Easy Snack Bars

This is a quick and easy sweet treat. I used semi-sweet chocolate chips because that's what was in the pantry but Ransome said he wants white chips next time. Peanut butter chips might be equally tasty also. These are a great after swimming snack. The kiddos have been swimming like little fish in Beaty's Creek this week and will come home absolutely famished. Do you remember that? Swimming all day and coming home so hungry even an apple looked good. Try this recipe and you are sure to win points with your kiddos! This is What's Cookin on Beaty's Creek today.

Needed:

2 cups graham cracker crumbs
2 cups flaked coconut
1/4 cup margarine, melted
1 can sweetened condensed milk
3 cups chocolate chips



In a medium bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, coconut, sweetened condensed milk, and butter. Mix until smooth. Press into a greased 8x8 pan.
Bake for 10 minutes in a 325' oven. As soon as you take it out of the oven add your chocolate chips. When they melt swirl them around. Cool, if you can let them and enjoy!

Blueberry Bars

Well it is blueberry picking time on Beaty's Creek again and I am more than willing to pick a few gallons. What is better in a smoothie than frozen blueberries?? This recipe is one of our favorites and I am sure you will like it too. I have been using the I Can't Believe It's Not Butter brand of butter and I am surprised it isn't! It tastes good and it is great to bake with also. This is What's Cookin on Beaty's Creek today!

Needed:

1 cup sugar
1 t baking powder
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup butter or I Can't Believe It's Not Butter
1 egg
1 t salt
1 t vanilla

4 1/2 cups blueberries
1 cup sugar
2 t cornstarch

Mix flour, 1 cup sugar, salt, and baking powder together. Now cut in the butter until crumbly looking. Add in the egg and mix well. Press 3/4 of the crust into the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Now mix blueberries, sugar, and cornstarch together then pour over the bottom crust. Sprinkle the remaining crust on top of blueberries and bake at 350' fro 45 minutes.

Cornbread Salad

When I first heard about this I thought what in the world? How could that be good??? But boy was I wrong! This is one of our favorites. Pretty easy to do and even easier if you have left over cornbread. You can use a sweet cornbread recipe or a plain ole cornbread recipe. Which ever you choose the salad will be great! This is What's Cookin on Beaty's Creek today.

Needed:
1 pan of cornbread-cut into bite size pieces
2 cans pinto beans-drained and rinsed
2 tomatoes-diced
2 cups of shredded cheese
4 cups of leaf lettuce-shredded
2 cans of corn-drained
1 bottle of ranch dressing
1 cup salsa

Layer in a large punch bowl, yes that is what I use, in this order,
cornbread
pinto beans
tomatoes
lettuce
corn
and cheese.

I make mine in the morning and then right before serving I toss the salad. I let people add their own dressing.

To make the dressing, take your favorite ranch bottled dressing and your favorite bottled salsa and mix. Easy peasy. :)

Corn on the Cob

Okay, now you think I have lost my ever loving mind don't you?? I mean how hard is it to boil corn on the cob? Not hard but there is a secret. Want to know what it is? Read the "recipe" and you will have the secret to good corn on the cob, no matter if it is fresh from the plant or a few days old from the store. This is What's Cookin on Beaty's Creek today!

Needed:

10 ears of corn on the cob-cleaned
1 pot of boiling water
1 cup white sugar

When you fill your pot with water add your sugar. Now heat your water to boiling, now add in your corn. I boil mine for 20-30 minutes but that is up to you. You may wonder what sugar does for the corn, well I will tell you. It brings the natural sugar out in the corn. See the sugar goes to starch when corn is picked. It happens pretty fast too. I just always add sugar to my corn water. Once corn has boiled, pour off water and eat with loads of butter, salt, and pepper! Summer is almost here!!

Corned Beef Sandwich

When Corned Beef was plentiful in grocery stores I bought a few extra and stuck them in the freezer for sandwiches and such. You cannot beat a good corned beef sandwich. Ransome, our little avid skateboarder, fell off a log near our creek and broke his arm last weekend. He had to have surgery and is at home wishing he could skateboard, maybe this sandwich will help. These are a favorite of ours and they come in handy when you need a quick meal. This is What's Cookin on Beaty's Creek today.

Needed:
2 slices of Jewish rye-toasted
Mustard
2 slices Swiss cheese
3 slices corned beef
1/4 cup sauerkraut

Toast bread, once toasted spread with mustard and lay cheese on each slice of bread. Now top with corned beef and sauerkraut. Cut in half and enjoy!

Vegan Sour Cream Dip

I know this sounds like a oxymoron but it is not. I love sour cream and when it comes to eating healthy, sour cream does not fit into the equation. I make this up at least once a week and just love it on baked potatoes or with chips and veggies. My Healthy Living Class is learning all about tofu and this recipe was a big hit! This is What's Cookin on Beaty's Creek today.

Needed:

1 block extra firm tofu
1/3 cup canola oil
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 packet southwestern ranch dry dip

Mix all of the ingredients in a blender or food processor until creamy. This usually happens in about 3 minutes. Place covered in the fridge. I promise if you try this that you will love it!


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Fried Rice

As I've said many times, here on Beaty's Creek there are few take out places and NO Chinese take out places at all! I have to make my own when we get the craving for some Chinese food. I have always loved fried rice and this is my way of having it at home! This is What's Cookin on Beaty's Creek today.

Needed:
2 pounds of white rice-steamed
1 bunch of green onions-chopped
2 carrots-peeled and sliced 1/8 inch thick
1 cup frozen peas
2 eggs-beaten
Oil of your choice-I use canola
6 T soy sauce
1 T sea salt
1 T black pepper
Meat of your choice or firm tofu cut into 1/2 inch pieces


I think the trick to really good homemade fried rice is steaming your rice the day before you are going to use it. The next trick is to have a really hot wok. I use an electric stove so I cook on high when I use my wok.

Heat wok with about 3 T of oil in it. When heated add your meat of choice (thinly sliced) and cook until almost done. Remove from wok and add in veggies, soy, salt and pepper. Cook until fork tender, remove from wok. Now add beaten eggs and cook until done. I stir mine around up the sides of the wok and then scrap them off, remove from wok. Add about 3 T oil and add your rice back with your meat choice. Stir constantly for about 4 minutes, now add in your veggies and eggs with a little more soy sauce. Serve hot with additional soy if you like.