Apple Crisp Pancake with Maple streusel

Why go to I hop when you can bring I hop to your own breakfast table.


Adapted from: http://www.bettycrocker.com/…/b067f08b-a9d7-4a75-9187-c1817…

Serves: 13

~Maple streusel

1/4 c. plus 2 Tbsp. pkg. brown sugar
1/4 c. all-purpose flour
1/4 c. quick-cooking oats
2 Tbsp. plus 2 tsp. cold Margarine
1/4 c.Pure maple syrup
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

Directions:

1. in a medium sized glass bowl, mix together brown sugar, flour, oats, cinnamon and nutmeg. using a fork cut the margarine into the mixture. leave mixture off to the side.

~Pancakes
2 c. Pancake mix* gluten free pancake mix
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 c. granny smith apples,1/4 inch
1 c. low fat milk* (Soy, Rice, Almond Milk)
2 eggs* Egg substitute

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, stir in all pancake ingredients until well blended. Heat dutch oven griddle to 350°F. over medium-high heat. (To test griddle pan, to see if it's hot enough sprinkle with a few drops of water. If bubbles are happy jumping around, the heat is just right.) spray with cooking spray before heating to help prevent streusel from sticking to griddle pan.

2. using a ice cream scooper pour about 1/4 cupful batter onto hot griddle pan. Sprinkle each pancake evenly with 2 Tbsp. of Streusel mixture. Allow to Cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until bubbly form on top and dry around edges. Turn; cook other side until light golden brown around edges about 1 minute to 1 min :30 sec. Scrape off griddle between batches of pancakes if necessarily needed . Serve with Whipped cream and (*crushed pecans: not recommended for people with tree nut allergies)

Pumpkin Butter

Adapted from: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/13632/pumpkin-butter/

If peanut butter isn't your taste, and you want something that Screams...."Fall" is here. Then come try this.

Serves: 10

1/4 (29 oz.) can pumpkin puree
3 Tbsp. Apple juice
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 c. plus 2 Tbsp. Agave nectar
1/8 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

Directions:

1. Blend together pumpkin,apple juice, ginger,cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and nectar in a large saucepan; stir well. Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes or until thickened. Stirring frequently.

2. Transfer to a clean containers and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serving.

Chia Pudding

Living Better Cafe is honored to share with you, a recipe from one of my viewers.

Serves: 8

4 c. Soy milk
1/4 c. Chia Seeds

Directions:

1. in a large glass bowl pour in milk, and Chia seeds.

2. Place in mixture inside of the refrigerator for about 4 hours, or until mixture is firm.


~Living Better Cafe receipt

Soy Milk.........$ 1.00
Chia Seeds..........$ 2.99

Total= $ 4.00

Autumn medley Salad

What better way to welcome fall into your life, with this delicious recipe.

serves: 6
1 pint. Cherry tomatoes
1 head romaine lettuce,rised,dried,chopped
2 bunches fresh spinach, chopped, washed, dried
6 oz. bag mixed vegetables
3/4 (16 oz.) pkg. extra firm tofu, drained,diced
3/4 tsp. grated fresh ginger root
3 sm. carrots, grated
1/4 c.seedless raisins
1/4 c. craisins
1/4 c. plus 2 Tbsp. crushed cashews* (not recommend for people with tree allergies)

Directions:

1. In a large bowl blend together Romaine lettuces,spinach, mixed vegetables, ginger, carrots,raisins,tofu, and crushed cashews. And drizzle with Orange dressing (recipe down below). Serve with croutons.

Orange dressing
Serves: Varies
2 Tbsp. White wine vinegar
1 Tbsp. Brown sugar* opt out if the (orange is sweet enough)
1 Freshly squeezed orange

Directions:

1. Add Brown sugar into a small measuring cup with,vinegar and orange juice;and stir until sugar is completely dissolved. drizzle over salad and you're ready to chow down!

Blueberry Blond Brownies

you can never go wrong with brownies especially for a tailgate party.

serves: 20 bars

2 c. Pure brown sugar
1 c. Pure Cane sugar
1 c. (2 sticks) Margarine
3 Eggs* egg substitute
1 Tb. Vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour* Gluten free
1 Tb. of flour, for blueberries
1 ½ tsp. Baking powder
½ tsp. Baking soda
½ tsp. Course Himalayan Salt
Zest of 1 orange
1 c. White chocolate chips
1 c. Blueberries

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Measure both sugars and the margarine and melt together until the brown sugar is mostly melted.

2. Mix the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and Orange zest together. Add the melted sugar mixture and stir. Then add in the eggs and vanilla—stir well.
3. pour and press mixture into a greased 9x13 in glass baking dish. Then toss in the blueberries with 1 tbsp. of all purpose flour, and sprinkle on top.

4. Bake for about 45 to 55 minutes, insert tooth pick in (if it comes out clean); If the edges of the brownies start to get dark, loosely tent a piece of foil over the top of the pan.It's time to remove from the oven, and allow to cool before dusting with powder sugar. Then cut into bars.

Spinach Pie Pizza

(Adapted from:http://www.pillsbury.com/…/e7d40e14-39ed-40e9-94ba-b5b82d86… )

Yet another crowd pleaser for those football fanatics, While you can still enjoy this recipe even if your not a football fan.

Serves: 6

2 cans (13.8 oz each) refrigerated pizza crust dough
1 c. of 1 can (8 oz) pizza sauce
1 jar (4.5 oz) sliced mushrooms, drained
1/4 c. sliced ripe olives
1 1/2 c.shredded mozzarella cheese
1 1/2 c. cream cheese,Sliced
2 pkg. (9 oz each) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, squeezed to drain
1 tsp. olive oil
1 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese* Vegan Cheese
1 Tbsp. grated Mozzarella cheese* Vegan Cheese
6 oz. ground extra lean ground turkey* vegetarian meat

Directions:

1.Heat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9-inch glass pie plate with
cooking spray.

2. Unroll 1 pizza crust dough. Place dough in pie plate; press against bottom and side of pie plate to form crust.

3. In small bowl, mix pizza sauce and mushrooms, cooked ground turkey; spoon onto dough in pie plate. Layer with olives, 3/4 c. mozzarella cheese, the spinach and remaining 3/4 c. mozzarella cheese.

4. Unroll remaining can of dough. Press dough into 9-inch circle; place over filling. Pinch edges of dough together to seal; roll up edge of dough or flute to form rim. Cut several slits in dough. Brush with oil; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, laying slices of Cream cheese.

5.Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until deep golden brown. Cut into wedges.

Ranch style bagel chips

(Adapted from:http://allrecipes.com/re…/72102/salt-and-garlic-bagel-chips/)

Come cheer you're team on with these, I say what perfect timing.
why buy chips with loads of filler you don't know anything about? like the saying goes if you can't pronoun it why eat it, so find a better solution with these chip's here.

serves: 8

4 day old bagels
1/4 c. plus 3 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 1/4 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/3 c. Ranch mix
Course Himalayan salt & Cayenne pepper (to taste)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325 . Lightly grease a baking sheet with non stick olive oil spray .

2. Slice bagels into 1/8 inch thick rounds using a serrated knife. Arranging them in a single layer on the greased prepared baking sheet. In a small bowl, stir together the olive oil, Italian seasoning, and Ranch mix. Use a pastry brush to apply the flavored olive oil to the bagel chips. If you start to run out of the mixture, add a little bit more oil without sacrificing any flavor what so ever. Season the chips lightly with salt and pepper.

3.Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the chips are lightly browned. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. The chips will become crispier as they cool.

Oven Baked Cheddar- Garlic potato chips

(Adapted from: http://www.foodnetwork.com/…/oven-baked-rosemary-potato-chi…
These potato chips would make a great crowd pleaser, especially for the football season.

serves: 4

Extra virgin olive oil ( for brushing)
1 medium russet potato
course Himalayan salt
cheddar cheese popcorn seasoning
powder garlic

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375.

2. Brush two large baking sheet's slightly with oil, using a mandolin to slice the potatoes lengthwise about 1/8 inch thick. Arranging the slice's onto baking sheet in 1 flat layer, brushing the slices with oil; and add salt. Allow to bake until golden throughout for 15 to 20 minutes.

3. Transfer to a cooling rack and sprinkle with cheddar cheese, and garlic powder while it's still hot.

Hot out of the oven..... Peppermint

(Adapted from: Wikipedia)

*Note:Please continue to read this blog article.
Living Better Cafe is bring you Fresh out of the oven news, that you're going to love. That no other blog source will ever take you close into the story.
I say more good reasons to love L.B.C, not only are you revising original recipes. Your saving money while eating the way you want in a healthier way.

As we all know peppermint tea is a herbal tea made from an infusion of peppermint, (Mentha piperita). It is sometimes called mint tea. It is naturally caffeine-free.
A tea made from blending peppermint and spearmint leaves is referred to as double mint tea. Beside the refreshing taste of Peppermint tea, did you know that it has been proven to have some fairly amazing health and beauty benefits that helps with; stress,Sinus, Weight loss, skin clearing,stomach problems; also helps with people who are asthmatic.
When it comes to stress and anxiety, peppermint tea is one of your best allies. As the menthol that is naturally present in the tea is a muscle relaxant; the relaxation of the muscles can be an enormous component of natural stress and anxiety relief… not to mention falling asleep!
Drinking peppermint tea before heading to bed has been proven to give you a more restful sleep. Not only does the relaxation of the muscles lead to more restful sleep, the tea has properties that can even help you dream more vividly.
So let peppermint tea become part of your evening routine. Not only does the consumption of any warm liquid, such as tea, help you clear your sinuses and soothe sore throats, peppermint tea in particular is a natural decongestant.
When it comes to a natural way to drop a few pounds, You can find help from peppermint tea! Peppermint tea can act as an appetite suppressant, making it easier to stick to your healthy eating goals. Drinking a blend of peppermint tea and green tea can help increase your metabolism as well, while making it easier to shed extra pounds.
As some if not all can relate to having skin problem's which we all find ever shameful, giving thanks to peppermint tea could be a natural solution. Peppermint tea offers a slight boost in estrogen levels to some drinkers, which can help curb these hormonal problems and aid in clearing up acne. If you really want to make sure that you’re reaping all the benefits, try adding peppermint tea to your bath water. It can help soothe burns and rashes as well as other skin inflammations.
When it come's to stomach problems peppermint tea is also a great natural remedy for certain stomach ailments, including bloating and gas. Having a cup of tea in the evening before bed can help soothe these problems, making it easier to digest and fall asleep. As for those who have asthma and bronchitis,Peppermint contains rosmarinic acid (also found in rosemary), which can help to reduce inflammation-causing chemicals in people with asthma and bronchitis. When it come's to respiratory benefits; Peppermint acts as an expectorant and decongestant, and may help clear your respiratory tract.
While using peppermint essential oil as a cold rub on your chest or inhale it through a vaporizer to help clear nasal congestion and relieve cough and cold symptoms. Peppermint can help to relieve muscle spasms and pain. Try massaging the essential oil onto sore muscles or adding it to your bath water for muscle pain relief.

Chocolate Smoothie

Why settle for a store brought smoothie, when you can make it fresh in the comfort of you're own home; as it's filled with protein.

Serves:2
1/2 c. 1% low-fat milk * (Almond, Rice, Soy)
2 Tbsp. chocolate syrup
2 Tbsp. creamy peanut butter
2 Tbsp. Chia seed
1 ripe banana, sliced
1 (8 oz.) carton vanilla low-fat yogurt

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients into a blender, and blend until smooth; and incorporated.

Chicken cordon bleu

If you ever had cordon Bleu before, I promise you never had it like this.

serves: 5

5 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1/4 tsp. course Himalayan salt
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
7 1/2 slice swiss Cheese
7 1/2 slice cheddar cheese
5 slices cooked turkey
1/2 c. plus 2 Tbsp. seasoned breadcrumbs
1 3/4 lemon, squeezed
1/2 Tbsp. plus 2 Tbsp. Chives, chopped

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350. Spray a 7x11 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Pound chicken breasts to 1/4 inch thickness.

3. Sprinkle each piece of chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. Place 1 of each cheese slice and 1 turkey slice on top of each breast. Roll up each breast, and secure with a toothpick. Place in baking dish, and sprinkle chicken evenly with bread crumbs.

4. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink. Remove from oven, and place 1/2 cheese slice on top of each breast. Return to oven for 3 to 5 minutes, or until cheese has melted. Remove toothpicks, and serve with a drizzle of lemon juice,chives

Ginger Beer Cake

If you have heard of a 7 up cake then you would enjoy this adapted version.

Serves: 16
3 c. Pure cane sugar
1 1/2 c. Margarine,softened
5 eggs* egg substitute
3 c. All purpose flour* gluten free all purpose flour
2 Tbsp. Lemon extract
1 c. Ginger beer
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 325. Generously grease a Bundt pan.
2. Beat pure cane sugar and margarine together in a bowl using an electric mixer until creamy and smooth; add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir flour, 1 cup at a time, blending well after each addition until batter is smooth; stir in lemon extract. Mix ginger beer into batter and pour into the prepared pan.
3. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Remove cake from pan immediately.
8 people reached

Toasted Pecan Butter

looking for another alternative for "Peanut Butter", come try this recipe. Please keep in mind that if you have any tree nut allergies, that there are better substitute to use.

serves:7

1 Tbsp. plus 2 1/4 tsp. chopped pecan * sunflower seeds
2 1/2 tsp. light brown sugar
3 Tbsp. plus 1 1/2 tsp. margarine, at room temperature
1/4 tsp. Vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325.

2. Spread the pecans onto a baking sheet; toasting them in the preheated oven until they start to turn golden brown and become fragrant, about 15 minutes. Watch carefully as they bake, they burn quickly. Set aside to cool at room temperature.

3. Pulsing the brown sugar, margarine, and vanilla together in a food processor or blender several times to thoroughly combine. Margarine will be slightly fluffy. Sprinkle in the cooled nuts and pulse several times to combine. For more finely ground pecans, pulse several more times. Pack into a jar with a air tight lid and refrigerate.

Cacao Sugar cookie cobbler

what great way to end the summer season, and welcoming in the fall. As you would never thought would be possible to turn a sugar cookie recipe into a cobbler.

Serves: 5

2 (5 oz.) bag strawberries, thawed
1 (8 3/4 oz.) can peach pie filling
1/4 c. pure cane sugar
5/8 tsp. cinnamon
5/8 tsp. nutmeg
1 (7 1/2 oz.) pkg. prepared cookie dough
1/2 c. plus 2 Tbsp. Cacao nibs

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°.

2. In medium bowl, mix berries, pie filling, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and cacao.

3. Transfer mixture to 9 x 13 baking dish.

4. Crumble cookie dough over fruit mixture.

5. Bake uncovered until cookie crust is golden and crisp and juices are bubbly, about 45 minutes.

Hot out of the oven......Garlic

Hot out of the oven: Garlic
*Note:Please continue to read this blog article.
Living Better Cafe is bring you Fresh out of the oven news, that you're going to love. That no other blog source will ever take you close into the story.
I say more good reasons to love L.B.C, not only are you revising original recipes. Your saving money while eating the way you want in a healthier way.
Welcome to yet another edition of Hot out the oven news.
Today I am bring you yet another Herb, that I truly keep within side my kitchen; as I know you all have tried this seasoning before.
As this Seasoning truly has a unique smell to it that we all tend to turn up our noses when someone come's close with hint of Garlic on their breath. While garlic has been used by us human being for over 7,000 years. Garlic is native to central Asia, while it has long been a staple in the Mediterranean region, as well as a frequent seasoning in Asia, Africa, and Europe.
It was known to Ancient Egyptians, and has been used for both culinary and medicinal purposes. Did you know Garlic hold's a lot of health properties that is good for you? Yes that's right Garlic is very good for a lot of thing's.
As garlic is known for helping with Cardiovascular, Cancer and common colds. When it comes to Cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks and strokes, the human studies have found garlic supplementation to have a significant impact on reducing blood pressure in people with high blood pressure.
Within one study, showed that aged garlic extract at doses of 600-1,500 mg was just as effective as the drug Atenolol at reducing blood pressure over a 24 week period. Garlic has also proven to lowering cholesterol levels, both (Bad) LDL and (Good) HDL. As garlic appears to lower triglyceride levels, which is another known factor of heart disease.
Garlic contains antioxidants that can Help prevent alzheimer’s disease and dementia. As high doses of garlic supplementation have been shown to increase antioxidant enzymes in humans, as well as significantly reduce oxidative stress in those with high blood pressure.
Which the combined effects on reducing cholesterol and blood pressure, as well as the antioxidant properties, can help prevent common brain diseases like alzheimer’s disease and dementia. As eating garlic can help detoxify. At high doses, the sulfur compounds in garlic have been shown to protect against organ damage from heavy metal toxicity.
Now that you know more about the benefits of garlic, I hope you start cooking with it more then just making good old "Garlic Bread".

*Note
You can also make you're own herbal medicine with Garlic.

**Living Better Cafe Tip

Serves: 1 person

1 Tbsp. of Manuka honey
1 clove garlic

Directions:
1. Add honey onto a tablespoon.
2. peel one clove garlic, and add on top of honey.
3. chew it
This help's with sore throat's, as well as cold's.

Root beer popcorn

(Inspired By: Original Popcorn ball recipe)

I simply love popcorn, and how versatile this food can be.
As sometime you can have it sweet or Savory, I love them both way's. So I have recreated this recipe, I know you are sure to "LOVE" as well.

Serves: 8
6 qt. Popped corn
2 c. Brown sugar
1 c. Margarine
1/2 c. Light corn syrup
1 tsp. Course Himalayan salt
1-2 Tbsp. Root beer extract
2 tsp. Vanilla
1/2 tsp. Baking soda
1 1/4 c. Crushed root beer candy
Crushed Peanuts * Not recommended for people with tree nut allergies.

Directions:

1. Add the first six ingredients into a pot barely allowing to a boil. removing pot away from the heat.
2. Adding in the last two ingredients, and stir.
3. Pour mixture over popcorn, and mix well.
4. Form into popcorn balls, and coat with crushed candy; crushed peanuts.
ENJOY!

Pepper steak Alfredo

Don't think bland, think creatively with this ultimate unique dish; you can serve
almost anywhere.

serve: 5

10 oz. Pasta
3 Tbsp. plus 1 tsp. margarine
5 oz. Pepper steak, cut into strips
7/8 (15 oz.) Jar Alfredo sauce
1/4 tsp. Garlic powder
1/2 tsp. Cayenne pepper
1/4 c. Parmesan, shredded
1/4 c. Asiago cheese
1/4 tsp. Freshly minced garlic
5 oz. Baby spinach, washed
7/8 Onion, diced * substitute leek's
7/8 Bell pepper, diced
7 oz. Portobello mushrooms, diced
3 Tbsp. plus 1 tsp. chopped Parsley
1 Tbsp. plus 2 tsp. olive oil (for streak)

Directions:

1. Bring a medium sized pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes then drain.

2. Meanwhile, melt margarine together with the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in onion, and cook until softened and translucent, about 2 minutes. Stir in garlic, bell pepper, and mushroom; cook over medium-high heat until soft, about 2 minutes more.

3. Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Cook beef, stirring frequently, until done, about 10 to 15 minutes. then pour in Alfredo sauce, Asiago cheese, Parmesan cheese, Spinach, bring to a simmer stirring constantly until thickened, about 5 minutes. Season with cayenne pepper. Stir drained pasta into the sauce, and serve with sprinkled chopped parsley.

Eggplant veggie Fries

When you think of French fries what automatically comes to mind? "Potato" I know. Why not give other veggies a try, especially Eggplant.I guarantee you will "LOVE IT"!

Serves: 5
1 2/3 c. all purpose flour* all purpose gluten free flour
3/4 plus 1 Tbsp. plus 1 tsp. cornmeal* Masa flour
7/8 pinch Cajun seasoning
Himalayan Salt and Cayenne pepper (to taste)
1 3/4 eggs, beaten* egg substitute
2 Tbsp. and 1 1/2 tsp. vegetable oil
1 3/4 eggplant, peeled and slice into fries

Directions:
1. In a shallow bowl combine together flour,cornmeal, Cajun seasoning.
2. in a separate bowl add egg.
3. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Adding a few at a time, dipping the eggplant pieces into the egg, then alternating back from flour mixture, then back into the egg, and back into the flour mixture. Fry the eggplant in the hot oil until golden brown. Drain on paper towels, and sprinkle with salt and cayenne pepper; and serve.
Living better tip:
1. If you want to jazz up you're fries why not try grated Parmesan cheese.
2. Don't like Ketchup on your fries, then opt it out and use Ranch dressing.
* Note:
Remember you can always opt out an ingredient, especially if you have any allergic reactions.

Vanilla amaretto coffee

If you're a coffee drinker?, and looking for a perfect way to perk up this morning. Why not grab for this Ice cold recipe.
serves: 1
1/4 c. Ice
1/8 c. coffee (cold)
1/8 c. vanilla flavored milk (Rice, Almond, Soy)
1/4 tsp. amaretto extract
1/4 pinch sugar * Sugar substitute
Directions:
1. in a glass add ice. Pouring coffee, milk and amaretto extract on top. Adding in sugar, or sugar substitute if you please. Stirring with a spoon and enjoy.

Breakfast grilled cheese

Doe's pancakes ring a bell when you hear the word "Breakfast"? I know it does for me, and I have just a perfect twist that will simply make this a kid-friendly Lunch as well.

Serves: 5

10 pancakes
5 slices of cheese * substitute Vegan cheese

Directions:

1. place pancake into toaster oven with cheese, and top with another pancake until cheese melts.