Posts by Kerry Weisser
Peach-Blueberry Cobbler
Hot summer nights are a perfect time to serve up some homemade cobbler. My favorite combinations of fruit for cobbler are peach-blueberry and strawberry-rhubarb. This week I was visiting my youngest daughter, Bekah, in Clovis and picked up a big box of fresh peaches-nothing like a peach cobbler made with fresh peaches from the Valley. We had taken the children blueberry picking a few days before so I decided to make a peach-blueberry cobbler tonight to serve at a gathering tomorrow evening. I will warm it up tomorrow and serve it with fresh vanilla ice cream. YUMMY!!!
Cobbler Ingredients
4-6 cups very ripe peaches, peeled and sliced
2 cups fresh blueberries, rinsed
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
½ cup sugar
Topping
2 cups whole grain baking mix (you can use whole wheat flour and add 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder)
1 ½ cups oats
1 Tablespoon cinnamon
½ cup brown sugar
1 cup softened butter
¼ cup plain greek yogurt
Peel and slice peaches. Mix with rinsed fresh blueberries. Add lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg and sugar and stir well. Pour into a 9×13 glass pyrex pan. In a large bowl, mix together baking mix. oats, brown sugar, cinnamon and softened butter. Stir until butter is mixed in and then add yogurt and stir until crumbly. Sprinkle on top of fruit and if desired sprinkle some cinnamon sugar on top.
Bake in a 375 degree oven for 45 minutes until bubbly and topping is golden brown. You can use 6-8 cups of peaches to make a delicious peach cobbler if you do not have blueberries.
This is the baking mix I used and it turned out so delicious!
This is my new recipe stand where I can place any cookbook I am using right in front …
Read MoreButtermilk Coffee Cake
Buttermilk Coffee Cake (with Blueberries optional)
This coffee cake is very versatile and wonderfully delicious. This recipe was my mom’s and she used to make it all the time for breakfast when we had a house full of kids over for a slumber party. You can make it a day ahead and warm in a low oven for a few minutes before serving. Today I got creative by adding blueberries and served it at a leadership brunch and the gals loved it.
Ingredients
2 ¼ cups flour (you can use gluten free flour)
½ teaspoon salt
1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
1 cup brown sugar
⅓ cup sugar
¾ cup canola oil (you can use coconut oil or almond oil or light olive oil)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 egg
1 cup buttermilk
½-¾ cup chopped walnuts
1 more teaspoon cinnamon
1-2 cups fresh blueberries (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix the flour, salt, brown sugar, white sugar, 1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon and oil together in a medium sized bowl. This mixture will be a bit lumpy and crumbly at this point. Take out ¾ cup of this mixture and set aside for topping. You can make this cake by hand using a whip and spatula or a hand mixer or mix in your kitchen-aide. Next add the baking soda and baking powder to the batter remaining in the bowl and mix thoroughly. Whip the egg and buttermilk together and add to batter. Mix carefully until all ingredients are completely combined and smooth like cake batter (add 1-2 cups of fresh blueberries and fold in carefully). Pour into a greased 9×13 pan. In a small bowl, add chopped nuts and extra 1 teaspoon cinnamon to the ¾ cups of crumbly mixture you have set aside. Sprinkle …
Read More365 Things Every New Mom Should Know-Passion Perspective Introducing Linda Danis
A few years ago, Growing Weisser started a new “tradition” called “Passion Perspective”. “Passion Perspective” is a unique way to share a glimpse into the lives of some intriguing people who are pursuing their passions. In the past, we featured guests that have a true enthusiasm for the work they are doing. Our “Passion Perspective” posts included exclusive interviews to introduce you to many of our favorite friends who are on a journey of taking their passions and turning them into small businesses. We will share insights including the steps they took, the challenges they faced, and the blessings that have come into their lives and the lives of others.
This week we are featuring Linda Danis, an expert on “All things MOM”! She is one of the most devoted moms I know. Not only is she dedicated to her own children and now grandchildren, but she loves mentoring young moms and has a passion for encouraging women in their lives and in their faith. This interview is wonderful and her book, 365 Things Every New Mom Should Know would be a perfect gift for Mother’s Day!
I know you well, Linda, but can you tell our readers a little bit about
yourself?
