Got Ripe Bananas? Healthier Banana Cookies

 The weather is 19°F this morning, as I post this blog post today.  Brr.  I sure hope it warms up, but if not, it's a good day to bake something.

I used my larger cookie scoop, and used the back of it to spread the cookie out a bit.

One of the kids wanted a healthy banana cookie recipe, and I have a few.  I had to dig this one out and make to see if it was one of my keeper recipes (I have a habit of not taking notes).

It's a soft cookie - no flour, no sugar.

3 ripe bananas, organic, mashed

2 cups of organic old fashioned oats

1 cup of finely diced apple or dates (I used half of both for this batch, using organic apples/dates)

1/3 cup organic canola oil *

1 tsp. homemade vanilla extract

1 1/2 tsp. organic cinnamon

A few dashes or so of organic nutmeg

Mix, drop on parchment paper line baking sheets, and bake for 20 minutes.  Cool on a rack.  I let these sit on the baking sheets a bit after taking out of the oven. I had larger bananas, so they needed a bit more time, but they are so good.  Healthy snacks to have on hand, or a quick morning bite if you are pressed for time.

*Note:  I have no notes on the recipe as to if I have cut the oil, and used half home canned (sugar free) applesauce.  I will do that the next time I have ripe bananas on hand.

I am low on homemade vanilla extract.  I have ordered my vanilla beans, and will post the process soon.  It's very easy to make.

Got Ripe Bananas?  Healthier Banana Cookies  ©  March 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Red Lentil Hummus

 Here is how I make our red lentil hummus.  It makes a good amount, but you can slather it on a cracker and top it with a sliced boiled egg, dip fresh veggies in it, enjoy it on a sandwich (of any sort) and so many other ways.  You can use hummus as your "sauce" for dishes.

First, measure 1 cup of organic red lentils, and rinse them.  Add them to a pot and 3 cups of water.  Cook them until there  is no water left (they will be a mushy consistency).  You will need to watch the pot at the end so it does not burn to the pan.

Take off the heat and allow to cool.  Go clean something, read a book, fold laundry or enjoy the outdoors for a bit.

Place the cooked and cooled lentils in a food processor and add:

1 can organic chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1/2 cup Tahini

3 Tbsp. Lemon juice (I use fresh squeezed and often use one lemon, and don't measure)

3-4 Cloves of garlic, minced (to your taste)

3/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. cumin

Mix in the food processor, chill and enjoy!

Note:  We love garlic in our hummus, but you can easily adjust all the ingredients in this to your liking too.

It's our favorite hummus, next to traditional hummus that uses all chickpeas, olive oil and similar ingredients. 

Red Lentil Hummus  © February 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Homemade Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup

Per a request for the recipe. . .

I've been making this homemade version of "canned" cream of mushroom soup since February of 2014.  The link in my post below.

Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup

Another post with a few photos

....contains the link to the actual recipe online.  She has added fresh thyme to the recipe since I started making it, and have not added it to mine (yet).

She also has the recipes for condensed cream of celery soup and condensed cream of chicken soup.  I have made all three of the recipes and they are keeper recipes for me.

I adapt the recipes with organic/non-gmo ingredients for the healthiest soup recipes.

I can say that the original recipe she had up, stated two cremini mushrooms.  Same with shallots, but she has listed amounts now.  Our stores stopped selling bulk cremini mushrooms all together, so I now buy organic baby bella mushrooms for ours. 

I love it.  The shallots bring the party to the soup mix for sure.  So good.  I mix it one "can" at a time, and freeze it in glass freezer containers or sometimes the BPA free plastic containers (as shown in my photo).

Someone once asked me how much it makes, and it is basically equal to one can of the store brand.  One batch of this to every can the recipe calls for.  It's divine on pork chops in the crockpot too.

Homemade Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup © January 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Happy Homemaker Monday

 

I had a few extra minutes in the kitchen, as my husband was called into work on Sunday, and our outdoor work took a back seat.  I made them in between flash freezing the last of the strawberries.

I made these healthier version of a peanut butter "cup" from a recipe online (no bake peanut butter oat cups by Hungry Happens).  You keep them in the freezer, but they do not freeze solid.  They are good, but I'm not sure I'd make them again.  I used a non-gmo dark chocolate for the top.

Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

This will be my last link up/join with this.  The new link asks me to sign into facebook or something to link my own post.  Enjoy it as the last post in this manner.

