Banana Egg "Porridge"

*Laura discovered this recipe when we were doing "Whole 30" which is no grains, no dairy, no sugar for a month. It is a really tasty, healthy alternative to regular breakfast cereals.

1 heaping tsp coconut oil

1 banana

2 eggs

1 T coconut flour

Chia seeds

Coconut milk

Heat coconut oil in a pan. Add banana and smash together. Add eggs and cook as if you were making scrambled eggs. After stirring together well for a few minutes, add about a tablespoon of coconut milk (I eyed it). Continue cooking. After eggs are well set, sprinkle with the coconut flour and a dash of chia seeds. Continue cooking until done, adding more coconut milk as needed. Remove from heat and spoon into a bowl. Top with fresh berries, sliced almonds, unsweetened coconut, and as much coconut milk as you want to get a “porridge” feel.

Balsamic Pulled Pork

Ingredients
3-4 lbs pork tenderloin
5 dates (without pits)
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup coconut aminos (or soy sauce)
3 cloves garlic
1 onion

Directions
-Blend dates, vinegar, coconut aminos, garlic, and half of the onion in a blender or food processor.
-Spray your crockpot with non-stick spray and place pork tenderloin on the bottom.
-Cover with 1/2 of the sauce (save remaining sauce for later).
-Top with remaining onion.
-Season with salt and pepper.
-Cook on low for 6-8 hours (or high for 4-5 hours) until the pork pulls apart easily.
-Shred with two forks.
-Serve with remaining sauce.*

*When I made it, I forget to reserve any of the sauce, and it still tasted great.

Serve over buns, sweet potato buns, or baked potato.  My friend Taryn loves it over a baked sweet potato with a slaw-like salad on top.

Asian Salad

This recipe was contributed by Rachel.

I got this recipe from my mother-in-law.  It's delicious and super easy because you don't even have to chop lettuce--the base is broccoli slaw, which you buy in a bag in the produce department.  Whenever I bring it to parties or dinners, people ask for the recipe.  So here it is!

Salad

2 packages broccoli slaw 

2 packages chicken Ramen noodles (break these up on a cookie sheet and brown them under the broiler for a few minutes--watch carefully so they don't burn) 

4-6 green onions chopped

1/2-3/4 cup cashews

1/4 cup sunflower seeds

Dressing

1/2 cup olive oil

1/2 cup sugar

1/3 cup rice vinegar

1 flavor packet from Ramen

Combine dressing ingredients by shaking together in a jar.  Just before serving, combine all salad ingredients and then toss with dressing.  

**This recipe will serve 8-10 people.  I often "half it" when I am making dinner for one family or four adults.

Best Peach Cobbler You've Ever Had

I never thought I'd admit that a peach cobbler recipe is better than the one I got at a Grand Junction peach stand, but I think this one wins the prize.

Make it.  You won't regret it.

http://rachelschultz.com/2012/08/06/best-cobbler-youve-ever-had/

Almond Butter Chicken Salad

I saw a version of this on pinterest but tweaked it to suit my purposes. This is SO good - I gave Sam a taste of my leftovers last night and he drove to the store at 9:30 at night to get more almond butter so he could have it for lunch today. I have always been kind of anti chicken salad because I hate mayo, so this was appealing to me. I also have always been afraid of the canned chicken in my cupboard, so feel free to use fresh chicken if you aren't super lazy.

Ingredients:
12 oz can of chicken (I use the ones from Costco) or about 1 1/4 c shredded chicken
1/2 cup chopped apples (or just whatever looks good)
1/2 cup chopped red grapes
7 T almond butter
1 1/2 T honey
Sliced almonds

Serves 4-5 (about 1/2 cup per serving)

Just mix it all up. It is yummy on bread, croissants, pita, or even just in a bowl with a bunch of lettuce. My only negative is that almond butter is expensive. Don't ask me if you can use peanut butter - not wanting to die, I haven't tried it. But you are welcome to. :)

Sally's Taco Salad

This recipe was contributed by Rachel Nielson.

My mother-in-law Sally has made this taco salad for years.  It is so tasty.  I've eaten it at their home countless times, but I finally made it myself the other night, and it was so easy.  

Ingredients:

-package of ground beef
-one can of Classic Stagg Chili
-tortilla chips
-one packet of Hidden Valley Ranch mix, prepared (this is the secret ingredient, I think!)
          -1 cup mayo and 1 cup milk to make the ranch
-chopped iceberg lettuce
-chopped tomato
-shredded cheddar cheese
-olives (optional)

1. Make and refrigerate the ranch.  This "homemade" ranch is so easy and sooooooo yummy--it really makes the entire salad!  Don't go with the pre-made stuff in the jar!  The ranch packets are so much better.