I love being a mom! I have been married for 33 years and have four
children who are all in their 20’s, my youngest is in college. I have also
entered the wonderful world of being a grandparent with twin 2-year-old
granddaughters and another on the way. Raising my kids has been my main job
and ministry for the past three decades which means I have worn many
different hats over the years… PTA president, Moms in Touch leader, Team
mom, Sunday school teacher, Bible study leader, and Carpool driver
extraordinaire. I wrote this book in my …
Gluten Free Oatmeal Breakfast Bites
Here is a great option for a healthy and delicious grab and go breakfast. Wonderful to have on hand for a mid-morning snack or take a platter to a mom’s gathering or bible study. There are so many ways to jazz up these yummy oatmeal bites. I made a fruit and nut variety and a chocolate chip, pecan and coconut variety.
Ingredients
3 cups gluten free rolled oats
½ teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
3 eggs
⅓ cup honey
¼ cup coconut oil melted
1 cup coconut milk (you can use almond milk as well)
1 teaspoon vanilla
Add ins-⅓ cup of any of these-chopped nuts, chocolate chips, raisins, any kind of chopped dried fruit, unsweetened coconut
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 inch square pan and line with parchment paper.
Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl.
In a separate bowl stir eggs, honey, melted coconut oil, milk and vanilla.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir until mixed together.
Add your choice of mix-ins. Stir well.
Press into greased pan and spread evenly.
Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden brown and firm in the center.
Cool and cut into bite sized pieces.
I cut my batch into 36 small pieces because i am taking them to a breakfast buffet but you can cut into 12 larger bars.
- 3 cups gluten free rolled oats
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 eggs
- ⅓ cup honey
- ¼ cup coconut oil
Stepping Out to Step Into…….
Stepping out to step in…..I am a person of wholehearted devotion, committed and firmly rooted in the faith. I desire to be gentle and pure in my thoughts and my actions. I want to be securely grounded in grace. Some call this yearning the practice of contemplative prayer, some call it hearing from God but both require slowing down and listening to God.
I read a quote recently that challenged my thinking…”no amount of natural or acquired knowledge will bring one to taste the spiritual experience of God, for this is a pure gift of grace. So I urge you: go after experience rather than knowledge. On the account of pride, knowledge may often deceive you, but this gentle, loving affection will not deceive you. Knowledge tends to breed conceit, but love builds. Knowledge is full of labor, but love, full of rest.”
To have my spirit rest in freedom from anxiety and self-doubt would be a JOY. To have God confidence in my relationships is something I have experienced and it makes me feel alive, so I desire to live in that certainty. To be able to discern where God is calling me to serve and then rest in serving an audience of one instead of worrying about living up to the expectations of man, would bring freedom to my soul.
I naturally have a lot of courage, tenacity and determination. For most of my life, I have used these God given character qualities to develop my relationship with God seeking to know Him through studying His word and gaining knowledge and wisdom. This style of growing in my faith has served me well. I am passionate about learning and driven by research, Hebrew and Greek word study, listening to commentaries and podcasts to increase my knowledge about Him.…
Read MoreHAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY BEKAH
Bekah,
Happy 30th Birthday!
Can’t believe you are 30! What is happening. Time is going so fast!
We wanted you to know how loved and special you are. These 30 years we have watched you love, learn, grow, fall down, get back up, stand up for truth and who you are, and become the amazing woman you are today and we are so very blessed that you are a part of our lives. We wish we could be with you today, but in the chaos of life we are trying to do as much as we can to send you an enormous amount of love and hugs. You are one in a million Bekah, and we hope that today especially you feel that way.
We love you Bekah! Happy 30th Birthday!!!…
Applesauce Yogurt Cake
Once again, I am baking away for something to serve at a bible study luncheon or a gathering at our home for fellowship and prayer time. This applesauce cake recipe is an adaptation of a good old standard family go-to cake that has been updated with more nutrition and more spices and a better overall consistency.
1 ½ cups white or whole wheat flour
¾ cups coconut flour
½ cup almond flour
1 ½ cups sugar (white, brown or coconut)
2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
¾ teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 3/4 cups applesauce
1 1/4 cups yogurt (see notes regarding fat percentage)
1 egg
1/3 cup coconut oil
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat the oven to 325ºF. Grease a 12-cup Bundt pan.
2. In large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, mix applesauce, yogurt, egg, oil and vanilla. Add to dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
4. Pour into prepared pan.
5. Bake for 60-65 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
6. Cool 30-45 minutes or longer before turning it out onto a cooling rack. Before turning it out, you might want to run a paring knife around the center circle to loosen it a bit.
What is your favorite easy to make snack cake recipe?
