Quinoa Chicken Nuggets

These are hands down the best nuggets we have tried. 

We have altered this recipe and added all sorts of spices and each time they are amazing. 

We also make large batches, place in freezer before cooking on cookie sheet To freeze and then throw into a ziplock bag. Perfect go to.

Quinoa nuggets

1/2 cup quinoa

1 cup water

1 cup cooked shredded chicken

1/4 cup ketchup or BBQ sauce ( we used my recipe)

1/4 cup onion diced

1/2 cup cheddar or mozzarella shredded

1 cup breadcrumbs ( panko worked best but I used gluten free as well)

Salt and pepper

Place the quinoa in the water and simmer until all liquid has been absorbed. It will take about 15 minutes. Let cool

Mix all ingredients. Make sure you add enough breadcrumbs to keep shape. 

We pressed each nugget into a flower cookie cutter that was around 2 inches and a small Mickey head. 

You can fry these in a pan or bake at 350 until browned about 10 minutes. 

They are amazing!

Broccoli puffs!

Last time we visited Vanessa, she made the most outrageous broccoli bites. 

Luckily she's awesome and gave me the recipe! 

I altered it a little for gluten issues, but they are amazing.

"Broccoli puffs"

Ingredients: 

2 cups steamed broccoli chopped

1 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese

3 eggs

Salt and pepper

1 cup breadcrumbs ( I used gluten free)

Mix all together and then make small balls. 

Place in baking sheet

Bake at 375 for 25 minutes. Flip the bites between baking. 

Let cool and enjoy! We make these twice a week!

The boys favorite granola bars!

I was really excited that everyone loved these bars as much as us!

The boys love these and although I only give it to them as a snack, I wrap each individually and keep in a ziplock for when they want. 

"Granola sticks" ( as the boys call it)

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup honey

1/3 cup brown sugar ( we make our own)

2 cups organic oats ( quick comes out great for the kids, I love the old fashioned for me)

1 cup Barbara's brown rice cereal ( or rice crispy but look for a brand without bht or tbhq)

1/2 tsp vanilla

2 tablespoons mini chips 

In a large bowl, mix the oats and the cereal together. 

Melt the butter brown sugar and the honey over medium high heat until it bubbles.

Make sure it bubbles all over, not just a little.

Reduce the heat and let it summer about 2 minutes.

Add the vanilla and stir

Mix into the dry ingredients and pour into a greased pan. The size of your pan depends on the thickness, we use a jelly roll pan.

Pack it down, like really smash it together! Mine are always around 3/4 inch thick. 

Sprinkle with mini chips and press them down. 

Let cool for about three hours, 

Then you can slice! 

Enjoy!

My homemade ketchup!

Sorry it's taken so long to post, but here is the recipe for the ketchup!

"Mommys candy ketchup"

6 oz can organic tomato paste

1/4 cup honey

1/2 cup white vinegar

1/4 cup water

1 tsp brown sugar

3/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp onion powder

1/4 tsp garlic powder

Place all ingredients in a saucepan and stir until smooth.

Continue to stir until it comes to a boil and then simmer for about 25 minutes. Continue stirring often so it doesn't clump.

If using raw honey add at the end not to kill the proteins. 

Enjoy!

Chickpea nuggets! They were such a hit!

The kids all seemed to love these! 

We served them with ranch and they ate them up!

No chicken Chickpea Nuggets

1 can of chickpeas drained

1 medium onion puréed 

1 large egg

1 cup flour ( I used oat flour)

Pinch of salt

1/2 tsp dil

1/2 tsp garlic powder

Coating: 

1 egg

Breadcrumbs of choice ( I've used panko and they liked them the best)

Put the chickpeas into a food processor. Pulse until smooth.

Add the seasonings and one egg. 

Slowly pulse adding oat flour.

Preheat oven to 350

Once it makes a paste like dough you can start to make your nuggets.

Mix one egg and some seasoning.

Shape the nuggets into 1 1/2 inch rounds and dip in the egg, then in the breadcrumbs

Put some olive oil on the bottom of your pan 

Once all are coated, cover your tray with tin foil and bake 15 minutes

Take the foil off, flip and bake about another ten minutes. 

Enjoy!

Let's make lunch fun!

I've been pretty busy and decided that I would surprise the kids with some fun lunch requests. 

There are too many to post so I let Dean pick his favorite!

Sweet potato cakes!

Now that Dylan no longer has any allergies to carrots, I decided to start trying to whip up some delicious lunch cakes. 

This was deliciously perfect. I made these and wanted to eat them all for myself!

Delicious Sweetpotato cakes

1 cup shredded sweet potato

1 cup carrots shredded

4 tsp oat flour ( you can use whole wheat)

4 eggs

Cinnamon

1/4 tsp honey

Mix your eggs together and then add all ingredients .

Heat your pan and add a little butter or coconut oil  

Scoop 1/4 cup each cake and cook until golden. Then flip and repeat. 

You can dip in honey, maple syrup etc. 

enjoy!

Dylan loves his lunch cakes!

It seems like the pancakes have been a big hit during our group meets so I figured I would post them to make sure you all had them!

There are a few versions but all basically the same. He loves them all!

Yummy lunch cakes

Sweet potato version

 1 sweet potato cooked and mashed

1 banana

2 eggs

3 tsp cinnamon

1 tbsp Greek yogurt

1/2 cup old fashioned oatmeal

Place all in the blender and purée. 

Make sure griddle is warm enough for it not to stick, medium low heat

Melt a little butter and then put about two tablespoons per pancake

Make sure you don't flip them until the bottom is nice and dry and the spatula can slide under!

If you are interested in a baby cereal pancake ( because I had bought and had tons leftover) I have a great one!