Ingredients:
2 c. brown sugar, packed
1 c. oil
3 eggs (3 T. Dehydrated Eggs + 1/3 c. water…if you want a really fun trick use your left over carrot or raisin water to add to the egg powder.)
2 c. carrots, finely grated (1c. dehydrated carrots. Pulse in blender before re-hydrating to make them smaller pieces. They take 20 minutes in cold water to rehydrate so if you need them sooner, simply put them in warmer water.)
1 c. crushed pineapple, drained (If you have orange juice you’ll be serving, drain the pineapple juice into your orange juice for a fun topical blend orange juice.)
3 c. whole wheat flour
1 t. salt
1 T. soda
1 t. cinnamon
2 t. vanilla
1 c. raisins
1 c. walnuts, broken

Method:

Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour 2 bread pans, 1 Bundt pan, or 2 muffin pans (12 each) with vegetable cooking spray. Beat together brown sugar, oil and eggs (no need to reconstitute eggs before adding to this mix). Stir in carrots and pineapple. Blend together dry ingredients; stir into batter thoroughly. Add vanilla, raisins, and nuts. Pour into prepared pan. Bake bread pans for 40-45 minutes, muffins for 20 minutes, and Bundt pan 1 hour or until done.
Makes 1 Bundt pan, 2 bread pans, or 24 muffins.

Adding the nuts on top of the muffins not only gives it a great look and flavor (it lightly toasts the nuts) but it is also a great way to serve nut lovers and non-nut lovers alike since it becomes obvious which have nuts and which don’t.

© 2010, Crystal. All rights reserved.

For more tips and tricks for using food storage in your everyday recipes, please visit www.everydayfoodstorage.NET

© 2008 – 2010, Crystal. All rights reserved.

© 2008 – 2010, Crystal. All rights reserved.

© 2008 – 2010, Crystal. All rights reserved.

Carrot Raisin Salad-serves 5
2 1/2 C. shredded carrots (you could also re-hydrate 3/4 C. dehydrated carrots from the cannery)
1/2 C. raisins
1/2 C. Mayonnaise
1 t. lemon Juice
2 T. sugar
1 can Crushed pineapple, drained-optional (you can save the juice and soak your raisins in it for a half hour for more flavor)

Mix all ingredients together and store covered in refrigerator. For an added flare, serve on a bed of lettuce greens.

See what I mean? EASY!!

For more tips and tricks for using food storage in your everyday recipes, please visit www.everydayfoodstorage.NET

© 2008 – 2010, Crystal. All rights reserved.

1) Prepare your favorite carrot cake recipe (don’t worry I’ve got one for you at the end of the post) and bake it in two bread pans. After it has baked and cooled cut three triangle wedges out of the top…like the shape of a carrot. Prepare your favorite cream cheese frosting (you know it…I’ve got one for you at the end of the post, if you need it) Take 1/2 C. of the frosting and tint orange with food coloring. Fill in the wedges on the tops of the cake.

2) Frost the tops of the cakes with cream cheese frosting as needed. Be careful when frosting not to spread the orange frosting that will be underneath. The easiest way to do this is to put large dollups of frosting on top of the cake and gently frost until covered.

3. Take 1/4 C. frosting and tint green with food coloring. Place in plastic bag. Cut a small tip off of one corner to frost. Use plastic bag to make squiggly line on top of where you cut out your carrots.

Do you see the carrots beginning to appear?

4) Frost remaining area of cake with remainder of cream cheese frosting. You can coat one with walnuts on the sides…you know how I like for people to know which one has nuts.

5) Cut cake into bread-like slices. Isn’t that adorable?! There are frosting carrots in the cake! I made this for my brother’s birthday who loves carrot cake. It was a HUGE hit!

6) Of course…watch as everyone gobbles it up!

Carrot Cake:

2 C. Sugar
1 1/2 C. Vegetable Oil (or applesauce)
4 Eggs (1/2 C. dehydrated eggs + 1 C. Water) beat before adding to batter

In separate bowl combine and add to above:
2 C. Flour (I did half all purpose and half whole wheat because it was a new recipe. I wanted to make sure it would taste good first. Remember, if you’re trying something new and are unsure doing half all purpose and half whole wheat always has great results!)
2 t. Baking Soda
1/4 t. Salt
2 t. Cinnamon

Fold in:
2-4 Cups finely grated carrots (if you don’t have carrots from your garden, dehydrated carrots from the cannery work great. Just make sure you pulse them a couple of times in the blender before you rehydrate to make them into smaller pieces)
3/4 C. broken nuts (optional)

Bake at 350 for 40-50 minutes, till it pulls away from sides of pan.

BEST EVER Cream Cheese Frosting (I’m not kidding!!)

1/2 C. (1 stick) Unsalted Butter, softened
4 oz. Cream Cheese, softened
2 C. Powdered Sugar (confectioners’ sugar)
1 t. Vanilla Extract

For more tips and tricks for using food storage in your everyday recipes, please visit www.everydayfoodstorage.NET

© 2008 – 2010, Crystal. All rights reserved.

© 2008 – 2010, Crystal. All rights reserved.

Grilled chicken pesto alfredo served with summer squash vegetable melody, and balsamic sunshine salad.

Tastes just like Outback steak with sauteed onions, cheesy grilled red potatoes, corn succotash, and tropical sunrise fruit salad.

Strawberry Lime Riviera bars. Cold, Creamy, and DELICIOUS!!!

Make your own menu….

Main Dishes

Cheddarwurst-This delicious upgrade from hot dogs are easy to make and very delicious! I know Sarah Lee is running a special at grocery stores where you can buy 2 Hilshire farm packages of sausage you get a bag of buns free up to $3.19. A great deal! Top with mustard, sauteed onions (see below under toppings), and chopped banana peppers. (Remember it is great to practice grilling with an alternate source of heat!)

Grilled Chicken Pesto Alfredo- This meal is easier and CHEAPER then you’d ever imagine! First grill up some chicken (personally I use thighs because they have more flavor and are much cheaper). While your chicken is grilling make your parmesan white sauce (a.k.a alfredo sauce) out of your MAGIC MIX!!

Magic Mix White Sauce-makes 1 C.
2/3 C. Magic Mix
1 C. Water

In saucepan combine Magic Mix and water. Stir rapidly (I use a wire wisk) over medium heat until it starts to bubble. (Use Magic Mix White Sauce for all recipes calling for a white or cream sauce.) Click here to learn more about magic mix.

Add 1 cup of parmesan cheese per one cup of white sauce and a dash of salt and pepper. You can stop here and have alfredo sauce or add in 1/4-1/2 C. pesto to make a creamy pesto sauce. Personally I buy my pesto at Costco and divide the large bottle into small ziploc bags and freeze.

Serve over hot noodles.

Tastes just like Outback Steak- YUMMY!!! This rub makes the BEST steaks. You’ll never want to spend the money eating out again! Hopefully by now you’ve seen how food storage can save you money and you have a little extra to splurge for Sunday. Make sure and check the meat specials for meat that is marked down. It’s a great option since you’ll be grilling it ASAP! Top with satueed onions (See under toppings)

4 steaks
8 teaspoons salt
4 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon coriander (I’ve made with out and it tastes fine)
1/2 teaspoon turmeric (I’ve made with out and it tastes fine)

Directions
1. Mix together seasoning ingredients and rub into each side of steak.
2. Grill steaks on a large frying pan over medium-high heat; press down on steak with spatula or tongs to sear the edges.

Side Dishes

Corn Succotash- Mix one can of corn with 1/2 C. hydrated carrots and bell pepper mix. Toss with olive oil. Wrap in aluminum foil and grill on the bbq for 10 minutes or until warmed through. DELICIOUS! and no mess to wash.

Grilled Cheesy Red Potatoes- Slice potatoes (does not have to be red) toss with olive oil. Wrap in aluminum foil and grill on the bbq for 20 minutes, flipping after 10 minutes, until done. Top with cheese, sour cream, and chives or green onions

Summer Squash Vegetable Melody- 1/2 head of cabbage sliced, 2 zucchini, 1 yellow squash, 1/2 C. hydrated carrots. Toss with olive oil. Wrap in aluminum foil and grill on the bbq for 15 minutes, flipping after 7 minutes.

Tropical Sunshine Fruit Salad- 2 cans mandarin oranges, 1 can chunked pineapple, 2 C. sliced strawberries, 1/2 C. coconut (optional), 1/4 C. chopped walnuts (optional), lemon yogurt. Toss and serve immediately.

Balsamic Summer Salad- Chopped lettuce, 1 can mandarin oranges, sliced red onion (remember red onion goes a long way), 3/4 C. craisins, and sprinkle with feta cheese or Parmesan. Toss with balsamic vinaigrette and serve immediately.

Fruit Cocktail- *sigh* and the easiest of them all Canned fruit cocktail topped with a little cool whip. (to make your own whipped topping, click HERE)

Toppings
Sauteed Onions-
1. Re-hydrate your onions in water that equals double the amount of onions you are using. Remember that 1/4 dehydrated onions will equal one cup chopped onion once hydrated.
2. After letting your onions sit in water for about 10 minutes, drain off any excess water.
3. Wrap in aluminum foil with a little butter and put on your grill for 5-7 minutes.
4. VOILA! Sauteed onions with no mess, no chopping, and in no time…thanks to food storage!

Desserts
Strawberry Lime Riviera bars-These are cheaper than ice cream, taste better, and are made from food storage. How can you lose?

1-1/4 cups crushed pretzels
6 Tbsp. butter or margarine, melted
1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk (click HERE for instructions on making your own)
1 cup pureed strawberries
1/2 cup lime juice
1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Strawberry Whipped Topping or COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed

MIX pretzel crumbs and butter in 13×9-inch pan; press firmly onto bottom of pan. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Add strawberries, sweetened condensed milk, and lime juice; mix well. Gently stir in whipped topping; pour evenly over crust.

FREEZE at least 6 hours. Remove from freezer 15 min. before serving. Let stand at room temperature to soften slightly before cutting to serve. Store leftovers in freezer.

For more dessert ideas, click HERE .

And have a GREAT Father’s day!!

For more tips and tricks for using food storage in your everyday recipes, please visit www.everydayfoodstorage.NET

© 2008 – 2010, Crystal. All rights reserved.

Crepes are my ALL TIME favorite breakfast, so you can imagine how happy I was to realize how PERFECT it is for food storage using eggs, milk, sugar, flour (yes, 1/2 whole wheat flour works in the recipe!), and salt all from your food storage! Not to mention that you blend it all in the blender so there is no mess! Personally, this is what I’m putting my order in for on Sunday. We just put whipped cream cheese and fresh strawberries with sugar in the middle, roll it up and dust with powdered sugar. DELICIOUS!!!

Basic Crepes
4 Eggs (1/4 C. Dehydrated Eggs + 1/2 C. Water)
1 C. Flour (1/2 C. Whole Wheat Flour + 1/2 C. All Purpose Flour)
1 C. Milk (3 T. Powdered Milk + 1 C. Water)
2 T. Butter, Melted
2 t. Sugar
1/2 t. Salt

Measure all ingredient into blender (you don’t need to re-constitute your eggs or milk just throw the powder and milk in and let the blender do the work!). Pour scant 1/4 C. batter onto lightly greased 8″ pan. (You’ll know your pan is hot enough when you throw water on the pan and it “dances” around the pan.) Tilt pan to coat bottom evenly with batter. (Basically, move the pan around until the batter is a circle and fills the pan) Cook over medium heat until brown and turn to brown second side.

Yields: 4 Servings

Mother’s Day Brunch Idea # 5: Whole Wheat Carrot Cake Muffins

I got a question about using dehydrated carrots from the cannery so I knew just what to make! These carrot cake muffins/bread are delicious, easy, and pretty nutritious for a muffin. You get to sneak in a vegetable and some wheat plus there are raisins and pineapple in it. YUM!! If you think your family, won’t like this have your kids help make it. Kids love to try what ever they make and they won’t know that you’re putting in whole wheat flour.

Whole Wheat Carrot Cake Muffins

2 C. Brown Sugar, Packed
1 C. Oil
3 Eggs (3 T. Dehydrated Eggs + 1/3 C. Water…if you want a really fun trick use your left over carrot or rasin water to add to the egg powder)

2 C. Carrots, Finely Grated (1 C. Dehydrated Carrots. Pulse in blender before re-hydrating to make them smaller pieces. They take 20 minutes in cold water to rehydrate so if you need them sooner, simply put them in warmer water.)

1 C. Crushed Pineapple, Drained (If you have orange juice you’ll be serving, then drain the pineapple juice into your orange juice for a fun tropical blend orange juice!)

3 C. Whole Wheat Flour
1 t. Salt
1T. Soda
1 t. Cinnamon
2 t. Vanilla
1 C. Raisins (I soak mine like I did with the oatmeal raisin cookies)
1 C. Walnuts, Broken

Grease and flour 2 bread pans, 1 bundt pan, or 2 muffin pans (12 each) with vegetable cooking spray. Beat together brown sugar, oil and eggs (no need to reconstitute eggs before adding to this mix). Sitr in carrots and pineapple. blend together dry ingredients; stir into batter thoroughly. Add vanilla, raisins, and nuts. pour into prepared pan. Bake bread pans for 45-40 minutes, muffins for 20 minutes, and bundt pan 1 hour or until done.

Makes 1 Bundt pan, 2 bread pans, or 24 muffins.

Okay, now for the easy gourmet tips:

Adding the nuts on top of the muffins not only gives it a great look and flavor (it lightly toasts the nuts) but it is also a great way to serve nut lovers and non-nut lovers alike since it becomes obvious which have nuts and which don’t.

If you want to add the stencil idea, all you need to do is go on your computer and type the letter you want to do in Microsoft Word (or which ever program you use for word processing) print out the letter you want to do in a large size (at least 72). Cut it out and place on top of muffin and shake powdered sugar on top. (Thanks Julie R. for the powdered sugar shaker!)

For more tips and tricks for using food storage in your everyday recipes, visit www.everydayfoodstorage.NET

© 2008 – 2010, Crystal. All rights reserved.