9x13 pan or broiler pan in oven.  Stir in Worcestershire sauce and seasoned salt.   Add cereal, nuts, and pretzels.  Mix until all pieces are coated  

Heat in oven 1 hour.  Stir every 15 minutes.

Keeps in covered container for a long time.  Can be frozen.

Dinner Rolls from Johnny

Makes 12 rolls

1 cup plus 2 Tbsp warm water

1/3 cup vegetable oil

2 Tbsp active dry yeast

1/4 Cup Sugar

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 egg

3 1/2 cup bread flour

In mixer bowl combine the water, oil, yeast, and sugar and allow it to rest for 10 minutes or until bubbly.  Using your dough hook, mix in the salt, egg and flour.

Kneed with hook until well incorporated and dough is soft and smooth (just a few minutes) if dough seems too wet add a little additional flour, a tablespoon at a time.

Form dough into 12 balls and then place in a greased 9 x 13 pan and allow it to rest for 10 minutes.  Bake for 10 - 15 minutes at 400 degrees or until golden brown and cooked through.

Instant Pot Chocolate Cake

 From:  https://www.wellplated.com/instant-pot-cake/

FOR THE CAKE:

1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk or milk of choice

1 teaspoon lemon juice

3/4 cup white whole wheat flour

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder sifted if clumpy

1 teaspoon espresso powder or ground coffee

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 cup pure maple syrup

1/4 cup coconut oil melted and cooled to room temperature

3 tablespoons granulated sugar, optional

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon pure almond extract optional but delicious

FOR THE FROSTING: (Cake is good without frosting too)

• 1 medium avocado very ripe
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder sifted if lumpy
• Tiny pinch kosher salt
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla

Instructions

 

If you have a handled trivet: Place it in the bottom of a 6-quart or larger Instant Pot with the handles up so that you can lift the cake out later. Skip the foil sling in Step 2 and move on to Step 3. If you no longer have the trivet, use a small heatproof bowl turned upside down and placed in the center and proceed to Step 2. If your trivet does not have handles, place it in the bottom and proceed to Step 2.

Make a foil sling to lift the pan out of the Instant Pot: Take a long (about 18 inches) piece of foil and fold it over itself the long way (elementary school would call this “hot dog style”) several times to create a long strip. Make sure it is long enough to reach all the way around the bottom of the pan and stick up several inches over the top of each side. Set aside.  In a medium mixing bowl or a large measuring cup, stir together the almond milk and vinegar. Let sit 5 minutes.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, espresso powder or ground coffee, and baking soda until well combined.  To the bowl with the almond milk mixture, add the maple syrup, coconut oil, granulated sugar (is using), vanilla extract, and almond extract. If the coconut oil solidifies, microwave the bowl in 10-second bursts until it liquefies. Whisk until well combined. Add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients. By hand with a wooden spoon or spatula, stir just until the flour disappears. It will seem airy and could be a bit lumpy but will be delicious after it’s baked.

Generously coat a 6-inch round cake pan with nonstick spray. Line the bottom with parchment. Coat with spray a second time. Pour the batter into the pan and smooth the top. Cover the top of the pan completely with a double layer of aluminum foil. Really pinch the foil around the top of the pan to create a seal and prevent moisture from creeping in while the cake bakes. Add 1/2 cup water to the Instant Pot (this will prevent it from registering a “Burn” warning).  If using the foil sling, place the cake pan in the center of the foil strip, then pull the strip ends up around the pan. Lower the cake into the Instant Pot, ensuring the ends of the foil poke up on either side of the pan. If the strips stick up out of the Instant Pot, fold them inward towards the center so that you can close the lid. If not using the sling, place the pan directly on the handled trivet.

Cover and seal the Instant Pot. Cook on high pressure (manual) for 35 minutes. When the cooking time is complete, immediately vent the Instant Pot to release any remaining pressure. Carefully open the lid.

Gently lift the cake from the Instant Pot by using the two ends of the foil sling or trivet handles. Place the pan on a wire cooling rack, then unwrap and discard the foil cover. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Run a dull knife, such as a butter knife, around the edge of the pan to loosen the cake, then gently invert it and transfer it to the rack. Let cool on the rack completely.

