"Cats FUN-Green Bean Casserole"

 Hey everyone...hope your week is going great & your "Thanksgiving Menu" is coming along. Well, if you want to change it up a bit, I have the recipe for you. We all know that I've been working on my grandsons Davin cookbook for Christmas. So, I decided to "put a little fun" in a side dish that we all know and love so well. I know a green bean casserole is a much on our Holiday menu, but I had to put a spin on it. You know me! He loves "funyuns" and unfortunately has his Gege addicted to them too. But it's the Holidays and this is when we can splurge a bit but still keeping with the tradition as well. So, I decided to add a little "fun" in the classic green bean casserole by using a bag of "funyuns" instead. I have to say that I'm not too sure I'll make it any different now. It's d'lish and still gives you the classic casserole taste but with a bit more of a crunch. If you love "funyuns" please give this a try. Plus, what a "fun" way to get your kiddos involved in the kitchen. They will be surprised when you pull out a bag of funyuns. I know seeing a kids face light up during the Holidays makes me happy! Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!

Blessed Cooking from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Tip....you can follow the traditional recipe and then sub the "funyuns" or make mine recipe below...remember fresh beans is always best but with the Holiday rush I love the cans :-)

Here's all you need...

* 2 (14.5) cans of French style green beans (Del Monte-drained)

Note...if you use fresh it's about 2 cups of already "cooked" green beans :-)

* 1 (10.5) can of cream of chicken soup (or mushroom soup

* 1/2 to 3/4 cup of low-fat milk or your desired liquid

* 1 (2 oz.) bag of "Funyuns" (reserve a few to crumble on top before serving for that extra crunch!

* salt/pepper to taste

Here's all you do...

* Preheat oven to 350*

* Butter bottom and sides of a casserole dish and place on a baking pan...set aside.

* In a large bowl whisk soup with milk until creamy & season as desired.

* Fold in "drained" green beans. Mix until combined.

Now the "FUN" begins!

* On bottom of casserole layer a few funyuns...

* Spread 1/2 of green bean mixture

* Layer a few more funyuns

* Rest of green bean mixture

* Now top of the casserole with the "funyun rings" in a decorative manner.

Note...remember to leave a few back to "crumble " on top right before serving. This part is super fun for the kiddos :-)

* Cover tightly w/ aluminum foil and poke about 4 tiny holes in foil.

* Bake about 30 minutes or until cooked through (ovens vary)

I love this casserole...the funyuns become one with the soup when cooking and you get an extra creamy onion flavor. I hope you enjoy this recipe, and it becomes a new "tradition" for your family during the holidays. Seriously...anytime...great way to get the kiddos to eat their veggies :-)

Stay safe & check back soon for more recipes!

Cat

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"Tis the Season 4 Pancakes"...Cats Caramel Apple-Nut Pancakes!

 Hey everyone...hope all is well and your weekend is off to a great start. I'm still in shock that Thanksgiving is next week, and Christmas is right around the corner. This year has flown by for me and now the Holiday rush is upon us. Well...for me anyway. We all know by now what my sweet Grandson Davin requested for his Christmas gift this year. My recipes made "healthi-r" so he can make my recipes when he goes off to college. May I add...he's only 12. But when you grow up in a family where your mom & dad eat healthy...work out and lead a healthy-lifestyle it does set the standard. I know when I'm visiting that I lose a few extra pounds, but it seems to find me! Hmmmm. I will say when I did accept his "challenge" of twisting my recipes healthi-r...it has been a challenge for me. If you notice how I spell the word healthier that is due to the frustration I've had trying new ingredient's and wasting money when it doesn't turn out. Eating healthy is a choice a great lifestyle decision especially if you have health issues like me. But always no matter how "yummy" my pancakes look, always make sure the ingredients fit your dietary needs. I love sharing recipes but I am not a dietitian so that is why I don't post the nutritional values on my recipes. Everyone's needs are different & if you're like me adjusting to those needs can be challenging. The Holidays are approaching, and everything is going to be "tempting" so brace yourself...stay focused. I love to cook & bake so I just make them for my loved ones that can eat them! Ha! Recipe is easy so make & a great breakfast for those Holiday mornings as well. These pancakes are d'lish made with King Arthur Baking Mix which is "gluten free." Basically, I eat the pancakes without the "yummy topping." But the caramel drizzle on top is sugar free....so let's just end on a positive note that "what college kid wouldn't love to make them for those late nights studying." :-) Or anytime...seriously they are d'lish. Enjoy!

Blessed Cooking from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Here's all you need...

* 1 cup King Arthur all-purpose baking mix (gluten free)

* 3/4 c. unsweetened apple sauce

* 2 Tablespoons egg-whites (equivalent to 1 large egg)

* 1 Tablespoon of Agave (I use organic agave in the raw)

* 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract

* 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

* 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

* 1/4 c milk 2 % reduced fat (adjust liquid amount if needed)

* 2-3 apples (one grated in recipe and rest for topping)

* Smucker's sugar-free topping (optional but d'lish)

* 1 cup chopped walnuts (1/2 in recipe,1/2 for topping)

Tip...add toppings of your choice...I'm sure a few chocolate chips wouldn't hurt :-)

Here's all you do...

