I hate buying crackers, with all of those chemicals and such in them. Plus I like to get a bang for my buck. With prices rising on lots of items, I needed to pull out my Flax Cracker recipe and give it some twisting. This is the result.
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups ground flax seeds
2/3 cups whole flax seeds
½ cup fava bean flour [or
almond flour]
1 tbsp amaranth seeds
1 tsp salt (we leave this out sometimes)
1 tsp spice/herb (Italian seasoning,
garlic powder, onion powder, rosemary, etc)
2 cups [more or less] of water.)
DIRECTIONS:
Combine all ingredients. Use more or less to get a nice thick
consistency. Line 2 dehydrator trays
with parchment paper or roll-up sheets that fit your dehydrator. Spread batter
evenly on the trays, using the back of a spoon. Dehydrate (for raw, keep under
115 degrees F.) for 2 hours, then reduce to 105 degrees F. for the rest of the
time. After 4 hours, use a knife to score the crackers to where you want to separate
them later. When they are dry enough to hold their shape (maybe 8 hours), remove
and break them along the scored lines, then turn over and put directly on the
tray (no parchment or liner this time). Finish dehydrating until crispy dry
(the dryer they are, the longer they will last so go for NO moisture left).
Store in an air-tight, moisture-proof, dark container.
NOTE: When we are conserving electricity, I put these in the solar dehydrator that I got for my last birthday. (Yes, I asked for it!) It's a bit of a pain to go outside, unhook it from where it's hanging, bring inside, score or turn the crackers (or other foods) over, and put it back outside, but I feel good knowing I have a way to preserve food when our electricity is down.
NOTE: For a sweeter cracker, leave out the savory herbs and add some applesauce and cinnamon. Delicious with a little peanut butter and a slice of apple.
ANOTHER NOTE: IF you are stocking up because of the weather and bird flu problems, please remember to add the above ingredients to your list of items to purchase. Being able to make your own crackers could be a family project when there's nothing to do, and you need that crunch.
COPYRIGHT (C) 2015 Vikki Lawrence
Do not copy or distribute this recipe as it is a TASTING recipe for Vikki's book. If you try this receipt, please leave comments below ass to whether you liked it, did anything different, etc. Thank you.
MRE RECIPE: Quick Cakes
Yes, these are NOT diet friendly, but you can store the products to make these in your pantry and are super-easy to make. I do NOT suggest using diet soda pop as they usually have asparatame in them which can cause seizures (it does in my boy) and other health problems. But these ARE lower in fat than if you were to use oil and eggs.
Cake Mix + Soda Pop = Moist Cake
Yup, I make these all the time for bake sales.
Ingredients:
1 box of cake mix (15.25 oz)
1 can of soda pop (12 oz)
Directions:
Take your favorite cake mix and instead of adding the oil, eggs, butter, or other add-ins, just add ONE CAN of any flavor soda pop. Completely combine (it looks weird at first), then pour into a 9 x 13 greased pan, and bake for the time on the cake-mix box.
I found this picture online, and use it often. Remember that the soda adds only a LIGHT taste. My son LOVES the creamsicle cake (vanilla cake plus vanilla pudding plus orange soda pop).
Basically, tho, I use lemon-lime soda pop with most of my cake mixes. It barely gives any flavor, but makes the cake so moist that it's hard to get it out of the pan. Leave it in the pan!!
TOPPING:
You can use canned frosting (yuck!) or make a glaze by adding a liquid (can made from unsweetened lemonade or other drink powder + water) and powdered sugar. It's a delightful and tasty glaze/drizzle!
Cake Mix + Soda Pop = Moist Cake
Yup, I make these all the time for bake sales.
Ingredients:
1 box of cake mix (15.25 oz)
1 can of soda pop (12 oz)
Directions:
Take your favorite cake mix and instead of adding the oil, eggs, butter, or other add-ins, just add ONE CAN of any flavor soda pop. Completely combine (it looks weird at first), then pour into a 9 x 13 greased pan, and bake for the time on the cake-mix box.I found this picture online, and use it often. Remember that the soda adds only a LIGHT taste. My son LOVES the creamsicle cake (vanilla cake plus vanilla pudding plus orange soda pop).
Basically, tho, I use lemon-lime soda pop with most of my cake mixes. It barely gives any flavor, but makes the cake so moist that it's hard to get it out of the pan. Leave it in the pan!!
TOPPING:
You can use canned frosting (yuck!) or make a glaze by adding a liquid (can made from unsweetened lemonade or other drink powder + water) and powdered sugar. It's a delightful and tasty glaze/drizzle!
