Cook Without Book

Yield:  Makes: 8 scones (serving size: 1 scone)                Ingredients 1/2 cup   quick-cooking oats 1 cup   whole-wheat flour 1 cup   all-purpose white flour 1/4 cup   dark brown sugar, firmly packed 1/4 teaspoon   salt 1/2 teaspoon   ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon   ground nutmeg 1 tablespoon   baking powder 3/4 cup   unsweetened, dried tart cherries 4 tablespoons   cold, unsalted butter, cut into small pieces 1 cup   buttermilk 2 tablespoons   sugar, for sprinkling, optional Fat-free Greek yogurt and sugar-free jam, for serving, optional Preparation 1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Place first 8 ingredients (through baking powder) in bowl of food processor. Pulse to combine. Add fruit and butter. Pulse again 15-20 times to form a sandy texture. Stir in buttermilk; pulse just enough to combine. 2. Drop 8 spoonfuls (about 1/2 cup each) onto parchment-lined ba...

Prep Time:  5 minutes Cook Time:  16 minutes Yield:  Makes 9 muffins (serving size: 1 muffin)                   Ingredients 2  mashed ripe bananas (about 3/4 cup) 2 tablespoons   canola oil 1  egg 1/2 cup   fat-free milk 3/4 teaspoon   vanilla extract 2/3 cup   white whole-wheat flour (such as King Arthur) or whole-wheat flour 1/2 cup   quick-cooking oats 1/4 cup   sugar 1 3/4 teaspoons   baking powder 1/2 teaspoon   ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon   salt Cooking spray Preparation 1. Preheat oven to 375º. 2. Combine bananas and next 4 ingredients (through vanilla) in a medium bowl; mix well, and set aside. 3. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup and level with a knife. Whisk together flour and next 5 ingredients (through salt) in a small bowl. 4. Stir the flour mixture into the banana mixture until they are just combined. 5. Spray 9...

Prep Time:  20 minutes Total Time:  1 hour Yield:  Makes: 10 servings (serving size: 1 bar)                  Ingredients 1/3 cup   almond butter 1/3 cup   honey 2 cups   whole-grain cereal flakes 2 cups   oat and bran O's cereal 2 tablespoons   chopped, unsweetened dried cherries Preparation 1. Coat an 8-inch square baking pan with cooking spray. In a medium microwave-safe bowl, microwave the almond butter and honey on high for 30 seconds, then stir until blended. In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the cereal flakes, O's, and cherries. Microwave on high for 1 1/2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until warmed. 2. Gradually stir the almond butter mixture into the cereal until thoroughly and evenly coated. Press into the prepared pan. Refrigerate until set and firm. Cut into 10 bars. Nutritional Information Calories per serving: 144 Fat per serving: 5.1g Saturated fa...

             Morning Glory Muffins                                        Ingredients Cooking spray 1 cup   whole wheat flour (about 4 3/4 ounces) 1/2 cup   all-purpose flour (about 2 1/4 ounces) 1 cup   regular oats 3/4 cup   packed brown sugar 1 tablespoon   wheat bran 2 teaspoons   baking soda 1/4 teaspoon   salt 1 cup   plain fat-free yogurt 1 cup   mashed ripe banana (about 2) 1  large egg 1 cup   chopped pitted dates 3/4 cup   chopped walnuts 1/2 cup   chopped dried pineapple 3 tablespoons   ground flaxseed (about 2 tablespoons whole) Preparation Preheat oven to 350°. Place 18 muffin cups liners in muffin cups; coat liners with cooking spray. Lightly spoon flours into dry measuring cups, and level with a knife. Combine flours and next 5 in...

Pluot & Poppy Yogurt Bowl Recipe Before the pluots are gone for the year, I thought I'd sneak this in. I was saying to a friend the other day - when pluots are good, few fruits are better. I'm thinking of a crimson-fleshed Dapple Dandy I had last year - dripping ripe with punchy juice, refreshing, taut-skinned. It set the bar in my mind. And the pluots have been  good  lately, so they've been around the kitchen. And I do different things with them, like this impromptu breakfast bowl. While arguably unconventional, it is one of my favorite uses to date. Greek yogurt with a bit of chopped dill incorporated, topped with sliced pluots, toasted oats, poppy seeds, and honey. If the dill sounds like too much for you, feel free to skip it, but I love the way it plays off the oats, and the honey sweetness of the fruit. Here's another idea - I've been thinking of making a pluot punch of sorts - give a shout if you have a favorite punch base you think would w...

Oats And Nuts Lollypops Preparing finger foods for kids can always be a daunting experience, especially when you are trying to make the snack healthy, tasty and visually appealing for your child. Try this tasty, healthy simple lollipop recipe . Ingredients: • 1/2 cup dates chopped • 1/4 cup roasted rolled oats • 1/4 cup lightly roasted and finely chopped mixed nuts (almond,walnuts,pistachios) • 1 tbsp roasted sesame seeds (til) • 1 tbsp flax seeds Method 1. Heat a non-stick pan, add the dates and cook on a slow flame until the dates melt, while stirring continuously. 2. Remove from flame, add all the remaining ingredients and mix well. Keep aside to cool slightly. 3. Grease your hands with ghee and divide into equal portions, shape into a round balls and insert a small stick in the centre. 4. Cool completely and store in an air-tight container.

       Kumbh Ke Kabab A wonderful starter – mushroom kabab flavoured with fresh coriander leaves. Cooking Time:  20-25 minutes Servings:  4   Preparation Time:  10-15 minutes   Category:  Veg Ingredients   • Mushrooms,chopped 2 cups • Olive oil 2 tablespoons • Garlic,chopped 1 1/2 tablespoons • Onions,finely chopped 1 cup • Rolled (porridge) oats 3/4 cup • Red chilli flakes 1 teaspoon • Crushed black peppercorns 1 teaspoon • Dried herbs 1 teaspoon • Green chillies,chopped 1 tablespoon • Salt to taste • Fresh coriander leaves,chopped 4 tablespoons • Roasted chana dal (dalia),powder 3 tablespoons • Oil For shallow frying Method Heat olive oil in a non-stick pan; add garlic and sauté till light golden brown. Add onions and sauté till translucent. Add rolled oats, mushrooms, red chilli flakes, crushed black peppercorns, dried herbs, green chillies, salt and co...