While the cake cools, prepare the frosting: In a food processor or blender, pulse the avocado, cocoa powder, and salt in 3- to 5-second bursts until mostly combined. Add the maple syrup and vanilla. Process until smooth and creamy, stopping to scrape down the processor a few times as needed. Try not to eat it all right then and there. Place the cooked cake on a serving plate. Frost, slice, and enjoy!

Notes

This yields enough frosting to frost the top and sides of the cake VERY generously. Depending upon how much frosting you like, you may only need two-thirds to three-quarters of it. The extra is delicious dipped with pretzels, on cookies, and/or eating by the spoonful!

TO BAKE IN THE OVEN: Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare the cake as directed, skipping the foil sling and cover. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, until a toothpick in the center comes out mostly clean with just a few moist crumbs (but no wet batter) clinging to it. Check a few minutes before the 25-minute mark for doneness, as all ovens bake differently.

 

 

Spinach and Cheese Strata

 From:  https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/spinach-cheese-strata.html#tabrecipe

Servings: 8 to 10

Prep Time: 30 Minutes

Cook Time: 75 Minutes

Total Time: 1 Hour 45 Minutes, plus at least one hour to sit in the fridge

1 pound bag chopped frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed as dry as possible

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 large yellow onion, chopped (about 2 cups)

3 garlic cloves, minced

12 ounces (¾ pound) Italian sandwich bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 11 slices or 8 cups)

6 ounces (1½ cups) coarsely grated swiss cheese

9 large eggs

2¾ cups milk or plant based milk

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

1¾ teaspoons salt

¾ teaspoon black pepper

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

INSTRUCTIONS

Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring frequently, until soft and translucent, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and drained spinach and cook 2 minutes more. Set aside.

Butter a 3-quart or 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread one third of the bread cubes in the dish and top evenly with one third of spinach mixture. (Try to break it up as much as possible so there are no huge clumps of spinach.) Sprinkle with one third of each cheese. Repeat layering twice, ending with cheeses.

In a large bowl, whisk the eggs. Add the milk, mustard, salt, pepper, and nutmeg and whisk until well combined. Pour the custard mixture evenly over the strata. Cover the strata with plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour or overnight.

Preheat oven to 325°F. Bake the strata, uncovered, until puffed, set and golden brown all over top, 70-80 minutes. Let stand 10 to 15 minutes before serving. It will settle a bit as it cools.

Note: The cook time is based on the strata going immediately from the fridge to the oven. If it sits out at room temperature before baking, the cook time will be about 10 minutes less.

Udon noodle stir-fry

 From: https://www.delicious.com.au/recipes/hokkien-noodle-stir-fry/kr4202vl?r=recipes/collections/w2dc4x9o

Serves:  2 very large portions

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons sesame oil

4 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tsp rice vinager

2 tsp smooth peanut butter

dash of black pepper

1/2 teaspoon chilli flakes, plus extra to serve

1/2 onion, sliced

1 garlic clove, chopped small

1 (1/4 to 1/2 inch) piece of ginger, chopped small

1 small bok choy, finely sliced

1 small head of broccoli, cut into florets

2 carrots, finely sliced

8 baby corn cobs, chopped into bite-sized pieces

1/2 red capsicum, finely sliced

5 button mushrooms, cleaned and quartered

1/4 red cabbage, shredded

1 bundle of Udon Noodles (The package I bought came wrapped in bundles.)

Instructions:

1.  To make the dressing, in a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of the sesame oil with the soy sauce through chilli flakes. Set aside.

2.  Heat the remaining sesame oil in a wok or large saucepan over high heat, add the onion, garlic and ginger and cook for 2minutes, or until the onion is softened. Throw in all the veggies and stir-fry for 10–15minutes, until tender.

3.  Cook the noodles according to the packet instructions, drain and add to the veggies. Toss through the dressing and cook for 2minutes to allow the noodles to soak up the flavor.