The weather . . .

Strangely cool, and no sun this morning.  Temperatures range from 67° to 93°F this week.  The low tonight could be as low as 49°F and that is very cold for June (and not good for the garden).

Right now I am . . .

Sipping coffee and writing this blog post.

Thinking and pondering . . . 

I'm thinking, that having a phone book again would be useful.  Our internet has had way too many outages, and one day I could not get a phone number pulled up on my cell phone.  Not even with 5G (cell service outage?).  Way too many outages in our area lately.  We used to get a free phone book delivered, but have not gotten one in years.  We don't have a land line, so that may be the reason.

We are trying to connect with local farmer's market gardener's to see about buying their garlic for this year. I know it won't come in until later, but we are working on it.

I did however, ask one produce stand if they grew their own garlic, as I have purchased it from there years ago (which rotted very quickly).  I never asked, as I assumed (never do that) they grew everything.  They do not.  Always ask at the produce stands.  Many ship items in from other states, and the items are not fresh.

How I am feeling . . .

On days I am working outside for hours on the garden, I have zero energy to do intentional exercise. Does that happen to anyone else?  Or is that just me?  Is it even necessary, after all that labor?

My foot is still healing.  Some days it bothers me and other days it's fine.

On the breakfast plate . . .

Sweet potato/sausage and egg scramble.

On the lunch plate . . .

Chicken salad with boiled egg over swedish bread crisp. Blueberries.

On the dinner plate . . .

Not sure just yet, but it could be Southwest Quesadillas.

On the menu . . .

-sheet pan cod with vegetables

-grilled jalapeno popper smash burgers, grilled brussel sprouts

-leftovers

On the reading pile . . .

I have not had a lot of free time to read lately.  I finally finished book #3 in this series.  I have found that our library interloan system has the remainder of the books to the series, so when I get more books read off my own shelf, I can go back and finish the series via the library.

. . .picked this up for free at the library, so I'm currently reading this book.  I feel like one of my bloggers has met this author. It's not my typical fiction book, but so far, I am enjoying it.

I'm also reading online reviews for food processors and madolins.  I need both replaced soon.  Especially my very old mandolin.

On my TV this week . . .

Whatever looks good on netflix.

Looking around the house . . .

It's a hot mess.  It's garden season, along with strawberries and peaches to put up.  It'll take some work to get things in order for sure.

To-do list . . .

-sweep and mop floors

-dust

-water porch pots and house plants

-go through yarn for a daughter

-get the house back in order

From the camera . . .

I finished this lap afghan.   I'm suprised I did too.  Some days I am so tired after garden work, that I don't want to do anything.

Devotional, Prayers, Bible Verse. . .

Happy Homemaker Monday  © June 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Hot Bean Dip

Here is how I make our Hot "taco" bean dip now (we've changed it just a bit).  It is great for an appetizer for any get together as well, and especially for a Mexican food themed meal.  So good!  We topped ours with some snipped herb garden green onions too.

To make the dip (this is baked):

Mix together first:

2 blocks of organic cream cheese (16 oz. total)

1 can of refried black beans (organic, 16 oz.)

1 can of refried pinto beans (organic, 16 oz) 

Once that is combined well, add:

8 oz. sour cream (organic)

2 Tbsp. of homemade dry taco mix (add more if needed)

Spread the mixture into a baking dish and top with about 1 1/4 cups of shredded cheese of your choice.

The thicker it is in a baking dish, the longer it will take to heat up.

Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes (30 if it is thicker).  Serve with tortilla dipping chips or any dipping food of your choice.

I have not cut the recipe in half, as it goes quickly around here, but I think it would be just as good with one can of beans of your choice.  You could also use homemade beans, homemade sour cream, or homemade cream cheese in this.  

If you don't have homemade dry taco mix, use one packet of store brand instead.

Hot Bean Dip  © May 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

I tried it, so you don't have to, recipe

 Breakfast Lasagna

(there are more versions of this online)

The recipe is found on a YouTube video.  It uses a lot of cheese to make this a "zero" carb recipe, but not low in calories.  You start by scrambling 18 eggs. 

Here is the video LINK for the YouTube video on how she makes the breakfast lasagna.

Gravy is made with breakfast sausage, cream cheese and beef broth.   Like I said, it uses a LOT of cheese.

