Banana Oatmeal Scookie REMIX

 I made a few changes to mt Banana Oatmeal Scookie Recipe. 

 

This version is GLUTEN FREE and VEGAN with the substitution of coconut oil for the melted butter.

 

The result was a moist and chewy interior with a slightly harder exterior ... just the "scookie" I was looking to achieve. 

 

Enjoy playing with your food and evolving recipes with simple swaps. 

You never know, one swap could result in a family favorite to pass down for generations!

Black Bean, Oats, and Salsa Burgers

Black Bean, Oats, and Salsa Burgers are simple to make and inexpensive. What I love about this dish is that each time you make the burger, you can have a different flavor profile depending on the salsa you use. 

 

You can make the burgers special with the addition of toppings and side dishes. Customize the meal each time you make it!

Ingredients

• 1 cup oats
• 1 cup salsa
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 4 cloves of garlic 
• 1 cup diced carrot, sweet potato,  zucchini, or red bell pepper
• 1 1/2 cups black beans 
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
  

Instructions:

OPTION: you can saute the onion, garlic, and vegetable in a bit of olive oil if you wish, or use them raw

• In a VitaMix or blender add 3/4 cups oats, paprika, and crushed red pepper and pulse 
• Add salsa and pulse
  
• Add onions, garlic, and vegetable and pulse (leaving a bit chunky)
• Add 1 14 cup beans and pulse, leaving slightly chunky
• Add remaining 1/4 cup beans and 1/4 cup oats and fold into the mixture to create layers of texture
• Take out of the VitaMix or blender and shape into patties. Satue in just enough olive oil so it does not stick to the pan. 
• Serve with condiments of your choice and gluten free hamburger bun of choice. 

 

JR Date Bar and More

Today I modified my JR DATE BAR RECIPE and added Zego Cranberry Seed + Fruit Blend MIX-INS to the top of the bars for extra flavor, texture, and visual interest!

The original recipe called for:

1 Cup of Dates (I get mine from Futterman Farms) - pitted and diced
2 Cups of Nuts - your choice to use one nut or a mix to create the flavor profile of your choice
1/3 Cup Flavor Ad-Ins

Today I modified the recipe:

2 cups of dates
1 cup of nuts ( I used cashew)
1 cup of gluten free oats 
1 tsp vanilla
NOTE: You may need to add/reduce oats based on moisture content of the dates you are using.

Instructions:

Add 1/2 of the ingredients into a VitaMix or powerful blender/food processor.
Get to a relatively smooth consistency and add the rest. 
Place in a glass Pyrex container, press down to help solidify, and cover.
NOTE: The thickness of the bars is based on the size of the container you use. I made THINK ones today!
Refrigerate for about 1 hour to help the bars set.
NOTE: Just before placing the bars in the refrigerator I added 1/2 cup of MIX-INS to the top of the bars.

Banana Oatmeal Scookies

What do you get when you cross a scone with a cookie? A scookie!

1 1/2 cup flour (your choice...I use 1 cup Bob's Red Mill Oat Flour and 1/2 cup Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose Flour...You could use 1 1/2 cups Bob's Red Mill 1-1 Gluten Free Flour...or just use Gluten flour)
2 cups oats (uncooked)
2/3 cup flax seed meal
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 cup melted butter
1/3 cup brown sugar (if you use honey, increase flour to 2 cups and dried fruit to 3/4 cup)
1 egg
3 large mashed bananas (overripe is best)

OPTIONAL: 1/2 cup nuts and 1/2 cup dried fruit

Additional Options: Coconut, Trail Mix (Chocolate + Nuts) for a more desert like scookie

Another idea...bake in a muffin tin...use a muffin "skirt"

Directions:
Combine dry ingredients into a mixer, blend well
Add wet ingredients and mix JUST till blended
Let sit for 10 minutes
Pre-Heat over to 400
Bake on an un-greased cookie sheet
15 minutes cooking time for smaller scookies...longer if larger like mine
You know they are done if the edges are golden brown...or stick a toothpick in the center of the largest one!
Let cool
Store in an airtight container
Can freeze (Freezer Ziplock Bags) - they defrost well!

My Scookies are the size of a serving spoon - I used DATES and Diced Pecans in this recipe.

This SCOOKIE Is done!

Serving Suggestion:
For Breakfast...add a nut butter, eggs, Canadian Bacon, or other protein like Greek Yogurt. Include fruit.
As a snack
As a dessert...have it alone with tea or coffee or perhaps have it accompany fruit or frozen yogurt/ice cream for desert.

HINT: They are good at room temperature...they are GREAT warm! Perhaps put them in the toaster oven for 3 - 5 minutes to warm before serving!