Peanut Butter Oat Cookies

I'm pretty obsessed with cookies. When I saw this recipe on Pinterest, I decided to make my own version. Packed with protein, fiber, and omega-3's, these little cookies are a great choice for snacking or even for breakfast!

Peanut Butter Oat Cookies (makes about 34)

3 overripe bananas, mashed
1 c. peanut butter
1/4 c. honey
2 t. vanilla
1 1/2 c. oats
1 1/2 c. oat bran
1/2 c. ground flaxseed
1 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1/2 c. chocolate chips

In a mixing bowl, combine bananas, peanut butter, honey and vanilla.

Add dry ingredients and mix well.

 Scoop onto a greased cookie sheet (I used parchment paper and cooking spray) and gently press down.

 Bake at 350 F for 10-15 minutes, depending on how firm you them.

 These were a fun breakfast for us this morning. I'll probably end up eating all of them today... Enjoy!

Honey Oat & Flax Pancakes

My girls decided on pancakes this morning. We used whole wheat flour, oats, honey, and flax. They turned out delicious. 

 Honey Oat & Flax Pancakes
1 3/4 c. whole wheat flour
1/2 c. oats
1/4 c. ground flaxseed
1 t. baking soda
1 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
2 c. buttermilk
1/4 c. milk
2 eggs
2 T. oil
2 T. honey

Mix dry ingredients and then add wet ingredients. Mix well. (Add more milk if it needs to be thinned out.)

Cook on a hot, greased griddle.

I ate them with syrup and blueberries. Enjoy!

Homemade Honey Butter

Homemade Honey Butter

1 c. heavy cream

1/2 t. salt

1/3 c. creamed honey

In a COLD bowl, whip cream with COLD beaters until it turns a pale yellow color and starts to separate from beaters.

Add salt and honey. Continue to whip for about 5 more minutes. Store in the fridge.

This honey butter is excellent with cornbread and muffins. But I warn you, once you taste homemade honey butter, there's no going back! :)
Enjoy!

PB Banana Goodness

My whole little family loves peanut butter but it gets a little boring to eat the same thing everyday. So if you're tired with the plain old PB&J, try mixing it up and add some different ingredients to your sandwich. Here are some that I tried:

Peanut Banana Avodaco:

Whole wheat bread, peanut butter, sliced banana, mashed avocado.
(Inspired by H.E.A.B.)

I found this peanut butter at Target and I gotta tell you, it's DELICIOUS!!! I used it for...
Cinnamon Banana:
Toasted whole wheat bread, cinnamon raisin swirl peanut butter, sliced banana. Yum!


And finally, my lunch today was an idea I got from my Rachael Ray cookbook:

Extreme PB Sandwich

Toasted whole wheat bread, crunchy peanut butter, sliced banana, 2 slices turkey bacon, drizzle honey and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Now, if you're thinking, "Ew, gross!" I understand because I thought that, too...at first! But just try it. The salty bacon and peanut butter mixed with sweetness is surprisingly delightful. I am definitely going to experiment more with my favorite legume and I hope you will, too. Enjoy!

Pecan Butter

I've been obsessing over nut butters lately. Right now, I have several different kinds in the fridge... :) This is the first time that I've actually made my own and it was so fun. I made toasted pecan butter and it is quite delicious and super easy.

Pecan Butter

3 c. pecan pieces (they're cheaper than whole pecans)

1/2 t. salt

This recipe takes only three steps.

1-Spread pecans in a cookie sheet and toast by placing them in the oven under a low broiler for 3-5 minutes. Watch them carefully as they can burn fast.

2-Transfer toasted pecans to a food processer and add salt.
3-On low speed, process for about 2 minutes or until butter is smooth and runny. Yields about 1 1/2 cups of nut butter. Store in the fridge.
This recipe is so yummy. Today, I ate it on whole wheat bread with some creamed honey on top. Sooooo good. You'll have to try it for yourself.

Enjoy!

Whole Wheat Bread

Recently I've started making homemade bread instead of buying sliced bread at the store. I feel like it's a much healthier choice for my family because I control all the ingredients. But besides that, I just like it better. There's nothing like the smell of fresh, hot bread coming out of the oven.

I must admit that I've never been a great bread maker. In fact, I've always been a really BAD bread maker so I just figured that it wasn't my thing. But a couple months ago I tried this recipe that I got from my aunt and it actually turned out great! It is simple, healthy, and delicious.

Whole Wheat Bread

4 c. hot water

3/4 c. honey

1 T. salt

1/2 c. gluten

2 T. yeast

1/4 c. oil

9-10 c. whole wheat flour

Mix water, salt, and honey until dissolved. Add oil, gluten and yeast and mix with a wire whisk until smooth. Add about 4 cups flour and mix with spatula or wooden spoon until *smooth. Then add flour 1 cup at a time until dough is pretty stiff (I usually only use 9 c. flour total.) Then with your KitchenAid (or equivalent) mix with a dough hook for 10 minutes more. Divide dough among 4 greased loaf pans. Prick each loaf several time with a fork and let raise in a warm place until doubled. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.

*At this point, you can add fun mix-ins such as millet, sunflower seeds, oats, flaxseed, etc. I love to experiment with the mix-ins.

This bread also freezes well. Enjoy!