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)
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.
I agree, I think people are going to be making more from scratch due to rising prices.
ReplyDeleteI'd rather spend less on groceries by buying simple real ingredients rather than convenience items and occasionally splurge going out with friends or family.
DeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteYour recipes look great! - Hawaii Planner
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.
DeleteI 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!
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to be both more planful and healthier. The oat bars are going to be semi regular here.
DeleteI definitely make more things from scratch now - both cheaper and healthier, as I know what's in them and no nasties.
ReplyDeleteAnd you live where there's actually protection from poisons in food.
DeleteWe 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
ReplyDeleteI see see the difference in ££ and also on my waistline; bought meals tend to have larger portions and too much salt and sugar.
I see the options in various YouTube videos. I can see use of them as inspiration. I love a picky appetizer but though.
DeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteI'm a PB fiend and tried the first time when I was a stick short of butter. No looking back!
DeleteThese recipes look great
ReplyDeleteI am not a great cook ( as you will find out in November ) so need to improve for your visit
Siobhan x
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.
DeleteThese 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.
ReplyDeleteThat was my motivation to make those....my SIL is go, go, go and rarely sits and takes a meal.
Deleterecipes are mostly guidelines are they not?
ReplyDelete