2. Brown the ground beef, pour off the grease, and add the can of chili.  Make sure the chili is heated through.

3.  Prepare the toppings (lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, olives, etc).

4.  Put a bed of tortilla chips on a plate, top with the beef/chili mixture, top with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, olives, and of course, the tasty ranch

YUM!

Spinach Tomato Tortellini

Contributed by Rachel Nielson

A friend made this for us a few weeks ago, and it was so yummy.  She gave me the recipe (from allrecipes.com), and I made it myself a few days ago, and I was amazed by how easy it is...and delicious!

Here's the link: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/spinach-tomato-tortellini/

Another Buttermilk Syrup Recipe!

Recipe contributed by Rachel

This is very similar to the divine syrup recipe that Sarah posted a few years ago.  This one (which I just got from my mother-in-law) has less buttermilk and the addition of a little Karo syrup.  Try both and decide which one you like best!  (They both taste like candy!)

Buttermilk Syrup

1 stick real butter
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 tsp Karo syrup
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla

Bring first four ingredients to a boil in a large pan.  Remove from heat and add baking soda and vanilla.  Stir well.  Mixture will expand to twice its size.

Especially delicious with pumpkin waffles!  Double the syrup recipe!

Easy Egg Casserole

Our mom used to make this for New Year's Day breakfast.  It is really yummy and easy.  The original recipe says to make it the night before, but my husband does not like the bread to be too soggy, so I make it the morning of.  Either way, it is delicious.

12 slices of bread (cubed)
1 lb sharp cheddar cheese
3 cups milk
6 eggs
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon dried mustard

In a greased casserole dish, alternate layers of cubed bread, milk mixture, and cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45-60 minutes, until golden brown and bubbly.

Green Chili Cream Cheese Enchiladads

When I had a baby this spring my Aunt Jackie brought us these enchiladas.  I have many an enchilada recipe that I enjoy, but once I took one bit of these I knew they needed to be added into my recipe rotation.  I like it because they are yummy and creamy, but they are a little bit different because they do not use any cream soups, and they are topped with green enchilada sauce, which I love.

Green Chili Cream Cheese Enchiladas

6+ soft tortillas
8 oz. cream cheese
2 small cans diced green chiles
2 cups cooked, cubed or shredded chicken
28 oz can green enchilada sauce
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Saute cream cheese, green chiles, and pre-cooked chicken until it is warm and nicely combined.  Fill tortillas with meat mixture and some of the cheese, reserving some cheese to sprinkle on the top.  Roll up tortillas and place in a 9x13 baking dish sprayed with PAM.  Pour enchilada sauce on top and sprinkle with the remaining cheese.  Bake for 40 minutes at 375 degrees.

Pinapple Soy Pork Chops

 We bought a grill this week, and I am one happy woman. It is amazing how easy it is to whip up an impressive tasting meal on a grill. On Sunday, I made one of our mom's old classics and was reminded how yummy it is. Enjoy!

Pineapple Soy Pork Chops

About 4 pork chops (I use boneless because I am anti-bone, but either would work)

Soy Sauce (about 1/2 cup)

Pineapple juice (about 1 cup)

Fresh pineapple for grilling

Mix 1 part soy sauce to 2 parts pineapple juice and pour over the pork chops in a dish, baggie, tupperware, whatever. NOTE: My mom did equal parts soy sauce and juice, but I like a stronger, sweeter pineapple flavor and less salt. Play around with it until you find your favorite ratio. Marinate the pork chops for at least four hours, but the longer the better. Grill until the internal temperature is 155 degrees or white with no pink but still juicy. I like to cut fresh pineapple spears and throw those on the grill to eat with it. 

Yum!

Bran Muffins

This recipe is awesome.  And HUGE.  Seriously, you will not be able to use your Kitchen Aid mixer.  I start with mine to truly whip up the shortening/butter, but once all of the liquids are in it is full and I transfer it over to a HUGE bowl and a hand mixer when I add the dry ingredients.  It is huge, people!  And here's why.....

This recipe rocks because it "keeps" in the refrigerator for up to SIX WEEKS!!  Can you believe it?!  Mix up the batter, put it in a big ol' tupperware or jar, and stick it in the fridge.  You can cook up a few warm muffins every morning!  Yummer!  I wouldn't expect bran muffins to be sweet and tasty, but these sure are!!  I think it would be fun to give a friend with a new baby a jar of dough so that they could have a tasty snack with minimal effort whenever they crave it.  And, for those who are "counting". . . . these muffins are only 3 points per muffin on the new Weight Watchers Points Plus system.

