Faux Chicken Nuggets! vegetarian & AWESOME!

Vegetarian Chicken Nuggets!

I have mentioned before that I am (or have been) the only vegetarian in my house. Recently, my husband decided to cut meat almost totally out of his diet so I have had to get pretty creative lately to make meals that are vegetarian, satisfying, and great for the whole family.  One thing that my family LOVES is chicken! Boneless chicken bites are so popular and the sauces that go on them are some of the only things that I miss as a vegetarian! So..I decided to make my own "boneless chicken" and dress them up with homemade sauces.

These "chicken" nuggets were extremely easy and a HIT! They were great plain and even better when tossed into bar-b-que sauce. Feel free to experiment with this recipe and make it your own. 

The main ingredient in these faux "chicken" nuggets are garbanzo beans! Garbanzo beans are very HIGH in fiber so it s a great way to get some extra fiber into your diet. They have a "buttery" texture when blended and a bit of a "nutty" taste. I used them from a can this time but feel free to use dried beans and soak them overnight before making this recipe!

Ingredients:

1 can organic garbanzo beans (drained)

1 tsp mustard

1 clove of garlic

1/4 cup  oatmeal (raw) 

1 egg

3 tbsp flour

salt and pepper to taste

The instructions are so easy!!!

They only took 5 minutes to make and about 8 minutes in the skillet!

Makes about 20 nuggets

1.  Add all of the ingredients into a food processor - or a strong blender

2. Blend until creamy!

3. Put a bit of flour into a shallow bowl.

 

4. Form a "ball" of "chicken" and roll it in the flour.  

5. I pan fried these in a bit of coconut oil. I have also done it just with spray and have seen these completely deep fried!

 

6. Cook on both sides until golden brown!

7. ENJOY them plain OR tossed in your favorite sauce!!

It was so easy that the kids almost totally made these (except the skillet part)!

Let me know if you try these and how they turned out for you!!

Sweet and Savory Pumpkin Squash Enchiladas

Sweet and Savory

Pumpkin Squash

Enchiladas

This is definitely a new family favorite for us. It tastes fantastic, is easy to make, and looks beautiful on a plate. 

The health benefits of winter squash are just now becoming better well know. Winter squashes (butternut, pumpkin, acorn, and spaghetti) offer an excellent source of carotenes. Diets that are rich in carotenes  offer protection against cancer, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. 

Please note that my recipe doesn't have exact measurements...I sometimes just go with the flow! So feel free to create and recreate!

This dish goes very well with a spinach salad - topped with my Sweet Citrus Onion Dressing of course - or asparagus! It can also be made ahead of time and baked when you are ready!

 Ingredients:

1 Butternut or Pumpkin Squash (whatever is available)

2 apples

1 package of organic whole wheat tortillas (any torts will do!)

Sage ( I used fresh but dried is fine) amount varies on how much you like or LOVE sage! 

3 tbsp butter

1/4 cup onion

1/2 cup of Parmesan or feta cheese

cinnamon

sugar

salt&pepper 

While this is a recipe you have to think of in advance to get the squash in the oven...it is made in about 20 minutes after the squash is done! It is so easy!

Directions:

Filling:

 

• 1) Place whole squash in a 425 degree oven for approximately 1 hour. It will be a beautiful color and will be super soft to the touch.

 

• 2) When squash is cooked, simply scoop and discard the seeds. Scoop the remaining pulp into a mixing bowl. 

• 3) Into the squash - stir in cinnamon and sugar. This is entirely up to you on how much! It is also optional to stir in some of your cheese here. We are cutting back on cheeses so we only put it on top!

Topping:

1) Place 2 chopped apples, 1/4 chopped onion, sage,   2 tbsp butter and salt and pepper into saucepan. This will make your house smell AWESOME!  Cook until the apples turn a bit soft...not mushy..just soft! EVEN IN THE PAN IT LOOKS GORGEOUS! 

• 2)Add last bit of butter immediately before topping enchiladas. You will lose some of the butter in the process of baking down the apples. This is the only oil or butter in this recipe so feel free to use more if you wish!

Construction:

• 1) Fill and wrap the tortillas with the Filling!

• 2) Want to know how cheap I am? I noticed that there was extra tortilla that was unnecessary. I removed it and will use it for something this weekend!

• 3) Place in baking dish (sprayed with cooking spray) and top with apple mixture and remaining cheese.

• 4)Place in the oven for about 10 - 15 minutes. Everything is already cooked so you are just letting the flavors blend (plus smelling up your house with sweet and savory scent!)

ALL DONE!!! Enjoy your dinner! 

Linked to The Foley Fam 
Linked to http://www.thismindbeinyou.com/2013/04/farm-girl-blog-fest-29.html 

 

 

 

 

 

Sweet Citrus & Onion Dressing

Sweet Citrus & Onion Dressing

 I L-O-V-E a great salad dressing! My husband is a bit more of a single favorite type of guy but me...I love them all. One of my favorites has always been sweet onion dressing.