I'm not a subscriber, so I could not get actual measurements from her recipe, so I "eyeballed" it.  I used a mix of mozzarella and pepper jack, and some Parmesan cheese.

The ham I used.  Honestly, didn't feel one 6 oz. package was enough, but I wasn't sure on the size of pan to use either.

Here is my review:  I used a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.  It was too big of a baking dish, to get even layers.

It was very good, but I will use my own milk based sausage gravy next time, and will utilize frozen diced ham we saved from the last holiday season.  Overall, very good, but you could make your own changes to suit your taste.  You can cut it in half and make a smaller batch too.

The final look after it came out of the oven.  I heated it at 350°F until it was heated through out the dish.

I guess all of these "zero" carb dishes are full of cheeses, so we will cut the cream cheese out and use homemade breakfast sausage gravy next time.  I use very little flour to make mine anyway.

It's a great idea for a breakfast for a group, or gathering, and it re-heats nicely.  It's perfect for a brunch as well.

 It didn't last long here, but again way too much cheese for us.  

Toodles!

I tried it, so you don't have to, recipe © Feb 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Honey Roasted Cashews ~ Oven Baked Frozen Garden Green Beans ~ Gingersnap Pear Pie (old post link)

 

Winner recipe!  New recipe tried!

I had just enough cashews to use up, and the oven was already on, so.....

Of course I used my homemade garlic powder in this recipe.

Perfect for a chacturie board for any occasion.

Delicious as a snack.

The recipe is free online with The Southern Lady Cooks.

A bit sticky for a travel snack, but pack it up and enjoy it at your accommodations with cheese/crackers and a bottle of wine.

It would make a nice gift too, along with some other creatively made food items, a bottle of wine, or specialty cheese/crackers.  The ideas are pretty endless.

I've been experimenting with our frozen garden green beans.  I recently just tossed a bag full (maybe 3 cups) into an 8 x 8 baking dish, added 1/2 tsp. homemade garlic powder, and drizzled it with some organic olive oil.  Gave them a toss with some tongs, and baked them at 400° for 30 minutes.  I then sprinkled some parmesan cheese on top of them.  Oh my gosh!  Delicious, and so easy for a winter side dish.  

I had a blog follower interested in the ginger pie, so I went on a search and found it.  We did not get pears from our trees last year.  The proper name for the pie is Gingersnap Pear Pie.  Gosh, I haven't made this in many years.  I have frozen the pears for this pie before, and it still turned out delicious.

(photo from November 2017)

Here is the post for the pie:  Gingersnap Pear Pie

Honey Roasted Cashews ~ Oven Baked Frozen Garden Green Beans ~ Gingersnap Pear Pie (old post link) © Jan 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

How to make the most tender shredded chicken. . .

 

I have noticed, when I make an all-in-one chicken dinner in the crock pot (with chicken breast), it is the most tender chicken.

So....

I started to do this, for any baked casserole dinner that has shredded chicken as an ingredient - place organic chicken breasts (fat trimmed) into a crock pot (I salt and pepper it first) and cover with organic chicken broth (low sodium).  I cover the chicken completely with the broth.

I cook this on low all day.  I haven't really kept track of the hours, but maybe 6-7 hours.  I then turn off the crock pot, and shred the chicken, and add to whatever recipe I am baking in the oven.  I've even done this the day before, that way the chicken is already done.  It is the most tender chicken for our recipes.  

Note:  The chicken is so tender I use a slotted spoon to remove the chicken from the crock pot, or it simply falls apart in the crockpot.  It makes it easier to get to the cutting board to shred.

I don't know why I haven't even thought of this before, after making so many crock pot chicken dinners, but I've tried it twice, and my husband said to me, "whatever you did with the chicken, keep doing it!"  So much better than say boiling chicken to shred.  

Note:  I never buy canned shredded chicken unless we are taking a specific chip dip to a gathering.  However, I will be doing this instead next time.

Collecting Recipes Addiction ~ Deep Clean Continues ~ Tea Healing Trick ~ Longest Egg Laying Hiatus Ever!

 I've been going thru a box of recipes from Mom's house.  I know where I get the collection addiction from now.  Golly.

It appears that Mom started to create her own cookbook many, many years ago, in a binder (by typing it up).  She saved every recipe the local newspaper printed, and she used to sit and listen to a radio show where they shared recipes.  There were notepads filled with recipes she wrote down from that radio station.

