Homemade Pancake Mix

Bisquick costs $3-$6 per 40 ounce box.

Think about that.

Bisquick is mostly flour, correct?

"I have flour in my pantry," I thought to myself. And it didn't cost me that much.


So, I made my own "Bisquick."

Ingredients: 

3 cups unbleached, all purpose flour

2 cups whole wheat flour

2 tablespoons baking powder

2 teaspoons salt

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 c dry milk powder

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup butter

1. Combine all of the dry ingredients. Cut butter into the mixture with a pastry cutter or two knives (or your fingers) until crumbly. Store in a well-sealed container in the freezer.

2. To make pancakes: combine 1 1/2 cups of the mixture with 1 egg and 1/2-1 cup of water. (Start with a 1/2 cup of water and add more as needed until desired consistency.)

I adapted this recipe from Cooking During Stolen Moments.

Another benefit of making my own "Bisquick" is this: I know exactly what is inside! I get a little nervous when I read the ingredients on almost any packaged item in the grocery store. I mean- if I can't pronounce it, should I be eating it? Simple is better. So, whenever I have the chance to make my own food from scratch, I jump at it!

And for those of you who are saying "I don't have time for that," You do. I promise.
It took me five minutes. Literally. And it was worth it!

David's Vegetable & Beef Soup

Fletcher's mom gave me this recipe.
It is SO easy to make, has a lot of flavor, and is not unhealthy.

1 lb. Lean Ground Beef (Or try ground chicken or turkey!)
1 clove Garlic
1 Onion, chopped
1 Green Bell Pepper, chopped
1 (16 oz.) can Diced Tomatoes
1 (16 oz.) can Corn
1 (16 oz.) can Vegall (found on the same isle as canned vegetables)
1 (10 oz.) can Rotel
1 (10 oz.) can Tomato Soup
2 C Beef Broth (I used Bouion cubes)

Brown meat, drain.
Add onion, pepper, and garlic. Saute onion is tender.
Add the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil.
Simmer on Low for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Honey Mustard Chicken

This is the one recipe I have down and feel comfortable making any time. It is simple and delicious.

Honey Mustard Chicken
2 tsp olive oil
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1/2 C apple juice
2 cups baby carrots
2 Tbls sweet honey mustard
2 Tbls peanuts

In a skillet, cook chicken for 5 to 8 minutes in olive oil, turning over until browned on both sides.

Add apple juice. Reduce heat to medium; cover and cook 5 minutes. Add carrots; cover and cook 5 to 10 minutes or until juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut and carrots are crisp-tender.

Remove chicken and carrots from skillet; place on serving platter and cover to keep warm. Stir mustard into liquid in skillet. Spoon mustard sauce over chicken and carrots; sprinkle with peanuts.

BBQ Chicken Pizza

I got this (along with almost everything else I post) from Cooking Light. It's super easy (duh, pizza) and can be made with common ingredients. Good for a night when you don't want to make a big trip to the grocery.

BBQ Chicken Pizza
Chicken Breast
Spicy Barbecue Sauce
Italian-cheese flavored pizza crust
1/3 C slivered red onion
2 Tbls chopped fresh cilantro
1 C shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Place chicken on an ungreased baking sheet; spoon 1/3 C barbecue sauce over chicken. Bake at 350 until chicken is done (about 40 minutes). Cool; chop and set aside.

Spread about 1/3 C barbecue sauce evenly over pizza crust, leaving a 1-inch border. Top crust evenly with Chicken and remaining ingredients.

Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes. Boom.

G. Love (Turkey Burgers) and Special Sauce.

This is a great summer recipe that is simple to make and healthy to eat.


Turkey Burgers
1/4 C chopped green onions
2 Tbs orange juice
1 Tbs light soy sauce
1 tsp ground ginger
1 garlic clove, minced
1 pound ground turkey breast

Combine ingredients in a large bowl. Divide mixture into 4 equal portions, shaping each into 3/4-inch-thick patty. Grill.


Special Sauce
3/4 C reduced-fat mayonnaise
1 1/2 Tbs finely chopped green onions
2 Tbs Dijon mustard
1 Tbs honey
1 tsp orange juice
1 tsp light soy sauce
1/2 tsp ground ginger

Combine ingredients in a medium bowl. Cover and refrigerate.

Enchiladas? Yes, Please.

Okay, I am not at all a master chef. I am learning little by little.
But sharing recipes is always cool.

I made this the other night and loved it:


Chicken Enchiladas
2 large chicken breasts
1 C chopped onion
1 clove garlic
2 Tbs. butter (I use olive oil, which is a bit more healthy)
1 (16 oz) can diced tomatoes
1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
1/4 C chopped green chilies
1 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. oregano, crushed
1/2 tsp. basil, crushed
12 flour tortillas
2 1/5 C shedded Monterey Jack cheese
3/4 C dairy sour cream

In saucepan, simmer chicken in water to cover, 15-20 minutes, or until tender. Cut into 12 strips; set aside.
In a saucepan, cook onion and garlic in butter (olive oil) until tender. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, chilies, sugar, cumin, salt, oregano, and basil. Bring to boiling; reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes. Remove from heat. Dip each tortilla in tomato mixture to soften. Place 1 piece chicken and about 2 tablespoons shredded cheese on each tortilla; roll up and place seam-sinde down in a 13x8x2 inch baking dish. Blend sour cream into remaining sauce mix; pour over tortillas. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Cover and bake in 350 degree oven for about 40 minutes, or till heated through. Makes 6 servings.