Golden Whole Grain Waffles

I had not made waffles for a while and decided to try a new recipe. I was very pleased by the results. The flavor, and texture were wonderful. I love when they are nice and crisp. Yogurt and fruit would be wonderful on them.

Ingredients:
2 C whole grain flour (I used spelt with a little kamut)
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
2 C buttermilk or kefir
1 egg
2 T grape seed oil or coconut oil
1 T vanilla * optional
1 T honey
2 egg whites
Buttermilk syrup
toppings fruit, yogurt etc...

Directions:
1. In a bowl pour in all the measured dry ingredients. Whisk until all combined.

2. Then stir in the milk, 1 egg, oil, vanilla, and honey. Set aside for 5 to 10 min to let it grow a little.

3. In a separate bowl beat the egg whites till they are stiff and have a glossy look.

4. Fold the egg whites into the waffle mixture until combined.

5. Heat waffle iron till nice and hot. Spray or brush the iron with oil. Pour in waffle mixture. Cook until the waffles are golden and crisp. They came out nice and crisp. Serve immediately you will get the best results.

* You could put them in the oven on a cookie sheet. Have the oven set on a low heat to keep them warm until serving.

Pumpkin Breakfast Cake

This could be made the night before for a quick breakfast. I think the flavors taste even better over night. Just about anything made with pumpkin is a winner. :)

Ingredients:

2 C whole grain flour ( I used 1 1/4 C Kamut and 3/4 C Spelt)
1 C Old fashioned oatmeal
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 /2 tsp fresh grated nutmeg or 1/2 tsp nutmeg powder
1/2 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp cardamom
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 C grape seed oil or oil of your choice
1 1/4 C honey
3 eggs
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
2 C cooked pumpkin
1/2 C walnuts
1/2 of raisins and 1/2 C dried cranberries

topping optional:
1/4 C brown sugar
1/4 C coconut oil or butter
1/4 C whole grain flour
1/4 C oatmeal
1 tsp cinnamon

Directions: Bake in 9x13 greased pan

1. Heat oven to 350

2. Whisk all the dried ingredients together in a bowl.

3. In another bowl beat together the oil, honey, eggs and vanilla. Fold into dry ingredients with a spatula.

4. Stir in the pumpkin and fold in nuts and fruit.

5. Pour into greased pan. (I love stoneware for whole grains)

6.* Optional Blend together topping if desired. 1. You can just sprinkle it on top.
2. divide it in half. Sprinkle half on top and then swirl a knife through it to get it to go down into the batter and then pour the remaining on top. 3. Double the topping amounts. pour half the batter into the pan. Sprinkle half the topping on to the batter. pour in the remaining batter and then sprinkle on the remaining topping.

7. Bake for about 60 min. or until toothpick comes out clean. Put the pan on top of cooling rack to cool. Cover for storage to keep moist.

Whole Grain Turkish Flatbread

This is what the dough looked like after it had rested in the bowl for 20 min.
This is the loaf prior to putting it into the oven.
This is the loaves after they came out of the oven.
This is a slice of the bread. It had a nice texture.

I was having a birthday party for my grandson that was turning 3. It is amazing how time flies by. It doesn't seem like it has been that long since he was born. I thought it would be fun to make a new kind of bread for the occasion. I opted to make it all whole grain, but you may choose to add some white flour. I also added a variation of adding some yogurt to give the whole grains a little lift. I was pleased how it turned out. The only change I would make is I sprinkled a coarse salt on top, and next time I would not do that. It's already salty enough. There a lot of fun kinds of breads to make. It got me excited to try some other kind of breads.

Ingredients:
7-8 C whole grain flour*( ground 3 C spelt, 3 C Kamut and 1 C brown rice I had about 1 C left)
1 T sea salt with iodine
2 T yeast
2 T plain yogurt (optional)
3 C warm water
4 T olive oil
Parmesan cheese, olive oil and dried basil to garnish or ?
water bottle filled with hot water

Directions:

1. In a bowl mix the flour and salt together.

2. In your bread mixer with the dough hook on, mix the yeast, water, together for 2 min. Wait 2 min and then mix again. Then add the oil and yogurt and mix again for 2 min.

3. Pour in half the flour so the dough is smooth, then add the rest of the flour, mix on medium speed, till the dough pulls away from the bowl. The dough will be soft and slightly sticky. Let the dough rest in the mixer 10 min.

4. Beat on low another 3 min to make the dough smoother and to to make it more elastic.

5. Put 1 T or 2 T in the bottom of a large bowl. With a rubber scraper. Scrape the dough out of the bowl and pour into oiled bowl. Then turn the dough over so there is oil on the top of the dough too. Cover with plastic. Let the dough rise 20 min. It should start to get puffy.