I found her recipe for Chop Suey.   When I was a young kid, Mom made me sit at the table until I finished chop suey, and I hated it.  I remember being forced to sit and finish another meal I did not like, but chop suey was on the top of the list.  Not sure why I did not like it, but the memory of that was traumatic.  I never forced my kids to sit and eat something they did not like.  Anyway, the box has been delivered to the next sibling.

I copied only two recipes that involved rhubarb.  I think this box has cured me of collecting recipe, ha ha!  Now I need a cure for collecting crochet patterns.  Sheesh.  Do you have a "messy" habit of collecting something you really don't need? Or something you collect, and then neglect?

I got one more kitchen cupboard shelf cleaned and lined, and one more drawer.  I have more to do, but I feel better if I do at least one a day (or every other day), so I can still rest up after regular chores.  

My laryngitis is still hanging on, but slightly better.  Trying a trick my Dad taught me about curing sinus infections (but will also help laryngitis) - add a few drops of oil of oregano to my teabag before brewing (food grade oil).  I rememebered this hack, after someone suggested I drink oregano tea.  As you can see, the cool mist humidifiers are going, plus one diffuser.

My washing machine was giving a code again, so my husband took the filters apart and cleaned them (both water incoming and water out going).  He found a quarter blocking the out going.  

This winter was the longest hiatus from egg laying in history.  Not one egg since last October.  So it got me thinking.  I checked the ingredients on the organic feed we buy.  I am pretty sure they dropped the amount of protein in it, so we switched it up, and I picked up some black sunflower seeds.  Of course they get kitchen treats from me too.  Never, have we ever,gone this long without fresh laid eggs.

Homemade Lean Turkey Sausage ~ New Breakfast Recipe and other tidbits

 

To make the new breakfast casserole, I needed sausage.  The recipe called for Italian, but I simply used my homemade sausage recipe, by swapping out the pork with lean ground turkey.  I put the extra into the freeze for other meals.

I made a new breakfast casserole, but after putting it together it is basically like a bake I make, only the potatoes are swapped out with cauliflower.  It's very good, but I will season it up next time with either jalapenos, garlic or fire powder.  I topped it with dandelion greens as well.  

Today, I am on the hunt for someone to at least remove the popcorn ceiling.  Wish we luck.  Nothing is cheap anymore.  We can do the painting, but I have never removed the popcorn ceiling.  The floor work is slow going right now, which is driving me crazy.  

I signed up to make rolls for one Thanksgiving, and yesterday realized, I cannot get to my recipes.  They are buried in my office, where the door is in the living room.  It's packed with stuff from the living room, and of course the floor is not in yet.  I guess I'm off the hook for that this year ha ha!

I may take a mashed cauliflower dish.  I mean, I need something my husband can eat.  That's the bad thing of a get together - all the options are not healthy, other than maybe deviled eggs.  When I think about it, almost all but the meat is bad - cheesy potatoes, corn casserole, sweet potato bakes have brown sugar toppings, stuffing, rolls, mashed potatoes, corn, any side salads with pasta in it....heck even my BBQ crock pot green beans have brown sugar in it.  I guess I'm on the hunt for some other healthy sides, besides sweet potatoes with garlic, butter and thyme.

Well, we are to get rain and snow today.  And it's another day waiting on a quote to get the gutters cleaned before the weather gets too bad.  

Living room repairs officially start.....

The sunrise is slowly moving in the direction of winter.

I decided to freeze more tomatoes.  I can make a fresh spaghetti sauce or can pizza sauce over winter.  It will save me some time to work on the living room.  I sent messages to the younger two, that i need there boxes of stuff out of the living room, and for one to clear her Christmas stuff out of the garage.  I'm hoping they arrive within the week.

Beautiful wild flowers bloomed in the water trough this year.

Tomatoes kept me in slow motion on getting the living room cleared, but in order to do that, I have to clear off a table in our (yes) bedroom.  It was for my sewing machine.  When Mom passed her recipes landed on that table.  I am clearing it off to move upstairs for my crafting table.  I started to look at some of the recipes and noticed some are definitely different.

Hm.  Not sure I'd try this one, but different.  I am missing Mom a lot right now going thru the recipes.

 

New Recipe ~ Greens and Tibits

 

I am saving this recipe to try this summer.  I thought I would share it.  Has anyone made this?  I am just now learning about it.