MRE RECIPE: Chicken Ranch Spread
Thanks again for your patience. If you are a subscriber to this blog through Amazon, please be sure to e-mail me for your free meals-in-jars book.
Now... to the recipe!
I love this one. I created it for my son, but find it is convenient for me to fix an easy and protein-packed lunch. I add diced tomatoes, diced bell peppers and scallions to mine for even more nutrients and satisfaction. I pair it with my dehydrated flax protein crackers (recipe coming next week) and it's a delicious healthy meal for my weight-loss program.
I thought of it one day as I was trying to come up with something to store-back for my son, the picky eater. He'll eat SOME chicken things, and he'll eat bacon bits (the real kind) by the bowl-full, every day. He is also a cheese-hound, and the only dressing he'll eat is Ranch. We've slowly introduced variations of these, and this is one of them. So glad he'll eat this, which is a version of a ranch club wrap. Full of protein (with celery sneaked in for him), he can use it as a dip or spread to rehydrate whenever wants the taste, and munch it with some chips, crackers or veggies. He loves it!
He won't touch anything "onion-y" but if you like scallions, add them in, along with bits of other veggies. Don't add too much, or you'll lose the chicken/bacon/ranch taste!
As always, ingredients are freeze-dried, dehydrated, or otherwise, shelf-stable.
Ingredients:
Now... to the recipe!
I love this one. I created it for my son, but find it is convenient for me to fix an easy and protein-packed lunch. I add diced tomatoes, diced bell peppers and scallions to mine for even more nutrients and satisfaction. I pair it with my dehydrated flax protein crackers (recipe coming next week) and it's a delicious healthy meal for my weight-loss program.
I thought of it one day as I was trying to come up with something to store-back for my son, the picky eater. He'll eat SOME chicken things, and he'll eat bacon bits (the real kind) by the bowl-full, every day. He is also a cheese-hound, and the only dressing he'll eat is Ranch. We've slowly introduced variations of these, and this is one of them. So glad he'll eat this, which is a version of a ranch club wrap. Full of protein (with celery sneaked in for him), he can use it as a dip or spread to rehydrate whenever wants the taste, and munch it with some chips, crackers or veggies. He loves it!
He won't touch anything "onion-y" but if you like scallions, add them in, along with bits of other veggies. Don't add too much, or you'll lose the chicken/bacon/ranch taste!
As always, ingredients are freeze-dried, dehydrated, or otherwise, shelf-stable.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup chicken dices
¼ cup bacon bits
¼ cup diced celery
¼ cup shredded dried cheddar cheese
¼ cup powdered sour cream
2 tbsp powdered ranch dressing
s & p to taste
Directions:
Combine all ingredients and place in a jar or storage bag. Include an oxygen obsorber and seal tightly. Label it. Keep it out of light, heat and humidity.
When ready to use, add approximately 1/2 to 3/4 cups of boiling water, seal and let rehydrate for 10-20 minutes. (You may need to experiment with the amount of water.)
Spread on tortillas or dip with fresh veggies, chips or crackers.
Notes:
We don't add salt or MSG to our food, so I leave them out usually. Unfortunately, using the pre-made ranch dressing powder, we couldn't help it. We also don’t eat black pepper when we can avoid it.
Give it a try YOUR way, and leave your comments below as to how it tasted for you.
If this is too bland for you, feel free to add those diced scallions, diced green peppers or tomatoes, powdered garlic, or anything else. Remember to bump up the water if you add more ingredients.
Makes 1 serving.
Copyright (c) 2015 Vikki Lawrence
This is tasting recipe for my book. Please do not copy or and absolutely do NOT share this recipe. For your personal use only.
¼ cup diced celery
¼ cup shredded dried cheddar cheese
¼ cup powdered sour cream
2 tbsp powdered ranch dressing
s & p to taste
Directions:
Combine all ingredients and place in a jar or storage bag. Include an oxygen obsorber and seal tightly. Label it. Keep it out of light, heat and humidity.
When ready to use, add approximately 1/2 to 3/4 cups of boiling water, seal and let rehydrate for 10-20 minutes. (You may need to experiment with the amount of water.)
Spread on tortillas or dip with fresh veggies, chips or crackers.
Notes:
We don't add salt or MSG to our food, so I leave them out usually. Unfortunately, using the pre-made ranch dressing powder, we couldn't help it. We also don’t eat black pepper when we can avoid it.
Give it a try YOUR way, and leave your comments below as to how it tasted for you.
If this is too bland for you, feel free to add those diced scallions, diced green peppers or tomatoes, powdered garlic, or anything else. Remember to bump up the water if you add more ingredients.
Makes 1 serving.