6. Then pour about 1 T olive oil on a hard surface pour out the dough on to it. Stretch the dough into a rectangle shape 3 times longer than the width. Fold the dough into thirds. Then turn the dough and do the same process again.

7. Put the dough back into the bowl, add more oil if necessary so the all the dough is covered with oil. Cover with plastic. Let the dough double about 30 min.

8. Then pour the dough on to an oiled surface again. Divide the dough in half. We each section, have the smooth side on top. Make the dough into a rounded mound by folding the dough into the center. Go all around the edge folding it in. Then cover with a towel 5 min. Let it rest.

9. Being careful not to deflate the dough, stretch the dough and pull into a rectangle. Put parchment paper on the cookie sheet or cooking spray. The loaf should be the length of your cooking sheet. Oil the top and cover with plastic. Heat the oven to 500 degrees. Let the dough rest 20 min until puffy.

10. Put the rack in the center of the oven and fill spray bottle with hot water.

11. With your finger tips make indentations in the dough 1 inch apart. Brush on olive oil and garnish of your choosing. Being careful not to deflate the loaf.

12. Put the pan in the oven, then quickly spray the oven walls with the water and shut the door quickly. (I cooked both loaves at the same time. It will depend on your oven if you are able to do that. )

13. Let cook 5 min open the oven again, spray the oven walls again. Shut the oven door quickly and turn down the heat to 400 degrees. Bake about 20 more minutes or less. Until a nice golden color. Inside temp should be about 200 degrees.

14. Take out of the oven and slide on to a cooling rack and let cool. Enjoy!

* You can use some white flour if you choose.

Mixed Grain Crackers

This is what the ball of dough looked like as it was resting.
Homemade crackers any one?


This is what the ball of dough looked like.

I am always trying to find a healthy cracker. Some are more on the healthy side but can be expensive. This is an alternative way to eat some healthy crackers. They are more filling so you won't go through them as fast. :) It was fun to be able to incorporate a lot of grains into them as well. You could just use wheat flour instead of the mixed grains.
Ingredients:
1 1/4 C old fashioned oatmeal
3/4 C spelt flour
3/4 C kamut
1/2 C ground nuts I used almonds
1/4 C rice flour
1/4 C buckwheat flour
1/2 tsp sea salt
2 T ground flax
1 to 2 T honey depending on desired sweetness.
2/3 C plain yogurt, kefir or butter milk or water
* optional 1 tsp cinnamon and 1/4 tsp grated nutmeg or ? herbs would be great!

Directions:
1. Whisk together all the dry ingredients in a bowl. Then slowly fold in yogurt &, honey. Knead with your hands or spatula.

2. Rub with oil all over it. Cover with plastic and let rest for an hour or up to 24 hours.

3. I rubbed oil on it again, and rolled out on pressed it thin on a cookie sheet. Then I scored it in the sizes I wanted it. I did about a 3" square, and then into a triangle.

4. Bake in a preheated oven set at 350. Till desired texture. About 18 min. (Then they broke apart into triangles.) Take off of cookie sheet and cool on wire rack. They will continue to cook if you leave on the pan.

5. Store in an airtight container.

* You can either make these on the sweeter side or add some herbs and make them less sweet.

*Great with Hummus! Yum! I like the nuts in them too.

Healthy Zucchini Wholegrain Bars

This was another great way to use your zucchini. It could be called a cake as well. You could also put it in a bread pan and call it bread. You can use the name that best fits the occasion. It would be great for breakfast. I sent some in my children's lunches today. :) It is always exciting when I taste that first bite and it tastes really good. They turned out really moist. It reminded me of this recipe. I recently bought a 13x9 stoneware pan. I had been told from a friend that stoneware makes whole grains turn out better, when they are cooked in stoneware. I have been very pleased with the results.

Ingredients:

3 C whole grain flour (I used spelt)
1 T baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg * optional
2 eggs
2 1/2 C coarsely grated zucchini
1 C honey
1/2 C coconut oil
2 tsp vanilla
1 C chopped nuts *optional

Directions: Heat oven to 350. Grease 13x9 pan or pan of your choosing.

1. Measure and pour all dry ingredients together in a bowl. Whisk together.

2. In a separate bowl beat together the remaining ingredients. Then slowly add the dry ingredients being careful not to over mix.

