My Nana's Cornbread

I've tried lots and lots of cornbread recipes and I always go back to this one from my Nana. There is nothing better than a pan of this with stew or soup or shepherd's pie.  It's also super easy to make!

Nana's Cornbread

1 cup white cornmeal (it really must be white and not yellow)

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 cup buttermilk

1 egg, worked in with a fork.

Bake at 450 degrees  for 25 minutes.

NOW...here's what the recipe doesn't tell you. 

You have to start with a very hot skillet.  I have my Nana's old cast iron skillet and I leave it in the 450 degree oven for about 10 minutes prior to mixing up my batter. Pull skillet out after it's hot and add some oil to cover the bottom. I usually return it to the oven for a few minutes to let the oil get hot, but watch it carefully or the oil will start to smoke and burn. You don't want that to happen. Then, pull it back out and add the batter. It will make a nice, crispy crust! 

Pizza Dough

I make this in my bread machine.

Pizza Dough

12 oz water
3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
3 Tbsp. olive oil
2 cups white flour
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 pkg yeast (or 2.5 tsp)
1 tsp gluten

Combine all ingredients in bread machine pan. Choose Dough setting on bread machine. When cycle is finished, divide dough in half and roll into 2 pizza crusts. I bake it for about 10-15 minutes at 400 degrees before adding toppings.

*Sometimes I add 3 cups whole wheat flour and 1 cup white. I try to end up with 4 total cups of flour.

Flaxseed Muffins

Flaxseed Muffins

canola cooking spray
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup white flour
3/4 cup ground flaxseed
1/3 cup sugar
1 medium ripe banana, mashed
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
2 eggs
2 Tbsp canola oil
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 cup fat-free buttermilk
optional: 1/2 cup golden raisins, chocolate chips, blueberries, walnuts, coconut)

Preheat oven to 375. Spray 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray or line with paper cups. In large bowl, blend the first 9 ingredients together and set aside. In separate bowl, mix together eggs, oil, applesauce, buttermilk Add to dry ingredients, mixing until combined. Stir in any optional ingredients. Scoop batter into muffin cups. Bake 30-35 minutes or until done. Makes 12 muffins.

I've made these without the oil and you couldn't even tell it was missing!

Buttermilk Pancakes

I was talking with my friend, Allison, a few months ago, and she told me that her family has pancakes for dinner every Sunday night. It's their tradition. Her husband usually makes 'em using his grandmother's recipe and her kids eat them up. We've sorta adopted their tradition and have been having pancakes on Sunday nights too. They're easy and inexpensive to make and my kids devour them. This is my favorite pancake recipe of all time. It's healthy too!

Buttermilk Pancakes

1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
2 cups buttermilk
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
2 eggs

Soak oats in buttermilk about 10 minutes. Stir in other ingredients and cook on hot griddle.