Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients

3 large sweet potatoes
1 cup sugar
1/2 stick butter

Boil sweet potatoes for an hour, or until completely soft. Cool, then gently pull peel off.

In a large bowl, combine potatoes with sugar and butter with mixer until creamy. (I use water from boiling as needed to cream - more nutrients! Milk may also be used, as needed)

You can bake in glass mixing bowl, or spread into a glass pan. Apply topping.

Topping ingredients

1 cup brown sugar
1/2 c. White Lily flour
1/2 stick butter
1 c. pecans (optional)

Place in 350 degree oven for 30 minutes, or until topping is golden brown and bubbly. Let cool approximately 10 to 15 minutes before serving. YUMMY - it's more like dessert than a vegetable. :)

Homemade Ice Cream

Ingredients

1 gallon whole milk
12 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
4 c. sugar (I use less than this recipe, but being two years since I've made it, I don't recall how much less)
Vanilla flavoring to taste

Place in electric freezer - cover with ice and rock salt. This is creamy and cold - simple and sweet! I grew up on this recipe - Candace

Delores, Alabama

Sugar Cookies

Ingredients

1/2 c. shortening (haven't tried substituting oil or butter, not sure if they'd work?)
1 c. sugar
1 egg
2 Tbls. milk
1 tsp. baking powder
2 c. plain flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. soda

Combine ingredients, mixing well. Place in a 350 degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes.

Puppy Chow

Ingredients

3/4 c. peanut butter (Smart Balance or Smuckers - these don't have hydrogenated oils)
1 stick butter
1 - 12 oz. package butterscotch morsels
2 c. powdered sugar
1 - 12 oz. box Rice Chex cereal

Mix peanut butter, butter, and morsels together in large pot over medium heat. Stir in cereal.

In a paper bag (I use a LARGE Tupperware bowl with lid), alternate cereal mix with powdered sugar. Shake well, coating all the cereal.

This is a Christmas time favorite in our family. Special thanks to my aunt for sharing her recipe with me! - Candace

Dale, Alabama

Puppy Chow

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

2 1/4 - 2 1/2 c. fresh ground whole wheat flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1/2 c. butter
2 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 c. chocolate chips
3/4 c. cane sugar
3/4 c. brown sugar or sucanat

Combine flour, soda, and salt in medium bowl.

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine wet and dry ingredients - then stir in chocolate chips. Place tsp. amount on baking sheet 2" apart.

Bake at 375 for 8 to 12 minutes.

(These seem to be lacking a little something over the recipe on the Hershey's bag, but I'm thinking it's because they use 2 sticks of butter vs. this recipe using 1. They still don't last long around here though!)

Candace

Side note - Use more flour in this recipe over store bought flour due to the oils in fresh ground wheat. For each 1 c. store flour, use 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 fresh.

Stovetop Oatmeal

Special thanks to Missi for sharing with me how to make old fashioned oatmeal!

On oatmeal- put a handful of oats per person in the pot. Then add water, enough to cover the oats. You’ll know you added too much if you have runny oats in the end. =) You’ll know you didn’t add enough if your oats are chewy or sticky.

Cook on medium until you start getting bubbles and then turn it to low. It shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes to make.

If you add too much water, you can add more oats while it is cooking, and if your mix starts to get sticky looking and unappetizing, you probably need to add more water. It’s very easy. Just do it!

That’s it! Some people prefer to cover it while it’s cooking but I don’t. I can start it, change a diaper, come back, turn down the heat. Put away some dishes from the dishwasher, and it’s done.

After they are done cooking you can add brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, agave nectar, etc and raisins or blueberries or strawberries. Strawberries are especially yummy with a splash of milk. (Strawberries n’ cream) You can also add a tad bit of butter and salt to your oatmeal to try to get it tastier.

You can also make extra ahead of time and refrigerate it for later. I think it keeps well for about 3 days. Then all you have to do is warm it up.

Missi, Alabama

Cinnamon rolls in the bread machine

Ingredients
1 cup milk
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 T. oil
1 egg
3/4 tsp. salt
3 1/2 cups bread flour
2 1/2 tsp. yeast

Put in the machine in order.
Set dough cycle.
Roll out the dough into a large rectangle.
Sprinkle with brown sugar, cinnamon, & raisins. ( I first spread mine with butter & omit the raisins).
Roll up lengthwise.
Cut with a pizza cutter into rolls.
Lay on a greased cookie sheet a little bit apart from one another.
Cover & let rise. ( Can put in the fridge overnight).
Cook at 375 for 10 min. or so. (Laine says 15-17 min. but I found that was way too long for my oven). Let cool a bit, then glaze.