3. Pour into greased pan. Bake until a light golden and cooked all the way through. About 20-25 min.

Oatmeal Honey Spelt Wheat Bread

It was fun making this bread. The taste of it reminded me of the bread that I love at the restaurants that has oatmeal on the outside of it. It was fun to find a whole grain bread that had the same flavor. I am guessing the the bread at the restaurant is not all whole grains. Its just a hunch. I will be making this again soon. :) It took a little time to make it, but the end result was worth it. :)

Ingredients:
1 1/2 C old fashioned oatmeal
1/3 C honey
2 T butter or coconut oil
1 1/2 C water boiling water
6 1/2 to 7 C Whole Grain Four (I used 3 1/2 C Wheat flour and 3 1/2 C Spelt flour)
1 T salt
1 1/2 C warm water (about 110 Degrees)
3 1/2 tsp yeast
1 1/2 C rolled oatmeal (for the outside of the loaf)

Directions:

1. In a metal bowl pour in oatmeal and butter. Then pour over boiling water. Stir until all mixed then put aside and let cool till room temperature. You could start the soaking process the night before and let it sit overnight.

2. Then in the bread mixer pour in all the other ingredients (add 1 C flour at a time) . except the additional oatmeal.

3. Let the mixer go for 3 to 4 min. Until the dough pulls away from the bowl. (But don't let it get too dry. The dough should be sticky) Let the dough rest for 10 min. Then turn on the mixer and let knead 2 more min.

4. Then place dough in slightly oiled bowl double it size. Cover the dough with plastic and let rise till double. You then can deflate the dough and let double one more time or proceed to putting it in the pans.

5. Punch down the dough. Divide the dough in half. Roll into a loaf. Pour 3/4 C of the oatmeal on to a rectangle piece of parchment paper. Spread the oatmeal in a rectangle, and then roll the top on to the oatmeal and the sides.

6. Place in greased bread pan. (9x5x3) Cover with plastic. Again let it double till it is 1 inch over the bread pan.

7. Heat the oven to 400.

8. Bake for about 45 min. Till the internal temperature is 200 degrees. Nice golden brown.

9. Rub the bread with butter if desired, it keeps the crust soft. Place the bread on it's side (Keeps the loaf from falling) on a wire rack to cool. If it lasts that long. We love to eat it when it is warm.

Whole Grain Thin Crust Pizza

This pizza was inspired by getting a free sample from from a Bistro yesterday. :) I thought it would be fun to try and recreate it with wholegrain flour. It was a fun change not having sauce, just cheeses, spices, tomatoes and olive oil. It made a light nice meal. I have found adding a little bit of vinegar works as a nice leavening agent with whole grains.

Ingredients:
Whole Grain Pizza Dough:
1 T Yeast
6 C whole grain flour (I used spelt with)
2 1/2 T kosher salt
1 T olive oil
1 T apple cider vinegar
2 C warm water

Pizza toppings: (Choose your preference)
fresh grated Parmesan cheese
fresh cut tomatoes (Roma would be great) sun dried would be yummy
2 minced garlic
Italian seasoning, basil, oregano and rosemary and ?
mozzarella cheese
a little kosher salt
aged provolone and or Romano
olive oil

Directions:
1. Pour all the ingredients for the dough into the bowl at the same time. Except start with 5 cups of flour and add more slowly. Keep adding flour until the dough leaves the sides of the bowl. Knead about 3-5 min. Take dough out, rub olive oil all over the dough. Place in bowl. Cover and let double in warm spot. Punch down and let rise another 20 min. Then punch down.

2. Heat oven to 400. Roll out dough thin on oiled parchment paper. That is on the back of a cookie sheet.

3. Rub olive oil on to the dough and place the toppings you choose on top.

4. If you have a pizza stone. Slide the pizza off the cookie sheet (keeping the parchment paper underneath) on to the pizza stone. The other option is just cook it on the cookie sheet.

5. Bake about 15 min. or until cheese bubbles. Enjoy!

Healthy Oatmeal Cashew Chocolate Chip Cookies (Vegan)

Well I went to get my teeth cleaned yesterday, by my one of my sweet daughters who is a dental hygienist. Getting my teeth cleaned is Not one of my favorite things to do, so I really appreciate a daughter who makes it a better experience, with her concern and the extra effort she puts into it. She is a sweetie. :) We have made it a tradition to go out to eat, after she cleans my teeth. We to to the Herb Shop. I Love their bread (It was even warm this time :) they serve with their turkey sandwich and their cookies are so good too. It helps me to soften my concerns about my teeth.
Well I looked at the ingredients in their cookies, and came up with my own variation today. They have a lot of healthy ingredients. I would not feel bad eating them for breakfast. You could add some other ingredients instead of chips too. Like dried fruit, nuts etc... Yum!

