Peanut Butter and Honey Granola

We really like this recipe. It's great for a change of pace in the granola world. We try not to eat cold cereal because 1. It's unhealthy, even the "organic" varieties. 2. It's WWWWAAAAYYYY cheaper!

I am the kind of cook that really thinks you should use what you have on hand. Don't let a recipe stop you! So, this recipe is pretty flexible.

6 TBS oil (butter, olive oil, coconut oil etc)
1 cup Peanut Butter crunchy or smooth (or almond butter---though if you use almond butter, I recommend extra honey)
1 cup honey
2 tsp vanilla
3/4 tsp salt
9 cups oats


1. Over medium heat warm the oil, honey and peanut butter. This is basically just to get it all smooth and melted, no need to simmer or boil.
2. Add the vanilla and salt and dissolve.
3. Add oats and stir until coated.
4. Place on a cookie sheet (you could use a 9X13 pan too, but you would need a couple of them) and put in the oven and bake at 375 degrees for 5-10 minutes. I don't like my granola crispy, so mine comes out at 5 mintues to cool, but you can leave it in closer to 10 if you like it more toasted.

Once it is cooled you can put it in a sealed container for 1-2 weeks or in the fridge longer. Honestly, I never have that problem, so I don't really know how long it would last! ENJOY!

Alicia's Awesome Staple Granola

Combine in a large bowl:

4 c rolled oats
1 c chopped nut
¾ t salt
½ c coconut
½ c seasame seeds
1 tsp cinnamon

Mix seperatley, then add to above mixture:
½ c honey
½ t vanilla
1/3 c oil

Mix thoroughly, spread on 2 large cookie sheets and bake @ 350 degrees for 20-25 min. I just let it get warm to melt the honey into it for 10-12 min. Add dried fruit if you like and our favorite is eating it with applesauce.

Cream Cheese Frosting

This is not really healthy, but it sure was tasty on the pineapple cake recipe!

2 8 oz. packages of cream cheese
3/4 cup butter
4 tsp vanilla
5 cups of powdered sugar

Mixed everything thoroughly. Chill a couple of hours and then re-whip and frost! This would also be great with Almond extract, though I haven't tried it yet. :)

Pizza Crust Dough...SUPER FAST!

This pizza dough recipe is really great! You don't have to wait for it to rise and it has a nice flavor. It was really easy to work with and we really enjoyed it. Here you go!

2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (I use SAF. Also, this is equal to one packet)
1 tsp white suar ( I used honey)
1 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 Degrees C)
2 1/2 cups flour (original recipe called for bread flour, I used 1/2 whole wheat and 1/2 white...it would be great 100% whole wheat)
2 TBS Olive oil
1 tsp salt

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Dissolve the yeast, sugar and water. Let sit for around 10 minutes (it will be nice and creamy/foamy)

Stir in the rest of the ingredients and beat until smooth. Let rest for 5 minutes.

Now, the original instructions said to turn the dough onto a slightly floured surface and roll/pat into a round. I must admit, I am a lazy cook. I love to cook, but things like that I don't always do. What I did was I just shaped it into the best circle I could and then pressed it into a pan that had olive oil sprayed into it.

Spread with toppings and bake in oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown. If I am using toppings that really only need melted etc. (Like for Taco/Mexican pizza) then I put the crust only in first and bake it and then top and warm it.

This was a really tasty crust and got rave reviews from everyone that ate it! YAY!

The first time I made this, I was making it for a family of 8 that came over for dinner and for our own family of 6. I used about 6 pizzas. I quadroupled the batch and this was the math :)

9 tsp (3 TBS) yeast
4 tsp sugar
4 cups water
10 cups flour
8 TBS olive oil
4 tsp salt

Camping Food

Alicia again. We just got back from a visit with Melanie. We spent 5 days camping on Orcas Island. I thought it might be fun to post some of our camping favorites.

Navajo Tacos for 6

Dough

Place the following in a baggie labeled Navajo Tacos (Make sure you label or you will wonder what it is. Been there done that!)

1 1/2 tsp active dry yeast
2 1/4 tsp honey
1 1/2 tsp olive oil
4 1/2 cups flour (I use spelt)
1 1/2 tsp salt
Squirt a bit of Lecithin in there for good measure if you have it. Write on the baggie "add up to 1 3/4 cups water." I made this about an hour ahead of time and kneaded it in a bowl. I added 1 1/2 cups of water to start with and that was plenty.

Toppings

Can of chili (I actually made my own but let's keep it simpler)
olives
tomatoes
salsa
Vegenaise with dill mix (our ranch subsitute)
avacado (or a little packet of guacamole)
lettuce
corn
onions

I used a dutch oven tipped slightly and fried the bread in a small amount of coconut oil. I turned it with tongs and a pair of gloves. I always try to get the kids involved so they cut up the veggies and it was a hit! Half of the scones got eaten with honey. Yum!

German Pancake Recipe

This is our traditional Sunday breakfast!

1 cup milk
1 cup flour
6 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
dash of salt

Preheat oven to 425 and melt butter in the 9X13 pan you intend to use. I usually use 1/4-1/3 of a cube of butter to melt. Depending on how big the recipe I do is.

I have successfully increased this by 1 1/2 times. I also double it and use my great big pan that I have, it isn't a 9X13, I am unsure of the size.

We then sprinkle powdered sugar, maple sugar or date sugar over the top of them. YUM YUM!

Pineapple Cake Recipe

This recipe is nearly the recipe that my mother-in-law gave me. It's delicious and we enjoy it a lot. It doesn't really need the frosting in our house, but in some homes it might. I have made it with and without nuts, it is wonderful either way. It is vegan without the frosting as well.

2 C flour (whole wheat or white)
2 c Sugar (or 1 1/2 cups honey)
2 eggs (or liquid lecithin)
2 tsp soda
2 tsp vanilla
1 20 oz. can crushed pineapple (no need to drain, dump it all in)
1/2 tsp salt
Pecans or other nuts (optional)

Combine above and beat on high 3 minutes.
Pour into prepared a 9 X 13" cake pan.
Bake at 350 for 30 - 35 min.

Cream Cheese Frosting: (or use whipped cream)
8 oz. cream cheese
1/2 cube butter or coconut oil
2 C powdered sugar

Beat & spread.