Cherry Oat Crumble

Cherry Oat Crumble

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 45 minutes
Makes: 6 cups
Serving Size 1/2 cup

Ingredients

6 Tablespoons sugar
1 1⁄2 Tablespoons cornstarch
4 cups tart cherries, pitted, fresh or frozen
3⁄4 teaspoon vanilla
6 Tablespoons whole wheat flour
6 Tablespoons old fashioned rolled oats
3 Tablespoons brown sugar
1⁄8 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons butter or margarine, melted

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350° F.
2. Mix the sugar and cornstarch together in a large bowl. 
3. Add the cherries and stir to mix.  Add the vanilla and mix again. 
4. Pour the fruit into an 8 x 8 baking pan or 2 quart casserole.
5. In a separate bowl mix together the flour, oats, brown sugar, and salt. Add the melted butter and mix together until the texture is coarse with some clumps.  Distribute the oat topping over the fruit.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for about 30-45 minutes, or until the juices are bubbling and the oat toping is golden brown.
7. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hour

Apple Bars

Apple Bars

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 45 minutes
Makes: 12 bars
Serving Size 1 bar

Ingredients

1⁄2 cup all-purpose flour
1⁄2 cup whole wheat flour
1⁄4 teaspoon salt
1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
1⁄2 cup brown sugar
1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon
1⁄2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 pinch ground cloves (optional)
1⁄2 cup butter or margarine
3 cups apples, peeled, cored and sliced (about 2 medium apples [3” diameter])
2⁄3 cup raisins
1⁄4 cup sugar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9"x13" baking pan.
2. Mix flour, salt and baking soda together in a large bowl. Add brown sugar, oats, cinnamon, nutmeg and ground cloves.
3. Cut in butter or margarine with a pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture is crumbly.
4. Spread half of the crumb mixture in the baking pan. Top with apple slices and raisins and sprinkle with sugar. Spread remaining crumb mixture evenly over apples.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes. Cool and cut into 12 bars.

Notes

• Substitute ripe pears for apples
• Serve warm topped with vanilla yogur

Buttermilk Scones

Buttermilk Scones

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Makes: 9 scones
Serving Size 1 scone

Ingredients

1 cup whole wheat flour
3⁄4 cup all-purpose flour
1⁄3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
1⁄4 teaspoon salt
1 cup raisins
1⁄4 cup butter, melted
2⁄3 cup buttermilk

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Combine whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Mix well.
3. Add raisins and mix lightly.
4. In a small bowl, combine melted butter and buttermilk. Add liquid Ingredients to flour mixture; mix gently.
5. Spoon dough into 9 equal mounds on a greased baking sheet. Bake until well browned, 18-20 minutes.
6. Serve hot or at room temperature. Best eaten the same day you bake them.
7. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Substitute vegetable oil for the butter to reduce saturated fat.
• Try other dried fruit. Sprinkle with cinnamon before baking.
• No buttermilk? Place 1 Tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar in measuring cup and fill to the 1 cup line with milk. Stir and let set to thicken slightly

Baked Berry Oatmeal

Baked Berry Oatmeal

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Makes: 6 cups
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1⁄4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1⁄2 cup brown sugar
1 1⁄2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups nonfat or 1% milk
4 teaspoons butter or margarine, melted
2 cups cane berries, fresh or frozen (raspberries, blackberries, marionberries)
1⁄4 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together the oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs until blended; Stir in brown sugar, vanilla, milk and melted butter.
4. Pour wet Ingredients into the dry Ingredients and stir until well combined.
5. Add the berries and stir lightly to evenly distribute.  Pour mixture into 2 quart baking dish.  Sprinkle with chopped nuts if desired.
6. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
7. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours

Blueberry Bling

Blueberry Bling

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Makes: 2 cups
Serving Size 1/2 cup 

Ingredients

3 cups frozen or fresh blueberries
2 teaspoons margarine or butter, softened
1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 Tablespoon brown sugar
1⁄2 cup old fashioned rolled oats
1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Place frozen blueberries in a 9-inch pie plate. If using fresh blueberries, wash and drain before placing in a 9-inch pie plate.
3. In a small bowl, use a fork to mix margarine, flour, sugar, oats and cinnamon.
4. Sprinkle oat mixture over the blueberries.
5. Bake for about 25 minutes. Enjoy while warm!
6. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Baked Bean Medley

Baked Bean Medley

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 1 1⁄2 hours
Makes: 8 cups
Serving Size 1/2 cup

Ingredients

6 slices bacon
1 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 can (15 ounces) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 ounces) great northern beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 ounces) pork and beans
3⁄4 cup ketchup
1⁄4 cup molasses
1⁄4 cup brown sugar
2 Tablespoons worcestershire sauce
1 Tablespoon prepared mustard
1⁄4 teaspoon pepper

