Chewy Granola Bars

Yuumy yum!  These are super delicious granola bars. They will be gone in a snap at your house :)  The recipe is from http://www.mykitchenescapades.com/2008/10/chewy-granola-bars.html?m=1

This recipe holds the record for the fastest disappearing baked good in our household. Yep, they were that good. The fact that they are super easy and quick makes me love them even more! No more buying lousy store bought granola bars that are full of artificial junk. These are a 100 times better and I’m looking forward to playing around with different additions like raisins, mini M&M’s, marshmallows, peanut butter, and sunflower seeds.

Chewy Granola Bars

makes 16 bars

from makeandtakes.com

2 1/2 C quick oats (I used whole oats and pulsed them in the food processor)

1/2 C rice krispies

1/4 C coconut

1/2 C mini chocolate chips

1/2 C brown sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 C unsalted butter, softened (i used 1/4 cup coconut oil and 1/4 cup butter)

1/4 C honey

1/2 tsp vanilla

1. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl, or use your electric mixer with a paddle attachment. Press into a 9 x 13 pan with clean damp hands. Bake at 350 degrees for 18 minutes. Score the bars when they first come out of the oven then let them cool completely and then cut into bars.

**I make a double recipe and bake them in a large rimmed cookie sheet.

Chocolate Granola Bars

Yumm Yumm!  I am always looking for a good homemade granola bar recipe because I LOVE granola bars but I am so tired of the ones at the store!!  Jenny posted these on Facebook and they are yummy! :).  The recipe is from http://themarathonmom.com/chocolate-granola-bars.htm

Chocolate Granola Bars

Here’s what you need:

• 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
• 1/4 cup local honey
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter or coconut oil
• 1 1/2 cups oats (not quick oats)
• 2 tablespoons wheat germ or ground flaxseed
• 1/4 cup coconut
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips (Mini work best, but it doesn’t really matter.)

What to do:

1.  Melt  the butter or coconut oil, peanut butter and honey in a pot over medium to low heat, stirring constantly.  Turn off the burner when melted.

2.  Pour in the oats and the wheat germ or ground flaxseed.  Stir til combined.

3.  Wait til it cools and stir in the coconut and chocolate chips.  Or, if you’re impatient with things like this, like I am, go ahead and dump it all right in.  The result will be a more uniform chocolate taste.

4.  Pour into foil-lined 8 X 8 pan and stick in the fridge.

5. Once cooled, flip out  (the bars….not you) onto cutting board  and cut to the size you like.

DIY Taco Seasoning

I am not a fan of the taco seasoning you buy at the store.  It always is a mystery to me why it turns the meat so orange!  Plus, it gives Brad heartburn.   I am always on the lookout for a new way to season my taco meat without the store bought seasoning!  Sarah just adds salsa to her ground beef or ground turkey, which is yummy! My sis-in-law doesn't even use meat, she has tacos with beans and seasoned veggies (which is to die for!!!!!)

I found this homemade taco seasoning, which is delicious!!!!  I use it in my taco soup, tacos and everything else that calls for taco seasoning :).   I quadruple the recipe so I have lots in my storage for the next time I need it! (which is the measurements in italic!)  I bought some handy-dandy tupperware spice containers, so I measure the seasoning, put the lid on and give it a good shake and voila!

1 TBSP chili powder (4 TBPS)
1/2 tsp garlic powder (2 tsp)
1/2 tsp onion powder (2 tsp)
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (1 tsp)
1/4 tsp dried oregano (1 tsp)
1/2 tsp paprika (2 tsp)
1 1/2 tsp ground cumin (2 TBSP)
1 tsp sea salt (4 tsp)
1 tsp black pepper (4 tsp)

Black Bean Brownies

Need a chocolate fix with no sugar and with lots of fibre?  Look no further!!  My sis-in-law Laura makes these all the time.

1 1/2 cup black beans
2 TBSP cacao powder
1/2 cup quick oats
pinch of salt
1/2 cup maple syrup or honey
1/4 cup coconut oil
2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup choc chips

Preheat oven to 350F.  Place all ingredients except choc chips in food processor until well blended.  Stir in the choc chips and pour into greased muffin tins or a greased 8*8 pan.  Cook for 10-15 min.

Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins

I actually make these muffins quite often.  They have no sugar, butter and oil, and they actually taste good!   I mean for sure they are not your normal banana muffin with a cup sugar, but honestly I think these are delicious and such an awesome, healthy snack for the kids!

 

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2 tsp coconut oil (optional)
• 3 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Prepare a muffin pan by inserting paper muffin cups.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a medium bowl, mix together egg, honey, applesauce, and mashed bananas.
4. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir until moistened. Stir in chocolate chips.
5. Fill each muffin cup about 3/4 full.
6. Bake for approximately 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into muffins comes out clean.

Sarah's Chili

This is Sarah's recipe.  I have been making my chili for Brad for the past 9 years and he just doesn't like it!  I love it.  It is full of tomatoes and yummy spices, but none of my family eats it.  We went to Sarah's for dinner and had her chili and Brad and the boys were in love!  So i have to post because this will be our families recipe from now on!

3 pounds ground beeg
1 Cup of BBQ sauce
2TBSP Worcestershire sauce
2 TBSP sugar
2 medium onions
2 cups ketchup
2 tsp. salt
2 cans kidney beans

Brown hamburger.  Add diced onion and cook until tender.  Add kidney beans and remaining ingredients.  Serve with lettuce tomatoes and cheese.  (we put ours on bakes potatoes).  Thanks Sarah!

Banana Crumb Muffins

I've tried plenty of banana muffin recipes, but this is by far the tastiest... all of the deliciously crispy sugar on top might have something to do with that. YUM! :)

Ingredients:

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour 
• 1 teaspoon baking soda 
• 1 teaspoon baking powder 
• ½ teaspoon salt 
• 3 bananas, mashed 
• ½ cup white sugar 
• ¼ cup brown sugar 
• 1 egg, lightly beaten 
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil 

Topping: (A MUST!!!)

• ⅓ cup packed brown sugar 
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 
• ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon 
• 1 tablespoon butter 

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease 12 muffin cups, or line with muffin papers.
2. In a large bowl, mix together 1½ cups flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, beat together bananas, sugars, egg and vegetable oil. Stir the banana mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.
3. In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and cinnamon. Cut in 1 tablespoon butter until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Sprinkle topping over muffins.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean.