Egg Mcmuffin

So I was talking to a friend and he was telling me the secrets to his egg sandwich he makes almost every morning. The sandwich consists of scrambled eggs, but not just scrambled eggs, but eggs that are scrambled to perfection(apparently there is an art), he then takes a piece of ham and fries it kind of like bacon, tops it on the eggs and throws on a slice of cheddar cheese, then places the whole thing on an English muffin. This sounds vaguely familiar. I think its been done and has a patented name, but this will be our version, and trust me the result was all that my friend said it would be.

Pumpkin Oatmeal $1.32

This serves 2 hearty bowls of goodness
1 cup quick oats .23
3/4 cup milk .09
1/2 cup pumpkin puree .50
2 tsp cinnamon .10
1 tablespoon honey .40

pumpkin puree is low in saturated fats, low in cholesterol and sodium and a good source of vitamin E, fiber, vitamin A,C and K. Also an excellent source of beta carotene.
This quick breakfast, lunch or dinner or snack, can be made in 5 minutes if microwaving.
pour oats and milk in a microwave safe bowl
heat for to 3 minutes, opening microwave and stirring a few times
add pumpkin puree, mix all together
microwave 30 more seconds
add cinnamon and honey(walnuts optional)
serve

Mandarin Strawberry Smoothie

Working lunch duty at school the other day, I was reminded again how much kids like canned fruit, and many times choose it over fresh fruit. Mandarin Oranges were a fruit choice, along with bananas, apples, oranges and pears, and more then half the students chose mandarin oranges. This may be because of their sweetness, but I dont really care the reason, I know if that choice wasnt there, the students wouldnt eat any fruit at all. The mandarin oranges inspired me, so on the way home from lunch duty I stopped at my local convenience store and picked up a few cans of mandarin oranges, a few containers of strawberry yogurt and a gallon of vitamin D milk. Our afterschool snack today would be smoothies.
For less then 4 dollars made four 8 oz delicious, refreshing and healthy smmothies.
ingredients
2 cans mandarin oranges
2 containers of strawberry yogurt
2 cups of milk
2 cups ice
throw all into blender or food processor, pulse or blend until all smooth(about a minute

cheese fondue $ 4.32

Ever since I had my cheesy tomato soup, Ive been thinking about more cheese. This cheese fondue is a made up recipe, because I couldnt find anything like this on the internet. I just knew I couldnt eat a pound of cheese, so I decided to cut the cheese amount, by using my old standby, pumpkin puree. Fondue is great with veggies or fruit, but I obviously didnt have that option, so I used chunks of wholewheat bread.

ingredients
3/4 cup chicken broth(or white wine).74
2 tbsp cornstarch .10
2 tbsp mustard .20
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese 2.78
1/2 cup pumpkin .50


bring broth to a boil and lower heat
mix cornstarch and mustard
add mustard mixture to chicken broth
when completely mixed, add cheese and stir constantly until cheese is melted
lower heat and add pumpkin
stir well
when completely mixed, remove from heat and serve

Tomato Cheese Soup $4.80

I have always loved the combination of tomato soup and grilled cheese, so this soup idea seemed like a no brainer. Infact, had I added croutons, the ingredients would have been exactly the same as a sandwhich and soup. I wanted to avoid the calories of croutons, so I stuck with the cheesy tomato soup. It was easy to make, and the cheese could really vary or be a combination of swiss, cheddar and mozarella. I had cheddar cheese, so that is what I used.   The soup contained cheese obviously which provided protein and the tomatoes which provided lycopenes and many other nutrients including vitamin C.

Ingredients
1 can chicken broth 1.99
1 can diced tomatoes .99
2 tablespoon butter .32
2 tsp dried onion .10
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 1.36
1 cup water

in soup pot melt butter
add onion and saute for 2 minutes
add chicken broth and tomato sauce
bring liquid to boil, lower heat and simmer
add cheese and stir constantly
add water and simmer for 5 minutes
remove from heat and serve

Pumpkin Mashed Potatoes $1.86

Here I go again, using pumpkin puree. I cant help myself it is so good and so good for our bodies.  Pumpkin has so many nutrients and it is so versitile, I never grow tired of it.  Starting with beta carotene, and vitamin E, A, C and K.  I can usually sneak it in food, but with mashed potatoes the orange color give it away. At first my family resisted, but then they came around and were pleasantly surprised.
serves 6
2 cups water
2 cups potato flakes .75
1 cup milk .12
1 cup pumpkin puree .99

Salmon Patties made with Potato Flakes

ingredients:

15 1/2 ounce can salmon
1 cup flaked potatos
1/2 tbsp dried onion
1 can peas
1 tsp prepared mustard
2 eggs
1/4 cu potato flakes
2 tbsp butter

combine salmon, potato flakes, onion, and mustard
form 4 salmon patties
in a skillet heat butter on medium
coat patties in potato flakes
and place in skillet
cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, remove

in mean time mix mustard and egg
heat in skillet with peas
add garlic powder and basil
saute for a few minutes

remove from heat and serve over salmon patties

Tuna Salsa Roll Up

Candied Spicy Cinnamon Walnuts $2.96

 

There are tons of nutrients and healing properties in cinnamon. Cinnamon contains fiber, protein, calcium, iron. Cinnamon also contains high amounts of vitamin A & C, along with minerals like zinc, potassium, and magnesium. Health benefits are mainly attributed to treating diabetic patients. The active ingredient helps regulate blood sugar levels, thus reducing diabetes related complications.

ingredients:
1 cup walnuts 2.40
1/2 cup sugar .33
1 tsp cinnamon .10
1 tsp pepper flakes .10

mix sugar, cinnamon and red flakes in small bowl
heat skillet on low and toss walnuts and sugar mixture in pan
move nuts around with spatula keeping attention to coating them with the sugar combination
mix and the sugar should begin to carmelize. As it carmelizes continue to mix
when sugar completely carmelized and walnuts completely coated with sugar mixture, remove from heat
place on tray to cool

when cooled place in bowl and cover

Coffee Pumpkin Spice Smoothie

Peach Upside Cake

3/4 cup butter
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 cans peaches
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cup flour
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup milk

melt 1/2 cup butter
sprinkle with brown sugar
lay out peaches in pan over sugar
in large bowl cream sugar and remaining butter until light and fluffy
beat in egg and vanilla
combine flour, baking powder and salt
add to creamed mixture
add milk, beat till smooth and creamy

bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean

Cheddar Cheese Biscuits $3.19

2 cups flour .52
3 tsp baking powder .15
1tsp salt .05
1/2 tsp garlic powder .03
3 tablespoons butter .72
1/3 cup canola oil .30
1 heaping cup cheddar cheese 1.36
1/2 cup milk .06

In a bowl combine flour, garlic powder, salt and baking powder
cut in butter with a fork into drty mix, making sure the pieces are small
add oil and shredded cheese, slowly add milk
mix thoroughy until a ball is formed
drop 1/4 cup balls of dough on tray
bake in preheated oven for 15-17 minutes

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies

This cookie is probably my all time most popular dessert. This cookie never lasts a day in my house. Once again, I had these cookies made and waiting for my son and 4 nieces after school. Within an hour 24 cookies were GONE. No one admited to eating more than 2, but I am sure they all managed to eat atleast 4. They refused to believe there is pumpkin in the cookie, but truly I think its why they like them so much. The pumpkin gives them the soft rich texture.

1/2 cup canola oil
1 1/2 white sugar
1 egg
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup semisweet choc chips

preheat oven to 350

in bowl combine canola oil, egg, pumpkin, sugar, vanilla
in separate bowl combine dry ingredients
combine two together and mix thoroughly
add chips when dough completely comes together
with a spoon scoop out 1 inch balls of dough, and place on cookie sheet
pat down slighly
bake for 8 minutes
should yield between 20-24 cookies

Pumpkin Banana Green Tea Smoothie $2.57

Ok, the running joke in my family is I try to sneak pumpkin puree in everything, but

the truth is, Im not actually sneaking it in, I just like to cook with it. It provides a rich creamy texture, with out fat or lots of calories. This recipe is simple, but as usualy a great pick me up. I can make pumpkin smoothies so many different ways, that its always a pleasant surprise. This version served as my lunch today, along with a few pieces of cheese. It kept me going all day.
serves 2
1 can pumpkin puree 1.99(I actually just spent .88 on this can because it was on clearance, but for arguement sake, I put in the higher price)
1 cup brewed and cooled green tea.10
4 ounces banana babyfood .44
1 tsp cinnamon .04
1 cup ice
put all ingredients in blender
Blend for 1 minute

Banana Cherry Oatmeal Bars

I found this recipe from one of my favorite food blogs, www.skinnytaste.com, it looked amazing. The fresh bananas are probably amazing in the recipe, but I subbed with banana babyfood, and the banana flavor definitely came through.

