Pancake Mix Experiment

I'm trying to get away from buying pre-packaged goods, so here is my first experiment with making a batch of pre-mixed pancake mix.

Pancake Mix

3 cups nonfat dry milk

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

2/3 cup baking powder

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon salt

In a large bowl, stir all ingredients together until well blended. Store in an airtight container. Yields enough for about 3 batches of pancakes.

To make pancakes: In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup pancake mix, 1/2 cup water, 1 egg, and 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. I also add about a tablespoon of vanilla extract (optional but delicious). Stir just until moistened. Heat a greased griddle over medium heat.For each pancake, pour about 1/4 cup batter onto griddle and cook until top of pancake is full of bubbles and underside is golden brown. Turn with a spatula and cook until remaining side is golden brown. Re-grease griddle as necessary.

*Note: I added too much water (2/3 cup) so I'm going to adjust it next time I make it (hence the 1/2 cup listed above). The batter was a little thin so they turned out more like thick crepes but they were still yummy. I have the ingredients on hand all the time so I think I'm just going to mix this up once a month or so to fill my half-gallon Ball jar.

Hopefully my BF will like it. I froze the leftover pancakes so that'll probably be breakfast tomorrow. Let me know if you have any mix ideas that are good for storage ^_^

Out and about

More yard sales to go to today ^_^  Hope I find something good.

Today is also laundry day so that's going to get done after yard-saleing :)

Also I need to bake some sweets for a Memorial Day get-together.  

Any suggestions?

More Yard Sale Finds

I got a ton of great stuff ^_^

Here are a few of my gems.

Brand new sandwich maker - $2

3 quart wide mouth glass jar - $1

Vintage Pyrex primary color refrigerator dish set - $8

I also got 3 more red mason jar canisters (like the black ones) for $2

Cake Mix Cookies

Cake Mix Cookies

1 Yellow Cake Mix

1/3 cup water

1/3 cup oil

1 egg

candy sprinkles (optional)

Mix eggs, water, oil, and cake mix. After well mixed, add sprinkles. Roll into balls and place on greased cookie sheet or cookie sheet covered in parchment paper. Place about 2 inches apart. Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes. (Makes 2 dozen cookies)

*Note: I added strawberries to a few, sprinkles to some others and left a couple plain. Next time I'll try some other kind of cake mix. These are yummy and easy to make!

Enjoy ^_^

~ adapted from recipe at http://simplysweethome.blogspot.com/

Uses for powdered milk

Thanks to Phoebe @ Cents to get debt free for this one:

Evaporated Milk

2/3 cup powdered milk

2/3 cup plus 2 Tsp Water

Mix well. This will get you about 6 ounces (or 3/4 cup) of evaporated milk. 

Sweetened Condensed Milk

1/2 cup hot water

1 cup powdered milk

1 cup sugar

1tablespoon butter

Mix well in a blender. Can also omit butter with the same results.

Filing this away for the next time I need one of those little cans :)

Mason Jars!!

I got this complete set of black ceramic mason jars at a yard sale for $5!!!

I heart yard sales **sigh**

Salmon Cakes with Smoked Paprika Sauce

Salmon Cakes with Smoked Paprika Sauce

6 oz fresh cooked or premium canned salmon (no bones or skin)

2 eggs

1 tbsp (or more) coconut flour

With fork, mash above ingredients together well enough to evenly distribute. The amount of coconut flour needed depends on the moisture content of your salmon. Start with 1 tablespoon and add the minimum amount that enables you to form patties. Coat large skillet with vegetable spray and heat up. Shape salmon mixture into four patties and cook over medium heat until lightly brown. This just takes a few minutes — long enough to set up the eggs. Do not over cook or they will be dry.

Smoked Paprika Aioli

1/2 cup real mayonnaise, store-bought or homemade

1 tsp smoked paprika

small amount of water to thin as desired

Mix sauce ingredients together with mini hand whip until very smooth. The amount of liquid to add will depend on how you want it to look. You can even leave the water out altogether and use as a spread.

Serves 2.

*Note: I used canned salmon and wheat flour and it turned out great. Also, I used about 2 tablespoons of mayo with a little water and regular paprika for the sauce. It was delicious!

