Almond Oatmeal Bars (dairy free and lower carb)

This recipe is modified from a recipe by my friend Brandy. Modified to be lower carb, higher protein, higher fiber and dairy free (I am sure it would be excellent with chocolate chips but then the kids couldn't eat it!).
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Almond Oatmeal Bars

¾ cup whole wheat pastry flour
½ cup wheat germ
¼ cup almond meal
2 ½ cups rolled oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 cup flax meal
¾ cup brown sugar
¼ cup oil
½ cup applesauce
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
2/3 cup sliced almonds

Mix the whole wheat pastry flour through to and
including the flax meal in a large mixing bowl.

Mix the sugar through the vanilla in a separate
container. Add the wet to the dry and the almonds and mix.

It'll be kind of clumpy, but put it all in a lightly greased 9X13 pan
and kind of push it down so it's even. Bake at 350
for 15 minutes. When it's cool, cut into bars.


Notes: While quite tasty these are really crumbly. Not super sweet. Next time I think I will cut out the almond meal and use a 1/2 cup oil and 1/2 cup applesauce - reducing applesauce may mean that I need to add a little more sugar too or maybe honey.

Delicious Dairy-Free Pesto

*big bunch of farmer's market fresh basil (enough to fill the bowl of the food processor without packing at all)
*4 large garlic cloves minced with...
*about a tablespoon of kosher salt
*1 can of white beans, drained and rinsed
*about 1/2 c - 3/4 c walnuts
EVOO

Blend all ingredients except EVOO together in the food processor until smooth. Stream in EVOO - about 1/2 cup while machine runs. Using pasta cooking water to thin and serve over pasta. YUM!

Notes:
Most pesto recipes call for parmesan, this was fine without.
Used walnuts because they are cheaper than pine nuts and we had them on hand. Might try with pine nuts next time.
Served over whole wheat flax fussili with a side of balsamic glazed tofu - next time process some tofu in the mix to add protein without DH complaining about eating tofu.
Made enough for 2 family sized meals plus a husband sized lunch serving. Will try freezing leftovers.

Menu Plan

Saturday
(cook beans & bake buns)
B - oatmeal & blueberries
L - black bean burritos, salad
D - pork roast, roasted potatoes, greens, applesauce

Sunday
B - pumpkin flax pancakes & sausage
L - Ham soup (split pea), salad
D - grilled salmon burgers, grilled veggies, coleslaw

Monday
D - spaghetti with white beans, salad

Tuesday
D - mahi mahi, mixed whole grains, broccoli

Wednesday
D - baked chicken and ?

Thursday
D - leftovers

Friday 4th of July
BBQ at Grandma's

Turkey Meatloaf

TURKEY MEATLOAF
1 tblsp. EVOO
sprinkle dehydrated chopped onions
~ 2/3 cup chopped celery & leaves
½ cup grated carrot
3/4 tsp. dried thyme (couldn’t find any in my cabinet)
1 tsp. dried sage
Sprinkle poultry seasoning
2 packages lean ground turkey
2 large apples grated
1/2 c. dried bread crumbs
½ c flax meal
2/3 cup crumbled whole grain crackers
2 lg. egg, lightly beaten
¼ c. chopped fresh parsley
2 tbsp. Hot & Sweet mustard
1 tsp. salt
a few grinds of freshly ground pepper

GLAZE:
2 tbsp. rice vinegar
2 tbsp. brown sugar
2 tsp. Hot & Sweet mustard

Heat oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add onions, carrot and celery and saute 3 minutes or until softened. Stir in thyme and sage and let cool slightly. Combine vegetable mixture in large bowl with turkey, flax/bread/cracker crumbs, apple, egg, parsley, salt, mustard and pepper. Mix well. Pack into a greased 8 x 8 inch baking dish. GLAZE: Combine ingredients in small bowl and brush over top of loaf. Bake at 350 degrees for 60+ minutes or until 165F+. Pour off any fat.

Wheat Germ Balls (Dairy Free)

Combine in bowl of mixer:
2 c flour
1 c toasted wheat germ
1 c shortening
3/4 c sugar
2 T flax seed meal
1/4 c water
1+ T vanilla
1/2 t salt

Beat at low speed until well combined. Roll in to 1" balls (or worms if you are 3 and balls are hard to manage). Roll in more wheat germ. Bake on cookie sheet for 12-15 minutes at 350F. Alternate: Smash down cookies with fork (like peanut butter cookies).

Adapted from More-With-Less.

Notes: I don't like to cook with shortening but I had some in the cabinet and didn't want to waste it. I figure one batch of cookies couldn't hurt so in to the mixer the nasty shortening went. These cookies are tasty. The wheat germ and flax are healthy additions without being over powering. I will try to make these again using Earth's Balance instead of the shortening. The kids really enjoyed rolling them out and rolling them in wheat germ.

Menu Planning Monday (on Friday! oops!)

Monday
Tuesday - inside out cabbage roll casserole, mashed red potatoes
Wednesday - mahi-mahi, mashed sweet potatoes, steamed carrots and cucumber & tomato salad with fresh basil and balsamic
Thursday - crockpot turkey chili, brown rice, steamed veggies - carrot, summer squash, eggplant, broccoli
Friday - leftover inside out cabbage roll casserole, mashed red potatoes
Saturday - vegetable & bean enchiladas, salad
Sunday - roasted vegetables, baked chicken, mixed whole grains

Menu Planning Monday (on Saturday!)

Sun – grilled chicken, carrot salad, a TBD whole grain
Mon – spaghetti with beef red sauce, pasta, salad
Tues – Asian chicken salad (using leftover spaghetti)
Wed – baked penne with leftover meat sauce, salad
Thurs – bean burritos, broccoli with corn & tomatoes
Fri – (leftover) penne with seafood “butter” sauce, garlicky green beans
Sat – Date night - celebrating 10 years of marriage! Kids eat at Grandma's, parents eat at the Melting Pot!