4.  Divide the stir-fry between serving bowls, add more chilli flakes if you like it spicy.

Thin Mints

 From :  https://minimalistbaker.com/the-best-thin-mints-v-gf/#wprm-recipe-container-75335

CHOCOLATE COOKIE

• 3/4 cup oat flour
• 3 Tbsp starch - potato, tapioca, or corn
• 2 Tbsp cocoa powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 2 Tbsp sold coconut oil
• 2 Tbsp maple syrup
• 1/4 tsp peppermint extract

CHOCOLATE COATING

• 1/2 cup or a little less semisweet chocolate chips 
• 1 tsp refined coconut oil
• 1/4 tsp peppermint extract 

• To a food processor add oat flour, starch, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt and pulse to combine.
• Add solid refined coconut oil (place coconut oil in the fridge if it has liquefied) to the food processor and pulse until small crumbs are achieved. Add maple syrup and peppermint extract. Pulse until dough starts to form.  Put cookie dough on a silicone mat or parchment paper.  I pat out until it is as thin as I can get it before it starts tearing.  The aim is 1/8 inch thick.  Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (176 C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper (you can use the same paper you used for chilling).
• Using a 1 ½ – 2 inch cookie cutter (or similar-sized object such as a spice jar lid) cut out 14 circles. If you have excess dough, roll it into a ball and re-roll/cut out the circles until all of the dough is used.
• Adjust cookies to the parchment-lined baking sheet. Space the cookies at least 1-2 inches apart to allow for slight spreading.
• Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the cookies are slightly fluffy and expanded and they appear a little dry. Once baked and slightly cooled, remove the cookies from the tray and place them on a cooling rack.
• Meanwhile, melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a small saucepan over low heat stirring constantly, until the chocolate has melted halfway. Once halfway melted, remove the pan from the heat and stir until completely smooth. Now add in the peppermint extract NOTE: This can also be done in the microwave in 30-second increments. Stop microwave and stir every 30 seconds.
• Make sure your cookie sheet will fit in the fridge (otherwise, transfer cookies to a large plate lined with parchment paper).
• Once the cookies are cooled, use a spoon to coat the top of the cookies with chocolate.  Then place each cookie back on the parchment-lined cookie sheet (or plate) and refrigerate for 15 minutes or until set. 
• Set, cookies can be enjoyed straight from the refrigerator or at room temperature. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or in the freezer up to 1 month.

Pumpkin Cheesecake

 Pumpkin Cheesecake

Ingredients 

Crust:

12 Graham crackers, crushed

6 Tablespoons real butter, melted

Filling:

3 (8 oz) packages of cream cheese

1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar

15 oz can pumpkin pie mix 

4 eggs

1/4 Cup sour cream

1 Tablespoon vanilla

2 Tbsp all purpose flour

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp ground ginger

1/8 tsp cloves

1/4 tsp salt

*whipped cream for serving.

Directions

Instructions Checklist

• Step 1

  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9 inch springform pan, and double wrap with aluminum foil to keep water from the water bath out.

• Step 2

  In a medium bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs with melted butter. Press onto bottom of springform pan.  Do not pre cook crust.

• Step 3

  In a large bowl, mix cream cheese with sugar until smooth. Mix everything else as little as possible.  Blend in the eggs one at a time, mixing just enough to incorporate. Add everything else and mix just enough to incorporate. Pour filling into prepared crust. (Sometimes I end up with lumps of cream cheese at the bottom.  If you can gently fold into the mix, add it.  Otherwise, I leave them out.)

• Step 4

  Cook in water bath.  Use a roasting pan and fill with 1/2 - 1 inch of hot water.  Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour. DO NOT OPEN OVEN DOOR once it is in oven, not even to peek.  Turn the oven off, and let cake cool in oven with the door closed for 5 to 6 hours; this prevents cracking. Chill in refrigerator until serving.

• I serve it with whipped cream.  

