Wednesday, November 16, 2011

My "From Scratch" Kick

As most of you know, I have a million food intolerance's, as well as a bazillion health problems and have made a lot of my food from scratch for years now. I wanted to share some of my favorite recipes that I have so far that I make often.
  1. Whole Wheat Tortillas
  2. Granola Bars
  3. Granola
  4. Healthy Pumpkin Pie
  5. Healthy Apple Crisp


1) WHOLE WHEAT TORTILLAS

2 cups whole wheat flour
2 tbsp of flax seed (optional) (ground or whole)
1tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp Olive Oil
1/2 (or more if needed) warm water

Combine the wheat flour, flax seed, baking powder, and salt.
Add olive oil and water until the dough can be gathered into a ball. 
If you find you need more water only add it 1 tbsp at a time.
Knead for 5-10 minutes or so. 
Not sure if this is necessary, but I let the dough sit for 10-15 minutes and take a break :)
Then simply roll out balls of dough (however big you want the tortillas).
Flatten them out and place them on a plate.
On a skillet (with some cooking spray), simply fry each one for 10-20 seconds a piece until golden and not doughy.

We eat these all the time! Egg wraps, bean and meat wraps, sandwich wraps, peanut butter and banana wraps, nutella and fruit wraps... you name it!


2) GRANOLA BARS
*There are SO MANY different variables to this recipe! It's fun and can be formed to your specific cravings*


4c rolled oats
3/4c peanut butter (melted)
1/2c honey
1 egg 

Other add ins:
Peanuts, chocolate chips, carob chips, coconut, cranberries, white chocolate chips, flax seed, chia seeds, almonds, raisins... so options are endless!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Combine oats and honey.
Add melted peanut butter and mix until evenly moist.
Mix in the egg.
Fold in any additives (don't go too crazy!)
If still dry, add in peanut butter or honey 1 tbsp at a time.

9 x 13 baking dish, greased, for 25 minutes.
I would let them sit for like 3 minutes then slice them into your desired shape (rectangle or square)


3) Granola 
*This recipe I just found and tried last night, so I am experimenting still with this one*

2c rolled oats
1tsp cinnamon
1tsp salt
3tbsp + 1 tsp oil (olive, vegetable, sunflower ect)
1/4c honey
1/8c brown sugar 
1tsp vanilla extract
1/3 slivered (or whole) almonds
1/3c pepitas (or hazelnuts or whatever)
1/3c raisins
1/3c other dried fruit (optional)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees
Large bowl: oats, cinnamon and salt
Medium bowl: whisk oil, honey, brown sugar, vanilla until completley combined
Pour honey mixture over oats and use hands to combine until all moist
Pour mixture on parchment paper (or aluminum foil) in baking dish and spread evenly.
Bake 10 minutes.
Remove from oven, flip oats and sprinkle almonds on top
Bake 5 minutes
Remove from oven, flip oats and sprinkle pepitas (or other nuts)
Bake 10 minutes.
Let cool completely before adding dried fruit.

Store for 1 week in an airtight container.


4) Healthy Pumpkin Pie
*This pie is also dairy free!*

1 can 15oz pumpkin pie puree
1 14oz can of coconut milk
2 eggs
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp all spice
1/2 tsp salt
1/2c honey
1/2c maple syrup grade b
2 good pie crusts

Preheat over to 375 degrees
Combine all ingredients except the honey and maple syrup
Simmer the honey and syrup in saucepan until stick between fingers (10-15 minutes). Do not boil!
Let syrup and honey cool 5 minutes then add to pumpkin mixture. 
Pour into pie crusts and bake 40 minutes or so (until not watery in middle).


5) Healthy Apple (or any fruit) Crisp
5 or 6 cups  unpeeled (or peeled) apples
1/2c honey (or brown sugar)
1tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp whole wheat flour

3 tbsp honey (or brown sugar)
3 tbsp whole wheat flour
3/4c rolled oats
3 tbsp butter melted

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Large Bowl: combine apples, honey, lemon juice, cinnamon, flour.
Place in 9in circle or square greased pan.
Small Bowl: combine lower list of ingredients for the crisp and sprinkle on top
Bake until top starts browning (about 30 minutes or so)

*You can make rhubarb apple crisp, cranberry apple crisp, blueberry apple crisp, or whatever you want!*




I want to encourage all you stay-at-home moms (or women who have the time) to make as much as you can from scratch. Not only do you save money in the long run, but you have control of the ingredients that are going into your body! I don't think we realize how much corn syrup, sugar, salt, refined flours and other scary ingredients that we can't pronounce we put into our bodies! It is my personal belief that because of all these crazy ingredients, we have so many diseases and cancers out there today!


Our culture has lost the passion in making meals, loaves of bread, desserts and other things from scratch. Take pride in making your families pita bread and hummus yourself! Make loaves of fresh bread, homemade applesauce, fresh baked pies and crisps, granola and granola bars. 



These are just 5 of the many recipes that I have. Will share more at a later time :)



1 comment:

  1. I love coconut milk and am going to try this cheaper recipe soon. :) http://www.crunchybetty.com/homemade-coconut-milk-the-recipe-to-remember

    Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete