Baked Apple & Raisin Oatmeal

I've seen this recipe in my Amish cookbook many times and wanted to make it, and decided today was the day!  It was pretty good, but the kids thought it was a little scary looking!

Saute 1 chopped apple in 3T butter.  Add 1 1/2c old fashioned oats and cook for 3-5 minutes until they don't stick together and are dry.  Then add:

3/4c water
1 beaten egg
2T brown sugar
1tsp cinnamon
1/4tsp salt

Cook for about 5 minutes until all of the liquid is absorbed.  Mine were kind of sticky looking, so I added some milk to make them creamier.  The flavor was very good, but maybe not the most attractive breakfast!

Harvest Grain and Nut Pancakes

This is my take on the Harvest Grain and Nut pancakes at IHOP.  I was a little unsure about this, but I had them the last time I was at IHOP and they were delicious!  Here's my version:

Blend in a food processor:
1/2c whole oats (not instant)
1/2c whole what flour
scant 3/4c white flour
1/2c walnuts

I put this in my Large Batter Bowl and added:
1T brown sugar
1T baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon

I mixed this together, then added the wet ingredients:
1c milk
1/4 oil
1/2tsp vanilla
2 eggs

Mix and fry on a griddle!.

Creamy Dill Sauce

My daughter and I made a dill sauce for our salmon earlier this week.  We mixed all of the following together:

Equal parts mayo and sour cream
salt and pepper
about 1T lemon juice
as much dill weed as you like....I just kept adding more until it looked right, so I'm not sure how much it was - probably at least a tablespoon

Today I tried to make a healthier version and I think it tastes just as good!  I mixed together:

1 small container greek yogurt
salt and pepper
lemon juice
dill weed
a few shakes of garlic powder (you could also add garlic)

I think it needed the garlic to cut the sharp flavor of the yogurt, but still very good!

Sauerkraut Corned Beef Dip

I was looking on Food Network.com for an appetizer recipe invoving sauerkraut to make for New Years and came across this.  I just made it and me and my daughter tasted it and it was delicious!  I bought some little rye breads and an assortment of crackers to serve with it.

Mix together:
16 ounces sour cream
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon dill weed
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon caraway seed
1 cup well drained sauerkraut
1 cup corned beef (chopped finely or dried chipped beef)

Hearty Minetrone

Soup is so good on a cold day.  I added chicken to my minetrone and it was definitely filling enough for a meal. 

I seasoned 3 chicken breasts and salt and pepper and browned them in olive oil in a heavy pot.  I took them out once they were browned, and sauteed the following in the remaining olive oil:

1 chopped onion
4 chopped celery stalks
2 carrots

After this had softened for about 5 minutes, I added 2 chopped zucchini and 3 cloves garlic chopped.  I sauteed everything for about 5 more minites then added 1 can diced tomatoes (and their juice), 6 cups chicken stock, and about a teaspoon of dried rosemary.  I brought it to a boil and added the chicken back in.  I simmered everything for 20 minutes then removed the chicken and shredded it.  I added the shredded chicken, a can of red beans and a can of cannellini beans (both rinsed and drained) back into the soup and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.  It cooled a little and was yummy!

Vegetarian Baked Beans

Who says baked beans can't be a main dish?  They are today at our house!  I just threw stuff together and hoped it would turn out!  It's baking in the oven, but my first taste, they were pretty good! 

Saute until soft:  1 chopped onion and 1 clove garlic chopped

Mix together (all approx):  1/2c ketchup, 2T hearty brown mustard (could probably use dijon), 1/4c brown sugar, 2T cider vinegar, 1T maple syrup, 1/2tsp ground coriander, 1T cumin

When the onion and garlic was soft, I added 1 can rinsed and drained pinto beans and the ketchup mixture.  I put it in a small baking dish and it's now baking at 325 until it bubbly and delicious.  Hopefully the kids think so, at least! 

Roast with Mushroom Gravy

I watched Giada this weekend and was inspired by her Christmas Dinner.  I took a big roast (I have no idea how big or what kind) and seasoned it with salt and pepper on both sides, then browned it in olive oil in a heavy ceramic pot.  Once it was browned, I took it out and sauteed 2 chopped onions and about 2-3 handfuls of cremini mushrooms that I had sliced up.  When they were almost soft, I added 6 cloves chopped garlic and 10-12 springs of thyme in a bundle.  I deglazed the pan with about a cup of Cabernet Sauvingnon then added 2 cups beef broth.  I added the roast back to the pan and put it in the oven at 300 degrees.  It was in the oven for about 4 hours and was very tender!  I took the meat out and pureed the sauce with my immersion blender.  I broke the meat up a little and added it back into the gravy.  I served it over polenta (just like Giada!).  I'm not sure that I'm a fan of polenta, though...maybe it's because I'm not Italian!