Beans, Rice and Spinach Salad and Flat Bread

~This is one of our family favorites for sure!  The first time I read through the list of ingredients I was skeptical, but decided to be adventurous and give it a try.  Even the kids liked it!!  It's perfectly light yet filling and healthy for summer.  And the flat bread makes the perfect accompaniment.  You can make a flat bread taco like our kids do if you like :) ~

Rice, Bean and Spinach Salad (my version)
~1 c. uncooked brown rice
~1 lb. breakfast sausage
~4 cloves garlic, minced
~1 1/2 c. chicken broth
~1 1/2 c. sliced carrots (about 3 average sized carrots)
~1/2 c. raisins
~1 tsp.ground cumin
~1/2 tsp. paprika
~1/2-1 tsp. salt
~1/2 tsp. cinnamon
~16oz. can kidney beans, drained
~3-4 c. spinach, torn into bite sized pieces (about 3 oz. fresh)
~2 Tbs. red wine vinegar

Prepare brown rice.  While rice is boiling, brown sausage and garlic in large skillet. Drain fat.  Add broth and next 7 ingredients.  Bring to boil and simmer till carrots are tender.
Transfer rice to large bowl  Add sausage.  Add spinach and vinegar.  Toss.  Enjoy!!

Flat Bread
~1/4 c. water
~1 Tbs. yeast
~1 Tbs. sugar
Mix and dissolve
~1 c. lukewarm water
~1/4 c. plain yogurt
~1 egg, beaten
~2 Tbs. oil
~2 tsp. salt
Mix.  Add yeast mixture.
~2 c. wheat flour
~3c. white flour (can use all white flour)
Add enough flour to wet mixture to make a soft dough.  Knead 10-15 minutes.  Let rise 1 hour.
Separate into golf ball sized balls.  Roll out pretty thin.  Cook in buttered or sprayed skillet.  About 2 minutes per side.

Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon Rolls

~this batch didn't turn out very pretty.  i had to cram them in b/c i didn't have enough pans.  the dough will be very sticky...it's ok, just make sure you have your surface well oiled.  they will be super light and heavenly!!!!  oh, and i used a different icing recipe in this picture and it isn't nearly as thick and heavenly as this recipe.  this recipe is my favorite.  it. is. wonderful!!!!
Mix and Cool:

2 C. boiling Water

1/2 C. brown Sugar

1 C. butter or margarine

1/4 C. white sugar

I let this cool in my kitchen aid bowl in my sink filled with a little cold water and I stir it often.

Add in a bowl: 2 Tbsp yeast in 1/2 C. warm water wait until bubbly. Add a sprinkle of sugar to proof the yeast.

After your bowl of "sugar water" is cooled off enough add your yeast mixture to it and then add the following:

2 eggs slightly beaten

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

7 C. flour or more for a soft dough

Mix and cover.

Let raise.

Carefully put raised dough on Oiled or floured surface. It rolls out fast & easy when it's raised up. Roll out to 1/4" thick.

Brush dough with melted butter, and then sprinkle brown sugar all over it.

Next sprinkle cinnamon all over dough.

Roll up tight Cut into 2" rolls.

Place on a greased cookie sheet.

Cover with a towel and let raise really well.

Bake at 375 degrees for 18 minutes.

Makes 3 dozen rolls

Frosting:

3/4 C. Soft butter

3 C. Powdered sugar

1 Tbsp. Vanilla

Pinch of Salt

1-2 Tbsp. Milk

Mix well with electric mixer it should be thick and creamy

~these freeze great! just cook them and ice them and let them cool. cover and freeze. then on the morning you are ready to eat them put them into a preheated 250 degree oven for 15 minutes. de-lish!

Peanut Butter Granola

 

Stacey's Peanut Butter Granola

*we love granola around here, but were getting burnt out w/ our other recipe.  I found a recipe for peanut butter granola and changed it up to be relative healthy and our family fell in love w/ it!  Because of the peanut butter it makes a great bedtime snack too!*

~7 c. rolled oats

~6 Tbs. coconut oil (EXCELLENT stuff!)

~1 c. Sucanat (dehydrated cane juice)

~1/2 c. brown sugar (may substitute for 1/4 c. honey I do it either way depending on my mood)

~1 c. Peanut Butter

Measure out oats into a big bowl.  

Combing oil and peanut butter till melted.  Removed from heat and add sweeteners.  Stir to combine and pour over oats.  Stir to coat.

Cook in 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes (depending on how crunchy you like it) stirring every 5 minutes.

Serve w/ milk or yogurt....or plain like my kids :) 

Strawberry Banana Bread

Strawberry Banana Bread

*this bread is HEAVENLY!!!!  it's the perfect summer bread w/ all these delicious fresh strawberries getting ripe!!
~1/2 c. butter
~1 c. sugar
~2 eggs
~1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
~1 1/3 c. flour
~1 tsp. bkg. powder
~1/2 tsp. salt
~1 c. strawberries, sliced
~1 ripe banana, mashed
Cream butter and sugar.  Add eggs and vanilla.
Sift together dry ingredients and add to wet mixture till just moistened.
Fold in fruit and pour into bread pan.
Bake @ 350 degrees for 1 hour.
Cool.  Slice.  Devour!  Heavenly!!!! 

Empty Tomb Rolls

Empty Tomb Rolls
~these are an Easter tradition must!  so fun and simple that the kids can do it!!!

-2 tubes crescent rolls
-16 large marshmallows
-1/2 c. sugar w/ 1 tsp. cinnamon
-2-3 Tbs melted butter
Separate the dough into 16 triangles.  Dip marshmallow in melted butter and then roll in the cinnamon/sugar mixture.  Place 1 marshmallow in the middle of each triangle. 
Bring up all of the sides of the crescent to completely cover the marshmallow, pinching all of the edges together so that none of the marshmallow shows.
Dip tops in cinnamon sugar and place on a cookie sheet.
Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes.

*The symbolism here is that marshmallow represents Jesus.  Have the children seal the "tomb" well.  When they are done there will be a big hollow space in the middle representing the empty tomb.

Peanut butter Crispies

Peanut Butter Crispies
~a simple and good for you snack!!!!  we LOVE these.  i always double the recipe b/c we go through them so fast!
-1 c. peanut butter
-1/2 c. honey
-1/2 tsp. vanilla
-3 c. crispy rice cereal
In a saucepan warm peanut butter and honey till combined.  Remove from heat and add vanilla.  Stir in crispy rice.  Spread in an 8x8 baking pan and let cool.
~this recipe is from Heavenly Homemaker

Sweet Pork Tacos

Sweet Pork Tacos
~oh my joe!  these were SO delicious!  there wasn't a crumb left on anyone's plate!  you've gotta try these!

-pork roast
-3/4 cup brown sugar
-2 c. salsa
1. Place in crock pot and cook on low 8-10 hours or high 4-6.  One hour b/f it's done shred the pork and stir.

Green Sauce
-1 c. sour cream
-3/4 c. mayo
-1 small bunch of fresh cilantro
-1pkg ranch dressing mix
-2 cloves garlic, crushed
-1-2 dashes Tabasco
-4 Tbs. salsa verde
-juice of 1 lime
2. Blend all in blender
3. Assemble tacos by layering: cooked brown rice, shredded pork, lettuce, tomatoes, sharp shredded cheddar, and green sauce.  Delicious!!!!!!!!!!!