Chomps in the Swamp

A few years ago I went to Cracker Barrel and had some AWESOME whole grain and nut pancakes. I’ve been hoping to find a matching recipe ever since. These are pretty darn close! I’m happy. See original recipe here .  INGREDIENTS 1 1/2 cups steel cut oatmeal (not instant) 3/4 cup whole wheat flour 3/4 cup white flour 2 tsp baking soda 1 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 1/3 cup sugar 1 1/2 cups buttermilk 1 cup milk 1 egg 1/3 cup applesauce (I used Granny Smith unsweetened) DIRECTIONS 1) Combine dry ingredients 2) mix in wet ingredients until incorporated 3) cook on griddle heated to 350 degrees. For me, this recipe made 18 pancakes which were scooped with my 1/4 measuring cup.

WOW. What a versatile recipe this one is. This can be eaten warm or cold. And if you'd like you can easily add veggies, seafood, or chicken. Or all three! A great lightweight side or entree with bright flavor. See original recipe here. Before I get to the recipe, I have to put in a shout out to the gourmet garden lightly dried herbs. I put in a Walmart grocery order and they didn't have fresh basil so they substituted the gourmet garden lightly dried. I always feel guilty when I buy herbs and it comes with more herb than I can use before it goes bad. This lightly dried variety stays fresh for 4 weeks UPON opening! Isn't that great?! I probably will continue to buy this variety. INGREDIENTS : 1 - 16 oz box campanelle pasta 1/4 cup olive oil 1/3 cup pine nuts 3/4 cup parmesan cheese 1/2 of a .42 oz jar of gourmet garden lightly dried basil OR 1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil 1 lemon's zest 1/2 lemon's juice (OR about 2-3 tablespoons of lemon ju...

INGREDIENTS  Butternut Squash Filling  - 1 butternut squash - 16 oz ricotta cheese - 1/2 cup milk - 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg - 1/2 tsp salt Spinach Filling  - 10 oz fresh spinach - 2 cups mozzarella cheese - 1/2 cup parmesan cheese - 2 cloves garlic, minced - salt - pepper Other Ingredients - 12 lasagna noodles, cooked - 2 cups mozzarella cheese - 1/2 cup parmesan cheese - Italian seasoning DIRECTIONS  Butternut Squash Filling 1. Peel butternut squash. Cut ends off. Cut in half lengthwise and remove seeds. Cut into 1 inch cubes. 2. In instant pot, pour 1 cup water into bottom. Add wire trivet. Add cubed butternut squash. Set to pressure cook for 7 minutes. Quick release steam when done. Drain water off. 3.  Add cooked butternut squash to blender. Add 1/2 cup milk and puree until smooth. Turn out into large bowl. 4. Add to puree ricotta cheese, nutmeg and salt. Set Butternut Squash Filling aside. Spinach Filling 1. In a large pot, co...

INGREDIENTS  5 1/2 to 6 1/2 cups all purpose flour 3 tablespoons white sugar 2 teaspoons salt 1 package active dry yeast (or 2 1/4 tsp if you buy yeast in bulk) 1/2 cup milk 1 egg, whisked 3 tablespoons butter DIRECTIONS  1. In a large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. In a medium saucepan over low heat, heat 1 1/2 cups water, milk, and butter until very warm (120 to 130 degrees). Butter does not need to be completely melted. With mixer at low speed, gradually pour liquid into dry ingredients. Add whisked egg. Increase speed to medium; beat 2 minutes, occasionally scraping bowl with rubber spatula. Beat in 3/4 cup of flour or enough to make a thick batter; continue beating for 2 minutes, occasionally scraping bowl. With a spoon, stir in enough additional flour (about 3 cups) to make a soft dough. 2. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic; about 10 minutes. Shape dough into ball and place in greased large bowl, t...

Adapted from recipe found here. TOTAL TIME :  30 minutes INGREDIENTS :  - 2 cups milk - 2 cups water - 1 tsp salt - 1 cup yellow cornmeal grits - 1 cup shredded extra sharp white cheddar cheese - 2 tablespoons salted butter - 4 slices bacon, chopped - 1 1/2 lbs shrimp, peeled and deveined - 1 1/2 cups chopped onion - 3 garlic cloves, minced - 3 tablespoons cornstarch  - 1 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth - 1 cup heavy whipping cream - 1 tablespoon butter - salt  - pepper - sliced green onions  DIRECTIONS :  For this recipe, you will need two pans : A skillet and a medium sauce pan. I have laid out the directions in the order which I think things should be done.  SKILLET -  1. Cook bacon slices. Drain on paper towels and then chop. Set aside. MEDIUM SAUCE PAN -  3. Combine milk, water, and salt. Turn heat to high and stir occasionally until almost boiling. 4. Whisk in grits...

WHAT YOU NEED : - 1 can refried beans - 1/2 small can diced green chiles - sliced american cheese - shredded lettuce (buying pre-shredded will be your friend here and make them more 'authentic') - Taco Bell mild sauce - 1 lb ground turkey - taco seasoning - corn tortillas - oil (for frying) WHAT TO DO : - brown turkey and season with taco seasoning - in another pan, combine green chiles and refried beans - combine turkey with bean mix - in a skillet, pour oil to 1/4" deep. Heat to 375 (electric) or on med-high heat (stovetop). - scoop bean/meat mix into tortilla and fold - fry taco in skillet on each side until crispy - drain on paper towels - when tacos are still hot/very warm, gently open and insert 1/2 slice cheese, lettuce, and mild sauce

INGREDIENTS : - 16 oz Farfalle pasta - 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream - 3 to 4 chicken breasts - 2 to 3 garlic cloves, minced - 1 tsp pepper - 1/2 cup butter - 1 lb bacon, cooked and crumbled - 3/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese - 1 cup Soy Vay very very teriyaki - 1/8 cup pineapple juice (or juice from one can pineapple) - 1/2 sweet onion, diced - 8 oz sliced mushroom - 1/4 cup frozen peas - parsley, for garnish DIRECTIONS : 1. Cook chicken in teriyaki sauce and pineapple juice in crockpot on low for 6 hours. 2. Shred or cut chicken and set aside. 3. About half hour before serving, boil pasta. 4. At the same time of starting pasta, in a saucepan, melt butter and cook onion on medium low for 20 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook for an additional 5 minutes. 5. Turn heat to low. Add whipping cream, garlic, pepper, parmesan cheese, peas, and crumbled bacon. Whisk for 4 minutes. 6. In a large bowl, pour sauce over cooked, drained pasta. Add chicken and stir through. ...