- 1 ½ cups white or whole wheat
High Protein Chewy Nut Butter Granola Bar
We love to eat healthy in our family and we are always looking for ways to sneak healthy ingredients into our snacks. We also sometimes need to have some easy on-the-go ideas to grab and go that everyone loves…but healthy ready to go snacks can be pricey. And like our family you might also be tired of paying high prices for protein bars that your kids won’t eat. So for those of you who are looking for options we have a recipe for you to try! This is easy and healthy and delicious!!!!!
Ingredients
2 cups oats
½ cup coconut
½ cup natural peanut butter (almond butter, cashew butter or sesame seed butter)
¼ cup honey
2 Tablespoons chia seeds
1 teaspoon vanilla
⅓ cup unsweetened applesauce
1 Tablespoon Cacao Bliss (or any brand organic Cacao powder)
2 Tablespoons whey protein powder
¼ cup mini chocolate chips
You can use quick oats or whole rolled oats. If you want to use the whole rolled oats you might want to blend just a bit in the vitamix or blender. Combine oats with remaining ingredients and mix until all ingredients are blended together evenly. If your mixture seems a bit too gooey you can add a bit more oats. Press into a lightly greased 9 inch square pan and refrigerate for an hour. Cut into bars or squares and serve. If you have any leftover….you can individually wrap them and refrigerate until ready to eat.
Our Picky Ricky Review on this recipe is missing because Picky Ricky claims to be allergic to peanut butter….HAHAHAHA! Next time I will make these granola bars with ALMOND BUTTER and I will get him to try them and will update this recipe with his review. POOR Picky Ricky!!!!
Celebrations-How we Celebrate our Grandkids 6th Birthdays!!!
In our family, we love to celebrate! Our family is spread out all over the state of California so we have had to get creative with HOW we celebrate as a family. Webster’s definition of the word celebrate is “to observe or commemorate an event or an accomplishment with festivities and ceremonies”. Celebrations are a way of establishing family traditions as you honor a person or event. We fully embrace the truth that children spell LOVE…T..I..M..E!!!! Spending time together builds up the person being celebrated and allows everyone attending the celebration to acknowledge their feelings of love and commitment. We also see value in establishing traditions because belonging (to a family) is a way to build security and confidence as children grow and mature and affirms our love for our daughters and son-in-laws.
One of our favorite family traditions is that when our grandkids turn 6 years old they get a whole day at Disneyland with Gammie and Poppa ALL BY THEMSELVES!
This weekend we celebrated Hanna and Calvin and they each had a full day of fun at Disneyland with Gammie and Poppa!! Each of them structured their day in a way unique to their personality. They get to choose all the activities for the day. Hanna wanted to pick out her gift-a pair of Minnie ears and then go on “all the rides” we could fit into the day! Calvin wanted to get a lay of the land by riding the Disney train around the park a few times before he was ready to tackle the rides.
Both children have a passion for food so we tasted many yummy delights-especially wonderful ice cream treats! Hanna had endless energy and wanted to play tag every moment we were not surrounded with crowds of people. She literally talked the entire …
High Protein Apple Muffins with a SURPRISE
So before I give you a new family favorite muffin recipe…….I have a surprise……..Since Poppa Rick has been thinking about some new ideas for how he is going to ease into retirement…he came up with one job that he DEFINITELY wants to pursue!!!! So with the full endorsement of all the Growing Weisser gals, I have officially hired him as our official Growing Weisser food critic. His “Food Critic Corner” review with a one to five star rating system will officially be called; “Picky Ricky’s Recipe Review”. So stay tuned for his star review and other tidbits of info coming your way from “Picky Ricky”!!! His first review will be included at the end of this blog post.
Now that you are privy to the surprise…here is a fun recipe to pack a protein powerful punch early in the day. Our adult kids and grandkids LOVE muffins so we are always looking for ways to pack our homemade muffins with more protein, more fiber and less processed sugar. In this recipe we tried using more natural sugar and a high protein flour mixture to make a delicious and more nutritious apple muffin. Kodiak Cakes mix is made with 100% whole grain wheat flour and 100% whole grain oat flour and has a protein blend added that boasts 14 grams of protein in a single serving of pancakes, waffles or muffins.
Each muffin has about 135 calories and 6 grams of protein. The only thing that would make these muffins better is if you sprinkled some homemade granola on top before baking.
You can use another brand of high protein pancake or waffle mix if you prefer. You can also substitute (homemade) apple butter for the unsweetened apple sauce and then just skip the maple syrup, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and nutmeg. …
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