What do you do with a bag of bananas? Make Peanut Butter Banana Bars! Last time I was at the neighborhood grocery by my sister's house, they had just set out bags of perfect golden yellow bananas. I brought one of the bags home with me. I made Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream and Banana Strawberry Blueberry Smoothies earlier. Peanut Butter Banana Bars were quick and easy to make, no added sugar. Except in the chocolate chips and you could make those sugar free to if you wanted. Or you could substitute chopped walnuts or peanuts instead. The peanut butter adds flavor, but it also gives a nice boost of healthy fat and protein, making the Peanut Butter Banana Bars even more filling and satisfying as a snack or dessert. The mixture will be rather wet, but that is what prevents these ... [Read More]
Quick and easy
Butter Fluff Cookies
I liked this recipe for Butter Fluff Cookies because it includes butter and cream cheese and tastes like a rich,fluffy cloud. It is also quick and easy and you can vary it in so many ways. Like this: Variation 1 - 3: Rolled in red sanding sugar before baking, green and red sprinkles mixed into the dough before baking, rolled in tiny green candy balls before baking. Variation 4: Add mini Chocolate chips. (Variation 5 not pictured - Heath Toffee Bits) Variation 6: Chopped walnuts (pecans, almonds also good!) Why did I try variations? Because when I first tasted the mixed cookie dough, I thought it needed pizazz. So I pizazzed. And when I was finished, guess what was my favorite? The plain fluffy cloud. Seconded quite closely by the chopped walnut -- cuz I like ... [Read More]
Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Crisps
Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Crisps are quick, easy and quite straightforward to make. You’ll be glad you made these! Tips for less experienced bakers: Let the butter soften until room temperature by letting it set on the counter for 30-60 minutes ahead of time. Cutting the stick of butter into slices will help it warm faster. OR do the microwave cheat, put in the microwave at 50% power for 15-20 seconds. Room temperature butter will almost “take your fingerprint” when pressed with an index finger. The butter will still be firm enough to resist your touch, but soft enough to leave the imprint of your finger. If you press and your finger actually sinks into the butter – too soft. Be sure to pack the brown sugar – that is, press it tightly into the half cup measure until it is level ... [Read More]
Savory Sweet Potatoes
Rich, creamy mashed sweet potatoes are the perfect side dish for any holiday meal. They are so quick and easy , you’ll want to enjoy them throughout the year. Sweet potatoes are as nutritious as they are delicious. They contain fewer calories and are higher in fiber, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C than their white counterparts. See the infographic from Cleveland Clinic below for a quick comparison. You can peel and cut the sweet potatoes in small, uniform cubes before adding to water for boiling. Cook until sweet potatoes are soft enough to pierce with a fork. Remove from heat and drain. OR you can put whole, and thoroughly washed, sweet potatoes in a medium to large pot, cover with water and bring to a boil. Cook until sweet potatoes are soft enough to pierce with a fork. Remove from ... [Read More]
Cobb Salad with Ranch Dressing
Cobb salads are a favorite in our house! They usually make an appearance once a week like clockwork, especially in summer. Crisp Romaine lettuce topped with a variety of healthy protein and drizzled with your choice of creamy Ranch Dressing. Cobb Salad fits deliciously into both Keto and Low Carb ways of eating. They are so easy and quick to put together, too. Avocados all end up on Wheel's bowl -- it's a texture thing! -- but he doesn't mind because he loves them. Fresh limes in the Great Plains are usually reasonably priced only in season, but they are a nice alternative for dressing. Making your own Ranch dressing lets you control the ingredients for both health and flavor. Buttermilk gives the dressing its own little tang, but it is not something I regularly have on ... [Read More]
Cod Fish with Garlic Herb Butter
Fish is not a big staple in the Great Plains where the buffalo roam and cattle graze. So it's not the first thing a Cornhusker thinks of when it it is time to prepare dinner. However, it is part of a healthy diet, especially if you are striving for better heart health and general health improvements overall. Or need a change of taste! I am always looking for a different way to prepare fish. But I also like quick and easy. This recipe fits both! And the garlic herb butter is also fantastic on that other staple of the Great Plains, especially this time of year! Corn on the cob. Cod Fish with Garlic Herb Butter Print Prep time 5 mins Cook time 10 mins Total time 15 mins Quick, easy and tasty! Author: A Pinch of Joy by Charlene Vance Recipe type: ... [Read More]
