Scones

These are delicious!! I especially recommend nibbling one of these scones with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate. (even better, nibble one with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate in the morning before your kids are up!)

Spot-On Chocolate Chip Scones

Ingredients:

3 1/4 cups flour

1/2 cup sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

3/4 cup cold butter, cut into small cubes

1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (I used dark chocolate chips instead!)

1 cup buttermilk

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Sugar Topping:

2 tbsp melted butter

2 tbsp sugar

Directions: 

1) Preheat oven to 425 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 2) In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Cut in butter using a pastry blender or rubbing between fingers, until mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in chocolate chips. Add buttermilk and vanilla, stirring just until moistened. 3) Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead briefly, 5 or 6 times, to gather into a large ball. Do not overwork the ball or the result will be tough scones. Divide the ball in half and gently pat each into 8 inch flat rounds. Brush top with melted butter and sprinkle with sugar, 4) Using a sharp knife, cut each circle into 6 even triangles and place on prepared baking sheet, about 1 inch apart.

Bake 16-18 minutes until tops are golden.

Ritzy Snacks

Today was a rainy, dreary day. We spent most of it out and about, at playgroups and a speech evaluation and then all sorts of errands. When we got home the kids went straight to their beds for naps, but once they awoke, we needed an indoor activity. Something simple, but fun. Something... yummy?

These scrumptious little buggers are as easy as they are delicious. They are perfect for kids who want to help in the kitchen, and mothers who don't mind a bit of mess. The quality time and change of pace are both wonderful for you, and your child.

Ritzy Snacks

What you will need:
2 bags of chocolate chips
A jar of creamy peanut butter
One box of Ritz snack crackers
2 squares of paraffin wax (if you have it) to add to the chocolate to make it set better. If you don't have it, just keep them refrigerated.

Directions:
Spread a generous amount (but not too much) of peanut butter between two Ritz crackers, making a sandwich. (I do about two sleeves worth of crackers) Set aside. Melt chocolate over low heat, stirring often. Add paraffin (optional) and stir.

Using a fork or tongs, dip one of the sandwiches into the chocolate, covering both sides. Let excess chocolate drip off, then set on wax paper to cool. When chocolate has set, you will be able to easily remove the Ritzy Snack from the wax paper. (I usually put them in the fridge to speed the setting up, and I store them there as well)

*Children can help spread peanut butter and put crackers on top of the peanut butter. If your child is old enough and you are comfortable with it, they can also help dip the sandwiches in the chocolate. Use your judgement.

Healthy Food- Whole Wheat Pizza Dough

I've been trying to eat better myself, and consequently, I've been making healthier food for all of us. Here is  a recipe for home-made pizza dough, using whole wheat flour.

Ingredients:
-1 teaspoon white sugar
-1 1/2 cups warm water (approx. 110 degrees F/ 45 degrees C)
-1 tablespoon active dry yeast
-1 tablespoon olive oil
-1 teaspoon salt
-2 cups whole wheat flour
-1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Bake time- 20 minutes
Rise time- 1 hour and 45 minutes

Directions:
In a large bowl, dissolve sugar in warm water. Sprinkle yeast over the top, and let stand for about 10 minutes, until foamy.

Stir the olive oil and salt into the yeast mixture, then mix in the whole wheat flour and 1 cup of the all-purpose flour until dough starts to come together. Tip dough out onto a surface floured with the remaining all-purpose flour, and knead until all the flour has been absorbed and the ball of dough becomes smooth- about ten minutes. Place dough in an oiled bowl, turning the dough to completely coat the surface with oil. Cover loosely with a towel and let stand in a warm place until doubled in size- about one hour.

When the dough has doubled, tip the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide into two pieces for thin crust, or leave whole to make one thick crust. Form into a tight ball. Let rise for another forty five minutes, until doubled.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Roll a ball of dough with a rolling pin until it will not stretch any further. Then drape it over both sides of your fists and gently pull the edges outward while rotating the crust. When the circle has reached the desired size, place on a well oiled pizza pan. Top with your favorite toppings, such as sauce, cheese, meats, or vegetables.

Bake for sixteen to twenty minutes (depending on thickness) in the preheated oven, until the crust is crisp and golden at the edges and the cheese is melted on top.

Healthy Food- Whole Wheat Pancakes

Give your kids a healthy start by making them these delicious whole wheat pancakes! 

Note: This makes a dry mix that you can store. There will be leftover dry mix, so make sure to read the directions that follow.

Whole Wheat Pancakes

Dry Mix Ingredients:

8 cups whole wheat flour

4 cups oatmeal

1/2 cup sugar

2 tablespoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

cinnamon/nutmeg to taste

To Add To Dry Mix:

3/4 cup skim milk (or buttermilk)

1 egg

Directions:

Mix the dry ingredients thoroughly, making sure to evenly distribute the baking soda and powder. 

When you're ready to make fresh pancakes, whisk wet ingredients together and add 1 cup of the prepared dry mix.