~ adapted from recipe at http://www.starchfreerecipes.com

Tater Tot Casserole

Tater Tot Casserole

1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 bag tater tots
shredded mozzarella cheese
1.5 lb of ground hamburger meat

Brown hamburger meat. Add cream of mushroom soup and stir together continuously. Let simmer on low heat for 15 minutes.
Place mixture in the bottom of a casserole dish. Lay tater tots neatly on top of the mixture.
Place in oven on 350' and let the tater tots brown.
Sprinkle with cheese and melt it in the oven.

Enjoy ^_^

~ adapted from recipe at http://www.cooks.com

Mental note.....

Things I need to try -

Banana cupcakes with honey frosting

Breakfast biscuit cups

Banana Raisin Bread

Easy Batter Rolls

Popcorn Chicken

Healthy Banana Bread

Cake Mix Cookies - done! they were delicious

Homemade Bagels

Just like Starbucks Molasses Cookies

Whole Wheat Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies

Whole Wheat Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup mashed ripe banana (about 1 large)
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
about 2 cups chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Whisk together flours, salt, and baking soda in a small bowl; set aside. Put butter and sugars into the bowl mix on medium speed until pale and fluffy. Reduce speed to low. Add egg and vanilla; mix until combined. Mix in banana. Add flour mixture; mix until just combined. Stir in oats, chocolate chips.
Using a 1 1/2-inch ice cream scoop, drop dough onto baking sheets spacing about 2 inches apart. Bake cookies until golden brown and just set, 12 to 13 minutes. Let cool on sheets on wire racks 5 minutes. Transfer cookies to wire racks; let cool completely. Cookies can be stored in airtight containers up to 2 days.

*Note: I added a little more oats to hold them together but I think it all depends on the weather and humidity.  Also I only added about 1.5 cups of chocolate chips.   These were delicious and soft.

Enjoy ^_^

~ adapted from recipe at http://www.lynnskitchenadventures.com

Blueberry Syrup

Blueberry Syrup

1-2 C blueberries, fresh or frozen
1/2 tsp. corn starch
1/4 C sugar (or 2 T brown sugar)

Combine sugar and corn starch in a small sauce pan, and add blueberries.
Heat over medium heat about 10 minutes until berries are cooked and sauce is slightly thickened.
This makes a pretty thin sauce, add more corn starch if you'd like it a bit thicker.

*Note: I was out of corn starch so I used flour as the thickening agent with a little cream of tartar. Turned out perfect. This is going to go on waffles tomorrow morning :)

Enjoy ^_^

~ adapted from recipe at http://joyinmykitchen.blogspot.com/

Simple Hummus

Simple Hummus 

chickpeas (soaked) 
garlic 
olive oil 
salt pepper to taste 
lemon juice 
water 

Puree in a blender until it's the consistency that you like. The amounts depend on you... gradually add more of each ingredient until you like the flavor. Serve with pita bread. 

Enjoy ^_^

Light Wheat Bread

Light Wheat Bread

Makes one 2-lb. loaf

2 1/2 cups bread flour
1 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour
1 1/2 tbsp granulated sugar or honey
1 1/2 tsp salt
3 tbsp powdered milk
1 1/2 tsp instant yeast
2 tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups water, at room temperature

Add ingredients to bread machine. Bake on wheat setting.

Enjoy ^_^

~ adapted from recipe at http://smittenkitchen.com

Whole Wheat Molasses Ginger Cookies

Whole Wheat Molasses Ginger Cookies

1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon water
1/4 cup molasses

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine the flours, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream together butter and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then stir in the water and molasses. Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the molasses mixture.
Shape dough into walnut sized balls. Place the cookies 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet, and flatten slightly.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Makes about 35 cookies.

*Note: I think next time, I'm going to add a little less cloves.  Had a bit too much of a kick for me.  Still really good though!

Enjoy ^_^

~ adapted from recipe at http://www.lynnskitchenadventures.com

Chicken Noodle Casserole (in a Bread Bowl)

Chicken Noodle Casserole (in a Bread Bowl)

For the bread bowl:
Use your favorite bread recipe (I used a whole wheat recipe). Take small stoneware bowls and coat the outside with olive oil or PAM. Place fist-sized portion of the dough over the bowls. Place in the oven about 15-20 minutes before the casserole. 