Ingredients:
1/2 almond milk or soy milk or...
2 T cider vinegar
3 C whole grain flour ( I did about 2 C kamut flour, 3/4 C spelt flour and 1/4 C teff flour)
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 C cashew powder (1/2 cashews ground into powder in the blender)
1/2 C coconut oil
1 1/4 to 1 1/2 C honey (depending on your sweetness preference) or 2 C sugar for vegan recipe
1 T vanilla
6 C old fashioned oatmeal
1 C chocolate chips or dried fruits or nuts

Directions: Heat oven to 350 Bake 8 to 10 min.
1. In a small bowl pour in milk and vinegar. Set aside for about 10 min. So milk can curdle.

2. Measure and pour the flour, salt and soda in a separate bowl.

3. In a mixing bowl, beat oil, honey and cashew powder till nice and creamy. Then beat in the vanilla. Then beat in the milk mixture.

4. Then alternate adding the flour and the oatmeal. Fold in the Chips.

5. Scoop on the cookie dough on to cookie sheet. (I used parchment paper.)

6. Don't over bake just cook till light golden. Cool on cooling rack.

The cashew powder added a creaminess to the cookie.

* You could flatten them before baking if you want a flatter cookie.

* Cider vinegar can be used in baking to work as a binding and leavening agent. Very Cool! :)

Moist Old Fashioned Oatmeal Bars for Breakast

I have fond memories of making oatmeal cake when I was younger. It was fun to make and tasted so good. So I saw this recipe and got excited. I changed it to make healthier a lot less sugar, and another healthier thing was leaving off the frosting. :) I didn't even miss it. Oatmeal is such a wonderful grain. I think It is my favorite, and it is so good for you. :)

I had the thought this is like a bowl of oatmeal, It has all the great things that a bowl of oatmeal has in it. Just add some fruit, and a drink of milk, or a handful of nuts, and you have a complete meal. I actually added apples to it, so you get some fruit inside as well. It would make a healthy snack, or be in place of dessert. You could make it the night before, and it would be all ready to go. My daughter and grandson came over, and loved it. It is fun to have taste testers. It is very moist.

Ingredients:

1 C Oatmeal
1 1/2 C boiling water
1/3 C coconut oil
2/3 C honey
2 eggs
1 1/2 C whole grain flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 C shredded coconut
1 small apple grated

Directions: Serves 12 or more

1. In a sauce pan boil water. Take off the heat pour in the oatmeal and let it sit for 15 min.

2. Cream oil, honey, and egg. Then add the oatmeal,flour, soda, cinnamon, salt, coconut and apple. Don't over mix.

3. Pour into a greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 325 for 20 to 25 min., or till done.

(You could add nuts, or another kind of fruit in there too.) Enjoy today, it will never be here again. :)

* Try these yummy Chocolate Oatmeal Bars
*Try these yummy Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Refrigerator Cookies
*Try these Moist Oatmeal Fruit Bars
*Try these Chewy Almond Butter Quinoa Bars

Meyer Lemon Whole Grain Oatmeal Rolls

I was looking through some old recipes, and found an oatmeal marmalade bread I used to make. I decided to twist it around and use some Meyers lemons, I just got at Wal Mart. As I mentioned before I love the smell of lemons. As I cut one open today, I was in heaven enjoying the smell. I think these would be wonderful with honey butter on them. You could add some zest to the butter too. Jam tastes great too. Just plain with a little butter is a nice way to enjoy on the flavors. They could be served for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Yum! Here is another recipe with lemons.

*I learned a new tip this week. When You zest your lime, lemon or orange, you should first wash it good with dish soap. I thought that was a great idea.

Recipe: Made 24 rolls
6 T Honey
1 1/2 T yeast
3 1/3 C lukewarm milk
2 2/3 old fashioned oats
1 C Kefir or plain yogurt
1/2 C coconut oil
1/2 C Meyer Lemon juice (You could sub. with reg.lemon or orange)
zest from a Meyer lemon (orange would be yummy too)
1/2 tsp cardamom
1 T salt
1/2 tsp ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
9 1/4 C Whole grain flour (combo: oat, kamut and spelt)


Directions:

1. In a bowl combine milk, yeast, oil, honey, kefir, oats and let sit about 30 min or more till nice and bubbly. I did not stir it much, just poured everything in.

2. Pour into bread mixer. Then add the zest, juice, spices and flour. Add the flour till leaves the sides of the bowl. (Don't knead more than 5 min. if you are using spelt. It doesn't do as well over kneaded.) You want the dough to be slightly sticky not dry.

3. Rub oil on your hands. Rub all over the dough. Place in a greased bowl. Cover with a towel. Let rise 30 min.

4. Grease pans. Rub oil on your hands. Form into rolls. (It works well to have oil on the rolls so they stay moist. Place on greased pan. Let rise until double. Preheat oven to 350. Bake till golden about 20 min. Rub some butter on the top of the rolls. Enjoy them hot!