Whole Wheat Blender Pancakes

These are a bit different than my Mom's recipe,  but I like them even better. They are nice and fluffy, and easy to whip up! When I'm low on milk, I substitute powdered milk. To equal 1 cup, mix 1 cup water + 3 T Non-instant powdered milk or 6 T instant (but check the package instructions if you have them, as especially the instant kind varies by brand). Recipe adapted from http://www.tasteandtellblog.com/whole-wheat-blender-pancakes/.

• 1 1/2 cups milk, divided
• 1 cup whole wheat berries
• 4 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup oil or melted butter

Place 1 cup milk and the wheat in blender. Blend 2-3 minutes until thick and like mush. Add the rest of the milk (1/2 cup) and the remaining ingredients. Blend for 2-3 more minutes. Cook on a hot griddle. Makes about 18 pancakes if using 1/4 cup per pancake. 

Blueberry Buttermilk Whole Wheat Pancakes

These are such yummy pancakes! I made them a few times from this recipe from Smitten Kitchen, but one day I was out of yogurt so I substituted buttermilk. You can use either buttermilk or plain yogurt, but you will have to add a few tablespoons of milk if using yogurt. Here is my adapted recipe:

Blueberry Buttermilk Whole Wheat Pancakes
2 large eggs

1 cup buttermilk (I made my own with lemon juice or vinegar)

3 T butter, plus extra for buttering skillet

1/2 tsp lemon zest

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

3/4 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

2 T sugar

1 T plus 1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp table salt

1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

Melt half of butter. Remove from heat and stir in second tablespoon of butter until melted. This keeps your butter from being too hot when you next want to add it to the wet ingredients.Whisk egg and buttermilk together in the bottom of a medium/large bowl (if using yogurt, you made need to add a few T of milk to thin it). Whisk in melted butter, zest and vanilla extract. In a separate, small bowl, combine flours, sugar, baking powder and salt. Stir dry ingredients into wet only until dry ingredients are moistened. A few remaining lumps is fine. Fold in blueberries.

Preheat your oven to 200°F and have a plate ready (to keep pancakes warm). Use an 1/8 or 1/4 cup per pancake and cook on heated griddle. Transfer pancakes to warm oven as they are done cooking, where you can leave them there until you’re ready to serve them. 

Savory Meatloaf

1 lb ground beef

3/4 cup milk

1 T Worcestershire sauce

1/2 tsp rubbed sage

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp group mustard

1/4 tsp pepper

1 clove garlic, minced

1 egg

4 slices bread, torn into small pieces

1 small onion, chopped finely (1/4 cup)

1/2 cup ketchup or BBQ sauce (I do a mixture)

Preheat oven to 350. Mix all ingredients (except for ketchup/BBQ sauce) well, with your hands. Shape into loaf shape in an ungreased pan. Drizzle ketchup & BBQ sauce over top. Bake about an hour or until it reaches 160 degrees internally. Enjoy!

Adapted from Betty Crocker

Chicken Mole Chili

I could eat this for a week... It is so scrumptious, definitely my favorite chili right now.

2-2.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken 
2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed (or pinto)
1 can Mexican-style tomatoes and chilies (or one can diced tomatoes + one 4 oz can green chilies)
1 large onion, chopped
3-4 cloves of garlic, chopped
1/3-1/2 cup prepared mole paste
3/4 cup chicken stock (I threw in one bouillion cube and reduced the salt)
3 teaspoons cumin
3 teaspoons ground coriander
3 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
Fritos, shredded cheese, and lettuce (for topping)

Combine in a crockpot and cook on low 5-6 hours. Shred chicken. Serve with fritos, sour cream, cheese, and lettuce. Yum!

Adapted from http://sarahsprague.com/2010/11/04/the-friday-football-foodie-shredded-chicken-mole-chili-frito-pie/

Banana Bread Brownies

This is my new favorite thing to do with overripe bananas! Next time I may try swirling some peanut butter on top too.

• 6 Tbsp butter
• 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (for me this was 4.5 bananas, so measure!)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1 3/4 cups flour (I use at least half whole wheat)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 T cocoa

Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 9x9 or 11x7 pan with cooking spray. In a medium sauce pan, combine butter and chocolate chips. Over medium-low heat, melt together, stirring occasionally. When melted, set aside to cool.

In a large bowl combine the mashed bananas, sugar and vanilla. Stir in beaten eggs until evenly incorporated. Stir in flour, cocoa, and salt until just combined.
Pour all but 1/4 cup melted chocolate into the banana mixture and stir.

Pour batter into prepared pan and drizzle remaining 1/4 cup melted chocolate on top, and swirl it into the batter.


Bake 25-30 minutes until the center is set and a toothpick comes out clean. Brownies will be very dense. Cool completely and cut into squares.

Adapted from: http://cookiesandcups.com/banana-bread-brownies/ 

Garlic Bread Seasoning

This recipe is straight from Our Best Bites--I'm just posting it here so I don't have to google for it every time I run out of it. This recipe is a definite winner--yum, yum, yum!

1/2 c powdered Parmesan cheese
2 tsp Kosher salt
2 Tbsp garlic powder
2 tsp oregano
2 tsp basil
2 tsp marjoram
2 tsp parsley (optional--I leave it out since I'm out)

Mix together and store in an airtight container.