Kale Chips…Yum? June 5, 2010

Hey guys!  It’s been a while, huh?  Now that summer has arrived, I will hopefully have more time to coupon…and to blog!  Mark & I have been trying to eat really healthy this year (lots of fresh ingredients!) so my couponing has been on the back burner.  Time to dust off those inserts and get to it!  I plan to still find deals on household items and cooking staples like olive oil, broth, etc.

We are still getting our Farmers’ Market Baskets each week and loving it!!  Here’s a recipe that I HAD to share!  I didn’t even know what kale was a few months ago but now my hubby and I love the stuff…if it is cooked this way!  Thanks for the recipe, Kristina!

Kale Chips 

1 bunch kale
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon seasoned salt

Preheat an oven to 350 degrees. Line a non insulated cookie sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.  With a knife or kitchen shears, carefully remove the leaves from the thick stems and tear into bite size pieces. Wash and thoroughly dry kale with a salad spinner (or let it air dry). Drizzle kale with olive oil and sprinkle with seasoning salt.  Bake until the edges brown but are not burnt, 10 to 15 minutes.  Enjoy!

Cooking the kale this way totally changes the texture and makes it crunchy…great for kids!

katrina

Daniel Fast Snacks! January 11, 2010

Here are a few snack ideas for the Daniel Fast!

Nuts – all kinds

Fruits – bananas, grapes, raisins, oranges…all kinds!

Corn tortilla chips and salsa

Corn tortilla chips and hummus

– Hummus is a dip that is made from chickpeas.  It is delicious and can be found at most grocery stores.  Go HERE for a recipe for hummus that you can make at home.

Veggies and hummus

“Salt Only” Popcorn – no butter!

100% natural fruit snacks – great for kids!

Peanut Butter Banana “Sandwich”

Peanut Butter Banana “Sandwich” January 8, 2010

I love having this as a snack on the Daniel Fast!  This is also a great one for kids!

Peanut Butter Banana “Sandwich”

1 banana

natural peanut butter

brown rice cakes (They have really thin ones at Harry’s but the Quaker ones work too – just make sure that no sugar is added.  I found mine at Wal-Mart.)

Top the rice cake with peanut butter and a sliced banana!  Yum!

Vegetable Soup with Soy Crumbles January 7, 2010

This recipe usually has ground turkey in it.  I altered it for the Daniel Fast and the result was great!  It is really easy and quick!

Vegetable Soup with Soy Crumbles

12 oz. soy crumbles (found in the “vegetarian” frozen section)

2 – 14 oz. cans of vegetable broth

14 oz. can of diced tomatoes

16 oz. of frozen mixed vegetables

1/2 tsp. of salt

1/2 tsp. of pepper

Spray a pot with cooking spray.  Heat soy crumbles over medium heat.  Pour broth over crumbles.  Add tomatoes, veggies, salt, & pepper.  Cover and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes.  Makes about 6 – 1 1/2 cup servings.  Yummy!

Texas Caviar Dip January 6, 2010

Michelle Becker made this one famous!  It goes great with corn chips!

Texas Caviar Dip

1 can of black eyed peas, drained and rinsed

1 can of whole kernal corn, drained

1 can of Rotel, Mexican style

3-4 ribs of celery, chopped

1 packet of Good Seasons Zesty Italian Dressing (prepared with 1/2 the oil called for in the recipe)

Combine all ingredients in a bowl.  Let dip sit for at least an hour to blend.  You can also add a can of rinsed, drained black beans if desired.

Peanut Butter Balls January 5, 2010

Craving a little something sweet on the Daniel Fast?  Try this recipe that Dre Fillmore discovered!

Peanut Butter Balls

1/2 cup honey

1/2 cup natural peanut butter

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. vanilla

2 cups puffed brown rice or any “fast friendly” cereal  (See instructions below.)

Combine all ingredients.  Scoop balls of mixture by a tablespoon and place in a food storage container.  Enjoy!

For the cereal, you can find puffed brown rice at Harry’s.  I usually use Uncle Sam’s Toasted Whole-Wheat Flakes & Flaxseed because I can get it at Wal-Mart.  It is in a small red box with the healthier cereal options.  It looks like this…

Roasted Garlic Hummus January 4, 2010

Hummus is so yummy and is great with corn chips and veggies on the Daniel Fast!  You can purchase hummus at most grocery stores but this recipe is also very easy to make!

Roasted Garlic Hummus

1 – 15 oz. can of chickpeas/garbanzo beans

2 tablespoons of minced garlic

1/2 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon of olive oil

1/2 teaspoon of oregano

Combine all ingredients in a food processor.  Process until dip is smooth and creamy.  If hummus is too thick, add extra olive oil 1/2 teaspoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency.

Roasted Potatoes, Carrots, & Onions January 3, 2010

I experiment a lot in my kitchen which means I often forget to measure items for new recipes.  This is one such recipe!  I usually just cut the veggies until they fill the pan that I am using.  You can eat as many vegetables as you like on the Daniel Fast…yay!

Roasted Potatoes, Carrots, & Onions

Potatoes, washed and cut into bite-sized pieces

Baby carrots or large carrots washed, peeled, and cut into bite-sized pieces

Onions, cut into bite-sized pieces

2 or 3 tablespoons of vegetable or olive oil

Garlic salt

Salt & pepper

Mrs. Dash Table Blend or any additional seasonings that you like (optional)

In a 13×9 inch dish, combine potatoes, carrots, and onions.  Add oil and toss veggies to coat.  Add seasoning and toss again.  Cover with foil and bake on 400 degrees for 1 hour or until veggies are tender.  Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Alternate Idea: Mark and I also like to cook a mix of white potatoes and sweet potatoes this way.  When I do this, I leave the onions out of the recipe.

Spanish Lima Beans January 1, 2010

I found this recipe in a magazine and Mark LOVES it!  Very Daniel Fast worthy!

Spanish Lima Beans

2 cans of lima beans, drained and rinsed

2 medium onions, chopped

2 tablespoons of canola oil (or vegetable oil)

1 can of diced tomatoes, undrained

salt & pepper to taste

In a large skillet, saute onions in oil until tender.  Stir in tomatoes, salt, pepper, and beans.  Cook for 8-10 minutes or until heated through.

Fruit Smoothies – Breakfast anyone?

One of the challenges that Mark and I have faced is finding something filling for breakfast while on the Daniel Fast.  Here’s the solution!  We make these smoothies almost EVERY morning during the fast and beyond.  You can experiment and adjust this recipe to make it your own!

Fruit Smoothies

1 large whole banana

1 cup of frozen blueberries

15 medium strawberries (fresh or frozen)

2 cups of orange juice

Combine all ingredients in a blender.  Blend until the smoothie is the desired consistency.  Makes 2 large smooties.