Delicious Pumpkin Peanut Butter Soup

I have to admit that the first time I saw a variation of this recipe, I was intrigued and yet somewhat repulsed at the same time. I love to use peanut butter and pumpkin as ingredients for baked goods, but together? I’m glad to say that curiosity prevailed, and after trying it, I was hooked. …

Creamy Vanilla Steel-Cut Oats

This is a variation of a recipe I found in The Ultimate Rice Cooker Cookbook by Beth Hensperger. The original version tasted great but trashed my cooker, so I came up with this stovetop method. Soaking the pan in water afterwards is a lot easier than disassembling and cleaning the lid of my cooker! To …

Chai Nut Biscotti

I fell in love with biscotti years ago and have been giving them as Christmas gifts ever since. This is perhaps the most unusual variation I’ve come across. With its aromatic blend of spices, the loose tea imparts interesting colors and exotic flavors to these cookies and—along with the ginger and cinnamon—a few antioxidants as …

All-American Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cherries, oatmeal and blueberries contribute red, white and blue to these patriotic cookies. Chocolate chip cookies of any variety seem to be a national favorite, anyway. I first adapted this recipe to “sneak” fruit and whole grains into our children’s diet. We always have dried cherries in stock, buying them in bulk from Sam’s Club …

Multigrain Pumpkin Pancakes

This recipe falls into the semi-homemade category, a lá Sandra Lee, using a boxed mix to speed things up. It includes whole grains and a vitamin-packed veggie for a hearty, healthful breakfast. Enjoy! Note: I have a hard time making my pancakes look good (round) if the batter is runny, so this is a little …

Peanut Butter Banana Oat Bread

Our son insists he doesn’t like peanut butter, but he really enjoys this bread. Sliced, toasted, and lightly buttered, it delivers a nice dose of fruit and protein for breakfast. For a tasty afternoon snack, substitute chocolate chips for the dried cranberries. Peanut Butter Banana Oat Bread Adapted from The Bread Machine Cookbook II by …

Hearty Pizza Bread

Though ideal for lunch, this bread is great at any time of day. It’s tasty on its own, sliced and toasted with a touch of butter, but you could also serve it with soup or salad to make a meal. Our kids love this, and we’re always happy to “sneak” a serving of fruit or …

Challah

This Challah (hall-uh) is such a hit that we often serve it for guests and use it for gifts. With the help of a bread machine, it’s much easier than it looks. Although this is not a low-calorie recipe, we’ve added whole wheat flour to increase its nutritional value. Challah Adapted from The Best Bread …