Granola Bites in a Muffin Tin

Granola Bites in a Muffin Tin:

We buy Granola Bites at a local Market.
I think this recipe fits in well with the theme of this blog.

In the 60's & 70's we certainly ate  a lot of Granola. I've posted my Hippy Granola Recipe on the Blog.

This is simple and very close to the ones we buy.

1 1/2 C Quick Rolled Oats ( not instant )
1/2 C Almond Flour
1/2 C Flax Seeds
1/2 C Chopped Walnuts
1/4 C Sunflower Seeds
1/2 C Dried Blueberries
1/2 C Dried Cranberries
1/2 C Dried Coconut
1/2 tsp Cinnamon
1/8 tsp Nutmeg
1/8 tsp Clove
1/4 tsp Salt
1 Egg, beaten
2/3 C Honey
1/4 C Vegetable Oil
1 tsp Vanilla extract
1 tsp Almond extract

In a large bowl, mix well:
The first 12 ingredients ( the dry ingredients )

In a separate bowl, mix well:
The next 5 ingredients ( the wet ingredients )

Mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients  until dry ingredients are completely moistened.

Divide among 12 cups of a regular size Muffin Tin

Press down with the bottom of a glass
Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until they begin to brown slightly

Cool before releasing from the pan

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Baked French Toast in a Muffin Tin served with a Berry Topping !

Here's another great idea for Breakfast or Brunch
Adapted from the Muffin Tin Chef

6 Slices of White Bread
3 Eggs , beaten
1/3 C Heavy Cream
1 TBS Brown Sugar
1 tsp Vanilla
1/4 tsp Cardamom ( if you don't have Cardamom, blend equal parts of Cinnamon & Nutmeg or Cinnamon & Ginger ) 1/8 tsp of each.
1/4 tsp Salt


Berry Topping
1 C Fresh or Frozen Berries, your choice
1/3 C the best Maple Syrup you can afford
1/2 tsp Cinnamon
1 tsp Citrus Zest , your choice ( I like Lime with Blueberries, Lemon or Orange with Raspberries , Strawberries, Lingonberries, Black Berries etc !
1 tsp Cornstarch

Cut the Bread into small cubes

In a small bowl:
Eggs
Cream
Milk
Sugar
Vanilla
Cardamom
Salt

Add Bread to the mixture
Let sit for at least 5 minutes

Divide the mixture between 12 cups in a  regular size Muffin Tin
Divide the remaining liquid from the mixture evenly among the cups

Bake at 350 degrees at least 20 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the egg mixture has set

Topping:
In a saucepan, cook together:
Berries
Maple Syrup
Cinnamon
Citrus Zest

Bring to a boil over Medium - Low heat
Simmer 5 minutes
Whisk in Cornstarch
Continue simmering until the mixture thickens , 1 minute


Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Thank you all......

I've traveled the world extensivily. The list of countries that visit this blog is very impressive. Each time I visit another country, I take a part of it with me and keep it in my memory forever, I hope that all of you can take away a bit of my life and my experiences from Texas and my home State of Michigan as you read the stories and the recipes on this blog.

I love the food and the recipes that I experience in the countries where I've spent time.
I've mentioned it before on the blog....... "if you want to get to know people in other cultures... eat with them"!

Enjoy my world!
I've enjoyed yours!
Peace!

Jello Instant Pudding Frosting

This was probably an original Kraft recipe from decades ago. It's available online in many variations.
It can be made with any flavor of Instant Pudding Mix.
It's obviously a simple and quick recipe.
I haven't made it, but I will.
I'll update the blog with my opinion and photographs when I make it.
I've previously posted my Best of the Best Recipe for a Pastry Cream that is the best I've ever tasted. It's also easy to prepare. I believe it's in my Tips, Hints and More category. You can search it on the blog.

So, here's the Jello Instant Pudding Frosting Recipe:

1 pkg.  (3.9 oz.) JELL-O Chocolate Instant Pudding

1

cup  cold milk

1/4

cup  powdered sugar

1

tub  (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed

make it

BEAT pudding mix, milk and sugar in large bowl with whisk 2 min. Stir in COOL WHIP.

Aunt Faye's Butterscotch Yule Log

This is truly a vintage recipe for the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays.

These remind me of Stuckey's Pecan Logs.
Stuckey's was a restaurant  along the highways in Michigan.
When we were kids and our family traveled through the State of Michigan ,my father always stopped at a Stuckey's and we bought their Pecan Logs.

1 6 oz. package ( 1 C ) Butterscotch Flavored Morsels
1/3 C Sweetened Condensed Milk
1/2 tsp Vanilla
1/2 C Chopped Pecans + Pecan Halves for decorating the log
1 Egg white, beaten with a fork

In a double boiler, melt Butterscotch Morsels over Hot, not boiling water.
Remove and stir in Condensed Milk and Vanilla
Add Chopped Pecans
Mix well

Chill until firm enough to handle

Form into a 12 " log on waxed paper
Roll tightly in the waxed paper to shape evenly into the log
Unroll and mark the surface lengthwise with the tines of a fork to resemble the bark of a branch.

Brush the log with the Egg White

Press Pecan Halves all over the surface of the roll, cover completely.
Wrap in a new piece of waxed paper and refrigerate until completely chilled
Unwrap and slice in 1/2 " slices with a sharp knife.
Makes about 2 dozen slices.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Aunt Faye's Molasses Apple Cookies

This is another Christmas Cookie Recipe from Aunt Faye.

1/2 C Raisins
1 C Vegetable Shortening
1 1/2 C packed Brown Sugar
1/4 C Molasses
3 Eggs
3 1/2 C Sifted Flour
1.2 tsp Salt
1 tsp Baking Soda
3 tsp Cinnamon
1/4 tsp Clove
1/2 tsp Nutmeg
1/4 tsp Allspice
1 C chopped Walnuts
1 C  peeled & finely chopped Apple ( I prefer Jonagold Apples)

Rinse Raisins in Hot Water, dry them

Cream Shortening and Sugar in a stand mixer ( until creamy) This can be mixed for up to five minutes.
Add Molasses
Add Eggs, one at a time

Sift  in a separate bowl:
Flour
Salt
Baking Soda
Cinnamon
Clove
Nutmeg
Allspice
Add this mixture to the Shortening mixture.
Mix lightly

Fold in Walnuts  Apples, Raisins

Drop by spoonfuls onto a Parchment Paper lined, or Silpat lined Cookie Sheet. ( I use a cookie scoop)

Bake at 350 degrees for 12 - 15 minutes.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Aunt Faye's Christmas Date Loaf

She made this every Christmas.
My Aunt Faye and Uncle Johnny lived on a farm in Michigan.
The best Christmases as a child were spent on the farm.

It was the first time in my life that I knew Santa Claus was on the roof, ready to come down the chimney.
My sister and I couldn't sleep that night.

In memory of Aunt Faye and my memories of Christmas on the farm, here's her Christmas Date Loaf Recipe.

1 lb. of Whole Dates
1 lb. of Whole Walnuts

Sift together, in a bowl:
1 C Sugar
1 C Flour
2 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Salt

In another bowl
4 Eggs , beaten
1 tsp Vanilla

Mix Dates, Nuts and the Flour Mixture.
Add Egg mixture
Blend well

Place dough in a Loaf Pan
Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!