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Cut bacon into bite sized pieces and place in skillet. Cook over medium heat (300 degrees in an electric skillet) until evenly browned. Remove from pan and set aside.
3. Drain skillet, reserving 1 teaspoon of drippings. Add onion and garlic. Cook until onion is tender. Remove from skillet and add to bacon. Discard remaining drippings.
4. Mix beans with bacon, onion, and garlic. Stir in remaining Ingredients.
5. Transfer to a 9x12 baking dish or 3 quart casserole dish. Bake in a preheated oven for 1 hour.
6. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Use any mix of beans you have.
• Cook your own dry beans.  One can (15 ounces) is about 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cups drained beans.
• No bacon? Use 1 teaspoon cooking oil to saute vegetables

Baked Apples and Squash

Baked Apples and Squash

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Makes: 3 cups
Serving Size 3/4 cup

Ingredients

2 cups winter squash cubes
2 cups apple cubes
1 Tablespoon oil
1⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 Tablespoon sugar
1⁄2 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Peel the squash, remove the seeds and cut into bite size pieces.
2. Peel the apples, remove the core and cut into bite size pieces.
3. Combine the squash and apple pieces, oil, cinnamon, sugar and salt together in a bowl. Toss to coat evenly.
4. Spread the mixture on a metal baking pan.
5. Bake in a 425 degree oven for 20 to 30 minutes, or until squash is soft.
6. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Rice Salad

Rice Salad

Prep time: 10 minutes
Makes: 4 cups
Serving Size 2/3 cup

Ingredients

2 cups cooked brown rice, cooled
1⁄4 cup chopped celery
1 apple, chopped (about 1 ½ cups)
1⁄4 cup raisins
2 Tablespoons chopped almonds
1⁄2 cup low-fat plain yogurt
2 teaspoons orange juice
2 teaspoons sugar

Directions

1. Combine rice, celery, apple, raisins, and almonds in a medium bowl and mix well.
2. Combine yogurt, orange juice, and sugar and stir until sugar dissolves.
3. Pour the yogurt mixture over the rice mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
4. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Add any of your favorite fruits for variety.
• Make this a whole grain recipe by using brown rice instead of white rice

Pinto Bean Dip

Pinto Bean Dip

Prep time: 5 minutes
Makes: 28 tablespoons
Serving Size 2 Tablespoons

Ingredients

1 can (15 ounces) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (4 ounces) mild jalapeño peppers
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
1 Tablespoon barbecue sauce or ketchup
1 Tablespoon water
1⁄2 teaspoon onion powder
1⁄8 teaspoon each salt and pepper

Directions

1. For a smooth dip, place Ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
2. For a chunky dip, mash beans well with a fork or potato masher, stir in remaining Ingredients.
3. Add additional water as needed for desired consistency.
4. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Cook your own dry beans. One can (15 ounces) is about 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cups drained beans.

Farmers Market Salsa

Farmers Market Salsa

Prep time: 15 minutes
Makes: 64 tablespoons
Serving Size 2 Tablespoons

Ingredients

1⁄2 cup corn (canned and drained, frozen, or fresh cooked)
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup fresh diced tomatoes
1⁄2 cup diced onion
1⁄2 cup diced green pepper
2 Tablespoons lime juice
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1⁄2 cup picante sauce

Directions

1. Combine all Ingredients in a large bowl. Chill until serving time.
2. Drain before serving.
3. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• One large ear of corn makes about 1 cup of cut corn.
• Serve with fresh vegetables or Food Hero Baked Tortilla Chips.
• Cook your own dry beans. One can (15 ounces) is about 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cups drained beans

Fruit Shake 1 (with yogurt)

Fruit Shake 1 (with yogurt)

Prep time: 5 minutes
Makes: 5 tazas
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

1 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt
2 cups fruit, sliced (see Notes)
2 cups cold water

Directions

1. Place yogurt, fruit and water in a blender. To prevent spills, do not fill past the top line of the blender.
2. Blend and serve.
3. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Use any flavor of yogurt.
• Use fresh, canned or frozen fruit.
• If shake is too thick, add more water.

Hoppin' Pear Salad

Hoppin' Pear Salad

Prep time: 10 minutes
Makes: 4 bunnies
Serving Size 1 bunny

Ingredients

2 cups shredded lettuce or spinach
4 pear halves, fresh or canned
1⁄2 cup cottage cheese
8 pieces sliced almonds
12 raisins

Directions

1. Place about 1/2 cup shredded lettuce on each plate.
2. Place one pear half on the lettuce, cut side faced down.
3. On the narrower end of each pear, make a rabbit face: Poke two pieces of sliced almonds into the pear to make ears. Arrange two raisins for eyes and one for the nose.
4. Place 2 Tablespoons of cottage cheese at the opposite end of each pear half to make a tail.

Notes

• Optional: Add a miniature carrot or two for the bunnies to snack on.
• Look in the bulk food section of the store to buy only the amount you need of raisins or sliced almonds. 

