Let's Eat

Homemade Crackers

Crackers are one of our family's favorite snacks.  When we decided to start eating cleaner the crackers got cut from the grocery list.  I did not have a hard time giving up the crackers but hubby on the other hand was struggling.  So I whipped up an easy cracker recipe with only a few ingredients that are clean and pantry staples.

Easy Homemade Crackers

1 c. whole wheat flour

1/2 c. water

1/2 tsp. salt

Mix flour and salt then slowly add in the water until you have a doughy consistency. (see pic below)

Flour your counter top and rolling pen.  Roll dough out until it is cracker thin.  

Once it is rolled to desired thinness place on a cookie sheet and cut with a pizza cutter desired cracker size.  Place in oven on 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes. 

After crackers come out of the oven break them up and place in an air tight container.  They pair deliciously with hummus!

 

Mamaw's Peanut Butter Pie

I was blessed with two amazing grandmothers and they both are amazing cooks. One of my favorite childhood memories are of Sunday lunches with Mamaw.  All of the delicious food, time around the table, and, my favorite, DESSERT!  This recipe is easy and always a hit on the homestead.

Peanut Butter Pie

1 tub of cool whip

4 oz of cream cheese

1/2 c. peanut butter

1 graham cracker crust

1/4 c. crushed peanuts

Let the cream cheese and cool whip soften.

Whip together the cool whip and cream cheese until smooth.  Gradually add in the peanut butter and whip until smooth.  Pour into the graham cracker crust and sprinkle with crushed peanuts. Refrigerate until ready to serve. 

This recipe really is that easy!  One could even say it is as easy as pie!

Basil Pesto

Basil is one of the easiest herbs for me to grow, especially since I have figured out it loves full sun. With this new found knowledge I have had an abundance of basil and there is only so much Caprese salad I can eat.  With all the excess basil growing I am on a mission to save it!

The best way to preserve basil is in pesto form, but what I have learned is that pesto doesn't last long jarred. (It last about a week refrigerated). So I have moved on to finding a new way to preserve and boy have I found it! FROZEN BASIL CUBES!

Basil Pesto

2 c. chopped fresh basil
2 tbsp. minced garlic
1/3 c. cashews (or walnuts or pine nuts)
1/2 c. shredded Parmesan
Salt & Pepper to taste
Olive Oil

I use a small food processor to chop up the basil, garlic, cashews, and Parmesan.  After the ingredients are pureed I slowly add olive oil until it becomes the desired consistency.  Once the pesto is at your desired smoothness add salt and pepper to taste.

Once the pesto is finished spoon into a plastic ice cube tray. I measured it out by tablespoon so I will know how much is in each cube for recipes later. Once you have filled the trays drizzle a little olive oil over each section in order to keep in the freezer.  Once frozen solid, pop out of tray and store in a zip-lock bag.

It was so easy and now I can't wait to have fresh pesto in December!

Coconut Oil Popcorn

Popcorn is it's own food group in our house.  Movie nights, afternoon snacks, and Sunday night dinner's popcorn is a staple.  In a recent attempt to eat more pure, I went on a search for a good health homemade popcorn option.  Below is a recipe that I worked up for our us.  Warning! It makes a ton of popcorn but the recipe can be cut.

Coconut Oil Popcorn

2 Tbsp coconut oil

1 c. popcorn kernels

Heat coconut oil in a large skillet to melt and slowly add kernels.  Keep temperature on medium high until kernels start to pop.  Do not leave unattended!  Because my recipe make so much popcorn I start scooping out popped corn to make room for more.  Salt or season as you like and enjoy!

Homemade Taco Seasoning

Every family has their go to meal.  Something that is easy and tasty.  Our go to meal is practically anything with a Mexican flavor.  With that being said we buy taco seasoning like it is going out of style.  I can generally buy a package of taco seasoning for about $0.48 which isn't that expensive but with the quantity and the amount of preservatives it was about time to find my own recipe.

Taco Seasoning

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. dried oregano

1/2 tsp. paprika

1/4 tsp onion salt

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

1 tsp black pepper

1 1/2 tsp ground cumin

1 tbsp chili powder

Shake all ingredients together in an airtight container for easy access.  1 tbsp is equivalent to a package of taco seasoning or add to your preference. 

Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Fall is my favorite time of the year simply because of the pumpkin flavored everything.  I can hardly believe we are half way through October and I am just now starting my pumpkin baking!  One of my favorite and easiest recipes are pumpkin spice cookies.

Pumpkin Spice Cookies

1/2 c. white sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 egg
2 Tbsp. butter
2 Tbsp. pumpkin puree
1 Tsp. Vanilla extract
1 Tbsp ground allspice
1 Tbsp ground nutmeg
1 c. self rising flour

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
This recipe will make about a dozen cookies.  

Cream together sugars, egg, butter, pumpkin, and vanilla extract.  

Combine the flour and spices and gradually add to the creamed ingredients

After adding the flour spoon out onto a cookie sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes.  Let cool before storing in an airtight container.  Our batch didn't make it through the week. 

Someone has her eye on the prize

Friday, October 17, 2014

Game Day Jalapeno Poppers

If there is one thing about autumn I can count on it is that football will be on in the Treece house.  Whether it is college game day Saturday or NFL Monday I am craving a game day snack.  A game day favorite are jalapeno poppers!  They are so simple to make and there are only three ingredients.  The recipe below is for only about 10 poppers.

Game Day Jalapeno Poppers

10 medium sized jalapenos
4 oz cream cheese
1 pkg of bacon strips cut in half





Because jalapeno's get almost everything they touch peppery I cut my cream cheese needed and bacon before I start cutting the peppers.

In order to cut down on the heat cut peppers in half and scrape out the seeds and ridges.

Spread cream cheese into jalapeno halves.

Preheat oven to 425 F.  Wrap jalapeno halves in bacon.  You can use toothpicks to hold the bacon in place but I usually don't have a problem just wrapping the bacon around it. Place in oven and let bake for 20 minutes or when the cheese begins to toast.

This easy snack is a great addition to any game day spread. Go team!