Jeff's Jiffy "Cracker Jacks"

This month's Random Recipe Challenge was to go back to the cookbook you used in your first challenge. I couldn't do that as I got rid of that particular book in the great Fit Two Children Into My House clean up. So, I went to my second challenge - for which I had used Loaves and Fishes: A "Love Your Neighbor" Cookbook. I tried to let Simon pick the recipe for me, but it turns out that my particular three year old has no interest in being random. He completely refused to open the book in any but the tradition fashion (he is also the only three year old I know who enjoys pointing out the spine, front over, end pages, and title page of a book - so really I was asking too much of him if I expected "random".") I did the random flipping and came up with Jeff's Jiffy "Cracker Jacks".

Jeff's Jiffy "Cracker Jacks"
1/4 cup margarine
1/2 cup honey
6 cups popped corn
1 cup peanuts

1. In a saucepan, heat honey and margarine over low heat until blended.
2. In a large bowl, mix popcorn and peanuts. Add sauce and stir.
3. Spread mixture onto a large pan.
4. Bake at 350F for 7-10 minutes.
5. When cool, stir, and it's ready to eat.

Simon and I made these while Stone was away at a Super Bowl party (I have as much interest in watching American football as in getting a toe cut off). I enjoyed the mixture a great deal, as did Stone. Simon, however, objects to sticky food and would not partake.

Berry Muffins: Foods Made for Family and Friends

I made these muffins to take to a dear friend who just gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. Growing up, this was an easy recipe to make since I just had to go out in the yard and pick some mulberries from our tree. Unfortunately, I have never been able to find mulberries in Tennessee.  A frozen mixed berry combo (raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries) substituted nicely and gave the muffins a pretty purple color.

(Mul)berry muffins
Crumb Topping
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
4 tbsp margarine
Batter
1/4 cup margarine
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1/4 tsp vanilla
1 3/4 cups flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup (mul)berries

1. To prepare crumb topping: mix flour, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. Blend in butter with a pastry blender until the mixture resembles crumbs. Set aside.
2. To prepare muffin base: In a large bowl, cream butter and margarine. Beat in egg. Add milk and vanilla. Beat until nearly smooth.
3. In a small bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to milk mixture and stir just until dry ingredients are moistened. Fold berries into batter.
4. Spoon batter into 18 greased or lined muffin cups. Top each with crumb topping and press down lightly. Bake at 400F for 12-15 minutes.

 Note from Stone (the Uploader): Angela is having a rather rough recovery. She appreciates all of your thoughts and prayers.

Farmer's Market, Cheese Scones, and U2 in Nashville

Yesterday started out with a successful trip to the Farmer's Market on the square...

Had some lovely bread in the middle...

Cheese Scones from In the Kitchen with the AWA
1 cup flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp dried mustard
1 cup grated cheese, 2% or less fat
1 cup lowfat milk
6 tsp oil

1. Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, and mustard.
2. Add cheese and milk to the flour mixture.
3. Pour 1/2 tsp of oil into each cup of a 12 count muffin tin or stone. Evenly divide batter between cups.
4. Bake at 500F for 10 minutes, until golden brown.
5. Yields 12, 2 point servings - serve hot

And ended with an amazing concert: U2 performing at Vanderbilt University...

Before U2 emerged, we were treated to some interesting numbers...

The band arrived and began to rock our faces off....

The show was similar enough to the Atlanta show two years ago to feel familiar, but there were some amazing additions - like the cool James Bondish CGI during "Mysterious Ways"...

And being outside made the lights that much more impressive...

It was completely amazing - including the humanitarian aspect Bono always brings to the show. (Click here for more.)

They saved my favorite song for the encore, with made me a happy girl. Since it was the end of the concert, it will also be the end of my post. 

Banana Nut Muffins - 7 points

Notice my completely unevenly sized muffins? That is because I was making them hastily. I spotted my father-in-law, who was trying to be sneaky, mowing my lawn. I thought he needed a thank you, so I whipped up a batch of muffins for him to enjoy when he was finished with the yard. Even - no. Delicious - yes.


Banana Nut Muffins adapted from The All New Good Housekeeping Cook Book
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 tbsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
6 tbsp cold butter, cut into pieces
1 cup walnuts, chopped
3 overripe bananas, chopped
1/3 cup milk
1/2 cup apple sauce
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Use a hand held mixer on low speed to combine the ingredients until the mixture resembles large crumbs.  Stir in walnuts.
2. In a medium bowl, combine bananas, milk, apple sauce, and vanilla. Use hand held mixer to blend until smooth.
3. Add banana mixture to flour mixture, stirring just until combined.
4. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups; bake 25-30 minutes at 400F. Immediately remove from tins after baking; place on a wire rack to cool.
5. Yields 12, 7 point servings

I enjoyed this muffin guilt free, since I went for an hour long bike ride this morning. My father brought me a bike a year ago, and I finally got it in riding condition. I hadn't ridden one in years; I remembered how much fun it was but I had forgotten how much exercise it is. I am not ashamed to admit that there were a couple of hills that almost defeated me. The fun still outweighs the pain, and burning enough calories to earn a muffin is a big plus.

Roasted Spaghetti Squash Seeds - 2 points

I made this yummy treat when I cooked spaghetti squash for Valentine's Day. I have never braved seed roasting before and was almost afraid to try a bite when they came out of the oven. I should have had no fear! They are a lovely, nutty treat - great to add crunch to a salad or wrap. I also loved the feeling I got from using almost every part of my squash; I felt like Laura Ingalls Wilder!

Roasted Spaghetti Squash Seeds
seeds from 1 spaghetti squash
salt to taste

1. Wash and dry seeds. Place on a cookie sheet. Spray very lightly using a kitchen spritzer full of olive oil.
2. Roast at 250F for 30-45 minutes. Salt to taste.
3. 2 points per two tablespoons

I have two spaghetti squash in the oven as I type; spaghetti squash kugel is on the menu for this week. It is one of my favorite healthy dishes!

I am linking to Tempt My Tummy Tuesday. Lots of yummy treats to be found there!

I am also linking to Real Food Deals, since this is definitly a way to stretch your dollar (or pound or rand or Kwacha) by making the most of your purchase.

Finally, I am linking to Real Food Wednesdays, since this is a very natural treat:)