Whole-Grain Banana Nutmeg Coffee Cake

Today I felt a bit like my Mom (for those of you who know my mom, that probably won't surprise you). Growing up on cold snowy or rainy days she would often go on a baking spree. She'd knick-name herself Suzie Homemaker:). Today I carried on her tradition! I spent most of the morning baking/cooking, and this is one of the results. Jonathan hasn't tried it yet, but it passes my quality control:). Fairly healthy, and yummy! Check out the recipe at A Little Bit of This. I've also recently added a few other random recipes.

Currant Scones

2C. Flour
1/4 C. Sugar
1 Tb bk powder
1/8 tsp salt
1/3 C. cold butter, cut in pieces
1 egg
1/2 cup cream
2 tsp vanilla (may substitute with almond extract)
1/2 C. frozen currants (may substitute with other dried, fresh or frozen fruits)

-Mix dry ingred. Use pastry blender to mix in butter or mix with your hands until coarse crumbs. Make well in center of mixture.
-Whisk together egg, cream, and vanilla. Add to dry ingred. Stir until moistened and dough forms.
-Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Knead by folding and gently pressing for 5-8 turns until dough is nearly smooth. Pat dough into 8-inch circle, then cut into 8 wedges.
-Brush with cream and sprinkle with a touch of sugar.
-Place each scone 1 inch apart on sprayed baking sheet. Bake at 400 for 12 min, or until lightly browned.


This recipe is from the Midwest Living Oct. 06 issue with just a couple adjustments. Mmmm good and it makes me think of England!!!

Cherry & Apple Muffins

1 egg
3/4 C. milk
1 handful dried cherries
1 chopped apple
1/2 C. oil
1 C. wh. wheat flour
1 C. quick oats
1/3 C. sugar
1 Tb bk powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp almond extr.
Mix dry ingredients. Mix wet ingredients (I used between 1/3 and 1/2 C. oil and it worked well) and add to dry ingredients. Pour into 12 greased cups. Bake at 400 degrees for approx. 15 minutes. Serve warm with butter! Mmmm.

Blueberry Bread

A recipe I found in an old Country Living...
1/4 C. butter, soft
1/2 C. sugar
2 eggs
2 C. flour
2 tsp bk powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 C. milk
1 tsp vanilla
2 tsp dried lemon peel
1 C. blueberries, fresh or frozen

Beat butter and sugar til fluffy, add vanilla and eggs one at a time.
Mix flour, bk powder, salt, lemon peel. Comine and add milk just until mixed. Add berries.
(I added a splash more milk - very thick batter)
Turn into heavily sprayed bread loaf pan and bake at 350 approx 50 min, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 min in pan on rack

Very good! Might try almond extract next time instead of vanilla.

Recipes

I've decided to try something new. I'd like to post recipes that we find to be yummy, healthy, either or, or maybe both! If someone tries a recipe and has feedback, please let me know! 5 1/2 years ago I knew very little about cooking, but I've learned so much from family, friends and experimenting over those years. Please don't laugh at the pictures - really, the stuff tastes better than it looks!:)

Italian Cheese Bread - recipe found at www.tammysrecipes.com
Of note: Watched carefully at the end as not to burn. Would use a bit more cheese and dressing. Can use ranch drg instead.
Good!


Anne Jisca's Easy Pizza Dough - recipe found at www.tammysrecipes.com
Of note: I let this rise 20 minutes. Used 1 Tb sugar. Used Instant yeast.
Very good! This pizza dough turned out better than any past attempts! Rose well (as noted next to the Dordt College mug:)).