Bran Muffins

(This bottle keeps up to 6 weeks in the refrigerator.  Makes 3 pint jars plus a little.)

5 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
4 cups All-Bran
2 cups Bran Flakes
2 cups chopped dates
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

2 cups boiling water
5 teaspoons baking soda

2 cups sugar
1 cup shortening (or butter)
4 eggs
1 quart buttermilk

Mix boiling water and baking soda.  Set aside to cool.  In a large bowl stir flour, salt, All-Bran, Bran Flakes, chopped dates, and chopped nuts.  Cream sugar and shortening (or butter) in a large bowl.  Stir in eggs one at a time.  Beat well.  Stir in buttermilk and soda liquid.  Stir in bran mixture.  Tightly cover.  Better if refrigerated 12 hours (or more) prior to baking.  To bake, drop by spoonfuls (don't stir) into a greased muffin tins.  Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.  Yield: 5 1/2 dozen.

Ginger-Lime Chicken

This is a Weight Watchers recipe.  I tried it the other day and it was a huge hit with the whole fam.  Very flavorful!  We had it with grilled pineapple.  They say it serves 4 and is 5 points per serving, but we used bigger chicken breasts than 4 oz breasts, which is what they always use, so it was a bit more for us.

Ginger-Lime Chicken

Marinade:

**(WE DOUBLED THIS AMOUNT SINCE WE WERE USING 5 BIG CHICKEN BREASTS.)**

1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tsp. finely minced lime zest
3 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
2 Tbsp. finely minced or grated ginger root
2 medium garlic cloves, minced
1 Tbsp. honey
1/2 cup fresh, chopped cilantro
1 Tbsp. chili oil (We didn't have any so we used normal vegetable oil with some hot sauce dashed into the marinade.)

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts (four 4 oz. pieces)
2 Tbsp. finely minced, uncooked scallions

Mix marinade ingredients in a large bowl.  Remove and reserve 2 Tbsp. of the marinade.  Add raw chicken to the bowl, tossing to make sure each piece is coated.  Refrigerate for 2 - 4 hours.  Grill or broil the chicken, brushing on the extra marinade toward the end of the cooking process.  Spring chicken with scallions and enjoy!

Crockpot BBQ Chicken

Rachel found this great recipe here and Pinned it.  We've been loving it ever since!  I usually double it.  I make one batch in my crockpot and put everything for the second batch into a freezer bag.  Then I dump it into the crockpot and just cook it for a bit longer on another lazy day.  YUM!!!!


Crockpot BBQ Chicken


4-6 pieces boneless skinless chicken breasts (She throws them in frozen... even easier!)

1 bottle BBQ sauce (Sweet Baby Ray's all the way!)
1/4 c vinegar
1 tsp. red pepper flakes
1/4 c brown sugar
1/2 - 1 tsp. garlic powder

Mix BBQ sauce with all ingredients listed under it.  Place chicken in crockpot.  Pour sauce over it and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours. Toward the end you can shred it up if you would like.  Then let it cook a bit longer and use it on rolls for yummy sandwiches!  You pretty much don't even have to stir it... how easy is that!?

Awesome Pancakes

This recipe was contributed by Rachel but was originally found in the America's Test Kitchen Cookbook.

We have "brinner" at our house at least once a week.  These pancakes are our favorite!  We love them with blueberries, but they'd also be good with chocolate chips.  If you really want to get decadent, serve with Buttermilk Syrup.  Yum!

2 cups flour
2 Tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups of buttermilk (you can do 2 cups of milk with 2 T lemon juice mixed in if you don't have buttermilk)
3 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 large egg
1 cup blueberries (optional)
      *If you use frozen blueberries, thaw them and rinse them before adding to pancakes

1.  Melt the butter in the microwave, and immediately transfer it to the medium-sized mixing bowl you will use to whisk together your wet ingredients.  (I do this first because the butter needs to be cool before you add the buttermilk.)

2.  Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl.

3.  In the medium mixing bowl, add the buttermilk and egg to the cooled butter.

4.  Heat a skillet over medium heat.  Coat with cooking spray or brush with vegetable oil.

5.  Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients.  Gently whisk together  until just incorporated with a few lumps remaining.  (It is important not to overmix.  The lumps will disappear as the pancake cooks.)

6.  Scoop about 1/4 cup of batter onto the skillet.  If you are adding blueberries or chocolate chips, sprinkle a few over the top of the pancake now.

7.  Cook until large bubbles appear (about 2 minutes) and flip to the other side.  Cook until golden brown.