Roasted Basil Eggplant

Roasted Basil Eggplant, from Against All Grain Meals Made Simple p232

I used italian eggplant and some quartered leftover mushrooms for this recipe. I loved this side dish--David didn't love it, but didn't dislike it either. Still, its a good option for eggplant that you don't have plans for.

Gluten Free Zucchini Bread or Muffins

http://alittleinsanity.com/gluten-free-zucchini-bread-recipe/
Gluten Free Zucchini Bread or Muffins

I did not have this flour blend, but made up my own with a few flours I had on hand. (Rice, Millet, leftover bread mix (w/xantham), garbanzo, and one more I forget.)

It turned out very well, it made a dozen muffins. I put in pecans and also used Rapidura for the sugar. The rapidura tasted great--usually it tastes strange in recipes but this one it was perfect. The rapidura I have is called organic whole cane sugar, Rapunzel brand.

Zucchini Muffins

http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/zucchini_muffins/
Zucchini Muffins

I adjusted this recipe a little. I used coconut oil instead of butter, more because I was low on butter. And I added 1/2 cup non-instant powdered milk to the batter and reduced the sugar to 1 cup. The sugar was just barely enough, I would definitely not go any lower in the quantity. It was mildly sweet. I added walnuts and the kids enjoyed it.

This made 19-20 large muffins.

Notes:
-I have made this without the powdered milk, recipe as written, and it is delicious.
-I've also done this with frozen shredded zucchini with the water drained. It uses twice as much as you'd use otherwise with all the water that comes out when thawed, and it was not even 2 whole cups of the drained/thawed zucchini when measured, but it came from two quart bags of frozen zucchini. I had to stir it extra well to make sure there weren't any zucchini clumps, and I made sure to put in all the sugar just in case the zucchini flavor was stronger. It turned out great.
-Also good with cream cheese frosting:)

Blueberry Muffins

http://www.inspiredtaste.net/18982/our-favorite-easy-blueberry-muffin-recipe/#easyrecipe-18982-0

Blueberry Muffins

This was quick and easy. I reduced sugar to 1/2 cup and it seems just right to me. Will use this recipe from now on.

Gluten Free Oat Waffles

http://cookieandkate.com/2014/easy-gluten-free-oat-waffles/
Gluten Free Oat Waffles

These were great. I am glad to have a good waffle recipe finally. I doubled the recipe and that was a good amount for four. I may try leaving out the extra tablespoon of oil next time. I used coconut oil.

Pizza Dough

http://www.sugardishme.com/10-minute-pizza-dough/

Pizza Dough

I made this tonight. I used a 16 inch pizza pan, and the dough was not very crisp on the bottom of it. I guess I need a pizza peel so that I can use my pizza stone, but its annoying because the stone is too small to hold all the pizza so i'll have to make two batches. The dough was easy and quick though, so far as scratch crusts go. I guess I need to find a gluten free one that is quick and easy now.

Alton Brown's Granola

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/granola-recipe.html
Alton Brown's Granola

I made this recipe but used only 2 T brown sugar (less the 1/4 cup). David likes this amount of sweetness.
I used unsweetened coconut and browned it by itself while I mixed up the other ingredients, then added it at the end after the other stuff had baked. I didn't want it to burn, and one review implied that type of coconut would.

Cost:
1 cup cashews (assuming 3 c per lb of $5.50/lb raw cashew pieces from TJs): $1.83
1 cup slivered almonds (using Aldi package with 1.5 cups, 2.99): $2.00
3 oz maple syrup (using aldi maple syrup, 12.5 oz for 5.50?): $1.375
3 cups oats...
etc.

This is not cheap stuff.

Picnic Cake

This is copied from an email my mom sent me 7/8/2010.

FANNY'S PICNIC CAKE Nana (Fanny Miller Strand) served this cake on the 4th of July.

1. Combine and cool

• 1 cup finely chopped dates 
• 1 1/2 cups boiling water
• 1 tsp. soda

2. In mixing bowl cream together

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine

3. Add and beat well

• 2 eggs, beaten

4. Add to creamed mixture

• 1/2 tsp. vanilla

5. Combine in a separate bowl

• 1 1/2 cups plus 3 Tbsp. flour
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 3/4 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. salt (Nana deleted the salt)

6. Add cooled date mixture alternately with dry ingredients to creamed mixture.

7. Pour into a greased and floured 9 x 13-inch pan. (Nana used a 14 x 11)

8. Sprinkle over cake mixture (Nana used 1/2 cup instead of 3/4 cup of each of the following)

• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 3/4 cup chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup chopped nuts

9. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 35 to 40 minutes

YIELD: 1 9x13-inch cake. Cut into 20 pieces 2"x3" (255 calories per serving).

This recipe was published and distributed by Mountain Fuel Supply Company (now Questar Gas).

Italian Pasta Salad

Italian dressing (either premixed, or an italian seasoning packet with olive oil)
3/4 can olives, sliced
8 oz ball fresh mozzarella, cubed
salami, cut in pieces (or pepperoni)
chopped cucumber
chopped artichoke hearts
8 oz cooked rotini pasta (I used gluten free)
2-3 chopped tomatoes (or pint cherry tomatoes cut in half)

mix and refrigerate.