For the casserole:
4 chicken boneless skinless chicken breast 
1 - 12 ounce package egg noodle
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup carrots, chopped
1/2 cup celery, chopped
3 -4 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 stick butter (1/4 cup)
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup sour cream
salt and pepper
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (I used 1 teaspoon dried)
1 cup crumbled saltines or butter crackers, optional

In a large pot of boiling water drizzle some olive oil and 1 tablespoon of salt. Boil the chicken until done. Cook the noodles in boiling water. While the noodles are cooking cut up the chicken into 1/2 inch pieces. Drain pasta and set aside.
In a pot, saute onion, garlic, carrots, and celery in the olive oil. Cook until the onions appear translucent, add the mushroom soup, chicken soup, and sour cream. Mix well. Salt and pepper if needed. Add the noodles, chicken, and parsley. Stir until fully coated. Transfer to a greased 2 1/2 quart baking dish. (I used a 9x13 pan) Bake at 350 for 40 minutes or until bubbly. (Mine took about 25 minutes) If you are using crackers remove from oven and sprinkle with crackers and bake 5 - 10 more minutes.

Enjoy ^_^

~ adapted from recipe at http://www.lynnskitchenadventures.com

Whole Wheat French Bread Rolls

Whole Wheat French Bread Rolls

1 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
2 tablespoons white sugar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups bread flour
2 cups whole wheat flour

In a large bowl, stir together warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
To the yeast mixture, add the oil, salt, and 2 cups flour. Stir in the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until the dough has pulled away from the sides of the bowl. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl, and turn to coat. Cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
Deflate the dough, and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into 16 equal pieces, and form into round balls. Place on lightly greased baking sheets at least 2 inches apart. Cover the rolls with a damp cloth, and let rise until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

*Note - I made my dough in a bread maker.  Made everything a lot easier.  Also, before going in the oven, I added a light egg wash on mine so they'd be a little glossy.

Bake for 18 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown.

Enjoy ^_^

~ adapted from recipe at http://www.thehappyhousewife.com/

Homemade Hot Pockets

Breakfast Hot Pockets

*Note: The bread recipe below uses a bread-maker (awesome investment), however you can used whatever dough you prefer.

Honey Wheat Bread

1.25 cup of water
3 tbsp honey
2 tbsp margarine or butter, softened
1.5 cups Whole Wheat flour
1.5 cups bread machine flour
1.5 tsp salt
2 tsp regular active dry yeast OR
1.75 tsp bread machine or quick-acting active dry yeast

Set the bread-maker on *DOUGH* setting. Once this is done, take the dough ball and place it on a floured surface. Make fist sized balls of dough and roll them out into rectangles. Fill with your favorite breakfast omelette. Fold into a burrito/hot pocket shape. Make sure it's sealed so all the goodness stays inside. The complete recipe for the filling for the one shown in the picture has:

1 package cut up sausage links
6 eggs
a bit of milk
1 red pepper
1 yellow pepper
1 orange pepper
3 green onion stalks
salt and pepper to taste

Place in oven (preheated to 400 degrees) for about 20-25 minutes (until golden brown). Cool on wire rack. Makes 6-8 hot pockets (depending on the sizes). They freeze splendidly. Once frozen, pop in microwave for 1.5-2 minutes. 

So much better than store bought. BTW - The hot pocket above is pictured on a tiny plate - It's actually about the size of my fist.

Enjoy ^_^

Chewy Granola Bars

Chewy Granola Bars - I don't remember where I got this recipe but it's delicious :)

3 cups oats (I use *just* under 3 cups to make them chewy)
1 cup flour 
1 tsp baking soda 
2-1/2 tsp vanilla 
2/3 cup butter, softened 
1/2 cup honey 
1/3 cup brown sugar 
1 cup mini chocolate chips or M&Ms 
Optional: raisins, dried fruit, sunflower seeds, chopped nuts

In a large bowl, combine oats, flour, and baking soda. In another bowl, combine vanilla, butter, honey, and brown sugar; add to oat mixture and stir until combined. Stir in the chocolate chips and pour into a lightly greased 9x13 pan. Lightly press mixture into the pan with the back of your spoon. Bake at 325 for 22 minutes or until lightly golden brown. Let cool for 10 minutes then cut into bars. Let bars cool completely in pan before removing or serving.

Enjoy ^_^

New Venture

So here goes nothing....

I'm in my mid 20s living with my bf and living comfortably.  In an effort to put more money towards savings (need to buy a house and all), I've started to really enjoy cooking from scratch.  I've never been much of a cook - ask my dad - but I'm trying. I'm going to document my pictures and recipes here ^_^ Hope this goes well.  Join me on my cooking adventures!