Flapjacks gone granola....or something like that

I told you I would share a different pancake recipe with you......just forgot to do it THE NEXT DAY like I promised. Sorry.

This recipe is for my more health-conscious readers. We got it when we were honeymooning in Jackson Hole, WY, at a wonderful bed-n-breakfast there. They served some yummy breakfasts, and this was one of the top menu items. (Some of the other menu items were a little less appetizing....the salmon scrambled eggs, for example. blah....)

So if you are looking to add more heart-healthy ingredients to your menu, this recipe will help with that.....

Wildflower Inn's Oatmeal Pancakes

1/2 cup all purpose flour (I used whole wheat flour to make it even healthier!)
1 T. sugar
1 t. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
1/4 t. salt
2 cups old fashioned oatmeal
2 cups buttermilk
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted and cooled

1. Combine oats and buttermilk for about 15 minutes. Add eggs and butter. Stir well.
2. Add flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir gently.
3. Cook on medium hot grill. (I use a 1/4 cup measure to ladle onto the grill.)

Serve with maple syrup (or applesauce, for a healthier topping).

What's a flapjack anyways?

I think I have mentioned that I have some big eaters in my house. Seriously, we appear to be training for some competitive eating, based on the amounts of food consumed around here.

Because of that, I need some good hearty breakfast foods......to keep them satisfied for a few hours at least.

This recipe is a huge hit around here. And it doesn't have a warm and fuzzy story about being passed down through generations or anything. I actually got it from the wife of our Walmart manager, when I was working at Curves before our wedding. Yes--it IS an odd place to get a recipe from. But I am not about to complain or even question.

Because my family adores it.

Without further rambling, here it is.....

Favorite Pancakes
(aka: Pancakes Fed To The Local Walmart Manager and His Family)

2 1/2 cups flour (I use 1 cup wheat flour, 1 1/2 white)
4 t. baking powder
1 T. sugar
1 t. salt
2 beaten eggs
2 cups milk
2 T. oil

Combine egg, milk, and salad oil. Add dry ingredients, stirring until smooth. Bake on hot griddle. Makes about 18 pancakes. (I used a 1/4 measuring cup to pour batter onto griddle.)

P.S Those aren't really the pancakes in that picture up there. lol.
I will post the recipe for THOSE pancakes tomorrow.

Bargain Meal of the Week: January 20-26, 2010

It's cold out.....I needed some comfort food this week. :-) Plus, it is always nice to serve up some food that the kids will hug you for, right?

Sloppy Joes, Chips and Apple Slices

80% Lean Ground Beef--$1.79/lb (cook 1 lb.)
Hunt's Manwich--10/$10 (use 1 can)
King Soopers Hamburger Buns--10/$10

Doritos--$1.88 (use 1/2 bag)

Jazz Apples--10/$10 (cut up 2-3)

Est. Cost: $5.73

(Make sure you buy the Doritos over the weekend--they are only on a 3-day sale!)

Check out the Grocery Gathering for local deals, as well as sign up
at King Soopers.com for coupons and specials!

Bargain Meal of the Week: January 13-19, 2010

It's time for the National Western Stock Show here in Denver, and that means sales on meat. :-)

But the beef is not cheap enough for me, so I am going for the pork this week.

Enjoy yourself some ribs, and remember the bib and wipes! ;)

Crockpot Sesame Ribs and Steamed Veggies
(I reduced the recipe to 4 servings, and used a pre-made marinade rather than make my own.)

Country Style Pork Ribs--$1.69/lb. (need 2 lbs.)
Kroger Marinades--10/$10 (use Sesame Ginger flavor)
Red, White or Yellow Peeled Onions--10 lbs/$10 (use 1)

Bird's Eye or Kroger Vegetables--10/$10 (make 1 pkg.)

Est. Cost: $5.88

And if you are in the Denver area during January, make sure you take in a rodeo for me. I will be too busy cooking.....
Oh, and remember to check out the Grocery Gathering for your local deals!

Cranberry Recipes-Part 2

I discovered a new cranberry recipe last month.....from Martha Stewart Living of all places!

Typically I cannot concoct any of her recipes, because they include ingredients that (for some reason) I just don't have on hand.

Goat cheese. Tarragon. Italian basil. Cooking sherry. Prosciutto.

Call me crazy, but I usually do not pick those items up at the local market
on my weekly shopping trips. :-)

But this recipe was SIMPLE, delicious, and included ingredients I had sitting around the house. (Martha has come down to the common folk at last.....)

I made it for a friends' brunch, then for my family, and again over Christmas for my parents and my sister's family. Everyone loved it each time.

Enjoy making some and impressing your closest critics!


Apple-Cranberry Crumble

4 apples, peeled and cored
1 cup fresh or frozen (unthawed) cranberries
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 t. ground cinnamon
Coarse salt
8 T. (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 cup pecan halves, coarsely chopped (I left these out)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
6 T. packed light-brown sugar

1. Preheat oven to 425. Quarter apples lengthwise, then thinly slice. Toss in a large bowl with cranberries, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until evenly coated.

2. Butter a 9x13 glass or ceramic baking dish. Mix pecans, flour, oats, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt in a bowl until combined. Work in butter with your fingertips until topping is crumbly, with pea-size chunks.

3. Spread apple mixture in prepared dish; sprinkle with topping. Bake until filling is bubbling and topping is golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving.

Serves 8

(Martha Stewart Living, October 2009)

Don't get "bogged" down with bad recipes....

When we were traveling back from WI for Thanksgiving, we stopped at Walmart (as usual.) As I was picking up some snacks for the car, I noticed fresh cranberries on sale for $0.99/bag!!! And they were fresh Wisconsin cranberries besides! I picked a few bags--I love to have them on hand in the freezer. (In fact, I am kind of obsessed with cranberry stuff....) I will share some of my top cranberry recipes over the next few weeks.

Here is one of my favorite cranberry recipes. I used to make them for my husband's soccer team and I always got requests for more. :-) These muffins MELT in your mouth!

Batter:
1 egg
6 T. milk
6 T. butter or margarine, softened
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3 t. baking powder
6 T. superfine sugar (I use regular old sugar and it works fine :-)
2/3 cup frozen cranberries, partially defrosted

Topping:
2 T. superfine or confectioner's sugar
1 t. cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 2-3 muffin tins (15 cups).
2. Whisk together the egg and milk. Beat in the softened butter or margarine.
3. Sift together the flour and baking powder and stir into the mixture with the sugar. Mix thoroughly until smooth, then add the cranberries, folding them in gently.
4. Spoon the mixture into the muffin tins, filling them 3/4 full. Mix the topping ingredients together and sprinkle over the muffins. Bake for 20 minutes, or until firm to the touch. Let the muffins cool in the tins for 2-3 minutes, then turn them out and serve immediately.

Makes 15
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes

(Taken from The Cranberry Cookbook--Hamlyn)

Bargain Meal of the Week: December 2-8, 2009

We all need easy meals this month. There is enough going on as it is.....without having to prepare gourmet meals for the family. :-)

So, enjoy the simple meal this week, and enjoy making Christmas memories with your family!

"Taking Time for Decorating" Meal: Spaghetti and French Bread with Fruit Salad

Barilla Pasta--10/$10 (use 1 box of thin spaghetti)
Hunt's Pasta Sauce--10/$10 (I like the meat sauce)
Italian or Sourdough Bread--$1.49 (pick up your favorite loaf! ;-)

Bartlett Pears--10/$10 (use 1)
Organic Apples--10/$10 (use 1)
Geisha Mandarin Oranges--$0.88

Est. Cost: $5.87

And make sure you check out local deals over at BeCentsable!