Glaze ingredients
1 cup powdered sugar
little melted butter
little milk
little vanilla

Thanks to Amy for sharing this recipe she found at: www.lainesletters.com

Homemade Biscuits (White Lily Flour, No Shortening)

This recipe isn't for those already switched over to whole wheat flour, but it's great for those on white flour trying to slowly improve your eating. This recipe uses oil instead of hydrogenated oils (shortening).

Ingredients

2 c. White Lily Self Rising flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 c. vegetable oil (Wesson Canola)
3/4 - 1 c. buttermilk

Mix flour and baking powder well. Form hole in center - pouring in buttermilk and oil. Blend together. Place on hot baking stone in oven that's preheated to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake 12 to 15 minutes.

Whole Wheat Pancakes

Ingredients

1 egg
1 cup buttermilk (I've used whole milk as well and they're still good)
2 Tbs. oil (avoid shortening)
1 c. fresh ground whole wheat flour (add up to 1/4 c. more if batter is too runny)
1 Tbs. sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. salt

Beat egg; add remaining ingredients in order listed and beat until smooth. Grease heated griddle if necessary.

I've found these pancakes cook quicker than those made with store bought flour - needing to be flipped in about a minute.

Pour some yummy maple syrup on top and enjoy!

FYI - Did you know you're not supposed to heat maple syrup. Do a Google search and find out the facts (sorry, I don't know all the facts enough to share correctly)

Candace
Heaven In Our Homes

Frozen Fruit

Ingredients

4 to 6 very ripe bananas (the browner the better)
Approx. 10 oz. strawberries (I use the frozen ones)
15-20 oz. of pineapple (I use either chunks or crushed)
6 oz. frozen orange juice
6 oz. frozen lemonade
2 cups water

Blend ingredients well, then mix together in large bowl. Pour into serving size dishes and place in freezer.

Very, very good thawed slightly - like a slushy consistency. We even like to refrigerate it and drink it cold.

Amounts of fruit depend on ripeness, and your own personal preferences. This is one recipe I can't stop eating!

Chicken for a Crowd

Cook 1 c. rice and 2-3 c. chopped chicken.

Put 2 cans of French style green beans in skillet with 2 bullion cubes, 1/4 c. chopped onion, and 1/2 tsp. pepper.

Boil until dry. Mix 1 - 10 oz. can of cream of celery or chicken soup with 1/2 c. mayonnaise. Mix all together. Cook in casserole dish at 350 for 30 min.

Lynn, Alabama

Chocolate Delight

1st layer
½ small bag of crushed oreos
1 stick melted butter

2nd layer
8 oz. cream cheese
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup cool whip

3rd layer
2 small boxes choc pudding
3 cups milk
cool whip on top and crushed oreos.

Alice E.
Carrollton, GA

Russian Tea

6 to 8 cups water

2 1/2 cups sugar

In bag put 5 sticks of cinnamon, 1/4 Tbls whole cloves, 1/4 Tbls all spice

Boil slowly for 1 hour. Cover pan.

Make strong tea approximately 12 tea bags for a 12 cup container.

Mix spices, tea, 1 can pineapple juice, 1 large can frozen orange juice, and juice from 4 lemons.

Serve warm.

Homemade Granola Bar Recipe

Ingredients
8 ounces old-fashioned rolled oats, approximately 2 cups

1 1/2 ounces raw sunflower seeds, approximately 1/2 cup

3 ounces sliced almonds, approximately 1 cup

1 1/2 ounces wheat germ, approximately 1/2 cup

6 ounces honey, approximately 1/2 cup

1 3/4 ounces dark brown sugar, approximately 1/4 cup packed (I used Sucanat)
1-ounce unsalted butter, plus extra for pan
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
6 1/2 ounces chopped dried fruit, any combination of apricots, cherries or blueberries

Directions
Butter a 9 by 9-inch glass baking dish and set aside. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Spread the oats, sunflower seeds, almonds, and wheat germ onto a half-sheet pan.
Place in the oven and toast for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
In the meantime, combine the honey, brown sugar, butter, extract and salt in a medium saucepan and place over medium heat.
Cook until the brown sugar has completely dissolved.
Once the oat mixture is done, remove it from the oven and reduce the heat to 300 degrees F.
Immediately add the oat mixture to the liquid mixture, add the dried fruit, and stir to combine.
Turn mixture out into the prepared baking dish and press down, evenly distributing the mixture in the dish and place in the oven to bake for 25 minutes.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. Cut into squares and store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Recipe from Alton Brown on Good Eats, on the Food Network.

Homemade Hamburger Helper

Just as easy as the stuff in the box, minus the yucky additives and preservatives!
This recipe is extremely versatile and can easily be stretched to feed a crowd.