Kiwi, Banana and Apple Salad

Kiwi, Banana and Apple Salad

Prep time: 20 minutes
Makes: 3 cups
Serving Size 1/2 cup

Ingredients

4 1⁄2 teaspoons lime juice (about 1 lime)
1 1⁄2 teaspoons oil
1 1⁄2 teaspoons sweet onion, minced
1 teaspoon vinegar
1 teaspoon honey
1⁄8 teaspoon salt
2 medium kiwis, peeled
1 medium banana
1 medium apple [3” diameter] (or pear)
1 Tablespoon fresh mint, chopped (optional)

Directions

1. Mix lime juice, oil, onion, vinegar, honey and salt in a medium bowl.
2. Chop kiwis, banana and apple into small cubes.
3. Add fruit and mint (if using) to the dressing; toss to coat.
4. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Honey is not recommended for children under 1 year old. Try brown sugar.

Watermelon Salsa

Watermelon Salsa

Prep time: 15 minutes
Makes: 32 tablespoons
Serving Size 2 tablespoons

Ingredients

2 cups small cubes of watermelon
1⁄4 cup chopped green onions
1⁄4 cup red onion, finely chopped
1 Tablespoon rice vinegar
1 Tablespoon chopped cilantro
1⁄4 teaspoon ground cumin

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, mix all of the Ingredients.
2. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Serve salsa with burritos, tacos, fish or grilled meat.
• Try adding corn, chile peppers, or chopped avocado.
• If you do not have vinegar, try lemon or lime juice.

Watermelon Cooler

Watermelon Cooler

Prep time: 5 minutes
Makes: 3 cups
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

3 cups cubed watermelon, with seeds removed
1⁄2 cup orange juice

Directions

1. Place watermelon and juice in blender. Put lid on tightly.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Drink immediately.
4. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Juice from 1/2 orange (about 1/4 cup)

Peanut Butter Yogurt Dip

Peanut Butter Yogurt Dip

Prep time: 5 minutes
Makes: 12 tablespoons
Serving Size 2 tablespoons

Ingredients

1⁄2 cup nonfat plain yogurt
1⁄4 cup peanut butter
3⁄4 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

Directions

1. In a small bowl, mix together yogurt and peanut butter. Add cinnamon, if desired.
2. Serve with slices of fruit or vegetables.
3. Refrigerate leftovers within two hours.

Notes

• To avoid peanut butter, try sunflower seed butter.

Baked Apple Chips

Baked Apple Chips

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 2 hours
Makes: 2 apples
Serving Size 1 apple

Ingredients

2 large apples
cinnamon (optional)

Directions

1. Rinse apples and cut crosswise into thin slices. Cut out the core if desired.
2. Arrange slices in a single layer on baking sheets. Sprinkle lightly with cinnamon if desired.
3. Bake at 200 degrees for about 1 hour. Turn slices over. Continue baking until dry with no moisture in the center, 1 hour or more depending on thickness.
4. Remove from oven and cool. Store in an air-tight container for up to a year.

Parmesan Roasted Potatoes

Parmesan Roasted Potatoes

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Makes: 3 cups
Serving Size 1/2 cup

Ingredients

3 cups potatoes cut in 1-inch pieces
2 teaspoons oil
1⁄4 teaspoon each salt and pepper
1⁄2 cup of parmesan cheese, shredded or grated

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, toss potatoes with oil, salt and pepper.
3. Place potatoes in a single layer on a large baking sheet.
4. Roast 25 minutes; sprinkle with cheese; roast 5 to 10 minutes more. Serve warm.
5. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Try other types of cheese or a blend!

Crunchy Baked Kale Chips

Crunchy Baked Kale Chips

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Makes: 3 cups
Serving Size 1/2 cup 

Ingredients

1 bunch fresh kale (about 8 cups, chopped)
1 Tablespoon canola or olive oil
1⁄2 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Wash kale leaves.
3. Cut leaves off of thick stem and thoroughly dry leaves in a salad spinner or by blotting with paper towels. Discard stems.
4. Tear or cut leaves into bite sized pieces. Place in large bowl.
5. Drizzle oil over kale and toss to coat well.
6. Place kale leaves onto baking sheet.
7. Sprinkle with salt.
8. Bake until edges brown. About 10-15 minutes.
9. Serve while hot.

Mediterranean Tuna Salad

Mediterranean Tuna Salad

Prep time: 15 minutes
Makes: 5 cups
Serving Size 1/2 cup

Ingredients

3 cans (5 ounces each) tuna in water, drained
1 cup carrot, peeled and coarsely grated (about 2 medium carrots)
2 cups diced cucumber
1 1⁄2 cups peas, canned and drained or thawed from frozen
3⁄4 cup low-fat Italian salad dressing

Directions

1. Place drained tuna in a medium bowl. Use a fork to break apart chunks of tuna.
2. Add carrot, cucumber, peas and salad dressing. Mix well.
3. Serve immediately or make ahead, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
4. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Serve on lettuce leaves or make sandwiches with whole wheat or pocket (pita) bread.