No flour Oatmeal Cookies: Almond, Honey & Apricot Glaze

Just like Paula Deen's son Bobby Deen, I also like to make-over Paula's recipes, do not get me wrong, she has some great recipes but, when I am able to cut fat/calories for my family and I, I do a 'remix' on one of her original recipes. I too like Paula, have a sweet tooth but, with my recipe, you can have the sweet plus, a little less adage to your waist line.

A bit Nutty

By adding walnuts, sunflower seeds, almonds and peanut butter, you will be adding plenty of protein to balance the carbohydrates you will be placing in your mixing bowl.  Topping it off with a honey apricot glaze will add a bit of sweetness and the slivered almonds will add another layer of flavor and added texture...

Will make these cookies your 'go to' recipe when you want a healthier version of what we all crave, cookies!

Ingredients...

 4 cups rolled oats

1/2 cups sunflower seeds (shelled)

3/4 cup walnuts (Chopped)

1/2 cup chocolate bar (chopped)

1 1/2 cups peanut butter (I prefer crunchy)

1 stick of butter (unsalted)

2  eggs

1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar (light will work just fine)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 teaspoons baking soda

GLAZE

1/2 cup apricot preserves

1/4 cup honey (I used a orange blossom honey, use what you like)


1/2 cup of sliced almonds (to place on top of your cookies)

Enhance Your Nutty Side

Roasting the nuts, this is one step 'I do not' skip and I recommend you 'do not' skip it either.  When using any kind of nuts/seeds in a recipe, I recommend you take this one step.  When you roast the nuts you are going to use in a recipe, it brings them to life and adds such richness to your dish.

When I came up with this recipe I used some leftover walnuts that I found in my freezer and they were already chopped but, if you are able to get whole nuts, please do so, they roast better.  I would then roast the walnuts for 5 minutes (taking out and stir 1/2 way into cooking), before adding the sunflower seeds.

On a cookie sheet, covered with parchment paper, place your (chopped) walnuts and place your sheet into a 350 degree oven, for 3 minutes.  After 3 minutes take the cookie sheet out, stir the walnuts and add your sunflower seeds, roast for another 3 minutes, take the sheet out and toss the sun flower seeds and nuts, if they are not yet golden brown then place back in the oven, at one minutes intervals.

While you are waiting for your walnuts and sun flower seeds to roast, place your rolled oats and baking soda in a big mixing bowl and set aside.

Peanutty Goodness!

In another mixing bowl, add your sugar and eggs, mix (hand mixer-on high, my standing mixture-on medium) together until the mixture goes a bit pale, then you know you have gotten to the smooth consistency you are look for.

Bottom line is, you want to have a non-grainy consistency.

After you have reached the perfect consistency with your sugar and eggs combination, add your peanut butter, stick of butter, salt and vanilla extract to the mixing bowl.

Mix (same speeds as above) until well blended, when blended add your chocolate pieces and mix with a spoon.  At this time, add your 'cooled' walnuts and sun flower seeds to your oatmeal/baking soda bowl, mix well.

We Are Joined Together

With your oven set on 350 degrees, take out two cookie sheets and place parchment paper on each sheet.

It just keeps you from having to do so much cleaning up afterwards and they are easier to get off the sheet too boot, set aside.

If you have a non-stick cookie sheet than bypass the parchment paper.

Add your wet ingredients to your dry ingredients and stir until well blended.

The 'right' Tool

I have found when you have the right tool to accomplish a task, it is easier on this granny and also, the whole process runs so much smoother and also, it gets done faster.

I only have 2 cookie sheets but if you have 4, then it is worth using them.  I use a (slightly smaller) ice cream scoop then the average size that most home cooks use and actually, it would be just about the right amount in your average ice cream scoop in the end.

I use what I have.

 I scoop up a heaping mound full and do 'only' 4 cookies per cookie sheet pan, yes these are big cookies.

Place your cookies in the oven for 12-15 minutes, until 'slightly' golden brown, take out and place on a cooling rack.

Glaze it Baby!

Place your apricot preserves and honey in a small sauce pan, on medium heat, constantly stirring, until the preserves & honey are combined and is at a pouring consistency.

You can always place it back on the heat to melt the honey and perserves as you are using it, as it will tend to seize up.  I would rather do this step, than to have a runny glaze.

Place your cookies on a cooling rack, 5 minutes after you have taken them out of the oven.

This is where those 4 cookie sheets would come in handy, since you have to wait a bit of time before you are able to use the sheets once again.  Though even with two cookie sheets, I am able to pop these out in around one hour, from start to finish.

Another Layer of Flavor

Make them as gooey and nutty as you like

I will only add the glaze to 4 cookies at a time, so the next layer of taste and texture of the almonds will be all stuck to those cookies before the apricot preserves and honey glaze has time to dry.  Yes, I too roasted these nuts before adding them to the top of this goodness.

I do not allow my slivered almonds get much if any color, I cook them just so I am able to see/hear the oils coming out of the nut.  I find if you roast the slivered almonds as you would a walnut, pecan and even a whole almond, they tend to be a bit bitter...

Now that is not helping our goal of gaining a sweet goody to place in your cookie jar, now are we.

A few more goodies to add to your recipe box...

Southern Sweet Potato Casserole

Carrot Cake: Done Mama's Way!

Paula Deen's website: www.pauladeen.com

All photographs are the property of Denise O.  Do not use unless you get 'my' written permission. All written material is owned by Denise O, it will not be 'used' (sharing my article is different, acceptable and appreciated) without 'my' written permission.  Just keeping it real folks.:)

Corned Beef Sandwich: Honey, Mustard & Grape Seed Oil Slaw

Yes we are approaching that time of year that those of us that are not Irish, become so on St. Patrick's Day.  I will be making my corned beef & Cabbage dinner, just like Mama did.

Bit Irish

Mama always made us corned beef and cabbage on St. Patrick's Day and she made sure to make enough corned beef so we could have sandwiches the next day.  Mama and the rest of the family have always loved thousand island dressing, so they would make a reuben sandwich.  I just made mine by adding mustard, tomato and lettuce.  As I grew up my taste also grew up and so I came up with this recipe that takes in to account, all the tastes of the corned beef sandwich I had growing up, just in a more mature way.

Ingredients

This recipe will make 4 sandwiches.

2 pounds corned beef

1/2 head cabbage (small)

3 tomatoes (depending on the size)

1/2 cup grape seed oil

2 1/2 tablespoons ground mustard (I like to use course mustard)

1 tablespoon honey

1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper

1 Tablespoon salt

8 slices of rye bread

I prefer to use rye bread but, use what 'you' like when making a corned beef sandwich.  Also, if you would like to use more corned beef than I suggested, be my guest and who could blame you.

Sweet & Spicy

Slice your cabbage fairly thin, add to a colander, sprinkle with salt, toss and set aside for thirty minutes.  In the meantime slice your tomatoes and set aside.

In a medium size mixing bowl add, mustard, honey, grape seed oil, cracked black pepper and mix well, set aside.  When thirty minutes are up, rinse your cabbage with 'cold' water and drain well.  If you have a salad spinner, spin it well or if not, take a towel or some paper towels and get off as much of the water as you are able.  Add your cabbage to your dressing and mix well.

The Grain

I allow my slaw to sit on the counter for 30 minutes before using, it allows time for all the flavors to mix and mingle.

You can use deli corned beef and it will still turn out to be a good sandwich but, to make it great sandwich, make your own corned beef and you slice it.

Remember to 'always' cut against 'the grain' and make your slices thin, you can pack on as many pieces as you like but, your corned beef has a better flavor and texture when you slice it thin.

I thought, how will I tell my readers why I salted the cabbage well, as most of y'all know, cabbage can be a bit gassy.  With my husband, I know this all too well.

The salt & rinse method seems to damper this one side effect of eating cabbage that most of us wish was not there.

Assembly Line

All you have to do now is to make an assembly line and let the family make their own, so they are able to have it their way.

Place out that thousand island, Swiss cheese or what you feel your family will like and then you too, will come up with 'your' favorite sandwich.

My Way...

I really wish you would try your corned beef sandwich my way, I know you will not be disappointed, I know I my family loves them.  Happy St. Patrick's Day to you and yours.:)

Here are a few recipes of mine that just might tickle your fancy...

Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner

Club Sandwich: Turkey, Ham, Bacon & cheese, Oh My!

