Farm Fresh Eggs

Baking heaven.

The ladies have been going strong since January! We're hoping a new home and new nesting boxes will mean 2012 is a healthier and happier year than 2011 (knock on wood). Credit for the skinny whites goes to Tony Hawk, the speckled brown to a Golden Buff, pale brown to a Plymouth Rock, and the most beautiful green to the queen, Sylvia.

Oatmeal Cranberry Pistachio Cookies

I turned my granola into a cookie with this recipe. If you like my granola, you will like this cookie. 

 

This is my favorite version of the traditional oatmeal raisin. Swapping cranberries for raisins adds more sweetness and a pop of color. A big handful of pistachios adds a hint of unexpected nuttiness and some health. But really, these cookies are good for three reasons: granulated sugar, brown sugar, and most importantly, maple syrup. It smells like breakfast when you take these puppies out of the oven.

Cheese Crackers

Things I don't like: spiders, getting out of a hot shower, spicy food.

Things I like: sunshine, vegetable gardens, cheesy snacks.

Maybe it seems crazy to make your own crackers, but how wonderful to be able to count the ingredients in this recipe on one hand. You can't do that on a Goldfish box. These crackers are great to make with kids on a rainy day or lazy Sunday afternoon. They are also great for you, if a multi-step recipe often ends in disaster.

The crackers puff up nicely, so don't be shy about rolling the dough thin. I didn't have any problems with the crackers burning. Have fun with cookie cutters, or simply cut the dough into squares with a pizza cutter. Or even spell out a cheerful message to your best friend when they're feeling blue (cheese has healing powers). 

Cookie Dough Bites

The best way to say "I love you" to a sweet tooth is with cookie dough. Trust me.

Greek yogurt is the secret to making this cookie dough recipe egg-free and granting you the permission to lick the bowl, spoon, your fingers, and eat as much as you like. Simply blend the ingredients together as you would a normal cookie recipe: blend butter and sugars, add vanilla and yogurt, mix in the dry ingredients, and lastly, the chocolate chips.

For quick cookie dough bites, drop the dough onto a cookie sheet using an ice cream scoop. Pop those bad boys into the freeze and you're done! For a more festive treat, spread the dough into a jelly roll pan and cut into shapes with cookie cutters after freezing.

Homemade Peanut Butter

Welcome to peanut butter eaters anonymous. 

Confession: I eat peanut butter straight from the jar, with a spoon.

Peanut butter can be expensive, especially if you prefer all-natural and go through a jar as fast as I do. Wholesale peanuts, on the other hand, are less expensive and can be quickly whipped into a smooth butter with the help of your food processor.

It's as easy as,

one

two

three

If you like your peanut butter crunchy, stop blending a bit early, or toss some chopped peanuts into your butter at the end. You can also try this recipe with almonds or cashews for something different!

Homemade Peanut Butter

Fills 2, 8 oz. jars

16 oz. unsalted peanuts

1 T. coconut oil

1 t. salt

Blend peanuts in a food processor until spreadable, using a spatula to periodically break up clumps of peanuts. Add coconut oil and salt, and blend until smooth.

Transfer peanut butter to clean, airtight glass jars and store in the refrigerator.