I got some organic dandelion greens blanched and in the freezer.  There is only one store that sells them this time of year.

It was another day at Mom's house.  I made two trips to the re-sale store in town (benefits area businesses).  It's been difficult, but the busyness keeps my mind off things.  I've been able to pass on some kitchenware to our Daughter K, for her new apartment. Clothing has been donated to a soup kitchen.

My house is a crazy mess, so once Daughter K is completely moved out, we will start major repairs and updates.  We also plan to do a major clean up in the garage when the weather gets better.

. . . from the handiwork journal

 

I was tickled pink to get a message with an order for 8 of my hand crocheted dish scrubbies the other day.  Shipping, however, has gone up again.

(older photo)

I have about 15 more rows to finish this lap afghan for Mom.

Daughter E asked me to make her a handmade ornament for their salon.  I crocheted her a nail polish bottle.

Did anyone see yesterday's cooking show on Create TV?  They baked a pork shoulder, bake a side dish with red cabbage (in the oven) and homemade BBQ sauce?  I can't remember what they called the red cabbage dish and cannot find the episode or recipe.  If you watched can you help me find it?  I was crocheting Mom's blanket and my husband got home.  I missed the end and missed the name of the dish and BBQ sauce.  I missed the names of the people cooking them, so I have no idea how to find it all.  I checked the TV schedule, and it won't go backwards, only forwards on the schedule.  I even tried searching the recipes on Create TV.  I cannot find it.

Update:  It's Farmer and the Foodie episode 104, but I can't view the show anywhere nor find the recipes.

Update again!  I finally found it.  Now to find a local farmer with a pork shoulder.....

Happy Homemaker Monday

 

Beautiful sunrise this morning.

I had to frog the second cardigan sleeve.  Not sure what is wrong with my brain, because I know how to crochet.   I will put it off for another day and get back to it.  

An odd sighting on Sunday - a man jogging down the country highway with a USA flag.  A car was behind him with hazard lights on, but I couldn't read what was on the side of the car.  I'll admit, I lifted my spirits to see him doing that.  I would have had a photo if I had my phone in my hand, but I had a cup of coffee in my hand instead.

Daughter E came out for a visit.  That was a blessing, considering my husband and Daughter K were both working.  She took more of her belongings, and we chatted for a while.

I called the General Store, where I may be selling one of my items.  They have not yet emailed or called me back.  I know they are busy with fell festival stuff, so I may need to call again this week.  Or I may stop in with the items.

Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. 

I'll link up after she posts this morning.

The weather . . .

86°/65° F, sunny

How I am feeling this morning . . .

Exhausted, but mostly because my husband worked all weekend, so I worked at the house.  Not having a weekend to sleep in is exhausting.

On the breakfast plate . . .

Frittata, coffee.   Lots of coffee.

On my reading pile . . .

Nothing, again oddly

On today's to-do list . . .

-laundry

-boil pinto beans for bean dip and freeze most of it

-pick peppers from the garden

-freeze more hot peppers

On my tv . . .

Whatever we find interesting on Netflix

On the menu this week . . .

-Leftover Chicken Spaghetti

-Baked walleye, veggie

-honestly, have no idea yet, ha ha!

From the camera . . .

The rain gave us more hot peppers.  Maybe fire powder for Christmas gifting?  I really don't want to can, but I may be canning hot pepper mustard sauce.  I guess canning first.  There won't be any family holiday gatherings again this year.

Looking around the house . . .

My kitchen, for once, is beautifully cleaned, tidy and a fresh breath of air.

To relax I will . . .

Crochet

Something I want to share . . .

Look what I made!  Oatmeal/vanilla soap.  I can add soap making to my craft show days next year.  I'm so excited I tried a kit first.  I think the smaller bars will be great for people who rent out homes for Airbnb or similar.  Question.  What is the best source to buy a goat's milk soap base?  I found some on Amazon, but wondered if there is a lower priced base elsewhere?  

New Recipe I tried or one I want to try. . .

I've printed this out for the next time I need it. Thought I would share.

I also tried a homemade "fritos" recipe.  I adapted organic ingredients.

I want to try a smashed brussel sprout recipe soon too.

Devotional, Inspirational, prayer list or Bible verse . . .

Husband's sister Patty (covid), Mom (she's getting a bit better)