Dried-Peach Oatcakes

I found a similar recipe in my "Cooking For Baby" cookbook, but changed it up a bit. I wanted to find an easy snack to make for my son. These turned out okay. They are not very sweet, but my son seems to like them okay. I might try changing the recipe a little the next time I try making these. You can use any dried fruit you want. I happened to have some delicious dried peaches on hand, so I used them in my recipe. If you want to sweeten the oatcakes up more, you can add more honey, use some agave nectar, or add vanilla to this recipe. The recipe in my cookbook calls for coconut, which I am not a fan of, so I omitted it from my recipe. If you like coconut, by all means add it to your recipe. It might even make these oatcakes a little sweeter. :)

Ingredients:

2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/8 tsp salt

2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

1 tbsp honey*

3 tbsp dried peaches*, finely chopped

2 tbsp unsweetened coconut*, finely shredded

1 cup hot water

Preheat oven to 400 F. Line 2 baking sheets with aluminum foil and spray with non-stick spray. 

In a mixing bowl, combine oats, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Make a well in the center and add the butter and honey. Combine with a rubber spatula until all oats are coated. Mix in peaches and coconut (if using). Heat water in a teakettle or saucepan until very hot, but not boiling. Add hot water 2 tablespoonfuls at a time to oat mixture, stirring after each addition with a rubber spatula, until oats become wet and sticky. You will not need to use all of the water. With wet hands, mix oat dough a final time. Dough will be sticky and loose. 

Using 2 large spoons, scoop and drop dough onto prepared baking sheets. With wet fingertips, shape dough into 2-inch round, flat oatcakes.

Bake oatcakes until edges turn golden brown and centers are firm and not sticky, about 15 minutes*. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. The oatcakes will crisp while cooling. Makes 15 to 18 oatcakes.

*Note: Any dried fruit would be fine to use in this recipe. Coconut is optional. If you want these a little sweeter, add extra honey (or agave nectar, or vanilla). I baked my oatcakes for 13 minutes, and I think that was too long. Next time I make these, I will try 10 minutes first, then add minutes as needed until oatcakes are golden brown. :) Enjoy! 

Dried-Peach Oatcakes

Applesauce

As you may have noticed from my previous posts of things I feed to my son, I don't like to give him a lot of sugary things. I like to find more natural ways of sweetening his foods. So, I make my own applesauce for him instead of buying the store bought sugary ones. Good apples are sweet enough as it is! My son LOVES this applesauce, plain or mixed in with something else (oatmeal, pancakes, muffins, etc.). I think this is a pretty simple recipe, since there are only 2 ingredients. It does take a little extra time, but it is so worth it! If you don't give your baby any spices yet, you can omit the cinnamon. It will still be yummy! 

Ingredients: 

4 apples, cored and quartered (any kind is fine. I prefer Gala)

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Bring 1 inch water to a boil in a medium to large pot with a steamer basket. Place prepared apples in the steamer basket. Cover and cook until apples are fork tender. Cool until you are able to handle them with your hands.* Peel skins, or otherwise remove flesh from the apples. Place in food processor and add cinnamon. Puree or chop to desired consistency. Serve and enjoy! Makes about 1.5 cups. Freezes great! 

*Note: If you're in a hurry, after the apples are done cooking, I like to put them in some ice water to help them cool faster. They are much easier to handle when they're nice and cool! :) 

Applesauce

Sweet Potato-Banana Pancakes

I think I make WAY too many pancakes! Here's another recipe if you need some more variety in your pancake breakfasts! ;) My son LOVES these just as much as all the other ones I make, although I'm sure he would love them even if I made them plain! :) These ones contain two of his favorites... Sweet potatoes and bananas! I personally love the texture of these... smooth and fluffy. I think maybe its because of the sweet potatoes. I added a little extra stuff for flavor and nutrition... I think orange goes well with sweet potatoes, and I love adding Flaxseed Meal for a boost of Omega 3! Enjoy!

Ingredients:

3/4 cup Arrowhead Mills Pancake Mix

1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp milk

1 tbsp Canola Oil

1 tbsp Agave Nectar

2 tbsp Orange Juice (if you want more orange flavor, use some orange zest in addition to the juice)

1 tbsp Flaxseed Meal

1/4 cup Sweet Potato Puree

1 medium banana, sliced or pureed

Mix all ingredients together until well blended and lumps disappear. Cook on preheated (375 F-400 F) lightly oiled griddle or pan, turning when bubbles form on surface and edges begin to dry. Cook for another minute or so until done. Serve and enjoy!

*Note: I'm sure these would be delicious with some maple syrup if you're a fan! My son still likes them plain, and they're easier for him to eat that way too! :) For thicker pancakes, use less liquid; for thinner pancakes, use more liquid. 

Sweet Potato-Banana Pancakes

Good Night Our World Books

My son and I LOVE this book! We got back from a trip to the Carolinas the other day, and we found this book in a gift shop in Charleston, SC. Good Night Charleston is part of a series of books by Mark Jasper and Cooper Kelly. It has a cute little story and great illustrations of some of the places we visited while in Charleston. I didn't realize there was such a large series of them until I looked up the website on the back of the book. There are many different cities and states, as well as some different places families tend to visit such as the zoo, the beach, the lake, etc.! I am excited to add to my son's collection! As you know from my other book posts, I LOVE books that teach kids about different places or cultures, and these books definitely fit this category! You might be able to find these books in your local bookstore, in some gift shops of the cities you visit, at Amazon, or the publisher's website. I think you and your children will love them! :)

Good Night Our World Books

Oatmeal with Pumpkin and Banana

My son LOVES oatmeal! And it makes me so happy because it's so good for him too! Oats are an excellent source of thiamine, iron, and dietary fiber. I like using the rolled oats usually, but all I had in my pantry was the quick oats, which are also fine to use. You can heat the oatmeal over the stove top or in the microwave per package directions, and it's pretty quick and easy to make. I just like to add "extras" for my son, to make it more delicious! 

Ingredients:

1 cup water

1/2 cup quick cooking oatmeal

1 banana, sliced or mashed

2 tbsps pumpkin puree

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp agave nectar

Cook the oatmeal per package directions. My son was super hungry, so I did mine in the microwave. Mix 1 cup water with 1/2 cup oats, then microwave for 1.5 minutes. When it is done, mix in bananas, pumpkin, cinnamon, and agave nectar. Stir, serve and enjoy! :) Makes about 2 cups.

Oatmeal with Pumpkin and Banana