* In a large mixing bowl whisk together the wet ingredients.

* Sift over the bowl the baking mix & dry ingredients. (do not add nuts)

* Using whisk. Incorporate all ingredients until smooth. I like my pancakes a bit chunky but add more liquid if you like yours thinner.

* In a non-stick pan melt unsalted butter on low-medium heat until "slightly brown." This will give your pancakes an unbelievable "brown-butter taste."

* Using a 1/4" measuring cup scoop pancake mix into pan. Don't over crowd...I do about 2 at a time.

* Top each pancake with a few walnuts. Flip over once slightly browned and cook on other side.

* Set aside and cover with a lid to keep warm and continue until you've made your desired amount of pancakes. Amount varied due to size of pancakes :-)

* Top with sliced apples...chopped walnuts and drizzle w/ caramel sauce or your desired toppings. 

Thanks for following me & hope you enjoy this recipe and have a great Thanksgiving with your loved ones. Wish me luck on "twisting" more recipes health-r for my sweet Grandson Davin. 

Blessed Cooking,

Cat

 

"Tis the Season 4 Pancakes"...Cats Banana Nut Pancakes!

 Hey everyone...hope y'all are having a great weekend and enjoying some fall-ish weather. In Florida it's hard to decipher seasons so when the wind blows a bit this time of year, I tend to get a little excited. I do miss seeing the leaves changing and Pine Trees in Texas. I've gone from decorating with orange pumpkins to blue and white pumpkins and somehow that doesn't seem right. :-) But there's one thing in common no matter what state you live in is everyone loves pancakes. My family especially! My grandson Davin loves making pancakes with me and coming up new ways to create them. We all know from previous posts that I've been working on his "cookbook" that he requested for Christmas. I've been "tweaking my recipes" cause he requested then healthier. Well quick questions...have you seen posts lately? Exactly! I'll be honest...this has really been a challenge for me...but I accepted his challenge. But I've decided to do a "contribute" to what he loves with a "healthi-er" twist. Yes...pancakes! I can't go wrong, it's his favorite and what "college student" wouldn't want pancakes for dinner when studying. My thought is...he's only 12 so I've got plenty of time to tweak my recipes and we can just add them into the cookbook as needed. Also, he would be proud of me...I've made these pancakes "gluten free & used egg whites." I love how he's so healthy at such a young age. I can honestly say "he's inspired me to change my cooking habits!" When things get a bit caught up on my end...we've been dealing with "Hurricane weather", I'll post pics of him making my late dear dads omelet recipe. I'll be printing that pic along with the recipe for his cookbook. I'm so pleased that he wants my recipes because who knows when I'll be gone :-( and what a sweet way to always feel connected to your loved ones. I hope I've inspired you to share your families' recipes and possibly create a cookbook as well. So, on that note let's get this Pancake season started!

Oh, pop on over to my quilting blog if you want to make a "Pumpkin Spiced Latte' Trivet" for your Fall breakfast entertaining. Fun/easy & makes a great gift too!

www.ihearditthroughthequilt-vine.blogspot.com

Blessed Cooking from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Here's all you need...

* 1 cup King Arthur Gluten Free All-purpose baking mix

* 1/4 cup milk ( I use 2%) 

* 2 TB egg whites (equals 1 egg)

* 1 TB agave nectar

* 1/2 tsp. banana extract ( I use McCormick)

* 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract (McCormick)

* 1 ripe banana (smashed w/a potato smasher or fork)

* 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

* 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

* 1 cup of chopped walnuts or your desired nuts

Bonus...Smuckers Sugar Free Caramel Sundae Syrup :-) Optional but so d'lish!

Here's all you do...

In a mixing bowl...sift together your dry ingredients and set aside. 

In a large mixing bowl smash your bananas and whisk in your egg whites then add in rest of wet ingredients and mix together by hand into all incorporated. 

Now mix in your dry ingredients until all incorporated. (do not add nuts)

* Preheat your non-stick skillet with 1 Tb unsalted butter on low-med heat.

* Using a 1/4 cup measuring cup...scoop pancakes onto skillet...about 2 at a time...lightly press flat with a spatula and then sprinkle the top with walnuts. Flip over when golden brown.

Tip...this is a thick batter...if you'd like thinner just add a bit more liquid (little at a time) 

Makes about 6 medium sized "rustic pancakes"

Drizzle with caramel sauce and sprinkle more walnuts on top if desired. Enjoy!

Check back soon for more healthi-er pancakes and a fun & easy sewing/quilting project to serve along with your Holiday Entertaining!

Talk soon, Cat