Sweet & Savory ~~ "Poppy's Pancakes"

Truth be known, I've never been much of a pancake fan no matter where they were prepared or served until my husband fired up the recipe below.  Then I became a believer!  The reason that I disliked pancakes prior to this time is because most of them were too heavy or tasteless.  There is a key ingredient that makes these as light and fluffy as can be in addition to being heart healthy. Perhaps I should qualify that last statement.  The "heart healthy" would probably depend upon how much butter and syrup you applied to each one.  So, please accept my challenge and plan to prepare this recipe for anyone you know who does not order pancakes from the restaurant menu or declines your weekend breakfast invitation.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 extra large egg
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/8 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 Tbsp. pure maple syrup
• 1/4 tsp. baking soda
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 2/3 cup old fashioned oats (not the quick cooking variety)
• 1 1/3 cups buttermilk
• 3/4 cup white whole-wheat flour
• 1/2 cup blueberries, optional - to be served on top of cooked pancakes
• 1/4 cup walnuts, optional - to be served on top of cooked pancakes

DIRECTIONS:

• Preheat griddle to 400 degrees.
• Combine oats with buttermilk and let stand in small bowl for 12 minutes.
• Spoon flour into a measuring cup and level with a butter knife.
• Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon, stirring well.
• Lightly beat extra large egg in small bowl.
• Add the maple syrup and vanilla.
• Stir this into the oat mixture.
• Combine the oat mixture and the flour mixture, stirring until just blended.
• Using 1/4 cup measuring cup, pour batter onto preheated griddle.
• Cook about 3 minutes until bubbles appear on top of the pancakes and the edges look somewhat dried out.  Using pancake turner, flip the pancakes to the other side and cook for about 2 minutes.
• This recipe yields about 6 medium sized pancakes.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:

• Serve with other fruits such as bananas, cranberries, peaches, etc.
• I like to butter the pancakes, apply a small amount of pure maple syrup, and then add the blueberries and heart healthy walnuts on top.
• These make great snacks or leftovers.

SECRET INGREDIENT:

• The key to this entire exercise/project is the white, whole-wheat flour.  It is sold as pastry flour in some stores, but please check the label to make sure it reads, "white, whole-wheat flour."  What's in a name? Well, it depends on the name.  And in this case, that's the exact name.

Happy Dining!

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Sweet & Savory Tuesday ~~ Blueberry Swirl

I'm showcasing another family favorite of the dessert variety on this Sweet & Savory Tuesday. The reason I typically prepare this one in a 9 x 13 disposable container is that our guests usually eat everything but the container! So, here goes:

STEP ONE:

Blend the following ingredients together, press into a 9 x 13 inch pan, and chill in freezer for one hour or refrigerator for two hours.

• 1 1/4 cups crushed graham crackers
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• Mix the graham cracker crumbs and sugar together before adding the melted butter
• 1/3 cup butter, melted

STEP TWO:

Blend the following ingredients together with a mixer, and spread over the graham cracker crust.

• 1 - 8 oz. container Cool Whip or prepared package of Dream Whip
• 1 - 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 1 cup powdered (confectioner's) suger

STEP THREE:

Cover with one large can of blueberry pie filling or flavor of your choice.  I have tried the raspberry and cherry pie fillings before, but our family happens to prefer the blueberry the best!

PREPARATION TIPS:

If you prefer to use whole graham crackers or don't happen to have any graham cracker crumbs on hand, lay whole crackers between two sheets of waxed paper.  Use your rolling pin to crush the crackers into crumbs.

HEALTH TIPS:

There have been many articles written about the health benefits of blueberries. Granted, marrying the berries with the remainder of the ingredients in this recipe might negate a few of the benefits.  It's okay to indulge every once in awhile, especially during family celebrations.  Here's one link regarding the benies of blueberries: https://authoritynutrition.com/10-proven-benefits-of-blueberries/

Here's to happy dining & enjoying family favorites!

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Sweet & Savory Thursday ~ Fresh Fillet & Fresh Rosemary

INGREDIENTS & DIRECTIONS:

• One large fillet of your choice ( I used Sockeye Salmon)
• Brush 1 Tbsp. of olive oil on top
• Sprinkle with dash of kosher salt, optional
• Sprinkle with freshly ground pepper
• Lay 3 large sprigs of fresh rosemary on top 
• Place pan with one inch of water on bottom rack of oven
• Line baking sheet with foil
• Place seasoned fillet on baking sheet
• Cook at 225 degrees for 1 hour and 20 minutes or until fish flakes easily when using a fork

The oil from the fresh rosemary permeates the fillet which really helps to enhance the flavor.  

Another suggestion is to use fresh dill when cooking your fish in the oven.

If you have other suggestions of cooking methods for fish or enhancing it with herbs, please leave a comment.  We enjoy hearing from our readers.

• Check out the health benefits of eating salmon at http://www.chatelaine.com/health/diet/seven-health-benefits-of-salmon-and-a-vitamin-rich-summer-recipe/

Happy Eating & Herbing!

