Tag: smoothie

Hey you guys! What are some of your best memories of your mom and dad at home? Were you learning how to bake cookies with Mom? Was Dad flipping pancakes on Sunday morning? Was Grandma canning or baking pies?

Those are some of my memories of my childhood. And I want my kids to have the same memories. I want them to know how to make simple recipes from scratch. My dad always said there is a nostalgia about cooking and baking.

As long as you help them along the way, every kid can have a job. Get out the step stools and chairs and pull them up to the counter. Let them see what you are making. Little kids can stir. Big kids can measure. And they can all lick the spoons.

Here are our favorite 5 recipes. One of them, has a unique special ingredient. Sshh….

1. Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie
2. Rich Hot Cocoa
3. Homemade Pizza
4. Old Fashioned Pancake
5. Lastly, Chocolate Cupcakes (with butternut squash)

 

Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie

• 1 Whole Banana (ripe/over-ripe)
• 3 TBS. Smooth Peanut Butter
• 3/4 Cup Milk

Blend together in a blender and drink. Makes 1 adult or 2 kid servings. Makes a perfect breakfast for families on the go, or an easy snack. Warning: this can be really filling!

 

Rich Hot Cocoa

• 1 Cup water
• 1/3 Cup Cocoa Powder
• 1/3 Granulated Sugar
• 1 TSP. Vanilla
• 1/4 TSP. Salt
• 5 Cups Milk
• Whipped Cream (Optional)
• Marshmallows (Also, optional)

In a saucepan, add water, cocoa powder, sugar, vanilla, and salt. Whisk consistently, while heating over medium high about 5 minutes. Slowly add milk while still whisking till texture and color are even. Heat on medium heat about 10 minutes. For a less rich cocoa, add more milk. Pour into coffee mugs and add whipped cream or  top with marshmallows. Serves 4.

 

Homemade Pizza

This recipe was courtesy of my sister for my bridal shower years ago.

• 1 Package Dry Yeast
• 1 Cup Warm Water
• 3 & 1/2 Cup Flour
• 1 TSP. Salt
• 2 TBS. Olive Oil
• Cornmeal

Dissolve yeast in water. Set about 5-10 minutes. Combine flour and salt in large bowl. Make a well in center and slowly add half the yeast mixture. Add olive oil and gradually work in remaining yeast mixture. Knead for 10 minutes. Shape dough into ball and place in large greased bowl. Cover with a damp cloth and set in a warm place to raise (45-60 minutes). Divide dough in half. Roll out to form pizza. Sprinkle with cornmeal to help pizza slide easier.

Then add sauce and top.

Bake at 450 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

 

What flavors will you create?

(The top pizza pictured had a sauce of buffalo chicken dip with extra ranch, sharp cheddar cheese, and thick cut bacon bits. The second pizza pictured is topped with tomato paste, mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni.)

 

 

Old Fashioned Pancakes

This recipe I found on All Recipes years ago. It is our favorite pancake. The Link is at the bottom of this page.

• 1 & 1/2 Cup Flour
• 3 & 1/2 TSP. Baking Powder
• 1 TSP. Salt
• 1 TBS. Sugar
• 1 & 1/4 Cup Milk
• 1 Egg
• 3 TBS. Melted Butter

 

Mix all dry ingredients together, make a well. In a separate bowl, mix the eggs, butter, and milk. Add the wet ingredients in the well of the dry ingredients and slowly mix until smooth. Spray a griddle or pan with nonstick spray and scoop pancake mixture with 1/4 cup measuring cup. Cook till edges are bubbly.

Now, for the finale! Chocolate Cupcakes (with butternut squash)

Here is the reason for this recipe:

We had this delicious butternut squash for dinner one night. Nothing new. Nothing crazy. Peeled, cubed, oiled pan, some butter, salt, pepper. The kids refused. So after dinner, I gave one look at the leftovers. Instant idea!

I pureed it. Then while the kids weren’t looking, I sneakily started adding ingredients to the bowl. And seriously, you guys, this was my best ever cupcake! It was moist, rich in chocolate, and it wasn’t overly sweet. It had flavor depth.

All of these cupcakes were gone the next morning! And they didn’t even have frosting! Mom Win!

Here is the recipe!!——————->>>>

Chocolate Cupcakes (with butternut squash)

• Baked Butternut Squash Puree (About 1 & 1/2 cups)
• 1 Stick Softened Butter
• 3/4 Cup Brown Sugar
• 1/2 Cup White Sugar
• 1/2 Cup Cocoa Powder
• 3 TSP. Baking Powder
• 1 TBS. Cinnamon
• 1/4 TSP. Nutmeg
• 1 Cup Flour

If you haven’t already baked your butternut squash, here’s what you do: Peel, cube, and toss in oiled pan with butter, and salt. Bake on 400 degrees for an hour, or until soft. Let cool. Puree in blender till smooth. Or use mixer. Remove any solid pieces if any.

Once you have that ready, add to the bowl: the butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg. Mix thoroughly, then add flour last. The batter will be thick.

Pour into muffin tin or cupcake liners. Top with cinnamon. Bake on 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes.

 

Which of these will your family try first?

 My 5-year-old son is currently begging me to go bake some more of those delicious chocolate cupcakes! When is it too soon to reveal the secret ingredient? 

 

 

 

 

 

Links:

Pancake Recipe:

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/21014/good-old-fashioned-pancakes/

Chocolate Cupcake on Pinterst Photo (resembles my recipe, photo by):

Photo by Markus Spiske freeforcommercialuse.net from Pexels https://www.pexels.com/photo/brown-cupcake-on-white-ceramic-plate-121627/