• 
  

Banana Bars

Makes: 1 9x13 pan 

• 6 medium to large bananas. 
• 4 tablespoons unsweetened almond milk or milk of choice
• 2 flax eggs prepared (2 Tablespoons ground flax seed + 3 tablespoons water)
• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips 
• 1/2 cup walnut halves
• 6 Tablespoons unsweetened applesauce (only if needed)

• Directions
• 1.  Preheat oven to 350.  Spray 9x13 pan with olive oil.
• 2.  In a food processor, add bananas one at a time with it running.  You are pureeing these to a thick liquid.
• 3.  Add the flax eggs and almond milk to the bananas.
• 4.  In a a bowl, add the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and mix.
• 5.  Add liquid to the dry ingredients.  If it seems too thick and dry, add up to 6 tablespoons applesauce.
• 6.  Mix in the walnuts and chocolate chips.
• 7.  Pour into the pan.
• 8.  Bake 20 minutes or until fork comes out clean when inserted in the center.
• 1.  Place a rack in the center of your oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper so that the parchment overhangs two opposite sides like handles. Lightly coat with nonstick spray and set aside.

Emily's Sweet Potato Muffins

Created by Emily and Amy Hinrichs

Makes 9 average size muffins

o 1/2 cup strong brewed coffee*

o 2 tablespoons ground flax seed
o 6 tablespoons water
o 1 cup old fashioned gluten-free oats
o 2 teaspoons baking soda
o 1 teaspoon baking powder
o 1/2 cup cocoa powder
o 8 seedless Medjool dates or 16 smaller dates
o 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
o 1 large sweet potato

o 1 tsp ground coffee
o 1/2 cup chunky natural no sugar added peanut butter

o 1/2 cup 60% or higher dark chocolate chips

1. Preheat the oven to 375. Spray the muffin tins with cooking spray.

2. Mix the flax seed and water. Let the mixture sit. It will thicken.

3.  Cook your potato in the microwave.  It takes about 6 minutes for large potato to cook in my microwave.  Be careful cooking the potato they can burn pretty easily.

4. Pull out your food processor and put the chopping blade in.
5. (If using oat flour, skip this step.) Add the oats to the food processor. Process until they have the consistency of flour. Pour into a mixing bowl.
6. In the mixing bowl, add the baking soda, baking powder, ground coffee, and cocoa powder. Mix just a couple of seconds until ingredients are incorporated.
8. Add the dates to the food processor. A soft date will squish in your fingers. If the dates you are using are not very soft, process them for a minute before adding the other ingredients.

9.  Add 1/2 of the potato to the dates and process for a minute.  Then, add the rest of the potato and process until the dates are fine pieces.   
10. Add the flax seed, brewed coffee, vanilla, and peanut butter. Run the food processor.  Process until all the ingredients form a smooth mixture.
11. Add the wet ingredients to the dry. Mix to incorporate.
12. Add the chocolate chips and mix with a spoon to spread evenly throughout batter.
13. Divide the dough evenly into the muffin tins.
14. Cook 20 minutes or until a fork inserted comes out clean.
15. Let cool in pan for 5-10 minutes then turn out onto wire rack. 

*I like to put my 1 tsp of ground coffee into the bottom of the cup then pour the brewed coffee on top.

Apple Bake

Serves 6 generous portions

Pan - I use a corning ware type pan so it is a thicker pan than the normal 9x13 tin or glass.   It is probably closer to an 8x10 size.

Crust

1 cup flour

2 Tablespoons sugar

1 Tsp salt

1/2 cup olive oil

4 Tablespoons milk or nut milk

In a small bowl combined the flour, sugar, and salt.  mix.  Add olive oil and milk.  mix.  It will be oily.  Pat into the pan.  

Crumble

2 tsp cinnamon

2/3 cup sugar

8 Tablespoons olive oil

1 1/3 cup flour

Combine the cinnamon, sugar, oil, and flour.  Mix together.  Put half the mixture onto the crust.  Hold the other half until later.

Apples

4 apples sliced thin

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tablespoon sugar

Mix together so apple slices are covered with cinnamon and sugar.  Place on the crust. 

Put the rest of the crumble on top of the apples.

Bake for 1 hour at 350.