Recipes

Maple Granola With Raisins (Updated Recipe)

February 3, 2012

Some of you might remember this recipe.

This is a recipe I shared nearly two years ago now, and it's morphed a bit over the course of time. I've made a few updates to the recipe and taken new pictures. It's a classic; I love the light maple flavor, the nuts, the raisins, and that it's easy to make. It's versatile, too --- if you have different items in your pantry, it's easy to modify and make it your own.

Several readers have told me this is one of their favorites. *smile*

Granola + yogurt = match made in heaven. Really. Have you tried it?

Feel free to pile it high on a big bowl of homemade yogurt.

Here's what you'll need:

4 cups rolled oats
3/4 c oat bran
1/2 c chopped almonds
1/2 c chopped pecans
1/2 c chopped walnuts
1 tsp salt
1/4 c brown sugar
1/4 c maple syrup
1/4 c honey
1/2 c melted coconut oil
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 c raisins

What to do:

1) Preheat the oven to 325. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil.

2) Combine oats, bran, and nuts in large bowl.

3) Stir together salt, brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, oil, cinnamon, and vanilla in a saucepan. Bring to boil over medium heat, then pour over oat mixture and stir to coat.

4) Spread the mixture evenly over the baking sheet and bake until toasted, about 20 minutes. Stir once halfway through.

5) Cool, then stir in raisins and store in airtight container.

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Bubbling Brook Tip: Here's a fun limited time offer (through February 5th; great for Valentine's Day!) from The Card Store: 20% Off Valentine’s Day Cards plus Free Shipping. Code SHOPHOME20

:: also shared at homestead revival and healthy home economist

Filed Under: Recipes 3 Comments

Dinner on a Dime: Favorite Healthy & Frugal Dinners (and a link-up!)

January 26, 2012

We're all looking for dinner ideas that are simple, healthy, and inexpensive.

Here are a few of my favorites (and there's more listed in my recipe index):

Cheesy Chili Pie

Chicken Pot Pie (with a savory herb and cheddar crust!)

Curried Chicken Fried Rice

Now, I'd like you to share your favorites! There are just a few rules.

Please...

Dinner ideas only. We'll look at other meals in other upcoming link-ups.
Try to keep them both frugal (less than $2 or so per person) and reasonably healthy (no processed foods, boxed meals, etc).
Share this post with your friends after linking up. They need dinner ideas, too!

Are you ready? I can't wait to read through your delicious recipes and ideas! I just know I'm going to be inspired!

*You might also enjoy the ideas and recipes in The America's Test Kitchen Healthy Family Cookbook: A New, Healthier Way to Cook Everything from America's Most Trusted Test Kitchen

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:: also shared at better mom mondays , titus(2)sdays, teach me tuesdays, and welcome home

Filed Under: Budgeting & Frugal Living, Eating Real Foods, Homekeeping, Recipes 8 Comments

12 Simple, Frugal Dishes For Potluck or Carry-In Parties

December 27, 2011

There are so many dishes you could bring to a holiday potluck, but what are your choices if you're trying keep things simple and frugal during the holiday season? Plan now for your upcoming family, friends, or church gathering by browsing these inexpensive dishes that are also simple enough to make while creating memories with the children.

Here are 12 ideas to get you started:

image by carolyn|umami girl

1) Deviled eggs - Easy, yummy, and very inexpensive. Add a layer of lettuce to the bottom of your flat serving dish to help keep them from sliding around.

2) Melon skewers - Try cantaloupe, honeydew, or any melon and use a melon baller to make perfectly round spheres, then skewer them.

3) Cheese and fruit tray - Children especially love cheese squares, so these make a great option if there will be children at the party. Garnish with a few pieces of fruit, such as grapes or sliced strawberries.

4) Garlic hummus - My recipe is super easy. You'll love it.

I'm sharing the rest of my list over at Raising Homemakers. Won't you join me there? I'd love for you to add your simple meal ideas, too!

Filed Under: Frugal Living, Hospitality, Kitchen Tips, Meal Plans, Recipes 2 Comments

5 Hot Cocoa Recipes: Mostly Guiltless, Somewhat Guiltless, and Not-Guiltless-At-All

December 19, 2011

image by david+1

Creamy, steamy hot chocolate is one of my favorite winter treats. With sugar, without sugar, spiced, mixed... Who knew there was such a variety of ways to make a delicious pot of cocoa? Topped with luscious real whipped cream, it makes the perfect cold weather treat.

Here are five hot cocoa recipes you're sure to enjoy:

1) The Warm Chocolate Soother - Shared by Laura at Heavenly Homemakers, this is a not-too-sweet-treat, with a vanilla variation as well.

2) Classic Hot Cocoa - Naturally sweetened, this recipe by Kimi at the Nourishing Gourmet is very simple to make.

3) Hot Cocoa Dry Mix - Whole Foods shares an easy DIY cocoa mix, with variations for spiced hot cocoa as well as java cocoa. Mmm!

4) Peppermint Stick Cocoa - This would be a wonderful gift-in-a-jar! Amy at Homestead Revival has put this together beautifully.

5) Fat & Sassy Velvety Vanilla Hot Chocolate Mix - My sweet IRL friend Rachel shares her special cocoa and warns that you may get fat simply reading her recipe. She also says that it's addicting and you may have someone knocking on your door in the middle of the night wanting more. Proceed with caution!

Does your family enjoy hot cocoa on a cold, blustery day? How do you make yours?

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Filed Under: DIY Gifts, Kitchen Tips, Recipes, Simple Pleasures 2 Comments

The Best Christmas Cookies: Sweet Treats Ahead!

December 9, 2011

I'm getting ready to begin baking Christmas cookies with my children. Are you? I can't wait -- and neither can they!

Our absolute favorite sugar cookie recipe is posted here; I shared them with you last year and they were a big hit. If you're new here, you'll definitely want to try them out! They are versatile and it's easy to make at least three different variations of them. My personal favorite is with the toasted coconut. CAUTION: They are filled with sugar and should be consumed in moderation These are not a healthy treat!

If you are looking for healthy, real food cookie recipes, my sweet friend Kelly from the Nourishing Home just shared hers. Check out her cinnamon walnut buttons, honey graham cracker cookies, and (pictured above) granola bars-in-a-jar. What a great gift idea!

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Filed Under: DIY Gifts, Hospitality, Recipes 1 Comment

How to Make a Simple Roux for Soups and Stews

November 28, 2011

I love soups and stews this time of year.

When my pastor's wife shared her gumbo recipe with me awhile back, I tucked it into my recipe binder and have referred to it many times since. Her gumbo recipe calls for a basic roux, and I've also enjoyed using this roux not only in gumbo, but also in good, old-fashioned chicken soup. It adds a wonderful flavor and depth to ordinary soups; I think I'll try it in a soup with shredded leftover turkey this year, too.

Here's how easy it is to make a simple roux:

Add equal parts white flour and oil to a pan (I use 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup oil). Set on medium heat. Using a wooden spatula, stir to combine.

As the mixture warms, you'll need to be careful --- it must be stirred constantly. It can burn quickly, and burnt roux doesn't taste very good! Don't ask me how I know

I keep stirring, and stirring, and stirring...

After thirty minutes or so, I have a rich, thick, dark roux that looks like this:

Set the pan aside and allow to cool just a bit, then you can slowly add it to your soup, stew, or gumbo. You may want to adjust how much you add; your family might only like a light taste of roux. You can always add more as you go for a deeper flavor.
If you have extra roux, you can store it in an airtight container and tuck it into your refrigerator for a couple of weeks. I use a small jelly jar.