Chia Seeds

Hoping to start using chia seeds more in recipes because look how super-nutritious they are!

I wonder if I can grow them?

I wonder if I need to dehydrate them?

Hmmm... things to think about!

MRE RECIPE: Apple Pie Oatmeal

Apple Pie Oatmeal

Ingredients:
1/2 cup quick oats
3 tsp apple dices
pinch ground cinnamon
pinch ground nutmeg
1 tsp raw sugar (our preference ... use what you want)

(If desired, add 1 tsp cheddar cheese powder)

Directions:
Combine all ingredients and seal in a small air-tight/watertight bag (I use jars or seal-a-meal or mylar).  When ready to make, rehydrate with 1 cup of very hot water, stir, let sit covered 10 minutes, stir and enjoy.

Gluten-Free: Use certified gluten-free oats for this!

I make this and other quick oatmeal breakfasts in large batches!  Very yummy.  For a burst of protein, add your favorite nuts, flax seeds or chia seeds. 

MRE RECIPE: Indian Pork with Apples and Eggplant

This dish is really made by the combination of cumin and cinnamon. Adjust hot chili pepper flakes to taste!

Ingredients:
1/2 cup cubed pork loin or ham
1/2 cup apple dices
1/2 cup eggplant dices
1 tbsp hot chili pepper flakes
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp vinegar powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp cumin

Directions:
Combine and seal. When ready to eat, rehydrate all with 1 1/2 to 2 cups of boiling water. Should be a thick stew. Adjust seasonings as necessary.

Notes:

• Dairy-Free: naturally
• Gluten-Free: naturally
• Low-Sugar: naturally
• You will probably have to dehydrate the eggplant dices yourself. Slice eggplant into long slices and grill until done. Cut into dices and dehydrate until crispy.

MRE RECIPE: Indian Chicken Curry - Murghkari

Woo doggy! This is yummy!

Ingredients:
1 cup chicken dices
1/2 cup onion dices
1/4 cup tomato dices
2 tbsp tomato powder
2 tbsp milk powder
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp ground ginger
1 tsp curry powder
s & p to taste

Directions:
Combine and seal. When ready to prepare, add enough boiling water to make a thick creamy dish (approx 1 1/2 to 2 cups).  Serve with flatbread (naan) or rice. Garnish with cilantro leaves.

Notes:

• Dairy-Free: use rice or coconut milk powder instead of cow or goat milk powder.
• Gluten-Free: naturally. Serve with rice instead of flatbread.
• Low-Carb: naturally, if not served with bread or rice.
• Low-Sugar: naturally.

Writing Recipes

Thought I would take a picture of my dining room table!

Here are my supplies (well, some of them!) and my notebook for writing ideas for recipes, then actually creating them for testing.

MRE RECIPE: Praline Sweet Potatoes

While this is the perfect recipe for an INSTANT THANKSGIVING, it is also good as a delicious dessert.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup mashed or diced dehydrated sweet potatoes
2 tbsp pecans
1 tbsp coconut flakes
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp tapioca flour or starch
1 tbsp butter powder
tiny pinch of salt

Directions:
Combine all ingredients and seal. To prepare to eat: Sweet potatoes/yams take a long long time to rehydrate! I suggest that you dump the ingredients into a pot with 3/4  to 1 cup of boiling water, and simmer until the potatoes are tender, possibly 15-20 minutes.

Add more brown sugar, butter powder and pecans for a super-yummy dessert.  You could even bake this is a small pie shell.

Notes:

• Delicious side dish for any instant holiday meal.
• Gluten-Free: naturally

Dehydrating Thoughts

My 9 tray dehydrator is full! Since I am making these meals to sell as a fundraiser next weekend (my son has epilepsy), I needed to get busy!

Calling this INSTANT THANKSGIVING.

Making: turkey with bread stuffing or rice stuffing, sweet potatoes with oranges and walnuts or pineapple and marshmallows, green bean casserole, Kickin' Mac and Cheese (recipe will be in book), and pumpkin pie pudding.

In the dehydrator now: bread for the stuffing, elbow pasta for the mac and cheese, pumpkin, pineapple. Making three kinds of cranberry preserves to can to sell.

Note: IF you can NOT find the ingredient you need to make yummy recipes, find a way to dehydrate it yourself!