Within the past few months, I have been on a mission. I am making everything that I can from home and almost eliminating my family's need for pre-packaged foods. You may ask why, call me crazy, or say that it isn't doable but I assure you that it is a much healthier way of eating and is totally doable. We are by no means perfect and do eat out every now and again but for the most part....Its whole foods and home cooking! That doesn't mean that we are eating chicken and dumplings or stews every night...it actually means we are eating fantastic tasting "faux gourmet" foods. So armed with a few of my favorite websites and a basic kitchen knowledge....I am making everything imaginable.

WHY?
My new eating philosophy does not include things that I can not spell, pronounce, or that do not occur naturally. I figure that my grandmother never would have bought dressings and sauces so why should I. She would grow all of her own fruits and veggies then create and can! If she could do it...I can too!

Here is the label to one of my favorite dressings. This isn't my exact brand but it beautifully illustrates my point.

Ingredients: VINEGAR, SUGAR, WATER, SOYBEAN OIL, VIDALIA ONIONS (13%), RED BELL PEPPERS, SALT, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% DRIED GARLIC, PROPYLENE GLYCOL ALGINATE, LEMON JUICE CONCENTRATE, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, XANTHAN GUM, ARTIFICIAL COLOR, POLYSORBATE 60, SPICE, NATURAL FLAVOR, VITAMIN E.
Size: 16 OZ
Upc: 2100002018

Do you know what Propylene Glycol Alginate is? If not, you can check out this link at wise geek. It is a relative to antifreeze (please note that I did not say it IS...simply a relative). It is used as a food stabilizer and emulisfier and the good news is that it also inhibits the absorption of strontium, one of the more toxic components of nuclear fallout.  

 

 Polysorbate 60? The verdict is out and I am certainly no "conspiracy theorist" so I will go with what I know. Also an emulsifier that NEVER expires! 

Artifical Color? Natural Flavor? Not a whole lot of answers on this label.

Since I have been stuck in a vinegrette rut lately (its awesome btw- but I need VARIETY)  I was very excited to see a post from my friend over at Maine Homemaker! She posted a recipe for Sweet Vidalia Blender Dressing . I had most of the ingredients on hand and it was too easy to pass up. Here is my version of her recipe! I bet hers is fantastic...I just didn't have all of the ingredients!!! Mine is a crisp-tangy dressing that will top a spinach salad TONIGHT!

Ingredients:

1 clove fresh garlic 1/2 Cup sweet onion (diced)

1/4 Cup orange juice ( squeezed)
1/2 Cup olive oil
1/8 Cup sugar
1/4 Cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 Cup dijon mustard (organic for me)
1 tbsp honey
1 tsp sea salt & pepper

 

Add caption

Directions:

It gets no easier than this.....

 

1. Toss it all into the blender and blend until smooth!

 

 SO THAT'S IT!!

I hope that you try and enjoy this dressing or take some inspiration from it and try to make your own dressing!

Please swing by and visit Jenn at Maine Homemaker 

http://mainehomemaker.blogspot.com

She was the inspiration for this recipe!

Check your labels, get familiar with your products....

then make them yourself!

Blueberry Kefir Muffins

Whole Wheat Blueberry Kefir Muffins

Have you jumped on the Kefir train yet?  Kefir is a smooth lactose free beverage (like a drinkable yogurt) that is packed with probiotics and billions of live and active cultures.

We are hearing a lot more these days about probiotis....but what are probiotics anyway?  
Probiotics are active cultures that provide benefits beyond basic nutrition. They work to rid our bodies of the bacterias trapped in our intestines and assist in keeping us healthy as well as better able to fight off disease and illness. Sometimes, bacteria (good and bad) can stay and become trapped in our intestines during digestion. Often, the bad bacterias will grow harmful pathogens. When you eat probiotics, they are like good spot "fillers"- they fight for the spots in our intestines and kinda "flush" out the harmful bacterias and pathogens by leaving them no place to stay!

Now...most of the probiotics won't survive  the cooking process but it is still a great low calorie/low fat alternative to creams in many recipes. If you are making a raw item like a dip or topping, you will still get the benefit of the probiotics so try using kefir in many of your favorite reipes!

Anyway...I made muffins with Kefir the other day and they were fantastic! I am a fan of Lifeway  Kefir beause I can get it at my regular grocery store and it is available in many flavors as well as an Organic variety!

To make my muffins you will need:  

• 2 1/4 up Whole Wheat Flour (use any flour you would like)
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1 cup kefir (any flavor)
•  1/2 cup milk (any, I used vanilla soy)
• 1 cup of berries (fresh or frozen fruit of any kind will work)
• 1 teaspoon of honey

Directions:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients.
2. Add kefir, milk, honey, and fruit and stir. The batter will be more of a bisuit-y type batter.
3. Put into greased muffin tins and bake at 450 degrees for about 10 minutes 

This recipe will yield about 12 muffins. 

This recipe is a great low-fat/low-calorie version of a traditional muffin. If you use the soy mik, it also fantasti for those who are lactose intolerant! There is no added fat, only a small amount of sweetner, and no eggs or oil!

