A Few Modified Basic Recipes

      I spent part of Wednesday and Thursday adding some meals and snacks to bring to my brothers and to eat here as well. I'm not a great cook or baker, but adequate. I am able to adapt recipes to work with what I have, or prefer, so never am a stickler for following a recipe. I've linked the ones I found so as not to take credit as my own. 

Modified Nestle Toll House Cookies

  • Substitute 1 stick butter with 1/2 c crunchy peanut butter
  • reduce flour to 1 1/4 cup, add 1 Cup Quick cook oats
  • Reduce Choclate chips on half (so the PB flavor comes through-still plenty of chocolate)
Trust me...these are rich and oaty and so much more satisfying than the regular cookie. They are a bit more affordable as I use 1/2 the chocolate chips. These also easily can be made vegan by using coconut oil or vegan butter instead of the real butter, use a vegan chocolate chip like trader Joe has, and use flax seed eggs. In fact, I make them vegan over half the time. As I didn't have vegan chips and these weren't intended for my daughter to eat, I used the real butter and eggs. 

Berry Baked Fruit Oatmeal bars 

  • I used 1/4 cup brown sugar as I was out of maple syrup
  • I doubled the cinnamon  I rarely find recipes have enough cinnamon)
  • I cut a bit smaller into 8 pieces and used a 5 by 9 pan as that is what I had. 
  • Mine was a frozen fruit blend with strawberry's, cherry, and blueberries. I used more by aobut 50% than called for. 
     While these didn't set as firm as I think intended because of using frozen and more than called for fruit, I wouldn't change. These were hearty and while not a firm bar, could still be eaten by hand once completely cool. My SIL loved them and if it helps get a bit of decent food in her to start the day, I'll bring her a pan a week. This was a vegan recipe, and I think will be a good make ahead breakfast for camping, the lake, or for a hearty afternoon lull snack. 

     I think almost all of us, even the most die hard convenience food consumers are looking to make more things from scratch. Like the bean burgers I shared last week, I hope to use some of my new free time to improve what both comes in and goes out of my kitchen. 



Comments

  1. I agree, I think people are going to be making more from scratch due to rising prices.

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    1. I'd rather spend less on groceries by buying simple real ingredients rather than convenience items and occasionally splurge going out with friends or family.

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  2. I have been so much more creative with food lately! We *almost* ordered delivery last night for a date night, which M & I do maybe once/year (I had Door Dash credits). In the end, we opted not to for other reasons, and will save for another night. I had cheese, crackers & fruit for dinner, and found a single serving of chicken shawarma for M in the freezer. There have been a lot of meals like that lately. It makes me feel good to be using things up.

    Your recipes look great! - Hawaii Planner

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    1. Same thought here...the chicken I took out was still frozen and it already was nearing 7:00 when I got home. Rather than ordering something, my first impulse, I threw an easy pasta/ tuna hotdish together and in under an hour had a satisfying meal plus enough for todays lunch.

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  3. I love taking a recipe and making it my own. I also often don't follow the package of directions on something to the letter - I add in what I think makes sense or 'gussies" it up. The fruit and oat bars sound good!

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    1. I'm trying to be both more planful and healthier. The oat bars are going to be semi regular here.

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  4. I definitely make more things from scratch now - both cheaper and healthier, as I know what's in them and no nasties.

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    1. And you live where there's actually protection from poisons in food.

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  5. We were having a lot of ready made meals from supermarkets (there's a huge choice of tempting things in waitrose and marks & spencers) but I've changed to cooking from scratch, eating half and freezing half
    I see see the difference in ££ and also on my waistline; bought meals tend to have larger portions and too much salt and sugar.

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    1. I see the options in various YouTube videos. I can see use of them as inspiration. I love a picky appetizer but though.

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  6. I think recipes are just suggestions and rarely follow one exactly. I had not thought of using the pb for chocolate chip cookies, but will be doing that soon.

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    1. I'm a PB fiend and tried the first time when I was a stick short of butter. No looking back!

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  7. These recipes look great
    I am not a great cook ( as you will find out in November ) so need to improve for your visit
    Siobhan x

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    1. Put me to work! I'll have a ball going shopping in your stores and making us a few meals. You can be in charge of cocktail mixing.

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  8. These recipes with your modifications look really good. I have a vegan friend who's husband is in the hospital and I'm trying to help taking her food (she forgets to eat). I think I'll try the oatmeal bars , they look so good. Thank you for posting these.

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    Replies
    1. That was my motivation to make those....my SIL is go, go, go and rarely sits and takes a meal.

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  9. recipes are mostly guidelines are they not?

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