Our favorite peanut butter balls

Originally posted April 2014

http://themessybakerblog.com/2014/01/16/peanut-butter-oat-balls

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats

1/2 cup flax seed meal

1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

1 cup creamy peanut butter

1/4 cup honey

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

Add oats, flax seed meal, and mini chocolate chips to a large bowl. Stir to combine.

Add peanut butter, honey, and vanilla extract. Using a wooden soon or rubber spatula, stir until thoroughly combined. The mixture will be very thick.

Shape the mixture into tablespoon-sized balls. Transfer the balls to an airtight container, separating each layer with wax paper. Store in the refrigerator until ready to eat.

I recommend this recipe, it's easy and my son loves it. I only use 1 cup of oats instead of 1.5 cups, and I use an entire jar of Smucker's Natural peanut butter as well as 1/2 cup of honey (instead of 1/4 cup). I like the Smucker's Natural because the oil softens up the oats a little, which helps bind them so they're not so dry.

A horrible face was the reaction when I showed my preschooler the "cookie" I made with peanut butter and chocolate chips. Normally, she loves both these ingredients but apparently they must be kept separate.

"They're not cookies. Cookies are flat and crumbly."
Do you want some sprinkles?
"No! That'll make it worse!"

Sigh.

Delicious food my #1 won't eat

In honor of my daughter's picky eating, I'll be occasionally posting recipes of food I make that we think she MAY be willing to try but either won't or doesn't like it. And in the end, she cries about it. Here's today's attempt. 

Michele's Creamy Spicy Mac 'N Cheese 

Takes about an hour, including prep. Serves 4-6. (Anything can be swapped for less fattening versions, and seasoning can be changed for other seasonings or omitted. For example, 2c low fat milk and soy sauce instead of whole milk/cream or Worcestershire sauce.)

2c pasta (elbows or lumachine)

1c whole milk 

1c heavy cream

4tbsp butter + a bit to rub on casserole dish

1/4c flour

4 shakes Worcestershire sauce (1/4tsp)

4 shakes mustard powder (1/4tsp)

10 shakes of salt (1/2 tsp)

4 turns of pepper (1/4tsp)

8oz white sharp cheddar (save 1/2 to 3/4 cup for topping)

Garlic clove, cut in half

Couple of shakes Cayenne & Paprika  (1/4tsp each)

Bread crumbs (1/2 c)

Rub garlic on inside of casserole dish

Rub butter on inside of casserole dish

Cook pasta. 

In large pot, about 3-4 qts:

Melt butter

Add flour, salt, pepper, mustard stir with whisk

Add Worcestershire. Whisk until smooth and bubbly. 

Add milk & cream. Whisk constantly until boil. Boil 1 minute. 

Add all cheese except 1/2c reserved for topping. Stir until melted. 

Add pasta to pot. Mix cheese into macaroni.

Put mixture in casserole dish. 

Mix remaining cheese with paprika, bread crumbs, and cayenne. Toss with hands until cheese is coated with seasonings.  Put evenly on top of mixture in casserole dish. 

Cook 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Uncovered.