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Sweet & Savory Tuesday - Nutritious Breakfast Cookies

INGREDIENTS:

• Shortening
• 1/2 cup butter, softened at room temperature
• 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 cup peanut butter (I use crunchy style)
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. salt, optional
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 cup rolled oats, non-instant variety
• 1 cup dried fruit such as apricots, bananas, cranberries, etc.
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

DIRECTIONS:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees.
• Grease cookie sheet with shortening.  (If you're using a stoneware pan, you don't need to grease it.)
• Place butter in large mixing bowl and beat until creamy.
• Add brown sugar and mix until well blended, scraping sides if necessary.
• Add eggs and vanilla.  Mix on medium speed until combined.
• Add the peanut butter and mix until well blended.
• Place the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a small bowl.  Stir with a wooden spoon or small whisk.
• Stir flour mixture into the egg mixture.
• Stir in oats, fruit, and chopped nuts.
• Drop dough 2 inches apart onto baking sheet.
• Cook for 13-16 minutes or until cookie edges begin to brown. 

HELPFUL HINTS:

• I double the recipe and freeze the extra cookies if I have any left over.
• These are great to eat during your morning commute or pack in your lunch.
• This is a fun recipe to experiment with by adding additional dried fruits, nuts, seeds, etc.
• I especially like the peanut butter addition.
• Other types of flours can be substituted for the whole wheat; however, you would need to experiment as to determine exactly how much to add.

Here's to a Healthy Breakfast which is the most important meal of your day!

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The Psychology of 10K

Have you ever seen one of those ads featuring a product that can change the oil in your car while baking a loaf of bread simultaneously allowing you to automatically check two items off your to do list on a Saturday morning?  While this may be quite an embellishment in real life, how many times have you watched an infomercial and been left with no clue as to the product being advertised, much less what you might do with it or when you could possibly put it to use?

Let’s rewind the tape to early 2007 when a circuit board in a wooden box helped to launch what grew to be a $4 billion company.  Like any other finished product on the market, it may not work for everyone, but fortunately, I have found it to be a tremendous help to me.

Christmas Day 2015 I received a gift card, so I decided to purchase my own step recording device. Prior to this, I had never really paid much attention to how many steps I would have walked on any given day.

The benefits of walking only thirty minutes per day have been touted by medical care providers, health care institutions, insurance companies, sports enthusiasts, athletes, nutritionists, and the list goes on by the hour.

I would like to list just a few of the advantages of planning to hit the dusty trail, sidewalk, asphalt, dirt road, green belt, or path of your choice:

• Weight loss
• Increases bone density which is a challenge for aging women
• Lowers risk of Type 2 Diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure
• Absorbing your 15 minutes of outdoor Vitamin D
• Releases your body’s endorphins so you can be a Happy Camper
• Improves your coordination and balance
• Boosts circulation and oxygen supply
• Strengthens your muscles
• Helps to prevent dementia
• If you are unable to afford a gym membership or have health issues such as a suppressed immune system which prevent you from attending the health club, walking is free!
• You can enjoy the scenery and critters along the way

Having owned my new wrist apparel now for just a short three months, a major surprise has been the psychological aspect of it.  One definition of psychology is the mental and emotional factors of governing a situation or activity.  I am much more cognizant of my daily steps with an increased effort toward trying to achieve at least the number featured in the above photo.

I received a telephone call from one of my relatives a few weeks ago.  About five minutes into the conversation, it sounded like he had entered a tunnel.  When inquiring as to his whereabouts and what he was doing, he responded, “I am walking inside a large store. I need to get my 10K steps in today!”  Alas, he’s dialed into the psychological factor as well.

What was the most challenging aspect of this whole exercise?  It’s probably not what you thought it might be. Stopping in the middle of our living room when the device registered 10K to capture the picture was more difficult than one might imagine!

Happy Reading & Walk On!

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Sweet & Savory Thursday: Humdinger Hummus

So is the Chickpea or Garbanzo Bean actually a bean, a pea, or a fruit?  All I know is that it is beyond delicious and does not come from a chicken!  J

               

Sheila’s Humdinger Hummus

• 2 – 15 oz. cans Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans)
• 2 -  heaping Tbsp. minced garlic
• 3 -  Tbsp. olive oil
• 2 -  Tbsp. lemon juice
• 3 –  tsp. cumin
• ¼   cup water
• 2 – tsp. freshly ground kosher salt, optional
• 2 – Tbsp. hot sauce (I prefer Cajun Sunshine)
• Dust with Hot Hungarian Paprika

Directions:

• Rinse Chickpeas in colander.
• Place all ingredients except paprika inside food processor and blend until smooth.

This scrumptious concoction can be spread on crackers, pizza dough, bread, or veggies.  It can also be added to salads, hamburger patties, or thinned into a sauce to use when preparing other dishes such as hummus and spaghetti noodles.

Question:  What other suggestions do you have for ways in which to prepare or serve hummus? I would enjoy hearing from you.

Happy Reading & Eating!

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