Apple-cranberry Pie

Filling:

4 -5 apples 

1c cranberries

1tbs lemon juice

1tbs flour

1/3 c brown sugar 

(3tbs butter used after add filing to pie crust)

Double Crust:

2c flour

1tsp salt

1tsp sugar

1c shortening

1/2c water 

Preheat oven to 425.

Combine filling in a bowl (all ingredients except butter). Coat apples and cranberries evenly, let sit while you prepare the crust.

In a separate bowl add flour, salt and sugar -mix together . Then cut in shortening with a pastry cutter till there are no large pieces of shortening. Add water and mix with a fork till almost combined. Gather pastry and form into 2 equal balls - the roll each one out . The key is not to over mix or over work the dough. 

Lay bottom crust in a greased pie plate. Add filling then place pieces of butter on top of filling . Add top crust and cut slits. ( optional egg wash at this point)

Bake for 10 min on 425 the turn down to 350 and bake for additional 30- 35 min. Till crust is browned and filling is bubbling. 

BEST Whole Wheat Bread ever!!!

I've tried a lot of recipes to get that yummy soft consistency of bread -so far this one tops them all! It rises just like white bread like it says!

here is the link:
http://myhealthygreenfamily.com/blog/wordpress/100-whole-wheat-sandwich-bread-recipe-that-rises-like-white/

I do half hard white and half hard red milled flour.
I make the whole recipe and I do one 2lb loaf, one 1lb plain loaf and one 1lb cinnamon raison loaf (which is absolutely delicious)!

For the cinnamon raison bread:
Before you shape it into a loaf knead in raisons(that way they don't all fall out when you toast it)
then combine 2T  sucanat and 2 tsp cinnamon in a blender. Spread the rolled out loaf with butter and sprinkle the cinnamon mixture  ...roll it up and voila!( thanx Leah ;)

Fruit roll up ( success!)

These were easy and delicious! 

Next time I will probably do them thicker and call them fruit leathers :)

Recipe: 

4 1/2 c hulled strawberries

1/3 c coconut sugar

2 T fresh lemon juice 

Preheat oven to 170( I put mine on warm..because mine didn't have a 170) Blend together all ingredients.

Spread evenly on parchment paper lined baking sheets. Bake for 3 hours or until slightly tacky but not too sticky or it won't peal from the parchment paper. 

Quinoa peanut butter cookies

These are amazingly delicious! And healthy ( which to me is a rare combination) . They have a nutty rich flavor. I adapted the recipe from 

http://www.fullmeasureofhappiness.com/2010/10/28/gluten-free-peanut

Recipe:

1 c milled quinoa

1 1/4 c milled brown rice

1 c coconut sugar

1 T cornstarch

2 t baking powder

1/2 t real salt

1/4 c honey

2 eggs

1 c peanut butter (homemade is preferred) 

2 tsp vanilla

1 T coconut oil 

2 T whole milk

Combine all dry ingredients . Add wet ingredients in order. Mix well.

Roll into balls and press down with a fork crisscross like classic peanut butter cookies. Bake at 350 on greased cookie sheet for 15-18 min

English muffins (soaked overnight)

I have tried many different versions of the whole-grain milled English muffins – this one is the best so far.

Recipe: 

3 c. Fresh milled white hard flour

2 Tbs sucanat

1 3/4 c. Whole milk 

3 tsp instant yeast

2 tsp baking powder

2 tsp sea salt 

Corn meal for dusting 

Soak flour, sucanat and milk overnight.

Next day add rest  of ingredients and mix very well- cover let rise for 2 hrs. Punch down form into a log and evenly cut it into 12 pieces. Form pieces into English muffin shape place on corn meal (on counter or cookie sheet) sprinkle tops with corn meal and let rest for 20 min .  Turn oven to 350 then carefully lift and place on hot griddle for 3 to 5 min until light brown - transfer to ungreased cookie sheet. Place in oven for 20 minutes till cooked through. 

I think next lime I will try and add some melted butter too to try and perfect the texture.

Chipotle Mayo Lime Sauce

This sauce is awesome on any Mexican dish , fish tacos, grilled artichokes and salads ! ( it's one of my favorites )

1c Mayo

1/2c Sour Cream

3 Chipotle Peppers in adobo sauce 

3 limes juiced 

Salt and pepper to taste 

 Combine all ingredients in a blender until completely smooth - Bon  Appetite ! 

It's like the sauce La Taqueria used to serve with their fajita salads! M 

Fruit snacks

Here is a go at trying to make fruit snacks 

2 c berries of choice ( I used raspberries )

1/2 c lemon juice

1/2 c gelatin (thanx Leah ) 

2 tbs honey

1 tbs sucanat

In a sauce pan on medium heat combine berries and lemon juice till berries are softened . Cool slightly he add to blender to purée . ( I didn't this time but next I would strain the berries ) return to bowl and whisk on honey and sucanat till combined - the slowly whisk in gelatin and keep whisking till completely combined making sure no clumps formulate! 

Pour into silicone molds ( if u have them) if you are like me and don't have any yet I lined a 13 x 9 baking sheet with parchment paper.  Refrigerate for 2 hrs or till hardened ... Cut into squares 

PS: these were more like little fruit jellies 

I'm still going to keep trying - Tree Top isn't going to beat me !

(Better than Skippy's) peanut butter

My children named this peanut butter since we started making our own :)

They love it! 

3 c dry roasted peanuts (un-salted)

1 tsp sea salt

3 Tbs honey/or maple syrup 

Place peanuts and salt in food processor till consistency you desire 8-15 minutes . Add honey or maple syrup and process till combined - serve whenever and on whatever :)

( this batch is extra creamy thanx to a diaper change while it was processing - hehehe)

Rhubarb Strawberry Crumble

Perfect summer dessert! 

Fruit part:

2 cups rhubarb chopping in 1/4" pieces

2 cups strawberries quartered 

1tbs lemon juice (optional) 

2 tbs spoons maple syrup 

Preheat oven to 350 - place fruit ,lemon juice and syrup in a ungreased 11 x 9  baking dish place in oven while making the crumble topping (approx 8-10 min )

Crumble topping:

1 1/2 cups soft whole wheat 

1 1/2 cups oats 

1/4 cup maple syrup

1/2 cup butter

1/2 tsp sea salt

1 tsp cinnamon

Combine all above ingredients till forms clumps.  Remove baking dish and spread the crumble topping evenly over the fruit mixture . Return to oven and cook till golden brown( 25-30 min)

vanilla ice cream or whipping cream is a great topper for this dessert
- its best served when warm !