Peanut Butter Granola From Fit-it and Forget-it...

I found this recipe in 2011 from Fit-it and Forget-it website. Since then we have made this recipe many times and even given it as gifts. The recipe takes a little bit of time and you have to stir a few times. The plus side is you get use your slow cooker, which means you can get the help from little hands.

The kids and I always have fun making this granola, and it makes a great rain or snow day activity.  The instructions states when the granola is cool break into chunks. We have never really gotten chunks, more like crumbles, so we like to use this as the base for trail mix.

The granola has a good peanut taste without being overwhelming, which is good since we you all know I don’t like peanut butter. I like to pour milk over the granola or stir into my yogurt for breakfast.

We have omitted the coconut and raisins, and added in our own favorites. One time we tried to add in chocolate chips after we poured the mix out to cool. Well that did not go so well, since the mix was still too hot for chocolate.  

You can personalize the add-ins to your own tastes, we have made with nothing but a variety of nuts. Most of the time, we just throwing in whatever I have in the pantry, it is great way to use up the leftovers from holiday baking.

I have meaning to omit the brown sugar and try using honey… maybe next time I make this.

Make sure you store the granola in an airtight container!

Ingredients:
6 cups dry oatmeal
½ cup wheat germ
½ cup toasted coconut
½ cup sunflower seeds
½ cup raisins

Click here for the entire recipe!

Cottage Cheese Pancakes…

One of my biggest pet peeves is people who are on a diet; and claim they have had to give up all their favorite foods. If you are trying to lose weight or even eat healthier, you do not have to have to give up your favorites. You either have to eat much smaller portions of the “full fat” version or try to find a different version that is lower in the fat content.

Pancakes are an American favorite for breakfast and hehehe sometimes dinner! The recipe today is a healthier version for pancakes; they are similar to crepes.

White flour is replaced with whole-wheat flour and wheat germ. Top with fruit jam or preserve of your choice, or sugar free syrup.

The recipe makes six pancakes. I suggest splitting them between two people and serve with fruit salad.

Ingredients:

2 eggs

1/2cup cottage cheese, prefer low fat

2 Tablespoons wheat germ

2 Tablespoons whole wheat flour

1/8 teaspoon salt

Fruit jam or preservers

Powdered sugar, optional

Directions:

Blend eggs, cottage cheese, wheat germ, flour and salt until smooth. I suggest a food processer for this step.

Pour a small amount of batter onto lightly greased pan or griddle and cook until light brown.

Remove to plate, spread jam on top of each then roll up. You can finish by sprinkling powdered sugar over the top.

Anzac Day…

Anzac day is not until April 25^th. Since Veterans Day in the United States, was coming in a few days, I thought I would share this recipe now instead of waiting.

You may be asking what is Anzac Day, since you may have never heard of it.

Anzac is short for Australia and New Zealand Army Corps. Anzac day commemorates the landing on Gallipoli in 1915. Marking this day as first day, these two countries fought together during World War 1.

 In Australia, Anzac day has become what we consider Veterans Day. The spirit of ANZAC, with its human qualities of courage, mateship, and sacrifice, continues to have meaning and relevance for our sense of national identity. Like here in the U.S., there are local memorial ceremonies to recognize their veterans and those who have lost their lives in wars, peacekeeping operations and conflicts.


A view looking aft of lifeboat carrying unidentified men of the 1st Divisional Signal Company as they are towed towards at Anzac Cove at 6 am on the day of the landing.

http://cas.awm.gov.au/photograph/A02781

 The ANZAC biscuit, as it is known today, played a vital role in Australia’s war effort since the day of the ANZACs. It is symbolic of the marvelous work carried out by the women in the ‘home effort’ who tirelessly baked these treats for the soldiers abroad, to keep morale high. Even today, we should never lose sight of the purpose of these biscuits, because we should never lose sight of the real meaning of ANZAC (Unibic, Anzac Biscuits packaging).

Anzac Biscuits

Ingredients

1 cup plain flour, sifted

1 cup rolled oats or wheat germ

1 cup dried coconut, shredded

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup butter

2 tbsp corn syrup

1 tsp baking soda