All photographs are the property of Denise O.  Do not use unless you get 'my' written permission. All written material is owned by Denise O, it will not be 'used' (sharing my article is different, it is acceptable and appreciated) without 'my' written permission.  Just keeping it real folks.:)

Super Bowl XLVII: Football, Food, Fun & Yes, Pranks

Yes, it is that time of year again, where us Americans gather around the television and eat our way through another Super Bowl game.  What is more American than football, fun, family, friends and a bunch of food.  Throw in a prank or two and you have the making of the best Super Bowl Party you will have ever thrown.

NOOOOOOOOOOO

I know my dirty bird, I want in also

Yes... They Chocked!

My Falcons will 'not' be in New Orleans, unless they bought a ticket to watch the Baltimore Ravens VS the San Francisco 49ers, sadly!
I could just crawl in that hole with my buddy Bugg and I sure wanted to do that very things after the 49ers beat my Falcons (aka 'the dirty birds', from the dirty south) but, like most Americans, I will not let this ruin the one day of the year that we gather together and loved ones become enemies as they stake claim to one of those two teams that will be playing on Super Bowl Sunday.

We 'will' gorge ourselves with some delicious food, not feel the least bit guilty and rightly so.  This is a American past time that we will never allow one person to ever take away from us, yes that Sunday, we will be animals and our enemies will be those we love.  I mean folks, this 'is' Football!

In all honesty though, it will start around the week before, we will chose sides and wages will be placed.  Email your loved one each day prior to Super Bowl Sunday and let them know just how much you love them, your team and just how bad your team will beat their team.  A phone call is even a bit more personal, I mean, you do love them after all, share it!

The Essentials...

Food, markers, duct tape and I mean a lot of duct tape!
Grab some embroidery thread, some felt.
Food, did I mention that we need food, lots of it!
Also, grab the crayons from your children's toy box.

Remember, we want to go out of our way to make our enemies, oops I mean our loved ones feel right at home and so ever loved, so do not skimp.

Poster Board...

Oh yes you will need poster boards, it is a must at every Super Bowl Party, it adds to the ambiance and shows your loved ones just how much you do love them, it is you being extra kind on such a glorious day, kind of a pay it forward, since you are just the giving kind.

Do not forget the duct tape, it too is an essential on Super Bowl Sunday, as is food, yes lots of food!

Food...

Oh, the pie holes (or in this case, the dumpl'n hole) will be opened wide and just as soon as us evil, meat eating, processed cheese loving glutton Americans have just digested our Christmas dinners, we will pile in more.

Do not have any shame in your game, we are Americans Dammit!  We deserve it all!

As I publish my pages on this years Super Bowl in New Orleans on February 3, 2013, at 6:30 EST.  I will be including activities, recipes and a few tricks that I have up my sleeve.

As I am writing this article, my mouth is just a watering thinking of all the goodies that will be placed in front of me and my loved ones, no guilt, no calorie counting, just enjoy!

I will also be popping in with a few man rules that have stood the test of time and my first man rule is...

Man Rule:  Do 'not' make the cook mad, they will be stuffing that pie hole of yours.

Sibling Rivalry...

It is only natural for siblings to feud and this Super Bowl Sunday will not leave out this fight that has gone on since man has had a brother or a sister sitting next to them.

My siblings and I were very competitive while we were growing up, even though one year my sister and I were on the same team.  Debbie was the pitcher and I was the catcher.  We always tried to out bat each other and just plain & simply, out play each other.  By the way, we were both all stars for our positions that year (I also won the year before) and we won the championship.

I find it to be a very healthy stage we all go through.  I saw the same with my two kids and they have both turned out just fine.

Jim Harbaugh the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers and John Harbaugh the head coach for the Baltimore Ravens, these brothers will come face to face, as their teams compete and try to take the Vince Lombardi Championship trophy home and place it on their mantle.  So one brother will be able to share the joy with his brother he loves so much, each and every time he invites his brother and his family over for a barbecue.

My Expert...

Yes, this is my expert, we are a small (very!) production here, so I must use those whom I do have.  My expert use to play football back in the day, in peewee football, until he tore the ligaments in his right leg, after Billy healed up, Mama told him to find another sport.