Copyright (c) 2015 Vikki Lawrence
This is tasting recipe for my book. Please do not copy or and absolutely do NOT share this recipe. For your personal use only.
Upheaval in America so are you prepared?
I don't normally talk about politics on my blogs, but I feel I must before I continue posting recipes here.
I live kinda in the middle of the country ... in Colorado, near the Rocky Mountains. Our weather has been super-weird for a few years now, not getting very cold in the winter, going from Summer to a couple months of Autumn then almost directly to Spring for a few weeks then on to Summer. It was 107 degrees F. 2 days ago! We've had more than our share of rain in the last few months, but now it's dry as a bone. First it was too wet to plant anything and now that we do, it's too hot for things to grow.
A lot of the eastern to middle of the country, all the way down to Texas, is flooded. Too much rain means crops aren't being planted, and if they are, then they are rotting in the fields. Of course, the rain is also messing with roads, housing, being able to get to jobs, and more.
Shall we talk about California? I understand that in a good year, California produces MOST of our fruits and veggies, and nuts like almonds. But this is the fourth year in a row that Cali is in the throes of a horrible drought. Farmers, with their parched landscapes, are giving up. People aren't allowed to water lawns and landscaping, or even fill pools! See this picture ... all of those dead almond trees mean so many products that use almonds from ice cream to trail mixes, will drastically jump up in price, or just disappear. Plus, so many dead trees create a huge fire hazard.
And what about the bird flu? It's killing thousands and thousands of domesticated chickens and turkeys, among others. That means there are far less chickens for eggs and meat, and turkeys for meat (think: Thanksgiving). Eggs are being rationed AND their prices are going up. People are turning to little farmers like me for chicken eggs, and will soon be asking for meat birds too. (And some of us are having chickens stolen! What?!)
Between the flooding, the drought and the bird flu, food prices of all kinds are jumping up. Not just for us humans but food for animals too. Because corn isn't growing in the flooded areas like Kansas, feed for cattle (milk AND meat) just isn't available. Know what that means? Farmers and ranchers are slaughtering most of their herds NOW so the animals won't starve later. Yes, meat will be plentiful and priced reasonably for another week or two ... maybe even a month or two ... but soon, there won't be much on the shelves.
That goes for vegetables, fruits and nuts too.
Take some time NOW to stock up on canned foods, or can or dehydrate your own. Can or dehydrate what's in your freezer. I want you to stop going out to eat and spending money on frivolous things, and get supplies for 1 year. Yes, I said ONE YEAR. That estimate is conservative because it will probably take 2-3 years ONCE THE WEATHER RETURNS TO NORMAL, to get our flocks, herds, orchards and farms back up and running.
(p.s. don't tell anyone you're stocking up so that people won't be beating down your door, or steal what you have)
Take at the sample list below, then take quiet action. Please.
===============
MOST IMPORTANT: WATER!!!! Lots and lots of bottled water. But remember, after a while, the gallon bottles WILL leak. We store our bottled water in a bathtub.
DAIRY (dehydrated/freeze-dried/NOT refrigerated):
-sour cream
-cheese
-butter
-milk (cow, rice, soy, goat, etc)
etc.
FRUITS (canned or dehydrated):
-pears
-apple sauce
-peaches
-berries (www.justtomatoes.com)
etc.
GRAINS:
-wheat berries (to grind)
-muffin mixes, crackers
-oats (quick cook)
-rice (instant brown and white)
-millet
-pasta (easy to store tiny pasta in jars, or spaghetti noodles)
-instant mashed potatoes/canned potatoes
etc.
PROTEIN:
-eggs (powdered)
-bacon pcs (look at Hormel)
-nuts and seeds
-beans
-canned spam, ham, beef, etc
etc.
VEGETABLES:
this list is so long - stock up on dehydrated or canned veggies that YOU and your family like.
MISC:
-broth or bouillon cubes
-seasonings, spices, herbs
-gelatin, pudding, desserts, candy, cake mixes
-vitamins and supplements
-coffee, tea, hot cocoa, instant apple cider
-soda pop (you'll see why on my blog in a couple of weeks)
-canned soups, stews, sides, etc.
-powdered unsweetened drink mixes, instant tea, instant lemonade
NON-FOOD that could be effected:
-toilet paper, paper towels, tissues,
-medicine (OTC and other)
-cleaning products
-a way to go to the bathroom, in case your water and/or electricity stops working
-hygiene products
-cooking methods, like an alternate stove, fuel, matches
This is just a small list. Take a look at your grocery receipts for the past 2 months. What did you buy? Do you have enough of those items for one year? If not, GET THEM!!
