Egg Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free Baked Oatmeal

I love oats and this is one of my favorite breakfasts. I just place a square in a microwavable dish, top with a little sugar and soy milk then microwave until warmed through. This also makes a great on the go snack or breakfast because you can eat the squares as is at room temperature. My parents and kids prefer to add some fruits, chocolate chips, etc. However, I like them plain or using a flavored applesauce.

Baked Oatmeal

4 cups quick cooking oats
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup wheat germ, optional
2/3 cup applesauce, unsweetened or any flavor desired
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cup soy milk

Combine the oats, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and wheat germ. Add the applesauce, vanilla and soy milk then mix thoroughly. Pour the batter in a sprayed 9x13 baking dish. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes or until set.
*  You can add anything you like to this recipes such as blueberries, strawberries, canned peaches or pears, safe chocolate chips, coconut, raisins, shredded apple, etc.
*  Serve as is or topped with some soy milk.
*  Serve warm or at room temperature.

Egg Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free Papa's Favorite Sherbet

My dad loves this sherbet. Our favorite Kool-Aid to use is tropical punch, but we also have fun experimenting with all of the other flavors. This sherbet is ready to put in the ice cream maker within a few minutes of starting to make it, so it is a great anytime treat.

Papa's Favorite Sherbet

1 envelope Kool-Aid, any flavor
1 1/2 cups sugar, more or less to suit your taste
3 cups soy milk

Whisk together all of the ingredients until the sugar is dissolved. Pour the mixture into the ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer's instructions.
*  Once the sherbet is done, the girls have a bowl of it like soft serve. Then I transfer the rest to a covered container and place it in the freezer. If the sherbet becomes to hard in the freezer, I place it briefly in the microwave to make it easier to scoop.

Egg Free, Dairy Free Creamy Meat & Potatoes

I thought this meal was good with the ground beef, but I think it would be better with a stronger flavored meat such as sausage.

Creamy Meat & Potatoes

4 tbsp dairy-free margarine
4 potatoes, sliced thin
2 cups cubed ham, cooked ground beef, sausage, sliced hot dogs, etc.
2 tbsp flour
Salt and pepper to taste
1 1/4 cups soy milk

Spread half of the margarine on the bottom of a deep skillet. Layer half of the potato slices and half of the cubed ham over the margarine. Sprinkle with half of the flour then season with salt and pepper. Dot with the remaining half of the margarine. Repeat the layers of the remaining potatoes, ham, flour, salt and pepper. Pour the soy milk over all of the ingredients. Bring to a simmer over high heat, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover then cook for 20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. Uncover the skillet and simmer for 7 minutes or until the sauce thickens.

Egg Free, Dairy Free Meat & Rice Skillet

Another easy family meal.

Meat & Rice Skillet

1 lb browned ground beef or cooked and diced chicken
1/2 cup instant rice, uncooked
15 oz can tomato sauce
1 can cut green beans or corn
Salt & pepper to taste

Combine all of the ingredients in a deep skillet. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes or until the rice is done, stirring occasionally.

Egg Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free Simply Amazing Chocolate Chip Cookies

We are going to an Easter egg hunt at church today and Jazzy will not be able to eat the majority of the candy that comes in those eggs. Jazzy knows that, but she loves to go on the hunts and have fun with her friends. I wanted to make something special for her to have and this is what I made to surprise her. She loves chocolate chip cookies and anything with sprinkles. These cookies stay soft with a bit of crunch around the edges and bottom.

Simply Amazing Chocolate Chip Cookies
Makes about 4 dozen

1 cup dairy-free margarine
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup soy milk
2-3 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
12 oz safe chocolate chips

Use a hand mixer to cream together the margarine and both sugars. Add the soy milk and vanilla then mix again. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, salt and baking soda. Add the flour mixture to the margarine mixture and mix again until thoroughly combined. Fold in the chocolate chips. Roll tablespoon amounts of the dough into balls then place them on parchment lined baking sheets 2" apart. Bake at 350 for 9-11 minutes.
*  If desired, roll the dough balls in sprinkles before placing them on the baking sheet.
*  This recipe also makes a good sugar cookie if you omit the chocolate chips, especially if you use the sprinkles.

Salt Dough

This is a fun craft, you can use this dough for sculptures, mosaics or anything you can think of. You can knead food coloring directly into the dough before using. The dough can also be painted when fully dried. Jazlyn made this mosaic and sculpture of the turtle.

Salt Dough

1 cup salt
1 cup flour
1/2 cup water

Combine the salt and flour. Add the water and mix well. Knead the dough several times until the dough is smooth and moldable. Allow your project to air dry.

Egg Free, Dairy Free Creamed Noodles & Beef

This is one of my girls' favorite meals. It freezes so great that they can have leftovers any time.

Creamed Noodles and Beef

1 lb ground beef, browned
1 box noodles, cooked and drained
1 can creamed corn
1 can gravy

Combine all of the ingredients and heat through.
*  I freeze any leftovers in single-serving containers.