 With all do respect, Billy has been a very good couch coach for many of decades.  My expert Billy has informed me that he feels this Super Bowl will be a Baltimore victory, now I could say this was fool proof but, he is still a bit mad at the mere fact that the 49ers beat his beloved Pats.

Though I am sure this is the very reason that he did pick the Ravens, he does have some valid points.  Such as, the 49ers quarterback Colin Kaeper is the rookie of the two quarterbacks that will be fighting it out.

But yes, I do disagree with a lot of his points.  I am going to take the 49ers this go around, remember, my team lost to them, damn those falcons!  I am not going to go against the 49ers just because they beat my team and they are the ones going to the Super Bowl and not my team.  No I have been on the losing
side of things for way too long.

I feel the experience of Joe Flacco, quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers will win in the end.  Only time will tell.  Speaking of the 49ers, I must email my son (the one I am betting against) and let him know just how bad he is going to lose come February 3, I mean I am his mother and I must keep in touch with him, right.   Ahhhhhhhhh, a mother's heart never stops giving.

Food?!?!

Yes there will be food as I have stated before, I will add some of my older recipes and add a few 'new' recipes over this next week.  I promise you one thing, if you follow my tips, you are bound and determined to have the best Super Bowl Party, Ever!

As the hostess/host, you must wake up running, you have a party to arrange and time is a ticking.  I suggest you load up with some carbs, such as pancakes and do not forget the sausage.  Since the rest of the day will be all about others, I feel we as the hostess/host should pamper ourselves first...

Orange & Honey: Compound Butter...

This is such an easy recipe and yet, it adds just enough spark that once you make your first compound butter, you will be adding all kinds of things to your butter from now on.  I find when you use compound butter's, you use less of the butter yet, add more flavor to each dish.

In a bowl place 1 stick of butter, 3 tablespoons of honey and 1 (or more if you like) tablespoon's of the zest of an orange.  Mix until it is well blended.

Make Some Pancakes...

Then tops those lovely pancakes with your Orange & Honey Compound Butter, add a few sausage links and enjoy.  You do deserve it now but, by the end game, you really will have deserved this breakfast.

  Start Your Engines...

This is going to be a hell of a ride but, you are ready.  You are carb'd up and you have made sure you are prepared for this Sunday's game.  You must make lists, do not step this process or you might get lost.  Do not forget about your loved ones, I feel they deserve an extra email or as I have stated before, make a phone call, it really is more personal.

Delegate folks: There will be other guests and I figure why not take advantage of that.  It only means more food so...  Ask them to bring a dish!

FOOTBALL

Will there be a fight, I bet there will be

Yes it is all about the sport in the end and I am looking forward to a hard hitting game.  I mean remember, these teams did beat my team, the Atlanta Falcons and Billy's team, the New England Patriots, they must be the best.  Well at least Billy and I feel this way.

These are my two buddies Bugg & Sweet Tee, they are the star and co-star of the (my) production company, Buggah inc. and they will help you along this process of throwing the best 'ever' Super Bowl Party.

The other cast of Characters that also play a role in this (my) production company...

My husband Dan, hair & make-up.  I did mention he is my husband and by the way, he has enough sense to know that I am the boss.

You have already met my expert Billy, lives with me, no choice.

My son Marcus, need I really say a thing, I am his mama now.

Also my grandson Tristan, without me, he would not be here, period.

Yes this is an old photograph of them (about 2 years old) but here at Buggah inc., we use what we have.

Grab your paper, get your game plan ready and let us make this year the best Super Bowl Party, Ever!

Why not start with a few of my older recipes...

Potato Salad:  Done Mama's Way!

Come Get Your... Boiled Peanuts!

Do not forget about your dog pals...

MeMe Heads:  Dog Biscuits

Super Bowl XLVII: Part 2

Thank you Paul for all your support you have given me while I was dealing with some of life's woes, you are a true friend.  Please take the time to check out my friend Paul's Blog, it is worth your time to do so...

Paul Pruel


I have also gained a new friend that has helped promote my blog when I was unable to do so myself, thank you Papaleng...

Some of Papaleng's blogs, well worth a look see.


All photographs are the property of Denise O.  Do not use unless you get 'my' written permission. All written material is owned by Denise O, it will not be shared without 'my' written permission.  Just keeping it real folks.:)