March Break Grub

If you’ve got a house full of kids this March Break, chances are you’re going to hear ‘I’m hungry’ too many times to count.

The following recipes are simple to prepare, use pantry staple items, and will be sure to hit the hunger spot! From my kitchen to yours; Happy March Break cooking (and eating!!)!

Loaded Breakfast Cookies

Breakfast on the fly or a post workout bite never tasted so sweet!

Vanilla Date Paste

• 2 cups (500 mL) pitted medjool dates + ⅓ cup (75 mL) water
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) pure vanilla extract

Directions

1. Place dates and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook while stirring for about 5 to 8 minutes until paste consistency. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and set aside.

Cookie Dough

• ½ cup (125 mL) each of softened butter and natural peanut butter
• ½ cup (125 mL) brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup (250 mL) all-purpose flour (an all-purpose gluten free flour can be substituted)
• 1 ½ cups (375 mL) large flake rolled oats
• 1 tsp (5 mL) baking soda
• 1 tsp (5 mL) salt
• ½ cup (125mL) chocolate chips (I prefer 70% dark chocolate)
• 1 cup (250 mL) roughly chopped almonds
• ½ cup (125 mL) pumpkin seeds
• ½ cup (125 mL) toasted coconut flakes (*I like large flake)
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) each of ground flaxseeds and chia seeds
• 2 tsp (10 mL) cinnamon
• 1 tsp (5 mL) ground ginger
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) sesame seeds (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F (180 C).
2. Beat together date paste, butter, peanut butter, sugar and eggs.
3. Stir in dry ingredients (except for sesame seeds) until well combined.
4. Roll into 24 even size balls. Dip the top of each ball in sesame seeds (if using). Place on a baking sheet (sesame seed side up) lined with parchment paper. Press each ball down slightly with a fork – so they’re about 2.5 inches in diameter.
5. Bake for 15 minutes (you may need to bake in batches). Remove from the oven and let cool on baking sheet.
6. Store in an airtight container for up to one week. Or freeze in an airtight container for up to three months.

Makes 24 cookies.

Delicious & Doable Tip:

~ these ‘cookies’ are not overly sweet – you are welcome to add another half cup (125 mL) brown sugar to dough for a sweeter cookie.

Blend & Extend Cheeseburger Pizza

~ click here for recipe

This pizza was a bi-weekly go-to in our home when my boys were teens. No doubt your gang will gobble it up too! For more tasty recipes using Canadian mushrooms, click here.

Black Bean Brownies with Citrus Almond Cream Cheese Frosting

~ click here for recipe