Toasty Whole Grain Orange Muffins

These were also kid approved for breakfast.

1 c regular rolled oats
1 c cooked quinoa, cooled
1/3 c chopped nuts (walnuts are good)
1 T olive oil (coconut oil would also be an excellent choice)
1 1/4 c freshly milled hard wheat flour
1/4 c honey
1 1/2 t aluminum free baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
1 orange
1/2 c buttermilk
1/2 c sour cream
2 eggs
3 T melted butter

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Place oats, cooled cooked quinoa, and walnuts in a greased 15x10x1 banking pan. Add oil. Toss together.

Spread in an even layer. Bake 10-12 minutes or until toasted, stirring once. Remove. Cool in pan or on wire rack.

Grease 12-2.5 in muffin cups; set aside.

In a large bowl, stir together all but 1/4 c quinoa mixture, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and 1/2 t salt.

Make a well in the center of the flour mixture; set aside.

Finely shred 2 t peel from the orange. Juice orange (about 3 T).

In a  2-cup measure, whisk together buttermilk, sour cream, eggs, butter, orange juice, honey, and orange peel.

Add to flour. Stir until just moistened.

Spoon batter into prepared cups. Fill 3/4 full. Sprinkle with remaining quinoa mixture.

Bake 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Cool 5 minutes.

Dark Cocoa Banana Muffins

I realize it's been a while since I've been able to blog. Between a baby and grad school, my time is pretty much taken. However, I did discover a delicious breakfast muffin recipe. It is kid tested with my healthy modifications.

1 1/2 c freshly milled hard white flour
1/3 c honey
1/4 c unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 t baking powder
1 t instant coffee powder
1/2 t baking soda
2/3 c buttermilk
1/2 c sour cream
2 eggs
3 T melted butter
2 peeled bananas

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Grease 12-2 1/2 in muffin cups.
In a large bowl, stir together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, coffee powder, baking soda, and 1/2 t salt.

Make a well in the center of the flour mixture; set aside

In a 2 cup measure, whisk, together buttermilk, sour cream, eggs, and butter; add to flour mixture. Add honey.

Stir until just moistened (batter should be lumpy).

Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, filling each 3/4 full

Trim ends from bananas.

Cut each into 6 pieces.

Press a banana piece into each muffin tin. Drizzle banana pieces with honey.
Bake 15 minutes or until tops are firm. Cool for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks.

Crispy Rice Flour Waffles (Gluten Free)

For those who have to follow a gluten free diet, here is a tasty recipe. I know from experience that it can be difficult to find tasty gluten free dishes.

1 3/4 c rice flour ( I use brown rice.)
2 T brown sugar (I use sucanat.)
1 T baking powder (aluminum free is best)
3/4 t sea salt
3 eggs, separated
1 3/4 c milk (I used almond milk.)
1/4 c oil (butter or non-hydrogenated shortening will work)

Combine and mix first 4 ingredients; reserve.
Best egg yolks until thick and lemon colored; stir in milk and oil.
Add to flour; beat until blended.
Beat egg whites until stiff. Carefully fold into batter.

Cook on waffle iron.

Split Pea Soup

This is a most nutritious dish. My kids loved it, especially my son who loves peas.  I would make a few modifications and will include those.

2 T olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 carrots, finely chopped
2 large stalks celery, finely chopped
(1 clove, minced garlic) ** not included in recipe, but I think would add some more flavor
1 lb dried green peas, rinsed and picked over
8 cups broth (any kind will work)
1/2 t. thyme ( I used Penzey's Tuscan Sunset b/c I do not care for thyme.)
1 bay leaf
salt and pepper (I used 1 t. all purpose seasoning, recipe found earlier in blog)

**You can also add some lentils for added protein. I used about 1/2 peas and 1/2 lentils b/c I didn't have enough peas. Oops.  However, it was just as delicious.

Warm olive oil in a large, heavy pot over medium heat. Do not heat any higher than medium. Add onion, carrot, celery, and garlic. Cook covered for 10 min. Stir occasionally.

Stir in remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally until peas are soft. About 40-50 minutes.

Puree soup in blender in small batches. Serve hot.

Breakfast Berry Risotto

5 c. water
1 c. arborio rice
1 c. milk (I used unsweetened vanilla almond milk.)
1/4-1/2 t cinnamon (I used 1/2 t.)
1/4 c vanilla sugar (I used honey granules since I used vanilla almond milk. Honey would also be ok.)
2 t. vanilla
1/2 c. fresh raspberries
1/2 c. fresh sliced strawberries
1/2 c. fresh blueberries
(frozen fruit works just as well)

Heat water to a simmer.
Combine rice, milk, cinnamon, sugar, and vanilla in a large frying pan. Heat 1 min.
Add water 1 c at a time until absorbed.
Fold in berries.

Ezekiel Stew

This is also a very versatile recipe. Experiment with it to find what you like. Super nutritious!

2 1/2 qts broth
1-2 potatoes diced
1 large onion
1/2 T salt (I use the all purpose seasoning found earlier in the blog.)
1-2 cloves of minced garlic
1-2 T cumin
1 1/4 c hard red wheat
3/4 c spelt
1/4 c barley
1/8 cup millet
1/8 cup lentils
1 T kidney beans
1 T pinto beans
1 T great northern or navy beans

(You can use whatever combination of beans you want. I used black eyed peas as well. You can also use a varied combination of grains. I was out of spelt, but use aramanth. It worked just fine. ) This is just the base. You can also add chili powder, basil, orgegano, carrots, tomatoes, or whatever vegetables you like. I just cleaned out the veggie drawer in my fridge.

Soak beans over night. In the morning, drain. Boil beans until soft. Add all ingredients to crock pot. Cook 8 hours on low.

Granola

I have played around with this recipe a little. It is very versatile. You can add whatever you want. So make and enjoy.

1 stick butter
1/2 c honey
4 cup rolled oats

Nuts, raisins, and coconut as desired.

This is just the base.  I also added:

2 t cinnamon
1/2 t nutmeg
2 T millet
1 t vanilla
1/4 c pumpkin seeds

Feel free to experiment with ingredients to your taste.

Melt butter and honey together. Pour over oats and ingredients of your choice. Stir well. Bake 400 degrees for 10 minutes. Stir and bake 5 minutes longer.