Feel free to add any fruit combinations you would like! Pineapple, cherry, and coconut make a great tropical muffin...what creation can you come up with?



Linked up to the 82nd Wildcrafting Wednesday  at Mind Body and Sole 

Whole Wheat Homemade Pancakes!

Healthier version of your family favorite!

I remember watching my grandma make homemade pancakes. They were fluffy, tasted amazing, and were loaded with butter and sugar (maybe even Lard...se loved that stuff!).

While she was my inspiration for pancakes, this version is a healthy "modernized" recipe that is great for adults and for children. In my version, I use whole wheat flour, honey instead of sugar, soy milk, and a special homemade syrup. These pancakes are quick, easy, and inexpensive to make not to mention way better for you than the pancake mix you purchase.

Cook Time

Prep time: 5 min

Cook time: 10 min

Ready in: 15 min

Yields: 8-10 pancakes

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cup wheat flour
• 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 1/4 cup milk, soy or traditional milk is fine
• 1 egg
• 3 teaspoons butter, melted

So Easy To Make!

1. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.
2. Make a well in the center and pour in the milk, melted butter, honey, and egg. Mix the batter until smooth.
3. Heat a medium high heat and spray with cooking spray. Yes, you can use butter if you wish! Pour the batter onto the pan. If you want traditional sized pancakes, use about 1/3 cup per individual pancake. For silver dollar sized use less.
4. When you see bubbles beginning to break on top of your batter---flip the pancake over and grill till golden brown!

Personalize your Pancakes!

This recipe is so easy to make your own!

For our favorite fruit syrup---

• I take a few tablespoons of fruit preserves and/or chopped fresh fruit (whatever is on hand)
• Add 1/2 cup of apple juice
• Warm in the microwave and then macerate any chunks of fruit.
• Add a teaspoon of honey (if needed-we use low sugar preserves)
• Serve while steaming!

You could also top with fresh whipped cream, add fresh fruit to the batter, or jazz up the recipe with chopped nuts or extracts!

I hope that your family enjoys this healthy recipe as much as mine does.

Organic Peanut Butter and Chocolate Granola

Homemade Organic

PB&C  Granola

I love connecting with fellow bloggers! It is amazing the inspiration that can happen simply by reading what someone else has made. So today, when I was checking out I GOT THIS MARTHA and saw her soy nut butter granola...my stomach growled and  I went on the hunt for ingredients...

I GOT THIS MARTHA makes hers with a soy nut butter as she has a family member who is allergic to nuts. I didn't have any handy so I made mine with regular peanut butter with a little organic almond chocolate butter! Remember...I was inspired!

This granola recipe is so easy to make and is so good for you. It is a healthy alternative to the granolas sold in the cereal aisle and if made with these ingredients...is completely organic!

To make my recipe you will need:

1 cup of Oats
2 tbsp. of  Organic Peanut Butter
2 tbsp. of  Honey
1 tbsp. of Chocolate Almond Butter (optional)
1/4 tsp. of cinnamon
1/4 tsp. of vanilla
and of course...my kids added organic o's!



 

My end result! not as pretty as Jeni's!

Easy Directions:

1) in a sauce pan melt down the honey and butters
2) when melted, add in the cinnamon and vanilla
3) mix together the oats and butter blend. make sure that you get even coverage (mine isn't so hot because the kids made it) but you get the idea!
4) Spread the mixture out on a greased cookie sheet and bake in a 325 degree oven for about 8 minutes!

So easy the kids can make it...They dressed themselves..don't judge!

I Got This Martha's step by step tutorial!

That's it!! Can can you believe ow easy it is to make your own granola?

Get Inspired!

Toss in nuts, dried fruit, coconut..or boost the "healthy" factor and add in flax seed, chia seeds.....whatever tickles your fancy!

Thank you Jeni for my morning inspiration! Check out I got this martha's version of the recipe!

2 Ingredient Greek Yogurt Dough!

Can you REALLY Make dough with only two ingredients?

I have been watching recipes for 2 ingredient Greek dough go around Pinterest like mad lately. I have to admit that I was completely skeptical...could this really work??

The answer is yes! It makes a great dough that is healthy and extremely versatile! You can use this to make pizza crust, Pin Wheels, Biscuits, etc.


Ingredients:
1 cup of Greek Yogurt (plain or use flavored depending on the project)
1 cup of Flour (the original calls for self rising...I used wheat..as always)





Directions:

• Mix ingredients together in a bowl
• Form into ball
• turn ball onto floured surface (the flour is necessary!!)
• Knead for about 5 minutes
• Use for crusts, pastry, etc!

HERE IS WHAT MY KIDS MADE WITH THE DOUGH .....

We made Hot Dog Breadsticks!

Roll out the Dough and stuff with cheese, hot dog (veggie 4 us!), etc

Roll Up and Place on cooking sheet with fold UP!

Bake at 425 degrees for about10 minutes!!