This makes a great breakfast bar, afterschool snack, and dessert at night, perhaps jazzed up with some frozen yogurt. The bar is delicious and loaded with nutrients, from the oats to the banana, to the walnuts, and especially the cherries. It is unbelievable to think how many nutrients are in dried cherries. They are among the highest foods containing levels of desease fighting antioxidents. They also contain other important nutrients such as beta carotene(19x more then blueberries and strawberries). They are also loaded with vitamin C, pottasium, magnesium, iron and fiber.

preheaat oven to 375
1 container banana food .88
1/4 cup dried cherries 
1/4 cup dried blueberries
1/4 cup honey .40
1 cup uncooked oats .23
1/4 cup chopped walnuts.65
1/2 tsp baking powder .05

3/4 tsp cinnamon .03
1 cup fat free milk .12
1 egg .15
1 tsp vanilla .12

combine banana babyfood, honey, milk and vanilla in a bowl
in a separate bowl combine oats, baking powder, cinnamon
mix dry ingredients with liquid ingredients
when completely mixed, add dried fruit and walnuts
pour into 9" inch baking dish and bake for 20 minutes

Green Olive Diced Tomato Flatbread Pizza

If you like thin crust pizza, this will be the crust for you. They are flat breads and available at my local convenience store in white flour and wholewheat, I, of course, always go for the wholewheat. There are so many different pizzas that can be made with flat breads. Tonight I chose one of my favorite combos, green olives and tomatoes.
If a thin crust pizza is what you are looking for, then flat bread is for you. Flat bread is available at my local convenience store, and is so easy to use for pizza and the options are endless. One of my favorite combos is tomato and olive, topped with cheese, I'm in heaven. I always use wholewheat flat bread and really, 1 whole flat bread pizza is big enough for two people.

1 flat bread
1/2 cup diced tomato .45
1/4 cup diced green olives
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese(mozzarella) .34
2 tsp canola or olive oil .20

heat oil in skillet, add tomatoes and diced green olives,saute for 5 minutes
place flat bread on pan, top with tomato and olive combo, spread evenly
sprinkle with cheddar cheese evenly
place on tray and bake for 10 minutes until cheese is melted

cut into four pieces and serve

Applesauce Bread

I love making bread with applesauce because it can take the place of much of the oil and also it creates such a moist bread. I toast it in the morning for my son, and he loves it. I feel like he is getting lots of nutrients with the egg, nuts, fruit and even omega 3's with the canola oil. Fruits and nuts can be varied with other dried fruits such as cranberries, cherries, and ofcourse tons of other nut varieties.

preheat oven to 350

3 Cups all purpose flour .78
3 eggs.45
2 cups sugar $1.32
1 cup canola oil .95
2 cups applesauce
1 cup raisins .20
1/2 cup walnuts $1.20
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup sourcream

combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon in a bowl
in separate bowl combine sugar, eggs, applesauce, sour cream, and oil
add liquid mixture to dry mixture
when thoroughly mixed add nuts and raisins

pour evenly into 2 bake pans and bake at 350 for 1 hour or until inserted fork comes out clean

Four Cheese Pasta with Peas and Ham $5.65

I found this on a website when I was looking for cheese ideas, and it sounded to die for. I am calling it a 4 cheese dish, because it is supposed to be, with the forth being fontina, and actually the 4th could be any cheese that melts. However, since this is a convenience store blog, I stuck with the three cheeses instead. It was only after I made the dish, did I remember that I could have used cottage cheese as a fourth, so next time. That said, the 3 cheeses worked great, and the dish was a huge success. I love cheese, and I never, ever feel guilty eating it. How can I? Cheese contains so many nutrients starting with calcium, protein, phosphorus, zinc, vitamin A and B12. Combine that with the nutrients in peas, fiber, protein, vitamin A and C, not to mention the nutrients in egg and evaporated milk, this meal is another powerhouse healthy meal.

12 ounces penne $1.20
1 cup peas .99
1 slice deli ham(diced in small pieces).20
2 large eggs, 1 egg white .45
1 cup evaporated milk .99
4 tablespoons butter .64
1/4 cup cheddar cheese .34
1/4 cup mozarella cheese .34
1/4 cup parm cheese .40
2 tsp garlic salt.20
pepper
Boil noodles
in bowl combine eggs and egg white and add evaborated milk, garlic salt and pepper
drain noodles and combine immediately in a skillet with egg mixture, butter and cheddar and mozarella cheese, heat on low heat until butter and cheese are melted, keep heat low so eggs cook, but dont scramble
when egg cooked and cheese melted add peas and ham, mix together
remove from heat
add parm cheese and serve