Ingredients
1 lb ground meat (turkey, chicken, or lean beef)
1 jar Newman's Own 5-Cheese Spaghetti Sauce (or a simple can of crushed tomatoes with added rosemary herb works just as well)
1 box Whole Grain Spiral Noodles (I like Kamut- high in fiber and protein!)
2 cups broth (use bouillion cubes, Chicken Broth, veggie broth, etc)
1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozerella, colby, etc.)
Optional: onions, peppers, diced kale, mushrooms, garlic, chopped spinach, etc.

Directions
Brown meat and drain.
Add onions/peppers/garlic and saute.
Add sauce and kale/spinach/mushrooms.
Meanwhile, boil 2 cups of water and add your bouillion cube. Add this or broth.
Bring to boil and add your noodles. Use however much noodles you need to depending on how far you need to stretch this meal.
Reduce to simmer and cover until noodles are done.
Add cheese and let sit 5 minutes.

If you add enough veggies, you've got a one dish dinner. Chopping the kale very finely is a great way to slip it in on even your pickiest eaters! (Great source of calcium...)

Missi B. from Alabama

Chicken Divan

Ingredients
6 chicken breast
1 large pkg. chopped broccoli
l large jar cheese whiz
l can cream chicken soup
1 small sour cream

Directions
Boil chicken and remove from bones.
Cook broccoli and arrange it in a 9x13x2 casserole sprayed with Pam.
Place chicken over broccoli.
Spoon some broth over broccoli and chicken to keep casserole from being dry.
Spoon cheese whiz over broccoli and chicken.
Top with soup and sour cream that has been mixed together.
Sprinkle some paprika over top.
Bake 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

Sara G. from Georgia

Baked Cracker Chicken

Ingredients
*6 to 8 boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins
*1/2 to 3/4 stick of melted butter
*3/4 pack of Ritz crackers

Special Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Wash chicken before battering to remove any film (this will cause batter to fall off).
3. Melt 1/2 stick of butter to start with, adding more as needed.
4. Smash about 3/4 pack (not box) of Ritz crackers in wrapping. Pour only small amounts in bowl for covering chicken - if you pour it all at once, the crackers will get soggy. Also, leaving small pieces of the crackers adds extra texture and taste to final product vs. smashing crumbs finely.
5. Line baking dish with aluminum foil to prevent sticking and provide covering for chicken while baking as well as easy clean up!

Directions
Simply dip washed chicken tenderloin into bowl of melted butter, then covering completely with cracker crumbs.

Line pieces touching one another in baking dish, sprinkling with salt and pepper. (This is something you'll have to guess at - depending on how much your family likes. I shake the shakers several times over each piece.)

Bake for 45 minutes, or until chicken juices are clear when you cut. Be careful not to overcook, or chicken will turn out tough.

From - Sarah A., Alabama

Whole Wheat Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients
*1/3 C canola (or vegetable oil)
*1/3 C honey
*1 TBS salt
*2 TBS yeast
*3 Cups warm water
*4-5 Cups freshly ground whole wheat flour
(to substitute store-bought whole wheat flour, use 1/2 to 3/4 cup of white flour)
*1/4 cup melted butter
*honey for drizzling
*raisins (optional)
*2 1/2 Cups powdered sugar
*3 TBS milk
*1 tsp. vanilla

Directions
1. Put first 5 ingredients into large mixing bowl.
2. Add 2-3 Cups flour and start mixer.
3. Continue to add flour in small amounts until dough begins to clean the sides of the mixing bowl.
4. Cover bowl and set aside until dough is doubled in size.
5. Turn dough out onto lightly floured counter. Knead until dough is still soft but not too sticky to roll out.
6. Roll dough into rectangle.
7. Brush dough rectangle with melted butter.
8. Shake liberally with ground cinnamon.
9. Drizzle liberally with honey.
10.If desired, sprinkle rectangle with raisins. (It always helps to soak raisins in hot water for 10 minutes prior to using -- be sure to drain well)
11.Roll rectangle up on long side making a long roll. Pinch edges together.
12.Cut roll into 3/4" pieces.
13.Put cut rolls onto greased jelly roll pan, barely touching each other.
14.Cover rolls loosely with plastic wrap and allow to rise double in a warm place.
15.When doubled, remove wrap and bake in 365 degree oven for 13-14 minutes until lightly browned.
16. Allow to cool slightly and frost with 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 3 Tbs. milk, 1 tsp. vanilla.
17.Eat and enjoy knowing that these are filled with vitamins, minerals, and fiber but they still taste good!

Lisa A. from Alabama