Update: Peanut Butter Cookies

I have been making these for years now.  Since peanut butter is fairly high in fat, I was bothered by how much shortening I was adding to this recipe.  So, today I made them again cutting the shortening in half and adding some additional milk (non-dairy can also be used).  I think they are even better than before!  To see the updated recipe, click here.  Peanut Butter Cookies {Egg-free, Dairy-free}

Fresh Pear Muffins {Egg-free, Dairy-free}

I think it is safe to say that almost any overripe fruit or vegetable gets cooked at my house.  I hate wasting food and cooking helps it last a little longer.  I usually roast vegetables that have been around a little too long.  I think almost all overripe fruit ends up in some kind of muffin!  Yum!  Here is a recipe for pear muffins.  Enjoy!

Fresh Pear Muffins

1 c flour

1 c whole wheat flour

½ c sugar

½ c brown sugar

2 t baking soda

1 t salt

1 t cinnamon

5 c pears, peeled and chopped (about 5)

½ c vegetable oil

¼ c honey

1 t vanilla

1 c chopped pecans (optional)

Preheat oven to 350° and put paper liners in muffin cups.  Set aside.  Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl, except for pecans (if using).  With an electric mixer, beat on medium speed for 3 minutes.  Stir in pecans.  Spoon evenly into prepared into paper lined muffin cups.  

Bake for about 20 minutes.  Cool in pan for 5-10 minutes.  Move to wire rack to cool completely.  
Makes about 2 dozen muffins.

Update: Sloppy Joe Sliders

I made Sloppy Joe Slidders today.  I had been thinking the original recipe was a little too sweet.  Today, I cut the brown sugar in half and liked it better.  I adjusted the original post accordingly.

This summer has been much busier than I expected.  While I am still cooking, I am not experimenting as much with new recipes.  I hope to be posting more again soon!

Sloppy Joe Sliders - Click to link to recipe.

Zucchini and Corn

This is the side dish I made to go with the Mexican Picadillo from my last post.  I thought it was really good together and I will for sure be making both recipes again.  I also like that this recipe uses fresh summer produce!

Zucchini & Corn - Click to link to recipe.  To make dairy-free, simply omit the Parmesan cheese.

Mexican Picadillo

You have to try this!  It is so good.  My kids also really liked it.

The only note I have on the recipe is that it took me longer than the recipe stated to cook it.  My potatoes still were not tender after the recommended time.  I ended up covering mine to get them tender.  Next time, I will cover it to cook until the potatoes are tender then remove the lid until the excess moisture is reduced.  If you are on a gluten-free diet, make sure the beef broth/stock you use is gluten-free.

If you like this recipe, you may also like Meat Potatoes & Green Beans (EF, DF, GF).

Mexican Picadillo - Click to link to recipe.

Chef Salad

Another salad that is interesting and tasty enough for a manly man!  My husband loved this chef salad.  I know you all probably don't really need a recipe for salad, but I always find it helpful to see salad recipes to inspire me!  So, I thought I would share.

Chef Salad

2 c Mixed greens

½-1 c Cooked ham cubes*

¼ c Carrot, shredded

¼ c Cheese, shredded 

¼ c Black olives, sliced

½ c English cucumber, sliced and quartered

½ c Grape tomatoes, cut in half

1-2 T Ranch (We like Wishbone Ranch, which is egg-free and gluten-free.)

In a large bowl, combined desired amount of each ingredient, omit some, add others, depending on your tastes.  I find that if you add a little dressing and mix it into the salad, then you can get away with using a lot less dressing.

The quantities I listed above are great for one large salad.  According to my calorie counting ap, it is only about 400-600 calories.  That is not bad at all for a filling, delicious lunch.

*The first time I made this salad, I used leftover ham that we had in the freezer from our Easter dinner.  I have also bought packaged cubed ham from the grocery store.  I like to sear my ham in a skillet to brown it up a little, which enhances the flavor and dries up any excess moisture on your ham pieces.  You don’t need to add oil or anything to the pan.  If you are on a gluten-free diet, make sure your ham is gluten-free.