Pasta Fagioli(bean soup) $6.08

Working in a restaurant many years ago, I remember loving the Pasta Fagioli, I was not a bean fan at the time, but that soup was really good. One day I saw the soup being made and to my surprise the chef poured in a few large cans of pork and beans, and then I knew why the soup tasted oddly familiar, but better. So I decided to give this soup a shot. I combated the sweetness of pork and beans with garlic, onion and a little salt and pepper, and the result was a great soup that everyone enjoyed. Beans are a great source of protein, fiber and iron, and the tomato of course provides lycopenes which provide the body with very important anti oxidents. Canned tomatoes also provide tons of vitamins- C,A,K, potassium, B6, and fiber.
Ingredients:
1 can pork and beans $1.99
1 cans pasta sauce $1.99
1 tablespoon onion .20
2 tsp garlic powder .10
1 tablespoon olive oil.20
12 ounces shell pasta $1.20
1/4 cup parm cheese .40
heat olive oil in a soup pot on low, add onion,garlic powder and saute for 2 minutes. Add tomato sauce and 1 cup water
simmer for 2 minutes
add pork and beans and simmer 20 minutes
boil pasta
when done add it to soup and mix well and simmer 2 more mminutes
remove from heat
add parm cheese

Baked Spaghetti with Creamy Cottage Cheese Sauce $6.71

Ok, I have a confession, I had leftovers from my pasta dish the other night, and I simply added a convenience store ingredient, mozarella, and had myself another great meal. The recipe was for my pasta with creamy cottage cheese sauce, mushrooms and tomatoes. I had about 8 ounces left over, and topped it with 1 cup mozarella, and baked it at 350 for 20 minutes. It was delish. Not to mention healthy with all the ingredients already in the pasta and then ofcourse the nutrition in the cheese. Baked pasta is an old standby at our table. Kids love the gooey cheese, combined with the crispy crunchy cheese on top, and so do many adults(myself included)

1 cup mozarella $1.32

Oatmeal Egg Fruit and Nut Scramble $1.31

This recipe is loaded with so much goodness, it is mind boggling. protein, calcium, fiber, tons and tons of vitamins. I have made this for every different meal of the day, so it isnt just for breakfast. Also, I have varied the fruit and have even added dried cherries and raisins. This recipe is for one person, so adjust for as many are eating.

1 cup oats .23
1 egg .15
1/4 cottage cheese .25
pinch cinnamon .03
1/2 cup peaches .25
1-2 tablespoons nuts(walnuts, almonds or pecans).40

lightly spray and heat a non stick pan on medium
combine oats, egg, cottage cheese
add mixture to skillet, stir with spatula frequently
cook egg through til fluffy
stir in fruit, nuts and cinnamon
toss for 30 more seconds in skillet and serve

Pasta With Cottage Cheese, Diced Tomatoes and Mushrooms $5.39

I like this dish because it give the elusion of a rich creamy sauce, but its actually not. Ricotta cheese is light, yet very creamy when blened. The dish takes as long to prepare as it takes for the pasta to cook, and once again using the a half a cup of pasta water helps add to the nutrition and helps to make the sauce more creamy.
Cottage cheese is available almost always at convenience stores, and unfortunately isnt appreciated the way it should be, especially when it comes to children. I remember not liking it when I was young, and even now, on its own, I dont consume it. However, it is loaded with good nutrients.
It is low in fat and carbs, but high in protein. It is a great source of calcium as well as vitamin D. The truth is that cottage cheese can prevent stomach disorders and even help with your bones as you get older, especially in women.
Im going to start working on recipes that use cottage cheese as an ingredient, and the first one I am starting with is this pasta dish. I combined the cottage cheese with bread crumbs and seasoning and blended it, which made it like a creamy lowfat sauce, combined with the mushrooms and tomatoes, it was delicious. My son picked out the mushrooms(we are working on changing that) but he love the pasta.
ingredients
12 ounces pasta(any will do)$1.20
1 can mushrooms $1.79
1 cup diced tomato .90
1/4 cup olive oil .25
1/4 cup white wine .20
1 cup cottage cheese .90
2 tsp dried onion .10
1 tsp garlic salt.05
pepper

cook pasta according to instruction
whle pasta is cooking, heat skillet with oil, add mushrooms, diced tomato, dried onion and garlic salt
saute 5-10 minutes
remove from heat
place cottage cheese in blender or food processor, blend bread crumbs, dried parsley and garlic powder
drain pasta when done cooking, reserve 1/2 cup pasta water
top drained pasta noodles with mushroom sauce, ricotta and boiled pasta water, mix thoroughly
serve with parm cheese and or red pepper flakes(both optional)