Power Bars

These power bars are nothing like you get from the health food aisle. These are moist and full of flavor. They have lots of protein and give you energy to get you going in the morning. You wouldn't think the pinto beans would taste good in these, but you really can't taste them at all and they add protein and fiber without a nasty taste like those store-bought bars. These can be a little pricey to make, but I guarantee they're way cheaper and better tasting than the store-bought kind. I will post a picture next time I make them.

Power Bars

1 2/3 cup crushed granola cereal (I like Cascadian Farms Oat N' Honey best.)
1 cup chopped dried dates
1 cup flaked coconut
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 15 oz. can pinto beans, rinsed well, and mashed well
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped almonds
1/2 cup honey
3 tbs. butter, melted
2 tbs. canola oil
1 tsp. vanilla
1/8 tsp. salt

1) Line a 13 X 9 in. baking pan with foil. Lightly coat foil with nonstick cooking spray. Preheat oven to 350 deg. F.

2) Combine cereal, dates, coconut, brown sugar, flour and cinnamon in a large bowl. Stir in beans, raisins and nuts. Combine honey, butter, oil, vanilla and salt in a small bowl. Add to cereal mixture; stir until well combined. Press mixture evenly into prepared pan using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon.

3) Bake in a preheated oven about 35 minutes or until set and dry. Cool completely; use foil to lift out of pan. Cut into bars. (Mine were really moist and didn't really cut into bars well, but the flavor was excellent!)



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Baked Oatmeal

This is a picture of the version with the dried cranberries, coconut, raisins, and almonds added.

This recipe makes such a yummy, wholesome breakfast. After eating this, I can never eat the mushy instant oatmeal again. I love to top this with syrup and to make it healthier and heartier, I will mix in dried fruits and nuts. My husband likes to top this with milk. Either way you go, it's delicious and very economical! I like to double this recipe and stock it in the freezer in individual serving-size containers. Just pop in the microwave and you've got a fast breakfast. I actually like to eat mine cold from the fridge.

Baked Oatmeal

3 cups quick oatmeal
1 cup sugar
1 cup milk
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
(Mix first.)

To make it healthier, I like to also add:
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup coconut
1/4 cup sliced almonds

Mix all ingredients together and put in a greased 8 X 8 square pan. Bake at 350 deg. F. for 30 minutes. Let cool, and cut into squares (mine fall apart, but still taste good) and serve with syrup if desired.

To double recipe, cook in 13 X 9 pan and bake for approx. 40 minutes.



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Favorite Salisbury Steak

This recipe has become a favorite in our house, especially with my husband. I make it with homemade mashed potatoes. He's a meat and potatoes kind of guy! I use ground chuck instead and it makes such a moist and tender salisbury steak and I use fresh mushrooms as well which makes for a much better flavor. These are so yummy!

Favorite Salisbury Steak

Serves 6

Patties

1 lb extra-lean ground beef (I use ground chuck)
1/2 cup unseasoned dry bread crumbs
1/2 cup milk
1 egg white
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
(I just eyeballed the salt and pepper and added garlic powder to taste as well.)

Gravy

3/4 cup beef broth
1/4 cup dry red wine or beef broth (I used beef broth and bouillon cubes to save money and it tastes better to me without the wine flavor.)
1 Tbsp cornstarch
1/4 tsp dried thyme leaves (I used dried italian seasonings)
1 (2.5 oz.) jar sliced mushrooms, drained
(Instead, I sauteed 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms until browned for better flavor.)

1) In medium bowl, combine all patty ingredients; mix gently. Mixture will be moist. Shape into 6 oval patties, about 3/4 inch thick.

2)Spray large nonstick skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Heat over medium heat until hot. Add patties; cook 3 minutes on each side or until browned. Remove patties from skillet; drain, if necessary.

3) In small bowl, combine broth, wine, cornstarch and thyme; blend well. Pour into same skillet. Cook over low heat until mixture boils and thickens, stirring constantly. Stir in mushrooms. Return patties to skillet. Cover; simmer about 15 minutes or until patties are no longer pink in center.



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Cinnamon-Sugar Glazed Carrots

This was a recipe I just made up because every other glazed carrot recipe I tried was nasty, wasn't sweet enough, or didn't have enough sauce. I love butter on vegetables, and the cinnamon and sugar add a nice sweetness and it has a wonderful-tasting sauce that my family, especially the kids loved. I even dipped my dinner roll in the left-over sauce and it was so yummy! I'll add a picture next time I make it.

Cinnamon-Sugar Glazed Carrots

4 cups chopped carrots (I used baby carrots. You could leave them whole too.)
4 tbs. butter
½ cup brown sugar
½ tsp. ground cinnamon
¼ tsp. salt

Bring water in a large pot to a boil. Add carrots, bring back to a boil. Cover and simmer 7-9 minutes or until carrots are to desired tenderness. Drain and set aside. Over medium heat, melt butter, then add brown sugar and stir. Stir continuously and cook until boiling, then add cinnamon and salt. Stir well, remove from heat and mix with cooked carrots. Serve.

You could easily cut the sauce in half if it's too much for you, but it's great for rolls!



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Lentil Oat Loaf

This recipe is one I made by combining elements of a few different recipes together. I wanted something that was economical and yet tasty to make. Most lentil loaves have a lot of expensive ingredients in them or they're really lacking in the flavor department and dry as well. It's not a substitute for a meatloaf, but it is a nice healthy, cheap meal that you can easily double. I'll add a picture after I make it next.

Lentil Oat Loaf

SERVES 6 , 1 loaf

Ingredients

1 ½ cups dried lentils
3 ½ cups of water
1 medium onion, diced
1 cup rolled oat (quick or large flake)
3/4 cup grated cheddar cheese
1 egg, beaten
2/3 cup BBQ sauce (I like Sweet Baby Ray’s Vidalia Onion BBQ sauce best.)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
2 teaspoon seasoning salt (Could use less if you find it too salty….I like salt.)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

1) Cook lentils in water until tender. Slightly mash.
2) Mix lentils, onion, oats, and cheese in a large bowl and mix well.
3) Add the beaten egg and mix well.
4) Add sauce, garlic, Italian seasonings, salt, and pepper.
5) Spray a loaf pan with cooking spray and pour/scrape the lentil mixture into it. Even out the top surface with a spatula or fork and top with more barbecue sauce.
6) Bake uncovered 30-40 minutes at 375 deg. F.



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