Dairy-Free Oatmeal Pancakes

These are our go-to favorite pancakes!  They do require soaking the oats so plan ahead if you make them.  We make them in huge batches for Addie to eat at daycare since most of their breakfast options contain dairy.  I love eating them with mixed berries over the top.  They don't have to be dairy-free so feel free to substitute regular buttermilk if that's your style.  These are an adaption of a recipe found on Houndstooth Gourmet (which unfortunately, is now offline).

INGREDIENTS
2 c unsweetened coconut milk (or almond, flax, soy, etc. milk)
4 tbsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
2 c oats (old-fashioned or quick cooking... haven't tried steel cut)
2 large eggs
1 tbsp honey
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 c flour
1/2 c ground flax (this is my addition, I am a flax addict)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

DIRECTIONS

1. Make "buttermilk" by combining coconut milk and vinegar or lemon juice.  Let sit for 15 minutes.
2. Mix buttermilk and oats together in a non-reactive bowl.  Cover and refrigerate at least two hours or preferably overnight.  Our best pancakes have been when we let them soak for 24 hours.  
3. Add eggs, honey, oil, and vanilla; stir to combine. 
4. Add the remaining ingredients and mix together.  
5. Let batter sit for another 10 minutes, just because.  
6. Lightly oil a non-stick pan or griddle.  Pour batter in 1/2 c increments.  Watch for the tops to bubble.  Turn pancakes and cook until golden on the second side.  
7. Serve with your favorite pancake toppings.

Mommy's Energy Bars

Hi!  A friend made these and emailed the recipe to me (I modified slightly).  They were great and easy to grab when I needed a quick snack between feedings/diaper changes/etc.  I wanted to be able to put it on my pinterest board so I thought I'd add it here. These are simple and yummy!  You'll have to ask M for her "Crack Cookies" which are also blog worthy... but I don't want to steal her thunder.

Ingredients
1/4 c brown rice syrup
1/4 c pure maple syrup
1/2 c peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
2 1/2 c old-fashioned oatmeal
3/4 c ground flaxseed

Directions
1 - Heat the peanut butter, brown rice syrup, and maple syrup over low heat and stir until combined.  The purpose of this step is to combine the ingredients, not cook them/bring to a boil.
2 - Remove from heat and let cool until warm (not hot).
3 - Add vanilla and stir.
4 - Add oats, flaxseed, salt, and cinnamon; stir.
5 - Put into a 8x8 pan lined with parchment paper.  Wet hands or back of spoon and press firmly into pan.
6 - Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes (until edges are slightly browned)
7 - Remove from oven, cool slightly, cut into squares or whatever shape suits your mood.
8 - YUM!

NOTE: I tripled this and it worked great in a jelly-roll pan (see pic).

Green Tomato Bread

Outside we are starting to get our first measurable snow of the year, so what better to do than bake something warm and tasty?  We planted our garden much too late so we had a preponderance of green tomatoes still on the vine.  My mom gave me the lead on making Green Tomato Bread and a bit of googling later I found a recipe that I thought would fit the bill.  Of course, I can't let well enough alone so I made a few modifications.  Below is the recipe as I baked it.

INGREDIENTS
3 c all purpose flour (I used King Arthur's White Whole Wheat)
1/4 c ground flax
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 c sugar (I was scant on this because that seems like a lot of sugar)
1 tbsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp fresh ground nutmeg
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 c vegetable oil
1/2 c unsweetened apple sauce
1 tsp vanilla
2 c finely shredded green tomatoes (about 2 medium - I used food processor; I also drained most of the liquid from the tomatoes)
1/2 c cranberries

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
2. Combine the first seven ingredients in a large bowl.  Make a well in the center of the mixture.
3. Combine the eggs, oil, apple sauce, and vanilla in a small bowl; stir well.
4. Add mixture from step 3 to the dry ingredients and stir until just moistened (it will be thick)
5. Fold in the shredded tomatoes and cranberries.  
6. Spoon the batter into two greased and floured bread pans.  
7. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. 
8. Cool in pans on wire rack for 10 minutes, then remove and cool completely on wire rack.  

NOTE: The first time I made this I didn't drain the tomatoes and the batter was much too wet.  The bread did not rise much at all.  As I type this I am admiring two very full loaves (with drained tomatoes) in the oven.  I also made some mini muffins (bake for about 15 min) and regular muffins (bake for about 25 min).  

Lentil Cookies

You will be so surprised and delighted with these cookies: http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/bals-lentil-cookies-recipe/index.html

My coworker said that he added the following:
1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon of allspice

Feve Night!

I was craving the Feve this week, so tonight I made my own version of their Portobello Mushroom Sandwich and some Megan Fries. It was easy and delicious. I thought it would be a perfect addition to our blog. Happy memories, everyone!

Portobello Mushroom Sandwich

baby portobello mushrooms
olive oil, kosher salt, ground pepper
whole wheat slider buns (or kaiser rolls)
butter
chevre (goat cheese)
sun dried tomato pesto
mixed salad greens or spinach

1. Rub mushrooms with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake in oven on a cookie sheet for about 10 minutes at 450, flipping them over once. Or you could grill them.
2. Butter slider buns and lightly toast.
3. Spread goat cheese and sun dried tomato pesto on bun, then add mushroom and greens.

Megan Fries

frozen french fries
Mrs. Dash original no-sodium seasoning

1. Cook french fries according to package.
2. Sprinkle liberally with Mrs. Dash and some salt.
 

Shiny Top (Apricot) Cobbler

I picked a ton of apricots at my boss' house this past week and have been enjoying finding ways to use them.  Here's one way that we have "suffered" through eating the sweet and tangy treats.  It is adapted from a recipe used at Schramm Farms and Orchards, I believe in PA.

FRUIT FILLING
5 cups fresh fruit (it is GREAT with peaches)
2 cups flour (I use white whole wheat, it's my new fav)
1/2 tsp salt
1 c sugar (original recipe calls for 1 1/2 c - way too sweet)
1 c milk
1/2 cup margarine or butter, softened
2 tsp baking powder
1 egg

TOPPING
1 c sugar (again, original calls for 1 1/2 - too sweet)
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp corn starch
1 1/2 c boiling water

INSTRUCTIONS
1 - Spread fruit in well greased 9 x 13 pan.
2 - In medium bowl mix the remaining ingredients for the filling (flour, salt, sugar, milk, margarine, baking powder, egg) and spread it over the fruit.
3 - In small bowl mix ingredients for the topping EXCEPT the water (sugar, salt, cornstarch) and sprinkle over the batter.  Then slowly pour the boiling water over batter.
4 - Bake for one hour at 350 degrees.

Late to the Lentils - Cranberry Lentil Salad

So, I am WAY late to the lentil thing and, honestly, haven't even tried this recipe yet (maybe Mrs. E and I can make it TOGETHER in a few weeks!) but it looks so good I just have to share.  It is from Weelicious.

Cranberry Lentil Salad (Makes 6 Servings)

1 Cup Lentils
1/2 Cup Dried Cranberries
1/4 Cup Parsley, chopped
1 Tsp Salt
1/2 Cup Walnuts, chopped
Juice of 1 Small Lemon
2 Tbsp Olive Oil

1. In a saucepan bring 4 cups of water and lentils to a boil.
2. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover and cook for 20-25 minutes or until tender.
3. Pour lentils into a strainer and rinse with cold water.
4. Fold all of the ingredients in a bowl and stir to combine.
5. Serve.