Homemade LT Recipes!

We are kicking off 2022 and we thought it would be a good time to share some of our delicious homemade recipes that our children and teachers get to enjoy daily! One of our Core Values is ‘Serving a Fresh, Organic Menu’ and we would love to share some of the reciepes with you!

Oatmeal Craisin Bars

Ingredients: 

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (Plus more for the pan)
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup blue agave
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup whole wheat flour, leveled
• 2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup craisins

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
2. Butter an 8 inch square baking dish and line the bottom with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two side; butter paper.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together butter, sugars and egg until smooth.
4. Add flour, oats and craisins; fold in until combined.
5. Spread batter in buttered pan and bake until a inserted toothpick comes out with moist crumbs attached; 25-30 minutes.
6. Cool completely in pan
7. Using paper overhang, lift onto a work surface
8. Cut into 16 bars

Banana Cake!

Not only is this the most moist and delicious, the same batter can be used to make banana bread or muffins. You can change the fruit – fresh peaches, apples or pears can be used in place of banana. 

Ingredients: 

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup oil
• 4 ripe bananas
• 1/4 cup water

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. In a large bowl, beat sugar and oil together, then add in the bananas and mash them.
3. Stir in water and mix thoroughly
4. Add the flour and baking soda and mix well
5. Spread batter in a nonstick or light sprayed 9 inch baking pan and bake for 40-50 minutes

If making cupcakes, cooking time may be closer to 35 minutes!

Ranch Chicken & Couscous

Ingredients: 

• 1 1/4 cup whole wheat pearled couscous, cooked according to package directions.
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked
• 1 bag frozen peas
• 1/2 cup homemade ranch dressing

Directions: 

1. Bring peas to a boil in a large pot
2. Once cooked, drain water and add remaining ingredients listed above and serve.

Homemade Ranch Dressing

Ingredients: 

• 1 1/2 tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 1/2 tbsp greek yogurt
• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
• 1 tbsp dried parsley
• 1 tbsp taco seasoning
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp black pepper

Directions: 

1. Blend all indgredients well and serve chilled

Cream of Broccoli Soup

Ingredients: 

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 8 cups broccoli florets
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• Ground black pepper to taste

Directions: 

1. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in medium sized stock pot
2. Saute onion and celery until tender
3. Add broccoli and broth, cover and simmer for 10 minutes
4. Pour the soup into a blender, filling the pitcher no more than halfway full.
5. Hold down the lid of the blender with a kitchen towel and carefully start the blender.
6. Using a few quick pulses to get the soup moving before leaving it to puree
7. Puree in batches until smooth and pour into a clean pot.
   1. Alternately, you can use a stick blender to and puree the soup right in the cooking pot.
8. In a small saucepan, over medium-heat melt 3 tablespoons of butter
9. Stir in flour and add milk
10. Stir until thick and bubbly and add to the soup
11. Season with pepper and serve

These are just a few our favorite recipes that we wanted to share with you! Be sure to check out our monthly newsletters where we share a new recipe every month!!