============
I sincerely hope the weather and bird flu will straighten themselves out, and this will all be unnecessary.... But wouldn't you rather have it and not need it, than not have it and desperately need it?
I live kinda in the middle of the country ... in Colorado, near the Rocky Mountains. Our weather has been super-weird for a few years now, not getting very cold in the winter, going from Summer to a couple months of Autumn then almost directly to Spring for a few weeks then on to Summer. It was 107 degrees F. 2 days ago! We've had more than our share of rain in the last few months, but now it's dry as a bone. First it was too wet to plant anything and now that we do, it's too hot for things to grow.
A lot of the eastern to middle of the country, all the way down to Texas, is flooded. Too much rain means crops aren't being planted, and if they are, then they are rotting in the fields. Of course, the rain is also messing with roads, housing, being able to get to jobs, and more.
Shall we talk about California? I understand that in a good year, California produces MOST of our fruits and veggies, and nuts like almonds. But this is the fourth year in a row that Cali is in the throes of a horrible drought. Farmers, with their parched landscapes, are giving up. People aren't allowed to water lawns and landscaping, or even fill pools! See this picture ... all of those dead almond trees mean so many products that use almonds from ice cream to trail mixes, will drastically jump up in price, or just disappear. Plus, so many dead trees create a huge fire hazard.And what about the bird flu? It's killing thousands and thousands of domesticated chickens and turkeys, among others. That means there are far less chickens for eggs and meat, and turkeys for meat (think: Thanksgiving). Eggs are being rationed AND their prices are going up. People are turning to little farmers like me for chicken eggs, and will soon be asking for meat birds too. (And some of us are having chickens stolen! What?!)
Between the flooding, the drought and the bird flu, food prices of all kinds are jumping up. Not just for us humans but food for animals too. Because corn isn't growing in the flooded areas like Kansas, feed for cattle (milk AND meat) just isn't available. Know what that means? Farmers and ranchers are slaughtering most of their herds NOW so the animals won't starve later. Yes, meat will be plentiful and priced reasonably for another week or two ... maybe even a month or two ... but soon, there won't be much on the shelves.
That goes for vegetables, fruits and nuts too.
Take some time NOW to stock up on canned foods, or can or dehydrate your own. Can or dehydrate what's in your freezer. I want you to stop going out to eat and spending money on frivolous things, and get supplies for 1 year. Yes, I said ONE YEAR. That estimate is conservative because it will probably take 2-3 years ONCE THE WEATHER RETURNS TO NORMAL, to get our flocks, herds, orchards and farms back up and running.
(p.s. don't tell anyone you're stocking up so that people won't be beating down your door, or steal what you have)
Take at the sample list below, then take quiet action. Please.
===============
MOST IMPORTANT: WATER!!!! Lots and lots of bottled water. But remember, after a while, the gallon bottles WILL leak. We store our bottled water in a bathtub.
DAIRY (dehydrated/freeze-dried/NOT refrigerated):
-sour cream
-cheese
-butter
-milk (cow, rice, soy, goat, etc)
etc.
FRUITS (canned or dehydrated):
-pears
-apple sauce
-peaches
-berries (www.justtomatoes.com)
etc.
GRAINS:
-wheat berries (to grind)
-muffin mixes, crackers
-oats (quick cook)
-rice (instant brown and white)
-millet
-pasta (easy to store tiny pasta in jars, or spaghetti noodles)
-instant mashed potatoes/canned potatoes
etc.
PROTEIN:
-eggs (powdered)
-bacon pcs (look at Hormel)
-nuts and seeds
-beans
-canned spam, ham, beef, etc
etc.
VEGETABLES:
this list is so long - stock up on dehydrated or canned veggies that YOU and your family like.
MISC:
-broth or bouillon cubes
-seasonings, spices, herbs
-gelatin, pudding, desserts, candy, cake mixes
-vitamins and supplements
-coffee, tea, hot cocoa, instant apple cider
-soda pop (you'll see why on my blog in a couple of weeks)
-canned soups, stews, sides, etc.
-powdered unsweetened drink mixes, instant tea, instant lemonade
NON-FOOD that could be effected:
-toilet paper, paper towels, tissues,
-medicine (OTC and other)
-cleaning products
-a way to go to the bathroom, in case your water and/or electricity stops working
-hygiene products
-cooking methods, like an alternate stove, fuel, matches
This is just a small list. Take a look at your grocery receipts for the past 2 months. What did you buy? Do you have enough of those items for one year? If not, GET THEM!!
============
I sincerely hope the weather and bird flu will straighten themselves out, and this will all be unnecessary.... But wouldn't you rather have it and not need it, than not have it and desperately need it?
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